Aksel stood up as they neared the shore and the landscape full of homes and businesses in Kattegat’s heart became clearer to the fifteen boats sailing towards it. The adrenaline flowed through his veins faster and faster as they neared the docks. Unloading would take a while but it was going to be worth it. Aksel knew that the ruler here used to be Lagertha but he wasn’t sure who had taken her place after she had died.

Aksel’s wide grin was contagious and he looked to see that many of the others were also extremely happy to be arriving. Glancing down at Reidun he noticed relief upon her face. “Are you ready to be on land little one?”

Reidun nodded, keeping her eyes on the land leaping into her view. She could feel her stomach flipping. They were almost there. Thank the gods! “I was ready yesterday.” She got herself ready to vacate the boat as they pulled the boats into the dock.

Uffr gave the steering oar one last turn to bring the long ship into an empty space along the dock. Without orders his crew quickly stowed their oars and tied the Odin’s Whisper to land. Uffr looked to Aksel and smiled, “We have arrived, I'll give my crew half leave and let's continue on to your needs.”

Reidun was the first off of the boat as she scrambled up onto the dock. Aksel watched with understanding as she murmured to him about finding their lodgings. She disappeared into the crowds of people and headed for the great hall where she would have to talk to one of the servants to the hierarchy of the city to find out about lodgings.

Aksel and most of the others disembarked and rambled at a slower pace.

Reidun spoke to several people before she found the right one. When Aksel appeared a few moments later she had the name of an empty lodge they could stay in. She also knew where to send the rest of the crew for a place to stay. Meals to be eaten for new visitors were generally held in the great hall so the ruler could meet them. As the group approached her she said, “Aksel we have a two bedroom house in town just down the street." She gave the rest the addresses of the Inn's in town. She fell into step with Aksel and walked with him to the great hall.

Uffr once again split his crew he chose 5 men to stay with the Whisper and bought the rest lodging, with the order to return to the Whisper in the morning. Then Uffr joined Aksel.

Aksel kept his eyes open and noticed the guard protecting the king and his family. He also noticed some of the seedier looking men from another group. He walked up to the ruler and introduced himself.

“I am Aksel Hallgrimsson an Earl of Denmark and these are my men.” Aksel’s eyes missed nothing of what went on around him. He saw the man two back on the right that pick pocketed one of his men and another that was making eyes at Reidun. He was almost always on guard even as he met the ruler Bjorn Erikksen.

“Bjorn Erikksen King of Kattegat, this is my family.” He said waving to a wife and couple of kids. Aksel nodded and smiled as he raised his mug of ale. Turning slightly, he looked at Uffr and his nod stated that they were okay here.

Uffr returned his nod, of course he and his small group of men had to leave their arms at the gate, but the reason for their presence was obvious enough. Uffr looked around the dimly lit hall, at the men lining the walls in the shadows, he smelled cooking far off and felt his hunger.

Reidun watched as Aksel and the king spoke and there was a smile upon Aksel’s face. With this knowledge she moved towards the door and bumped into Uffr.

Uffr looked down and frowned, “I apologize Reidun, I must've stood in the wrong place, are you okay” he said in a soft voice quiet enough not to disturb the official business going on.

Reidun smiled up at him. “It’s alright Uffr. I just need to go put our things in the lodge.” She glanced outside at the darkness and all of the men that were not part of their crew. She was quite capable on her own but that was a lot of men if the need arose to fight.

Uffr, bored by the slow diplomatic way that things were progressing resorted to counting the armed men in the room. In the room there was 20 men not including the king. Uffr then looked up to listen in on what's being said.

Reidun moved lithely around him and walked out the door and headed towards the small house she was given earlier.

Aksel glanced up and turned his head to see Reidun leave the hall and he made a mental note to keep tabs on her. They had not been in such a large city full of warriors before and he felt responsible for her even though she could fight as good as any man. His attention was stolen by a pretty blonde who was refilling his mug.

With a nod to Aksel Uffr stood and walked through the bland, loud and smelly city back to the Odin's Whisper, where it was clean and semi peaceful, and sent runners to gather the crew.

Collaboration with @Sirkaithethird

Isgred smiled slightly, as she finally reached the top of the hill and could see the city. It was even bigger than she expected, streets filled with people, the harbor filled with ships. There were many different sigils on those ships, many earls stopping in the city on way to their raids to pay their respects to the king. One raid was being prepared to leave the next morning, or at least that is how she saw it in the runes.

She slowly headed to the city, slightly tired as she had already walked many miles that day. She could have a horse. Hell, she could have a dozen of horses if she had asked. But all of the vǫlur took pride in walking the lands on foot, so that everyone could approach them and ask for their services. Isgred couldn’t really complain – when she was a guest to one earl or another, she lived in almost too big luxury for her taste. An occasional sleep under the stars and blisters on her feet reminded her that she is but a servant to the gods.

There seemed to be a large commotion at the great hall, the arriving warrior gathering there to meet the king. Isgred would head there eventually, but it was not the king she had to see first. The Seer’s hut stood in the outskirts – what was once probably a secluded location was now a slum full of the less fortunate, poor or sick.

Isgred raised her hand to knock, but the door opened before she could even touch them. “I have been waiting for you.” The Seer was an old woman, withered with age, her wrinkly face seemed to always have a serious expression. But her eyes, strange eyes – one blue and one brown, her eyes showed no signs of her age, piercing through Isgred like they could see her very soul.

Isgred knew that this woman replaced the original famous Seer of Kattegat, who had disappeared mysteriously many years ago. Some people believed that he had finally crossed the line to the other world and joined with the gods, disappearing from this world completely.
She entered the small hut and bowed deeply before the Seer. Although their kind had no set hierarchy, the seers of Kattegat were generally considered amongst the strongest and the wisest and meeting her was a great honor.

“I expected you yesterday,” the Seer said quietly.

Isgred couldn’t say if it was meant as an admonition, question or just a general statement. “I had to help deliver a baby on the road.”

“Ah, a gift of life. That is good to hear. Build a fire for me girl, my old bones rattle in cold days like this one.” Isgred kneeled beside a small fireplace in the middle and soon the room was illuminated by dancing flames. The old woman came closer and warmed her hands. “Why did you come to see me?”

Isgred sighed. There was no point in trying to hide anything. “I am uncertain of the will of the gods.”

The Seer smiled. “Mortals can never be certain of the will of the gods. You are certain of your own will?”

“Yes,” Isgred nodded. “But I am a servant to the gods, to the people. My will is irrelevant.”

“There are many ways to serve, child. Giving life and taking life are just two sides of one coin.” The Seer tossed a speck of herbs into the fire. Sweet smelling smoke filled the room, as she stared into the fire. “You were given many gifts,” she said after what felt like an eternity. “Which ones you choose to give and to whom is up to you. Ocean of blood awaits you. Don’t get lost in it.” The old woman closed her eyes. “Leave now. I must rest.”

“Thank you,” Isgred mumbled with a bow and left the hut. It was dark already, how did that even happen? She shook her head, trying to get rid of the dizziness caused by the smoke. She wasn’t exactly sure of what the Seer’s words meant, but it seemed that she didn’t mind Isgred going out with the raiding party. The ‘ocean of blood’ part definitely sounded promising. Unless it was meant to be her own blood. But that was the thing with the prophecies. You rarely knew their exact meaning until they came true. Who else should know better than her.

With the world still slightly spinning around her, she headed to the great hall. There was a great feast happening, many men and women eating and drinking, excited about the upcoming raid. She entered the great hall and approached the king. “King Bjorn,” she said with a bow, “my name is Isgred.”

“Welcome. Any servant of the gods is more than welcome at my table,” he replied with a smile.

Isgred smiled in return and walked around the room, accepting a mug of ale from one of the girls. She caught a word here and there and soon knew that the raid was led by a certain Aksel Hallgrimsson, an earl from Denmark, who right now was sitting at the table with a mug in his hand, eying the servant girls. She walked towards him. “Earl Hallgrimsson? I am Isgred and I would like to join your raid to England.”

@Wick

"Piss off! We're full!" the decrepit excuse for a captain told Þórsteinn and tossed him a half eaten apple core before untying the knots and ordering his men to push the ship off with their oars. Þórsteinn threw the fruit into the sea and spat in disappointment. There was no point in even replying to the geezer, let alone starting a fight with him.

There was but one whaler in the entire Kattegat, and with all its rotten planks and patchy sails, it looked more like a leaking bathtub than a proper ship, and its crew looked like a school class rather than a band capable of capturing the mighty sea beast. All of Þórsteinn's efforts to reach the town already seemed fruitless after no more than an hour spent in it.

There were a lot of merchants, however, and of course slavers. In his exile, Þórsteinn had grown completely unused to having slaves around, and the truth was, he came to the conclusion that slaves are for lazy people. He surely felt like a slave when he stopped by the seeress on his way into the town. The old woman made him clean her entire home before even considering giving him a hint of his future; and the things he heard were so vague that he kept cursing both her and her kind in his mind for hours afterwards. As he remembered this now, the capitan's straightforwardness seemed like a refreshment, however rude he may had been.

He took a salted herring from his pack and started chewing on it with a sigh just as he came across a marvelous vessel freshly arrived to the port: not a whaler, but a long ship. There was a handful or guards around it chatting. The rest must be striking some deal with the jarl... Behind it, Þórsteinn saw at least a dozen more similar ships peacefully floating.

