POV: Gorm Sinfjǫtlisonr, the Clan Leader.
Date: Mörsugur 16th, 999. (Alt: 29th Dec, 999 AD.) Location: Götaland (Ancient Sweden.)
Heath is as stubborn as usual. Believing that giving and gaining nothing is a standard procedure that should be expected. While he may claim that it comes 'with interest.' We knows him well enough that it would never be made final.
Even so, there is much to think about during the past few days. From what Gorm read of the Dökkálfar's memories, it seemed they had been the cause of the future raid Heath spoke of that led to Hervor's children's death. They were inspiring those of the old territories near Kievan Rus' that took our native lands to invade and enslave our own yet again. We had fled our homes during Sinfjǫtli II's reign of terror, yet they led us again to many an early grave? 'His decisions continue to haunt us to this day.' Gorm sighed to himself, sinking into his chair.
Sinfjǫtli did not deserve the title of father. He caused great catastrophes, broke alliances, and washed our riches away for lavish expenditures. He was abusive, and because his name was that of the grandson of our ancestor, Völsung, he sank against the world's tides.
Believing he was untouchable. It led to the split of our clan into irreconcilable pieces. I remember the mistakes he made and my limitations. I wished to be a counter, honourable, just and blind. Yet it is made harder every day with Heath. He is breaking every notion that has been the gap between deities and mortals. Sacrificing himself in every turn for our own. He has saved our people, provided us with gifts and a temporary shelter that would be better than our own generational home, and saved my son and his wife. So, so much to do for him.
He is more than a brother, his foolishly courageous heart could have spread across the world at this point beyond. Even his mistakes only led to speeding up our unification. It was never truly an issue, it felt good. Knowing his mind at times. Showing his best for all of us.
Even with his focus on gaining strength, Heath still does what is best for us and shows how to do it. Just the grenade covers and portal gun would provide us with a great safety net in battles, as he would call it. Yet he wanted to give us even more. Proper gun weaponry and modern military tactics with the flight suits altogether. 'We would have become unstoppable.' Gorm said he would think about it. He had asked before why Heath does this, yet he would simply deflect. *Sigh* Gorm has been annoyed with Heath many times during this process.
He got up from his chair and went out of his tent into the central area of the temporary campsite. Heath was there, talking with Yufren for future forging processes he had a difficult time comprehending. Yufren appeared like a man on his successful first hunt.
He was taking notes on a new notebook Heath had made for him. "- are you sure you did not wish for a full runic injector?" Heath asked him a second and final time. "I enjoy seeing it in the material realm, a personal preference, is all." Heath simply nodded towards Yufren's beliefs and let it go. "Is there anything else you wish to know?" Heath's question was met with one final, but totally off-topic inquiry. "What is your ring finger size?" Yufren looked at Heath expectantly, then shifted his gaze towards the right. Heath followed his gaze.
There, he saw Artkrea. Looking by the side, blushing. Heath looked dumbfounded and looked towards Yufren again. 'Oh hell no.' "In my culture, a person who is a teenager could not marry anyone older than 18. She is that and 30 years younger than I." Heath stated.
"Have you not made us immortal and unaging past our prime?" Yufren asked, soon looking at his own arms with his skin turning younger by the day. "And if one can live for hundreds of years, would such a difference matter in the long run for my daughter?" He said, pointing at Heath. "She is your daughter? I could have never guessed." Heath tried to sidetrack. "Yes, she is as beautiful as her mother." Yufren stated, but soon turned back to the point. "Which is why I believe you two would be a good fit." Yufren looked up towards him, uncompromising.
"Why do you trust me so much with your daughter? And am I not only 2 winters younger than you?" Heath tried to ask as a form of salvation. "You have proven to be trustworthy, and that is all the more reason why I know you are a good person. You have great responsibility."
". . ." Heath stared into him, looking for any way out. Yufren's eyes were steadfast and knowing. "It is a culture shock. Please give me time." Heath looked towards Artkrea, trying to appear honest. While hiding his intentions on NEVER marrying her like this. "It is not you, Artkrea. Know that it is my mindset." Heath's comment was met with a blush, and a nod from her. Caressing her hand that is growing new fingers. Heath felt bad, but knew it was necessary. 'I have helped them, yes. But seeking to marry me a few days after meeting me!?'
Everyone nearby could feel Heath's internal screaming. This led Yufren to squint his eyes suspiciously. Others were whispering to themselves, which Heath could hear clearly due to his exceptional hearing. "I must go spend time increasing safety, and to see my daughter."
