The Norse Of the North

Knattleikr and the Strength of Character

The sun is just rising as the mini ball of Arne is thrown in huge heights playing with the sunrays. When the ball lands down on Torsten's stick he falls down on the grass while his head is spinning.

"What's up kid, can't handle the power?" Arne laughs as he grabs his hand and lifts him up.

Arne was indeed quite the man, the force with which he use to slam the ball is outrageous. Knattleikr is their favorite game. The rules are pretty simple you just throw the ball up and slam it with the stick using as much power as you can. Torsten on the other hand is super young for this game. Every time he tries to bounce back Arne's shot he either falls down to the grass or hits his nose.

Everyone use to call him a nerd and to be honest his appearance matches pretty well to that. His hair is short with a honey blonde shade always brushed and hydrated. His skin is pale with an orange undertone as acne is spread all over his T zone mixed with all sizes of freckles. His cheeks are pretty rosy as if he is wearing a blush. Every time he sweats all of his face turns red making him look like a woman. His fingers and feet are small and delicate unlike the rest of his body which is pretty built up. His eyes are blue in a generic shape emitting innocence and goodness. His style isn't the best he just wears some gray sweaters with brown trousers and boots.

If he isn't playing with Arne he goes to the farm and plants veggies and flowers. He loves the feeling of creating something with his own hands. He finds solace in farming since he can't play with the other Vikings. But with Arne it is different he does make fun of him and judge him but Torsten is sure he has no bad feelings about him and that he doesn't consider him a loser. Their friendship is really pure. They trust each other in all matters after all they grew up as brothers. Torsten had asked him to teach him Knattleikr because he wanted to be able to play with the rest of the camp.

"I can't do this I am not strong as you..." he sat down to the grass holding his knees

Arne sat next to him "Yes you aren't strong enough but look how far you have come. You have fought in the 6 biggest battles in our history. Tell me a 20 year-old man that has done that. None... Some can't even hold their shields. Practice and practice this is the only way you will reach your goal and get rewarded."

He looks on the other corner observing the rest of the camp playing as well "You see them they all are putting great power to the ball without realizing that if they delay even one second they will be victimizing their own self."

Arne was absolutely right one Viking doesn't see the ball coming at his side and gets his forehead hit. He falls down losing consciousness with the rest of his friends laughing at him.

"Sometimes power isn't the solution, if you are clever enough you will win against all odds. Remember the dead valley battle? If you didn't retreat to bring back up we will have our corpses spread all over the grass right now. You didn't care so much if I think of you as a traitor and a coward you just did it so I live to breathe another day..."

"Maybe you are right instead of trying to perfect myself in something I might never reach I should work on what I am already good at. I never thought of it my father used to say that if you don't know how to battle then you should not be considered a Viking"

"In that I will agree with your father most of our life is filled of battles. All Vikings should have even a basic knowledge of fighting tactics so they can protect themselves and their kingdom. Although sometimes it is wiser to attack with a strategy rather with a great force."