The crypt was freezing. It was clear that the ground hadn’t felt the kiss of the sun in many centuries. Even though there was a light summer breeze above ground, his breath fogged like it was a harsh winter in the crypt. There was a slight unnatural feel to it all, something that had Brynjar on edge but he wasn’t jumping around for the moment at least. He felt confident that the crypt was safe, for a crypt that was. Brynjar knew there would always be a risk of a cave in, no matter how secure something underground was. Didn’t take long before he felt his eyes adjust to the darkness, there was a sconce on each side, rubbing his hands he reached out his hands to the nearest one. He had been practising this technique that his mother knew of being able to create flames from her palms. It seemed practical and useful in this very circumstance. Reaching inside, pushing his heated essence out through his palms as his mother instructed. It took longer than Brynjar would care to admit but sparks of life puffed weakly out before small embers flew and ignited the first sconce. It wasn’t impressive for most but Brynjar saw it as a massive step forward.
He repeated the process with the second and took a look around the crypt. There were only two coffins. However, what was more interesting immediately to Brynjar was the fact that there were journals. Several stacked in a bookcase. They survived, centuries away from looters and others from Clan Threist. Curiosity bit at the Lupo as he moved over and touched the leatherback, bound like it was done by someone of skill. It was odd, his parents always discussed that it was Lupo tradition to pass down history through oral tradition, especially using Wulfi to do so. Keep the language and history of the Lupo people alive that way. It was a tradition that Brynjar felt very attached to but here was the concrete evidence that his family used to keep records, or at least Gwyfr did. Was this so his son and he were not completely removed from history? To explain his actions? Brynjar couldn’t help but pull out the first book and check to see if they were placed in numerical order. From the book title, it seemed to be true. His eyes scanned over the pages and attempted to understand what the pages stated he could.
This is the first attempt to record and maintain a written narrative of the Lupo history and culture. I am Gwyfr, Alpha of Clan Threist and Anasi of all clans as I write this. I am making this so that if the Fayth attempts to wipe my people out completely that there will be a record of their sins and that our traditions, customs and beliefs will be recorded in case some lost Lupo finds these centuries later and have no idea the importance they hold in their blood. Being Anasi was traditionally a rank only for members of Clan Svard, they were rumoured to be favoured by the Gods and that they were meant to represent the best of us. I believe that Clan Svard might have abandoned us or died out, whatever is the case, now we choose Anasi through a vote of who is deemed to be the strongest, most honourable, very dependable and basically, the best of us. It is a difficult role and it has not been an easy role for me to uphold, especially since many in my clan believe that finding Clan Svard is necessary for the Gods to be on our side and to ensure that we can be our strongest against the humans. However, I cannot waste every clans’ resources searching for a clan that abandoned us…
Brynjar paused his reading and double checked what he had read was correct. His clan used to believe that only Clan Svard could be Anasi, that anyone else taking the role would only doom all the clans. “Why wasn’t I told this? Surely mother and father knew this was how the clan felt? Was Gwyfr not searching for Clan Svard the cause of the civil war?” Brynjar mumbled as he skimmed through the pages that discussed the traditions, customs and language that he knew. It seemed that most of the journals were exactly what Gwyfr had intended, records on providing information to any Lupo who were lost and did not the ways that were only discussed through oral tradition. Brynjar wasn’t sure how he felt about writing these things down but he knew that it was becoming an eye opener to the fact his family were hiding the past and that he grew up with a very wrong view on his family. He reached the final journal and could see that this was different, it wasn’t in the formal, fancy script of the previous books and there wasn’t a title with delicate presentation, this was more familiar in what a diary or personal journal had been described by others.
Brynjar opened it up and sat on the ground to read about his family, the paper was more weathered, as if it hadn’t been stored here as long, and it seemed that notes were more erratic and harder to decipher than the other books.
I write this as I hear the cries and shouts for my head. My son was murdered, betrayed by our closest ally for ambition and easy glory. I am ashamed and despondent, I took Medelwr and shattered the axe. It did not belong in the hands of these traitors and scum. I miss you Cölled, you were a fantastic fighter and I am appalled that your traitorous cousin Bradwr stabbed you in the back when he had acted as our ally since the day I took the mantle as Anasi. Bradwr, I look forward to seeing the Gods punish you for such cowardice! I only fear that Cölled will be removed from history since the clan will rewrite history as Bradwr being some hero that took us back on the right path, though at this point I hope the whole clan burns to the ground! We do not deserve to be remembered as the guardians of Clan Svard, the protectors of the Lupo and Medelwr should not be used for the upcoming bloodshed for vanity and greed. We used to be great, how the mighty Clan Threist has fallen.