Both Yufren and Artkrea nodded, knowing his personality and with both of them being aware that he had spent little time with his daughter and that this was a good way to ward off further curious stares. So he is let go, and he flies off. Gorm sees him do this and now plans to question him about it in the future. 'He must have a story that has led to him avoiding marriage. He has made us dependent on him. He may say he does not know. But. . .' Gorm shook his head to himself, arms crossed. Watching Heath cross the portal in the distance.
'I should have understood this world's customs by now. Better distract myself. Where would Valyria be?' Heath internally spieled, then searched around. He could not find her nor the others who were with her yesterday, until he came across a large concrete box.
It was made of bricks from the (concrete brick / glass farm.) Partially melted together with what may have been extreme magical heat. There were no windows, but there was one large entrance facing northwards towards the (forest farm.) It was entirely out of place with its brutalist design. There were two golems continuously patrolling around it in a clockwise pattern. Inside, there was loud talking and the sound of working. 'They must be on a project they did not want others to see. Yep, I will not disturb them then.' Heath turned and raced.
Floating, zooming and careening across the Cavern's interior. He searches for anything to do. The protective systems of the Cavern's walls are at top conditions, the farms are at their highest efficiency, and few issues are occurring in the temporary campsite.
'I may have stresses that are not unfounded, with the potential strength of the Æsir. But, am I deluding myself and causing harm for everyone here?' Heath's self-awareness started to show through, he at least started recognising it when there was no way to avoid it. He hovered above the ground, thinking to himself. He looked around, seeing he was near the large megastructure, he was leaning towards giving a joke name. 'Den höga ormtungan. Heh.' Heath smiled to himself. Then brought himself down and closed his eyes.
He shut off his senses and floated within himself. With the absence of vision, there was no darkness, only nothingness. Without hearing, his sense of touch only increased. Without touch, his taste became his primary sense. Without it all, he was in the void yet again.
He had no form, only an essence and his own imagination. With no sense of time, he pondered his existence and sought within himself his own perspective. He memorised himself what it was to be human, going through every memory of his previous life that he gained access to. From his birth to his sudden deification. 'I still cannot trust Brijga for what he has done. Could he have manipulated me with his 'mistake' to make himself trustworthy, to give human-like qualities? He is an unknown, yet I wish not to be so paranoid.'
He remembered of many topics that he should introduce. From video games, to movies. There is little to no entertainment here, only specific board games and physical / hunting sports. 'Or training.' Heath's person calmed, and he focused on his senses again.
He felt the grass below him, its presence high with vitality. It produced a scent much like cut grass, but with more earthy and aldehydic tones. 'Is it producing too much cis-3-hexenal, -hexenol and trans-2-hexenal from excreting the linoleic types? It only produces it when suffering damage.' Heath used his magic senses to scan the grass itself, soon finding out the issue. It was simply growing too quickly. It was not bamboo, after all. Causing microscopic tearing throughout. Now, lighter green stretch marks marred its surface, like a zebra.
Then he started feeling someone walking towards him, steps heavy and reverberating through the soil. Then a few behind. 'They finally came out of that structure.' Heath opened his eyes and saw Agnarr, Asdos, Egill, Eirikr, Gorm, Leif, Hervor, Sigrid and Valyria. He waved.
"I am surprised to see you chose to join, Asdos. Were you not busy with your wife?" Heath's comment was met with a shy look. "I wished to see a friend." Asdos said it quietly, but Heath could still hear him well. Giving a half smile in return before getting up. "So, all of you need anything?" "Yes." Gorm asked while leaning in with a hushed tone, knowing everyone around was staring co-conspiratorially towards him. Heath slowly sank into the earth, staring at them dubiously. He was about halfway through before Valyria grabbed him by the shoulders.
'?' Heath was suddenly tugged up and had his feet dangling. "We had presents, Papa. Do not leave, you should check!" Heath looked up towards her face in a bashful expression, his head into his neck, beard flattened against his chest and saw a large bundle of presents below.
Everyone stared towards Heath, eyes ahead in great satisfaction. From clothing, to toys, to drawings made by the children. Many villagers who had workable trades joined in towards the gift-giving. Those who could not, instead, sent their words of encouragement and care through writing in multiple cards in thanks to the literate. 'Family.' That word struck itself again in Heath, stronger than before. He gave an even goofier version of his usual characteristic smile and looked as if he would melt under the thoughtfulness of it all.
"This is perfect, thank you!" Heath slipped through and gave each one of them a hug or shake of the hand for whichever they were comfortable with, and it was met with unflappable praise that was continuously provided while opening each and every present.
