Bjarke slammed his wood axe down on the log he had set on a stump near his home, he looked at his son who was carrying more logs back to their home. The teenager had made his father proud in the previous months, he had slain a wolf on his own, he had already began constructing a pen for animals on the farm. Bjarke could not have been prouder, the boy was growing to be a good man.
"Colbourn," Bjarke said as he let the axe slip in his hand so that his grip was around the blade, "I am leaving for Tymriel tomorrow."
The boy walked to the stump and dropped the logs he was carrying, Bjarke gripped the back of his sons head and brought him into his arms and hugged him.
"You have done great things in the recent months, when I come back from Tymriel I will be returning with a sword and shield for you my son. Crafted by the finest blacksmith I can find."
"Thank you father," The boy said with a smile, "Why can I not come with you? I have not seen my uncle in several years, it would be an honor to see him again."
"You're still young, you will see him in time, perhaps you will follow in my footsteps and serve in his army. To fight and kill the enemies of our kin." Bjarke said with a smile as they entered their dwelling, his wife sat by the fire stirring a pot. Bjarke walked to her side and knelt, he put his hands near the flames and rubbed them together. He smiled and stood up kissing his wife on the cheek, he was a happy man and enjoyed his life, even when he fought the enemies of his people he was a happy man. He peered into the large pot and spotted bits of beef, carrots, lettuce, and slices of potatoes floating around. He sat next to his wife and put his right arm around her.
"Must you leave for the king?" She said leaning her head on his shoulder, "Perhaps you could stay here and help the boy with our pen?"
"My dearest I can only postpone it, and even so it is a mans duty to fight alongside his family and his king. Besides it has been long since the gods graced me to spill blood."
Eira stopped speaking and picked up one of the bowls from the floor, she tilted the pot over and poured steaming soup into the bowl. Bjarke grabbed it and found a wooden spoon on the table and stuck it in the thick soup, he called his son from the fire and pointed to the food. The boy sat at his fathers side as his wife brought over two more bowls, steam rising from each. She set one in front of Bjarke and one for herself. He grabbed a spoon and stuck it inside, he brought it to his lips and downed some of the piping hot soup. The warmth that fell down to his stomach brought a pained smile to his face. He blew on the bowl and began to scoop it into his mouth more and more. After dinner, Bjarke and Eira moved to their bedroom and their son in the common area.
The Next Day
Bjarke entered the castle of his dear cousin and shouted aloud, he wore his bear fur coat and his finest leathers with his armor on as well. He smiled and looked around playing with some of the guards weapons, he grabbed on of the guards' helmet and pulled it off his head. He tossed it in the air and caught it over his fist, the guard reached for it and Bjarke pulled it back. He brought it around his body and handed it back to the guard, he let out a hearty laugh and looked at a nearby carving and pondered at it for a bit.