Brynjar stared at the journal gobsmacked. He was reading a very different interpretation of his clan’s history, the darkest period of their history was not what he had been told. What else was a lie? Guardians of Clan Svard seemed a very important title to hold since that clan was meant to be the original Anasi, did it mean that his clan had always been close with them? That his mother’s disapproval of the favour the Gods held for them and the closeness that Glwyn had with them was wrong? It was a lot to take in. He looked at the coffins, one would be Cölled, a name that his clan had removed because they deemed him and Gwyfr traitors, but it seemed from these records that Bradwr was the real traitor. Fighting so dishonourably and betraying those he had previously been so close with. Brynjar needed to read more.
…I managed to escape the mob of Clan Threist, the other clans helped to protect me from their wrath for now. I had to flee to these woods, back to the original home of our clan. I doubt that they would be looking here since they have turned their back on our old ways. Bradwr has ensured that our clan will fall into anarchy now. I have to bury Cölled and I am going to bury the books on Lupo history as well as this journal with him. While pyre is the clan tradition, I cannot face burning the body of my boy for then he will truly be gone. I will eventually join him when I pass since I cannot burn myself as well, but I wanted to write in here that there is a clue to finding Medelwr for a future Alpha of Clan Threist to find and use in order to locate the shattered remains and rebuild it as well as our own shattered clan. I do hope that only someone worthy of being my successor as the true Alpha of this clan takes the axe and is able to bring back the esteemed honour and bravery that our clan once held. I did include some of our achievements in the previous journals with some achievements mentioned by the other clans of their own people. I want us to be remembered as good people, not the evil that Bradwr wishes to spout…
…My time has finally come. I am heading to my grave next to my beloved son Cölled. I keep writing his name in hopes that he will be remembered, I fear that Bradwr will have him forgotten or turned into some story of being a weakling and unfit to take the title of Alpha and that I chose him because he was my son and I tried to weaken us, I picked Cölled because he was the best fighter and I believed that while leadership wasn’t the goal he wanted, it as the role we needed from him. Maybe one day, he will be reincarnated and find this place. An old man can only wish for such fortune.
If you seek Medelwr, my son, my successor, you need to find where Glwyn first sat and talked with Cérmæ. There, you will find a most peaceful spot to sit. Dig there, wrapped in cloth shall be what you seek. I realise this is less a clue and actual directions but so many have forgotten where Glwyn sat and conversed with Cérmæ that you will need to find that information out. I have not written it anywhere else so this will be the true test. Good luck in restoring our glory. I have faith.
Brynjar looked at the last written page and was shaking. Everything. Everything had been a lie. Gwyfr and Cölled were not the people that his parents claimed them to be. Was he even deserving of being Alpha or had that been a lie by them too? Perhaps there was another from Clan Threist that was more deserving. Hells, he wondered if he was even Kaiha or if that was a convenient lie from his parents to ensure that they could be better off or have a child that was leading the clans who was impure. His world had been shattered so hard that he wasn’t sure if he should even continue on this mission of finding the axe. It could only devastate him more if there was any chance that he was not worthy of being Alpha or Anasi. Looking at the coffins, he wasn’t even sure which one was Gwyfr and which one was Cölled. There were no names on them and Brynjar wasn’t going to open them to try finding out. Placing a hand on both, he looked at them. “I am sorry that our family dishonoured and abandoned you both, I truly hope that I can live up to the expectations you have of being an Alpha of Clan Threist. That I do you justice as the potential second Anasi from our clan, Gwyfr. Cölled, I am sure that you would have been an amazing Alpha had you been given the chance. Perhaps, I am the reincarnation of you, but that I don’t know. All I know is that I need to ensure our clan survives and gets a chance to grow stronger once again.” Brynjar commented before returning to the surface and found himself squinting in the sunlight. Though he had been down for hours, it was still light for now. Brynjar chewed his bottom lip, now he had to figure out where Gwyfr hid Medelwr. A map of the planet, he could narrow things down that way. Perhaps even thinking about this being the original home of his clan meant that it would be around this area surely.
