Norland

It took two days for the Captain of the Fleet to return. He said the Norland people were divided on whether or not to let the delegation enter their territory. Finally, they were convinced to hear them. But would make no promises on anything.

"We could even be in peril," said the captain.

Aepida, Apollo, and Mage Otto climbed aboard the boat to go to shore. They were met by a group of Northlanders who seemed none too pleased by their presence. A loud, large Norlander whose name, they would soon learn, was Goff was exceptionally displeased.

Aepida was surprised by how big: and muscular Northlanders were. They wore bushy beards. Some wore decorations or jewelry, bone, and wood woven into them, but most were playing. The women matched the men in size and were also muscular. They were less vocal than the men, however.

A lot of talking went on among the Norlanders. None of the party could understand what was being said. The Captain of the Fleet was frustrated. A stately-looking gentleman walked up just as Goff was getting more agitated.

"Good morning, fraulien," he said. "Welcome to Fotch and Norland."

Aepida turned around and immediately smiled. It was the Captain of the Dyrr Valhalla.

"Good morning. I am sure glad to see you. How have you been?"

"I have been fine, and so has the crew. They will be glad to see you again. I hope you have time to visit. Don't mind Goff here. He is just a big blowhard." said the Captain.

"I am afraid he is kind of big not to be minded," said Aepida with a smile. "I can see he is unhappy at our presence, but I can't understand him. So I don't know the reason why."

"Goff doesn't, really, like anybody. He is a bit delusional about his importance here. Right now, you are better off if you can't understand him," said the Captain. He and Aepida began to laugh, which irritated Goff even more.

He then turned to Goff and said a few words that caused his face to turn crimson with rage. But he stormed off, muttering under his breath. The Captain then turned back to Aepida and said.

"Let's go find more reasonable men."

The delegation then followed the Captain as they left the docks through the town to the town hall. The Captain walked in, down a short hallway, and knocked on a door. A voice from behind the door invited them in. Upon opening the door, a man sitting cross-legged on the floor asked them to be seated. The Captain then directed the group to form a half-circle in front of the man. He had the group divided into two lines and file in, one going left, the other going right. They remained standing until the captain said it was ok to sit. But to be sure that they sat like the man in front of them. The captain and the man exchanged a few words. Then the Captain turned to Aepida.

"Da Meister wants you to address him personally. Keep your head up, looking directly at him. To look down or away from him is a sign of disrespect. He wants to know your story, why you are here, what's your purpose?"

"But where do I begin?" asked Aepida, nervously shaking.

"Start at the beginning. Where you came from. How it came to be that you are here. And everything in between," said the Captain. "I will translate for you, so pause after every sentence to give me time to repeat it to him."

With that, Aepida arose and stood before the man. She started with a thank you for letting her address him. Then she began by telling him how she grew up in Hort, of her love of Hans. She told him of the day in the meadow that launched her journey. She spoke of the threat to the world that made it necessary. And then told her of the witch and how she trained her, without mentioning the armor she was given. Then she talked of Alogroth and the oracle. She also told of the men she had to kill to save her life.

Then came the journey to the end of the world, the trip to and through Suderland. And the attack she had suffered, where more people died at her hand. Then it was on to Oerst. And the despair that she had witnessed there. How Westine and Suderland pledged their help. She told of the trip to Norland, the sea monster, and Mage Boris' betrayal.

" I have come here because the world is in peril. The beast of the shadows plans on destroying everything, the world itself. If all the races cannot unite to defeat the beast, then all will perish. Each of the races has different talents and different magic. Only when the magics are joined with all the races of man will there be a chance of victory. Only then is there a chance that life all life has a chance."

After the Captain finished the translation, the man sat there absorbing all she had said. Eventually, he spoke, and the Captain translated.

"You speak quite eloquently. You are barely more than a child. A heavy task has been placed on you. You, also, are a brave woman. I cannot promise our cooperation to you, but I will arrange a meeting with the individual counsels. Even then, they can only say yea or nay for one tribe. You will have to convince all the other tribes as well. I will prepare a list of the major tribes, and the lesser ones usually will follow. I am afraid you have a difficult task before you. Personally, I believe you and will offer all the help I can give."

With a thank you from Aepida, the delegation was dismissed graciously. They filed out of the room as they had come in. As they exited the building, The Captain invited the entourage to the Dyrr Valhalla for a barbecue with the crew. Aepida eagerly accepted, and everybody agreed it was a good idea. She was happy to reunite with the Captain and crew. The elven ships' crews were also delighted when they were included in the invitation.

In the morning, Aepida and her companions received word that a council had been seated, and her presence was requested. The Captain was waiting to escort them to the meeting. Aepida was nervous. Too nervous to talk. The Captain tried to reassure her.

