Thorstein sat in the tent and greedily drank warm water from the skin, because he'd spent the entire day pitching the damned thing and cursing it. The weather did not look promising. The ground itself promised only to be troublesome in case of any battle, because of how damp the soil was, and precisely because of that it had taken a while for Thorstein and a few others to find a suitable spot and pitch the tent, because the pegs would not stick, and their feet kept slipping. Thorstein wished he had a bow and arrows: that seemed much more fun than drowning each other in mud in the front of the shield wall. But then again, he didn't even have a shield either.

Thorstein kept refreshing himself and looking out through the opening in the canvas. The chieftains had mostly finished setting up their booths and tents, however improvised, and groups here and there had already began conversing about what is to be done; but most of the warriors kept scouting the grounds and stalking the woods in the ever growing darkness. He saw Ivar just a stone’s throw away casually, one would say cheerfully sharpening his shiny knives with a whetstone while his slave cleaned his chain armor right next to him. What a lunatic. He probably doesn't care about any plans or strategies: he's just here to go in, attack those on the opposite side and get back. And he’s already whistling his annoying tunes like he did when he was a child.




Finishing his stanza, Ivar disappeared into his tent. Thorstein spat, grabbed his axe, walked out and went to look around for himself, hoping to find something tasty in the woods if it wasn't too late in the day for that. But some hunters had already beaten him to it, however. He saw a group of them carrying a couple of deer strung up on poles much to the cheering of their friends. Ah, screw it. I’ll just eat cheese. This turned his mind away from any hunting expeditions. I think I should find something better to do, or at least find someone important to give me a quick briefing. It can’t be too long before we move.

Meanwhile, Ivar was mumbling in his tent in front of a table on which he was casting his runes. He knew no real magic, but he was well versed in poetry and convinced the rune lots showed at least a grain of truth no matter who should cast them, that being their divine nature. He knelt before the table and looked at the wooden Asa-Thor figurine in front of which a small fire was burning.
‘Baldrs brother, troll-wives’ bane, you in whose head Hrungnir’s whetstone stands,listen to me, Ivar: sharpen my weapons, and give me strength against these your English enemies, and I swear a better ox will never be sacrificed to you than the one I have prepared brought over all the way across the sea.’

He got up and put the runes in the cup. He closed the opening with his hand and shook it. 'Come on, Allfather: show me what is to happen tomorrow or be damned, you stirrer up of strife!' The lots fell onto the table:

'Three runes for the three sisters. Three for the three Norns. The ox is the first, it will give us strength in arms over the foe. There will be battle as Thorn has appeared second: giants' work for sure. But the last one... Hail. Hel's rune, curse her! A storm? A flood? Drowning? She's going to take many to her halls soon. A calamity for sure. What am I to make of this? Some disaster is at hand too. But for whom?'

Isgred was excited. This land looked so similar, yet so different from their own, she couldn’t wait to see its people. She had heard a lot of stories, of course. It seemed like people were basically owned almost like slaves, forced to live their lives where their liege lord orders them to, never being free to do whatever they want. And what was worse, their women were treated like second-class citizens, forced to serve their fathers or husbands and being beaten if they disobeyed them.

Shivers ran down Isgred’s spine with the image of never being free, never being able to choose her own destiny. Maybe it’s because of the strange god they have here. THE God, as if their was the only god in the world. Such blasphemy and arrogance to think that. From what Isgred knew, their God was rather restrictive one – ‘guiding’ the people in almost every aspect of their lives, forbidding them to resist to their lords, blaming women for everything wrong in the world, because of some tale about a ‘sin’. They even managed to take away most of the joys of making love, and that is some accomplishment.

Isgred shook her head. These people were just strange, she couldn’t wait to see them in battle. Of course, she won’t be going directly into fight and rather stay behind the lines with other healers. But as she had learned before, that didn’t necessarily mean that she wouldn’t get close to the battle. She looked around and realized that she had strayed a bit from the outpost. Originally, she just wanted to take a walk and clear her head, because she was tired, spending most of her afternoon checking on the few wounded men in the original crew of the outpost. They didn’t have a proper healer, so most injuries were just stitched together and bandaged, but none of them seemed to be very serious. There was one man, whose cut leg was stitched by someone who had most likely never held a needle in his hand before - the stitches were huge and uneven, fulfilling their purpose, but they will leave a huge and ugly scar behind. But having scars was a part of Viking life, and uglier the scar, the more fame you gained from it, so the man wasn’t complaining.

Some twig snapped not far from her. Isgred turned her head, and for a moment she thought she could see something, maybe a small figure hiding in the bushes, watching her. But when she looked closer, there was nothing. She smiled, her imagination probably running a bit too wild. In any case, she realized she shouldn’t be wandering around here alone and nearly unarmed, this was after all an enemy territory. She turned and headed back towards the camp, hearing sounds of a celebration. She had to laugh. For her people, any reason was good to celebrate, and there wasn’t a better one than an upcoming battle.

Harek had been enjoying a nice drink while watching the others dancing. He began to think about the days to come. To him they might seem like a blur, all fighting was like that to him. It was a drug that constantly drew him back in no matter how far he strayed. When he was in the fight he enjoyed it unlike like anything else, but when he was resting like he was now he struggled to not see the screaming faces of those he killed. Harek shook his head and tried to focus on having fun. He took another drink from the mug and stood up, looking around. Taking a deep breath he began to look around for something to distract him from the dark thoughts in the back of his mind. He saw the priestess, who had led the ritual back at the port, across the field and decided that she would be an interesting character. On his way he grabbed more drinks, one for him and one for her. As he approached her he nodded his head in greeting and smiled.

“Good day, come to join the party?”

Isgred was smiling and nodding her head in the same rhythm as the music, lost in her mind a little bit. She turned to the man that came to her and her smile got even wider. She remembered him from the sacrificial ceremony, he was hard to miss, even more now with his wolfskin covering most of his face. While she didn’t know him in person, she knew who he was – the pelt marked him as one of the personal warriors of Odin, which was something Isgred deeply respected and admired.

“Good evening. Yes, I believe there is never a bad time to enjoy some music and a mug of ale. And night before a battle seems even better time for enjoying pleasures that life can offer,” she answered, rocking to the rhythm of the song. “But I imagine you know all about that. My name is Isgred.”

“There is not much that is more true. My name is Harek.” He handed a drink to her and smiled. “It is always good to have a holy person on a raid. I always seem to be stabbed less at least.” Harek took a long drink from his mug and set it down. He held out his hand towards Isgred, “Wanna dance?” Eh Harek knew he was pretty drunk and he was no poet sober, so he decided to just go for it.

Isgred took a long sip from her drink. She was quite surprised that Harek had asked her to dance, people were usually keeping their distance from her. While she loved the life in service of the Gods, sometimes she did feel a bit lonely. ‘Well, what the hell,’ she thought and smiled. “Of course.” She grabbed his hand and let him guide her to the other dancing raiders. “It is an honor to meet a true warrior of Odin.” She put one hand on his shoulder, feeling the strong muscles under his shirt. The music was loud, so were the people around, all jumping around and singing and drinking. Isgred smiled and closed her eyes to enjoy the music.

Seeing the familiar view of the sun setting, it was only a matter of time til one would have to stop to make camp for the night. This was the only choice that was to be made at this particular time seeing that traveling in the dark was not always worth the trip unless one was in a hurry.

Vestar held onto the reins of the beast he was riding on. Hanging on the side were two dead hares that Vestar caught which he tied them by rope. Nothing really eventful transpired besides the purchasing of this horse which Vestar used stolen coin to do so.

Living in the land of England was a little difficult at times but there was nothing that Vestar believed he couldn't handle. It wasn't long before crossing into Northumbria that Vestar had to stop and make camp. Now that he was in a wooded area, Vestar tied his horse while gathering material to make a fire, brought about sparks to start the fire and began the skinning of the two hares to cook. Vestar started to think about the time he was kicked off the side of the mountain.

Bruised, bloody, betrayed, enraged, but yet...heartbroken. Vestar reminisced about how he, after a few bumps on the way down, held onto the side of the mountain afraid but unwilling to give in to death. After his climb back to the cliff, the raid was done, his father was gone, and Vestar was hurt and weakened to go as he was...so pitiful...no wonder his father was able to get the best of him.

Back to the present, Vestar never knew why his father betrayed him but he hated the feeling of being vulnerable Odin's cock.... He growled and sighed and continued pulling off the skin of the hare roughly.

Marewen hadn't eaten in more than a day except for a small hunk of bread a child had given her. The boy's eyes had nearly bulged out of his eye sockets when she'd given him a gold coin for it, but that was more than a day ago. Since then she'd had to hide from soldiers on foot or on horseback twice.

The sun was going down and she panicked when she heard horses hoofs and laughter on the main road. She peaked out from the bushes in the woods and she ducked down when she recognized one of the soldiers. Bastien was her father's right hand man and would not hesitate to force her back to become Edgar's wife. That thought drove her further into the woods as quickly as she could go. It made her run almost recklessly headlong into a pair of vikings. She skidded to a stop just in time to avoid the fire they had burning but not in time to divert them from her presence.

"Well what have we here?" The bigger man chuckled and stood up and grabbed her around the waist and pulled her roughly against his body. Marewen struggled and kicked to no avail. Her fear nearly paralyzed her when the second man touched her face. When he attempted to touch her chest she slapped him across the face. He reared up and slapped her back.

Marewen was knocked dizzy by the man's meaty hand. When she woke up her face hurt and she was laying on the ground between the two men as they ate. One of the men had a boot on her back so he would know if she woke up. Panic set in and she stamped it down so she could think to escape. The bigger man had picked up her bag and she heard the men go silent as they stared at the contents of it.

"Are you fuckin' kidding me? She is the daughter of King Phillip!" Their laughter became even more insidious. "We could get a lot of money for her."

The other man was not so trusting. "....OR she could have stolen it."

"Wake her up and we'll find out." Marewen laid there like she was still out cold. When the man rolled her over to her back and believed that she was still out he sat back annoyed. Marewen lay there until both men were too inebriated to do anything and then she grabbed her bag and slipped away quietly.

Running through the woods in the dark did nothing to assuage her fear. It was more than an hour in the dark when she fell.

The skinned hares were currently being roasted. Sitting back against a tree, sharpening his axe, Vestar thought about venturing the next day to find more coin and maybe anything else of value. It have been a while since the last time he's raided with a hired group or a group that had a mutual target.

The last bit of coin he had was to get the horse he's using now. Maybe a woman to entertain him for a bit. Vestar stopped sharpening his axe before hearing a little noise in the darkness which caused him to stand with his axe at hand, ready to attack just in case.

Was it possibly someone spying on him or perhaps a carnivorous beast? Who or whatever it was, if they were there to cause trouble for the viking, he was going to be sure to walk out of the confrontation alive and in one piece.

Watching quietly, Vestar caught sight of glowing eyes not far from his camp as whatever it was started to quietly come close. Glaring, Vestar silently witnessed a large doe slowly walk over to his camp to sniff him, the horse, and the hares that were cooking. It then stared at Vestar before making it's way to the small patch of grass to eat.

This left Vestar at ease, lowering his axe. If he was to kill the doe, that could provide him for the next few days but...he didn't go for it.

With this little excitement out of the way, Vestar went to grab his water sack only to realize the sack was empty. Fuck...I knew I should've stopped at that small creek earlier... he cursed and groaned before lighting himself a torch.

He remembered the creek and which direction it was heading so not to backtrack too much. he looked back at the horse. I'll be back soon...be good... he told the beast before heading off into the darkness.

Marewen had fallen over a log and rolled down a hill into a small creek. She lay there a moment and pushed herself onto her back. She adjusted to the darkness and she could only see the barest of shapes in the dark. There wasn't much of a moon out. Getting slowly to her feet she felt the scratches and cuts she had gotten as they protested her movements. Her hair had turned into a large mess of knots. She was positive she looked a fright. She had always been only a little vain, not like the other girls in the castle. Her hands moved to pull her hair out of her face. It was then that she heard footsteps. She stopped moving and realized a little too late that her dress had caught on something and when she tried to move she tripped over it and fell into a tree. "Hrmpf!" She cringed hoping that the man wouldn't see her.

Walking his way through the day, he figured the creek shouldn't be too far away from him. With his torch in hand and looking out into the darkness but also listening carefully for anyone or anything, Vestar kept his axe at hand just in case he needed to defend himself.

Something caught his attention when he stopped for a moment thinking he heard someone. Something moved from out the corner of his eyes, causing him to look over for a moment. He already witnessed a doe earlier. What else could possibly be out here?

Vestar was definitely curious. If it was an animal, he'd either let it go or kill it if it was to bare its fangs at him. The closer he got, the more he was starting to make out that this had to be a person. Especially the posture they were in. Hey! Whoever you are in the dark, I'm coming your way....I advise you not to attack me if you're smart. He announced coming over, noticing the woman. He pointed his torch towards the stranger to get a closer look while boldly coming closer until they were about 10 feet from one another. Who the fuck are you? And what the fuck are you doing here? He asked her, looking her up and down.

Marewen had her cloak up covering most of her face but she could see the viking in front of her. She used the torchlight to her advantage and glanced around. Her eyes set on the man's physique. His arms were thick with muscles. He could hurt her badly. She had to get away from him. In her fear she reached down and tore at her dress where it was stuck and she ended up ripping the hem badly. Marewen stepped backwards slowly trying to leave. She silently prayed she wouldn't fall over something again.

"Please, I-I'm sorry. I-I shouldn't be here." Marewen turned and ran into a low hanging branch that nearly took her head off.

Studying her while the torchlight gave him a better view, he deduced that she must be some helpless little whore. She's small, she looked terrified, and obviously looked as if she never traveled in the woods before. The moment she tore her dress at the hem, slowly backing up so to create distance between them, Vestar knew it....he knew she was going to make a run for it but from what he witnessed, he couldn't just let her go.

Hey....I'm telling you now, girl. Don't you even think about- Before he could finish, he watched her turn to run but he didn't make a dash after her because of the surroundings he memorized when he reached her. Watching her run into the low branch, causing him to run after her to to grab her from trying to get away and hurting herself even more. Rushing to her, Vestar spoke Foolish cunt, I told you not to run! he said to her going to grab her.

Marewen felt his arms tighten around her and she remembered the other two vikings and she didn't scream even though she wanted to. Her mind raced. How could she get him to leave her alone.

Vestar grabbed onto her after her clumsy moment. Can you walk? I'm taking you back to my camp. he declared to her.

The viking had let her loose around the waist but not her wrist. Marewen was stubborn and dug her heels into the dirt and she ended up skidding. Finally she let herself drop as if dead. She hoped he would give up and leave her.

While first pulling her along, Vestar could feel the shift in her weight and looked back. With an aggravated growl, he stopped and looked at her. Okay then. If you want to behave like a child, I'm going to treat you like one. Still holding her wrist, he used his strength to pull the rest of her body and scooped her off the ground to carry her like that of a neanderthal. From there, he started to walk back to his camp so to figure out what this girl was doing in the middle of the woods as dark as it is.

Marewen shrieked and started pounding on his back. She was very opposed to his hand on her legs just under her rear end. In the dark he wouldn't know her embarrassment at her position. If he recognized her what would he do? She stopped hitting him and decided to hope for an opportunity to get away. After a few minutes they entered his camp. After he set her down she looked around and kept her eyes on him. She put her hands over the flames to warm up. It had gotten cold these last couple of nights and she was hoping for some warmth. She kept her cloak up as she peered at him.

"Who are you Viking?" She'd never heard anything good about them. Her father painted them as murderers and villains. She rubbed her wrists.

Right after setting her down, Vestar noticed he never got his water. It was okay though. He still had a sack of wine. He would just water the next morning if this girl didn't just run off by that time. He was quiet the whole time during his travel to the camp and even after they've made it. Moving the cooked meat, he looked over at the woman while she got closer to the flame to warm up.

Turning to grab onto dinner, Vestar looked out the corner of his eyes when she asked him a question. He didn't answer her at first. He just turned his head to look into her eyes and then her body and turned back around to pull the piece of cooked meat so to give it a little taste to be sure it cooked thoroughly.

Who was this girl and why would she be out here in the first place? Most women would never come through the woods like that unless they were accompanied by someone or running away from something. Vestar didn't really care about her backstory right now. He was hungry and nothing else mattered.

Marewen sat like the proper lady that she had been raised to be. Unsure of what to say to him she asked him. "What are you planning to do with me? My father says Vikings are unholy killers." She was trying to rub the dirt off of her hands and her shoes.

Vestar gave a heavy sigh and picked up the other stick with the other hare on it and walked over with his own dinner towards her to take a seat. I guess you won't be shutting up anytime soon... he commented while holding out dinner for her to take. I don't give a Fenrir shit about what your father says. and for my plans...I have none...but what I want to know....is what the hell are you doing out here? Judging by the way you look and speak, it's like that of royalty or privileged lifestyle. Who are you?

Fear shone on her face and she pulled her cloak as far down over her face as she could. She had a chance if no one recognized her. Choosing her words carefully she spoke. "My name is not important. I'm no one. I just need to get as far away from North Umbria as I can. Can you help me with that?"

The one side of her face hurt from the harsh treatment she had gotten earlier from the other vikings. She put her hand up to it and could feel the heat from the inflammation. Maybe if it was swollen enough it would help her disguise herself she thought. Her stomach rumbled loudly and she looked longingly at the food he was holding out to her. She reached out and took it daintily from him and she ate as if she was trying not to get her hands dirty. Marewen nearly cried out in surprise at how good the rabbit was. Once finished with it she tossed the bone into the bushes and pulled out a handkerchief and wiped her face and fingers on it. She felt his eyes on her. "What?"

He could see she was trying to hide herself. If that was not a hint that she's someone important, then he's a fool. Get away? Why? he asked. he was not agreeing with anything unless she gave him answers. At least he'd know what he's dealing with if he was to agree to help her.

He continued to study her for a moment after she took the food and started eating. he could see the red of her cheek. Looked a bit swollen. Someone recently attacked her and if he had to guess, it was more than likely no more than a few hours ago. Besides that, he stared at her body for a while before she responded to it. He looked at her face, which she still tried to keep covered. You say your name is not important and that you're no one but everything you continue to do helps me further my suspicion and confirm that you could be of royalty. Your body....even though it's petite and tempting to ravage, you're weak looking. I bet you have never worked a day in your life. I doubt that you're a whore who gives her body. Are you running away from family?

At his words she realized he was much more observant than she had first realized. At home the attention she got was usually on her appearance and manners. She was not used to being scrutinized so. She inhaled deeply as if insulted when he declared her weak and not a whore.

"Well, you are correct. I'm not a whore." She put her fingers to her hood and slowly pulled it down revealing her golden light brown hair. She raised her face so he could see her clearly. The slight redness went across the entire right side of her face. "I was attacked by a pair of vikings earlier. Luckily for me they became overly indulgent and drank themselves into a stupor. I escaped then."

"Will you help me?"

He may be a foul mouthed cocky warrior who has a temper and loves to fight but he's not a brainless buffoon. To have survived this long practically alone, he had to have good survival instincts and use his mind to get through life day by day so of course he needed to have good observational skills.

With her revealing her face and hair, she definitely was attacked and with what she told him, he was correct. He didn't know if these vikings were trying to sell her or what but if this girl really needed his help, he didn't have anything more important to do. Depends... will you pay me for protection?

Marewen had to be careful how she answered this question. If she said yes he might just rob her and kill her and if she said no he would likely leave her in the woods to be food for the wildlife.

Nodding. "Yes, I can arrange that. We have to stay away from soldiers and cities. No one can know who I am."

Marewen's fear showed on her face and she pulled her cloak down and pulled her one comfort out of her small bag, her hairbrush. It was cherry wood with a delicate inlay of gold around the edging. It had a calligraphy written M on the inside of the brush handle. The bristles were made of the finest course hairs. Not paying attention to his expression she started to brush the knots out of her long hair. Her scalp was going to hurt when she was finished she was positive.

Hearing her answer, Vestar stared at her intensely I don't care if you pay me by coin or with your very own body but as long as I get my payment and it's of real value, we won't have a problem when this is over. he tossed his finished dinner into the bushes and pulled out a sack of wine, taking a few swings before, holding it out towards her.

The brush she pulled out looked very fancy. The calligraphy written M on it, caused Vestar to wonder what he was starting to debate in his mind about her. No...she couldn't be. A royal girl out in the woods this far with fear of being seen by soldiers and the want of staying away from roads and out of sight. If she is the princess, who is to say that there will not be people looking for her. His job was to simply help her, not ask questions about her personal life. For the time being, he kept quiet about that.

Here...drink this. It should settle you for the night. When we move out in the morning, we will travel south. Unless you have somewhere else in mind to go, girl?

Marewen nodded and took the cup and put both hands around it. Her hair was finally detangled and she'd shoved her brush back into the bag. "Coin, I will pay with uh gold coins, not my body." She couldn't help that she was both intrigued and frightened of him. She had no idea that the way she looked at him said much more than her words did. He could tell that she was attracted to him but she had no idea that he could tell that. She lay down near the fire and curled up in her cloak.

