We Bury Our Dead At Dawn

[Julian Falkenberg]

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Helm's Holy Temple, Tháinbroek​

Early evening​

Themehttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=za8eYjQ7Nz8​

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To be laid at the altar of the great temple of Helm, god of War and Justice, was the ultimate life goal of every god-fearing Valkyri. Among other things, it meant that the person who was displayed led a life of virtue, sacrifice and service to Midvinter, not only favored by the gods, but also by mortal men of Midvinter. It also signified a honorable death in battle, with sword and axe in hand, which earned rites of passage to the ethereal halls of Beornskald. From here the soul of the warrior would transgress into eternity, while the body would be later consumed by flames, returning to ashes from which it was crafted. Indeed, no greater honor for a child of Midvinter, than to be set on the shrine of the war god himself. Yet, this incredible distinction was met by a river of tears by those outliving the fallen warrior.

The body of Eodred Stormguard, Lord Gatekeeper of Tháinbroek and loyal servant to High King, was clad in his ceremonial armor ornamented with family crest and semiprecious jewels in blue hues. On his chest lay a finely crafted longsword, with dragonhead for a pommel, his sides wrapped in the velvet blue cloth of his stately cape. His weathered face was serene like the surface of a mountain lake, nothing in his appearance revealing he had left this world; one would think - a simple touch on the shoulder and he would wake.

The scent of candles and burning incense permeated the air, filling the entire hall with a translucent, silky mist. A woman knelt in the first row of the kneelers, leaning over the wooden ledge, a cascade of blonde wavy hair covering her face. She wore a simple black dress, a sure sign of mourning among their kind, her hand clasped in a silent prayer. Her entire being trembled ever so lightly, quiescent sobs echoing against the arched ceiling of the temple. Tears ran down her cheeks and fell onto the floor, tapping against weathered stone that was already dented by the mourning of mothers, daughters, sisters and wives that grieved for their loved ones over the ages.

The temple was void of other visitors but herself; night was nigh and Valkyri prepared for rest, gathering for dinner with their families infront of the hearth, just as the tradition prescribed. Astrid had grown up without a mother, with Eodred the only family she ever had, but nonetheless the two of them dined together every night. He would sit in front of the fireplace as his daughter served him his favorite mushroom stew and smoked his pipe, discussing the events of the day with his only living heir. There was pride in his eyes when he saw what his daughter had become, what beacon of hope, what bringer of light. His only regret was, before he left his mortal coil, that he did not tell her how proud he was. But she knew, of that he was certain.

Stormguard's daughter couldn't go home tonight, only to return to an empty house, the carved chair where Eodred usually sat to be forever empty. She thus stayed long after her father's friends and other dignitaries had paid their respects, intending to stay by his side as long as she could. The truth was - Astrid had no other place to go.

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[member="Théodred Heavenshield"]

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[Théodred Heavenshield]

It was as if nothing had happened, the soft gentle fall of snow touched the ground and had covered the blood and gore that only, a few days ago, had stained the soil of Midvinter. There had been too much death, on both sides. Valkyri fighting Valkyri to the end, the Undead unnatural embodiment of those who's lives and death had been denied the passage into the Halls of the Gods. Those that had stood alongside their King in order to defeat it, this evil that had visited Midvinter from beyond the stars, now stand arm in arm with their ancestors and drink to the glory of birth rite. There is a stillness that shrouds Midvinter, a silence almost deafening to the ears and souls of those left behind after the death. Not even creatures stirred, they had gone as if hiding away from the faces of men and women not trusting them to came close. Yet, they through thousands of years of life on this icy planet, know this is the way of things. They will return, one day.

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There is much on this boy's mind, still numb from war in which he had took part in no little way. Pushed beyond his years of life within the galaxy and had come through it, but so many had not. He walks along the valley on the edge of the woods outside Tháinbroek, he is coming home to the capital knowing that his family will be waiting for him. In his fur all coated with a light fall of snow, he enters the tall great gates to the capital, he hears nothing but the tread of horse hooves on the stone streets, there is no laughter from children, even the ringing of the forge is silent .. Midvinter is numb too.