The problem was all he knew was that Glwyn sought out Cérmæ in the woods, while he hoped it near the home that Glwyn had built there was no guarantee since the wooded area around here was expansive and covered a large area. He needed to recall the story in more detail, he normally sought out his mother and asked her specific details but the revelations that he found in the crypt meant that he couldn’t do that anymore. He needed to locate Medelwr on his own, that was clear to Brynjar now. He collected some records and maps, studying the surrounding areas and there seemed plenty of locations for Glwyn to have found Cérmæ and converse with her. Pouring over the scrolls, Brynjar drank his water from his flask and felt his mind whirling as it was deep in thought. Glwyn had approached Cérmæ, so it could have been her temple or a holy location that was meant to have significance for Cérmæ but Brynjar couldn’t see Gwyfr desecrating a holy site to bury Medelwr. That felt a step too far for Gwyfr, and something that some members of his clan would have thought possible if they did not read the side of Gwyfr that Brynjar had read. Therefore it could remain lost for all this time due to that fact.
“Glwyn sought out Cérmæ, she is the Goddess of wisdom, strength and protection. There is something here that tells me where he found her, but I can’t work it out!” Brynjar growled and slammed hard on the desk. There was a missing link, he could feel the link in the back of his mind but he couldn’t figure out what it was. Only that it existed and it was something about the story, the original story that informed him of the location. There had been a long version of the legend that his mother told him as a child, that was the key. The extended version of the legend had included that more recent retellings from his mother had skipped. He growled deeply, he needed to recall what the original telling had been, he needed to meditate.
Stepping outside, Brynjar stood in front of the crypt, he had shifted the stone and earth back into place. It needed to remain hidden for now, he didn’t know what to do with the journals and the bodies needed to be burnt on a pyre as custom but he felt it was only right to do that after he located Medelwr. Sitting near where the crypt was, he hoped that meditating here that spirits of Gwyfr and Cölled would help him in recalling the memory he sought after. Pausing, Brynjar closed his eyes and followed the meditative steps that his mother had taught him. Deep breaths pushed out all thoughts and emptied his mind and body, allowing him to access his thoughts without emotion and blindness. It took awhile for his mind to be cleansed and for random memories to shift in and out of his mind. He never clung onto a memory till the one he sought out sprung up, it was from when he was only a couple of years old, no more than 4.
“Brynjar, it is time for bed. You need rest if you are going to be training with your father as planned tomorrow. Remember, he is going to be pushing you hard so you can get big and strong as an Anasi should be!” His mother gently growled as she had caught him once again awake late and attempting to play with his wooden sword. He was pretending to be Glwyn, fighting with Medelwr against a horde of giants. Brynjar couldn’t imagine facing giants, killing great boars and being able to converse with a God. Glwyn might not have been Anasi but to Brynjar he seemed to be even more than that, he built Clan Threist!
“But muuuuuuum! I wanted to fight the giant army as Glwyn!” Brynjar protested, but the dark glint in his mother’s eyes had him put his weapon away and slide into bed. “Could you at least tell me the story of how Glwyn got Medelwr again? That always helps me sleep!” Brynjar haggled like most children would. His mother paused and looked at him, almost as if she was going to tell him no and slam the door shut but changing her mind and sitting on the edge of his bed.
“I tell it once and you sleep. No interruptions and no discussing it afterwards. Agreed?” His mother spoke in a very stern voice and Brynjar just nodded his head, excited. “Fine, get comfortable and close your eyes. Now, Glwyn had been working as a woodcutter in a large forest on Islimore for several years, his axe was always needing to be sharpened and he never felt comfortable using it in combat against the many enemies that the Lupo had back in the day. If his axe shattered in battle then he would lose his livelihood, his job and then he would have nothing to offer his small family at the time nor would he be able to provide for the Anasi and his clan. Glwyn saw Clan Svard as a strong clan that needed to be cared for, they were the only ones that could converse with many of the gods, they even had the favour of Aerðs. While Glwyn and his family worshipped Cérmæ, it was still impressive to him that Clan Svard had the ear of the ruler of Freann.