Taking a moment to sip the drink she coughed hard. "Is this whiskey?"

Continuing to watch her every move, he let go to let her take the drink. Even though she claims that she would just pay him in coin and not her body, something tells him that if it came to it, he could still get both and not by force either. Was she being coy towards him? Who knows but he's been with enough women to know when a woman has some interest in him.

This was going to be an interesting agreement especially during their travels to get her to wherever she's wanting to go. By the time she laid down, Vestar went back to getting his sharpener so he could continue sharpening his blades. Her cough and question caused him to smirk. It's better than elk piss... he simply answered in a joking manner.

Marewen had heard tales of men using liquor to get women into bed from her maid. She pushed the cup back. "Thank you but no. I don't drink alcohol." She rolled over and stared into the fire. She was so tired, but could she trust him? She was afraid to fall asleep. Eventually her eyes closed of their own accord.

@king tai

Uffr strode into the dark musty room, slightly smelling of Mead and uncontrollably smiling. He nodded at Askel before speaking.

“Where are we with the plan? What's the goal? And who's going?”

Aksel looked up at Uffr and smiled in anticipation of the event. Pointing at the crudely drawn map of the area he said.

“It’s actually going to be an easy raid. Good practice for the tougher ones we get later. I think most everyone is planning on going. Some will branch off to the little village of Oakshire in case they have back up fighters there but the city of Watford is surrounded by woods on three sides.”

Aksel stepped back and took a long drink of his mead and looked back at his friend.

Uffr smiled, “If need be I'll take my crew to the Village, search and take anything there, and move to support your forces here.” He pointed to the city. “I haven't see the city first hand but there will be a wall at the city, be wary.”

“I was already talking to Sven about that. We should be fine with a battering ram. It’s a wooden gate.” Aksel almost chuckled out loud. “He also said that from past fights that the stone wall isn’t as sturdy as it once was so climbing it might not be advisable in all areas.”

“A ram is an option, but remember that the English are archers, the ram will be exposed. No way to fit it into a wall. I suggest encircling the city and watching for openings, slowly taxing the population. It's not like we're on a schedule… are we?” Uffr took a generous gulp of the sweet Mead.

Aksel thinks about it for a moment and says, “If we use a shield wall to cover the ram though it would be much faster and likely less arrows in our asses.” He chuckles.

“Your men, not mine, I've found that an arrow can tear a wall apart. If you're going to do this I recommend using your archers to suppress the ‘ramparts’ that way the English won't poke out at you.”

“Good suggestion. We’ll definitely do that.” He turns and slaps Uffr on the back. “So my friend, what say we find what else there is for fun this evening.”

As they walked out of the main hall they saw that there was singing and dancing going on inside the outpost itself. “Aha! Now this is more like it!” Aksel said grabbing the waist of a pretty shieldmaiden and dancing with her. “Uffr, join in!”

Uffr made his way into the hall, that same smile on his face. He stood at the edge keeping his eye out for a girl who caught his eye. His men would always joke and say “There's Uffr scouting the field as always” Suddenly a woman caught his eye and he fought his way into the chaos, grabbed her and joined in the festivities.

@sirkaithethird

Reidun awoke to Aksel’s foot nudging her. “We go.” He said and walked away towards the others. She had everything ready the night before and had been so excited that she had barely slept. She wanted to see more of this place and it’s gutless men she intended to put down. Grabbing her shield she stood and murmured to Conall.
“Conall, we go. You must rise now.” With that she followed Aksel.

Aksel pulled a couple of men aside and sent them ahead to take out the guards at the guard tower on the way to the city. Reidun watched as those men ran off ahead.

Isgred slept surprisingly well, after some dancing and drinking and flirting. ‘Alone, but at least well rested now,’ she thought with a frown. The sun wasn’t up yet, but everyone in the outpost was already busy preparing for the raid. The fighters were sharpening their weapons, checking their shields, braiding their hair and beard. The archers were pulling their strings and making sure the fletching on their arrows is in a perfect condition.

She passed amongst them towards the tent where healers gathered. Isgred herself didn’t have much to prepare, she just braided her hair so it doesn’t get in the way when leaning over someone, grabbed her staff, a small dagger and her own satchel of healing equipment and she was good to go.

It was surprising how different people reacted to those few hours before a large battle. Some were like stone carved statues, not letting any emotions show, others were trying to mask their fears with hectic activity or choked laughter. Isgred was somewhere in between – she wasn’t worried, because as all vǫlur, she knew how and when she was going to die. And it wasn’t here and now. But she couldn’t help but to show excited smile, when the sun finally rose above the horizon and groups of men started to leave the outpost to fulfill tasks assigned to them.

“Here we go,” she whispered with a grin, her hand clutching the staff.

---

Cenwulf on the other hand felt like he didn’t sleep at all. When he finally dealt with all the problems of the encampment, the patrol schedule, some disciplinary punishments for men who disobeyed orders, and other funny things like that, it was over midnight. It was then when Osmund quietly sneaked into the tent, all covered in mud and dirt.

With a tortured moan, Cenwulf opened his eyes. “Did you find out anything useful?”

“Yes, sir, they seem to be planning to march in the morning. Probably directly on Watford. But there was a large celebration with lots of drinking, so they might sleep in a bit.”

Cenwulf thought about it for a moment. It was possible, but unlikely. From his experience with these heathens, there were two things they were ready to do at any time – drinking and fighting. Better to be prepared. He was still unsure whether to draw his soldiers back into the city and defend it from the inside, or to meet the raiders in the open field before they even get close to Watford.

He had some small cavalry unit, which would come useful fighting in the open field, but only when used in the right time and place. The Northmen didn’t use horses when fighting, but they weren’t stupid and knew how to defend against them.

Going back into the city would mean a safer spot for his men, easier to defend, especially for the archers who could take advantage of the higher ground on the walls. But that would also mean leaving the rest of the area free for looting and pillaging, not even talking about the risk of Northmen just sitting around the city and waiting for it to starve out. And a city under siege, full of hungering people, that was not something Cenwulf was eager to experience.

He decided to wait and see what the enemy comes up with. “Wake me before dawn,” he told to Osmund. Now, being awoken before dawn, just as he wished, he would give anything to just go back to bed and sleep for a few more hours. Or days. But duty always calls.

---

Harek sat at the edge of the camp and stared out into the woods in the direction of the village. He hadn’t bothered himself with learning any of the tactics that they were going to use today, his job was just going to be to follow orders and kill englishmen. That was all he was good at anyways. He was destined, or doomed, to spend his life fighting in these wretched isles.

Grabbing his sword from where it lay next to him Harek stood up and stretched, reaching his arms as high as they would go. He slowly started to walk through the camp waking up any stragglers who had yet to rise. After he had checked the tents he went looking for something to eat. While most men couldn’t stomach a meal before a fight, Harek knew it would be no different getting stabbed hungry or full.

Harek had found some men who had caught a few rabbits to eat that were willing to share with him. He had sailed with a couple of them before and they begin to tell stories. They spoke of past heroics and fallen comrades. They also comforted the more green members of the group, telling them that the weak English couldn’t even break Viking skin. Of course this wasn’t true, everyone knew that, but it stopped them from thinking of death. After a while of conversation and terse laughter Harek left to go prepare for battle. He began to walk to wear a stream was not too far away to bathe and relax before the battle. Before he lost himself.

@Wick @pandapolio

Reidun ran past the guard shacks on the way to the castle walls. She noticed that the walls had cracks in it in places but it still looked plenty strong. Most of the men went round the front to the gates. Some were going to ram it til it broke while others were going to defend the others.Some of the men were archers although there were a lot more axe and swordsmen in the viking group. Carrying her shield and weapons she ducked underneath a tree near the back and looked for anything to use to her advantage. The walls were about twenty five to thirty feet high. She spotted a sewer grate but that was all. She started to head to the front but was stopped mid thought.

Looking at the grate she got closer. Reidun smiled and waved those closest to her over. Harek and Conall were close enough to see her. She called them over.

“Look here. We can pull the grate off. The mortar is damaged badly. With a little muscle it should pull out and we crawl through and walk right in.” She grinned.

“Great idea” Conall said running towards the grate Conall with a wide smile. Laying down his axes he grabbed and threw the grate out of the way. Waving for Harek to follow him he shouted “Better keep up old man, unless you want me to get all the glory.”

Harek jogged after Conall into the sewer grate cursing at him quietly. “Why do we have to go the sewer? I know you always smell like this, but some of us want people to be able to breathe around us.” As they got further into the sewer the ceiling got smaller and smaller, making Harek kneel down close to the ground. If he were any taller he would have to get down on his knees and crawl.

Conall a little irritated at Hareks last remarks looked back replying “Well I figured you would be at home here considering the amount of shite that comes out of yer mouth.” After finishing that last bit Conall turned around only to hit his head on the ever shrinking ceiling. “Argh! Whose idea was it to make me go through this small tunnel?”

Reidun chuckled. “Mine! Now hurry up all I can see is your arses in front of me.” Looking at the ceiling she asked Harek, “Is it still getting smaller up there? I hope not. I’d do it but someone will pay if I have to crawl through shit to kill them. Although….I can’t wait to see Aksel’s face when we are there to let him in.” She grinned widely and chuckled softly.

Harek was about to answer when the sewer took a tight turn and he came upon a grate. It was right above him and it appeared to lead into a dark room. Harek turned to the others and held up a hand, telling them to stop. After waiting a few seconds trying to listen in on the room he rubbed his hands together. He reached up and grabbed the bars, pushing them up. They gave a bit of leeway, but didn’t come off. Harek brought his arms down and after taking a deep breath hit upwards. His palms hit the edge of the grate and dislodged it from its spot in the ground. After pushing the grate aside Harek pulled himself up and moved to the door.

Conall being the next to make it out of the hole moved quickly to the same door he saw Harek waiting at. Moving to the other side of it so that each of them were on different sides of the door. Conall stood gripping both his axes itching for a fight. Looking over to the grate he waited for the rest of the raiders to come out before charging. After the last of the warriors came out into the room Conall looked over to Harek with a smirk. “What do you say Harek old pal on three we kick down the door and raise hell?”

“How about you go be a distraction, and Reidun and I will go open up the gate. After that I’ll join you in the fun.”

“Ay sounds fair enough”

“3...2..” Without waiting for one they both kicked at the door, nearly knocking it off its hinge. Letting Conall go first Harek took off in the opposite direction and set off towards the gate. After a few paces he began to move at a brisk walk and put on a helmet he saw laying on the ground. If you acted like you belong people will think you belong.

Reidun followed Harek and Conall out into the outer edges inside the castle walls. There were lots of soldiers around and only the three of them inside so they had to hurry. “If anyone looks at us they are going to recognize us as outsiders.” Once close to the gates she looked up and saw people on stairs leading up to the towers. Reidun knew there had to be a way to get to the gate itself but there were too many guards there in case the gates broke.

“Well hello boys, “ she murmured as she ran up behind the soldiers and started her attack. It wasn’t long before men were falling at her feet.

Conall knew he had to draw the attention of most of the guards so that both Harek and Reidun could open the gate. Conall yelled at the top of his lungs [color=green]“Come on ye gutless fools! Who wants to meet their end at the hands of the great Conall?’ Turning, he quickly and efficiently placed an axe into the back a poor soldier running to the gate. Removing the axe Conall took off running, carving a path of destruction through a cluster of homes near the wall. As Conall ran through the houses he could be heard shouting phrases and curses in a strange language that Harek could barely pick out words from his times spent with Conall.

Harek watched Reidun take down the two guards and Conall go stampeding off yelling obscenities. He quickly sprinted up the steps of the gate house. He met a guard on the way up and shouldered a guy in the knees. The man flipped over him and fell down the stairs. After reaching the top of the stairs he saw the winch for the gate and two guards standing next it. Harek threw his helmet at the first guard and rushed the second one. He pulled out his sword and stabbed the man through his stomach. Spinning around he slashed the other man in the chest. Rushing over to the winch he began to crank it.

Reidun watched as Harek ran past her jumping over the carnage she had left all over the ground. Just as Harek got to the winch a soldier shot an arrow at him and Reidun happened to see it and jump in front of it just in time blocking it with her shield. Rolling to her feet she jumped straight into an attack on the closest soldier who appeared to fight better than some of the others. Ducking his swipes at her with a sword she bashed him with her shield and then parried and clipped him in the side with her axe. As he fell he seemed shocked that it was a woman to take him down. Reidun spit on him and kept right on fighting.

As Harek cranked the gate open Reidun stayed with him to protect him while he was busy. When the gate opened up and the others raced in Aksel caught sight of them and started laughing. As he passed and went into the fight he clapped Harek on the back and laughed. Reidun grinned and ran towards Conall to help him, as if he might actually need it.

Conall was tearing through any and all men that would dare try and challenge him. Anyone who could come across him would surely be shocked at the amount of bodies that were already left at his feet. Though to be fare his size and ferocity in battle was often enough just give most new recruits a heart attack. “Can any of ye offer up a real fight?” Conall shouted out to the defending army wanting a real fight. Seeing Reidun run up to where he was currently he said “Glad to see you and Harek could get your part of the job done. Come to join in on the fun Have you love?” after finishing his question Conall ducked letting a sword pass right over him as he planted his shoulder in to the poor man's stomach. Standing up he hurled the man over his head and forcing him to his back. Just as the man had the wind knocked out of him Conall planted his axe square into his chest.

Reidun joined straight into dropping the enemy ducking and staying out of Conall’s way. She answered him with a grin. “I can’t let you have all the fun! You should have seen Aksel’s face!” She laughed as she planted an axe in the chest of her current enemy and continued forward in her reign of slaughter on the soldiers. She looked up and saw a child of no more than two or three standing in the middle of the battlefield. Reidun barrelled through the people between her and the child. She scooped it up blocking with her shield as she did. The child screamed and cried for its mother as she ran it to the side of a building.

“Where is your mama?” She asked the toddler. It pointed towards a building and she kicked the door in. A young woman screamed and ran forwards and dropped to her knees in front of Reidun.

“Please don’t hurt my child!” Reidun gave her the toddler back and looked at the older men and women as the children in the room and ordered them. “Bar this door behind me!” Reidun went back out to fight and she made sure that the vikings left that building alone.

Conall while commenting on it, had seen what Reidun had done making him smile. It was good to see that she wasn't a mindless killer like some of the raiders who left not even innocent women and children alive. Turning his attention once more to the battle Conall laid to waste the rest of the guards that were near him. After the last one fell Conall seemed satisfied by his work as he waited for Reidun. To catch back up.

Harek had been watching a few minutes of the battle making sure the didn’t get ambushed. After he was confident there were no surprises at the moment he decided to go looking for the English commander. Harek began to move at a light jog towards the main hall of the keep, calling a few men to follow him as he went. As they went down the road and left the chaos of the gate they came upon a squad of soldiers about twice their size heading the opposite direction. After a few seconds of surprised silence Harek pointed his sword at the other group, “Let’s get em boys!!!”

Charging at the group Harek could feel his blood pumping behind his ears and his vision becoming red. The rage was going to envelope him. Letting out a roar Harek blocked an overhead strike and pushed the man back. He impaled the fallen man and slashed the back of a man who was facing the other direction. Spinning he cut the ankles of another man and stabbed another through the chest. The rest of the fight was a blur of death and screaming.

Isgred was too busy to be able to enjoy the battle and Englishmen dying, because there were plenty of injured Vikings who needed her attention. The truth was that running around the battlefield and patching up men was a bit scary. The songs always told stories of great battles, weapons swinging, men covered in blood of their enemies, enjoying the glory in the name of the Gods. But none of the stories mentioned the horrible smell of ripped out guts, screams of men trying to put their intestines back inside or trying to put their shattered bones back together.

She was used to blood, injuries and things related to them, but the sheer amount of people screaming here was overwhelming. Isgred forced herself to shut the caring part of her mind off, letting herself be controlled by the practical and pragmatic part. Patching up one man and going right next to another. Skipping the ones that were beyond her help.

Someone grabbed her ankle and she turned around with a dagger in her hand. It was a dying English soldier, very young, quietly begging her for something, whether it was water or help or a quick death she couldn’t say. “Let go of me,” she growled and shook his hand off. She sure as hell wasn’t going to waste her efforts on treating enemies.

She could hear there was still some fighting in the city, but it seemed to be only small isolated skirmishes with the remains of the defenders. It seemed safe enough to enter the city.

Colab with @Wick @Pandapolio @Raylah

Cenwulf jumped up, absolutely confused about what was happening or where he was. At least he attempted to jump up, but as soon as he lifted his head off the ground he got dizzy and fell back down with a painful moan. He noticed some men around him, one of them turned around to Cenwulf and put a finger over his mouth. Cenwulf figured out that he should be quiet, but for the love of God couldn’t remember why.

What the hell happened? he thought, closing his eyes trying to remember. There was a battle, right. They were inside the city, defending it from the attackers, and being quite successful at it, the English archers keeping the enemies at a safe distance from the city walls. Then something changed and suddenly the city was swarming with the enemies. How did they even get inside? Did someone from the city open the gates for them? Who would be so stupid to do that?

Cenwulf remembered that he was fighting, taking out two Norsemen with his sword, trying to rally the rest of the soldiers to his side. Another yelling demon came at him, swinging an axe. Cenwulf quickly ducked and tried to use the man’s speed against him and cut open his stomach, but the Viking was too fast and jumped away. They stared at each other for a bit, and Cenwulf realized the man was smiling, enjoying the fight and all the bloodshed around him. “Such animal,” he mumbled to himself and attacked.

They exchanged a few swings but none of them was able to penetrate defense of the other. Situation changed rapidly when two other raiders showed up and ran towards them. Cenwulf cursed and turned to run, trying to get to the group of his men. He wasn’t a coward, but he wasn’t stupid either, and fighting against three men and whoever else might come as well didn’t seem like a smart move.

That was pretty much the last thing he could remember. He touched the back of his head and stared at the blood dripping off his fingers.

“One of those demons threw an axe at you.” A quiet familiar voice whispered somewhere behind him. Cenwulf wiggled his body to try and see who was talking to him. “You can get up but be careful and more importantly quiet. Some of them might still be around.”

Cenwulf grunted quietly and sat up. It took all his will just not to pass out. He could feel the blood still running from the wound on his head. Finally, he could look around and with a surprise realized that they weren’t inside the city, but at the edge of a forest somewhere southwest from it. “Osmund, how did I get here?” he whispered, seeing the young scout sitting next to him.

“When they went through the gates, I saw it was a lost cause and sent some men in to gather whoever they could and get them out of the city. There are some ways to get in and out without being seen, that is also probably how the Norsemen got inside. The council should have them guarded, but apparently they underestimated the enemies.”

“We all did,” Cenwulf shook his head. “Losses?”

“More than half of the men are dead, and a large part of the ones who are left are injured. Civilian losses weren’t so high, it seems that the raiders spared some of the citizens and most of the women and children.”

Hmm, who would have thought. From what he had seen from the raiders they didn’t seem to have that kind of compassion. “What do we do now?” He asked but a second later he realized that it was stupid of him to ask that question. He should be the one answering it, not asking. The truth was, he had no idea what to do. Some general I am, he laughed sadly, but then a thought crossed his mind. “They don’t know we are here, right? We can sneak through the forests to get into their backs?”

Osmund nodded hesitantly. “We could, I mean they aren’t being much careful with putting guards and lookouts around their positions.”

“So we could take what men we have left and go to, let's say, their outpost on the other side of the river?”

Osmund’s eyes widened with surprise when he saw where the general’s thoughts were heading. “They left a few men behind to guard it, but it might work. They are busy looting the city now and will take them some time to gather all the things they want to steal.”

“Exactly. Gather every man who can walk and fight and lets give these heathens something to think about.”

“What about your injury?”

Cenwulf shook his head. “Just patch it up, I will be fine.”

---

Cenwulf crawled through the forest as quietly as he could, flinching at every twig that snapped under the feet of him or the men around him. They could see the outpost now, it was not more than a camp with a low palisade of sharpened logs. Their target was on the river bank in front of the outpost – twenty longships pulled on the sand, with their diabolic figurines looking out towards the attackers. Cenwulf nodded at the archers and three men guarding the ships went down silently, punctured by several arrows each. There were about thirty men wandering around the outpost, but so far none of them has noticed the incoming group of English soldiers.

Another two Vikings were coming towards the river. Cenwulf, Osmund and three other men snuck past them and on general’s mark all jumped up, grabbing the heathens and slitting their throats. Satisfied smile appeared on Cenwulf’s face. Still undiscovered, the group surrounded the first ship. Osmund took out flint and steel and set a small torch on fire. Four more torches lit up and men spread out to other ships.

The tar-impregnated wood caught on fire incredibly quickly. Cenwulf heard commotion from the outpost, his men pretending to attack to provide diversion. He quickly ran to another ship and put his torch to its hull. Soon the flames spread out to the rigging and the ship was burning like a huge torch.

The Norsemen finally noticed that the real danger lay behind them, but by that time the riverbank was full of burning ships. Osmund grabbed the general’s shoulder. “We have to go!” he gestured towards a large group of angry heathens running towards them.