Yet, he turns the corner into a street that leads to Helm's Holy Temple, as if guided there for a purpose, he does not try and fight it but simply allows his feet to follow the path until he pushes open the doors to the Temple. The light is dull inside, only lit candles afford him to see and there is a scent strong burning in holders that sit heavy with smoke on the cold air. His eyes fall upon a woman seated dressed in black and sorrow has filled her heart. He can sense it, she is not concealing her loss nor should she. He turns as if to leave her to her grief, he hesitates as her grief is Midvinters as well, which makes it his.

"My Lady", he draws attention to his presence as he approaches her. "Who is this fine warrior you give your tears to?".

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[member="Astrid Stormguard"]​

 

[Julian Falkenberg]

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Heavenshield's soothing voice reverbated against the temple walls, softy echoing through the desolate halls of Helm's edifice. The texture of his tone revealed he was not a boy anymore, yet not a man, his articulation half way between mellow voice of a child and the deep baritone of his father. Astrid lifted her head to reveal a pair of ocean blue eyes bathed in tears, her irises coruscating in azure hues resembling the striking vistas of the Great Maw, Midvinter's single, vast ocean.

Her long, wavy hair was the colour of the fields of wheat, a washed golden with dashes of ash. In more ways than one, the daughter of Eodred was the archetypal beauty of the her people; she was of fair skin and hair, petite by the Valkyri standards, but endowed by curves many fellow warriors admired. More importantly, she was the paragon of honor and pride, a true heir to the noble Stormguard name. As such, she knew her masters well.

"Your Highness..." the blonde woman voice upon rising to stand, then swiftly bowing her head to the Prince of Midvinter - "...I wasn't notified of your arrival. I apologize."

The truth was - the two had met already, but Théodred was probably too young to remember. He was barely able to walk when Astrid played in the royal guardens during brief Midvinter summers and stumbled upon a five-year old boy who had wandered off from his governess. The daughter of Eodred was barely twelve back then, but displayed remarkable levels of responsibility even then. She returned the boy to the main hall, back into the arms of his loving mother.

"My father, Eodred Stormguard, has transcended the gates of Beornskald. He died protecting Warsung from the Vinterbound." the young woman reported briefly and approached Heavenshield. She was taller than him, at least for now.

"He fought valiantly. But there was nothing I could do to save him." she continued, glancing over her shoulder at the serene body of her late father - "Either his life or the lives of villagers. He would've made the same choice if I was in such a situation."

[member="Théodred Heavenshield"]​

 

[Théodred Heavenshield]

As she stood and turned to face him, Théo had a vague recollection of having seen her before, but he could not place where they had met. It did not matter, the importance of the situation lay upon the stone in full armour before a grieving daughter. Théo took a couple of steps toward her father, regarding his clan colours and standard, his hands and face. He could see the resemblance to his daughter written in the lines of experience and a full life lived over his peaceful face. "The name is Théo", he said softly never could get use to the royal title. "And I am sorry for your loss", he had his own to bare as well.

"I am pleased to hear the village is safe but like all of Midvinter, we have lost many", he said turning to her now. She is very beautiful even in grief, in fact sometimes it is these moments that reveal the truth of a person. He walked to her and sat down on the bench to be with her for a time, baring grief alone rips the soul.

"Stronguard? This is Lord Stronguard?", the realisation hit him, the head gatekeeper to the capital. Many a time Théo had 'run into' the man on his many explorations from the safe walls of Tháinbroek and met with his disapproval at venturing out alone. "Come, sit with me and tell me his story". Words voiced of a warrior and his deeds propels them into immortality and into legend of Midvinter lore.

