To Thine Own Self Be True [Velkar]

[Coci Heavenshield]

This above all...

Left alone to his own thought since Yula was away up north, Vik had grown restless in his mood, missing her very much and try as he might he could not stop. Not that he really wanted to stop missing her but he did need a distraction until she returned. The Queens Rangers had welcomed him back, and some of them disbelieving of the change in the young man, so much more approachable, open to speaking with them or anyone for that matter, and Vik took up the offer to go out into the plains of Midvinter, on one of their scouting expeditions.

It was good to be back, among his people this time with a real difference, back on horse back plowing through the snow and feeling the touch of nature on his cheeks. The biting cold he loved so much as if the ice ran through his veins. He smiled as they passed through the hidden tunnel between worlds, the Aelvar and the Valkyri, the very same one that he had come through with Yula.

Their mission was to scout the battle field on which all races of Midvinter had fought against the Hag of Death, and when he heard this was their destination he could not refuse the opportunity. They were to go and seek out anything left on the field that was once held by the Rangers and their fallen king, relic they would be now and most sacred to his people. The dead that fell have passed into the Frostvatn and have become One with it.

The magic veil that shrouded the passage between their worlds fell down as the last of them passed the threshold and they set out across open ground. They did not need to hide anymore, now that the Aelvar and Valkyri held a treaty of peace, but even though this was new and there was still some held suspicion on both sides, they could hold their own if something was to come to pass.

Some of the rangers he rode with were at the battle and spoke of it in detail to him, Vik wished he had been home for it, fighting alongside his brethren and if it came to it, fall with them, he felt ashamed he wasn't there for them. They spoke of the battle, the strange portal and spewed foul creatures never ending, of smoke demons, armies of great numbers of the Valkyri, the ones they call Jedi and .. Gods. Vik kept quiet through it all, listening with great intent especially when they spoke of the one the Valkyri call Velkar, the God of Fire and Mischief.

"There", Loras Bluewater pointed to the side of a large mountain. "The one they call Velkar blew the side of the mountain and rained down fire and stone upon the enemy". Vik turned to look, the destruction of it vast even though the mountain remained it was clear much destruction had changed it landscape. He felt a sense of fear at the sight of it, such power to be able to do something like that was frightening and deep down he knew he had that power within him too.

From the mountain side a long raised ridge cut across the plain now covered in a thick blanket of snow snaked down around the battle field. "What is that?", he asked his childhood friend.

"It is called Velmærr, when fire meets ice", Loras turned his mounts head to follow the others, Vik did not. "I'll catch up with you later", he said without his gaze removed from the sight before him.

 

[Coci Heavenshield]

He dismounted and let the reins drop to the snow bed of the field. It looked like a white snake, side winding down from the mountain side to the battle field lying in wait or dormant with its own purpose. Vik approached the unique formation of Velmærr the reality was that there was not much to see on the surface of it, the treasures lay beneath he supposed. Yet he could not help but wonder at the power of the man that formed this, his father. It started to intrigue him more what this would be like to hold such ability in ones hands, the though caused him to pause and take in his own. In his mind’s eye he could see the white balls of energy on his palms and the sensation of it strong and bewildering to him.

He threw the though away to the snow as he realised he was standing on top of it walking along the spine of the ‘serpent’. As he walked closer to the base of the mountain from which it spewed, small pools of hot springs bubbled just below the surface of the snow and steam lifted up into the air. The smell of sulpha and other minerals wrinkled his nostrils and he knew the waters were so hot they could melt the flesh of bone. It was a dangerous place for those that did not heed prudence of the environment.

Vik would go no further simply because the ‘serpents’ tail lay against the side of the mountain and there was no need to progress, this spot was enough. He kneeled down, used his hand to push away the snow thick and hard against the hardened black rock. The surface looked like any solid lava flow, black and crusted, jiggered and sharp enough to cut skin and gently he placed his palm on it. As cold as ice.

To thine own self be true …

The words entering his mind, his own voice? Not quite, but it was like two voices his and .. he suddenly took his hand away from the hard rock and hissed with pain, it was as if the surface became incredibly hot. But that was impossible.

“To thine own self be true”, the words again this time they hung in the air around him and originated from behind him. Vik’s face ran cold all the blood that flushed his cheeks gone in an instant as he turned to see his father standing there, with a growing grin. “I thought I scared you off the last time we met”. No hello how are you.

 

[Coci Heavenshield]

So there he was, his son much changed since they last met. Probably because of that woman, I supposed that she might have an influence on him, maybe it would soften him too much. Women have a habit of doing that to men, turning their hearts toward more compassionate virtues, shackling their inner nature toward aggressive pursuits, turning their minds to responsibility and stealing their freedom, making them dependent on their company for comfort and pleasures of the flesh, love and caring .. By the gods I think I shall vomit.

Should I save my son from a fate worse than death? Well pinkie was pretty, so there was that and I will not tell my son of our meeting, she can have the pleasure of that. No doubt I left quite an impression on the distressing damsel.

“Come now no need to look so pallid, there is no monster here today .. I’m in a good mood”, I proclaimed with joy, but I could see it would take some convincing for my son to feel the mood. The view from Velmærr was rather breathtaking and I must admit this was one of my better creations and I admired it with pride.

“Under the surface, beneath the hard crust of black lava is something most unique, something that will .. in time .. be most valuable. But until such time comes, it is only glass”, I turn to my son, “Like you”. I raise my hand to show him the power within me, at my beckon call and truly this was only the surface of it, my ball of power green as emerald so destructive, so horrific, so beautiful.

“You have seen it, haven’t you”, I suddenly move taking his arm pulling him to me until we are but a breath away from each other. Turning his hand in mine until his palm is facing upward I pull from him the same power, the god given magic that one day Vik will wield with such might he will become so destructive, so horrific, so beautiful.

“Show me”, I command with a snarl, authority of a father and a god. “Show me!”.