"That's a fine ship," Þórsteinn said as he approached the guards seated on some barrels. "She must have a name, I am sure. Such beauties seldom don't."

"And who may you be?" one of them asked, a burly looking fellow with fat fingers holding a tankard.

"Þórsteinn," he answered.

"Þórsteinn...? So is my brother. That doesn't tell me much at all," said another man, younger, with flushed cheeks.

"Þórsteinn Halvardsson. I'm looking for a whaling crew or some work to do here," he said.

"Does this look like a bloody whaler to you?" the burly man said and got up all shakily.

"No, but you sure look like a whale...." Þórsteinn said and grabbed the hand of his ax.

The burly man stared at his eyes and started breathing heavily, biting his lips under giant red mustache. Suddenly his friends started laughing behind him. He turned towards them and started spitting and yelling gibberish, but the laughter went on. Now really mad, he kicked the barrel he was sitting on, and a whole lot of sweet ale started spilling down into to the water.

"He is so right, Orm! You are so fat! Almost as fat as your own wife!" said a skinny fellow who lacked a finger on his right hand.

This made everyone's laughter even greater -- although mixed with sporadic grieving for the spilled drink -- and Orm would have started a fight had he not been so drunk. Instead he stumbled and had to sit down, right into the puddle of ale that had spilled.

Now passers by had begun to gather around the scene and children pointed their fingers and started throwing pebbles at Orm, laughing at him for being clumsy. All laughed except one of the guards who kept only smiling and making weird noised with his mouth, but he too seemed to be having fun.

"Come on, Tongueless," said the fifth guard to the smiling man, "let's pick him up." Wen he got up, Þórsteinn saw a curious knife at his side, unlike any he had ever seen, very beautiful and ornate with some gems that must have been foreign.

The two of them together lifted Orm up and left him standing supported against a wall just as a group of men was heard coming through the crowd. The tongueless man pointed with his finger and his friend said "easy, everyone, the captain's here."

@Sirkaithethird

Reidun closed the door to the lodgings and looked around at all of the activity. People were drinking and laughing and carrying on in the streets and there was a general feeling of good spirits. She laughed at some of the men that were showing off for the women around them. For the most part she moved through the crowds fluidly. She walked around for a while getting a general layout and feel for the landscape and security of the city. Mostly she just liked to people watch a little.

Accepting a mug of ale from one of the women near the hall Reidun, watched as the men danced a norwegian jig and she joined in with some of the women when it was their turn. Her red tresses were wavy from having been up for so long and now as they were free her hair spun and flew about her like a red cape as she danced. Thanks to the ale Reidun was more relaxed than she had been since she stepped aboard the boats two weeks ago. Her contagious laughter caught the ear of many around her and begat smiles from the nearby locals.

Aksel looked up at the woman with the long dark hair and smiled at her enthusiasm. She looked like a warrior so he nodded. “I don’t see any reason for you not to go. We have fifteen boats total on this trip. Some are a little larger than the others but they all float well enough.” He waved at her to join him. “Please Isgred, sit and tell me what you hope to find on our trip to England.”

@Raylah

Harek was walking through the main street of Kattegat just as the sun was setting behind the horizon. He hated being away from England, away from raiding. He had to find a captain to get him back to the island. The only reason he was back here was because he had been impaled through his side by a spear in his last fight. The skirl had said something stupid like "You need better healers than what we have here." Harek was going to argue back, but then he had passed out from blood loss. He had only woken up once they were at sea.

Harek looked up in front of him to see the Kings hall in front of him. Outside the hall a group of people were dancing and drinking. The raid captains in town would likely be dining with the king, so he would have to get in there. Harek pulled the wolfs head lower to cover most of his face. Most people would see the pelt and know what he was and stay away. He began to make his way through the crowd towards the doors.

Reidun was dancing and having a good time when she saw a familiar warrior that she had not seen in quite some time. Leaving the group of new friends she stepped over to him. "Harek? What are you doing here? I thought you were already in England somewhere. You look well." She smiled.

Harek looked up at the voice saying his name surprised. He tended to make a point of not giving away his name to anyone who asked. It somewhat took away from the mystery of the Úlfhéðnar. Harek recognized the hair immediatley, not many people had such a shock of red hair. "Reidun it's good to see you. Last time I saw you was years ago." He had been on one of Aksel's first raids, and had thought he was a promising raider. "I was in Britain until shortly, I am actually looking for a raid to join back to England."

Reidun smirked a little and took him by the arm and lead him inside. "Well then I'm sure you'll join Aksel's group. I think we are leaving in two or three days time at the most. The last time I saw you I was much shorter." She grinned at the memory, he had quite scared her back then but not anymore. Aksel teased her that she should be more wary or she would one day come across someone who would eat her alive before she became concerned.

Reidun saw Aksel talking to a woman and her eyes rolled almost involuntarily. She was quite used to seeing him wooing women. This one he was talking seriously to and it made her grin.

"Aksel is now leading his own groups.... wow I am old. Wait is this your first raid?" Harek let himself grin at that. It was always entertaining to watch someone on their first raid. The optimism, the hopes of untold riches; then they cross the sea for the first time and spend most of the journey watching the fish from their viewpoint hanging over the railing.

Reidun's smile vanished as she realized he was picking at her. "No, It's not my first time raiding. I just haven't crossed the ocean to do it before. I still can't swim." She said as quietly as she could. Half the battle of fighting was knowing your enemy's weaknesses and that was hers. "Aksel is just there." Reidun pointed towards him and looked down. She knew that her friends needed to know so if she fell overboard they would save her but she felt it made her a liability.

"Eh I couldn't swim until my fifth time across the sea. Make sure you tell the crew, I was stupid and thought it made me weak. I learned how to swim that fifth time by tripping on a rope and falling off the side. The other guys thought I could swim, so they sat there laughing. I learned how to swim right then and there."

Harek grinned at her and turned to walk towards Aksel.

Reidun nodded and smiled at his memory. "Well I would like to learn before we go out there in the depths. It is frightening to think one could just disappear as if not more than a drop of water." She squeezed his hand and moved to leave him.

Reidun had gravitated back outside and let the music and the dancing get into her soul. Her new friends seemed to like smoking and drinking. Reidun had never smoked what they were and she felt a little light headed but good.

Conall sat taking in the music that was playing around him. It was times like these that he almost felt like he was back home. The drinking and partying made him feel good and helped him forget. Finishing off his drink Conall decided to get up and join the people dancing letting the music guide him away from his troubles.

Reidun was having a fantastic time and she was downing her drinks faster than she realized and she hadn't eaten anything in hours. Oddly she felt better than fine and had no worries about her tomorrow morning. She smiled when another man joined in on the dancing. He was tall and she noticed the red hair like her and grinned. She couldn't seem to take her eyes off of him. She felt like she was drunk and invisible at the same time.

Conall wore a large smile on his face as he danced around the fire soaking in the music. Even with him having downed a few drinks Conall realized that someone was watching him. He had turned to look when he saw a beautiful woman looking at him. What surprised him the most was her fiery red hair. It could have been the alchool hitting hard but Conall could swear it felt as if the world had slowed for a moment.

Reidun felt herself blush and she allowed the partner she had been dancing with to twirl her and then she let go of his arm and she walked over to the tall red headed man. She was normally a little more shy than this but with the alcohol she wasn't feeling the slightest bit shy. Not until she was standing right in front of him anyways. She knew her cheeks were turning pinker if that were even possible. As she stared up at the tall man she started to lose her balance just a little so she grabbed onto his waist. "You are so tall you made me a little dizzy. Is it alright if I hold on for a moment?" She mumbled with a grin.

Conall looked at the woman who was clearly drunk that was now holding onto him. Smiling a bit Conall grabbed her and helped her to her feet trying to keep her steady. "I dont mind lass." Conall said in a kind tone "What would happen to be your name?" Conall looked at her almost laughing at how she could hardly stand even with his help.

"I'm Reidun Gunderson." She kind of felt oddly lightheaded. "The ale I'm used to but I am not sure what they are smoking. Whatever it is, it's giving me a lovely feeling but I can't seem to keep my strength in my legs to carry me. I feel like I'm floating." She giggled slightly unsure of her own feet. Looking up at him she asked him, "What is your name?"

Looking down at her Conall replied in a kind tone "Thats a nice name. I would be Conall Cassidy." Looking around at all the smoke and ale he said "Their Ale isnt as strong as the kind I had back home but ive never been around this smoke." Looking back down Conall's pale blue eyes met with her brownish green eyes that seemed to soothe him. With out even thinking Conall felt himself pulling her slightly closer to him trying to tell himself it was only to help her stand.

Reidun smiled up at him a little wobbly on her feet and felt him pulling her closer to his body and as hers melted into his she kept her eyes locked ont his. After a moment she snapped back to reality and noticed all of the people staring at them with knowing smiles. Slightly embarrassed she blushed and took his hand in hers and pulled him into the darkness back towards her lodgings. "Conall, come with me."

Upon feeling himself being pulled towards the housing areas realized that he had been staring at her for some time. Conall after seeing the others looking at him felt somewhat embarassed but had shrugged it off, he wasnt new to people looking at him as odd given his stand out appearance. Snapping out of his thoughts Conall could feel himself blush slightly when he heard Reidun talk and when he saw where they were headed. Conall usually wasnt like this, he wasnt really the kind of man to be distracted as much as he was tonight. But something was telling him to follow this woman he had only just met.