Cenwulf frowned, seeing that there were still a few ships intact, but knew there was no point in staying and dying here. He and his men quickly darted towards the forest. Two of three Norsemen that tried to follow them were greeted by arrows flying from the dense vegetation, so the others quickly changed their mind about pursuing the attackers and rather ran towards the burning ships, trying to save what could be saved.

The strike team joined with the others and disappeared into the woods, having the undoubtable advantage of knowing the area better than the invaders ever could. Cenwulf looked back at the outpost, finally feeling some satisfaction. It couldn’t erase the feeling of failure from not being able to defend the city, but it at least made him feel little bit better. Now he knew how to fight them, or at least try to make their lives living hell until they decide this land is not worth the effort.

“We will see who the loser is before this game is over,” he mumbled.

Vestar stayed up for a few more hours after the English royal girl fell asleep. He had his fair share of English women but the royals were usually a pain in the ass. Drinking a bit more and staring at her, Vestar wondered if he should trust her since he's heard from other vikings that the royals look down on his kind. It's been rumored that they are comparing Vikings to savages or barbarians.

The more he thought about it, the more he wondered if this girl would pull a fast one on him if they managed to run into English guards and fuck him over. Now, he was starting to get pissed at the possibilities. Drinking didn't make things any better. Doubt has now reached his mind. If this girl turns out to be a pain in his ass, he was not going to make things easy for her.

Drunken, concerned, and pissed, Vestar mumbled curses from his lips before laying down himself giving the girl one last glance before closing his eyes.

The next morning, Vestar woke up violently like he has for the last 8 years being on his own thanks to the nightmares and experiences of nearly being killed in his sleep. He wakes up, quickly sitting up looking around with his axe at hand ready to cut someone down. Breathing heavy and noticing the girl was still there, a grunt escaped his lips, followed by him staggering to get up from his sitting position, feeling the hangover.

He had a few staggering steps at first before straightening up and walked towards the nameless girl, which he still has a problem with, and stood over her to give her a rough nudge on her back with his foot. Nameless whore, get up! He growled.

Marewen jerked awake at his sudden movement. When she opened her eyes and saw him standing over her with an axe she scrambled into a panicked backwards crabwalk. Her face was stricken with fear and she grabbed the nearest rock, about the size of her fist, and threw it at him. The rock hit him squarely in the jaw. Marewen turned quickly and started to run.

If he was not already in a bad mood this morning, things just escalated. Yes, she was now up but the morning greetings of a rock to the jaw, gave a hint as to how this journey would go with this English royal bitch. Vestar grunted from the rock to the face. With the back of his hand rubbing his lower jaw, Vestar watched the girl run off.

You stupid WENCH!! Vestar shouted before pursuing her with his axe still at hand. He stumbled a little on the first few steps because of his rage but then gained footing and made a dash for her.

Marewen glanced over her shoulder as she ran through the woods. The adrenaline was pumping and she heard a horse neigh just beyond the trees ahead. Then she heard Bastien's voice. Stopping dead in her tracks was harder than she thought and she nearly burst through the bushes. She stopped for less than two seconds before turning around and almost running straight into Vestar. Dodging him with tears in her eyes she ran back to his camp and covered up with his blanket. The terror of Bastien or his men finding her was enough to make the enemy look inviting. Even a large hulking man with an axe who was angry with her was preferable to her father's men.

Marewen was shaking in fear. She couldn't seem to stop. All she could picture in her mind was Edgar's face and the dead child at his feet. A memory that she couldn't shake no matter how long she lived. She could hear Vestar's heavy footed steps as he came back to the camp. Biting her lip with worry she tried not to make any noise.

Vestar had to admit, the girl ran pretty fast but he'd chase her to the ends of the earth to catch her. With her sudden stop and shifting to dodge him, Vestar heard some men nearby but didn't pay them any mind since his focus was still on the girl. He noticed that she headed back to camp and he ran back as well but slowed his pace upon seeing her grab his blanket and cover up.

Gritting his teeth and making his way back to the camp, Vestar walked up on the girl that was covered, ripped the covers from her and forcefully turned her around before grabbing her by the bodice of her dress and pushed her roughly up against a tree. You fucking listen to me, you bitch! Hit me like that again and run off, I swear, the moment I catch you, I will ravage you over and over and over again until I break you. Do you understand, whore? If you're quite done with your games, grab some of this shit here so we can leave... Giving her an intense glare while waiting for her answer so he would drop her to start their journey.

Marewen expected him to hit her and when he didn't she wasn't sure what so say so she just nodded. When he dropped her against the tree she suddenly felt so weak in the knees it took her a moment to regain her composure. As soon as she did she walked over to the camp and in her normal slightly superior voice she said. "I told you before, I am not a whore. You scared me, when I woke up you were standing over me with an axe. It was instinct. I'm sorry I hit you in the face. Please forgive me." She did her best to make sure her voice didn't quiver at all. If it did she was afraid he would think her a coward.

Marewen picked up the blanket and folded it and stuffed it into the bag he handed her. She looked around and made sure they didn't forget anything. Remembering something he had mumbled she asked him, "Do we have water? If not ...I'll sit here while you get some." She wanted to appear as normal as possible. She wasn't going to run. There were soldiers just beyond the bushes and they terrified her more than the possibility of being beaten by a very large viking.

Once she was dropped, Vestar continued his glare towards her when she apologized and explained herself. He was still very much pissed that his morning started out this way. He still had his hangover though. He at this point didn't gave a damn about her reasons. He heard men and it was time to get a move on.

With her request for his forgiveness, Vestar didn't verbally answer but he simply pushed her and pointed to the blanket and the other things while he walked over to the horse to untie him from the tree. Vestar turned his head toward the girl. I would have had water if I didn't run into a foolish little girl and wasted my time taking you back to camp with you fighting me. And no...you will bring your arse with me to the creek. I'm not giving you another chance to run nor for those English bastards to find you there and ruin my chances to gain payment.

He walked over to her and grabbed her by her upper arm to pull on her. Come, bring that bag with you! Walking over to the horse afterwards to grab the reins to head to the creek.

Marewen didn't take her eyes off of him. She still wasn't sure that he wasn't going to beat her. Her father spoke of vikings as if they were animals and incapable of human feelings. All she knew was that right now he was her best chance. She did what he asked and went with him and stood quietly as he got the water. She fixed her cloak and shoved her hair into the hood of it so it wouldn't be on her neck.

Her mind went to her escape of the castle and the one thing she didn't have was a place to go. It occurred to her where she should go. Finally, a little relief. She sighed and hoped that he would take her that far. When he turned around she asked him. "Will you take me to King Alfred in Wessex?"

Once getting the water, they started to make their way from the creek. He was not on the horse yet but pulled it along while watching her. Her new request made him stop in his tracks. For a moment, there were silence. Still with the hardened look on his face, he looked her up and down. Wessex? And to the king? Okay, now he was very curious as to who she is. Take you to a king? Why would I do that? Only for a king in these lands to issue my execution and place my head on a stake? I'm not taking you anywhere until you tell me who the hell you really are?

Marewen looked at him and thought for a moment. He couldn't properly protect her if he didn't know who she was. She looked hesitant as she started.

"I am Princess Marewen, daughter of King Phillip of Mercia. My father agreed to trade me as bride to King Harold's son Prince Edgar. I can't marry Edgar. He is -" Marewen visibly shivered with fear. "He is evil like no other. I've seen him strangle a child because he spilled milk. I'd rather die than marry him. If you take me to Alfred he will save me from my father, Harold and Edgar. I know he will." Marewen watched Vestar desperately hoping he would agree to her plan, hoping that he would agree that it would work. Nervously she brushed imaginary lint off of her cloak.

Listening closely when she finally introduced herself, Vestar's expression slightly changed with his eyes widening. He was not particularly angry that she's a princess but her reasonings of leaving and needing protection was just absurd.

After her explanation, Vestar just stared at her for a moment. Then a burst of laughter escaped his lips, a hearty laughter that she would hear from him for the first time. Tell me you are not serious, girl... Was she that naive? Vestar continued to laugh a bit more and started coughing and tried to catch his breath. He looked at the poor girl and shook his head nearly taking pity.

Marewen crossed her arms, hoping on some level that his laughter wouldn't hurt her by making her feel stupid. It didn't work and when he laughed at her she got angry with him and she jutted her chin out just a little bit and clenched her fists.

"Of course I am serious. Why are you laughing at me?" She couldn't help but admit to herself that her rescuer had a deep throaty laugh that made her stomach do flips and she couldn't allow herself to stare at him for too long because his physique made her blush to her toes. Luckily for her, this time it worked to her advantage. It just made her look pinker in the face, angrier, more upset… "He has to help me. Alfred is a good man."

Vestar didn't care how upset she became from his laughing. He just couldn't believe how naive she was being. "Why am I laughing? You truly are naive, girl. I would think that ones of royal families would know the rules and laws.

You're probably pondering over my words. I don't give a horse's pizzle how good of a man that bastard is. He can't change your situation. You may be in another kingdom but he has no say nor can he take action against the ruling of another kingdom's affairs. You're of that other kingdom. More than likely, he would just keep you until the proper officials come for you to take you back. That's to keep from having a war with your father. And it goes without saying what will happen to me if they find that I was with you and brought you there. Understand now, Princess Whore?

Marewen paled as he spoke and her desperation shone on her face at the realization that she was truly stuck. She had nowhere that she could go other than leaving the country. Tears filled her eyes and she stood there a moment and when he called her Princess Whore she ran up to him and started pounding on his chest in anger and frustration. The tears fell and she found herself crying in his arms.

"I told you, I'm no whore. What am I to do now? If no one can help me...he will kill me. Edgar will hurt me then kill me. I've already seen him kill innocents. If I am sent back I will take my own life to avoid marrying him. Can I go elsewhere? What about Francia? Would you take me there?" She had been looking at his chest feeling embarrassed to be so close to him and touching his bare skin. She avoided his eyes until she had no choice.

His expression went from amusement to seriousness when she made the expression of realization now knowing the true depth of her situation and how serious things were because of her sort of rebellion. He simply watched her when she rushed over to pound his chest, looking bewildered.

Tears usually didn't move Vestar. Yeah, he took pity on her but he was not going to soften up just because of her outburst and sadness. Well you are on the road to becoming one if you're not going back to your kingdom...or any kingdom at that. If you were to live in some town that gets raided by vikings, that's what you'll eventually become. And yes...more than likely, your future husband could kill you or you can pray that the tyrant spares you.

Being insensitive to her problems, Vestar took a moment to stare down at her while she was in his arms. Still....very pathetic in his eyes, he saw the desperation of wanting to get away. Having no other option but to go to a whole new land. Still staring with seriousness, Vestar gave a heavy sigh. Maybe it was her beauty or that she had the same desperation he had when he was younger, to live and find his father. He looked out to the scenary giving her request a thought. You're asking for much, girl....I'm not guaranteeing that I will take you that far but if you simply want to stay away from these kingdoms, fine. But I have a request...you do whatever I say when I say it while we are traveling. It will mean your life...

Marewen leaned back and nodded. "Whatever I need to do to help keep me from going back." Marewen looked deep in thought and asked, "Do you think the king of Francia would send me back?" In her mind she was now unsure it was not her fate to die at Edgar's hands. Her whisper to Vestar would have gone unnoticed by others nearby it was so soft spoken.

She laughed derisively "You are so worried about my becoming a whore at some point. Why? Would it upset you if other vikings used me and tossed me aside like I were nothing?" The thought that this could happen made her body shake and her stomach felt like stone as her nerves became even more frayed. "I don't know what to do. What do you think I should do?" She looked up at him as if his opinion was all that mattered in the world.

Vestar slightly nodded while she agreed to his terms. I'm not sure what the King of Francia will do but I doubt he gives a damn about England's affairs. Hell, you could just keep from mentioning that you're an English princess while visiting other lands. Live a normal life like other people.

Vestar felt that she could possibly survive if she didn't just open her mouth about being a princess to people she didn't know. Not many people would know what she looks like but they may have heard of her. Last thing Vestar needed was for her to expose herself and bring forth a legion of demons to chase them to the ends of the earth to bring her back if news reached her home of her location.

Her mention of him possibly worrying about her becoming a whore and asking what he think she should do, Vestar smirked. Hmph...come, girl... He commanded and continued to walk. Vestar was not going to let anything happen to her. Let alone let her turn into a whore but he wasn't going to tell her that. He wanted her to figure out what she wanted to do.

She must've lived her life being nothing but a lapdog and a obedient child for her father and mother, letting them choose how she lives and not choosing for herself. You should choose for yourself what you want...

Marewen walked with him and she chanced a sidelong look at vestar. She wondered if she could really do that. Could she live outside of her kingdom and marry someone of her own choosing if no one knew who she was? What kind of man would keep that kind of secret? Vestar was a viking and he had so far spent a lot of energy speaking to her as if she were a stupid child. Oddly he had not made her feel completely like a child. On the contrary, she felt more like a woman around him than she had any other before.

They walked for quite some time before she said, "To my father I am property to be bartered for the highest price. The prettier the princess the more she is worth. There must not be a lot of pretty princesses around because there have been a lot of princes trying to outbid each other for me." She stated this as fact and not in a vain or bragging way at all.

"I would have been obedient about any other prince no matter how ugly or stupid. It is my duty, what I was born for. Any other prince....my mother and I had agreed that I would not marry Edgar, he is just too vile and a murderer. She wouldn't allow it. My father told Harold that she agreed with him. I believed her."

Marewen continued walking with him. Soon it would be dark again. She felt relieved that she wouldn't be on her own in the dark tonight.
@king tai

Vestar couldn't help but stare at her from the comment she made about her father viewing her as property. Yes, he noticed how beautiful she is and she must've been worth about 10 princesses. But the way her father treated her, willing to give her away to a tyrant, to further his ambition, it sort of lit something inside of Vestar that reminded him of his own father who bred him to fight in his stead and to become a warrior that would carry on his father's name...only to be betrayed and tossed aside when he noticed that Vestar had the potential to surpass him, even when he was the age of sixteen.

Parents...can be pathetic. But if you're definitely serious about not going back, then you don't have to worry about that, girl. That is, as long as you don't do anything stupid while on travel. Plus, you need to learn how to do things like common people.

Once it was getting dark, Vestar looked around, needing to find a place to stop for the night and to make a fire for them. Earlier, they managed to catch 2 fish at a nearby stream before getting deep into the wooded area. I'm making the fire, you set up the camp and you're going to cook. He commanded, basically saying she had no choice in the matter. It was not him trying to be a tyrant like her father, this was more of her needing to learn to survive out in the wild.

Marewen nodded and started unpacking the things in the bag that he had and in the roll she carried. She was mostly thankful that he was there. She wasn't scared if he was with her. The sudden dawning of this hit her with such surprise that she stopped and smiled just a little. Glancing up at Vestar she felt the heat crawling up her skin.

After a moment of two the fire was started and within fifteen minutes it was putting out a lot of heat. Hoping that the scaling of the fish was included in his job she looked over at a bush full of red berries and she walked over and began picking them to go with the fish for dinner.

In the last ten days or so or so she had managed to transform her own appearance. Her finger caught on a thorn from the bush and she looked closer at her hands. They were scratched up and she had bruises on them in some places. Her nail beds were full of dirt. She looked down at her dress and it had some minor tears from the woods and it was dirty, very dirty. There were grass stains on it and on her cloak. Her shoes were even more filthy. She could see the knots in her hair. Her skin had a peachy color to it from the sun. She was certain that her face was dirty and the thought that she was so filthy both appalled her and made her want to laugh. Marewen was really missing her bathtub and her personal maid.The blood ran down from her hand and she stuck her finger tip into her mouth for a moment. Coming back out of the woods with the apron of her dress full of red berries and her finger in her mouth must have looked odd to Vestar because his expression changed immediately upon seeing her.

"What is it?"

Vestar watched Marewen as she set camp up. He just made sure she was starting to do what he commanded. He then turned to his horse to give him an apple for the time being until he was done with cleaning the fish and getting it prepared. With the fire ready, he placed the fish by the fire to start cooking while he found a nice patch area of grass for the horse feed at.

He watched Marewen walk over to the bushes and just stared at her for a moment to see what she was doing. How would she fair in the wilderness. She seemed fine now but could she handle herself if they were separated? Vestar highly doubted it since she lived a privileged life for so long but she was not hopeless.

When she turned back around and came back with the berries and with her finger in her mouth, she didn't look like a princess anymore. Not that she was not beautiful but that she was looking more and more like a commoner and she’d obviously changed a bit.

With her question, Vestar snapped out of staring at her. What's wrong with you? He asked her.

Confused, Marewen stopped and looked at him. "I cut my finger on a thorn. It'll stop bleeding in a moment or so. Other than that I'm filthy and I was thinking that I miss my bathtub and maid. I am thinking that those days are gone so I should get used to it. Do you think this is enough of the berries?"

She dumped the berries into a bowl and looked at the fish. "How do I cook these?" Curiosity made her kneel down to look at them more closely. She thought about them a moment and turned back to him and asked him. "Do we have something to cook them in?"

Hmph! being dirty and cutting yourself is only the beginning so yeah, you better get used to it. You can't hope that the deer and birds will wait on you hand and foot but...if you're worried about bathing, the next village or small town we come near may have an inn for you to bathe. Other than that, you'll have to use the river or lake to wash up. And yeah, that's enough berries.

I have a small pot that should have been with the bag or near it. Check the rest of the items.

While Vestar was assisting Marewen, someone in the shadows was lurking, watching the two while they set up camp and prepared for the long night ahead. This person was staring at Marewen quite a bit but didn't come out of hiding. Possibly waiting for the right time to show themself. Maybe when they fell asleep or right when they started to eat. Vestar had a feeling that they were being watched and even though his attention was on Marewen, he was going to keep his guard up just in case someone really was out there.

Did you find it yet? Once you do, bring it and start on what you were going to do. The fish continued to cook until it was starting to look well done. This time, Vestar had water for them. He was not going to drink any wine or grog that he had as he was not in the mood for it.

As the food finished, Vestar passed the fish to her and the water sack before hearing footsteps coming towards their camp. Vestar grabbed an axe and shot right up from his sitting position. Don't take another step! He said in a deep and menacing tone. Who are you and what is your business here!? This individual looked to be in rags. Thin and messy looking, having his eyes dart back and forth between the two.

"I'm only here for food. I've traveled for a while now. I have no coin, no food, no water. I'm not here to cause trouble." The thin man spoke. "I'm Estmund...my I please join to get warm?"

This man was definitely native of England. Vestar just stared at him, feeling that he couldn't trust anyone. He pointed his axe toward the man and with a stern expression, responded Look, beggar...we don't have enough food or water to go around. We are not generous here. Be gone!

Marewen kept her eyes downcast and stayed quiet. She could only hope that this man had never been to the castle. If he recognized her she was done for. She looked up and when he was talking to Vestar she looked past him into the forest. Was he alone and if so why was he in such bad shape? She studied the man a little harder while he was talking to Vestar.

The man looked rail thin and scraggly but clean and although in dire need of new clothes his nails were clean and he had a gold tooth in the upper right of his mouth. She immediately distrusted the man. Marewen looked up at Vestar and she knew she needed to get his attention.

"M'love I need to speak to you a moment please?" She smiled at him and blushed a little. Taking hold of Vestar's arm she pulled him back with a little giggle meant to throw the thief off. She pulled his neck down to her so he could hear her and so she would look like she was kissing him to the other man. "He is not a beggar. He has gold in his mouth and clean nails. He will rob us or kill us." She reached up and spontaneously kissed his cheek.

As she pulled away from him she chuckled and remarked out loud. "Not in front of our guest!" She blushed at the thought of what it looked like to the man. Where did this come from? She remembered playing with the other children when she was younger and they performed plays but not like this. She had to wonder about her natural skills.

The thin man was about to try and reassure that he was not going to be a problem and try to calm the intense situation but before he could, he noticed the woman call for Vestar. Vestar didn't take his eyes off the man even while being pulled away. Vestar was in the middle of questioning what the hell she was doing when she interrupted him and said he was not a beggar. Explaining what she noticed, and giving him a kiss, Vestar gave her a bewildered but surprised expression.

She was indeed acting but Vestar sort of softened his expression. "I already know..." He said out loud as if he was answering her in a way to not do lewd things in front of guests but it was a hidden 'I already know', telling Marewen that he caught on and saw what she saw as well. He turned back towards the man and wondered to himself if he was alone. Should he go ahead and kill the man now to get this over with and possibly draw out anyone else if there is anyone else so to kill them too?

Vestar was not going to take any chances with this guy. Estmund watched Vestar walk back over while thinking to himself that his 3 comrades along with himself should be enough to take Vestar down. He felt that he should take Marewen to be made into his whore. He didn't recognize her as a princess but despite the dirt around her body, she still had some beauty showing.

