Bloodlines of the Ancient Pantheons

Chapter 415: CDXV. The Official Proposal

"I don't know either, but you can be merry. I am perfectly capable of controlling them, there is no risk that I will do anything against my will, if your fear is this" Dag replied, not mentioning the episodes in which, having pushed his power to the maximum, he had completely lost control and risked killing his own allies.

The two archers looked again to each other, trying to figure out whether or not they had to believe in that young Master, who immediately inspired their confidence.

"At this point, if you have nothing against it, I would have an official proposal to make, benefiting from my title as Warchief of the Iron Alliance and official ambassador of the Okstorm nation..." Dag continued, trying to highlight his social charge, while his men looked at him with a questioning air.

Gridd and Reidar smiled, already knowing what Dag was going to do.

"And what would this proposal be, then?" Orvar asked again, squinting.

"Would you like to join us?"

Kjell and Sander were the first two to marvel at that question and tried to attract the attention of Egill, who remained focused on the scene, belatedly understanding Dag's intentions, but agreeing with him that it was the right move to make at that difficult time after they had lost so many men.

"Join you? It seems to me a very important proposal, are you sure you have thought about it?" Orvar asked, astonished by Dag's question, who seemed to be determined judging by his gaze.

"So far we've said that in these times it's hard to find new allies, right? You are at war, we are at war and in a territory thousands of miles from our home... I think if you were joining the Iron Alliance, it would be good for everyone" Dag said, who was quick to explain to the Hunters Of Ullr Clan leader and his archers all the specific rules that would have bound their agreement.

Predictably, after briefly consulting with some of his men, including Skaldr, who seemed to be the most inclined of them to accept, Orvar asked: "And what are your conditions?" 

"We didn't bring with us the official document to be signed, but... essentially the non-belligerence pact and mutual aid in the event of wars. No one from the Iron Alliance can declare war on other Clans without consulting other Masters before, and also, if you agree to join us, you can decide to face the current Warchief to get the title. As you may have understood, the current Warchief is me, so one of you, if you say so, would have the right to face me in a risk-free duel..." 

Dag explained to the Hunters Of Ullr everything they needed to know to join their alliance, and although Orvar was immediately reluctant to accept, when the young Warchief explained to him that his title was a mere formality and that he would never command his archers, he changed his mind, becoming familiar with the idea of having such a large group of new friends.

"Your speech inspires me confidence, Dag of Okstorm, but I can't help but think that you could take advantage of our fort... I am almost certain that you want to declare peace with us precisely for this reason, since you have never even seen us fight... when you first listed the various rules of your Iron Alliance, you told me that there is the free passage right on the Allied territories. Basically, if my men and I wanted to go back with you to Okstorm one day..." 

"You could stay in one of the cities of our Clans, the choice would be up to you!" Dag interrupted, preceding the question of his interlocutor and realizing that, perhaps, having been alone for many years in the snow, always stuck in the same place, they would want to get as far away from Krypstorm as possible to seek luck elsewhere.

Orvar and Skaldr looked at each other again, but this time smiling.

The other six archers behind them also seemed happy with the news, and Dag stepped forward, realizing that this was the right time to insist on the proposal.

"Fort Hvit would stay as it is and you could go back whenever you want. You know Krypstorm well and once you return to its shores you will surely be able to find the fort. Think about it... Okstorm is a land full of possibilities, there are many cities to visit and in which you could choose to live! Food, women, other Clans to deal with... you won't find any of this in all this snow!" Dag exclaimed again, noting that those men hung from his lips.

"All right, all right, that's enough. We were already convinced when we imagined how exciting it must be to leave this place. We never took a ship, we never traveled that far! Honestly, I think your arrival here is no accident, I think it's a sign of fate! I, Orvar of the Hunters Of Ullr accept your proposal!" 

Gridd and Egill, who were next to each other, rejoiced at those words, relieved that shortly after their arrival and after the unfortunate events that had lowered the morale of their soldiers, they had finally managed to achieve something good: a real base of operations, with high and robust walls and in which it would be possible to stock up on food. 

Kjell and Sander, on the other hand, did not seem so pleased.

When Orvar said the contents of his Clan's library had been lost forever, both of the Crows Of Odin Masters realized that those archers were not so strong, having not learned high-level skills.

After formalizing the pact through a handshake, unable to sign anywhere, Dag and Orvar looked at each other smiling, when the man in the long black braid invited all his new allies to follow him.

The fort was much smaller than Fort Skjonnet and all the other similar structures that Okstorm's soldiers were accustomed but seemed to be complete with everything necessary to live there without too much defiantness.