Walking slowly she led Conall back towards hers and Aksel's house. Her head began to clear the further from the smoke they got. She was still quite certain that she was intrigued by this man. She opened the door and pulled him inside and closed it behind them. She knew someone would remind Aksel if he couldn't remember where she had said it was.

Reidun turned around and stared up at the tall man. She could see that he was more soft hearted than many of the men who went on these journeys. "Conall, I'd like you to stay with me tonight." Reidun spoke softly but reached up and pulled his face down to hers and kissed him. As Reidun explored his mouth she felt like she burst into flames and she pulled him into her bedroom and shut the door.

Isgred smiled lightly. It was almost a philosophical question. But there was a point to it – what was she hoping to find? She wasn’t a warrior, she had no interest in riches from plundering. She didn’t want to go to gain glory and fame, to acquire slaves or lands in foreign countries. She wanted to go because she thought it was the Gods’ will. She wanted to go and help the other kill as many Christians as possible.

She knew her motivation should be to heal and help people, as the rest of the vǫlur. And while she fully intended to do so, her heart’s true desires were somewhere else. She wanted blood.

Still smiling, she sat next to Aksel. “I am hoping to fulfill the will of the Gods,” she said. She could be less mysterious, but she to maintain the vǫlur reputation. “These Christians are offending them by their mere existence. If they can’t be persuaded to deny their false god, then the world should be rid off them. But I can make myself useful in other ways – I am a very skilled healer and also can take care of myself in a fight, if need be.” She finished the rest of her ale, grabbing another one from one of the girls passing by.

“I was also hoping to lead the ritual sacrifice ceremony the night before we go, if you are planning to have one. But don’t let me distract you from celebrating, I think you have some unfinished business over there,” she nodded towards a blonde girl who was serving ale. A pretty one – long hair, red cheeks, ample bosom, a joy to look at, even for Isgred. She smiled and leaned her back against the wall, sipping ale and watching the men in the great hall.

Aksel left the barmaid in the main hall and made his way to the lodging that Reidun had gave him. He entered and shut the door quietly so as not to wake her. Stopping partway across the room he stared at the other bedroom door quizzically. Obviously there was at least two people in there. He hesitated then he knocked lightly on the door. "Reidun? Are you well?"

Conall had felt his heart stop upon hearing the voice of the man. For one he had no idea that there would be another man in the house. What made it worse was Conall had no idea who this voice belonged to. It had sounded familiar in some way but he couldnt put his finger on it. She could have at least told me there was someone else gonna be here he swore to himself. He had looked to her trying to find any sense of worry or panic.

Reidun's smile turned a little pinker as she blushed. "I'm well Aksel. Go to bed. I'll see you in the morn." She spoke out loudly. Then she returned her lips to Conalls and murmured into his ear. "Don't worry, it's just the Earl."

Conall let the words sink in. 'just the Earl'. Conall thought it best to remain as quiet as possible not really wanting to get on the bad side of the Earl. Not that he was afraid of him, oh no I can surely take him Conall told himself trying to make the whole ordeal less stressful. "Why is it always the pretty ones that wind up being the most trouble?" he said in low voice with a playful smile.

Reidun gasped in shock and then grinned a little. "You think I'm pretty and that I will be trouble for you?" Her grin was unmistakable in the light. Her eyes were kind and in that light the green shone through the brown and she raised her chin slightly. "You have no idea what kind of trouble I could be if I set my mind to it." She responded cheekily.

Aksel quickly moved away from the door and chuckled to himself. He knew he shouldn't be listening but he couldn't help himself. Reidun had a man in her room and he hadn't expected that at all. She was not usually so ...approachable. His grin held til he fell fast asleep.

"Well in that case I guess I will just have to keep you happy then wont I?" Conall said with a slight grin but his face showed he meant it. Then getting a sly grin on his face "I do warn you though you've got no idea what madness comes with being near me." he said somewhat jokingly but something in his eyes was serious. Almost as if they warning her, telling her to run and never turn back.

For a half a second Reidun was uncertain of what he meant. "Well as I have no intention of becoming your enemy I doubt it would be something to worry myself about. I am a shield maiden and quite capable of protecting myself ...even against you if I needed to." Looking into the depths of his eyes she moved slightly underneath him and saw the urgency building in his eyes and grinned. "Do I have something to fear from you?"

Conall didnt quite know how to anwser her last question. He had what felt like a battle going on inside him over what to say. On one side he seemed drawn to her and didnt want to scare her away from his side but that emotion wanted him to warn her. "No of course not." he hadnt even realized what had come out of his mouth before he had finished. Trying desperately to find a way to take the focus off of him for a second, he looked for anything to get him out of this situation. "Well if you think you can take me on i'm sorry to break the bad news but i've never lost." It wasnt a complete lie he told himself sure there was that one time but that really didnt count.

Reidun could feel the tension in him as he seemed almost panicked. "I've no intention of fighting you. Besides, I would win. I'd dazzle you with my assets and you'd fall at my feet in love." She was kissing his neck as she said these words and could feel the tension lessening as he relaxed again. She felt his arms wrap tighter about her and his mouth was close enough that his breath was on her neck which made her feel secure.

Conall relaxed at her comment. Well at least she went along with it he thought. He smiled at her, there was something in her eyes that kept him drawn in. Something about them reminded him of his own. They seemed to have a hidden kindness in them. He leaned in and planted a kiss on her head and tightened his hold of her almost as if he was scared of losing her.

@sly13

It was not hard to guess who the captain or the ship was. Þórsteinn immediately recognised him when he saw his shaven face looking down on everyone in the street. He had never before seen a man so tall – obviously of distant giants’ brood! – and he surely was not happy to see one now after slandering one of his men. On the contrary, even the dishonourable though of flight crossed his mind, and he would have made for it had he not remembered that his name was stained enough as it was. Besides, he was not in the wrong, and he had both the deities and men as witnesses, unless they were ready to lie for their mate.

He decided to lay his hand off the axe and face the man unarmed. He was never the man to run away, but he was also never the man to be foolish. Best case scenario: he gets pardoned, maybe after paying a small fine to the captain and the jarl; worst case scenario: he gets thrown in jail, in which case he would at least have a sure meal once a day, however miserable.

The crowd went silent and some space around the captain and his men was made clear. However, everyone was still watching, and some wild eyes definitely hoping to see some blood sport. Þórsteinn stepped forward and raised his hand.
“Hail!” he said. “I am Þórsteinn Halvardsson, and I meant no trouble. I was only looking for work. Your man is a somewhat hot-tempered! That is the whole story. You can ask anyone.” He pointed around at the crowd.

Uffr observed the scene, then laughed and said, "Orm you're going to buy us some new ale, yes?" A chuckle broke form the crowd. Then he looked down at Þórsteinn, a serious look taking his face.
"And you, I see you are armed. And I hear you want work, and I have an open bench. Fight Orm Bjórr to prove your self! If you show me a good fight, I'll let you on board. If not . . . you may as well go join a whaling group"
Uffr smiled at his joke not knowing Þórsteinn's background.

Þórsteinn smiled at the irony in the last remark, and from his gurgling he saw that the tongueless guard picked it up as well. ''You must be playing some kind of a trick on me, captain, don't you think?" he said and looked around for the crowd's support. "I am not going to fight a man in such a state. Everyone would say that I won that bench by fighting an incapacitated man." He looked at Orm and felt that, at heart, he really was a good warrior when he was not drunk. And that fist of his more of a hammer than a hand. "That would bring a great shame on me in the eyes of this entire fleet here. And the town. So, you will either have to take a risk and trust me with that oar, or give me someone else to fight, which I wouldn't recommend, because you'll end up with another open bench."
This display of confidence (or cockiness) was cheered by some of the bystanders.

Uffr stared into Pórsteinn's eyes for a long, long time. Then he smiled, and slapped the man on the back. "Well I'm going to take the risk. But, let me down..." He motioned a quick slice to the neck. "Now get your belongings and get on board, I expect to leave at any moment"
"And where exactly are we going?" Þórsteinn asked.
"Why, England, of course!"

colab. w/ @Sirkaithethird

(Day before they leave Kattegat)
Reidun looked up at Aksel a little hesitant at his directions. “And you are certain I must put my face in the water?”

“Yes I am quite certain your face will get wet. Get into the water kick off and keep kicking your legs and raise your arms up and dive them in like this.” Aksel got into the water for a moment and showed her how. He swam circles around her and then forwards to the boat dock. “See! It’s easy.”

Reidun looked at him and grumbled a little to herself. She looked down at herself and decided that the dress was not going to work on the journey or to learn to swim in. She ran back to her lodging and put on her breeches and came back to the water. Aksel caught her eye and she saw him laugh and she gave him a laughing but obscene gesture in jest.

Aksel raised himself out of the water and headed towards the boats. He was getting them ready to go out for the journey to England. They had purposely brought many boats with only the minimum of people needed to oar. He had known that they would be gaining quite a few people when they got to Kattegat.