Vestar went to grab one of the fish and brought it over to Estmund. My woman felt that I came upon you too aggressively. So, she felt that I should give this to you to make up for my treatment. Vestar commented calmly while holding out the fish for the 'beggar' to take. Estmund stared at Vestar and then at Marewen to see her expression to make sure that this was not some trap. Marewen seemed pure enough to trust and took the fish while at that moment he grabbed it, Vestar grabbed the man's arm, using his strength to pull the man into him to perform a hold like that of a sleeper choke hold, standing behind the thief.

The man struggled against the tree trunk size arms that was squeezing the air passage. You're a thief aren't you? You think I'm foolish enough to let you free only for you to come back while we sleep so to either kill or rob us? You have comrades, don't you!? The man had trouble answering as he started to jam his elbow into Vestar's ribs, hoping, praying that this brute would let him go. Seeing this man fighting and then reaching for something, Vestar had no choice. I won't give you that chance ... He said right before twisting the man's head breaking his neck, killing him while he dropped dead.

Marewen had not been able to take her eyes off of Vestar and the thief. She heard the crack of the man's neck and her spine shivered at a long ago memory. Hearing something in the bushes not twenty feet away she jumped involuntarily towards Vestar and the dead man. "Did you hear that?" Pointing towards the woods she saw the shadows of a person moving.

Marewen wasn't sure what to do so she picked up a stick that looked heavy enough to hurt someone with and she stood close to the fire. She knew that Vestar had to take care of the man in the woods and whatever partners he had. She looked at the dead man and nodded to Vestar. "Go, I'll be here."

Vestar was wondering if the thief had comrades and his suspicious were right upon hearing the movement in the bushes. He looked towards the shadow and noticed Marewen grabbing something. A stick? It seemed pretty amusing thinking a stick would do the trick but oh well, if it made her feel safe...

If you need to dip that stick into the fire to light it, that would give you the edge to keep someone from approaching you. Smirking while pulling out his axe once again, ready for a fight. It's been a while since he last fought someone so, slaughtering someone tonight would help remove the cobwebs in his skills.

I know you're there, if I have to drag you out like prey, I'll make sure your death is slow. Vestar smirked. Something then flew from the shadows, causing Vestar to barely dodge it. It looked like a spear that was thrown but following that, a man came from the same direction the spear was thrown from and pulled out a dagger to attack Vestar.

This was going to be easy, Vestar thought, taking his longer axe to prepare for a swing to the shoulder of the man to end it quickly only for another man to rush out from the side with a sword at hand. Great! Now there were two men to slaughter. Stopping himself from going after the man with the dagger, Vestar weaved out the way from the swings of the sword, parrying it and noticing the man with the dagger coming after him. Vestar rushed him. Using his axe to deflect the thrust us the dagger and wrapped his arm around the neck of the man with the dagger like he did the man he killed moments ago. At the same time, the man with the sword swung it, unable to stop himself from slashing his partner's stomach.

The dagger man cried out in pain while his comrades attention was on him. "I'm sorry! I didn't-" Before he could finish, Vestar swiftly took his axe while the man with the sword was close enough, and with his strength swung his axe downward to embed his blade into the man's skull. While all of this happened, a third person showed up behind Marewen attempting to take her into the darkness. The one who was slashed in the stomach was dying but Vestar needed to check to be sure Marewen was okay.

Marewen was standing with her back to the fire and she was watching Vestar fight, thankful that he was on her side. By the time she heard the last attacker he had a knife at her neck and she could feel the blood as he nicked the skin. She dropped her stick in the fire and put her hands on his arm as the oxygen was being choked from her as he pulled her away.

Marewen needed to do something. She was clearly no match for this man. From what she could feel of him he was bigger than the others were and he was definitely stronger. She managed to reach out and kick the metal pot and send it clanging against the rocks nearby. She tried to scream but he only pulled harder against her neck and she was starting to see spots. Instinct took over and she reached down and grabbed for him but all she got was a water pouch.

The last thing Marewen saw was Vestar's face before she blacked out.

Hearing the metal clanging, Vestar's attention went to Marewen as she was grabbed from behind. Yes, the man was larger than the others and he had Marewen in a position that Vestar couldn’t just charge in to stop this. Yes, this man was more than likely capable to make her pass out and use her as a shield to keep Vestar at bay.

Pulling out his second axe, Vestar started walking towards them as Marewen passed out. I'm going to tell you once...let the girl go and you won't get hurt. If you continue like this, you'll give me no choice but to charge right at you... Vestar told him This was risky, to charge at this man with Marewen still in his possession but Vestar refused to let him take her out of his sights. The man of course was not budging on letting her go and encouraged Vestar to try and attack him while he still had Marewen.

Vestar was confident in his ability but he was so sure about getting back Marewen for another reason. Quietly, Vestar's horse was sneaking up behind the larger man as he got close enough for an attack. Now!! Vestar shouted as the horse got on its hind legs and neighed looking to stomp it's front hooves on the man to make him let go of Marewen.

As Marewen was let go, the larger guy tried to get away from being trampled as Vestar came over to move Marewen away and place her next to the fire. Vestar walked over while the man tried covering up Whoa whoa, Beast! That's enough...the bastard has taken enough of a trampling. Vestar mentioned walking towards the beaten man. He took his axe and held it at the man's neck.

Tell me..are there any more of you pieces of shit around here? He asked the man. With the shaking of his head, Vestar wanted to believe that but he was still skeptical What was your aim here? "We were just going to take some of your possessions and more than likely the girl too and we were going to kill you so you wouldn't come after us!" The man coughed out. I see...and looked what happened...I bet you all thought you were clever but your friends are dead and You're going to join them. The man made an expression of fear.

With a smirk creeping upon his face, Vestar shook his head. I'm feeling generous...maybe you can tell others who are lurking not to fuck with us...can you do that? The man simply nodded while Vestar moved then let the man stand and leave. You know what...changed my mind... Vestar threw the axe towards the man's back, sticking him down and grabbing his other axe from of the skull of the man he killed earlier and finished the job on the larger man Your fate was decided the moment you touched her...

After the bit of excitement, Vestar took Beast and tied him to a branch, giving him a treat for his help and tended to Marewen to make sure she had no other injuries. He figured, maybe they could look for a healer so to be prepared the next time if injuries became a huge issue.

Marewen awoke coughing and it hurt to breathe. Once her vision focussed and she saw Vestar in front of her she lunged forward and wrapped her arms around his neck and hugged him tightly. "Thank you." Her throat was hurting and it felt like she had been choked nearly to death. "Are they all dead?" She asked as she looked around.

Her eyes locked with his for a moment and she felt the attraction between them. Against her own will she pushed herself away from him slowly. "I'm sorry to be so much trouble. I was hoping that he would go away and take his friends with him. I didn't even hear that man come up on the side of the fire." She rubbed at her throat.

Looking at the remains of their dinner she thought how it all seemed to have happened so fast and at the same time dinner was a long time ago already. She busied herself with the cleaning up after dinner, Once that was done she pulled out her brush and began to brush her hair. It was something that had soothed her since childhood and with her hair a mess it seemed appropriate. Afterwards it was getting late and the fire was still blazing but she looked at her blanket and she moved it next to his instead of around the fire from him.

Marewen waited until he lay down and then she snuggled up into him. She was scared now. No one had ever manhandled her the way that that man had. She trusted Vestar. She wasn't sure why exactly but she did and she felt no qualms about snuggling her rear end and the rest of her right up against him and pulling his arms around her.

Marewen turned her head slightly unable to look him in the eye. She didn't want to admit how scared she was now. "Is this alright?"

Vestar was taken by surprise when she moved so suddenly right after coming to. When she hugged him, he had his arms as if he wanted to hug back but he was holding his arms a little awkward as if not knowing what to do now. Yeah...they're dead but you should hug Beast as well. He was the one that got the man to release you. Staring into her eyes, he watched her push herself away and apologized. What did you expect, a thief to play fair? I don't think there are anymore but I'll stay awake if I need to.

Something about this girl made something stir in Vestar. He seemed to feel a bit more protective over her and not out of mere duty to have her travel but pretty much in a sense that he sort of cared about her well being.

While she cleaned up, Vestar looked in the direction where he moved the bodies to and decided not to allow Marewen to travel in that direction, mostly not to let her see the bodies. Vestar was not tired. he still had plenty of energy after the fight he had and laid down only to find Marewen joining him. He looked confused at first but he didn't mind her joining with him. She was probably scared but he was not going to bring it up.

When she snuggled her butt against him, she snuggled right into his groin, pulling his arm around her and couldn't help but feel a little aroused by this. Even with his might, even he couldn't fight off lust and arousal. He gulped a bit and heard her question.

Is this alright? Her ass was up against the crotch of a man who had not had sex in days. If he wanted to be a bastard and not care about her fears, he'd jump on her faster than a male animal during mating season and pull an all-nighter. Yeah... Was all he said giving a sigh that meant he was going to have a long and difficult night.

Marewen couldn't get comfortable. She wiggled and moved trying to shift away from something that was stabbing her. Raising up she moved the blanket looking for something behind her and with the lack of good lighting she touched the ground and found nothing on it but she bumped into him. Slightly perplexed she glanced up at him and back down. Curious at what was between them she reached down and suddenly she realized what it was and her face turned redder than ever before in her lifetime. Her eyes got big and she glanced up at his eyes.

"Oh!" Not knowing what to do she quickly returned to her former position. In her mind all she could think was. Oh my god I'm going to hell. She couldn't help herself she started to laugh just a little bit. She knew he was going to think she was laughing at him so she quickly explained through her laughter.

"I bet that is not a mistake that a whore would ever make. I guess that proves my innocence doesn't it?" Her laughter soon turned into embarrassed giggles. "I'm so sorry..."

Trying to hold back, trying to think of something that would turn him off, trying to keep her from noticing but.....but.....but it was too late. The moment she moved and tried to look at the source of her discomfort, Vestar simply averted his eyes as if he didn't do anything, just waiting on her to figure it out because this bag has already been opened.

When she finally realized, Vestar looked into her eyes and nodded his head as if he said "Oh yeah, you found my hidden weapon." When she got back in the position she was in before and started to laugh and then made her comment, Vestar was at his limit. He reached back around her to take her hand and guide it back to his nether regions so boldly. No need to be sorry....you never touched a man before, have you? If you're curious...I suggest letting your curiosity get satisfied... He brought it up to her to not be afraid to explore him.

In fact, he was ready to explore her as well. He started off with lifting the bottom of her dress to caress her smooth legs. He leaned forward to kiss her neck a little, bringing his hand up her thighs. Don't be afraid... trying to comfort her, tenderly kissing her neck a little more, beckoning her to turn around to kiss her lips as well.

Marewen's giggles stopped and her heart began racing when he pulled her hand into the front of his pants. She gasped the instant she touched his skin. When he kissed her neck and ran his hand up her thigh she turned her body around to face him. She raised her other hand to his on her thigh. Her breathing was ragged as her body's reactions began to cloud her judgement. "I have no idea what I'm supposed to do..." She said breathlessly as his hand slid further towards its destination. Vestar leaned down to kiss her….

For Vestar most women were just a simple fuck and leave but this was different. There was more to this. It wasn't just him taking a woman's virginity, he felt an emotion with her other than lust while they were connecting like this. He was more caring in wanting her to be pleasured than just pleasuring himself. He looked into her eyes the whole time, never allowing them to leave her's. How was that for you?”

Marewen blushed and pulled him closer to her and murmured breathlessly. "It was the most beautiful and incredible thing I've ever been a part of. Is it like that every time? Is it like that for everyone?" She kissed him deeply and kept kissing him repeatedly. She wasn't sure what her emotions were doing to her but she knew the two of them were tied together somehow. Something inside her just knew it.

"Vestar?" It was the first time she had used his name and it sounded odd on her lips. "What if I just lived as a commoner? Could I stay with you?"

He response made Vestar smirk. He was happy that she enjoyed herself. Hell, he loved it too. Her question caused him to avert his eyes. It can be like that everytime and it can get better and better the more you explore. And it's not like that for everyone. Not everyone can experience the same release you had. It varies from person to person. He explained.

He welcomed her kiss and kissed her back deeply, following up with a few kisses to her cheek and neck and hearing her next question that caused him to pause for a moment. To think that a life or death and rescue situation led to this. Vestar didn't regret it but his biggest concern was his goal in life that he still had to accomplish and what will become of them if they stayed together.

He didn't mind her using his name. He had to give this some thought about her staying with him. I think you could live well as a commoner. You'll have much more appreciation of life and the smaller things if you were to live as one. Now...I don't know if you should stay with me. Not that I don't want you near me, it's that I live a very dangerous life and you don't need to be corrupted. I'm going down a path that could lead me to become a monster. I don't want you witnessing that nor risking your life for me...

Vestar never really given a damn about what happened to people. He was bred to be a cold hearted warrior. But...Marewen, as hard as he's fighting with his inner demons, he couldn't bring himself to let anything bad happen to her. He....found her precious. In fact, he was afraid to admit to her and himself that he actually cared about her. This was the biggest obstacle for him.

Marewen stared at him a moment and turned away from his eyes. She didn't want him to see what she was feeling. Her emotions were running wild and she couldn't seem to reign them in. She pushed him off of her although truth be told she would rather he have stayed inside her forever. It was the first time she had felt like someone actually cared for her. She sat up and turned away from him.

"You don't want me with you because you are a coward."

He wondered how she would respond and he knew it was not going to be an understanding response. When she pushed him off, he pulled out of her and moved. He was expecting her to be silent and sighed feeling that this was it for the night.

Her next words hit him like a sneak attack when she called him a coward. I know you weren't going to like my response but hear me....I am no coward. Do you understand? I don't mind being with you but your life, I'm not putting at risk. I'm saying that for your benefit. If you stay with me and I get killed, do you know what will happen to you? He said deepening his voice.

"My life is my own to risk. I risked it coming out here. I risked it running from my father. I can honestly say that for the first time ever I care deeply for someone, if it's not love yet it could be soon. I know that to you virginity is nothing important but in my life it's....almost everything for a woman before she marries. As a commoner it's not as big a deal but it still means something to me. I risked my heart when I gave it to you and you are afraid to risk me thinking you are a monster? Did it ever occur to you that maybe I could be the one to keep you from becoming one?"

Hearing her explain her risks and her feelings about what's important. To think that she would speak to him that way compared to when he first met her. She damn near read him like a book. Virginity was not that important but was something that he'd try to conquer in the past. On top of that, she was right about everything she's done so far. He couldn't take that from her. It was personal demons that was what he feared and drove him this far in life for a single moment of revenge but....before he could aggressively respond back to her, he paused.

Keep him from becoming one and travel down that dark road forever? That never even occurred to him to think that way. In fact, maybe the very thing he tried to suppress and keep out of his heart was what could save him. Vestar, never knew what love was like. He was deprived of it and was trained to lock it away forever and all he filled his heart with was hate, rage, and emptiness.

He wondered what her response would be for this even though he may already know but he wanted to hear this from her very mouth. And how would you accomplish that? I grew up on hate and rage....do you know what my life goal has been since I was 16? I am on a journey to kill the man that nearly threw me away on the side of a mountain....I'm going to kill my father. How are you going to save me from that?

Marewen thought a moment about what he said and a pain was visible in her eyes. "I have come to the conclusion that if someone hurts you deeply it takes a much stronger person to let it go. If your only goal in life is vengeance then he already won. Your best revenge is having a happy and successful life without him." Marewen looked towards a noise she heard near the woods and then back at him.

"If you let me, I could do that with you. I could love you."

Vestar turned his head to think for a moment from her words. she...love him? He never had a mother in his life and killing, hating, and rage never made his life any better. This was not going to be easy to let this go and to live a happy successful life. His personality damn sure would have to change.

Let me think about it... Vestar responded while looking over to the noise. You can be annoying and bring forth unnecessary trouble...but maybe that's your charm. He gave a heavy sigh If something triggers the monster in me while you're trying to keep me from turning, I will tell you that I told you so.. Standing to look towards the woods where the noise came from once again.

Marewen watched as a deer walked out of the woods. Turning back to Vestar she wondered what was happening to her. So much change so fast was still so shocking to her. Someone was actually listening to her opinion and thinking about what she said. Marewen looked up and said, "If I can't then I'll walk back to the castle and let him marry me to Edgar." If nothing else that should tell him how serious she was.

Marewen walked back into his arms and wrapped her arms around him. "I want to have a life with joy and happiness in it. Don't you?" She kissed him and hoped he could tell that there was more to him than just revenge.

Vestar watched the deer walk by while he stood there still naked and relaxed. He just recently met Marewen but already have been through some trials that led to them gaining stronger feelings for each other and possibly a change in destiny. She was not just the other women and unlike the whores he had been with, they never had anything positive or loving to say. Just more lewd talk, perverted speech, and constant fucking. With her stipulation, this showed how committed she was wanting to be with him and make his life better.

Upon feeling her wrap her arms around him, Vestar looked down into Marewen's eyes. After their kiss, he looked away. Show me...show me this other life you're talking about. I'm willing to give it a try but if it does not work, I will continue as I did before and find my father to get my revenge.............but...even if I live a happy life, it may not stop me from raiding like before.

Marewen wasn't sure what he wanted her to show him. "I'm talking about having a family and land and friends. I can't imagine much more that would make one happier. If you don't have to worry about feeding thousands of people or fighting wars or simply trying to keep your family safe from kidnappers I think it would be easy with the right person. My maid said something I'll never forget. She said with love you can do anything."

"Who knows, maybe by then you'll have taught me how to fight and I can go with you on your raids." She smirked at this.

It's that simple, huh? he answered. His own family? land? He believes that she made him more willing to try when she mentioned that she'd join him on his raids if he were to train her. That brought out a small chuckle.

How about this, you lay with me, we get some sleep and we can talk about more of this later. He offered looking at her pale beautiful soft skin. After the night they've had, Vestar had a bit of a different outlook now thanks to Marewen's input. He offered to cuddle with her and if she wanted another round of sex, it was up to her. He went to lay down once more and beckoned for her to join him again, looking up at her, enjoying the view before him.

Marewen smiled softly and walked over to him and slipped into his arms again. Covering them with the blanket she felt his officer rise to attention and she giggled softly and began kissing him in earnest then. It was quite a long while before they got any actual sleep. When they did they were intertwined with each other.

@Wick

After a long night of lovemaking they were awakened by a sword being poked into Vestar's shoulder. Marewen was yanked out of his arms with a loud scream. Bastien looked down at her and his expression was irate. The fifteen men he had with him were further back and didn't see all that he did.

"Princess, it looks like your father will have your wedding after all. He may also have to pay the physician a hefty sum to verify your virginity. Sad really, Gone two weeks and you became a whore to a viking!"

Marewen quickly tied her bodice. She could see the guards with Bastien leering over her partial nudity. Marewen glared at Bastien and said, "Let him go. He was protecting me!"

Laughter full of hate spilled from Bastien's lips. "Who was protecting you from him? He is nothing more than a violent stupid barbarian." Marewen shrieked at being pulled away from Vestar as they started to drag her off towards the castle. "NO! I won't go!"

Bastien picked her up and tossed her like a sack of potatoes over his shoulder. He shouted over his shoulder. "Kill the barbarian!"

"What? NO! Bastien! Put me down you @*%%%* *&&&*** " She screamed.

"Princess, your father will be mortified that you even know that language!" he said laughing as he walked off with her kicking and screaming. Once they got to the road he put her into the carriage and joined her. Her screams could be heard back at the camp.

There was nothing like having a few more rounds throughout the night to fall asleep from. Vestar could have sworn he was having a dream he never had before, involving him having children and living his life to the full. Something stung his shoulder, thinking an annoying bee poked him. That was until he woke up with a blade constantly poking which made him sit up, having the blade now pointing near his throat to keep him at bay.

Vestar looked around at the men who were with this official that seemed to be from the kingdom Marewen was from. He himself was still naked when Marewen was snatched up and getting dressed while having conversation with this fellow. Marewen, who is this bastard! Someone told him to shut up while Bastien spoke. Vestar was not going to take orders from and Englishman, standing up when they manhandled her to take her away, only to get blocked and hit multiple times by several soldiers to keep him from doing anything. He tried to fight back but without his axes and naked while facing armed men, his odds of winning a fight were slim.

Hearing his woman cursing, Vestar tried standing again to fight to get her back. The order being made to kill him, Vestar's eyes widened now, with one of the men starting to take his sword to try and strike Vestar, Vestar rushed within the reach of the man to disarm him and elbowed him in the face before trying to evade the next man that rushed in to attack. Vestar couldn't win this fight. At least not like this. He ran for Marewen's cloak, tried to grab his pants while maneuvering himself to parry a sword of one and kicked him into the others following from behind to trip them up since there were slight slopes and roots where they were. Getting the slip on the few men, Vestar threw the sword upon locating his axes and made a run for it to get space between them and himself. He needed to get Marewen back as soon as possible but he couldn't face an entire military or dozens of officials unless he had his own militia to help him. But was it wise to waste time trying to find men willing to help him get a princess back from her kingdom to live a happy life with her?
@king tai

While running, Vestar still had whatever he could grab in his hands, calling out to his horse. BEEEEAST!!! It didn't take long for his horse to gallop over to him, allowing Vestar to jump on his back and get some distance before hiding away behind a hill. Vestar took this moment to get dressed, set aside his axes and opened the cloak that held a few items. He noticed that he had in possession, Marewen's coin purse and hairbrush. Seeing how she tended to use the brush a lot, it must've been important to her so, he vowed in his mind to bring it back to her personally when he rescued her. It would take a little time to travel back to her home and castle from where they were, which would be his best open window of opportunity to save her before she ends up getting into territory that he would need an army to fight through.

