1 - The Task of Tulgrum Hellstorm

Forward
Tulgrim would be thought by some to be a great hero in Jordsvik, largely because much of the bad things that happen to him during his life are the result of his bad luck even when he's trying to do the right thing. However it also important to note that Tulgrum Hellstorm sometimes does things that are ill-advised, immoral or down right cruel or wicked. Tulgrum Hellstorm is both complicated and inconsistent in his actions, motivations and deeds. This story outlines his wick deeds as a youth but does not suggest he is not also capable greatness as a man.
Tulgrum Hellstrom the Wicked Young Man
Tulgrum Hellstorm's morally questionable acts begin at a very young age on the farmsteam of Beyorg where Tulgrum Hellstorm was born and grew up which is about 130 miles Northwest of Raven's Ford along the ice road. Tulgrum Hellstorm was very prodigious, meaning he grew much faster than the other children and achieved great feats of strength, intelligence, or wisdom at a suprisingly young age.
However, Tulgrum Hellstorm, is what known in the community as a 'Coal Bitter'. A 'Coal Bitter' is a young prodigious child who has all aforemention charactistics, however, they are very lazy, and slow to take on adult responsibility. They are specifically called 'Coal Bitter' because they often lay about all day very close to the fire pit within the farmstead so close to the coals to stay warm that they appear to be nibbling the coals.
The First Task
At the age of 10 Tulgrum Hellstorm father believes it is time for him to start helping out around the farm. His father, Asmound says that he must tend the geese and goslings on the farm. Tulgrum Hellstorm grows very angry and says that this a job only fit for weaklings or an idiot. His father replies that if he does this task well he will be given a better job in the future.
Tulgrum Hellstorm begins watching these geese but he has a very short and uncontrollable temper and a wicked streak. When he tries to round the geese up they scatter and he is unable to herd them back into the pen. In an uncontrolled fit of rage Tulgrum Hellstorm attacks them. He kills all of them and breaks the wings of the adult geese. When his father finds out about this he is furious, and Tulgrum Hellstorm replies, "Always in winter we twist the necks of the goslings so we have food until the coming year. I have done this thing in the Autumn. This I will do to all beasts of the earth or enemies in the field. They will all perish before the appointed time."
The Second Task
Later Asmound, decides to give Tulgrum Hellstorm a second task. This time he asks his rub his back and shoulders hard, which the men of field are oft to do when they return to home after hard labor. They sit by the fire on benches rest their weary bodies and eventually fall asleep by the fire. Asmound tells Tulgrum Hellstorm, "Be about your work you 'good for nothing', and put aside your laziness."
Tulgrum Hellstorm again grows very angry and finds a carving bush (a stiff worker's comb with strong metal tongs used to seperate wool to make cloth) left by the women along the bench. Tulgrum Hellstorm drives the comb into the back of his father causing him to bleed with deep scratches in his back. His father again becomes furious again and asks him what happened, and Tulgrum Hellstorm brandishs his uncut fingernails and says, "Just as the wolf has claws and the eagle has talons so will I tear the flesh of all who disrespect me. I have told you before do not give me a task for a fool or a weakling."
The Final Task
The final task given to Tulgrum Hellstorm by Asmound was look after the horses. Initially Tulgrum Hellstorm is much happier with this task because it's much more difficult due to the cold and harsh climate of winter.
Tulgrum Hellstorm is told that he needs to carefully tend Asmound's prize mare Keingala. This is because Keingala can always tell when there is about to be a bad storm. So Asmound tells Tulgrum Hellstorm that if Keingala refuses to graze it's a bad idea to take the other horses out because a storm is coming. This directive upsets Tulgrum Hellstorm because he is not the type of person to follow to orders of a horse.
However, as the winter progresses Keingala does not behave the way Asmound told Tulgrum Hellstorm she would. Instead, Keingala stands in the middle of the field during the worst storms and refuses to return to the barn. This means the Tulgrum Hellstorm and the rest of the horses have to stay out there during the storm together. After this happens multiple times Tulgrum Hellstorm becomes enraged and he takes a long sharp knife, mounts the horse, and makes an incision along her shoulders down to each of her flanks. The horse resists by kicking and bucking Tulgrum Hellstorm off her back but the damage is done. After this terrible event Keingala is terrified of Tulgrum Hellstorm and refused to leave the barn at all. Asmound is very confused by this and decides to rub Keingala on her back gently to call her down. As he does her hide is removed from her back, and Asmound learns that his son has flayed the skin his prize mare.
Asmound of course is of furious by this, but first discusses the matter with his wife, Tulgrum Hellstorm's mother. Asmound spoke these words, "He has cheated me sorely, and Keingala has been shorn. Artfullly he holds all my commands with derision. Consider my verse, oh wife of my heart." His wife replies, "Oh husband, what seems more perverse, for you to make him work these tasks when thou knowest it always ends thus." And Asmound replies, "Then this will be the end of it. He must not do more wickedness in my house or to my property."
When Asmound and his wife declared these things to Tulgrum Hellstorm he replied, "Let neither speak of it to the other," and so it remained. Tulgrum Hellstorm was given no more tasks by his father Asmound.