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[member="Astrid Stormguard"]​

 

[Julian Falkenberg]

Just as the Prince of Midvinter requested, Lady Stormguard sat onto the bench, right next to him, the seam of her dress ever so lightly grazing against his boot. The distance between them was appropriate, yet intimate, with Astrid needing to speak just a notch louder than a whisper so that Heavenshield could hear her. The subtle scent of rosewater emanated from her freshly washed hair, the whiff of brief Midvinter summer grazing against Théodred's senses, reminiscing of times bygone, more fortunate... Astrid was hardly the most suitable of spouses for the grandson of Dawnbringer; there were ladies of nobler birth and more glorious heritage, such as Arya Riverwood with hair of fire and a knack for tapestries. Daughter of Eodred was amicable in her simplicity, in her genuine concern for the well being of Valkyri people.

"I cannot call you Théo other than here and now" she asserted with a dismissive head-shake - "You are my Master, Lord and Commander. But if you insist..."

Grief mixed with pride within her; while she had no living kin left in this world, her last of kin was laid at Helm's altar, no greater honor among the Valkyri. She mourned wordlessly, her heart wailing like a lone wolf greets the full moon.

"The village was surrounded by the Vinterbound. Just before they breached the perimeter, my father drove them off to the side and into a landslide trap we've prepared, leaving my unit with an opportunity to strike them at the flank. We emerged victorious, but both Lord Stormguard and his men perished under a flurry of rocks tumbling down the mountainside. It took me three hours to dig him out, with my bare hands." she reported somberly and wiped a tear off her cheek, then glanced towards the young heir.

"There is something wrong with me, Théo..." she said and looked down, as if ashamed - "...some sorcery at play. I knew my father would leave for the mead halls of Beornskald a day before his fate befell him. Have I wished him into death?"
The question lingered in the air for a few moments, before the blonde woman extended her palm outwards, her elegant hand waving ever so gently from left to light, which extinguished a dozen candles in a candlestick more then ten feet away. A clear sign of Force sensitivity for the trained mind, but the Valkyri had no working knowledge of it. For them, it was pure magic.

[member="Théodred Heavenshield"]​

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[Théodred Heavenshield]

As Théo sat next to Astrid on the bench he quietly listened to the story of her father. His eyes fixed on this hands holding the hilt of his sword, a good sword he could tell, and he was amazed at what lengths her father had gone to, to protect his people. Midvinter had been hit hard, Théo's own family had suffered a great loss as well, but he was not here for that, he was here to celebrate the life and death of one of Midvinter's brave and true warriors.

He cared little for the titles his position afforded him, not here in this place in front of the Gods, they .. the family, are but guardians to the Gods over Midvinter and nothing more. When she announced that she believed there was something wrong with her, it was then that he turned to look at her face. She is beautiful, like so many fair maidens of this icy place, the women are strong, they have to be to put up with some much. Watching their men go off to fight wars or boarder disputes and some will not return home. They watch their sons, follow in their father's foot step, brothers the same. And yet there are those women that are strong to fight along side any man and better them. The Shieldmaidens of Midvinter are stuff of legend.

Women also have to suffer the attitudes of inequality here on his home, something Théo knows different, but the long ancient history still considers them 'lesser' and they do not have the Right to hold any position of power within their clans. Save one.. Aerin Firebrand.

He watched as Astrid extinguished the flames of the candles with nothing more then a wave of her hand, well there was more then that, he had sensed it, her connection to the force. "Astrid, have you considered that their is more to life then what the Gods prescribe for you?". He took her hand and turned it over until her palm faced upward.

"There is more in this .. place. That very few Valkryi know of it existence. There is a power that binds us all, everything on Midvinter and beyond the stars.. it is called the Force". He looked at her not sure if she would understand him or consider him a heretic. He let go of her hand only to raise it toward the candles .. and they all reignited, flooding the room with the soft glow once more.

