((Apologies for the long wait! [i]Healing House[/i]))

Wilfred awoke at the crack of dawn, even before the few animals in Trelleborg announced the rising of the sun with their activities and cries for food. His habit of rising early came from his time as a priest, waking early to see to his small church's needs and preparing the sacraments for his flock. Here, however, he had no flock to see to and it was just as well; he was in no condition to be rushing about the usual business of his former life. Instead he lay still on the thin bed of furs and straw provided to him, enjoying the brief rest he was allowed, he suspected his new masters would have him at work before long whether he was injured or not; there simply were not enough people in the fort for the near-able bodies to stay with the injured.

[b]"Ye snore like a bleedin' mountain goat."[/b] Came the waking groan from the redheaded Pict on his left who still lay flat on his stomach. The bright glaring bruises he had been given the day before were retreating now to dull black marks all across his skin but at least looked less like the angry, shiny welts that had been covering him before.

[b]"You're no sleeping angel yourself."[/b] Wilfred growled back, slowly raising himself off the ground with his trunk like arms before pulling his knees into his chest so that he was crouching; the entire movement avoiding the use of his back muscles as much as possible. The wreckage of the skin there ached dully now with a fiery itch setting into place but he dismissed the urge to scratch and pick at the wound; he knew enough of healing not to be a fool.

Their brief moment was stolen by the anguished cries of a woman, drawing their attention to the scene where Vigi stood over the corpse of her husband, weapon dripping black blood. Both the Pict and the Saxon recognised the colour and shared a look before the larger man helped the redhead to stand, moving away from the potential Draugr. Wilfred look down at Tora, still in the place next to him, and her guardian angel.

[b]"Come, we must go. Help me with her."[/b] He spoke to Anndrais, kneeling down to gather the girl up.

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[b]"Where is the thegn? I have news! It cannot wait."[/b]

[b]"Watch your damn mouth, boy. I'll decide whether it can wait or not."[/b]

[b]"The Healing House, there are Draugr there!"[/b] This last part of the exchange was spoken in a hushed whisper but still carried to the true monster residing inside the longhouse. Within moments Harald, bare chested, appeared in the doorway.

[b]"Get some men together and light torches, we'll purge all the sick and wounded before they kill us all."[/b] He strode back inside to begin strapping on some light armour.

[i]How many of damned Ragnar's family will be too close to the flames, I wonder."[/i]