She felt the hair stand up on her arms and she chided herself on her fear of water. “Come on Reidun you’re a bit old to be scared of the water.” She was so nervous that she couldn’t seem to focus on actually going in past her chest. Then she caught a break she saw Aksel wave her over to the dock. Thinking she had been given a reprieve she walked around and went up to him.

He was giving directions and asking a question to one of the men. When she got there he turned quickly and shoved her backwards off of the dock. Reidun flew into the cold waters and she came up spluttering curses at him like mad.

“You son of a bitch! Are you trying to kill me? I can’t swim you ass!” She screamed at him as she tread water in at least ten foot waters. At his laughter she got even madder and started to threaten him for the millionth time.

Aksel’s grin was a mile wide as he picked on his favorite target. “Looks like you are swimming to me. What do I know of such things? You would be dead if you weren’t swimming right now.” He put his hands on his hips in grand laughter.

Reidun realized that he was right but she would have cut her own tongue out before admitting it. Her smile was all the satisfaction he needed and she swam away awkwardly at first, splashing herself in the face. "You're an ass Aksel!"

Aksel chuckled at her but got back to his business and kept an eye on her progress. He would look rather dimwitted if he let her drown after shoving her into the water. This thought made him grin for well over an hour.
Aksel had met many who were joining the raid to England. Many were hoping for treasures, some wanted land and all wanted glory in battle and to better themselves. Aksel wanted to win. His wants were simple. He wanted the others to achieve their goals but he was interested in the land and titles that went with it.

Realizing that there might be more men than ships he started counting the men that would fit into the boats and the amount of food and weapons that they were taking.

Isgred was nervous. She had led many rituals like this before, but one would surely be the biggest. Most of the large raiding party as well as a lot of the city’s inhabitants would come and pray for the raid’s success. And of course, the Seer would be watching. Isgred closed her eyes and mumbled a short prayer to Freya, the patron of the vǫlur – not as part of the ritual, but mainly for her own peace of mind.

The sun was setting, it was almost time. Isgred walked to the pen where the girls were just finishing cleaning up the bull to be sacrificed. It was a huge black animal, the biggest and the most fearsome that she managed to obtain in such short time. She had already given him two doses of an herb mixture to make him docile and while his movement was slow and shaky, he was still trying to push her away with his head or kick her. She nodded with a satisfied smile. This was a good sacrifice; the Gods will surely be pleased.

For the last time she straightened her simple white robes, she let down her hair and removed all trinkets and jewelry. For this night, she was but a humble servant to the Gods.

There was a large crowd already gathered around the flat runestone at the edge of the city. Other girls in white were chanting beautiful and rhythmic melodies and the people listened, mesmerized. Isgred walked over to the runestone, raised her hands and joined her voice with the girls’.

Isgred could feel the strength running through her body, resonating with the melody. She dropped her hands down and the chanting stopped. Four strong men brought the bull to the runestone and tied his legs. Fortunately, the herb mixture seemed to be working. Otherwise it would not just be the bull’s blood that would end up in the bowls prepared on the runestone, but probably Isgred’s as well.

“Hail Odin!” she yelled into the silence and the crowd repeated after her. "Hail Thor and Freyr! Tonight, we have gathered here to present an offering to the Gods, and ask them for protection on our journey, strength in battle and glory in Valhalla!” The crowd cheered but Isgred could hardly hear them. These moments were the reason she couldn’t understand how someone would choose to believe in a false foreign god. Right now, the Gods were so real to her, she could almost feel their presence.

One of the girls handed her a knife and Isgred bent down to the bull. With a deep breath, she buried the knife into his neck and a stream of blood burst out. The girls were catching it into large bowls, but Isgred held the dying animal as a mother would hold her dying child, feeling its breath get harder and its heart beat slower. When the bull’s heart stopped and Isgred stood back up. Her arms were already covered in blood, but she reached for a bowl and dipped her fingers into it. She drew lines on her face and then spread her arms. “The Gods have blessed us!” She was certain of that. The crowd shouted out in joy.

The men and women going to the raid lined up below the runestone. Isgred took the bowl and approached every one of them, painting their faces with fresh blood and extending the blessing of the Gods to them.

When Isgred finished, she ordered the rest of the blood to be taken to the harbor and smeared onto the ships’ figureheads. She remained at the runestone, reading the runes that were covered in blood and those who weren’t, trying to catch a glimpse of the future. The rest of the people dispersed to either celebrate or do other things. Isgred had to smile. Rituals like this usually awoke deep primal desires in everyone and how to better honor the Gods than to plant a seed of a new life?

Aksel had watched the sacrifice only a few feet away from Isgred and he let her mark him with the blood as he prayed to Odin for a good outcome. He felt in his whole body that it would be a great adventure. He looked to his left to see Reidun in her ceremonial robes pouring the blood over the ships figureheads. There were marks on her face and she was covered in blood before she was finished. After she was finished he watched her pray to Odin and the other gods.

Þórsteinn had left the sacrifice a little earlier and by the time it was over he was already sound asleep on Uffr's ship. He tried to enjoy the sense of being on deck again for a while before drifting into sleep, but it didn't take long to completely relax thanks to the lulling water. He had his back and head supported against his belongings, and his front covered with a cloak, under which he held a dagger in his hand, just to be sure. From the distance came the sounds of merriment and sacrificial games.

But from the ship itself came the sound of sneaking.
"Wake up, Þórsteinn Halvardsson. I said wake up, you bastard!" the young man said and kicked Þórsteinn's leg.

And he did wake up. Above him, against the moon, loomed a tattooed, almost beardless face of a young, dark-haired man, and in his hand was a sword. Þórsteinn hardly recognised the chap just as he pressed his weapon on Þórsteinn's neck.
"Ívarr Hoskuldsson..." Þórsteinn said. "Geir's little brother."
"I am not so little any more, you bastard, am I," Ívarr said. "And you better not move and listen to me carefully."
"You better make it short," Þórsteinn said.
Ívarr felt the point of Þórsteinn's dagger against his ribs. "Always prepared after that night, I see," said Ívarr. "How ironic, that I could die just like my brother did, isn't it."
"Maybe you should stop following his ways and sneaking up on people when they are asleep. I don't want to kill you, Ívarr," said Þórsteinn. "Your brother plotted against me, everyone knows it! That's why I killed him. I had every right."
"Do you think I care about rights?!" Ívarr hissed. Muffled shouts of drunk people were coming from the rune stone area. "I have a duty to avenge my brother! I won't accept any silver, so forget about wergild."
"Then what are you waiting for, you little shit? Do it!" said Þórsteinn.
Ívarr said: "No, no, no. I am not going to bring bad luck on myself the very night before our raid by killing a fellow shield-wall mate! That would be a bad start, Þórsteinn. Especially since we've just had a sacrifice. Oh wait...you weren't there, you unbeliever! Now the gods are on my side! And I am going to see the priestess, and make her curse you as soon as we land! You are a dead man walking, she'll have you hanged for Odin's sake."
"What are you talking about, you stupid maniac? You can't be serious, you can't be coming along! You're insane, you're unstable, just like Geir was!" Þórsteinn shouted.
"Oh, yes; I am very much serious. My kinsmen in Skåne saw you passing through after your outlaw period was over. Rumours spread, you know. As soon as I heard you were going to Kattegat, I decided to come here myself. Now I have joined this raid, too, which was unplanned. But oh well, now I can both kill you and get rich! The gods truly are on my side!"
"My knife is on your side, so you better shut up and leave and spew your nonsense elsewhere!" Þórsteinn said. A child in rags was watching from the dock.
"I will leave. For now. But as soon as we get into a battle with the Saxons, you better watch your back."
"They will never let you come along when I tell the top guys what you are like."
Ívarr laughed at that."What! You think they are any better, you idiot? These are raiders, killers, thieves, and rapists. You think some of them are not on my side?"
"Not if they have any sense in them."
"You forget something, Þórsteinn. The word 'gold' makes even the most sensible men lose their minds."
"You don't have any gold! You're piss poor! Your whole family is because Jarl Harald took it all from you, even though you're his cousins!"
Ívarr laughed again, this time more manically. "But you do, Þórsteinn! Yes, I know... You hid some treasure that you earned in your exile, didn't you? Nice, foreign treasure, the people say."
Þórsteinn glanced aside and saw that the sky was still red from the ritual flames. "And how exactly are you going to find that treasure, stupid? No one knows where I hid it! And I won't tell you, especially not if you kill me, smartass!"
"You really are slow, aren't you?" said Ívarr. "Think!"
Þórsteinn became angry and tried to push the enemy away. "Stop playing games!"
"It's simple. We sail to the east, follow a river down south, and we find...Hmmm, who do we find? Oh, yes: your wife, Þórsteinn! The chieftain's daughter! I am sure that won't be a hard thing to do! Surely someone's heard of a northman of your disposition sojourning in those parts."
Þórsteinn dropped the dagger and grabbed Ívarr by his tunic. "You will do no such thing! And she doesn't know where it is anyway!"
"Oh, yes, I will do that. And don't say that... I know she knows, she must know! Surely you had no secrets between each other?! Also, what do you think is going to happen? Is she going to tell us where the treasure is, or is she going to be stupid and cover for you...even after we threaten her entire town with flames? Well, of course, she is going to tell us. But let me tell you a secret, we'll burn the place down anyway and loot it, and then her entire family will be put to a very special test. But don't tell anyone!" Ívarr took the knife from the deck and tossed it to Þórsteinn. "Better keep that." He grinned one more time and sheathed his sword. "Sleep well! We have a lot of rowing to do tomorrow!"

