Born with Sunrise

Chapter 1

AN - For those of you reading this, I thank you. I started NaNoWriMo late this year and I am hoping to catch up by the end of November. This is what I have so far, I hope you enjoy the story.

Chapter 1

The second moon rose over the mountained horizon. Bathing the land towards the calm sea in a golden light which danced with the slivery light of the first moon which was already at the peak of its arch. Yet even at this late hour, the revelry was still in high spirits across the land as the news spread from town to town of the joyous news. The people had been waiting on baited breath for the riders to be seen as the news was brought to their villages. Even the loneliest homestead was not forgotten, as hundreds of men raced across the land professing with great elation the news which would change their fortunes. The gods had spoken and through this new life, they would once again be great. They had been underestimated as a people for too long, seen as the barbarians, when if anything they were the most enlightened, allowing their gods to rule their fortune. Too long they had wasted in the dark, this was the blessing they had been waiting for. This was going to be the start of a new age.

But what they did not realise was that as this joyous occasion was taking place, the turn in the act of the gods finally in their favour once more, was that an army was amassing, ready to make a final attempt to end the war which had waged between two nations for an eon it seemed. The turn in their fate may just have come too late it seemed. But this was not to be known as that silvery golden light shone down upon the merriment beneath the orbs above.

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Jerrick leant back against the furs upon his throne. The night was almost over and yet the drinking and games most definitely were not. The laughter and the rambunctious singing shattering the stillness of the night outside, yet inside the joy was hard to contain. Their prayers had been answered. New life had graced his line, a line he had seen cursed for too long, and what a new life it was. Helka had taken his daughter hours ago, in order for the tiny one to actually get some sleep, and he found himself missing his woman, but knew that nothing could dampen the riotous elation here this night, for the birth of his daughter meant their people would live on. The gods had been kind to him finally, even so long into his rein. His people had always been loyal, but they knew of the curse and had tried with all their might to help him break it. It was not until that stormy night which had brought Helka to his door that his fortune had started to change.

"Where is the lass all this is for?" The booming voice brought a smile to his face, turning to see the giant of a man, and that was saying something with the size of his people, heading for him. Beard covering half of his face and chest in a mahogany curtain. "Havardr, come take a seat and drink to the health of my daughter." He waited until the large frame had folded onto the bench beside him. "Helka has taken Asta to bed in order for her not to be disturbed by the 'hords' apparently." Havardr stared for a moment before a boisterous laugh broke forth. When his chortles had died a little he wiped away a tear. "That little lass will one day sit upon the throne your currently call your own, and her mother wishes to shield her from her people. I do not envy the talk you must have with her on that." As he took a large gulp from his goblet, waving over a serving maid to refill it, Jerrick took the time to look over his oldest friend and protector. He had been gone for weeks on a mission. Though he was glad he could return in time for the celebrations. "Ah, my friend, you have a woman and child of your own, are you really telling me that you would have that conversation with the woman who holds your heart."

Havardr thought on it a moment, before tipping his goblet towards him, "that, my friend is why you lead us. That forward thinking and greater knowledge of which I do not possess. My woman would no doubt have made sure I could sire no more children upon her if I said such a thing." It was Jerrick's turn to laugh, until he was interrupted by more well wishes and congratulations from his men present. Eventually he brought his attention back to his friend who was by that time finishing a rather large meal. "I take it you travelled hard to get back in time?"