“There was another war looming, another battle that would see Glwyn fighting against enemies that sought to end the lives of his people. This time, Glwyn decided he needed to prepare, that he needed to seek out the Gods and hoped that one would listen to him. He thought that Cérmæ would offer something in terms of protection but he also needed a weapon and he felt it would be rude to seek her out for a weapon when weapons were not truly things that protected but in fact ended lives. Aerðs seemed like the logical first option since he was God of war, amongst others and a weapon to use in war was what Glwyn was seeking so asking Aerðs seemed was his first goal. However, when Glwyn sought out Aerðs, the god informed him that he would not bestow such a gift since it would show favour towards Clan Threist over the other minor clans. That he only gifted Clan Svard because they were his chosen clan for the Lupo people. Glwyn accepted this decision, apologising for wasting the God’s time and sought out the other gods. However, they all gave the same response to him. Finally he turned to Cérmæ, he found her at the waterfall shrine that he had built with his axe, in fact it was the first thing he had ever used the axe for. Believing it would be good luck to use the axe for something peaceful and holy instead of its first use being of war and blood.”
His mother paused to see if Brynjar was still awake, he was listening intently and still wide-eyed even though she had told him to close his eyes. Rolling her eyes, his mother realised that she would have to finish the story now before Brynjar even attempted to sleep. “Glwyn approached Cérmæ at the shrine and asked her if she would be willing to sit and talk with him. He wanted to discuss something with the goddess and if she would be willing to humour him, he would greatly appreciate the time. Cérmæ accepted, even praising Glwyn on the fine artistry that he had demonstrated with his shrine to her. As Glwyn discussed his desires and why he believed that he needed a weapon of legendary skills, one that could be used in times of peace as well as one of war, Cérmæ interjected and asked him if he had spoken to Aerðs since he was the God of war. Glwyn explained what Aerðs and all the other Gods had stated, stating that he accepted their decisions since it was important not to play favourites amongst the other clans however, he feared without a legendary weapon that he would not be able to protect Clan Svard to the best of his ability and that it was his desire to ensure that Aerðs’s chosen clan was safeguarded and stayed as the Anasi of the Lupo. Hearing this, Cérmæ asked Glwyn if he would hand over his axe. Glwyn complied, she asked if she was to bestow such a gift to him would he ever use it again Clan Svard? He swore his family and he would only protect Clan Svard with the weapon, that if any of them tried to kill anyone of Clan Svard with the axe then may it be shattered and scattered across Islimore, he said that she could throw the axe shards across the galaxy if it were to happen to ensure the weapon would never be used again.
“The answer pleased Cérmæ and she then asked why was it important that such a weapon be useful during times of peace? Glwyn paused for a moment, thinking on his answer before responding that he believed a weapon only dedicated to war would be something corrupt and toxic to the one that wielded it. That his weapon needed to be useful in times of peace to keep the peace, maintain it and offer protection and good health since he wanted to end wars and not seek them out. This answer impressed Cérmæ more and finally she asked if he was attached to this axe that she held in her hands. Glwyn said that it was his treasured possession and that he believed it held some good fortune. She then before his very eyes transformed the axe, using her powers she seemingly enchanted the axe with her powers and created Medelwr. Once she had completed her ritual, she smiled to Glwyn and informed him that his axe was now called Medelwr and that it would be the perfect weapon in battle, never getting dull or shatter and that in times of peace he could use his axe as he had been from the first day she had been watching him. Glwyn bowed to Cérmæ and swore that his family would always be grateful for this wonderful gift and that he would honour her for such a blessed tool. Cérmæ praised him for calling Medelwr a tool still since that was all she hoped that he would need it to be, a tool to protect others.” Brynjar’s mother looked back at him and saw the young child was now fast asleep.
Coming out of the meditation, Brynjar had some ideas on the location for the axe. A waterfall and a shrine dedicated to Cérmæ, that should be something he could use to narrow the locations. There couldn’t be many waterfalls around this area. Walking back to the maps, he thought about the other things that were mentioned in that telling of Glwyn and Cérmæ, it seemed that Glwyn felt that Clan Svard were deserving of the Gods attention and that if his family ever attempted to harm any of them then the axe would be destroyed. Was that how Gwyfr shattered the axe? It was meant to be indestructible otherwise from the legend, though legends did tend to exaggerate things so it could have been simply very durable and twisted in retellings as indestructible. It was unlikely that Glwyn fought a thousand giants alone and survived but he had been told of that tale many times growing up.
