Missteps V.2

Chapter 14 – Jun's Journey

Ander stuffed his hands deeper into his armpits. "Why is it so cold?" Little puffs of steam came out of his mouth with every breath.

Jun smirked. "It's called winter, don't you have that in Sageburrow?" After leaving the rest of their future party and promising to meet up in Esterwill in three months' time, the berserker and wizard had set out. They'd joined a caravan straight to Dayur, spent a few days gearing up for their trek into the mountains, and then headed out.

"How can it be winter, when fall just got here?" The halfling's voice was muffled by the large scarf he wore. In fact, Jun could barely see his companion underneath all the layers he wore. In addition to the dark blue scarf, Ander wore a dark blue cloak, thick woolen mittens, a wool hat, and heavy boots. All on loan from the Dayur chapter of the Circle, of course.

"You've never spent much time in the mountains, have you?" Jun chuckled as the Halfling finally caught up. It was slow moving through the mountains. Snow dusted the rocky ground around them, while roots broke through the surface just waiting to catch those unaware. Jun paused for a moment and looked around them for their target, the berserker Bands that lived in the mountains.

Ander readjusted his pack. "No, Sageburrow is more grassland and very large buildings than mountains. Now, tell me again why we couldn't just wait in town for a Band to stop by?"

Jun grabbed Ander's collar and hoisted him over a large puddle. This was not the first time he'd done so. In fact, Jun had had to manhandle Ander over much of the mountainside. They'd been warned that the trek might be dangerous. Winter settled early in the mountains and drove away the usual traffic that made the passes easier to traverse.

Jun sighed. "No one could be sure that a Band would stop by again this year. If we want to accomplish our mission before we have to meet the others, going into the mountains and tracking down a Band is our best bet." Jun was sorely tempted to just pick Ander up and carry him on his shoulders. The wind was beginning to pick up and judging by the rock piles scattered along the trail, it would get much stronger.

Ander stopped and took a swig out of his waterskin. "Ok, so when we meet up with a Band, what are we expecting?"

"Expecting from what?"

"These berserkers. Are all of them going to be big and strong with a thirst for blood?"

Jun stopped and gave Ander a quizzical look. "Where did you hear that?"

Ander shrugged. "Pretty much every bard I've come across has a song along those lines. You're the first berserker I've actually met in person."

Jun rolled his eyes and started walking again.

"Look, all I'm saying is I'd like to be a little more informed about what I'm walking into." Ander jogged to catch up.

Jun stopped and faced the halfling. "It's not like I've met others berserkers either. The whole reason I'm here is so that I can meet them. So I can talk to them, you know, ask some questions."

"Well, you're never going to meet them if you go that way." A feminine voice called out. The two men looked up. Standing on an outcropping above them was a woman about middle-aged and clothed in furs.

Jun shielded his eyes. "What way would you suggest?"

The woman gave a loud laugh. She jumped off the cropping and began to run down towards them. Halfway down, a rock pile shifted under her foot. Jun dashed over and scooped Ander out of the way as the woman barreled past them. She eventually rolled to a stop a few feet from them.

"Are you alright?" Jun held out his hand.

She accepted the hand and pulled herself to her feet. "I'm fine." She grinned as she wiped dust off her armor. "Not one of my most graceful of entrances." Now that she was closer, the men could see that she was bald with elaborate tattoos that crisscrossed her head in waves.

"Name's Eira." The woman stuck out both hands; one at Jun and the other at Ander.

Jun smiled. "I'm Jun, and this is my friend Ander." Ander awkwardly shook with his left hand. "You never did answer my question."

"Ah yes, well, if you want to meet the Tribe, you're going the wrong way. All the Bands have been summoned to the Temple." Eira explained with a grin. She took a step back and looked the human over. "Why do you want to meet them?"

Jun kept an eye on the woman as she began to circle him. "My father was a berserker, but I've got questions on what that means."

"You can use the Verta-Kochen?" Her eyes squinted as she waited for his response.

He titled his head to the side. "If that means I get really angry and really strong, then yes."