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[member="Astrid Stormguard"]​

 

[Julian Falkenberg]

Like all Valkyri who have never been offworld, Astrid was too oblivious of the Force. She had heard of the Jedi Order as a child while playing in the gardens of the Great Hall, but never thought these mythical heroes were anything else but - stories. The inhabitants of Midvinter were god-fearing people, who thought of any supernatural phenomena as pure manifestations of their deities. They poorly understood the Force; for them it was magic, reserved for those who walk close to the gods. She was aware the Heavenshields were graced with such powers, but she never saw any of them exercise it. After some time, she concluded stories of the Force were just a rumor, probably fabricated to solidify Dawnbringer's reign. When Théodred spoke of it, her facial expression turned to a peculiar mixture of wander and fear.

"The Force?" she echoed, raising a light-brown brow - "It exists?"

The son of Heavenshield had no reason to decieve her, Astrid thought. He had come on his own accord, to express his condolences. He couldn't have possibly known Astrid could extinguish candles with a mere swipe of her hand. She looked down at her hand, into the lines carved on her palm. There was a tingling sensation in the middle of her fingers, like sparks under her skin.

"Who am I to question the will of the gods?" said the blond humbly and dipped her head - "I only hope to be worthy enough to carry the Stormguard sword proudly and earn my place in Beornskald by my father one day."

Ocean-blue gaze then turned towards Théodred and a small, honest smile crept to Astrid's fair face.

"Besides, I am bound by an oath to your family and the throne. My job is to serve, my calling to protect you. Nothing more sacred to our people than the oath one takes to the throne of Midvinter. Atop which you will sit one day, Théodred Heavenshield." voiced the daughter of Eodred, the last in the line of Stormguards.
"It is an honor many dream of." she added with an affirmative nod, then set her eyes back to the altar and the hero that lay there - "A honor for which no sacrifice is too great."

[member="Théodred Heavenshield"]​

 

[Théodred Heavenshield]

"Yes the force exists, whether it is the will of the Gods or no, it is very much a reality", Theo will not ever take away the faith of anyone, let alone a fellow Valkyri. Besides after events that have happened to him, he was of the belief that there was something to it, something tangible around them. "I am not only a member of the family that rules Midvinter but a Jedi as well. I belong to a group called the Silver Sanctum in which people like us work to grow stronger in the force. To be able to use it for such things as you aspire to. For the greater good", he stressed the last few words.

"You are of noble heart Astrid, and your father will be proud of you as you sit here now. Serve those that serve to make better lives for our people, and more. There is much more out there in the galaxy .. well beyond our realm that I fight for". He stood up.

Theo turned to face Astrid as she sat on the bench and lowered to his knees before her. "It is my honour and the honour of my family that you and your father fought for Midvinter and your King .. I thank you for it", he lowered his head in gratitude to her and her family. "But I will never ascend the throne, that right is for another". If Theo was to be honest with himself, he believed his father, [member="Thurion Heavenshield"] was the better man for King. And a small part of Theo would have loved to have had the honour of the leadership, one day. His mother and father may not wish for the office of royalty .. but Theo is not them.

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[member="Astrid Stormguard"]​

 

[Julian Falkenberg]

When the son of Heavenshield fell to his knees before her, Astrid's mouth opened in awe. Not even in her wildest dreams did she ever imagine that the heir to the Midvinter throne would be the one kneeling infront of her. She thus gently grabbed the young man by his shoulders and lifted him to sit beside her. He was gracing her with the highest honor, but the lady of Stormguard wasn't yet ready to recieve it. Théodred was as humble as she was, a conjecture she would not allow for now.

"No man from the line of kings of Midvinter falls at my feet, my Lord." the blonde voiced and let her hands slide down the sides of his arms all the way to the tops of his palms where she delicately grabbed them - "I've only done... we have only done our duty."

At the mention of the Jedi, Astrid's fair features darkened a notch. They were a part of the otherwordly lore, protagonists of legends and myths told to children at bedtime, perhaps to scare them so they would never leave Midvinter. Valkyri were hardly a xenophobic species; they possessed a natural curiosity and were generally friendly to strangers who happened to stumble upon their home planet. They only feared technology and what it did to men.