The first present was an argyle vestment, the diamond pattern having a light blue colouration that played well with the sky, more than likely symbolising discipline, honour, pattern and wisdom. While its light grey linen below made of a thin strand was soft and comfortable to wear. Such a large tunic was obviously made with great care and of great craftsmanship. All without the Spinner Wheel and only using the Warp-weighted or Two-beam looms for patterning. "Who had made this? They are a great weaver." Heath hoped to thank them.
"It was Artkrea with the help of the Halcrodóttir triplets. With her new vestigial fingers past her second joint, as you had called them, they are helping reach her wish to be a loom tender." Hervor exclaimed proudly, showing how far she had come along in half a month.
'Well, now I feel bad.' Heath's cheeks flushed, then soon he refocused upon the other presents, a nice pair of Varangian-like goat wool trousers, dyed an accommodating grey as to complement the undercolour of the tunic. It looked comfortable and stylish for their time! "I will thank her soon. And who has made this?" Heath and their group went back and forth between every present there was, from small ship models, to woven animal figures and dolls, to even a heavily styled motif painting of himself, fighting a black dragon, with glowing eyes.
The dragon was half curled like a waning moon, mouth open and tongue jutting out, shockputting a ball with cracks upon it that are glowing in the same way, lines around and behind it to show motion. Heath had his tower shield up and ready, axe in the other hand.
Heath closed his eyes, threatening to spill tears. 'So they were listening to my stories.' The others smile toward his increased emotions, knowing it has been a long time since the last presents he had been provided. He opens his eyes again, and the world looks oh so colourful with them all together. 'It looks natural, we should do this more.' Heath starts laughing more than he ever has after coming to this world. Loud, boisterous and without a care, only basking in everyone's presence. It was truly perfect in Heath's view, down to the last detail.
He stops laughing, looking towards the sky, then down. "This was the best gift I could have asked for coming here. Seriously, thank you all. You do not know how much it means to me." Heath responds, fully serious. "Oh, we do know." They say with smirks on their faces.
Heath stores all the presents safely in a room by the top areas of the megastructure not in the unfinished towers, then speaks again. "The structure is close to complete. We are very ahead of schedule from when we first started. The internal rooms and other fixtures will be finished by tomorrow. But it is more than capable of holding people. Do you wish to see?" Heath opened his eyes, seeing them nod in unison. "Though, I wish to speak to you privately, Gorm." This momentary decision gave enough time for the others to walk towards the portal.
"Of course, I believe I know what it may be about." Gorm stared towards the location of the pure brick structure. Then back towards Heath. In response, a small smile was given. Once they all walked away a far enough distance. "How is everything?" Heath asked.
"Everything is better than I had originally expected. Thank you for not coming in, by the way." Gorm gave a silent exhalation of air, showing just enough for Heath to know it was expected to be funny or chaotic. Heath raised an eyebrow before asking another question. "Of course, I would only come in if it was unsafe. I also wish to surprise the others by making nicer foods that your people can enjoy. If you do not mind, may I spend a few hours modifying the crops to increase the richness of their flavours?" Heath conjectured.
"I do not mind at all. The foods you have already been providing was better than what we usually have. So we would welcome it." Gorm gave a small wink, understanding to not share this with any one. 'Oh no.' Heath pales slightly.
Gorm easily notices this. "What is wrong?" "Do you think we would have enough time to do those edits while also doing the flight show tonight? Would the people or golems we use have enough experience with it?" Heath's questions were met with a snort from Gorm.
"We have already been training 5 volunteers over the past two days, they are quite experienced now as your devices are easy to learn. You do not need to worry." Gorm huffed and patted his shoulder heavily before moving off towards the portal, leaving Heath to think.
'They have been doing well on their own. Now, what could I do. . .' Heath internally mulls about it; very little needed to be done. The people were safe, the construction was nearly complete, the process for the flight show was complete. There is nothing Heath could finish.
'Is it time for me to rest?' Heath looks up towards the towering structure that is Den höga ormtungan. (Which he is sticking with in name now.) And flies into the ground floor to change his clothes, then flies to see the others inspect the inside with extreme curiosity, Valyria herself was running around the tall walkways. The rooms are made in 'blocks' of 5x2, each with a private stairway that leads to a floor that has a one-way window, looking into the hallways for personal light. Each room will be individually furnished when a family live in it.
Heath joined in with their group, now wearing the tunic and trousers. He walked towards them to show off under the lighting, the ends of the shirt fully fastened and the trousers held in his armoured boots. They see him and guffaw from the visually striking difference.
"That looks lovely on you!" Agnarr comments, and Hervor agrees by nodding beside them. They continued until the afternoon, where they finally chose rooms for themselves.