Getting back on beast, Vestar headed for the road he could take to catch up to them so to get his lover back out of the clutches of Bastien. On his way though, while riding through the woods, a man stepped in his path, causing Vestar to stop Beast. Beast! Whoa! He yelled out causing his horse to come to an abrupt stop and rise to its hind legs while neighing and snorting. The man who stood in the way, flinched a little. "Oh for fuck sake man, are you trying to kill me!?"

You're the one who stepped in my path! Be gone! I have a matter I have to tend to! The man looked up at Vestar and stared for a moment. Did you not hear me, I said move! That same man focused his eyes on Vestar before speaking. "Wait....I know you....you are....Vestar...Vestar Bragisson, right?" Vestar just stared on not really recognizing the man "You don't remember me do you? My name is Grimar...about 3 years ago, you and I were on the same ship raid where we saw the sea creature and you saved me!" This man was a viking just like Vestar. They seemed to have a history that Vestar more than likely forgot about. He did take the moment to remember that man's face. Yeah, I think I remember you. you were that silly man who talked too much. "Loki's sack, that's right! You do remember me! Hey, I never took the time to thank you for saving me life. If there was anything I could do to repay you...I'll do it....just name it!"

Oh why did this guy have to say such a thing at this exact moment It was as if the gods truly were looking after Vestar and his dire needs. A smile displayed on Vestar's face before taking a moment to get down off his horse. So you want to repay me for my deeds towards you? Well today, you have luck. I need help. Do you have any men here? There are some Englishmen I need to catch up to so I can vanquish them and take back my woman they've stolen from me. They could still be on my trail to kill me.

Grimar stared into Vestar's eyes when he asked for his help in getting his woman and since he was still willing to keep his word in helping, Grimar nodded. "Oh? Your lover huh? Those Englishmen...they just think they are superior to everyone. Yes, my lads are not far from here. There's 4 of them back at our camp. I can get them and join you on this quest. Come!" He beckoned Vestar to follow him.

Great! There may be a chance in success but they needed to hurry. Vestar followed and after a few minutes of walking and talking, they reached the other 4 vikings. "Ay! Lads! I want you to meet someone! This is Vestar Bragisson. He was a valiant hero that helped us during the raids at sea and saved me from the sea creature." He said while one of the older vikings spoke. "Yes, I remember him! This is quite fortunate to run into you again!" The older spoke. Vestar nodded. As much as we'd all like to kiss each other arses, I have a matter I need your help in. As a viking brother of yours, I have a situation and I don't have much time but...this is what I request....

Marewen glared at Bastien. "How can you do this? You know what Edgar is. You KNOW what kind of man he is. How could you let them force me to marry him?" Marewen's voice shook with a mixture of fear and anger.

Bastien looked at her and gave a twisted smirk. "It is my duty to bring you back. I have no care for you either way. My feelings do not matter in this case. Our friendship is not allowed to interfere." He said stoically.

Marewen reached over and slapped him across the face hard. "Our friendship is over! You are not fit to be my friend."

Clenching his jaw Bastien turned and looked out the window of the carriage. Marewen thought about her viking. She hoped he would get to her before they got too far away. She looked all around her in the carriage looking for something to use as a weapon or to use to help her escape.

Bastien's voice was made of ice when he spoke to her. "We will be almost halfway home when we stop for the night tonight." Marewen refused to look at him. She noticed that he had started yawning and she closed her own eyes for a little while. When she opened them his were closed and he was lightly snoring.

Carefully she stepped up and over his feet and opened the door and jumped out. Tumbling into the bushes at the speed of a running horse is not comfortable and she was cut up from the thorns when she heard Bastien yell. The horses stopped and he jumped out of the carriage and came running after her. Panic struck and she ran headlong into the trees.

Running into the woods she barely missed Bastien's hand as he reached for her. She ducked backwards and elbowed him in the ribs hard enough to hear him grimace and yelp in pain. Fast as a squirrel she scurried into the woods and sent a couple of large rocks about the size of your fist flying at him.

"Son of a bitch! Marewen! Stop it! I'm gonna beat your arse when I catch you!" She nailed him in the side of the face and he stood there a moment before he started to fall and grabbed a tree for support. "Damn it Marewen! You are supposed to be a God damn lady so stop throwing bricks at me!" He screamed at her. He couldn't see her but he could hear her and he followed her until he caught sight of her. Marewen ran around a curve and he seemed to have lost her.

He could hear his men still on the road. They were starting to catch up to the carriage. He heard some of them following him into the darker woods. Sending them in different directions. Bastien saw her and she was just standing there. He reached for her and yanked her back "Damn you Mare- " Bastien was suddenly struck by a coiled snake that had been in front of Marewen.

Bastien was now standing in the middle of the snake nest. As he screamed he was bitten several more times. Marewen quietly and slowly moved away and further into the forest. Just when she thought she was going to get away Hector grabbed her around the waist and yanked her off of her feet. Kicking and screaming Marewen put up a big fight. By the time he got to his horse he and his men had her hands tied up. Bastien was in the carriage with multiple snake bites. He would not make it to the castle alive.

Hector was now in command and he decided that Marewen was riding on his horse in front of him so he could keep her still. "Thanks to you we will be getting back later than we thought."

Marewen stayed quiet but smiled just a little. She hoped that she bought Vestar more time to get to her. Marewen wasn't too happy about Hector's body directly behind her on the horse and his arms around her. It severely limited her ability to get away.

After speaking with the older Viking named Bard, Vestar along with Grimar were welcomed with backup of the four vikings they spoke with at their camp. 6 men? Maybe that was enough for Vestar to chase down and get his beloved princess back. Grimar is considered a good archer and dagger user. Bard was quite handy with a claymore sword. There was another Viking who is quite large, named Haf who uses a war hammer and 2 other vikings who carried spears and shields.

Nice well rounded group if you had to ask Vestar. Vestar mentioned which way he remembered them going and while they were all on horseback, Vestar picked up the pace to try and catch up. The others followed. Vestar promised a raid with them after this was over. He didn't share any specifics that the woman he was rescuing is an Englishwoman...better yet....a princess. But that was not necessary to tell them that right now. All that matter is catching them, killing the men who are taking her back and then continue their journey for a new life together.

It didn't take very long in their travels for the group to catch sight of the carriage. Quite honestly, Vestar thought that they would have been much further out than this. As much as Vestar wanted to just charge right in to take them down, he couldn't risk having her get away as the men would more than likely be a distraction to keep him and his group busy while the target gets away.

Vestar looked over to Grimar and Bard. Alright, they seem to number at about 12...maybe 16...I would say we charge straight at them but the soldiers would just stay in the way. We need to cut them off. Grimar...can I trust in your archery skills? Grimar chuckled "When I'm not getting hunted by a sea creature...I'm the finest archer around!" Good...I need you to hide in the woods. Provide cover for us. Once we start our attack, I'll need you to strike down those who try to escape. We don't need any survivors. The spear brothers...I'll need you up ahead with Bard to intercept them. Giant Haf will join me at the rear to come in strong. We may be few to their many but with our skills that I've witnessed during our raids back then, I believe we can lay waste to them with little trouble. His words were taken into consideration. These men worked with him before and from his heroics in the past, they were willing to follow his plans as they hurried off ahead while Grimar went into hiding to make sure he keeps to his role in all of this. Vestar looked at Haf and nodded waiting for the signal for them to step in and provide back up.

Marewen did not make it easy on Hector. She kept fidgeting and when she heard a commotion behind them she felt Hecter kick the horse into a gallop and she struggled against him and yelled out. She grabbed the reins and reared the horse back on two feet and Hector barely held onto her. The horse reared sideways and she slammed fully into Hector and when the horse bounced back down she continued fighting with him but her hands were tied together. She swung her leg over the horse's head and tried to slide down. Hector reached down and yanked her back up and tossed her on her stomach in front of him. When she started to struggle again he hit her on the ass hard. Fear of falling off of the running horse and onto her head made her stop fighting. She felt humiliated at being carried on horseback this way.

Bard and his team took another route through the woods to get up ahead of Hector and his men so to cut them off. Vestar and Haf continued to follow but not close enough where the other men would suspect too much. Grimar continued to move through the brush to find a good position.

He did take a good look while keeping an eye on Hector and his men of the girl that Hector had, giving him a hard time. Was quite amusing. Maybe this was the reason why Vestar liked her. She was aggressive! Well...or this was just simply desperation on her part to get away. Either way, this was a good thing that she was causing such trouble because by then, Bard and his men, after riding as far up as they could, managed to block the roadway to try and force Hector to stop. The three vikings that were ahead, stood firm, waiting for a moment before the awaited fight to begin.

Vestar looked on ahead from a small hill. He saw Bard and the other two blocking the passage and signaled Haf to come with him to get behind the group. Grimar was now ready. He took his first arrow and pulled back, holding for the first victim.

Bard spoke. "This is a far as you Englishmen will go. You're coming upon territory that will soon belong to the vikings. Give up now...and you will not be harmed."

"I am with King Phillip's army. You will let me pass as I am on official royal business for the king. If you refuse my men will remove you." Hector replied knowing that they were close in number and now that he had Marewen with him he couldn't really fight someone else at the same time without putting her in danger.

Marewen was annoyed and she glanced at Hector's leg in the stirrups and she saw a dagger jutting out of his boot. She grabbed it and started kicking her legs against the horse and it allowed her to slide backwards off. She would have gotten down but Hector reached forward and in that moment he exposed his stomach as she brought the blade across him. His shrill scream pierced her ears as she fell to the ground. Gaining her feet she got up and ran. Her hair was in her face and she couldn't see well who was where now that it was getting dark. Her hands were still tied so she couldn't do much other than hide.

Bard listened to Hector's words but what he said was not enough to leave him worried. Bard and his people hated the royalty of England and would love nothing more than to stand over their corpse laughing. Bard chuckled from the threat that men would be sent after them. He noticed the movement of the young woman and the scream that Hector made thanks from the attack that Marewen executed was enough for Bard to charge after the remaining men.

One of the spearmen threw his spear at one of the soldiers impaling one while the other rushed in using a shield tackle. Bard gave a few mighty swings at some of the men who were closest up front. One of the men attempted to try and run after Marewen but was introduced to an arrow to the back by Grimar. Vest and Haf rushed from the rear, taking the men who were in the back by surprise when Haf delivered a devastating attack with the swing of his hammer, hitting a soldier in the chest, causing him to fly a few feet away, coughing up blood afterwards.

Vestar kept his eyes on where Marewen was going and headed her way to free her, cutting down the first soldier to stand in his way while trying to reach his lady love. He took his two axes, using one to block and swing the sword out of the way, following up with the delivery of a headbutt to the face to knock the man back enough for Vestar to swing his axe in a leg sweeping motion, cleanly cutting the man's leg off from right below the knee. The next soldier tried to provide back up, leaping and attempted a thrust with his sword only for Vestar to spin out of the way and swing his axe to strike the man in the back. To add insult to injury, he went to attack again from behind, lodging his axe into the man's shoulder, nearly hacking it off while the man screamed. He ended it with a beheading and continued on.

It didn't take long for his team to finish off the majority of the men while maybe 1-2 ended up with an arrow into their backs trying to escape. Vestar rushed over to Marewen to help her. Hey....it's me...don't be afraid, I'm here! He said putting his axe down and came over to her to move the hair from her face, placing his palms on her cheeks to check on her. Hey....are you hurt? He said in a quieter tone.

Marewen stopped when she heard his voice. "Vestar?" When he moved her hair and put his hands on her face her eyes shone with tears. "I did everything I could to stall them. I knew you would find me." After he cut the ropes from her bleeding wrists she wrapped her arms around him in a fierce hug. "Bastien is dead. I ran and he yanked me back and he got bitten by a snake seven or eight times." She moved and grimaced in pain from her injuries received during her escape attempts. She looked at Hector's body. He was slumped over in his seat on the horse. There was an arrow in his back and his stomach had bled out. She quickly averted her teary eyes. "I didn't mean to kill him."

Marewen was clearly upset and in rough shape. She had cuts and bruises all over her and she was feeling guilt at the Hector's death. She was shaking and holding onto Vestar as if he were the last person on the planet.

Seeing that she calmed a little upon hearing him, Vestar smiled while checking on her That was very brave of you to do that. You've made me proud. Hugging her after the ropes were cut and kissed her a little. So that bastard is dead by snake bites? He got it easy. But then again...I'm pissed that I was not the one to end him. Sighing that he couldn't get his hands on the one who ordered his death and grabbed his woman.

Vestar looked over to Hector's dead body and turned back to Marewen. He could see the guilt in her eyes, taking a life for the first time. Vestar shifted his eyes downward and didn't want her to feel bothered. Listen...it was not your fault. You did what you had to do to escape. You didn't kill him, the arrow that struck him, killed him. You only injured him. The archer that shot him took his life, not you. Your hands are clean. You understand. You're not a killer. He told her trying to cheer her up and to not have Hector's death weigh on her mind. It's said that when you kill your first person, it's the hardest thing to get over and you'll always see the person you've killed over and over again and even the next person you kill will look like the first you've kill in your mind. He didn't want that burden for her. Come, let's get you to a healer. He told her, lifting her off the ground to carry her in his arms and walked out to the road to meet with the other fellow vikings.

Men...I appreciate your help. This is Mary....my woman...I know we have an agreement but allow me to take her to a village to get her healed. Grimar came from out the woods and Bard along with the others looked at Marewen. "She's quite the star gazer despite her cuts and bruises. Fine...let's get her help and we can discuss our agreement later." Bard said as they headed off to a nearby small village.

Marewen let Vestar carry her and she snuggled into his arms as he climbed aboard the horse in one smooth movement. She was not content. The stress of her day was still with her but she felt like her future was getting brighter if he cared enough to fight for her life.

@Wick

AFTERMATH

Harek watched on as the looting progressed throughout the city during the day. The Viking soldiers were still coming down from the high of victory with big smiles on their faces before they remember they had lost some friends today. Harek rubbed his shoulder and winced as pain lanced through his arm from a cut he had gotten in the battle. No matter how many times he got a wound it never hurt less, he just became used to the pain.

Harek noticed that there was a building that the vikings were keeping a wide berth from. Standing up Harek walked down the stairs over towards the structure. Opening the door he saw a mass of huddled children, mothers and elderly. Seeing the panicked faces Harek’s mind flashed to past memories. Too many times he had seen faces like that, too many times he had made the wrong choices. Screams and crying bombarded his senses and he knelt to the ground covering his ears and closing his eyes. After a few seconds the noises died down and Harek opened his eyes. The terrified peasants were staring at him confused and frightened. Harek stood up and stepped out of the house. Thankfully it appeared as if no one had seen that episode.

Reidun saw Harek walk out of the building she had marked off limits and panic made her run towards him. “Harek!” She ran past him and to the door and checked on the people inside. Coming back to him she noticed that he seemed a little off. “Harek? Are you alright? You look a little pale.” She continued walking with him. No one was going near the house with the children inside per Aksel’s orders.

Reidun was a warrior but she was also a woman and that meant that she worried over those she cared for and Harek didn’t seem himself so she wasn’t going to let up on him. Pointing to a spot void of others she said, “Let’s sit and rest a minute.”

“Aye, I could use a rest. My legs are pretty tired after all that fighting.” Moving over to the spot that she had pointed out Harek sat down with a groan. Leaning back a bit to far he bumped his injured shoulder against a wall. Wincing from the pain Harek leaned forward and rested his elbows on his knees. “I heard you fought well in the battle. Great start to your first raid in the isles.”

Reidun grinned. “It was a good battle. How’s the shoulder? Is it deep?” She asked concerned. Not waiting for his answer she lifted the material over it and said, “It’s not too deep but it is thin and red. You should have Isgred take a look at it.”

She got kind of a far away look and stated, “Some of the men that came with us but are not ‘our’ men are angry with me. They wanted to kill the babies and the old people. When I threatened to kill them if they laid a hand on them Aksel had to step in and stop the fight.” She sighed. “Sometimes I just wonder if I should have been a regular woman and not a shield maiden.”

“Some men find joy in a good battle, but then there are some who find joy in death. It is watching the life drain from a human that they enjoy. These men don’t care if their victim is a man or a babe. Never get close with one of those men.” Harek carefully lowered himself onto the ground and closed his eyes.

“Well you chose to be a shieldmaiden and you are pretty damn good at it, so no use complaining now. Also I don’t think there are many people offering rides back this time of year.” At that last comment Harek grinned and opened one eye to look at Reidun.

“Haha! No, what I mean is there are other things I want besides just fighting.” She playfully slugged Harek in his good arm. “You’ve known Conall longer than I have. Is he one of those men I should avoid? Tell me true.”

“He may love a good fight, but he is not one of those men. If he was, that buffoon would have been dead many times over. He has made many friends out of foes he spared. Most of those friends have ended up saving his life.” Harek reached down to his waterskin and took a long drink. “I guess I should go get this cut checked on by a healer. Thank you for the help.”

Reidun nodded and began picking up the weapons of the dead.

Isgred was walking around the city, searching for people that still might need her help, but more importantly looking curiously around her. She had to admit that the city was like nothing she had seen before – the large walls and even buildings made of stone and painted white or with other colors. Even some of the roads were reinforced by stones, rather than being just muddy paths. She walked over to the center of the city. The largest building was apparently some sort of a main hall and she could see the raiders hauling crates of things out of it. The other large building looked different, it had a small tower with what looked like a bell. Isgred first thought it was some sort of a guard post, but then she noticed the cross symbol over the door. She knew that the Christians used this symbol to worship their God.

Intrigued, she peeked inside the building. It must have originally been a majestic and beautiful place, with paintings and golden ornaments around the walls and up front on what looked like an altar. Of course, now the impression was tainted by splashes of blood on the walls, a pile of destroyed furniture in the middle and everything that at least looked valuable missing.

She stepped closer to the altar, eyes pinned to the wall painting behind it. There was a man, a woman and a tiny baby lying between them in what looked like a manger. It was very peaceful, but Isgred couldn’t look away from the baby’s face. Whether it was the intention of the artist or not, she felt like the baby’s expression was much more ironic and condescending than a real infant could ever show. It in fact looked like the baby was laughing at her, knowing something that she didn’t.

Shivers ran down her spine and a weird feeling made her turn around. She found herself staring into eyes of an Englishman in a long dark robe. “There is nothing more to take,” he whispered so quietly that she could barely understand him.

He wasn’t armed, but she took out her dagger anyway, pushing him against the wall and putting it at his throat. “There is always something to take,” she told him. “You are the local man of God, aren’t you?” He nodded slightly, making the dagger pierce his skin and letting a single drop of blood run down his neck. “Where is your God now?”

He just smiled. “Oh he will come for you and strike all you heathens down eventually.”

Isgred was confused that there was no fear in man’s eyes. “Shouldn’t he protect you from suffering?”

He gave her a confused look. “The more suffering we endure in this life, the larger our reward will be in the afterlife.”

She just stared at him, wondering if he is making fun of her or he actually believes that. She glimpsed over her shoulder to the creepy baby smiling at her from the wall. It looked like a kind of God who would let his people suffer. But why would they even worship him? She shook her head. These people were certainly strange. “No true God would ask his people to suffer without any good reason.” She thought about killing the priest, but he seemed harmless, so she left him be. At least he can suffer some more in this life for his God, before getting to his precious afterlife. Leaving the church, she had to fight an urge to look at the smiling baby one last time.

Harek found Isgred near the church and walked up to her. “I was wondering if you wouldn’t mind checking out a cut I got in the fighting, I am worried it might be infected.” Harek pulled the shirt up so Isgred could see the cut, wincing as he stretched the wound.

Isgred was still a bit shaken from her encounter with the priest, but she smiled seeing Harek walk towards her. “Of course I can look at it. Just sit over there." She guided him towards some bench placed near the church. Harek’s wound wasn’t deep, but it was in a desperate need of cleaning and maybe a few stitches. Isgred brought a waterskin and carefully started to wash out the dirt, sweat and dried blood from the cut.

“It was a great battle today,” she said, reaching for sewing equipment into her satchel. She knew some men, while fearless in battle, could act like babies when she was sewing their wounds, so she tried to keep them as distracted as possible. Not that Harek would seem like that kind of man. “I heard you were on of those who opened the gates for the rest of the raid. That certainly saved me a lot of working with pulling arrows out of our people. Odin must be very pleased with his personal warrior.”

“I would hope so. It sure wasn’t fun getting into the city.” Harek relaxed his shoulder as she began to work on stitching the wound together. He took another drink of the waterskin and tucked in back into his belt. “Do you happen to have anything to help sleep come easier? I...uuh feel restless after large battles and was hoping to get some sleep after the celebration to come tonight.” Harek hoped she wouldn’t ask more, because he honestly was not good at lying on the spot.