"He's a fierce warrior." Ander proclaimed. Eira looked down at him. "He's saved my life and our comrades. He's faced down the undead, owlbears, and a fearsome ooze."

"Owlbears aren't that dangerous, and oozes are a bore." Eira's brow furrowed. "And what do you mean by 'undead'? The dead are dead, that's all."

The wizard crossed his arms. "First of all, it was a giant acidic ooze that tried to eat us. Second of all, the dead don't always stay dead. We faced down skeletons armed with swords; and rotting corpses whose fists felt like they were made of lead." Ander's face lit up as he recounted their exploits. Eira's brow unfurrowed as her eyes went wide in shock.

"Are you serious?" She looked at Jun for confirmation, who solemnly nodded. "Well then, that changes things. I was going to string this out a bit longer, but I've got to hear more about this. The rest of my Band are on the other side of the hill." She pointed towards the outcropping she'd first appeared on. "We'll take you to the Temple."

The journey to the Temple took the rest of the day. After meeting up with Eira's band, the group kept up a quick pace as they trekked along the narrow trails. The band was made up of about twenty adults with a few children. Everything they owned they carried on their backs and shoulders, or balanced precariously on wooden litters. As they walked, Eira explained that they were one of three Bands that patrolled beyond the Silver Rise Mountains.

"What's out there that's so dangerous?" Ander asked from atop Jun's shoulders. Due to the strict pace, it was easier to carry the halfling, an idea that the wizard had begrudgingly agreed with.

"Creatures like that ooze you talked about. In the mountains bordering the coast is the entrance to a place called the Dark Realms." Eira's face got serious. "Stories say that every evil and abandoned creature are drawn down into its depths to die and rot. Sometimes the strongest of them find their way out. Other times the creatures are too scared to enter the depths, so they wander the land around the entrance. We call that area the Realm of Nightmares. Our job is to track and kill anything that tries to leave the Nightmare Realm."

Ander wasn't convinced. "Isn't three bands overkill?"

"The area around the Realm of Nightmares is huge," Chimed in one of the older males. "As Eira said, creatures are drawn to the area. It's also become a kind of junk yard for experiments gone wild or creatures that just need to be moved. Even with three bands things still slip through."

Jun whistled. "And everyone in the Band fights these creatures?"

The older man gave a small chuckle. "No, only the berserkers and a few others fighters go and fight. The rest of us are here to support them."

"The term 'berserker' is used differently within the Tribe than it is with outsiders." Eira explained when Ander's and Jun's face twisted in confusion. "Within the Tribe (which is a collection of several bands), a berserker is a fighter who is able to harness the mighty power and veracity of the Verta-Kochen. Not all members of the Tribe are capable of this."

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"Are all berserkers a member of the Tribe?" Jun turned to face Eira, who nodded.

Eira nodded. "They're supposed to be. A long time ago the Bands were tribes unto themselves, and territorial disputes were common as the berserkers fought each other for supremacy. Finally, a single Band rose victorious over all others and united our people under their banner and god. Thus, we became the Tribe of the Red Storm. Nowadays there are about twelve wandering Bands that travel the world. Some Bands are small, with maybe four or five members, while others number in the hundreds."

Jun nodded, a bit overwhelmed. "So why have all the Bands been called together?"

"No idea, but we'll find out." Eira clapped Jun on the back then raced ahead and began playing with a couple of the kids.

"Is she always that cheerful?" Jun asked the other tribesman.

The man smiled. "Mostly, it can get annoying." The rest of the climb was either spent in companionable silence, or filled with Ander asking even more questions. Jun let his eyes wander over the Band. He'd assumed that he'd be the odd person out in terms of features, but the Band seemed to be a melting pot of features from all over. Not only were several different races represented, but there was a good mix of different genders. Everyone, even the children, were armed in some way.

Just as the sun was beginning set, the Band crested a rise and got their first view of the Temple. Nestled in a small green valley, it was like a paradise. In the middle stood a two-story white marble structure. Sprawling out from the center, walls separated the surrounding land into different sections. A few of the sections were just open clearings in which a large tent city had been erected. Two fields with seating on the sidelines stood untouched. In one of the larger sections right behind the main structure, was an arena with white marble stadium seating. Flying above the structure were two flags. One was a blue fag with a silver lightning bold. Both Jun and Ander recognized the symbol of the god Zhonnic. The other was a dark red triangular shape with storm clouds gathered in the center.

