Alric was the first born of Blida (herbalist and healer) and Eadric (a simple potter). At the age of seven, Alric was sent to live with his uncle Weath (Eadric’s brother). It was at this time that he met his cousin Æsc, the son of Alric’s aunty Eoforhild, an honoured daughter of Tiwesdaeg and Blida’s older sister. Alric spent a lot of time with his cousin Æsc whom often stood up for Alric after he incited the local children - after the mob of angry children had Alric cornered Æsc arrived just in time to chase the mob off. Æsc also taught Alric the basics of hunting and wilderness survival. In return, Alric provided many a fresh apple (stolen of course) to sate Æsc’s hunger. Alric also tried to teach Æsc the finer arts of reading human motives and the art of deceit, however Æsc was a poor student.

At age ten while visiting home, Blida sat down by the fire with Alric and shared with him her secret. She explained to Alric that her mother, Edyð, as a young woman had been raped by the sorcerer Fælsian. She was the child that came of this union. Blida was Fælsian’s child, this made Alric Fælsian’s grandchild. Blida took off her necklace1 and placed it around Alric’s neck. The necklace was a simple leather loop at the end of which was what looked like a shard of obsidian in the shape of a teardrop. She explained that this necklace had belonged to Alric’s grandmother and now it was his. Blida only ever shared this secret with her husband and children. Alric now bares this dark secret also.

As a child, Alric had the terrible “habit” of getting himself (and occasionally his cousin and friend Æsc) into trouble, mostly through trespassing and petty theft. Although he was frequently caught, Alric was often able to talk his way out of a beating by making convenient excuses. Alric continued to hone this talent over the years. Alric had shown little promise as a warrior, craftsman or farmer and so was forced to endure the Choosing many times over. Each time Alric was the only child left behind, overlooked for even the simplest of apprenticeships. It was the day before Alric’s sixth Choosing that a stranger arrived in town. This stranger was rumoured to be servant of the local Jarl and was looking for an apprentice. Alric was chosen by this stranger and left the village on the very same day. Alric’s father had always expected a great deal of Alric, but in the end he was glad to finally have his son apprenticed and into the Jarl’s household, an honour indeed!

The tall figure was a stern man by the name of Redwald2. Redwald was indeed a servant of the local Jarl, as he explained to Alric he was the Jarl’s important “advisor”. Over the coming years, as Alric underwent his tutelage under the watchful gaze of Redwald, he came to understand his purpose. He and Redwald were to do the jobs which the Jarl wished kept silent. The east tower3 of the Jarl’s castle was given over to Redwald to conduct his business; this place became Alric’s new home. It was here that Alric was given his seax, the symbol of his ascent to manhood.

It was within the Jarl’s court that Alric met his companion Cælin, a young huscarl. At first Alric saw Cælin as little more than a good source of information and someone who could help him to move around the Jarl’s castle and estate with ease. However Cælin quickly became more and more important to Alric’s clandestine operations and Alric had to admit that he enjoyed the company of the young warrior and even admired him for his dutiful nature, sense of honour and the ease with which the women slipped into his grasp.

Important Person, Place and Thing:

1 Important Thing: Obsidian Necklace given to him by his mother

2 Important Person: Redwald his mentor and master

3 Important Place: The north tower of the Jarl’s castle where he was given his seax