Isgred frowned a bit when he mentioned that he couldn’t sleep after battles. Even now she was exhausted and felt like she could fall asleep on the spot and she wasn’t even fighting. She couldn’t imagine how tired must the warriors be after such long and hard physical exertion. There was something else to it, but Harek apparently didn’t want to speak about it and she had to respect that. “I have an herb that should help you, unfortunately I don’t carry it around to the battlefield, so I don’t have it here with me.”

She could give him some stronger thing that she used when she needed men to be asleep during larger operations, but that was way too strong for simple sleeping problems and also very addictive. “Why don’t you stop by my tent when we get back to the outpost, I will have it ready for you by then. I should warn you though, it is not good mixed with ale or anything stronger, so you should probably stay clear of the drinks if you want to take it tonight.”

She finished the stitches and put a thin layer of healing salve over the wound. Then she covered it with a piece of clean cloth and wrapped it around his shoulder and chest to keep it in place. “That should do it. Just don’t wave the arm around much. Come find me later, perhaps I can check you properly to find out why you can’t sleep,” she added quietly, not wanting to push it too hard. “Thank you very much.” Harek gave Isgred a smile and bowed his head in respect. "I’ll make sure to come by later."

After talking to Harek and checking in with Aksel, Reidun was helping gather the weapons and shields from the dead when she heard a familiar voice.

Conall had been helping with moving some of the wounded and the dead and whatever else he could do to help. After helping some, he saw Reidun helping with the dead. Approaching he said in a caring tone “Glad to see you’re alright. Do you need any help?” As he finished he motioned to take the weapons she was carrying to lighten her load.

Reidun let him take some of it from her and she smiled. “No, this is the last of it. Aksel will split the monetary treasures accordingly and we will re-arm those that lost their equipment in battle.” Reidun glanced up at Conall. “At some point it might be a good idea for you to check up on Harek. I spoke to him earlier and he seems a little off down. Maybe it’s just the battle today, Maybe not. How are you faring? Any battle wounds to heal up?” She asked as she casually looked him over for injuries.

Conall let what she had just said about Harek sink in. It was odd as he never remembered him being this way after combat. Then again it had been a long time since their last raid together so something may have happened since then. “Ay I’ll make sure to check up on old fool.” Conall looked down at her to see her looking him over with a hint of fear that he might be hurt. This made him smile at the thought of someone caring so much for him. “I should be fine I only got glanced in the shoulder by a arrow.” he said using his thumb to point to his left shoulder. “What about you? Did someone dare lay a hand on you?” He said with a serious tone like he was ready to kill someone but held somewhat joking tone.

Reidun chuckled at his question. “Oh they dared but they did not succeed in stopping me and some lost a hand for it, others lost a life. I’m not so easily killed as that. Just a couple of scrapes and cuts to clean up. There is nothing serious to worry about.” Picking up the last of the weapons she carried them to a stack they had piled up just inside the castle.

Reidun got to the edge of the castle and looked up at the sky towards the water. Smoke? Why would there be smoke? Oh no! The ships! Racing out of the castle and towards the water she could see their ships on fire. Rushing past Conall she yelled, “They’ve set the ships afire!”

Conall had barely entered the castle when he saw Reidun rush past him in a fit of anger and surprise. After hearing about the ships Conall dropped what he was holding and rushed after Reidun making sure to keep and eye out for the culprits of burning their ships.

Staring at what little was left as the ships blazed like an inferno Reidun’s heart raced. “They must have gone around and-” Reidun’s eyes widened at the thought of those at the outpost. She reached down and grabbed her axe from her waist and headed towards the outpost at a full run towards the woods. Aksel saw Reidun and Conall ahead and turned towards the outpost assuming that they would have gone there next. His war cry sounded in Reidun’s ears as she reached the outpost.

Conall had for the most part zoned out only seeing red from his anger at letting the enemy sneak past him and burn their ships. This anger fueled his sprint to the outpost as he sped past the other raiders. Finally arriving at the outpost what he saw enraged him, 5 fellow raiders lay on their backs with lifeless faces. Conall let out a roar that would have scared death itself. Conall ran at a full sprint in the direction that the bodies had pointed to. Entering the forest Conall had lost all sense in what was happening all he could focus on was finding who did this and tearing them limb from limb for what they had done.

Reidun watched Conall and heard his anguish. That scared her more than anything she had seen thus far. He was faster than she was and he had much longer legs. When she caught up to him it was to find the outpost empty of soldiers and all that was there were bodies of dead vikings. She ignored Aksel when he got there and started yelling orders and curses. Conall looked to be losing his mind with grief. He darted into the darkness of the woods.

Reidun ran into the woods with a little more caution than Conall did. She wasn’t sure what animals lived in these woods and she didn’t want to run off of a cliff because she didn’t see it. “Conall!” Hearing him barrelling through the trees up ahead she sprinted after him. She knew the English soldiers wouldn’t stick around. They were vastly outnumbered it would be suicide to stay and fight the vikings. “Conall please! They are gone!”

Conall’s sight had finally come back to him at the sound of Reidun’s voice. Conall slowed down to a stop as he finally got his senses. Conall stopped for a moment before finally dropping to his knees letting out another roar full of anger and despair. Finishing the hellish sound Conall slammed both of his fists into the ground. He kept seeing flashes of his past and of the events of that night in his village. He was using all of his will to stop from entering into a blind fit of rage again or from breaking down into a crying infant.

Reidun finally caught sight of him and slowed to a walk. She saw him on his knees and it tore at her heart. Figuring that this brought back old memories she put her hand on his shoulder and walked in front of him and dropped to her knees. Reaching out to him she pulled herself into his arms and when his arms wrapped around her she could feel the weight of the world on his shoulders. “Everything will be okay. We’ll find them and then they will die. This is not our fault. It’s not your fault. It just is...the gods’ will. We don’t have to understand it. Maybe Odin wanted them to fight and punished them for not doing so.”

Conall could barely keep the tears back when he felt Reidun slip next to him or when he heard her reassuring words. Conall honestly tried to take her words to heart but he couldn't deep down he thought that he could have done something. Conall sat for a moment in silence trying to gain his baring in the swirl of emotions he was feeling. “Whoever did this had to have been in the city and ran making it my fault so don't dare tell me it is the way of your gods” he said in anger snapping at Reidun as he unintentionally threw her away from him. Once he had finished his head slumped back down at the realization of what he had just done. Tears began streaming down his face as he yet again buried his face in the dirt. “What a monster I have become that I would hurt the people I love most.” He said to himself in a low voice that unbeknownst to him she had heard. What he said next he made sure was loud enough for her to hear. “Reidun you need to run and get away from me I'm too much a danger to be near you.”

Reidun had only fallen backwards but she stared at him as she heard his words. She picked herself back up and went back to him. “I’m not leaving you. Let me help you.” Gently she sat next to him and rubbed his back hoping it would help him to know she was there for him. “I’m not so delicate as all that and I know you won’t hurt me. I know your heart.”

Conall was touched that she was trying to help him but was worried that he would hurt her or worse she would die because of him. “But you don't know what I have done, the things that been caused because of me.” He said feeling the floodgates opening. “It feels like i'm constantly followed by death itself as it takes from me everyone I hold dear. And what about just now? I hurt you out of a small anger. What happens when I completely lose it when I'm near you?”

Reidun thought for a moment and said, “You did not hurt me. Death follows all of us, it is not just you. I’ve lost all except you and Aksel. If you think that you just hurt me you must think I’m as frail as a flower. I am not and if you started fighting with me I would kick your arse. Don’t even think twice about it. You are no monster. If you were I could hardly love you now could I?”

Conall had been shocked at her statement. Sure the part about beating him was a stretch but he would let it slide for now. He chuckled at the thought of him actually losing to her. But then Conalls thoughts went back to her statement. He had thought he had the same feelings for her otherwise he wouldn't be opening up this much. It also seemed as though the weight he carried with him was less when around her. He sat there for a moment just thinking about everything that was happening and contemplating how much he should tell her of his past.

Reidun smiled at the look on his face when she told him that she loved him. Taking his hand in hers she wondered where they would be in a year or so. “What is on your mind that has you so upset? Your old village? That was not your fault either. You can’t save everyone Conall.” Reidun leaned into him.

“Aye it is my old village. Well what's left of it anyways.” saying those words hurt Conall to his core. “And I know I cant save everyone but that is how I was brought up since I was a lad in me tribe.” Conall looked down once again, he hated opening up these old wounds. “And it's more of what I did that night that tears at me heart every night.” Holding her hand tight he felt fresh tears roll down his face. “That was the night you could say I truly earned my title of Berserker as your people call it or as mine called me. ‘Demon of the Wolves’.”

Reidun wiped the tears from his eyes softly. “Tell me what happened that made you so fierce.” She said quietly seeing his grief.

Conall could still see the events as clear as day. “My clan was one of many in our homeland. While our island was full of many tribes ours was considered to be one of the forces in all the lands. We would raid the english coast and be feared when ever we stepped foot on the beaches. However we were different from most clans. Unlike most we were not savages. We never killed the civilians or burned down their houses. We also would make sure to leave enough supplies for the surviving families to live off of until they got aid from their king.” Conall took a breather letting Reidun soak it all in. Beginning again Conall started. “Unlike yours and Aksel’s homeland were the tribes for the most part stay out of each other's way, my lands are in constant war with each other and constantly trying to strike the others down. While this rarely happens in full effect i've seen it happen twice in my time on this earth. Once my clan utterly decimated one of our southern neighbors for betraying us. To some it may seem harsh but to our clan where loyalty is everything this is the gravest of sins. The other time was a group of clans that formed together because they feared my people. They are known as Ulster.” Conall’s breath hitched a bit at remembering his clan's greatest opponent and unknowingly at the time, their last.

Reidun listened intently and nodded in understanding. “Alright. Keep going.” She said seeing him upset by the memory. She rubbed his upper back softly as he spoke to her. She wanted to calm him.

Finding it easier to continue with her support he continued with the tale. “When there was another clan that wiped out another i was talking about the Ulster clan. One night we were celebrating and preparing for a raid on the Coast line of these here isles. However that raid never came. Come the morning my home was a wasteland of fires and of dead bodies. We had been attacked in the night by the Ulster clan. They had hoped that we would unprepared but luckily because we were expecting a raid most of the men had their weapons handy. The battle was intense and furious unlike any i have seen to this day, and it only got worse. In the middle of fighting i heard my name called out in pain. When i turned to look i saw my mother....” Conall took as quick pause this was the moment that changed his life forever, this solid moment was the event that lead him to this point. “I saw my mother being cut down in front of me. The last thing i remember was seeing nothing but red and entering something like most berserkers do but many times stronger. I completely lost it killing anything that moved in my path.” he buried his face in Reiduns shoulder. “I wouldn't care if it was only the enemy but i can see the faces and the voices of those in my tribe. Those i fought with and would've laid down my life for all dead by my hand. When I came to I was the only living thing left. The village was a mass of dead bodies and burning buildings.” Conall stayed quiet for a moment. “I am the last of my people, the last of the MacTyre tribe. I guess that is my curse from my gods, to be the last of my kind and to be haunted by their faces and screams every night.”

Conall stayed quite waiting to see how Reidun would react to this story. He in all honesty didn't know what to expect he had never let out that information before to most he just said he left his tribe long ago.

Reidun felt her own tears well up and she wrapped her arms around him and held him tightly. She let him cry and get his feelings out. “It’s over now. You are not cursed. You are just a man with a lot of terrible pain in his past. Most men are not strong enough to stay pure of heart after something like that. You are. I think that makes you a man that you can be proud of. A man that I am proud of.” She reached up and kissed him softly.
@sly13

Vestar lead the way on Beast with Marewen in front of him, headed to the nearest village hoping there was a healer around to check on Marewen. Even if they needed to stay in that village for a day or two to recoup. This felt like old times having people he once raided with, helping him get his lady love back. In Vestar's eyes, it was a beautiful rescue.

It may have taken about half a day to get to a small village but upon getting there, Bard looked around, calling for a healer if there was one available. Vestar got off the horse and gently got Marewen down from Beast, still holding her in his arms, walking into the center of the village waiting for an answer of a healer to take a look at her.

Marewen felt Vestar carrying her into a small enclosure and laid her on a hard bed with lots of soft skins on it to cushion her. When he let go of her hand she opened her eyes to see a woman sitting on the side of the bed looking at her. The woman looked at Vestar then at Marewen and bluntly asked her, "Did this fool man kidnap you girl?"

Marwen looked at Vestar and smiled softly. "No, he saved me from those that did." The healer pursed her lips together and repeated herself.

"Marewen! Did this man take you against your will?" Startled Marewen's voice shook and she sat up slowly.

"You know me? Please! Don't tell anyone. I ran away. My father-" The woman nodded impatiently.

"Yes I know what your father did. Trading you off to that vile man for an army. He is a shitty father that man. Who is this man to you?" She asked pointing at Vestar who looked uncomfortable at this point.

Blushing Marewen said, "He is my love." The healer woman looked at her and at Vestar and back and then she started laughing sardonically.

"You've gone and lost your virginity haven't ya?" The older woman shook her head. "Well that means when the king can't get the arseling to take you he will behead you if he gets the chance. And if Edgar takes you and knows you aren't pure he will torture you for your lifetime. Do you realize that you can't ever go back? Not ever!"

The woman's words resonated with Marewen as she worked on cleaning her cuts and bruises. Marewen recognized the woman as one of the healers that had come to the castle when her mother had been deathly ill a few years back.

Shortly after Vestar laid Marewen down, he stepped aside and simply waited on the healer to work on her. He could tell this woman obviously didn't like him. She's of the English and just like a typical English, they didn't like the vikings...of course, this was mutual the for the vikings toward the English.

When the woman asked if he was the cause of her injuries and such, Vestar gave a glare but the moment Marewen was called by name, Vestar stood up alert. He didn't know if he could trust this woman but he was not going to attack or attempt anything on someone trying to help his lover. Just the fact that they were having this conversation about them being love partners and all the risks involved, Vestar felt he may need to step out of the room, not liking the atmosphere in there.

If word got out, there was a chance that two armies would come their way. Vestar spoke. "Healer...I need to speak with Marewen alone..." He requested.

The woman looked at Marewen and then nodded and left the room. Marewen's nerves were on edge after hearing what the woman had to say about her predicament. Worrying was new to her and she was getting good at it fast. Vestar looked anxious and it made her concerned.

"Are you leaving me?" She knew that what the woman had just told them was a warning meant to let her know the true depths of what she had done. "Please, sit with me."

Vestar watched the woman leave and started to pace back and forth for a moment before stopping hearing Marewen's question of him leaving her. He stared into her eyes for a moment and sat next to her. He stared at the floor and then to Marewen and looked away for a moment. "I'm pretty sure you're more worried or frightened now that you know what's waiting for you back home. I took something you could never get back but I do not regret it. I mentioned before...that I don't want you getting harmed because of me and I remember what you said before. There's a chance...we will be hunted down to the ends of the earth and even though I could leave to spare you any more trouble, it won't change what we've done. Unless we find a safe haven within the ranks of the viking army, we can't fight your father's or Edgar's army alone. Either that or we go to a whole different land where their power cannot reach us."

Looking back into her eyes."I can only blame myself but I'm willing to bear the burden with you and flee from this land. This means, you'll need to learn fast on becoming a commoner...are you absolutely sure about staying with me and bearing through the hardships for the days to come?"

Marewen listened and was a little curious about some of his wording. "Are you saying that you will stay because you feel responsible for me or because you want to be with me? It sounds like I just became a huge burden to you."

Marewen felt like she just became a death sentence hanging around his neck. She got to her feet and pushed him away. " Just go! You don't have to stay. I will go back and tell them nothing of you. You can go live your life without fear of repercussions of what we did." She headed for the door.

Vestar looked at Marewen after her first comments. The moment she pushed him away and went to leave, Vestar just stood there at first still looking to the ground as his face twitched and his breathing became heavy. Before she could leave, Vestar marched behind her, grabbing her wrist.

"No...." He simply said. "It feels like the other way around. Feels like my bad luck came upon you. I knew what would happen to you if you and I got involved with one another but I didn't care. I decided to stick with you. And regardless of the dangers before us...and possibly fighting our whole life and knowing you'll more than likely die once they find out you're no longer pure. I......I cannot bring myself to send you to your death!"

The fact was that Vestar has fallen for her and fighting with himself harboring these feelings, he didn't know how to get them out so, he just came out and said it taking a deep breath. "I'm afraid to lose you!"

Marewen stared at his hand on her wrist as he spoke. "Your words reek of your feelings of guilt. You did not force me into anything. I made choices, all of them. I chose to run, to hide, I even chose you and when it came time to choose I made the choice to be with you. I also choose-" Her voice broke as her heart swelled up with pain and tears. "-to go back."

She couldn't bare the thought of him getting killed over her and she knew this was the only way to protect him. "I'll be fine. There will not be anyone looking for you if I go back and there are ways to fake my virginity I understand. I don't know what they are yet but I'm sure I can find out."

Her tears were impossible to keep from falling. "I can't let you get hurt for me. I won't. Just let me go."

The look of disbelief was read all over Vestar's face when she made the choice to go back. Yes she did choose to be with him and he did harbor some guilt since he rescued her. Hearing her risking her life to go back just to save him, Vestar was absolutely against it.

Marewen" Finally calling her by name "There is no guarantee that you'll be fine. You and I both know you will be tortured. Look what the fuck happened! Your father lost men because of us. I took your virginity. You were going to be given in marriage to a sick bastard who has no qualms in harming women and children."

Vestar moved himself from behind her and blocked the passage from her leaving. "You believe I am to just stay here and let you offer yourself up to the lion's den? If you want to be back that badly after making sure you would never see your dreadful home again, then fine....kill me. That's the only way you'll go back. It will be over my dead carcass. Either way...I'd rather die than to live with the guilt of knowing I allowed you to travel to your own death..even if it was for my sake. My life don't even amount close to your death!"

With: @Wick

The healer was tending to the fire and their dinner while Vestar and Marewen discussed their situation when a single rider from the palace happened to ride into the village. He had an announcement. The healer glanced at the door to her hut and she was relieved to see it firmly shut.

"Villagers! I come to you with sad news. Our young prince was accidentally killed in a hunting accident. I can not stress how important it is to the kingdom to find Princess Marawen. She is now the heir to the crown." The man stopped and listened to the shocked expressions of the boy's death. "The King and queen beg you to help us find her." The man waited several moments before getting down and accepting a bowl of stew to eat.

The healer walked casually to her cabin and opened the door accidentally hitting Marewen with the door. "Excuse me girl! Your problems just get bigger and bigger." She sighed and closed the door.

Marewen was still trying to respond to Vestar's declaration of devotion to her and noticed that the woman seemed upset. "What is it Adelaide?"

Putting her hands on the girl's arms she told her "There is a messenger outside. He just announced that your brother has died from an accident while hunting. Marewen, you are the new heir to the throne of Mercia. Your father and Edgar can no longer kill you but they will never stop looking for you either. Without you your family's bloodline would disappear."

Marewen looked dumbfounded as to what to say or do. She looked at Vestar and she sat back down on the bed and stared at her hands.

Vestar was willing to prove that he was not going to leave her nor let her die for him. That's for damn sure. He turned to notice the commotion going on and raised an eyebrow from the unexpected news. Her brother, now dead and then on top of that, Marewen's death was now null and void.

He stared back at Marewen after what was said and wondered what her reaction would be. Yes it's good that she's possibly no longer in danger but the sad news involving her brother... The prospects of them finding her, and an unknown future was at hand. Vestar walked over. "Mare...." He called her in short. He sat next to her. "What is on your mind?" He asked.

Marewen looked up at Vestar and said, "Vestar, would you marry me and be my king?" She knew she had to go back now. She was nervous as she waited for his answer. Adelaide's response was to choke on her stew and cough so hard that Marewen got up and slapped her on the back. Turning back to him she said, "If we marry in a church then we can overthrow my father with the viking armies. You could rule by my side. We would be free."

The question Marewen asked him caught Vestar off guard. Usually it was the man that asked for the hand in marriage. For a moment, Vestar didn't answer but averting his eyes, he gave it a quick thought. "Usually men ask that but...me....king? Me having power that stretch over the land? A chance to bring about more power to the Vikings......it would be an honor..."

"So...maybe I should make the proper gesture. We must be favored by the gods to give us chance at true change. I can't help but marvel at the devastating blow your father and Edgar will suffer." Vestar took Marewen by the hand with a smirk and the confidence he's displayed before and continued "So...Marewen of Mercia, it would be my honor to have your hand in marriage." He knew she'd say yes since she initially asked him but hey, why not do this the proper and traditional way by being the one to ask her. "Will you marry me and allow me to be your king?"

Marewen grinned at him happily and wrapped her arms around his waist and kissed him. "Yes, I would be honored to have you for my husband and king. We have to find a priest and get married as soon as we can."