Scanning over the maps, there didn’t seem to be any clear indications that there was a waterfall or even a shrine to Cérmæ around his current location. He scratched the back of his head, where was this location, he looked at some of the older maps and then finally found it. Shrine to Cérmæ written on an ancient map that seemed to be about an hour’s walk from his location if he was reading the different maps correctly. He sighed relieved, he might have spent two days but he found out where Medelwr was located, all he needed to was go. After he ate, that was his plan. Restoring his family’s honour was in reach, nervous was not the word he felt but it was close. Hopefully it was still there after all this time.
He repeated the process with the second and took a look around the crypt. There were only two coffins. However, what was more interesting immediately to Brynjar was the fact that there were journals. Several stacked in a bookcase. They survived, centuries away from looters and others from Clan Threist. Curiosity bit at the Lupo as he moved over and touched the leatherback, bound like it was done by someone of skill. It was odd, his parents always discussed that it was Lupo tradition to pass down history through oral tradition, especially using Wulfi to do so. Keep the language and history of the Lupo people alive that way. It was a tradition that Brynjar felt very attached to but here was the concrete evidence that his family used to keep records, or at least Gwyfr did. Was this so his son and he were not completely removed from history? To explain his actions? Brynjar couldn’t help but pull out the first book and check to see if they were placed in numerical order. From the book title, it seemed to be true. His eyes scanned over the pages and attempted to understand what the pages stated he could.
This is the first attempt to record and maintain a written narrative of the Lupo history and culture. I am Gwyfr, Alpha of Clan Threist and Anasi of all clans as I write this. I am making this so that if the Fayth attempts to wipe my people out completely that there will be a record of their sins and that our traditions, customs and beliefs will be recorded in case some lost Lupo finds these centuries later and have no idea the importance they hold in their blood. Being Anasi was traditionally a rank only for members of Clan Svard, they were rumoured to be favoured by the Gods and that they were meant to represent the best of us. I believe that Clan Svard might have abandoned us or died out, whatever is the case, now we choose Anasi through a vote of who is deemed to be the strongest, most honourable, very dependable and basically, the best of us. It is a difficult role and it has not been an easy role for me to uphold, especially since many in my clan believe that finding Clan Svard is necessary for the Gods to be on our side and to ensure that we can be our strongest against the humans. However, I cannot waste every clans’ resources searching for a clan that abandoned us…
Brynjar paused his reading and double checked what he had read was correct. His clan used to believe that only Clan Svard could be Anasi, that anyone else taking the role would only doom all the clans. “Why wasn’t I told this? Surely mother and father knew this was how the clan felt? Was Gwyfr not searching for Clan Svard the cause of the civil war?” Brynjar mumbled as he skimmed through the pages that discussed the traditions, customs and language that he knew. It seemed that most of the journals were exactly what Gwyfr had intended, records on providing information to any Lupo who were lost and did not the ways that were only discussed through oral tradition. Brynjar wasn’t sure how he felt about writing these things down but he knew that it was becoming an eye opener to the fact his family were hiding the past and that he grew up with a very wrong view on his family. He reached the final journal and could see that this was different, it wasn’t in the formal, fancy script of the previous books and there wasn’t a title with delicate presentation, this was more familiar in what a diary or personal journal had been described by others.
Brynjar opened it up and sat on the ground to read about his family, the paper was more weathered, as if it hadn’t been stored here as long, and it seemed that notes were more erratic and harder to decipher than the other books.
I write this as I hear the cries and shouts for my head. My son was murdered, betrayed by our closest ally for ambition and easy glory. I am ashamed and despondent, I took Medelwr and shattered the axe. It did not belong in the hands of these traitors and scum. I miss you Cölled, you were a fantastic fighter and I am appalled that your traitorous cousin Bradwr stabbed you in the back when he had acted as our ally since the day I took the mantle as Anasi. Bradwr, I look forward to seeing the Gods punish you for such cowardice! I only fear that Cölled will be removed from history since the clan will rewrite history as Bradwr being some hero that took us back on the right path, though at this point I hope the whole clan burns to the ground! We do not deserve to be remembered as the guardians of Clan Svard, the protectors of the Lupo and Medelwr should not be used for the upcoming bloodshed for vanity and greed. We used to be great, how the mighty Clan Threist has fallen.
