CIII. The Three Options

"So... If you agree, I'd like to introduce you to the candidate warriors I've chosen" Egill said, turning to Dag.

"Yes, I'm ready" Dag replied.

All three walked out of the library. Karl was still in disbelief at Egill's gesture of generosity and looked happy at his new almanac, beginning to flip through the front pages.

Egill made his way to the courtyard of Temple Of Orn, where all the warriors were about to finish their daily training.

"Dag! You're back!" shouted Dargeon towards him, catching everyone's attention, who stopped and looked at Dag and Karl.

The two friends stopped a few meters before the stone steps, on which the Masters used to assist training.

Egill climbed the stairs and positioned himself next to Dargeon, addressing the crowd of warriors, who were ready to listen to what their Master Of Healing had to say.

"Terje, Reidar, Runa! Step forward!" he said aloud, calling his pupils to report.

Two young Berserkrs and a Shieldmaiden advanced towards the two masters, greeting Dag with his eyes. All three looked like his peers.

Egill got off the pedestal, walking towards them. He nodded to the first of them, who positioned himself in front of Dag.

He was a boy with blond hair and blue eyes, similar to Dag.

"He is Terje, one of the best students of the Clan. He's 19 years old and he's a skilled swordsman, using his two swords to hit enemies with great speed and immediately end the fight" Egill said, waiting for Dag to watch him well.

Dag nodded his head, confirming that he understood.

Terje returned to his place and the second boy stepped forward to Dag.

"Reidar is a formidable archer. With its longbow, it can hit an apple even more than 100 meters away. He comes from a family of warriors, his father was one of King Einarr's personal archers. He's 18, just like you" Egill continued.

Dag looked closely at the candidate: he was a kind of short boy, but with two muscular arms. His long hair was gathered over his head and tied with a piece of rope.

He too reciprocated Dag's gaze, looking at him with his green eyes.

Dag nodded to his Master.

It was Shieldmaiden's turn.

Dargeon went down the steps to Dag and spoke: "I introduce you to Runa, my best student. She is 22 years old and despite her young age, she manages to move her tower shield nimbly, which she combines with a hammer. She is a formidable tank, her courage and strength are unparalleled!"

Runa was a muscular and tall young woman with brown hair and penetrating celestial eyes. Her size was really impressive and her face was unequal: a very pronounced jaw and thin lips left to shine her physical strength, much more masculine than feminine.

Karl came up to Dag's ear and whispered: "I don't know what do you think, but this girl scares me!"

Dag chuckled and nodded his head at Dargeon.

"I didn't know you were also notified of my expedition, Master Dargeon" he said.

Karl bowed his head toward Dargeon, out of respect.

"Egill told me everything. We're with you, Dag" the Master Of Defense replied, clenching his fist at Dag to encourage him.

"Yet, the plans have changed slightly!" said Egill, who stood on the pedestal, addressing all the other warriors.

"Before going to Hevnen, where he will try to convince the Sons Of Freya to join us, waiting for the big battle, Dag has something else in mind. He will reveal it to the one who will choose as his companion. The young boy next to him will be the third member of the team: his name is Karl, the herbalist" he continued, pointing to Karl, who embarrassed, bowed his head toward the crowd, greeting the Clan warriors.

Dag approached the three warriors, thinking: "I remember Reidar's face, he helped me driving out the Fangs Of Jormungandr, killing them one after the other with a bow and arrow. His accuracy is remarkable, just as Egill says. Terje doesn't look bad either, but his fighting style is perhaps too focused on attack and counterattack, like mine. I don't think it would be a wise choice to choose him. Then… there's Runa, the giant Shieldmaiden. I think she would just slow us down. Judging by her sizing, it looks like she walks slowly and gets tired easily".

He continued to walk back and forth to the three warriors, who watched him closely, impatiently.

"My Masters, I made my choice" he said, watching Egill and Dargeon, that were waiting for the verdict.

"Reidar will join my team. I hope the other two hold no grudges against me, I am sure that they all are warriors of equal strength and tenacity" Dag continued, making a slight bow to them, out of respect.

Rune snorted, drifting away.

Terje reciprocated the bow, looking at Dag. Then he took a few steps back, going back to the other warriors.

"I believe that Reidar's archer skills will come in handy in our journey. I vaguely remember him. We have already fought together to defend the west wing of the Temple during the last attack" Dag replied, looking at his new ally with a smile.

"Well, you already know each other! So be it, you 3 will be the new delegation of explorers of the Hammers Of Thor!" exclaimed Egill, raising his arm towards Dag, Karl, and Reidar, who approached his new companions and shook their hands.

The crowd cheered them, raising arms to the sky and shouting their names.

Dag thanked everyone, while Karl looked down, embarrassed. Reidar smiled in moderation, seemed to have a calm and thoughtful personality.

Egill and Dargeon looked pleased at Dag and Reidar, proud of them.

"Let's drink to our new team, what do you say?" exclaimed Dag, addressing his two teammates.

"Why not!" Reidar replied, smiling.

All three made their way to the kitchens of Temple Of Orn, looking for mead.

Karl kept looking around, marveling at every little detail of the dorm's corridors.