Returning her kiss, wrapping his arms around her back, Vestar gave a grin to the idea of having to find a priest quickly. "Ah! Yes! Let's find out if there is one close by. Unless you know any personally that's close by?" he asked, taking a hand wanting to start the search immediately. "Shall I have my former raid companions accompany us?"

Marewen nodded, "I think that would be wise. Edgar will kill you faster than look at you. We need to avoid Edgar at all costs. He wants my father's crown more than anything. We should go to Guthram to get married in another kingdom where there are a lot of witnesses and the roman catholic church. My father can't anul it then and marry me to someone else."

Adelaide looked at them with her chin on the ground. "Are you out of your mind girl? Do you realize you are plotting treason?" Marewen nodded.

i.imgur.com/IoeeNfX.png

"Yes, I am aware that I am plotting the course for my own life and that as such it is treasonous." After looking to Vestar she asked Adelaide, "Can you make certain that the castle gentleman is gone please?" Adelaide left the cabin and returned a moment or two later.

"He is gone but be careful I don't know what direction he went in."

"Understood. I'll speak to the men if they would agree to assist. But they still do not know of who and what you are. Let me reach them and hope to come to an agreement. I will surely inform them of the results of what comes after our marriage. That may be the motivation and comfort they need to agree."

Vestar looked to Adelaide and smirked. "We can go to Guthram if your strength will allow us to travel now." Vestar suggested.

Grimar, Bard, Haf and the 2 spearmen were still in town but simply waited for news from Vestar about what's to come now since they've reached the destination and yet, still had a bargain. They watched when a messenger came and spoke about the death of King Philip's son. To the vikings, that sounded like wonderful news. One less potential ruler to give them problems. What about this princess though? She was missing? It sounded unusual but if it brought the kingdom to panic, this was the advantage they needed.
@King tai

Now with a new objective, Vestar took Marewen’s hand to leave from the healer’s hut the following morning to meet with his fellow vikings to start their travels to the next destination. Vestar gathered the men, leading the way on the road to Guthram, thinking of what his comrades would think about the news he was going to share with them. While enroute, they were already traveling for a few hours before having to stop to eat lunch. Having their horses tied and gathered in the shade, Vestar, looking at Marewen smirked. “I’m going to speak to them now. I figure before we go any further, I’ll share more detail.” Moving from her.

Vestar approached the 5 while they scarfed down their dried meat, hearing Grimar talking about the last whore that nearly bit off his manhood simply because he refused to share his ale with her. Vestar shook his head and cleared his throat. “Brothers...I have some news to share with you.” Bard and the others turned to look over to Vestar. “I want to share my gratitude with you helping me get back my woman. I promised you a raid and you even allowed me to take her to the healers.”

Bard lifted his water sack “All for our brethren and hero we’ve witnessed!” The others gave out a yell in agreeing with Bard’s words. Vestar smirked. “Which is why I’m grateful. And because of your selfless pursuit… I figure it fair that I share something with you.” Grimar spoke. “There’s to be no raid!?” He asked. Haf then spoke. “We are going to gather more whores!” Bard then spoke. “You wish to keep us as permanent raid members and take new lands?” Vestar raised an eyebrow. “Well...I’ll just come out and speak on it...I’m sure you’ve heard what happened to King Philip’s son am I correct?” Bard and the others nodded. “Yes, about time we have good news. The king now has a son and a daughter gone. He has no heir!” Vestar nodded. “Correct but...the daughter...I know her...in fact...you...saved her. My woman, Mary...is actually Marewen of Mercia. King Philip’s daughter.”

Mentioning this, Bard and the others just stared at Vestar, speechless and baffled looking over to Marewen, then back to Vestar. Bard stood and walked over to Vestar. “Is this real or is your tongue speaking falsely towards us?” Vestar shook his head. “My tongue speaks truth. Before you judge brother...I found her after she ran away from her kingdom. She left so not to marry Edgar. Many know about Edgar’s perverse nature. Marewen did not want to marry that monster. She gave her virginity to me and she risked her life to stay away from her father and kingdom. Yes, I did not tell you who she really was but would you have helped me if I did?”

Bard looked a bit upset and looked at Marewen the whole time, breathing heavy before Grimar spoke. “Oden’s cock! Vestar, I respect you. I hold you to the highest regard. I even trust you but her being with us, we will have his entire army coming for us!” Vestar huffed. “Brothers calm yourself. Allow me to explain more. If after what I explain still leaves you with fire in your eyes, then wait until afterwards to face me in battle to satisfy your rage.” Vestar mentioned.

“We are heading to Guthram to get married. That way, we are in another kingdom and her father cannot annul the marriage and we have to do this with a crowd of witnesses. With me marrying her, we can overthrow her father and gain power for the vikings. Brothers, Marewen is committing treason to bring an end to her father and Edgar. And our armies will rise. This is to our advantage! I’m still asking if you see reason, to stick with us while we rise to power. If you want a raid, this is a grand one” Vestar told them, waiting for their reaction while staring at their expressions. Bard still looked a bit upset but now he was pondering this new news. Grimar was a little bewildered but looked at the others to see their reactions. Haf walked over to Vestar and stared at him. Right then, he punched Vestar in the face making Vestar stumble and then looked over while holding his jaw, staring at Haf. The giant of a man gave a stern staredown. “That was for your false tongue…” He then walked over and placed his hand on Vestar’s shoulder, initially making Vestar step back a little thinking he was going to get struck by the brute again.

Haf chuckled “But your back is watched by me. I will be by your side when we stand over the carcasses of Philip and Edgar.” Vestar smirked “You could have started with that before the hit.” Bard and Grimar came over as both of them punched Vestar as well and showed the same gesture as Haf showing their support, placing their hands on his shoulders. The other two spearmen brothers by blood, Vog and Mar went to show their support for this new quest. Bard walked over to Marewen after all was said and stood in front of her. “Who would think that an English Princess would be the deciding figure to give the vikings the advantage to grow….willingly...if Vestar trusts you then I will look after your back as I would Vestar.” Giving her a smile and moving away to join the others while Vestar came back over to join Marewen.

Marewen had watched and blushed as the men were told and she completely understood their anger. Their loyalty was both heartfelt and welcome in her eyes. She knew that vikings were a violent group so the punches were not unexpected. In fact she chuckled softly at the rough banter between them. When Bard walked over to her and pledged his help to them she wiped the happy tears out of her eyes and held her hand out to him as was the custom. He took it as gently as he knew and kissed her hand.

The rest of the group came over to her and did the same. “I can not thank you enough for supporting us in this. You are right it will be dangerous. Edgar’s armies will doubtless be chasing us down as fast as he can which is why we must make haste and not waste any time. From what little I know about the viking army is that they are south of here. We must marry, and meet up with them to take my father’s kingdom.”

Marewen grabbed something out of the bags on the horse she was riding and then she mounted her horse. “Take the time you need but we must hurry.”

Vestar, Bard, and Grimar stared at Marewen, agreeing to leave post haste. As the men got on their horses, Vestar rode right to Marewen’s side, looking her in the eyes. “Now that is settled...there are no secrets between us now.”

With: @Wick

Reidun was able to get Conall settled with a tall bottle of strong ale. He was sitting round a fire with some of the others. She had asked Aksel to keep an eye on him. She was in a rough mood so she thought she might go see to that farmer who hit his wife or daughter. She saw Harek. “Hey you want to go with me? I’m gonna kill a man.”

Harek looked up in surprise from the fire he was warming his hands at. Grabbing his sword and a skin full of ale. “Aye I’ll come to make sure you don’t get yourself killed.” Jogging to catch up to her he took a long drink from the skin and splashed his face with some ale to wake him up more. “So who are we gonna be killin? Did you find who burnt the boats?”

Shaking her head Reidun’s voice hardened slightly. “No, we know it was them but not the specifics of who. I want to kill a man in the village I saw mistreating his family last eve before dark. My poor Conall is having bad memories thanks to the ones who ruined the ships and killed those at the outpost.” She massaged her neck a little trying to lessen the tension. “I need to be extremely violent.”

“I guess I could supervise you while you do that. What would Conall do to me if I let you get lost in the woods.” Grinning at his own humor he tripped on a root coming up from the ground. Gaining his balance he glared back at the root and muttered something about hostile trees. “I won’t stop you from beating the man up, but I must advise not killing the man. That won’t do the family any good.”

Reidun looked irritated. She saw his logic but she wasn’t happy about it. “Fine, but I’m going to scare the piss out of him. And that bastard is going to hurt for a week at least.” They walked through the trees to Oakshire. She knew there were others raiding there and she only cared about that one family. She went to open the door and felt it barred. She smiled. Good. I hope he is already scared. After two hard kicks the door came open and it took her only one good hard shove to knock over the table and other furniture against it.The family was a boy of seven or eight and a girl about twenty and a man about thirty years old.

Reidun was fierce looking standing in the doorway. An axe on her waist with one in her hand she was in traditional fighting garb. Tight pants that went to her boots. She had on armor of the best leather and a shield that she set down on the table near the door. She wore her long red hair in a ferocious looking updo that twisted into a messy waterfall of a braid. Her pretty face was covered in angry lines and painted runes as was her neck and arms. She walked into the room in her bad mood which became ten times worse when she saw the young woman with bruises on her arms and a black eye. The little boy was hiding behind her whimpering.

She took a step towards the girl and the boy when the man stepped forward from behind the bedroom curtain. Reidun motioned to the girl and boy to move away from the man. Scared and confused they went to where she pointed. They saw Harek in the doorway and weren’t keen on getting too close to him. Reidun walked straight up to the man and grabbed him by his shirt and pulled him towards her. She slammed his back into the wall and she got in his face. He was only about three inches taller than she was.

“I saw you yesterday. You like to hit women and children. I like to hit men who beat on women and children. See, women where I come from train with the men and we fight with them. This is why we are stronger than you english. Men and women are equal and we can do everything a man can.”

She looked at the man’s eyes who seemed to be extremely perturbed that a woman was manhandling him so easily. He spit at her and her eyes narrowed. “You bitch! Who do you-” Turning her head just a little she allowed the man to lean against her body just a little.

“There is no softness in warriors.” She said.

Reidun let him go and then she kneed him in the groin and slammed her axe about a half an inch away from his head. His eyes widened in fear. She called the children over, “Come, stand there.” Looking at the girl she said, “Women should not allow a man to beat her or her children. Who is he to you?”

The frightened girl said, “He is our uncle. Our parents are dead.” Reidun nodded.

“You know how to use an axe right?” Watching the girl nod she said, “Good, the next time he hits you or your brother you cut something of his off!” The startled girl nodded. Then Reidun waved the children back and she pulled her arm back and she slammed her fist into his face repeatedly and then started on body shots. When the man fell to the ground she looked at the girl. “I mean it girl. You kill him if you have to but don’t take that from any man.”

The young woman looked at Reidun and smiled at her as she left the home. Reidun was still a little hot about the abuse and she looked unapproachable to everyone except Harek.

“Well that was quite exciting, now wasn’t it. I do wonder if the uncle is going to try anything more now?” With that Harek jumped a step ahead and began to walk backwards. “I am just wondering if that got your rage out or not. I am terrified that maybe when walking back a terrible bloodlust will consume you and I get a blade to the back of the head.” Smiling Harek turned back around and nearly walked into a tree. Spinning out of the way he gave the tree a glare that would have made a hardened warrior collapse in fear. “I swear I will be killed by a murderous tree. Damn trees have long memories.”

Reidun watched Harek trip again and laughed at him. Grinning she asked him, “You’ve been tripping a lot how much ale did you drink before we left?”

“Hey, one must always celebrate a victory, no matter the cost they came at. If victory isn’t celebrated, what is the point of winning.” Harek looked through the trees to see the light from the camp and sighed. [color=00aeef “Everytime I come back to a raiding camp it feels like home.” [/color] Getting extremely quiet he muttered, [color=00aeef“Maybe someday I’ll get a real one.”[/color]

“Thank you for bringing me along on this little excursion of yours, it has been quite entertaining.”

Reidun heard what he muttered. “Aye, I’d like that too. I’m hoping we can get some land here and make our home. I think I’m almost ready to settle down. Now that I’ve found Conall… I wouldn’t mind a babe or two in the next few years.” She glanced over at him. “Is that what you are thinking too? Any ladies in mind?” She grinned. She wanted her friend to be happy.

“Maybe, just maybe you gossip. If I said anything you would tell Conall, and that man can’t hold a secret for his life. Honesty and alcohol is never a good mix.” Harek shook his head and smiled, “That happens to be the reason we met. The giant was bragging about how he had never been beat in combat and I wanted to have a peaceful drink. Unfortunately for him he decided I was short enough to use as an armrest. Ask him how well that went for him.” Harek had begun laughing at the old memories.

Reidun laughed. She could imagine how well that went. “Well he is rather tall. He thinks everyone is short so you are not alone there.” She grinned to herself at the thought. “I left him with Aksel and a large bottle of ale. He needs to sleep and calm down. I am worried about him. What advice would you give me? He is having troubles from the past in his mind.”

Harek’s eyes softened hearing what his friend is going through. “All he needs is for you to be there for him. With a person to lean on he will be fine eventually. You should go check on him, he is probably so drunk he might try to fondle Aksel. He will be much less useful without a hand.”

Reidun laughed and reached over and touched his hand softly. “Thanks Harek. I’m glad you came with me.” Reaching over she kissed his cheek and then ran towards Conall and Aksel.

Harek turned away from Reidun and wondered if he would be able to find his spot by the fire again. Taking another drink he began to walk towards the general direction of his fire. As he sat back down at the fire he looked into the blaze. He saw villages on fire, people screaming, horses stampeding. All the terrible things he had done in his life were flashing before his eyes. He couldn’t pull his eyes away from the fire, from the visions.
@Pandapolio

Reidun found Conall right where she had left him, with Aksel. Aksel was telling the end of a story and the others started laughing. Reidun walked up behind Conall and sat next to him. “My final battle is done for the evening. That jerk won’t be so quick to hit them again. I saw the others still over there raiding and the like.”

Conall looked over to where Reidun had just sat down. Smiling at her presence he said “Aye there's still quite a few out there who are never satisfied with the raiding we do.” Then realizing what she had meant she went to confront the farmer he became worried that she left by herself. “You didn't leave the outpost all alone did ya?” he was generally worried for her especially considering that they didn't know if there was still an army out there or what dangers were left in these woods.

Reidun smiled softly at his worrying about her. “No, I took Harek with me. He seems preoccupied of late. How are you doing? Is the ale helping you to relax at all?” She moved to the log behind him and wrapped her arms around his shoulders and laid her head on his shoulder. “I hate to see you upset.”

Conall smiled at her show of affection. He looked down at yet another bottle of ale he drank. “Aye it is. Don't worry though I can handle it much better than my brother Harek. I bet he was barely able to stand when he went with you right?” He kind of chuckled at that. It was always quite a show when Harek drank and after a fight like today Harek was sure to be up to his eyes in ale. He rested his head on Reiduns just looking into the fire.

Reidun chuckled softly and moved to sit on the ground next to him. Pulling his arm around her she remarked, “He didn’t appear to be drunk but he was tripping over things a little more than he should have been I’d say.” She glanced up and caught Aksel staring at her and Conall with a smirk on his face. Wondering what he was thinking she raised an eyebrow at him. “Something wrong Aksel?”

Aksel’s smirk disappeared and he seemed off of his normal self. “How did you guys get into the castle?” He took another swig of his ale and stared at her.

Reidun grinned and chuckled. “I was wondering when you’d ask about that. I found a sewage grate around the back of the wall and we went in that way.” Aksel’s eyes sparkled with laughter as he pictured a group of them going into the sewage tunnel. Reidun couldn’t get the hilarity of it out of her mind.

“Aye it was great being a giant trying to crawl through a tiny hole in the wall that was full of shite.” Conall try as he might couldn't help himself but laugh at the fact they had done it. Rubbing the top of his head he began “I think hitting my head on that ceiling was the worst injury I got in the fight. But it was all fine once me and Harek finally got through and got in on the action.”

Reidun smiled at hearing Conall’s laughter. It warmed her heart. She grabbed a mug of ale and pulled off her boots and let her feet feel the grass as she sat on the ground. Sighing happily, however, she couldn’t get it out of her mind that Aksel was just a little off of his usual demeanor. He seemed to watch her as he got up and went to talk to some of the others. Barely paying it any mind she figured her hair was probably crazy looking and that would explain the odd staring.

Conall had seen Aksel giving him a strange look as he walked off but paid it no mind. He turned his attention to Reidun who he held close. “Thank you for staying with me today and sorry for giving you such a scare.” After finishing that he held her a little tighter as if he was afraid to let her go. “I am glad though that Harek seemed back to his normal self. I was worried that I might have to go beat some sense into the fool.” He laughed at the thought of them both fighting once again like they did so long ago.

Reidun laughed at his words while she looked at his hands up against hers. “I’m betting that when your mother had you that you nearly split her in two. Your hands are twice the size of mine and mine are not small for a woman’s hands. Do you think she would have liked me?” Reidun looked at Conall and she caught Aksel looking at her out of the corner of her eye.

Conall rubbed his chin with his free hand acting like it was difficult question to answer “I'm not sure.” Seeing her slightly worried look out of the corner of his eye Conall dropped the act with a little laugh. “I'm kidding of course she would’ve liked you. I’d go as far to say that she would’ve loved you.” Conall looking her in the eyes saw some relief as he continued ”“I mean how could she not like a strong woman with a strong will and one that could keep me in my place. That and the fact you're not a mindless killer but that you save the women and children.” Conall began to laugh as he brought up his next point. ” “That on top of your red hair she would have welcomed you easily as part of the family.”

Reidun smiled, happy to think of his mother liking her and accepting her as part of the family. “I would have loved to meet her too.” After a few moments she started pulling her hair down from it’s wild braids and crazy updo. “I need to get the brush for my hair. I’ll be back in a few minutes.” Reidun got up, kissed him on the lips quickly and walked towards where they had put their things.

Searching through her bag she found it and felt hands behind her gently pulling her hair down. Reidun assumed it was Conall and she let him continue to undo her hair. Her eyes were closed and when lips kissed her neck her eyes opened in a hurry. This person had a beard. Turning quickly she saw Aksel and she stepped back.

“What are you doing kissing my neck. You know I’m with Conall. What is wrong with you!” Reidun angrily demanded from him.

Aksel apologized, “I’m sorry, I’ve had a lot to drink. I guess I just missed ‘us’.”

Reidun shook her head. “You had your chance five years ago. I’m happy now. I-”

Aksel grabbed her by the arms and pulled her into his arms and kissed her tenderly but Reidun pushed him back from her and touched her mouth. “Reidun, Conall is dangerous. He is not someone you should be with.”

Reidun ignored him and grabbed her brush. “You say nothing of this. I’ll not have you upsetting him for nothing. And if you touch me again-” Reidun reared back and punched him in the jaw. Her chest was heaving in anger and Aksel’s head spun from her hit. “Just don’t, Aksel!”

Too wound up she sat down and started unknotting her hair. Aksel walked away slowly and went back to get more to drink.

Conall had stayed sitting as with his back against the log as he continued to drink from a bottle of ale from one of the taverns from Watford. After finishing it he tossed the bottle aside with a disgusted face “is this what these people call ale?” he said to himself. He yearned for a drink much like the ones made back home but he only had one bottle left in his pack and he was saving that for a special occasion. Looking up from where he had tossed the bottle he saw Aksel walking back towards the fire.Weird he thought to himself as he didn't remember seeing him leave. “Oi Aksel over here” Conall said in a loud voice as he waved the Earl over as he rose to sit on the log itself.

Seeing Conall wave him over Aksel hesitated just a second but he turned to him and walked over and sat down. “What’s on your mind Conall?” Aksel offered him a jug of ale that he had just gotten. “Need a refill?” Aksel felt his jaw clicking thanks to Reidun and he smirked a little.

“Aye thanks” Conall was never the man to pass up a free drink. ]“Nothing of great importance really just felt like talking.” Conall felt that since he was very close with Reidun he assumed he should try to be on good terms with Aksel considering he had taken care of her and seemed to take protecting her quite seriously. “I didn't get much of a chance to talk to you since.” he pondered for a moment. “Well actually we haven't really talked much.”

Aksel looked at Conall and tried to see what Reidun saw in him. “No, the first time I heard anything about you you were in her bed.” Aksel stared into the fire a little bit. “I hear you have quite a past.” He took a large swig of his drink and smiled at the fire.

Conall put a hand on the back of his head as he carried a cheeky grin. “So you did hear me that night. I had kind of hoped you didn't know I was there.” Suddenly though Conall dropped all the playfulness in his face when he realized that Aksel had acted as if he knew about his past. Conall tensed up “Aye I do, what do you know of it? I enjoy hearing what rumors are passed around this fire.” Conall had hoped what Aksel thought he knew was just a stupid rumor like most that were passed around fires where ever Conall raided. “It seems that people can never help themselves but try to figure out where I come from and why im here.”

