Chapter 7

"Keep in mind that there are no right or wrong answers while thinking about the question young one. Now, let us begin.

First question: I have heard a little bit about your time in the wilderness and am curious. Now that you have experienced the real world a little bit would you rather remain in safety and read about all there is to know in a book which would mean living a life through the eyes of another or gain knowledge outside those walls through experience which would mean risking your life in the process?" The raven statue asked in its relatively high voice causing Alvar to hum in thought at the question.

'On one hand safety is always good, especially if you want to create a family of your own though only reading books and through such gaining knowledge sounds too monotonous for me. I pick the second option: to experience the outside world for myself.' Alvar replied after thinking the question over for a few seconds.

"I see. Next question: If you had to choose between the hard work of the body or the hard work of the mind, both equally taxing, which would you choose?"

'I don't dislike mental work but after some time of studying with my grandma I always get antsy and need to move my body, so I do not think mental work would be the best option for me…I pick option number one: hard work of the body.' Alvar answered with a slight nod at his own conclusion as it seemed logical to him.

"I see. I always found the mind of a child fascinating as it is almost always on point in its naivety. Cluelessness can be a blessing indeed sometimes…anyway, next question it is." The raven statues monologue causing Alvar to cry out in anger at the raven due to its bluntness which seemingly only amused the raven after which Alvar shut his mouth again, now sure that the raven had it out for him somehow.

"Now that we have the basic questions out of the way I would like to get to know you yourself a little bit better, thus the following questions will be a bit harder. Are you ready to continue?" The raven asked once more to which Alvar replied positively.

"Alright then, the next question: Imagine the following scenario. You are a grown man, a hunter and leader. The last winter was a harsh and cruel one causing food to become sparse which in turn lead to your people becoming sick and hungry. In a last attempt to safe your people you send out a group of hunters to find a new source of food, hoping to end the hunger by doing so. The hunters find a good hunting spot with a lot of wild animals that could serve as nutrients for your people. But unfortunately before they are able to go hunt the animals the group of hunters are attacked by a raiding group of the sons of Jormag and through the fighting take heavy casualties. One remaining but heavily wounded hunter drags himself back to your people in order to tell you of the ideal hunting ground. Unfortunately before he is able to tell you about said grounds he falls into a deep coma resulting in a dilemma for you as their leader. You have two options at your hands. Send out another hunting party with the majority of the remaining food supplies in the hopes they may find the hidden hunting ground and return in time for your people to survive. Or you stay your hand, ration the supplies and hope the wounded hunter wakes up to tell you of the hidden hunting grounds before your supplies run dry. Choose!" the raven spoke and Alvar couldn't help but frown in thought at the options before him.

On one hand he knew that it could be possible for the new hunting party to track down the hunters footprints and thus follow it back to the hidden hunting grounds but while doing so another raiding party of the sons of Jormag could attack them and annihilate any chance for the people to survive in the process. The other option though seemed reliant on the one hunter and who could say if said hunter woke up at all? He could maybe ask the spirits for help but even then success was not guaranteed.

Alvars frown only grew as he mulled over the question. In the end he picked the one that he felt would suit him the most as he hadn't forgotten the ravens words about there not being a right or wrong answer to the questions.

'I pick option number one: send out another raiding party. I think it is smarter to rely on more people to solve a common problem then put all your money on one individual.' Alvar thought causing the raven to hum in reply.

"It seems you have made your choice. Let us continue. Your friends have gotten into an argument with another group of children and you come to know about it. It is certain that said argument isn't going to end without it becoming physical. Once you heard what was going on and is about to happen, two options present themselves to you. One: You could go and notify an adult and adhere to the rules established by your people. Two: You could rush there yourself and hope your intervention prevents an overstepping of boundaries from whence there is no return. Choose!"

Once again Alvar mulled over the options in his head but for the first time since he had been questioned he had no clue which option to pick. Both seemed equally good and bad.

'I-I pick option number two!' Alvar said while absolutely sure that he had no clue what he was doing. He simply picked one and hoped for the best.

"It seems you are unsure. Why?" The raven statue questioned with curiosity being clear in its voice.

'Well, who is to say that I will arrive in time or be of any use at all? I only picked that option because I could maybe control some of the things that were about to happen to my friends. The other option is too rational for me as I would be controlled by my emotions in such a situation. At least I think I would be. Not sure…It's just, both options are stupid! Can't you give me a better one that I could choose?' Alvar said in frustration, for the first time since their conversation started causing the Raven to break out into a fit of high pitched laughter at Alvar's words who pouted a little bit at the stupid Raven.

"I could, but then I would not learn anything about you now would I?" the Raven replied while still chuckling at Alvar before it calmed down finally and resumed his questioning.

"Last question for you. It is said that you cannot trust the word of a liar once he has lied to you and broken his word. It just so happens that said liar comes to your leaders and informs them of an impending attack on your capital. Would you trust his word and prepare for said attack and spend many valuable resources in the process that could, in another place and time, help you survive or not believe the word of the liar and risk getting caught of guard in the hopes for his words to be another lie? Choose!"

This time it was a little bit easier for Alvar as resources could be regained but lives could not. Thus he decided to pick option number one after which he told the Raven about his reasoning who hummed once again in reply.

"I think I have gotten a feel for who you are by now boy and I would advise you to pick a physical profession instead of a mental one. While you are a smart lad you tend to be more proactive in your approaches and thus more fit for a profession that requires you to take matters into your own two hands rather then depend on the spirits of your ancestors for guidance for example. Of course my counsel is only optional in the end and you may choose whatever your heart desires. Once you will return for your last trial at your 18th birthday we will both see if you made the right decision though even then it will not be completely clear if you picked correctly. Until we meet again young one. It was a pleasure to converse with you!"

And with those words of goodbye Alvars eyes blurred until he felt a warm hand grip him at his shoulder, causing Alvar to recoil at the action that had taken him completely by surprise. Once he opened his eyes he was standing right at the entrance of the cave he had ventured into, his only thoughts while looking into the steel grey eyes of the Havroune being: 'How in all hells did I get here?'