Wick

Vikings Westward (closed)

@Jakub Pociecha

I need a cs sheet. It's in the header in the OOC. We'll go from there.:)

Vikings Westward (closed)

SECRETS EXPOSED

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

Let's Gush!

@King Tai

You rock bro! We'll be BFF's and partners for a long time. I'm glad to challenge you to do your best. That's a huge compliment and I appreciate it tons. I'm glad you are in my life too, Lovies!

Vikings Westward (closed)

THE EVE BEFORE THE RAID ON WATFORD

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

Vikings Westward (closed)

EATING WITH THE ENEMY

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

In Grimm Times (December x Wick)

Alexis

Alexis woke up with a start. She was fully dressed and on top of the covers but she was in Elias' bed. She had crawled in next to him as he had slept. However he was clearly not in bed with her now. Frustration and exhaustion fought for control of her tired body. Exhaustion won out and for a time longer she slept. Her dreams were frought with dreams of Elias' rejection and hate. Tears rolled down her face as she slept.

"Elias!" She screamed in her dream. He was chasing her and his intent was clear. She was now the enemy and he was determined to kill her. Alexis refused to kill him and she was doing everything in her power not to hurt him in her own defense. She felt the blood running down her shoulder from his blade and she screamed in her sleep again. "No! Elias please!"

Alexis woke up to find Elias sitting on the edge of the bed looking at her strangely. What she didn't know was that while in her panicked state her powers had awakened and she was sending out sparks in her sleep. She sat up and pushed herself far away from Elias and then she dove into his arms and wrapped her arms around him tightly.

"Elias, I have to tell you something. It's bad and ...and I'm afraid that you won't want to be with me anymore. You might try to kill me but it's not my fault. My mother...I saw my mother and it unlocked some kind of magic in me." With tears running down her cheeks she said, "I'm half hexenbiest."

@December

Vikings Westward (closed)

@King Tai

Accepted! Love him already! Plz put the cs in a hider in the char tab. You are good to write.

Vikings Westward (closed)

MAREWEN’S JOURNEY

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

In Grimm Times (December x Wick)

Alexis

Realizing as he disappeared into the water that they still didn't have the answers as to who had attacked Sophie. "Wait! Johann!" When he didn't come back she turned and followed Wayne. "Did he tell you? He didn't tell me anything!" Frustration felt like a glowing hot coal inside her stomach. She had never been one for being patient. She followed Wayne out of the caves and to the exit of the underground city.

Alexis watched as he performed the pricking of his finger to unlock the door to the outside world and wondered if she would die or if she could do it since she was half hexenbiest. "Wayne? Am I able to get into this place on my own now or is my blood going to set poison on me if I am pricked by that thing?"

He seemed quiet so she left him alone to his thoughts while she felt the tension and the excitement in her own body. She both dreaded and couldn't wait to tell Elias what had happened. She knew this time she was not going to get scared and run off. She needed to talk to Elias and get his opinion and help. She wondered what Sophie would say and she had a ton of questions for her aunt. She wasn't going to let her off without getting some answers.

Once inside the manor Alexis broke off from Wayne and she went to Elias' room. It was night again. They had been gone nigh on 24 hours or so. It seemed like an eternity and she was suddenly exhausted. She couldn't tell if Elias was asleep so she kicked her shoes off and just crawled into the bed. Her eyes were closed before her head hit the pillow.

@December

Vikings Westward (closed)

MAREWEN

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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