GHOSTS OF STEEL Part 2 (original) (raw)

Part 2 of my barbarian epic, GHOSTS OF STEEL.

Reaching into the fire pit one last time, Thalif smears the ash across his face, camouflaging his body against the blackness of night. As he sheaths his dagger behind his back and straps his heavy broadsword over his shoulder, he kneels and bows his head, placing both hands upon the ground. He pauses briefly, gathering his thoughts before offering a prayer to the gods watching from Asgard and the halls of forever.

"Tyr, I ask of you the chance to right the wrongs done to me. Please guide my sword this night as I fulfill my oath to avenge those unjustly murdered. Allow me to bring order this night.

"Thor, I ask of you to lend me your strength. Please make every blow a killing blow so that my enemies may never rise again. With your strength I will be victorious this night."

Thalif rises from his prayers and checks his weapons, inspecting their fine steel in the broken rays of moonlight. As he stares at his own reflection in the flawless blade of his broadsword, his mind begins to wander, recalling moments from his childhood. The Thornehoff clan has always been known for its fine craftsmen, and Thalif’s father, Ordo, was among the finest blacksmiths in the land. The Thornehoff clan would often feud with the Kursegaard clan, warring over the secrets of steel. Ordo fought many battles against the Kursegaard and cut down many a foe with the very sword Thalif now holds in his hands. The greatest blade Ordo ever forged.

"There is little you can trust in this world, my son,” Ordo preaches to a young Thalif as he pounds the slab of hot steel on his anvil. “But there are two things you can trust: the wisdom of the gods and the strength of steel. You see, my boy, the secrets of steel were stolen from Asgard by Loki and lost in Midgard. It is man’s job to learn the secrets in order to return them to the gods."