Þórsteinn watched him leave and approach the child he had seen before. Ívarr gave the child a coin, and pinched its cheek. Then he turned around and waved to Þórsteinn with a huge smile on his face.

Later that evening, after the sacrifice

Conall sat looking into the fire. Something about the flames always drew him in. He often times found his mind going back to that fateful day. Conall was already prepared for his journey to the isles, having wiped the blood that had been thrown on his face. Conall had already sharpened his axes but didn't feel like going to the boats quite yet as he knew few of the other raiders and didn't know quite how that encounter would go. There was also the fact that he could run into the Earl who was currently not very high on his “to meet” list after his activities with Reidun.

Harek stood up after having the blood smeared on his face by the priestess and began to look for a place to sit. After wandering around for a bit he saw a familiar face and moved over to the sitting form. Even sitting down the figure was unnaturally tall, and his red hair was easily distinguishable. Harek pounded his hand on the mans back and sat down next to him.

“So no one has cut that long neck of yours off yet? That is quite surprising seeing how big of a target you are.”

Conall instantly knew who the voice belonged to. He turned to see the only man he had met who could fight him to a draw. He smiled at the friend he hadn't seen in 2 years. “As if anyone could touch me.” Conall boasted with confidence “I see no one has put you out of your misery old man.” Conall now had a wide smile on his face at having his mood significantly increased.

“Eh many have tried, all have failed. One got closer than the others, that is why I decided to take a quick rest here before heading back to the isles.” Harek was glad to see the the boastful giant was going on this raid. Harek knew Conall was worth his weight in the battlefield.

“So have you managed to piss off the Earl yet? You have a magical way with authority that seems to get you in trouble no matter where you go.”

Conall held a nervous grin while moving his eyes around trying not to make direct eye contact. “I should be in the clear, she did say he wouldn’t do anything anyway.”

“She?” Harek let out an exasperated sigh, hand looked up towards the stars. “Why is it always women with you? Someday you’ll either learn to keep it in your pants, or you won't have anymore hands to pull down your pants.”

“What do you mean all the time?” Conall looked shocked in a sort of funny way “that was only one other time. The others I had nothing to do with.” Conall having a more serious face “Besides I think this one is different from the other women we’ve met in our times at sea. But I doubt it will last either way.”

“Just be careful.” Harek stared into the fire as if looking for something. Letting out a sigh he slumped backwards and laid on the ground with his hands behind his head. “I wonder what the priestess saw in the omens. Maybe they are terrible and the fleet sinks before even reaching the isles.”

“I doubt it. Your gods always seem to favor you before battle.” Conall then looked over to his friend grabbing him by the shoulder and shaking him lightly. “Besides how else will they meet the fury of the invincible deartháireacha Conall Cassidy and Harek Hallson?”

“Now what the blazes is a deartháireacha?!?!” Harek had a grin back on his face and was laughing.

Conall just rolled his eyes at Hareks reaction to his statement “It means brothers. Though I suppose if we were brothers I got away with the looks, brains, and brawn.” Conall began laughing as the last of his words came out of his mouth.

“I have to wonder where you got that confidence from seeing how mirrors exist.” Tears were starting to come to his eyes he was laughing so hard.

“Well the fact that my mirror wouldn't break I think is evidence enough.” Conall was finding it hard to breath at this point at how the two of them acted as if they were still kids.

Reidun walked the path along the beach and her eyes searched the groups of men and women for Conall. Once her eyes laid claim to his form she smiled and walked over to him and his friend. She was still wearing her ceremonial garb and was covered in blood. Carefully she leaned over and whispered into his ear with a soft smile. “I’ll be cleansing in the waters then retiring for the evening and I’d like you to join me Conall.” Her lips softly lingered near his ear and she kissed his neck before parting.

She smiled at Harek and nodded respectfully and her hand dragged across Conall’s shoulder and arm as she continued walking towards the water nearest her lodgings. She hoped he would follow.

Conall perked his head as he felt Reidun’s touch. Once she had left he turned to Harek with a slight smirk. “I believe that was my cue to leave.” He said standing up and beginning to follow her. “I'll see you tomorrow when we load up for the raid.” He said turning his head so Harek could hear him. Conall raised his hand to wave as he retreated into the night.

Collab with @pandapolio and @sly13

Uffr stood tall in the early morning sun, spread before him on the docks was the chaotic, loud, but carefully planned process of loading the Odin's Whisper. Uffr looked beyond the port to the sea beyond, it will be good to sail freely again. Suddenly a thought hit him, he hasn't checked the Whisper’s sail. Uffr scrambled into the fray leaping onto the deck, and quickly started checking the sail.

Aksel was whistling a tune that he couldn’t place when he saw one of the oars that weren’t locked in place slip into the water. If it had been the first time it had happened he would have chuckled but it was the third time and he looked at the man on that ship. “You there! Are the latches broken? Or is it you don’t know what you are doing?”

Aksel heard Reidun’s gentle laughter and turned and blocked the sun from his eyes. She was carrying some weapons on her back and hips but she was carrying a crate of food. There were a lot of men to feed for an unknown period of time. Aksel gave her a lopsided grin. “And you? Do you have something to say Reidun?”

Reidun nodded playfully. ”Leave the boy alone or show him what he is doing wrong before he drowns from diving after the oars.” She reached over and tugged lightly on his braid when she boarded the ship. He laughed and pretended like he was going to knock her off of the boat, again.

After Uffr was satisfied with the sails, he went to his place by the steering oar and stood, watching his crew, the people on land, and the ocean. Uffr snapped back into reality with a yell coming from the docks, a crew member had dropped a heavy crate onto the docks nearly missing his friend. Uffr strolled to the man, picked up the box and walked on board. Now, with the supplies loaded Uffr jumped down to the docks, grabbed the gear that he had brought onshore and hauled it up. After he had returned to his position on the stern, Uffr made sure everything was there, Whetstone, check, he felt that Thunderedge, his axe, was at Uffr's right hip, and that the saxe was on the left. He looked for the helmet, he saw it against one of the crates, he walked over and retrieved it. Uffr looked and inspected his shield. Enjoying it's worn, darkened, and scarred wood.

Aksel directed where he wanted things to go to the new members of the group and he hopped over to the other ship and showed the young man how to fasten the oars in place. He watched as the boats began to fill up with supplies and warriors and his heart filled with anticipation of their great adventure.

Isgred stood at the docks, watching the men and women load supplies onto the ships, nervous, but excited. She didn’t have much baggage herself – just her staff, little bit of spare clothes, long and heavy cloak and a large bag with healing supplies. And of course the small satchel with the bone scrying runes, safely attached to her belt, so she wouldn’t lose it even if she had to swim. She did hope it wouldn’t come to that though. She could swim, but it was one thing to swim in a river or a fjord and a completely different thing to swim in a middle of a deep ocean. She had a deep respect for the monsters, that allegedly lived in the depths, and wanted to at least have a layer of wood between them and herself.

She came closer and nodded at Aksel, who was overseeing the preparations, jumping from one ship to another. He directed her to one of the ships, so she went there and put her little belongings with the others’. Standing near the bow of the ship, so she wouldn’t get into anyone’s way, she watched the raid members haul the last crates of food aboard.

Reidun grinned when she looked up and caught him at it. She got back to her work and she brought more crates of food and then her own gear that she had to have such as her weapons, shield and other such items. Reidun had spent quite a long hour of braiding her hair. They went down and created quite a twisted updo locking her long hair into a wild looking creation. That coupled with her face painted with stripes gave her an intimidating appearance.

A cheer arose as the ships at the head of the fleet cast off their ropes and drifted free. Uffr, determined to be at the head of the group ordered the ship to depart. He watched in satisfaction as his well trained crew got the tasks done with ease. The Whisper seemed to Tug at her moorings, and once she was released, she glided across the glassy water. The men whooped and yelled insults at every ship the whisper passed. Uffr smiled, this was where he belonged… not in a crowded city, but at sea surrounded by his brothers. The Odin's Whisper's sail was down to allow the other ships to catch up, looking back at the masts rising like a forest, Uffr felt confident.

Aksel’s boat was oared out to sea with the Whisper on it’s right. The others were not far behind and he looked around his boat to see Reidun and many others, some of whom he knew and others he’d just met. He saw that Reidun was sitting in the row behind him and so was a tall red haired man that he kind of recognized. When he spoke to one of the others he grinned. He recognized the voice. It was Reidun’s bedmate. Getting a chance to get a good look at him he realized the man was nearly a giant in height and he was sporting a head full of red hair. Aksel grinned and turned back to the water.

When the ships finally set sail and left the harbor, Isgred cheered with the others, overwhelmed by excitement. She stayed at the front of the ship for a bit, enjoying the salty wind in her hair. When she turned around, she saw Aksel and most of the others were oaring. But since there didn’t seem to be a spot left for her, she just stayed where she was and watched the ships nearing the end of the fjord, staring at the distant horizon of the open sea.

Cenwulf was watching his men training, his hand itching because he wanted to join them. But apparently, being a general meant constantly being approached by dozens of people, who wanted his decisions on dozens of unimportant things. He was arguing with a representative of one lord about the number of recruits from his lands. The lord was apparently living under the impression that sending ten unequipped men, from which half was too old to hold a sword, the other half too young, was enough.

