528 DXXVIII. The Clan Comes Firs

After a few minutes, the only soldiers left behind were the man who had criticized Kranus' decision shortly before and his group of friends, who were about twenty people in total, out of hundreds of soldiers present in the arena.

"Warriors! Step aside, let me pass" Kranus ordered, walking forward and passing through the crowd, which as soon as he saw him arrive split into two parts, making room for their Commander, who stopped in front of the men who disagreed to leave again for war.

"I know that you have just returned and do not feel like leaving your families, but I ask you for the last effort. One last sacrifice and all this could end. We could devote ourselves to agriculture and livestock farming, we could cultivate other arts, not just those of war. Our children could learn to read and write, and over time, we could build a better society, like that of the old Tungvek, where our ancestors worshipped Ymir and the Ice Giants wisely, not with violence. Our Clan is the most powerful and ancient of Krypstorm and our roots lie in the ice layers beneath its soil. It is our job to restore the balance that has been lost for many years and this boy is the proof of this!" the ice mage stated, referring to Dag, who looked at him astonished, not expecting to be named.

"This boy? What does he have to do with all this? He's not even from our own Clan!" the soldier in front of him replied, pointing a finger at Dag, who remained silent, not knowing what Kranus was referring to.

"Dag from Okstorm killed my son... the only one I had left. When I first met him, my only wish was to take his head off his neck and impale it in the middle of the snowy plain near Fort Hvit. But after looking him in the eye and hearing his voice, I felt something I had never felt... a fire coming from the inside as if my organs were slowly burning. It took me some time to understand that our meeting was a sign of destiny and that my son was part of this great plan, but now that I am aware of it, I will lead you all on the path to salvation and the name of our Clan will shine again, reigning over all the lands of the East! But to do that, I need the help of all my warriors..." Kranus continued, looking at the group of men in the eye.

The soldier in the center, however, despite his gaze became less rigid, continued to look at Kranus with his head held high, taking a deep breath.

About ten of the men next to him took a few steps forward and then positioned themselves sideways, next to the soldiers who had agreed to join the battle.

"The Clan comes first... the family comes first" the magician replied, leaving them the choice, making them understand that in case of a negative response, there would be no consequence.

"We'll be there. We've always fought for our Clan, now it won't be any different. I apologize for my insolence, Commander... I don't know what's wrong with me, just... the moment of happiness I felt when I came back here was too short and I would have liked to greet my family decently.

Kranus stepped towards the soldier, who immediately straightened himself, remaining composed like a statue, having never looked at his commander so closely.

The mage put his hand on his shoulder and said: "You will return to your family, as will your companions. If we lose our lives, it'll be for a bigger cause and... who knows, maybe I too will finally be able to reach Valhalla and travel to Jotunheim, to meet Ymir and the other giants and talk to them about the adventures of our Clan!" 

The soldier, almost moved, grabbed his commander's hand and a tear fell on his face, as he nodded with his head, confirming his presence.

After that touching scene, everyone remained silent and waited for Kranus to position himself in front of them again to make the final arrangements.

"Well, now that we are all aware that tomorrow could be our last day on this cold and inhospitable earth, I need you to do one last thing for me! Follow me outside the arena" the ice mage said, turning backward and beginning to climb the stairs.

Atran and Kron followed him and ordered their men to do the same. 

Dag and Freydis waited for everyone to leave the arena to close the line and looked at each other with understanding, both amazed at the words Kranus had dedicated to the young Master, who from being his bitter enemy had become his most precious ally.

When everyone was on the surface, they noticed that Wrage and Gunnar were also in the square behind the palace, and Dag hypothesized that they had learned of the war from the messengers who were spreading the news through the streets of the city.

"I need all of you to turn into Jotunns. Now, in front of me. Don't ask me why, just execute the order" Kranus exclaimed, looking with his piercing eyes at the Outpost soldiers, who after the truthful speech of their Commander, executed the order without a breath.