Brynjar stared at the journal gobsmacked. He was reading a very different interpretation of his clan’s history, the darkest period of their history was not what he had been told. What else was a lie? Guardians of Clan Svard seemed a very important title to hold since that clan was meant to be the original Anasi, did it mean that his clan had always been close with them? That his mother’s disapproval of the favour the Gods held for them and the closeness that Glwyn had with them was wrong? It was a lot to take in. He looked at the coffins, one would be Cölled, a name that his clan had removed because they deemed him and Gwyfr traitors, but it seemed from these records that Bradwr was the real traitor. Fighting so dishonourably and betraying those he had previously been so close with. Brynjar needed to read more.
…I managed to escape the mob of Clan Threist, the other clans helped to protect me from their wrath for now. I had to flee to these woods, back to the original home of our clan. I doubt that they would be looking here since they have turned their back on our old ways. Bradwr has ensured that our clan will fall into anarchy now. I have to bury Cölled and I am going to bury the books on Lupo history as well as this journal with him. While pyre is the clan tradition, I cannot face burning the body of my boy for then he will truly be gone. I will eventually join him when I pass since I cannot burn myself as well, but I wanted to write in here that there is a clue to finding Medelwr for a future Alpha of Clan Threist to find and use in order to locate the shattered remains and rebuild it as well as our own shattered clan. I do hope that only someone worthy of being my successor as the true Alpha of this clan takes the axe and is able to bring back the esteemed honour and bravery that our clan once held. I did include some of our achievements in the previous journals with some achievements mentioned by the other clans of their own people. I want us to be remembered as good people, not the evil that Bradwr wishes to spout…
…My time has finally come. I am heading to my grave next to my beloved son Cölled. I keep writing his name in hopes that he will be remembered, I fear that Bradwr will have him forgotten or turned into some story of being a weakling and unfit to take the title of Alpha and that I chose him because he was my son and I tried to weaken us, I picked Cölled because he was the best fighter and I believed that while leadership wasn’t the goal he wanted, it as the role we needed from him. Maybe one day, he will be reincarnated and find this place. An old man can only wish for such fortune.
If you seek Medelwr, my son, my successor, you need to find where Glwyn first sat and talked with Cérmæ. There, you will find a most peaceful spot to sit. Dig there, wrapped in cloth shall be what you seek. I realise this is less a clue and actual directions but so many have forgotten where Glwyn sat and conversed with Cérmæ that you will need to find that information out. I have not written it anywhere else so this will be the true test. Good luck in restoring our glory. I have faith.
Brynjar looked at the last written page and was shaking. Everything. Everything had been a lie. Gwyfr and Cölled were not the people that his parents claimed them to be. Was he even deserving of being Alpha or had that been a lie by them too? Perhaps there was another from Clan Threist that was more deserving. Hells, he wondered if he was even Kaiha or if that was a convenient lie from his parents to ensure that they could be better off or have a child that was leading the clans who was impure. His world had been shattered so hard that he wasn’t sure if he should even continue on this mission of finding the axe. It could only devastate him more if there was any chance that he was not worthy of being Alpha or Anasi. Looking at the coffins, he wasn’t even sure which one was Gwyfr and which one was Cölled. There were no names on them and Brynjar wasn’t going to open them to try finding out. Placing a hand on both, he looked at them. “I am sorry that our family dishonoured and abandoned you both, I truly hope that I can live up to the expectations you have of being an Alpha of Clan Threist. That I do you justice as the potential second Anasi from our clan, Gwyfr. Cölled, I am sure that you would have been an amazing Alpha had you been given the chance. Perhaps, I am the reincarnation of you, but that I don’t know. All I know is that I need to ensure our clan survives and gets a chance to grow stronger once again.” Brynjar commented before returning to the surface and found himself squinting in the sunlight. Though he had been down for hours, it was still light for now. Brynjar chewed his bottom lip, now he had to figure out where Gwyfr hid Medelwr. A map of the planet, he could narrow things down that way. Perhaps even thinking about this being the original home of his clan meant that it would be around this area surely.