Every lord was worried now. Especially those whose lands were located near the eastern shores. The attacks from those heathens were getting more and more frequent, to the point that the Englishmen had to abandon several territories, leaving them in the hands of the invaders. The scouts reported that the Norsemen didn’t waste any time and started building fortified camps and outposts on the conquered lands.

Cenwulf sent the lord’s man away, threatening him mildly to send more men, and reached for his sword. If he hurries, maybe he will have time for at least one sparring fight before the dinner will be served. His hopes were thwarted by another man walking towards him. A scout or a messenger after a long journey, by the looks of his clothes.

“General,“ he bowed respectfully and handed him a sealed note.

Cenwulf broke the seal and read the message, frowning. “This is from Watford city council?”

“Yes, sir, directly. I was one of the scouts who discovered the outpost.”

“How many men?” Cenwulf walked over to the table and pulled out the right map.

The scout scratched his nose. “Right now, only around thirty men. And women.”

Cenwulf scowled. It was a long-known thing, but he still couldn’t wrap his head around it. How can they be such primitives and let women fight and die in their battles? “That is not that much.”

“Sir, we overheard them talking and they are expecting a large raiding party to arrive soon. Maybe twenty full boats. Once they go up the river and get into the outpost, Watford will not be able to drive them away.”

Cenwulf knew that it was true. Cursing, he looked over the map. The outpost was in a perfect position, protected by a river and a small stream on two sides. Such number of Norsemen could easily cross the river on their boats and raid Oakshire or even try and attack Watford’s fortifications. “When are they going to arrive?”

The boy just shrugged. “They did not say that.”

“What’s your name?”

“I am Osmund, sir.”

“You will go with me, you speak their language and seem to be a capable scout, I will sure make better use of you than those incompetent morons in Watford.” Cenwulf knew that they only have the smallest possible militia to keep order in the city, no way can they defend themselves against a full-scale raid. Not even talking about the defenseless village of Oakshire.

Osmund swelled with pride. “Thank you, sir.”

“Get some food and rest. We will march for Watford in the morning.” Cenwulf ran his hand through his hair, still looking at the map. It was raining for the past few days. Even in good weather, to move a portion of the Mercia’s army that way would take at least three days. But now, the roads will turn into a muddy swamp, stalling the troops and especially the carriages with food and weapons.

What a great day to be a general.

Marewen giggled softly as she slipped into the room. She wasn’t usually so disobedient but her father had said that he had a large surprise for her and she was curious as to what it was. Upon hearing her father speak to another in that voice she was instantly brought to attention. Not recognizing the man he was negotiating with she peered through the drapes she was hidden behind and caught the sight of King Harold of East Anglia. He was a portly man. Heavy handed in his dealings with just about everyone, even her father King Phillip. Paying more attention to his appearance than the subject she was startled to hear her name brought up.

Marewen sat up straighter and her breath became slower as she listened to hear what they were talking about that she was to be a part of.

“King Harold, I assure you that my daughter Marewen is a more than suitable match for your son Prince Edgar. Her mother and I have discussed it at length and we believe she would be happy.”

“Edgar is very taken with her beauty and is greatly looking forward to the marriage….Now the armies would arrive the day of the wedding….”

The instant fear that accompanied those words aided her in leaving the room quietly. Her mother already knew and wasn’t fighting her father on it? She and her mother had discussed whom she thought her father would marry her off to eventually but she had never thought it would be so soon nor to this particular man’s son. Her father must have a great need of an army from Harold if he was willing to saddle her with Edgar. Marewen quickly made her way to her room. She grabbed some money and a dark cloak. She knew she would have to wait at least another hour before she snuck out. The fear in her stomach was nothing to the fear in her heart of what would happen if she married Edgar. She had to leave, there was no other way.

Marewen changed into one of her day dresses. It looked less royal and more like a commoner would wear. She didn’t want to be out of place looking. Slipping her money into her pockets she packed a small bag of essentials and made certain that she was wearing simple slippers that were not adorned. She pulled her hair down and pulled the jewels out of her locks before tucking her hair underneath her cloak. Shoving her brush into her bag she pulled it closed and then she pulled her door open and listened. Slipping out of the room she skirted the hallways in the dark. It was well after 2am and the castle was mostly asleep.

Once she was out of the royal family’s home she moved quicker as she ran past the back of the buildings and homes of many of the people that she had known all her life. Her heart was thudding so hard in her chest that she was afraid that the others around her would be awakened by it. The gates were opened only slightly overnight but they were manned and there was a very awake sentry guarding it. Marewen looked around her and she spied a prostitute across the way with a man who was boldly touching her. Marewen felt a little nauseated but when the woman was done with the man Marewen motioned for her to approach her.

“M’lady? What is a lady doing out at this hour?”

Marewen pulled her hood over her a little more. She was afraid the woman would figure out who she was. “I need to get out of the gates unseen. Can you arrange for a distraction so I can slip out?”

“It’ll cost ya. I don’t really fancy getting beaten up for nothing.” The woman tried to gleen a better look at her and Marewen stepped backwards into the shadows. color=yellow]“Who are ya?”[/color]

Marewen pulled out a handful of gold and the woman nearly squealed with delight and took it fast enough. “Never mind girl, I don’t need to know who you are. Gimme a minute.” She smiled at Marewen. “Be safe girl.”

A couple of moments later a small group of drunkards and prostitutes came out of a tavern and made a lot of noise before starting a fight in the middle of the street. Marewen watched the guards and when they ran to break up the fight she slipped through the gates and into the woods.

Reidun was done rowing for the evening. After relinquishing the oars she leaned against the side of the boat and inhaled the sea air deeply. Paying no mind to the ache in her back or the calluses starting on her hands from the oars she turned and looked ahead. It was dark but not so dark that they couldn’t still see by the moonlight. There were still at least ten ships that she could see and the other five were likely just out of her vision. Reaching over to her side she put her hand on Conall’s hand.

“How are you doing?” She reached inside the nearest crate and grabbed out some cheese and bread for them. “Hungry?”

“Fine” Conall said looking to his side to see Reidun holding his hand while offering him food. “Thanks” he said as he grabbed the food from her[color=green] “I’ll be better though when we get on solid land again.”

Conall looked out towards the sea, staring off into the horizon. “What about you?” he asked not turning away from the sea “how are you doing on this fine night?”

Reidun noticed his mood and ate quietly for a moment before answering in a lower voice. “I’m glad the sea is calm. I’d rather not have to test my swimming skills so far out.” Looking at the others she noticed several were leaned up against the sides sleeping now that the air was cooler. Aksel was at the front of the boat just a few feet away trying to see into the distance.

“Conall? Where do you call home? Did you leave a family behind or are you on your own?” She blushed at the realization that she should have known that one before taking him to her bed. Luckily he couldn’t see that she was blushing in the limited light.

Conall had smile that was weighed down by sadness. “I come from an island not far from our travels end. My people called it Eire.” as the word came out he felt a pang of guilt. “And I had a family before I met Harek, though that was a long time ago.” He never really liked talking about his past but for some reason when he talked to Reidun he felt he could trust her.

“What about you and your family? I dont suppose that Aksel is your father is he?”

Reidun chuckled softly. “No, he is only three or four years older than I am. When I was five, there was a raid in my village and my parents and older brother were killed. Aksel’s family took me in and raised me. He has protected me all of these years from some of the less honorable men in the village. He more than deserves my loyalty.”

Glancing up at Aksel she still felt guilt after all of these years and she turned back to Conall. She could see his heartache in his eyes. “When you say family...parents? Or wife and children?”

“I had parents and some siblings back in my home village.” he kind of chuckled “never had a wife nor children.” Conall thought about what she had said about her past. Placing a comforting hand on her shoulder he said in low comforting voice “I'm sorry to hear about your family I know what you went through. And don't worry I’ll make sure nothing harms you.” Conall had hoped that he could hide his emotions from Reidun. He didn't want to burden her with the sadness and depression he carried with him. But deep down he new that his eyes always gave him up to people.

Reidun nodded at his words of empathy. “Thank you. Truth be told I only remember flashes of them. Mine and Aksel’s fathers grew up together that is why he took me in. I remember an old song my mother used to sing and her face. I remember Papa’s beard used to scratch me when he kissed me goodnight and that my brother called me his little imp. He was twelve or thirteen.”

Her voice quivered just slightly and she smiled trying to steady it. She wiped a tear from her eye and pushed it and the sadness away. She automatically pushed her armband higher on her arm making certain it was good and tight. She leaned into his side and whispered with a smile. “I probably should have made certain you were free before I hijacked you into my bed.”

Conall chuckled a little at the last bit. “Well I guess I can't blame you for that.” He Smirked wickedly “After all, I know it's hard to resist looks such as mine.” He was barely able to get the words out without laughing. For some reason he found himself going back to their last topic of families. “I still remember a lot about my family which at times makes it hard to bare. I often wonder if it is a gift or a curse i can still remember them so vividly. I remember some of our old songs we used to sing every night with the rest of the tribe. The faces of most my village members. I can still see me and my brothers fighting and training around the village along with causing trouble the only way boys can.” He chuckled lowly at the way he and his brothers used to act. “The things I hold most dear now are all of our old traditions and customs that I don't see much of in places like these.” Conall could feel a tear rolling down his cheek from all his memories coming up again. He could feel the floodgates that would lead to him breaking down, which he desperately tried to stop, were starting to open.

