Garden Of Bones

Chapter 1 A Raven takes flight

She drew in a deep breath, as the string of the bow came back to her chest. She closed her eyes as she said a prayer to the Winter and autumn goddesses. This was a habit she had picked up from her uncle. Before she loosened the arrow and it flew into the deer's body. She walked out of the bush hopping that it died instantly, this made her happy as she didn't like to see the animals in pain. The walked through the snow, it was late summer, but it snowed most of the year on the north continent, she crouched by the deer's side pulling out the arrow, she thought about all the things she could use the deer for when she got home, food from the meat, magic ingredients for her uncle, the pelt for her mother and father. But then as she was tying the deer carcass to herself she heard something, marching, she immediately hid in the underbrush, she knew what it was , then ones feet came into view. "Raiders" she thought to herself, then the raider got closer and closer.

"What are you doing" a commanding voice said

"I thought I saw someone sir" replied the raider

"I don't care, get back into formation"

"but sir-"

"I don't know about you but I'd really like to be back at the stronghold before dark, now BACK IN FORMATION" he ordered

"yes sir" the raider answered timidly

Bryn waited in that underbrush with the deer until the marching could no longer be heard. With the deer over her shoulder she started walking back towards her village she dusted leaves of the pauldron on her left shoulder and pulled twigs out of her long copper hair. On this trek she began to think about her life, as she often did when walking back from hunting. Is this how she wanted to spend the rest of her life, it wasn't a bad life by any stretch but is it what she was meant for, was it all lady luck and the deck of fate had dealt for her. With all this thinking by the time the wall of her clan's village bobbed into view, she had made up her mind, she'd invoke Grotgal, an ancient wright in her clan. Grotgal meant that anyone 18 and over can travel out into the world to forge their own path. She walked through the gate and started heading right for the Jarl's grand hall, as that was where her father was working. As she entered, people greeted her as she passed, she greeted them back as she made her way through the people setting things up for that nights meal, this was until suddenly someone stood in her way.

"Hey there Brinnie, come say hi to me" said the guy, it was Deter, he was in love with Bryn but was just not her type

"Out of my way Deter, you know my dad works here" she replied annoyedly

"Oh come on Brinnie when are you going to realise that we're perfect together. You fight and hunt and do that thing you do" he said confidently

"Axe throwing, I throw axes" she said even more frustrated

"And me, what can't I do, I'm smart, strong" he said flexing his muscles "and I'm gorgeous, just look at me, plus my dad is an elder so I can probably do that at some point" he said, still in her way. This was when he felt something behind him, when an truly massive hand was placed on his shoulder.

"Yowick, its good to-" gulped Deter

"You don't get to call me that, boy, now get out of my face" boomed a truly massive man, 6 feet tall, arms the size of a head, truly might beard and moustache, a freshly stained apron on top of a white tunic and brown trousers. The large man turned his attention to Bryn, who proceeded to burst out laughing.

"What's so funny missy" he said in a much chipper mood

"He was so fucking scared of you" Bryn replied

"I'm just glad you're home, darlin'" said the man after chuckling

She hugged him, unable to fully wrap her arms around his body "I'm so happy to see you Papa"