The problem was all he knew was that Glwyn sought out Cérmæ in the woods, while he hoped it near the home that Glwyn had built there was no guarantee since the wooded area around here was expansive and covered a large area. He needed to recall the story in more detail, he normally sought out his mother and asked her specific details but the revelations that he found in the crypt meant that he couldn’t do that anymore. He needed to locate Medelwr on his own, that was clear to Brynjar now. He collected some records and maps, studying the surrounding areas and there seemed plenty of locations for Glwyn to have found Cérmæ and converse with her. Pouring over the scrolls, Brynjar drank his water from his flask and felt his mind whirling as it was deep in thought. Glwyn had approached Cérmæ, so it could have been her temple or a holy location that was meant to have significance for Cérmæ but Brynjar couldn’t see Gwyfr desecrating a holy site to bury Medelwr. That felt a step too far for Gwyfr, and something that some members of his clan would have thought possible if they did not read the side of Gwyfr that Brynjar had read. Therefore it could remain lost for all this time due to that fact.
“Glwyn sought out Cérmæ, she is the Goddess of wisdom, strength and protection. There is something here that tells me where he found her, but I can’t work it out!” Brynjar growled and slammed hard on the desk. There was a missing link, he could feel the link in the back of his mind but he couldn’t figure out what it was. Only that it existed and it was something about the story, the original story that informed him of the location. There had been a long version of the legend that his mother told him as a child, that was the key. The extended version of the legend had included that more recent retellings from his mother had skipped. He growled deeply, he needed to recall what the original telling had been, he needed to meditate.
Stepping outside, Brynjar stood in front of the crypt, he had shifted the stone and earth back into place. It needed to remain hidden for now, he didn’t know what to do with the journals and the bodies needed to be burnt on a pyre as custom but he felt it was only right to do that after he located Medelwr. Sitting near where the crypt was, he hoped that meditating here that spirits of Gwyfr and Cölled would help him in recalling the memory he sought after. Pausing, Brynjar closed his eyes and followed the meditative steps that his mother had taught him. Deep breaths pushed out all thoughts and emptied his mind and body, allowing him to access his thoughts without emotion and blindness. It took awhile for his mind to be cleansed and for random memories to shift in and out of his mind. He never clung onto a memory till the one he sought out sprung up, it was from when he was only a couple of years old, no more than 4.
“Brynjar, it is time for bed. You need rest if you are going to be training with your father as planned tomorrow. Remember, he is going to be pushing you hard so you can get big and strong as an Anasi should be!” His mother gently growled as she had caught him once again awake late and attempting to play with his wooden sword. He was pretending to be Glwyn, fighting with Medelwr against a horde of giants. Brynjar couldn’t imagine facing giants, killing great boars and being able to converse with a God. Glwyn might not have been Anasi but to Brynjar he seemed to be even more than that, he built Clan Threist!
“But muuuuuuum! I wanted to fight the giant army as Glwyn!” Brynjar protested, but the dark glint in his mother’s eyes had him put his weapon away and slide into bed. “Could you at least tell me the story of how Glwyn got Medelwr again? That always helps me sleep!” Brynjar haggled like most children would. His mother paused and looked at him, almost as if she was going to tell him no and slam the door shut but changing her mind and sitting on the edge of his bed.
“I tell it once and you sleep. No interruptions and no discussing it afterwards. Agreed?” His mother spoke in a very stern voice and Brynjar just nodded his head, excited. “Fine, get comfortable and close your eyes. Now, Glwyn had been working as a woodcutter in a large forest on Islimore for several years, his axe was always needing to be sharpened and he never felt comfortable using it in combat against the many enemies that the Lupo had back in the day. If his axe shattered in battle then he would lose his livelihood, his job and then he would have nothing to offer his small family at the time nor would he be able to provide for the Anasi and his clan. Glwyn saw Clan Svard as a strong clan that needed to be cared for, they were the only ones that could converse with many of the gods, they even had the favour of Aerðs. While Glwyn and his family worshipped Cérmæ, it was still impressive to him that Clan Svard had the ear of the ruler of Freann.
“There was another war looming, another battle that would see Glwyn fighting against enemies that sought to end the lives of his people. This time, Glwyn decided he needed to prepare, that he needed to seek out the Gods and hoped that one would listen to him. He thought that Cérmæ would offer something in terms of protection but he also needed a weapon and he felt it would be rude to seek her out for a weapon when weapons were not truly things that protected but in fact ended lives. Aerðs seemed like the logical first option since he was God of war, amongst others and a weapon to use in war was what Glwyn was seeking so asking Aerðs seemed was his first goal. However, when Glwyn sought out Aerðs, the god informed him that he would not bestow such a gift since it would show favour towards Clan Threist over the other minor clans. That he only gifted Clan Svard because they were his chosen clan for the Lupo people. Glwyn accepted this decision, apologising for wasting the God’s time and sought out the other gods. However, they all gave the same response to him. Finally he turned to Cérmæ, he found her at the waterfall shrine that he had built with his axe, in fact it was the first thing he had ever used the axe for. Believing it would be good luck to use the axe for something peaceful and holy instead of its first use being of war and blood.”