Reidun felt his melancholy and decided to derail it if possible. [color=f49ac2]“I think time has a way of making things easier to live with.” She pulled out a small cask and a mug and poured a drink for him. He would have expected it to be water but it was ale. Her grin was mischievous when she handed it to him. They usually took some ale with them but never touched it on the water. Mostly because on the water they were working but now it was night and most were asleep. Reidun kissed his neck softly. Aksel watched her pour the ale and smirked and closed his eyes.

“Relax and think good thoughts. We all need some good from these raids. And...I don’t need your protection. I can take care of myself.” She grinned at him temptingly.

He grinned at the taste of ale in the mug. “I am sure you can take good care of yourself… But you never know when you will need the help of a strong fearless giant such as myself” He said with a sly grin, flexing with his free arm. “not to mention, one with devilishly good looks.” After finishing the last bit he placed a kiss on her cheek.

Reidun outright laughed at his playfulness. “Oh so you are the brawn and the beauty in the relationship? I guess that must leave me as the brains and the cook.” She gave a slightly annoyed look. “Well at least I have that!”

Aksel snorted with laughter and turned away from them at that. Reidun reached over and hit him in the arm laughingly. “Go to sleep Aksel!” His chuckles slowed after a few moments. She couldn’t tell if he was asleep or listening. She sat back down and shook her head grinning as her attention diverted back to Conall.

Conall looked at her playfully “well I never said you weren't beautiful.” Leaning in a bit closer to make sure only she could hear “I’d say you're even the most beautiful woman i've ever set my eyes on.” He held his smile while leaning back trying to see how she would react to that. “Not to mention I am a sucker for a strong woman with red hair.”

Reidun blushed at his comment. “Ah, Sure you say that now. How could I possibly compete with your handsomeness?” Her smile was contagious and she put her hand on his cheek as she kissed him soundly.

She scooted over so she was leaning against him with one of his arms over her. She wondered if she did that partly in case the boat capsized or if it was solely emotion driven. “If all goes as planned we should reach land tomorrow or the next day at the latest.” She reached over with her foot and kicked Aksel’s leg and he just moved it over and snored a little. Worried only slightly about the upcoming fights she pulled herself tighter into Conall’s arms. “I don’t need protection but I want you there anyway.” She looked up at him in the darkness hoping he understood what she was saying.

Conall Smiled a little at her. “Sure i'll make sure to stay near you.” Looking back out towards the sea he felt an odd sense of both peace and excitement. He rested his head on hers so she could lean into his shoulder. “Tonight has been good Reidun.” he said wrapping his arm around her protectively. “I wonder how Harek and that seer are doing?”

Glancing to her left she saw the seer asleep with her head on her arms on a bench and she knew Harek was on his ship. “I’m sure he is fine and she is asleep.” She glanced at the seer again and thought to herself that Harek might find the seer to be useful on his trip. Yawning she let her head rest against Conall’s chest. Closing her eyes she felt safe and protected.

“LAND AHEAD!” Reidun was jerked awake by the sudden flurry of people awakening and all of the yelling about land. She sat up and looked ahead and although it was still several miles away they were going to make landfall by noon. Aksel was so excited he was lucky he hadn’t fallen overboard yet. Reidun grabbed the oars and started rowing with the others. She couldn’t wait to get on land.

Conall shot up at the sound of yelling and movement. Seeing that land was only several miles away Conall could feel his blood pumping with excitement. Noticing that there wasn't any oars left to row, he instead moved to the front of the boat stepping on to its rim. He let out a loud roar as he looked to the other ships seeing others doing the same thing. Letting his gaze settle on the the approaching coastline he became antsy for a fight. ‘Please watch over me father and mother. May you guide my axes and my anger letting me carve a path through the enemies that stand in my way.’ He prayed to himself.

Trying not to lose her footing Marewen slid over the wet ground and grabbed hold of a low hanging tree branch to save her from falling completely. She gasped as the thorns from the bush tore at her skirts and scratched at her ankles. After several hours she finally lay against a tree and covered herself up with her cloak. She’d had no idea that getting through the woods on foot would be so harrowing.

She had been there for maybe an hour when she heard animal noises. Startled Marewen sat up and looked around as she got to her feet. The sun was peering through the trees and she couldn’t ever remember being so grateful to see the light. Her trek overnight showed her a different looking person than the one who entered the woods in the wee hours of the morning. This young woman’s hair was dishevelled, her face had dirt smudges as did her clothing as well as some tattered edges from the thorny bushes and burrs in the woods. Marewen had open scratches on her hands and blood marred her soft hands. Her eyes were perhaps the biggest change. They had been confident in her decision and now they were mostly fearful.

A dog ran at her and Marewen just froze. The little girl laughing and following the dog stopped suddenly at seeing her and as she became more curious she edged a little closer and put her hand on her dog’s head.

“Toby sit!” The dog sat but kept his toothy expression and his eyes on Marewen. “Who are you? You look terrible. You should come see my mother. She will help you.” The child saw her hands and became upset. “You are bleeding! Come miss, this way!” The child pulled the dog with her and lead Marewen to a nearby village.

The child asked her “What is your name?” and grabbed Marewen’s hand in her own small one. She looked down at the child’s hand and replied.

“My name is Mary.” The little girl smiled.

“My mother will like that. Her name is Mary too. She gets upset though because my father works at the palace and is not home often.”

Panic set in and Marewen’s heart started to thump loudly in her chest. “How far away from the palace are we?”

The little girl stopped and thought hard for a moment. “About three hours by horse at a walk papa says.”

“I’m sorry little one but I need to get somewhere and I won’t have time to stop to see your mama. Which way is the road?” The little girl hugged her at the waist and she pointed her in the right direction. Marewen smiled and waved at her and she headed that way but made sure to stay off of the main road. She had to make sure she didn’t look like the princess and she sure wasn’t going to go back. She picked up her pace til she was running. The ground was mostly flat here and she needed to put some real distance between her and the palace.

Over the next week Marewen stayed mostly in the woods next to the road. She managed to survive on berries. Some of the nearby villagers children would feed her when she came close enough to them. Unsure of how long she could stay hidden in the woods she just prayed it wouldn't rain on her.

Reidun could see Aksel speaking to one of the other leaders and locked arms and clapped each other on the back as was a common greeting among friends. Grinning she took in the sites around her. They had past the ruins of the monastery that Ragnar Lothbrok and his men had destroyed so many years ago. Her excitement was dimmed only by the sun’s determination to go down in the next hour or so. It had been a day full of anticipation. They had been a bit further away than they had assumed. It had taken them more time than they had expected to get to the shoreline. Since the boats were going to be beached for a while they had emptied them of their supplies and had put up makeshift coverings for the night.

Overhearing something about the defenseless village of Oakshire being just through the trees and then Watford being so close from there left her grinning.

Conall had helped the rest of the men unload the ships’ cargo into their makeshift base for the upcoming raids. Conall having placed the last of the boxes down he began to wander into the surrounding forest to clear his mind and prepare for the battle. Conall made sure not to get carried away in his daydreaming and kept close to the outpost, but for the time he enjoyed this peace and quiet. Many were fearful during this period that the often called “The calm before the storm” but Conall loved it. He also liked the fact that he could do his pre battle rituals in private.

Reidun looked around for Conall and didn’t see him right away. Deciding to walk towards this Oakshire beyond the trees she stepped outside of the outpost and headed for the woods. A figure emerged in the distance and she smiled recognizing Conall. As she approached him she could see that he was focussed on what he was doing. Not wanting to startle him she hung back a little. “Conall?”

Conall’s head shot up at the sound of Reiduns voice. He hadn’t noticed her following him into the woods. “Ay its me. I'm sorry I didn't notice you had followed me.” Conall had begun to stand from his kneeling position. Once he had turned around to face her he showed that he had been in the middle of getting his face paint ready. He smiled at her saying “Did you need something Reidun?”

Reidun smiled at him and walked over to him. “Actually I was going to go check out the village of Oakshire. Finding you out here is just a surprise I didn’t expect. Getting ready for the battle I see. I think I’ll wait for my paint til tomorrow. Since you are here, would you like to take a peak with me? I imagine that these Englishmen are quite different from us.”

Conall smiled at her. “Well sure I’d love to go with you.” he said while putting the paint down “I can put on my paint later.” Conall waited for her to lead him to the town called Oakshire. “It will be a bit difficult to stay hidden considering we don't blend in with our red hair and my extreme size.” Conall said not sure how going to this small town would go but he was willing to do it if it meant spending some time with Reidun before the battle.

Reidun was certain that these people had seen enough of the vikings over the last years to be used to them for the most part. Her smile came easy at his description of them. “Yes, we are pretty recognizable. I think it will be fine, and if not...I have my axe and you can definitely fight them off with your weapons or your fists. I have no worry about Oakshire.”

Reidun walked next to him through the trees until they opened into a clearing and ahead was the small village. Reidun kept her pace the same as they walked towards the village. There were people working the land. The harvest was being planted and it made her smile. Were they really so different? Apparently they were not so different in all things.