"Come on, it looks like we're one of the last." Eira called out to the whole group. When they made their way into the main encampment, the shadows were long and several lanterns, campfires, and torches lit the area.

"Well well, looks like I lost my silver." A girl on the cusp of adulthood called out as she made her way quickly towards Eira. The two of them embraced quickly.

"Signe, look how you've grown!" Eira exclaimed. "Last time I saw you, you were nothing more than a child. How's your Band?"

"A bit smaller," Signe led Eira and the Band towards a clearing. "My father stepped down as leader, and tapped my husband to succeed him. As always there were those who didn't agree left."

"Have you heard why the Bands have been called?" Eira settled down on a log. Most of the small Band went about setting up camp, with members of other Bands coming over to help, offer food, and just catch up. Jun turned to caution Ander against running off, but was too late.

Signe nodded. "Neolemus, the Champion of Zhonnic died."

Eira gasped, along with the other members of the Band. Those from other Bands who'd already heard, nodded their heads solemnly. Signe continued. "Rumor is that everyone's been gathered to choose a new Champion."

"How did he die?" One of the children asked.

"During one of his battles, he was exposed to a poison that he couldn't beat." Signe explained calmly to the child. "Even the mightiest warriors can fall when they are attacked from within."

Jun reached up and scratched the back of his head. "I'm sorry, but I'm a little lost. I thought Zhonnic was for athletes, not berserkers."

"It's alright to be confused." A tall man with a graying beard wearing robes of blue and silver came out of the crowd. "Zhonnic favors those who value strength and skill, be they fighters or athletes."

"Father, you remember Eira?" Signe asked as she and Eira stood up.

"I'm afraid I don't, I'm sorry." The man shook Eira's hand.

Eira smiled sadly. "My father was Baraka and my mother Helga. They died about six years ago during a fight with giant wurms."

The man nodded. "I remember now, they died a valiant death."

"That they did." Eira smiled sadly. "I didn't realize that you were a cleric of Zhonnic Alaric."

"A recent calling," Alaric brushed a hand against his robes. "After I stepped down in my Band, I was asked to join. In light of Neolemus' death it rather felt like I couldn't refuse. Now, who are you?" The new cleric turned to Jun with an outstretched hand.

He shook it. "Jun, Eira found my companion and I on the trail."

Alaric smiled and scanned the faces around them. "And who is your companion?"

"His name is Ander, and he's a halfling out of Sageburrow. At the moment, I have no idea where he scampered of to." Jun admitted.

"Jun is a Berserker," Eira interjected as she placed hand on Jun's shoulder. "However, he's not part of the Tribe."

Alaric sighed. "That's becoming all too common. Ever since the Marblebrookian Civil War, some of the Tribe's members have been a little too ambitious to, shall we say, sow their seeds. It's been mandated for the Bands to keep much of that in check, but there are some that manage to sneak away."

Jun's brow furrowed in concern. "I didn't realize it was such a big deal."

"Only if the children possess the ability to harness the Verta-Kochen, such as yourself." The cleric's eyes softened. "I can't imagine you had an easy childhood with such a power?"

Jun shrugged. "It is what it is. I'm not interested in dredging it up."

Alaric nodded. "In the bands, children with berserker potential are identified and trained early. Left unchecked, one can become consumed with by the Verta-Kochen, and be at fault for great violence. In that state, not even a loved one is safe from their fury."

Signe nodded at her father's words. "It's said that the first berserkers were fathered by Zhonnic himself. That they trained in order to win his approval. When the Bands were united, great emphasis was placed on this, in order to bring the berserkers to a common ground."

"So what's all of this?" Jun gestured at the tent city around them.

The cleric laughed. "Have you ever tried to convince several Bands used to living a nomadic lifestyle to sleep indoors?" He shook his head. "No, it's easier to just let them set up their tents. It leaves the clergy free to set up the competitions."

