1 Holmgang

The clashing of steel and oak was powerful enough to send vibrations through the crowd forming the impromptu arena. The struggle of life and death all to familiar to the hard men and women of this land. The sound of steel meeting flesh tore a cheer from the throats of the spectators.

" WOLFBORN WOLFBORN WOLFBORN"

The youth standing victorious let out a triumphant roar, His name is Aegir Wolfborn adopted son of the King of the Vikings Torvold Asmund. Aegir stands taller and broader than other boys of 15, Torvold states it's simply due to Aegir being in his presence makes him a stronger more capable man. Like all sons of the Northern Kingdom of SnowHaven, Aegir is well muscled with extreme endurance due to the constant combat that is ingrained in SnowHavens culture and harshness of the land itself.

Torvald strode up to his son with bellowing laughter " Keep this up boy and you may be able to take me when I'm old and grey!" Aegir beamed at the compliment. A person would have to be as strong as the harsh land itself to earn the rank of warlord and even stronger still to become king. Torvald stood at seven feet tall, his chest as wide as the strongest oak tree even more imposing still was his famous war axe as tall as a fully grown man. It was often said that the blood of giants ran through his veins which only added to his legend but to Aegir Torvold was just his doting father.

" It may be sooner old man you're lifting more tankards these days than your axe" Aegir said with a smile. Torvold smack his son shoulder, his booming laughter once again filling the air. Aegir grimaced as the smack felt more like the blow of a war hammer than it was a warmhearted gesture. "So what was it this time, did the poor bastard make a move on Freydis or perhaps he made a move on you, you seem the type" Torvold said while nodding towards the the fallen warrior bleeding heavily from a stump where his right arm used to be and a deep gouge on his throat.

" That honorless bastard was strutting around the square brazenly spouting shit about how Selvi would be a great beauty and he would surely be the first to take he whether it was wanted or not."

Aegir spoke with venom in his voice. Rage flashed across Torvolds face and was gone almost as fast, Selvi was six and his first child if you excluded the adopted Aegir.

"You did well to defend your sisters honor. Next time go for the balls if they are stupid enough to slander Selvi, Besides that we have an important matter to discuss so after dinner tonight come to the Great Hall." Torvold said with seldom used seriousness in his voice. Aegir gulped hard it wasnt often his father spoke to him with meaning " If this is about the goats and the honey that was in no way my doing" Aegir said trying to sound as genuine as possible. Torvold eyed his son suspiciously as some trickster had covered his beard in honey while he was passed out after a hard night of drinking only to wake up to goats chewing parts of his beautiful facial hair off. "The matter isnt about that but now that you bring it up I may have to challenge you in the ring next ye little bastard." Aegir cursed his big mouth " Haha what I've no idea what you mean dear father who loves his son!" Torvold eyed his son suspiciously until he noticed another person approaching the pair. "I should question you more but it seems you have bigger problems." Torvold said while gesturing towards the newcomer behind Aegir.

"Fighting again my beloved future husband" Aegirs face went pale hearing the soft voice behind him, turning to stare into the the beautiful ocean blue eyes of his future wife Freydis. She softly caressed his face with both hands " Are you hurt anywhere?" she asked while checking him over for wounds. "I'm completely fine my love honest I was in no danger at any point." He said with a half assed smile. Freydis was the closest thing to a flesh and blood valkyrie any man could imagine, Her golden hair draped her slender but powerful build. Her smile was warm enough to melt even the coldest of basterds hearts. At least on the outside she appeard to be the perfect gentle wife but Aegir knew better. As swift as an eagle swooping down on its prey Freydis delivers a powerful headbutt to Aegirs nose her soft grip on his head locked him in place. "FUCKING IDIOT, Stop putting your life in danger until after we've wed!" Aegir rubbed his freshly tender nose trying to appear as apologetic as he could muster. The couple had been together as long as anyone could remember latching on to each other as infants and never letting go. Its customary that the children of viking kings wed the children of one of their waords to further strengthen bonds whether they be adopted or otherwise. Freydis was the daughter of warriors however after seeing how much they cared for each other and even more importantly how well Freydis reigned in the wild son of the king a betrothal agreement was struck to be carried out when they come of age. "Sorry Sorry" Aegir quickly embraced her to calm her temper before she decides to further exert her dominance. "It was completely unavoidable to be fair if you had heard what the man was saying you'd do the same." Aegir tried to persuade her to not blame him but she just glared at him and sighed. " I'll let this one go for now but when we have kids you'll do nothing that's even remotely close to dangerous. Until then let's go spar before dinner since you apparently have all that energy to burn off" sounding as menacing as possible turning to head off to the armory, Aegir drooping his shoulders following closely behind.