Conall kept close to Reidun in the event that a fight started he could quickly get both of them out of harm's way. Though to be fair Conalls size usually did a good job at scaring off would be opponents. He knew that most of the villages here would be different then what Reidun had been used to with much more sturdy homes and a bigger focus on surviving than on fighting and raiding. He also wasn't so sure how she would like the fact that women in this culture were not kept in such high regard as in that of her and his cultures. He turned to her to see how she would react to seeing this small town. “Is it everything you hoped it would be” Conall said with a smirk as they got closer to the village.

Reidun smiled at Conall and glanced back at the people in front of her. There had been rains recently and much of the ground was saturated. The people didn’t appear to be as clean as she had thought they might be. She also saw the father figure strike the young woman for something and her hand automatically went to her axe. The man yelled at the woman and she nodded and picked up an about all barrel and walked away. This bothered Reidun and her brow furrowed as she thought on it.

“Their family unit differs from ours. I think I’ll be quite able to enjoy slaughtering some of these men who will undeniably deserve it.”

“Ay it does.” Conall said with a hint of disappointment in his voice. “There are some good ones out there but they are far and few between.” Out of the corner of his eye Conall could see Reidun ready to chop off the poor fools head. Placing a hand on her shoulder he whispered “I want that fool to pay just as much as you but let's try not to start unless we have to.” Conall could see how angry the man's action made her. Letting out a sigh and shaking his head a little he said “If ye must do it I'll help you.”

Reidun looked up as the sun was setting and she glanced once more at the man and she decided that she would rather enjoy one last night with the vikings celebrating now that they are here, in England. “I’m sure he’ll get his. I want some ale. Let’s go back. It might be a long time before we get a night without fighting again.” Squeezing his hand she turned and headed back towards the outpost.

Keeping a hold of her hand Conall followed her back towards the forest. “I'm sure he will get what he deserves if he doesn't run like the coward he is.” Conall pulled her close to him as they continued their walk towards the camp. “Besides I would much rather spend the night celebrating with you and Harek then getting into some meaningless fight.”

As they broke through the tree line Conall could see the rest of the raiders had begun to set up fires and had already gotten the ale ready for a night of celebration. Conall made his way over to where a fire had just began. He motioned for Reidun to sit next to him as he looked into the fresh flames.

Harek had been resting by one of the fires when he heard the voices of two young people on the other side of the flames. Harek immediately recognized the two redheads who sat down on the other side of him. Harek grinned and moved around the fire to sit next to Conall. “I remember the last time we were in these isles. I seem to have memories of an unnaturally tall man almost being captured a fair bit south of here. Of course my memory may just be failing me, but I don’t think so.”

Conall couldn’t help but let a slight laugh out at Hareks antics. “Well if I remember correctly it was because some old man couldn't keep up with me.” Conall held a smirk, he loved so much to poke fun at Harek. “Hopefully I won't have to risk my neck to save your sorry arse this time.”

“Hey! How is anyone supposed to keep up with those stupid long legs of yours.” Harek looked over at Reidun and nodded his head, “Reidun, you look as beautiful as ever. I see you have been tasked with babysitting this oversized child.”

Reidun laughed as the pair teased each other. It had been a long time since she had seen Harek in a playful mood. “More likely he is babysitting me.” She tossed back as she took a long gulp of her ale. “I wanted to kill a man for hitting his girl earlier. These people do not respect women.”

“They don’t respect anything. They beat their women and children. They live short and pathetic lives, toiling under some lord for no reason. Never doing what they want, because it is against one of their thousand laws. They live free lives, so they never live at all.” Harek was immediately put in a sour mood from thinking of the people that they were here to raid.

Conall took a drink of his ale before looking over at Harek. “I don't think I have ever seen you get like this while talking.” Conall said very matter of factly. Conall wanting to lighten the mood on this time of celebration wrapped an arm around Harek saying “Could it be that you are capable of doing something other than swing a sword around like a chicken with no head.” Conall was trying desperately to maintain a straight face through all of this.

“You wanna see a chicken with no head??? I’ll show you one when I cut yours off and show your own head how stupid you look.” Once again Harek’s smile had returned. “You’d probably die with a stupid look on your face.”
Conall couldn't help it any more and was dying of laughter. “I would like to see you try. That is if you think you'll do better than the last time we fought.” Conall knew he was tempting fate but was to caught up in the moment to care much of the consequences.

Instead of throwing a punch at him Harek tossed him a drink and laughed with him. “Let us save our strength for the enemy rather than fight amongst ourselves.”

Reidun raised her mug to that. “SKOL!” She drank and shouted, “May we all fare well and gain wealth and fame!” Shouts agreeing were heard all around.

Conall smiled as he began drinking from the fresh bottle that had been tossed to him. “It's probably for the best wouldn't want you going into battle with a limp anyway.” He said towards Harek as a last jab before they were swept apart into the celebrations which had exploded into dancing and singing all around them. Grabbing Reidun’s hand Conall stood up and began moving towards where the others had begun dancing speaking “May I have this dance?” He added a small bow acting as if he was some king.

Reidun smiled and bowed in a low curtsy and then she took his hand and let him lead her in a dance. ‘Harek you old fool grab a girl and dance!” Reidun smiled and let the music and the ale take her.

colab with @wick @pandapolio

Cenwulf sighed, watching his army crawl in the mud that used to be a road a few hours ago. There was a lot of noise – horses and oxen pulling the carriages were making desperate noises, as their hooves slipped in mud. Cenwulf cursed and spurred his horse towards a carriage that was completely stuck. “Hey!” he yelled on one of the passing soldiers. The man almost snapped at him but seeing that it is the general he quickly raised his hand to salute. “Get two other men and come help me,” Cenwulf continued as he jumped off his horse.

The soldier quickly came back with some others and Cenwulf directed them behind the carriage and stood next to them, putting his hands on the dirty planks on the side. “All right, on three, we pull up! One, two, three!” The men groaned and growled, trying to lift, but the thing was stuck deep and the mud was like a slippery glue. “Damn this!” Cenwulf knew he can curse all he wants, but they need to get this carriage at least out of the way, so others can pass. “Again!”

Finally, the mud squelched and the wheel was free. The coachman whipped the bulls and the carriage moved forward. Cenwulf was leaning against it and as it moved, he lost his balance and ended up lying face down in the mud. He just growled resignedly. He got up and unsuccessfully tried to wipe some of the dirt off his face.

A rider was moving amongst the soldiers. “The general! Where is the general?”

Cenwulf waved at him. “Over here. What happened now?”

The messenger looked suspicious, the man covered in mud apparently didn’t fit into his image of a general, but he handed him a sealed letter. Cenwulf raised his eyebrows when he saw a royal seal. The letter stated that the princess disappeared, and he was to assign some men to help find her. He rubbed his forehead, thinking what to do. He wasn’t about to send a squad of soldiers back through this muddy hell, especially when they were finally close to the city of Watford.

He walked over to his horse, took a piece of paper and a quill from the saddlebacks and quickly wrote a response. “Take this to the commander in Leighton, he will give you all the men you want to help with the search,” he said, handing the message to the man. “Good luck with it, I hope the princess is found soon.”

Messenger squeamishly took the letter, trying not to get the mud from it onto his clean clothes. “Yes, sir.” He turned the horse around and rode off, splashing the damned mud around.

Cenwulf sighed. Can’t at least one thing go as planned? He saw Osmund amongst the men at the front of the convoy and rode towards him. “How far to the city?”

“We should be getting to the edge of the forest, sir. We should see the city soon.”

“All right, I want you to go to the city and tell the council that we will be arriving soon. Tell them to prepare supplies for us at the clearing near the western gate – especially clean water and some warm food for the men.”

“Yes, sir,” the boy nodded and sprinted forward.

Cenwulf heaved a sigh of relief. He was exhausted. He hoped that the new raiders haven’t arrived to the outpost yet and the army will have an easy task of storming it and burning it down. But his men needed to rest at least a day before they could even march, let alone fight. Cenwulf himself felt like he could sleep for a week and still wake up tired.

---

It was nearly dark when the camp finally seemed to be set up to Cenwulf’s expectations. He was in his tent, watching maps and listening to reports of the commanders. It seemed that two carriages with supplies didn’t survive the journey, but the men were able to salvage the cargo. All things considered, it wasn’t a bad outcome.

“Sir?” Osmund peeked to the tent and disrupted Cenwulf’s thoughts.

“Come in,” Cenwulf waved to the boy to come closer, his mood dropping, when he saw boy’s facial expression. “And here was I thinking that things are finally going well. What is going on?”

“The raiding party had already arrived. We have some spies watching them, for now it seems they are keeping to their side of the river, although some are wandering around, probably scouting the area.”

Cenwulf nodded. “Great. Edward!” he shouted and another men’s head appeared in the entrance to the tent. “Double the number of the men on watch, especially on the north and western sides. Any man caught sleeping on the watch will be whipped in front of his unit. We cannot afford someone sneaking up on us.”

“Yes, sir,” man nodded and disappeared.

“Keep scouting on the Norsemen and try to figure out what are they planning and when, but be careful.” Cenwulf sighed. “I don’t have that many good men to be able to afford losing them.”

Osmund smiled. “Don’t worry, sir, I am always careful.” With a salute he left the tent.

Cenwulf stared at a map for a while, frowning at the spot where the raider outpost was marked.