"Councils are somewhat large. Norlanders are a tribal people. These councils will be made up of a senior member of the regional administration, usually the Da Meister. Other administration members will be present too. Likewise, the lesser tribes will be represented by their administrations. The lesser tribes operate under the region's administration. They have their own unique customs and traditions. They sometimes have disagreements that cannot be settled except with violence. You never know how these meetings will turn out. However, if there is a difference of opinion, they will settle in their way. Guests are not generally involved."

That did not ease Aepida's worries. They approached a gate to the meeting place. She felt lightheaded and faint. The Captain knocked on the gate, and they were let in.

Inside the gate was a large open yard enclosed by a solid wood fence. About two hundred or more Norlanders were sitting around the perimeter. It gave the place an arena-type atmosphere. Dar Meister sat directly across from where they entered. To his right, sitting in the front row, was Goff.

Da Meister spoke to the Captain, who translated what was said.

"Da Meister says you are to tell the council your story. Do not include personal details of you or your companions. That has nothing to do with why you have come here. Be thorough, do not stray from the purpose of your being here. Speak slowly so I can translate," said the Captain.

As she had done before the Da Meister on the previous day, she now narrated to the council. The need for a translator made it a slow and tedious process. She ended with how she was standing before them.

Da Meister then directed her, Apollo, and Mage Otto to sit in front of him, facing toward the center of the circle. Next came a long list of people who wanted to voice their opinions. Almost everyone who spoke garnered some reaction from the crowd of support or opposition. Goff was the most vocal of the opposition, and it was clear he had his supporters. This went on throughout the day without any break for a midday meal, or anything else, for that matter. It was dark before they were allowed to return to their ships. It seemed that nothing was resolved.

It was three days before they were summoned again to the council. It was as it had been the first time. Herr Goff was standing in the center of the ring. They were ushered to stand before Da Meister. The Captain was already there. He informed them that he was to translate.

Da Meister stood and began to speak to the crowd.

" Herr Goff has challenged the visitors to prove that they are what they say they are. A one-on-one battle between Herr Goff and a champion chosen by the strangers. Who among you, strangers, will act as the champion for you."

Mage Otto, Apollo, and even the Captain volunteered. Aepida shook her head at each one of them.

"I will go," she said.

"I won't translate that," said the Captain. "I won't."

Aepida stood in front of the Da Meister, pointing at herself. "Tell him that I accept the challenge."

Da Meister nodded that he understood. He then spoke to the Captain. Who nodded his head in agreement. She said to the Captain, Apollo, and Mage Otto.

"This is not your fight. I was sent here. To unite the people of the world against a common enemy. They have the right to know whether or not I can lead them. I have to prove it to them and myself."

Da Meister announced that Aepida was the stranger's champion. Goff protested that he was not the kind that beats up on children. Da Meister offered him the chance to cede to Aepida if he did not want to fight. He declined. He was handed a broadsword. Aepida unsheathed hers.

They circled while facing each other, waiting for the other to make the first move. It was Goff that attacked first. He had no desire to hurt her. He Just wanted to scare her into surrendering. However, she easily dodged him. When his sword hit the ground. Aepida had gotten behind him, yet she did not attack. So it went. Goff would attack. She would flank him. It would happen so often that the crowd started booing them. Aepida paid it no mind, but Goff was being humiliated. Rage filled his mind. His next attack was in earnest to do her harm. Again he missed. Aepida had leaped over him placing her palm on top of his head to land behind him. That enraged Goff even more. He swung the sword as hard as he could. This time she did not evade him but attacked. Her sword met his. The magic of Aepida's sword sliced right through Goff's with sparks like lightning bolts. The blade fell harmlessly to the ground. Aepida finished the attack by striking his sword arm.

Goff screamed. He grabbed his arm and was shocked that it was still intact. He then looked at Aepida, confused at what had just happened. He watched as she sheathed her sword and knelt before him on one knee.

"I yield to Herr Goff. I cannot bring myself to harm a man who is not my enemy," she said.

The crowd rose to its feet, cheering. Goff could not understand what the cheering was about. He looked down at the girl. He realized that she was ceding the match to him. Then bent down to her. The Captain, Mage Otto, and Apollo all moved to protect her but stopped when Goff took her hand and helped her to her feet.

"Nein Fraulien." was all that Aepida could understand. He then knelt before her. Whatever else he said brought the crowd to its feet. They raced to the center of the field and raised her onto their shoulders. Then repeatedly shouting her name while waving their hands in the air. Now it was Aepida that was confused. They seemed to be cheering and celebrating her!

After a while, the crowd returned to their seats. The Captain finally had a chance to explain what was going on.

