"Dag! Brother! It's you!" shouted Gridd in happiness, running into Dag's arms and clutching him tightly with affection.

After an uninterrupted embrace for a few minutes, the two broke off, looking at each other with tears in their eyes.

"I went back to Jernhest not long ago and Asa and Eirik told me that you stayed at home for a very short time!" said Gridd, overjoyed to see her half-brother, with whom she had a sincere and deep relations.h.i.+p.

"Gridd... you're just beautiful, as always. I missed you so much, sister. Come on, let's sit down... a lot has happened since our last meeting!" exclaimed Dag, grabbing Gridd's hand and dragging her to a chair.

When everyone was seated around the same table, Dag said: "I knew you had become a Master of the Clan, Gridd! I congratulate to you! But... If you and Master Taya are here, isn't there another one left?"

"Thank you, Dag. It was Taya who helped me become the Clan's Master Of Offense. I will never stop thanking her!" said Gridd, looking at Taya, that spared the smile.

"And yes… you're right, another Master is missing the call. But Jens has the heaviest sleep of a hippopotamus, waking him up at this time of night is practically impossible! Tomorrow I will be happy to sum up the situation. Now tell us, brother, what do we owe your visit to and who are your companions? Apart from Karl, I already know" she continued, looking at Karl, who blushed for a moment, without Agnes noticing.

"Ah, it's true! I'm sorry I didn't do it before! This is Agnes, the latest arrival. She's not from our Clan, but she's traveling with us to settle in Jernhest, along with Karl. He is Reidar, the best archer I have ever known, as well as a reliable travel companion. Thanks to his geographical knowledge and his bow and arrow skills, we were able to overcome many dangers!" exclaimed Dag, describing his companion with pride.

Reidar smiled, happy to hear such beautiful words coming out of his Captain's mouth.

"I'm really happy that you're traveling with other people... you know, I've always been a loner and I've never strayed far from here. You, who have the chance, should travel the world, discover new places!" said Gridd, who stared at Dag, noting his progress.

"Yes, I think traveling is my biggest aspiration at the moment and I can't wait to leave. Then... where do I start..." continued Dag, intending to tell his story from the beginning.

"He told Gridd and Taya of exile from the Clan, of Magni, of his farmhouse, of his fights against mutant beasts and of the battle won against the Fangs Of Jormungandr, to protect the Temple Of Orn.

"If I can meddle... Dag is doing the modest, as usual. But the reality of the facts is different. If it wasn't for him, we'd have been taken by surprise by the enemy Clan and probably we'd all be dead now" interrupted Reidar, who as usual, wanted to point out the details.

"Dag... but this is magnificent! I figured you'd made progress, but I didn't believe it to this point! Your gesture was n.o.ble, I do not know other people who after being exiled try to return to the starting point. And what happened after the battle?" asked Gridd, curious.

"As I explained before, one of my Masters lost his life, helping me when I was imprisoned by the Renegades of Jordstäl. His name was Magni, this one I carry with me is his hammer. So, it wasn't very easy to explain it to the other two Masters, but they finally believed my words, understanding my intentions, considering the fact that I had returned to the Temple and saved my comrades" Dag continued, skipping the details and focusing on the most important events in its history.

Agnes also listened intently, being unaware of that story.

"At the end of all these messes, I was offered the chance to become my Clan's new Master Of Offense, competing against the other suitors with the blessing of Master Egill".

"Master Of Offense?! Hahahah, then it's just a family thing!" exclaimed Taya, who had no idea that Dag could go all that way.

"Got it... even though so many things have happened that it's really hard for me to imagine them! I guess you've become extremely strong... much more than before! How else would you have survived all these misadventures? The leaders of the Renegades are powerful, former warriors exiled from the Clan. If you managed to defeat Hjalmar, who I know only by name, it means that you are a formidable warrior, also endowed with cunning and intelligence!" replied Gridd.

Dag continued with the story and several hours pa.s.sed before he could finish. 

He blindly trusted his sister and Taya, he knew that they had no reason to betray him in any way and that they didn't pose a threat.

"This is absurd. The three of you have done things worthy of being sung by Okstorm's bards for the next hundred years! I'm really curious to discover your new powers because I think you were once again modest" continued Gridd, who remained silent all the time listening to his brother's words, admiring his deeds, even though Dag had omitted the part where he had defeated a G.o.d, otherwise his credibility would falter.

"Now, after telling you summarily about what I have been through over the last few months, I would like to propose something to you. I know it's late, but I can't wait any longer: if I'm right here there's a reason. I would like our two Clans to come together" he said, resting his hands on the table and looking at both Taya and Gridd.

"Join the Clans? What do you mean? The Hammers Of Thor and the Sons Of Freya are already two allied Clans" Gridd said, as Taya went beyond those words, trying to figure out Dag's true plan.