"Why do you think I am worthy of belonging to the same group as you, my Lord?" she asked, finding it difficult to believe Théodred wanted her to join a group of Force-using sorcerers. Astrid was still convinced her ability to command the elements was nothing short of magic, perhaps a rouse by Velkar himself.

"I don't think lighting fire with a flip of the wrist could be used for greater good." the woman voiced with genuine concern in her tone - "But only for destruction. Power never comes without corruption."

[member="Théodred Heavenshield"]

 

[Théodred Heavenshield]

He looked down at her hand's holding his and he turned them over until her palms faced upward. "In these hands is a power far greater then what you know. Your abilities are untapped, raw .. but with guidance, training and understanding, you will come to know this. It is titles that determine worthiness nor the strength of ones arm in battle, it is the heart. You have a noble heart and because of this, you are worthy to grace the Halls of Midvinter or the Halls of Jedi Temple", he placed her hands on her own lap.

"We, the Jedi or family that rule this land are but beings at the end of the day, and we make mistakes. Even Jedi can be corrupted by power, whether it is to fall to the darkness or move that close to the light they can no longer see or feel compassion. But hold in your heart love, for all things around you, hold close the love of freedom, justice .. what is right". He stood up and walked to her father and looked down on his face.

"Here is a man knew this, like you said you and he did nothing but your duty, but you did more then that", he turned to face her again. "You protected the freedoms of our people, you and your father did what was right".

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[member="Astrid Stormguard"]​

 

[Julian Falkenberg]

Théodred's words echoed in her ears a long time after they were spoken. The entirety of Astrid's existence revolved around serving the throne of Midvinter. It was a concept she understood well. Why not extend it to the galaxy at large? The rite of passage to Beornskald could be earned by protecting the innoccent of all realms, not just this one. With nothing holding her on Midvinter anymore, the blonde woman seriously considered following the son of Heavenshield to the Jedi. A meek smile crossed her lips as she joined Théo, standing next to the body of her late father. She touched the blade of his sword, sliding the palm across the ornamented metal.

"We do what is right, not because it is easy....but because it is hard." she said, then glanced sideways towards the young man - "There is nothing more I strive to be...than someone's hope."

Her heart wailed like a lone whale cruising through the depths of the Great Maw. Her well of strength was low of courage. The last in the long line of Stormguards, alone. Frightening, as it was liberating.

"Prepare the pyre." she voiced into the shadows, to a passing priest. Eodred Stormguard would return to the ashes from which he was made, in a torrent of purifying flames that would consume his mortal coil. His soul would, however, transcend into the golden halls of Beornskald, where fallen warrior feasted until the end of time.

"Take me to the Jedi, Théodred Heavenshield." the fair-haired woman uttered as they turned towards the exit of Helm's temple, with a new path ahead. The palm of Astrid's hand slid to hold his hand tightly, fingers intertwining with his. He would lead her into an uncertain future, into the turmoil of the galaxy, where she would become a beacon of light.

[member="Théodred Heavenshield"]

 

[Théodred Heavenshield]

"Only the strong can do what is right", he agreed with her. But the time had come for her to send her father's body to the ground from which it came. Already the pyres burn atop the soil of Midvinter, hundreds of them all around this fair land, from north to south, east and west, anywhere the Vinterbound had fouled the soil with their presences. In a day from now, it would be Théo standing in front of his grandfather's pyre, the King and Midvinter would mourn once again. As if the battle had not been enough, they will watch the black smoke swirl into the grey skies transporting their beloved kin to the Gods.

He looked up to the status of Helm, standing high above them, are you real? Even after the events of the Vhaanir, the speaking with them, he still held doubts, after all they could have saved him, his grandfather. Why did they let that happen. Maybe, it was the price that he had to pay for asking for help for this beloved planet. The Gods give with one hand and take with the other.

"I will take you to the Jedi, and you will learn skills that most only dream of, or speak about in fairy tales .. but they exists and .. you will learn to become a great warrior like your father". He felt her hand in his, he would be with her throughout the service before he would need to leave to attend one himself.

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[member="Astrid Stormguard"]​