His mother paused to see if Brynjar was still awake, he was listening intently and still wide-eyed even though she had told him to close his eyes. Rolling her eyes, his mother realised that she would have to finish the story now before Brynjar even attempted to sleep. “Glwyn approached Cérmæ at the shrine and asked her if she would be willing to sit and talk with him. He wanted to discuss something with the goddess and if she would be willing to humour him, he would greatly appreciate the time. Cérmæ accepted, even praising Glwyn on the fine artistry that he had demonstrated with his shrine to her. As Glwyn discussed his desires and why he believed that he needed a weapon of legendary skills, one that could be used in times of peace as well as one of war, Cérmæ interjected and asked him if he had spoken to Aerðs since he was the God of war. Glwyn explained what Aerðs and all the other Gods had stated, stating that he accepted their decisions since it was important not to play favourites amongst the other clans however, he feared without a legendary weapon that he would not be able to protect Clan Svard to the best of his ability and that it was his desire to ensure that Aerðs’s chosen clan was safeguarded and stayed as the Anasi of the Lupo. Hearing this, Cérmæ asked Glwyn if he would hand over his axe. Glwyn complied, she asked if she was to bestow such a gift to him would he ever use it again Clan Svard? He swore his family and he would only protect Clan Svard with the weapon, that if any of them tried to kill anyone of Clan Svard with the axe then may it be shattered and scattered across Islimore, he said that she could throw the axe shards across the galaxy if it were to happen to ensure the weapon would never be used again.
“The answer pleased Cérmæ and she then asked why was it important that such a weapon be useful during times of peace? Glwyn paused for a moment, thinking on his answer before responding that he believed a weapon only dedicated to war would be something corrupt and toxic to the one that wielded it. That his weapon needed to be useful in times of peace to keep the peace, maintain it and offer protection and good health since he wanted to end wars and not seek them out. This answer impressed Cérmæ more and finally she asked if he was attached to this axe that she held in her hands. Glwyn said that it was his treasured possession and that he believed it held some good fortune. She then before his very eyes transformed the axe, using her powers she seemingly enchanted the axe with her powers and created Medelwr. Once she had completed her ritual, she smiled to Glwyn and informed him that his axe was now called Medelwr and that it would be the perfect weapon in battle, never getting dull or shatter and that in times of peace he could use his axe as he had been from the first day she had been watching him. Glwyn bowed to Cérmæ and swore that his family would always be grateful for this wonderful gift and that he would honour her for such a blessed tool. Cérmæ praised him for calling Medelwr a tool still since that was all she hoped that he would need it to be, a tool to protect others.” Brynjar’s mother looked back at him and saw the young child was now fast asleep.
Coming out of the meditation, Brynjar had some ideas on the location for the axe. A waterfall and a shrine dedicated to Cérmæ, that should be something he could use to narrow the locations. There couldn’t be many waterfalls around this area. Walking back to the maps, he thought about the other things that were mentioned in that telling of Glwyn and Cérmæ, it seemed that Glwyn felt that Clan Svard were deserving of the Gods attention and that if his family ever attempted to harm any of them then the axe would be destroyed. Was that how Gwyfr shattered the axe? It was meant to be indestructible otherwise from the legend, though legends did tend to exaggerate things so it could have been simply very durable and twisted in retellings as indestructible. It was unlikely that Glwyn fought a thousand giants alone and survived but he had been told of that tale many times growing up.
Scanning over the maps, there didn’t seem to be any clear indications that there was a waterfall or even a shrine to Cérmæ around his current location. He scratched the back of his head, where was this location, he looked at some of the older maps and then finally found it. Shrine to Cérmæ written on an ancient map that seemed to be about an hour’s walk from his location if he was reading the different maps correctly. He sighed relieved, he might have spent two days but he found out where Medelwr was located, all he needed to was go. After he ate, that was his plan. Restoring his family’s honour was in reach, nervous was not the word he felt but it was close. Hopefully it was still there after all this time.