"Everyone saw you as the winner. When you knelt to Goff and ceded to him. You showed how much you respected him. Goff was surprised that his arm had not been severed like his sword. When he realized it had not. He was made humble by your mercy. He had not understood what you said as you knelt there, and neither had the crowd. Which makes what Goff did next even more significant. Goff helped you to your feet, then knelt before you promising his loyalty and his life. His final statement was, 'I am your servant. My life is yours'"

Knowing, what all the events meant, made Aepida's head spin. A simple gesture to avoid needlessly killing or maiming someone had changed the course of everything. The crowd had pledged their loyalty to Aepida and the cause. The crowd dissipated. Aepida and her friends returned to their ships for dinner and bed.

Aepida was on the deck, drinking a cup of tea. When she saw Da Meister arrive on the dock. The morning sun had just reached above the horizon. Its brilliance gave an illusion of warmth to the cool air of Norland. It had been three days since they had the last council.

There were four men with him. One was Goff. The others were dispatched, and he stood there until they returned with the Captain and The Captain of the Fleet. They then approached Aepida. The Captain then spoke to a crewman of the yacht, who quickly left to do his bidding.

"He is going to get his captain and bring Mage Otto and Apollo here," explained The Captain.

When they were all assembled, Da Meister began to speak. The Captain translated, first in Elvin, then Westine.

"Young lady, you have proved yourself to us better than we could have imagined. Thus we have pledged our loyalty to you and the cause you champion. Goff has pledged his loyalty and has given you his life to do as you see fit. He is bound to you as your servant. Your will is his will."

Da Meister paused and waited for her answer. She consulted with The Captain before she replied.

"Da Meister, sir, I accept Goff's loyalty. I am honored by it. But, I do not need a servant. I am always in need of another friend. Goff, I give you back your life and your will. In return, I will take your hand in friendship. I have a much greater need for friends."

She held out her hand. After hearing the translation from The Captain, he took her hand, and they shook.

Da Meister spoke. Aepida waited for the translation." You are wise beyond your years, my lady. Golf accepts and is too honored. Golf wishes to accompany you on your journey through Norland. Three of our ships, one of which is the Dyrr Valhalla for sale with you. The captain of the fleet will have command over them. This is a rare thing for Norlanders to do, and it will send a strong message to the other tribes of Norland. They may not be as easily convinced as we are."

It did not go unnoticed that Da Meister had smiled slyly, and his eyes twinkled a bit at the last comment. Aepida smiled at it as well but was afraid he might be right.

Da Meister continued, " your ships will be supplied with whatever you need. You will leave once they are stuck, but no later than three days. Earlier if possible."

All the captains agreed, and Da Meister left, leaving Goff behind. The ship's captain showed Goff to his quarters even though they had to use improvised sign language to communicate. The ships were made ready in two days. They set sail that day.

The winds were light, so the fleet moved slower than usual. The Norlander ships were heavier and thus slower. The Suderland ships had to adjust their speed to accommodate them. The slow progress had allowed the story of Aepida to travel overland by word of mouth, and thus they had little trouble convincing the tribes to join. Though, each tribe had to have a welcoming celebration. Depending on the size and prominence of the tribe, a celebration could last from a couple of days to ten or more. But progress was relatively steady and positive. Many had caravans ready to journey to Kotch to join the United Army. Eventually, they came to a place the ships could go no further. It was decided to go overland to the last remaining tribes. The combined escort of Norland and Suderland sailors would join them. They would return to Kotch by land. The fleet would return without them.

The Overland Trek was arduous. So close to the northern Arctic regions. The sun barely rose over the horizon. It was bitterly cold. The Northlanders knew how to survive under such conditions. Though they were not exactly comfortable, they were not in peril either. The diet up here was mostly meat from fatty animals. It was not as tasty as in other places they had been but nourishing in this harsh environment.

Up here, the tribes are smaller and could not contribute people to the cause, but they provided provisions to help them on their journey. A few young men who wanted to see the world did join them, but for the most part, every person was needed to ensure the survival of the tribes.

The day came when they had to make a turn to go through the heart of Norland. As they traveled, the sun reached higher in the sky. The weather was still cold as it was now winter season in Norland. More than once, they had to find shelter as a Blizzard buried the already deep snow. Had it not been for the foot gear the Norlanders made from the hides and bones of the creatures they killed for food. They would not have made any progress at all.

After many weeks of traveling through the frozen tundra, trees started to appear. All of them rejoiced as they now are leaving the Arctic zone. Not that it was much warmer, but it indicated they were entering a more hospitable area.

Winter was beginning to ebb, and it became easier. The tribes had heard of her. Most tribes needed little convincing to join the cause. Every tribe had a ritual celebration for their men going to war. Not one of them was less than a week. Some could only hold their rituals at certain times of the month, such as a full moon. That extended the time through the Norland heartland. Finally came the day that they entered Kotch, thirty thousand strong. They would soon find out another forty thousand had already been transported to Oerst.