章 5: Chapter 5

As they stepped into the great hall Alvar let his eyes roam over the crowd in the hopes to find his friends amongst the celebrating crowd. As he was watching his people laugh, feast, drink and simply enjoying their time together a warm feeling made itself known inside his stomach and Alvar couldn't help but smile in happiness at the atmosphere that he and his grandparents plunged right into.

Alvar was brought out of his musings though by someone tackling his back from behind him while laughter filled with mirth greeted his eyes as he stumbled forwards in surprise at the sudden impact.

"Alvar, you're back! Why didn't you notify us you jerk?" the feminine voice of his friend Gerdi sounded from behind him while he himself had no choice but to shove the body that had tackled him to the ground under mock protests to the side in a huff under the laughter of those watching the ongoing quarrel.

"Damn it Veli! Stop it with those tackles you buffon!" Alvar said while a small smile adorned his face in mock exasperation at his friend who couldn't help himself but shove Alvar slightly once more in a good nature shove that nearly sent Alvar sprawling on the ground once more.

"Anyway, now that you are back you have to tell us what you experienced out there." Gerdi said with a no nonsense voice while Alvar threw himself at Veli in revenge and tackled him to the ground as well which earned him a satisfying yelp of surprise in turn, all the while ignoring Gerdi's mock anger at the duo which caused her eyebrow to tick upwards in annoyance.

After wrestling for a while the two friends stood up and laughed their banter off and began speaking about what was about to happen tonight as all three of them were reaching the age of eleven this month, and for logistical reasons were brought into the ceremony as well.

"Do you think we'll have to pick a profession tonight? I doubt it but I could be wrong, you know?" Alvar asked the two as this was his biggest worry since he didn't want to make such a huge decision lightly without knowing what he really liked to do. His friends hummed in thought for a while after which they both shrugged their shoulders since they didn't know either though Alvar could clearly see the nervousness on the two's faces as he himself felt his heart pound in his chest in anticipation.

"Come, let us find your uncle and grab ourselves some food and drinks." Alvars grandfather said while his grandmother asked Gerdi and Veli where their parents currently were at who in turn looked around for a second after which they motioned towards a nearby group of people that also contained uncle Olaf which caused the group to venture over to them where they were greeted warmly with exclamations of anticipation.

The group began talking amongst themselves while uncle Olaf brought over a boar that had been roasting over a smaller nearby fire which they all began to eat in gusto, mead flowing freely and warming all those involved from the inside out, only increasing the laughter that came along with the slight tipsiness the mead provided.

Minutes turned into an hour and the sun had finally disappeared behind the tall peaks of the surrounding mountains while the animals of the night like owls and bats began to occasionally flutter through the night sky, no doubt looking for their first prey of the evening.

While the group were still talking a low murmuring and exclamations for silence began to softly echo through the hall which in turn drew the attention towards the middle of the great hall where an old man had stepped forwards and was now standing besides the huge fire in the middle of the great hall while leaning on his staff that was adorned with black feathers. The man himself wore a coat similarly adorned by black feathers while his clothes underneath his coat held a simple grey color onto which his long braided grey beard fell.

Soon the great hall had fallen silent and Alvar could feel his heart hammering in his chest, slightly surprised that nobody around him was hearing it as well as he thought it sounded like a cacophony of war drums, loud enough to rouse even Jormag from his sleep far up in the north.

Wooden smashes of a staff being smacked onto the ground brought Alvars attention away from his own beating heart and back to the Havroune in the middle of the hall who by now had the attention of the whole hall on him.

"Welcome friends, families, comrades, brothers and sisters. We have gathered here today for a joyous event, to welcome some of our descendants into the ranks of the young adults. Those that have been deemed worthy to continue onwards, please step forwards!" The Havroune spoke into the silent hall after which Alvar took a deep inhale and with the exhale stood up, accompanied by his two friends Veli and Gerdi while other children amongst other groups also stood up and with tension visible and written all over their faces ventured under the gazes of the crowd over to the Havroune who smiled upon them with clear eyes that spoke of a deep wisdom gathered over the years.

Once the children had lined up before the Havroune he gazed into the eyes of each child while humming in satisfaction. Why he did so Alvar did not know.

"Now, in order to complete this rite of passage you will follow me to the shrine of the raven, one of our patron spirits and the wisest of them all. There you will find guidance for the path that lay ahead of you. Once we return your rite will be over and you may join our people in celebration." The Havroune spoke after which he turned around and marched out of the great hall with the children following behind him into the cold dark night, towards the shrine of the raven that lay at the small vale below Hoelbrak.

With a firm look in his eyes Alvar followed right behind the Havroune, determined to do the best he could joined by his friends and the other children…