“Why are you here? Other than Reidun and raiding, is there something else? I’ve heard a lot of things. I prefer to ask you rather than just guessing. Reidun is ...well she is not like most women. If you hurt her… well-” Aksel kind of rolled his head and cracked his neck. “I’d hate to have to blood eagle you.”

“Well I do always enjoy a good fight. That's part of the reason.” sitting up straight making sure he used all of his height that he could. While he had warned Reidun himself that was out of love and not wanting her to be hurt. Aksels words however Conall swore had a different meaning behind them. But besides that Conall also took it as an insult that Aksel thought he would hurt her. “You don't have to worry about me hurting her. She's a strong one and I won't let harm come to her.” Conall narrowed his eyes towards the earl trying to find what exactly he was getting at.

Aksel caught sight of Reidun walking towards the fire. Her hair was down and she was eyeing him oddly. Sitting down next to Conall she slipped her hand into his. “What’s going on?” She asked suspiciously. “Is everything okay?” She looked up at Aksel and narrowed her eyes threateningly and he got up.

“Not much of anything. I just brought Conall some ale. I have to go do something over there.” He haphazardly waved his hand vaguely off to the left. When Aksel was gone she looked at Conall. “What did he say to you? He is acting a little weird. I think something is bothering him.”

Conall relaxed a bit as Aksel walked off and gripped Reiduns hand. “Nothing really we were just talking. Nothing you need to worry about.” Conall made one last glance over to Aksel. It was odd for him, he usually wasn’t like this with people. Most could testify that he was very easy going and made friends with most he met but something about Aksel was throwing him off. Turning his attention to Reidun he smiled at her as he placed his arm around her pulling her close and rest his head on hers. “What about you are you fine?”

“Aye, I’m a little tired though. It’s been a long day. At least my hair is down now. It was too tight on my head. Sorry it took me a little while to unravel it." Reidun stood up and pulled Conall to his feet chuckling softly. “Let’s head to bed. I know the outpost will be safe tonight. They have posted guards and the gates are closed and locked.” She lead Conall to the back of the encampment where she had set up their bed and tent. Reidun smiled as Conall took his boots off. She changed out of her fighting clothes and put on a dress that she usually wore. Her axe was always in reach though. Laying next to Conall she covered them up and fell asleep in his arms.

Fire. Fire and death was all Conall could see. Conall found himself in a giant city with stone buildings and a large castle in its center. Looking around he found that it all was on fire and bodies laid everywhere. “What happened here?” Conall said to himself as he wandered wandered around the city. He had realized that he was in his normal raiding gear and was covered in blood. Looking down he realized he was gripping his axes which were also covered in the blood of the slain. Conall began to get worried about what was happening, he didn’t remember any of this. “Reidun!” He shouted “where are you.” He began sprinting looking for her hoping nothing had happened to her. As he ran he found himself entering the castle that in all the devastation was still surprisingly intact. The sight that awaited Conall when he entered the throne room almost made him puke. Blood was splattered every as well bodies that seemed to be torn apart limb from limb. Hearing what sounded like crying Conall continued into the room.

“Why? Why did you do it?” said a voice coming from the bodies. When Conall looked the voice had come from one of the raiders he had seen with Aksel around the fire. “I thought you were one of us?” Conall stepped back out of fear at what the man was saying. When Conall backed up he kicked another body that was sitting up with its back against the steps leading to the throne. When Conall looked at the body he saw the lifeless body of Harek still wearing a face of betrayal.

“What happened to you brother?” Conall said with with a mix of anger and despair. Conall received his answer however when he saw one of his one family axes planted firmly in the chest of Harek. Conall tripped up the stairs as he tried to get away from the body. “No no no no. I didn't. I couldn't have.” Conalls hand made contact with yet another body. Turning around Conall saw the sight that would haunt him. Laying on her back with a puddle of blood around her was the women he could say he loved. “Reidun.” He said as he pulled her head to him as he began cradling her lifeless body. “No no no no. why you why you? It should be me not you.”

“Yes it should have been you. It's all your fault that I am dead.” Reidun said to him. Hearing this Conall dropped her back to her lying position with a genuine look of horror at what he was seeing. “It's your fault we’re all dead. You said you could protect us. You said you were our friend. Why didn't you warn us.” Reidun was now screaming at him “You could have stopped this but no you insisted on staying with me even though you know the kind of monster you are.” Conall was crying hard by this point at what he was hearing. “I'm sorry I Lov…” “NO you didnt if you truly loved me then you would have ran or better yet died to protect me!”

“No!” Conall shouted as he shot up with tears streaming down his face in a cold sweat.

Reidun had awoke at Conall’s thrashing in his sleep. She was currently laying out of range from his flailing arms. When he shot up awake she moved towards him and put her arms around him calmly. “It was a dream Conall. You are safe and you haven’t done anything wrong. Shh.”

Reidun climbed into his lap and let him hug her as she calmed him as best as she could. She remembered her own nightmares for a long time after her family died. She had always felt guilty and she knew he was feeling that way still. “You are safe and I am here.” She gave him reassuring butterfly kisses across his face and she wiped his tears.

“But you were, and Harek was…” Conall was having trouble speaking after what he saw. Conall held her close scared that he would lose her. “I'm sorry, I didn't mean to scare you.” Conall wiped the tears away from his eyes. “I need to go for a walk and clear my head.” Conall sat up and headed out of the tent.

Reidun walked out of the tent and stood there watching him as he walked off. His shoulders were slumped and he looked dejected and exhausted to her. She felt Aksel approach her rather than heard him. He had his eyes on Conall and then turned to Reidun. “I told you, he is dangerous.” Aksel looks her over and sees her arm reddened and his voice tenses angrily. “He hit you?”

Reidun looked up at him and shook her head. “Not exactly, he was having a nightmare and he flung his arm out. That’s all. I’m fine. I’m more concerned that he is so hurt.”

Aksel put his hands on her shoulders and moved in front of her. “You’ve only been together for two weeks or so. Don’t get so invested that you can’t see daylight for his shadows.” He looked into her eyes and she nodded.

“And if he hits you again, asleep or no...I’ll hit him back for it.” Aksel kissed her forehead lightly and walked back to his friends.

Wandering aimlessly around the camp he came upon Harek sitting staring into the fire. “What are you doing up this late old man?” Conall said sitting down next to him as he picked up a bottle of ale off the floor studying it to see if it was fit to drink before he took a swig.

Harek barely noticed as Conall sat down next to him. Jolted out of his haze by Conall’s words he looked up blearily as the tall man sat down next to him. “Just enjoying the heat. Why aren’t you in bed with Reidun?” Harek began to poke the dying fire to try and get it going again.

“Couldn’t sleep. Thought I might be able to relax with a fire in front of me.” Conall Stared into the fire as he Thought about his dream. “Harek may I ask you a question?” Conall said everything without looking away from the fire.

“Sure, what do you need?” Harek tossed the stick into the fire as the fire came back to life.

Conall kept his gaze on the fire for a moment before turning to look at Harek in the eyes with a look of concern. “Am I a bad man?” It was a simple question but Conall felt it the most important in the world.

“No, I have met quite a few bad men in my time. You are not one of them. You are a just a man that bad stuff has happened to.”

“You hold the same words as Reidun did.” Conall turned his gaze back to the fire. When his gazed reached the fire he saw himself standing at its center. He saw his face fade as it was replaced by the faces of those he had seen fall in combat, both friend and foe. “Do you still see their faces Harek?”

“It is a curse people like us must bear. Warriors with consciences...such irony”

Conall chuckled at the statement. It was indeed funny how great warriors who thrived in battle could be haunted as they were. “I’ll admit brother, I fear I’m becoming worse with every passing moon. The night terrors get more vivid and are no longer of the past but what is to come.” Conall hasn’t taken his eyes off the fire at all during this time.

Tossing an empty bottle off to the side “and I can’t even hide those fears under a drunken state with what they call ale here.” Conall laughed as the words left his lips. Seeing Harek still holding his ale he laughed once again. “Funny how these horrid things where the reason we met isn’t it.” He has said as he picked up yet another mostly empty bottle that once held ale.
@pandapolio@sly13

After they destroyed the ships, Cenwulf’s group disappeared deep into the woods. He knew the Vikings will probably be furious, and while it was unlikely that they would follow them into the unknown territory, the possibility was still there. And the soldiers couldn’t fight them off. The men were tired, dirty and hungry, most of them with some injuries, but at least now there was a light smile on their faces, not a look of defeat and desperation.

Cenwulf was sitting on a log and writing letters. Or at least trying to. He was struggling on how to describe the battle of Watford other than a complete failure, but then sighed resignedly. The king will have his head no matter what, no point in lying. When he was finished with the letter to the king, he started writing several letters to the nearby towns, all with the same content. The tip of his tongue slightly was sticking out, as he carefully wrote the words while trying not to get too much dirt, which he was covered in, onto the paper.

“Sir?”

Cenwulf nearly jumped up and made a small ink-blot on the parchment. “God, do you always have to sneak up on me so quietly?” He turned to Osmund with and smiled to let him know he was only joking. In the last few days he began to like this young man and to trust him with the most important tasks.

Osmund smiled in return. “Perhaps I can cough next time. You wanted to talk to me?”

“Yes. You say they are preparing to head south on foot.” Osmund nodded and Cenwulf continued. “We can’t beat them in combat, not in our current state.” And apparently not even while protected by walls and trained and geared squad of soldiers. “They are probably heading to raid the cities to the south. I don’t think they will go very far from the sea, which leaves us with only few options for them. I want you to send some of your scouts to these cities and warn them. Someone quick, who can sneak around. Also, there should be a smaller town north of here, umm something with grave in it?” Cenwulf felt stupid not trying harder to remember the maps, now he was almost lost when he didn’t have them.

“Kesgrave.”

“Yes, that’s it. This is a letter for the council, asking for supplies. And also for all the known hunters and poachers from the surrounding villages.” This was a risky and an unorthodox idea, but it seems that normal ways won’t do it with these pagans. “Someone who can sneak around in the woods, shoot things from distance, maybe lay some traps and most importantly get lost without getting caught. We can promise them a royal pardon, or a permit to hunt in the woods to some extent, or something like that. Send someone reliable with this letter. Oh, and also maybe a healer if they have one.” Cenwulf grinned and pointed at his head, where the blood finally stopped soaking through the bandages. It was itching like hell, but he knew that if he scratched it, it would only start bleeding again. Luckily it didn’t seem infected, which was almost a miracle given to the conditions they now lived in.

Osmund went away to gather the messengers and Cenwulf tried to remember what major cities lay to the south. He knew London was way down there, but even these madmen wouldn’t dare to attack it. Or would they? Truth be told, as the kingdoms in England were mostly arguing or fighting amongst each other, no one would send their army to protect lands of someone else. The Norsemen might be crazy, but they aren’t stupid, especially not when it comes to waging war. He sighed and shook his head. London was far away for now, there were more pressing issues to think about.

---

To the untrained ear the woods were full of scary noises, especially now after dark. But Osmund could tell exactly what caused each and every one of them, and which were standing out as unusual. He closed his eyes and took a deep breath through his nose. He could smell the wet dirt, the trees around and a slight trace of something that didn’t belong here – smoke. Smiling, he continued following the track, moving slowly, but almost noiselessly, thinking about every single step he took, checking the ground for twigs or anything else that might make a sound before planting his foot there.

Yes, someone definitely followed them after they set the ships on fire, but judging by the footprints in the dirt, it was only two people mindlessly running through the forest, rather than a squad of warriors carefully following their tracks. Osmund almost regretted that he didn’t stay behind, greeting each of them with a well-aimed arrow, but general’s orders were strict. Well, if any of them shows up now, I will teach them a lesson about how dangerous the woods can be after dark, he thought with a smile.

He crawled to the edge of the forest and found a spot from which he could oversee the outpost, hiding under a large gorse bush and wrapping into his large cloak to stay hidden from anyone walking further than a few feet from him. He knew he had to remain completely still in case that happens, because movement is always the thing that gives you away. People don’t search for a figure sitting in a gorse bush and their eyes will just pass it as a normal piece of the landscape. But if they notice even the slightest movement, they will look more carefully, and Osmund will be screwed.

He felt almost guilty about how happy he was now. Before all this, he was just a boy running errands for the Watford city council, mostly a messenger, too short and skinny to become a real soldier. And now, he was scouting the enemy and carrying out the orders of a royal general. He couldn’t screw this up.

Reidun awoke and slipped out early to take a quick bath in the waters before they had to head out to their next stop. Since the boats were gone they had a lot less supplies and now they would have to hunt or steal food as well so she was taking advantage of the water. She walked out into the cool waves and her hair floated out around her as she disappeared under the water. She came out of the water with her eyes closed and she shook her head and ended up laughing as her long tresses stuck to her as she walked out of the chilly water a few minutes later.

She was in a good mood despite the events of the previous night. Slipping back into her dress she wrung her hair out and ran her comb through it as best as she could. Often times she’d had help with her hair, if not one of her female friends then Aksel would often be seen helping her with the tangles. When she had asked him why he helped he’d answered that he liked how it looked when it was combed and she needed much longer arms to get it right on her own. This was the memory she was thinking of as she struggled with her locks.

Aksel had packed his stuff and looked around the camp as the others were just getting up and moving. The sun was beginning it’s ascent and he saw Reidun making her way back from the ocean. Her hair was wet and she was struggling with it as usual. He grinned and turned to one of the men nearest him and kicked his boots to wake him. “Wake your arses! We shall be leaving for the inland soon!” After that announcement he saw some of the others come to talk to him about their next destination.

Conall could hear yelling and the sounds of movement back at the campsite. He had assumed that they would be getting ready to leave soon considering the boats being burned and how there was nothing left to really raid. Groaning Conall stood up from his position against a tree. He had already packed all his gears since he had not been able to sleep well the night before.

Conall had begun to wander around the campsite laughing at the sight of men rushing and scrambling to pack everything at the sound of aksel yelling. Most of them couldn't even keep proper balance from the previous nights drinking and partying.

Reidun gave up on her knotted hair and grabbed out a knife and she was getting ready to start hacking it off when Aksel grabbed the knife from her hand.

“Oh now that’s a horrible thing to do to your beautiful hair. I’ll not allow it. You shall not desecrate it because it frustrates you.”

Reidun’s irritation with him was fierce and disappeared just as quickly. “Just like men? You all irritate me but I’ll not give up on you. If you don’t want me to cut it then you’d better help me with it. I can’t get the knots out and my head can’t take it anymore.” She handed him the comb and turned around so he could work on it.

Chuckling deeply he watched a bunch of drunken vikings stir and work on packing things as he combed knots out of her hair.

Reidun asked Aksel a question that had burning in her mind since she had awakened. “Where are we going next? Do you have a location in mind?”

“Aye, I do.” He answered, purposely not saying anything else.

Getting frustrated with him she pulled her knife out again. “Are you going to tell me or do I have to cut off your manhood?” She asked with a menacing grin.

Putting his hands up he feigned fear and laughed playfully. “We go to Guthram. I’m thinking London. It’s a big city and we should definitely be able to take a grand haul on the road there. I want to get the lay of the land from there and see where the rulers stand.” Reidun nodded in agreement.

Conall had been wandering around the campsite looking for Reidun. He hoped that she would understand why he had left last night and had not returned. I'm really not in the mood for an ear full. he thought to himself. Finally turning the corner he saw her sitting on a log with Aksel helping her with her hair. For some reason when he saw her sitting with him he felt something. Almost something like an anger or almost a jealousy. “Glad i found you before i left.” Conall said with a smile hoping it would somehow make her less mad with him.

Reidun looked up at Conall. She hadn’t looked for him. She was upset that he had hit her in his sleep then pushed her away and went off on his own. She had realized thanks to Aksel reminding her, that she and Conall had a connection but that they had only been together for a couple of weeks.

Aksel looked at Conall then at Reidun’s expression and he stepped back and leaned against the tree behind him. He wanted to see what she was going to do next. Reidun spoke up. “What excuse do you have? Normally I’d kill a man that hit me. I know you were asleep but you could have said something about it. Then you just walk off as if I mean nothing.” The look of anger in her eyes was cold like steel when she cocked her fist back and punched him square in the face. Then she turned around and kissed Aksel to punish him further. Aksel was surprised and started to return the kiss when she broke off and handed him the comb.

Conall could feel feel the anger in her voice. He had felt bad that he had just left her but he honestly didn't know what to do after he had done it. Part way through thinking this however he felt a heavy punch square on his nose. Conall took a step back nearly falling over from the impact. Bringing his hands up to his face as he bent over in pain swearing something in a language neither Aksel or Reidun could understand. But none of that compared to what he had felt when he saw her kiss Aksel. What's worse was that bastard seemed to enjoy it. Looking Aksel dead in the eyes with a stare that could freeze over hell “you bastard!” he yelled as he charged at the man. Grabbing Aksel he spun the unsuspecting man around slamming him into a tree. “You caused this didn't you!” as soon as the words came out of his mouth he threw Aksel to the side yet again. “there will be a lesson learned today.” he said with anger dripping in every word as he raised his fist into his fighting stance.

Aksel was as surprised as Reidun was that Conall went after him. “Conall? What in Valhalla is wrong with you? She kissed me!” Aksel though smaller in size than Conall he refused to back down. He was the Earl after all and he got it by fighting, not backing down.

“Conall” Reidun said as she watched the two readying themselves to fight. “Conall! Leave him alone before he has you arrested and imprisoned!”

“Be quiet woman!” Aksel said calmly with fierce determination in his voice. Raising her eyebrows in annoyance she walked over to her stuff, grabbed her bag and walked out of camp. “You are both…...unbelievable!” She declared on her way out.

Conall has almost thought about stopping and chasing after Reidun until he heard the words fall out of Aksels mouth. Hearing him refer to her in such a manner seemed to be the final straw. “You dare speak to her that way you bastard!” He said mid swing right before his left hand made a loud impact on Aksels cheek. Seeing Aksel was a little jared from the surprise punch Conall took the moment saying “I may have made my mistakes with her but you will show her the respect she deserves or i will beat it out of you.”

Aksel moved his jaw back and forth making sure it was not broken. “Good shot, almost broke it.” Pacing back and forth for a moment he angrily shouted at him. “Funny thing Conall, in the five years we were together I never hit her!” Aksel punched Conall in the neck as hard as he could knowing it would keep him from hitting back. He had counted on it to take his breath away. He'd known it probably wouldn’t kill him because his neck muscles were so thick.

Conall in the one moment he had looked to see if Reidun had left, felt a massive pain in his neck. Doubling over in pain it began to be hard to breathe. Knowing it wasn't Broken Conall knew he would be fine but he didn't have much time. He would start breathing again soon but in that time Aksel could jump on him. Conall using all the strength he could stood up and planted his massive boot into the chest of Aksel. The idea was that he would have the force to knock the wind out of Aksel and maybe break a rib or two.

Finally being able to breath and talk again Conall shot back at Aksel “you don't know me or what happened that night. I would gladly face down death for her.” Taking a moment to get more air to his lungs since he had a slight hitch in his voice. “And who are you to lecture me? You clearly did something to force her away from you so dont act high and mighty around me amadán gan sos!”

Harek quickly pulled Conall off Aksel and tripped him over his foot. As Conall stumbled backwards Harek kicked the ground in Aksel’s direction, causing the man on the ground to be temporarily blinded. He stepped heavily on Aksel’s knee and pulled his sword out and held it pointed at the chest of Conall. “Can someone please explain this to me before I get angry?”

Aksel was almost up when dirt was kicked into his face. He reached over and knocked Harek’s foot off of his knee and stood up properly. Aksel glared at Harek and then at Conall. Heaving a little from the kick to the chest he yanked his shoulders out of the arms helping him up. “Keep your friend on a leash Harek. I won’t imprison him this time, for Reidun’s sake but if there is a next time….” Aksel stared straight into Conall’s eyes. “...or if you hurt her again, I’ll kill you. That is not a threat, it’s a promise.” Aksel stated and walked back to get his things.

Conall stood for a moment letting his hands drop by his sides as he relaxed his muscles. Conall had almost said something along the lines of making sure next time Aksel wouldn’t stand long enough to give the order for his death but thought it better to keep it to himself as Harek still had a sword to his chest. Turning his attention to his best friend Conall became aggravated at his interference. “What was that about huh? I had it under control.” after finishing this Conall pushed the end of the sword away from him.

“Oh, so it was your plan to make a fool of yourself and then get executed? I am so sorry for interfering, how could I not see the brilliance behind what you were doing. How could threatening a Jarl, and not to mention your current raid captain, possibly be a bad idea?”

Harek sheathed his sword and shook his head at Conall. “At least die to the English, not to your own allies.”

“That man is no ally of mine.” Conall spat. Realizing that Reidun was nowhere to be found amongst the onlookers he turned away from Harek. “Whatever im going to find Reidun before we must leave.” Conall began to walk off towards the last direction he had seen Reidun.

Reidun had hollered at the men outside of the outpost that they were heading out and she had acquired a group following after her. London huh? She grinned as she thought about the trip. It was supposed to have been partially by boat from here but that had been altered by fate and the English.
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