"Competitions?"

"Oh yes, as you said, Zhonnic is known to be the God of Athletes, and so one of his basic tenets that was crucial in uniting the Bands, was the use of nonlethal sports to resolve disputes. At the core of our Tribe, is the idea that the strong and fit should lead those who are weaker, and bravery should be shared by all. Cowardice is something to be scorned."

"So the competitions are for settling arguments?" Jun was handed a tankard by Alaric and the two of them settled themselves on the log. Signe and Eira disappeared into the crowd around them.

"Sometimes." Alaric took a swig from his own tankard. "If someone's leadership is questioned than a challenge is issued. Mostly it's the young people wanting to prove their strength as they come into their abilities or age. We do prevent berserkers from engaging in melee and other physical tournaments against non-berserkers, which just wouldn't be fair."

Jun took a drink as he looked around at the revelry around him. Old friends introduced new friends, and everyone was eager to show off trophies or battle scars. "So in the Tribe, are the berserker's leaders?"

Alaric stood up and did a slow spin before Jun. "Tell me Jun, I am a former leader of a rather large Band, and now I'm a member of the Clergy of Zhonnic. Would you say I possess the abilities of a berserker?"

Jun nodded as Alaric sat back down. "Of course."

"I don't," He confessed. "None of the Bands are led by berserkers. True leadership takes more than being able to crush enemies with your bare hands. True leadership needs a level head, the ability to think critically about a situation and to realize that sometimes the best decision is to leave. While a berserker is in the throes of the Verta-Kochen, the idea of retreating will never enter their minds. A berserker's role in a Band is to be at the forefront of an attack. To take the hits that would kill their fellow Band members, and to hold off the main threat long enough for the group to work together. A berserker is the first line of defense and offense. If the berserker is weak or a coward, then they're a failure to everything all berserker's stand for."

Jun took a large gulp of ale, and let the words sink in.

"Was Neolemus a berserker as well?" Jun asked, and Alaric nodded. "What does it mean to be Zhonnic's Champion?"

"Zhonnic's champion is like the god's troubleshooter. The Champion's role is to uphold Zhonnic's name in the world, in word, and life. Sometimes Zhonnic might have a specific task, but more often then not it's a life of adventuring. Neolemus had answered a call for help from one of the Band's roving around the Realm of Nightmares. He sustained his fatal injury ensuring that everyone got away."

"What happens now that he's dead?" Jun asked.

"We start the search for a new champion in true Zhonnic fashion." Alaric grinned. "All the Bands were brought together so that we might see us who has the potential of being the new Champion. Every berserker here will fight for the honor of being Zhonnic's Champion, including yourself."

Jun choked on his ale.

"What?" He wheezed, his eyes wide.

"Do you really think it was merely a coincidence that you found yourself in these mountains now? That after all these years, you chose now to seek out your heritage?" Alaric stood up. "No Jun, you were guided here, and I'm looking forward to seeing how you hold up." With that Alaric raised his tankard in farewell and faded into the crowd. Eira came up behind Jun and wordlessly refilled his tankard.

"Drink, it'll help." She settled herself on the log next to Jun. They didn't speak for several minutes, as they sat there and drank. In the sky above, streaks of fire and electricity began to arc across the sky to great applause.

"You and your friend can sleep in my tent tonight," She finally said as they watched the lights. "I've already circulated word that Ander's ours." Jun cracked a smile.

"Thanks, how much of that did you hear?"

"All of it," She took another swig. "Bit more than you were expecting, huh?"

"I'll say. I just wanted to find out more about what being a berserker meant. Now I'm enrolled in a God's competition."

"Could be worse."

"How?"

"You could've not found us and still be wandering out there in the cold desperate for answers." Eira stood up and grinned. "Come on, let's go find Ander and get you two to bed. We've got an early morning tomorrow."

"I have a sneaky suspicion that we'll find Ander at the end of those lights." Jun downed his tankard in one gulp before the two headed off to collect their halfling. Surprisingly, he'd managed to drink three Tribe members under the table before he'd started his spectacle.