Private Axe to the Heart

[Brynjar Threist]

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Location: The Northern Trek, Islimore
Look: This
Tag: Aelin Erevos

It had been several days since Brynjar had gifted Aelin with Heddwch, one of the axes he forged with parts of Medelwr that he had. Entrusting Heddwch to Aelin had been a bold and gossiped decision. Some saw it as Brynjar attempting to make his claim as her mate, or attempting to start a courting step. While these were not uncommon gestures to make to a mate, and Brynjar would have done such gestures, he had gifted the axe purely because he believed that she required a weapon of great power to defend herself with. While she was skilled with her bow and daggers, Heddwch and Medelwr held gifts that few could match in terms of power and their ingrained connection to the God's Gift. What Brynjar had not thought of when gifting Heddwch to Aelin was whether she would be able to use an axe. For him, it was as natural as breathing and his staple weapon. For Aelin it wasn't, so it was clear that he should offer lessons.

He was not wearing a lot, mostly because this was how he was taught how to fight. No armour and to believe that death lingered around every corner. He was not going to be as harsh as his parents on Aelin, as much as it made him the highly skilled fighter he is currently, it was not a healthy relationship or way to train. At least that was how Brynjar saw it now, he knew there were better ways. Healthier ways to learn how to fight than believing someone was constantly trying to kill you. Placing Medelwr to one side against a tree, Brynjar inspected the wooden axes he had carved earlier in the day. They were a reasonable weight and dull at the edges to avoid breaking skin. Designed as a practice tool till he thought Aelin could handle an actual axe.

There was one matter that lingered on his mind, a parasite thought that refused to fade away. It was burrowing deep inside. His feelings towards Aelin were not simple friendship, not one of being a protector, it was clearly more but he knew nothing of how she felt to him and did not wish to pursue since he had so foolishly failed before. No, he just had to let these thoughts go, though they lingered and though he did his hardest to ensure she was always happy. Especially after her near death experience, he would often spend hours hunting deer to cook her venison to eat.

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[Aelin Erevos]

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Outfit | XoXo
Location |
Tag | Brynjar Threist

A soft grunt exited between Aelin's pursed lips as those attending her finished tying off the wrappings that held her together. There was no question that Alasdair Sabathian's assault had taken more than its toll on the woman's body. Bones popped out of sockets, deep and superficial damage to muscle tissue, bruised bones that had refused to break.

With slim rations on hand and her refusal to eat more than what was available to her people, it made the battle-prone young woman's healing journey a very slow one.

And yet, every delectable meal that Brynjar had sent to aid in this process, Aelin made sure to re-distribute, given to those even weaker than she was. It wasn't that she didn't appreciate his efforts or thoughtfulness, nor did she want to be difficult, but how could she fill her own belly when each night was marked by deaths hand? How many had been taken now? Honestly, she'd lost count.

The pressure on her shoulders as she forced herself to her feet was monumental, but she would not let anyone claim Thorir's blood had thinned, grown weak through the centuries.

Chewing on her bottom lip, she laced her trousers and layered herself with enough armor and pain killers to allow her to move without faltering, to not be seen taken to rest.

Finding Brynjar had not taken her long after she left the confines of her tent. Long had she become attuned and familiar with his scent and those she was closest with.

Her firey-eyes, that usually blazed, but had dulled over the last few weeks, beheld him. "I'm pleased to see you still look strong," her lips tried on a soft smile, hand resting on the axe kept strapped to the belt at her waist. "...you said it was urgent?"

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[Brynjar Threist]

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Location: The Northern Trek, Islimore
Look: This
Tag: Aelin Erevos

As Aelin appeared, Brynjar knew that she was not eating properly and that she was not consuming the meals that he had prepared for it. While he understood the need to ensure that a clan was fed, the clan must come first, Brynjar did not want to see her like this. "You need to eat. If my food is not to your taste then eat someone else's cooking, but starving yourself and dying on this trek because it helps no one but the humans." His tone was stern and he was clear on the matter since she was not going to die on his account.

"I did not call you here to discuss food though. The weapon you carry, it cuts wood and builds homes for people, it can also chop limbs and sever life from a body." He offered the handle of one of the wooden training axes he had made for them both, "today you start learning how to kill with it. First you need basic axe training. Then we proceed to learning how to wield the God's Gift that is imbued in the axes." He stood opposite Aelin, "there is training the way my father taught me, and there is the way that I intend to teach you."

His body tensed at the mention of his father, muscle memory of fear and pain rippled through his body. "The way I intend to teach you will require you to keep healthy and spend several hours in the morning here, going over drills." His eyes scanned over her, not admiring her figure, or fantasizing, no this was the battle hardened and fighter assessing an opponent. "Axes can be used as a lone weapon, dual wielded with another axe or sword, or used with a shield to offer more protection. We will start with it as a lone weapon and progress from there."

"Come at me. Show me what you got Aelin."

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