Realistic or Modern Age of Vikings (Always Accepting!)

[Sharkiee]

Astrid had taken the monks to her cottage, offering them food and drink, reassuring them that her father will not return, as he was readying for battle. After all the stress of fitting a group of men into her tiny cottage she stepped out for air.


She wondered down to Magnus' house, it could not be true what that man had said in the hall, it saddened her that it was because of her, he had done this. If she had known... she knocked on his door, her forehead resting on the door as she waited, there was no sound, only the hum of the insects. She sighed knocking again, "Magnus..." she whispered as a tear fell, hitting the grass. "You said you couldn't hate me" she grew angry straightening herself staring at the door, "have the gods made you a liar?!" She yelled, slamming her fist against the door. She dropped in a heap on the ground sobbing.

 

[Ruckingdom293]

Inghard had ridden hard last night, crossing the mountains and entering his old village in secret. Meeting with five individuals he and his father had known, and who held some sway in the community, had been difficult. However, a plan was set, though there had been much hesitation to concede their independence to another lord. So great was their burden under Hakon, however, that they were finally convinced.


By the time Inghard had returned to Egdersun he was exhausted, and had not been able to sleep more than two hours during the night. He would need to return to the village later, and actually speak to the peasantry. Hopefully he could bring someone like Magnus with him, in order to show that Earl Agnar meant what he said.


He was intrigued, however, when he came upon quite the scene in the town. People running about, talk of a fight and some wounded men being treated by strange men in robes. He scowled, wondering who these robbed men were. Entering the longhall he saw, and instantly recognized them. There had been a few of their kind in the town they raided in England.

 

[John Raptorfist]

As Magnus was slumped over in the rickety cart, the realization set in. He could very well never see Astrid again. Nothing in Ergersund really had grew on Magnus other than that woman. Anything else Magnus could just replace in whatever earldom they came to next, but Astrid was irreplaceable. The cart was moving so violently at this point that rest was impossible, so, Magnus simply sat against the wall, daydreaming with his arms crossed. The fact that she had picked Agnar over him hurt, but he did not hate Astrid for it. But, Magnus couldn't help but feel resentment towards Agnar. He Relished the thought of a hot blade slashing through the face of his former earl. But maybe he would meet Astrid again. That jewel of a human being. No matter how hard he tried, Magnus couldn't shake the thought of her from his head. Everything about that woman was infectious. Magnus sighed, hanging his head. Had she picked Agnar because he was earl? He asked himself. Magnus soon realized with this war meeting coming up he could maybe strike a deal with the local earl and become just as powerful as Agnar. If that didn't win Astrid's heart, he didn't know what would.

 

[Ms. Sparrow]

Azura glanced over at Magnus, who looked sour, in pain. Azura rolled her eyes. Love. Something she had never had. But she had faked it, she had broken many hearts, lied, to get what she wanted. She smiled to herself, before looking at Magnus with a blank face "Oh stop pouting" she said annoyed.

 

[John Raptorfist]

Magnus simply flicked out his knife again, as if to say 'If you keep talking, I'll kill you.' He huffed with annoyance. "Pouting? Pfft!" He said, almost sarcastically. "You know nothing of my life, Bulgar." He spat at her. "Now leave me to my thoughts." Magnus put the knife back into its scabbard with a glare at Azura.


@DarknessSpirit

 

[Ms. Sparrow]

However, Azura was feeling pissed off, jealous she had never loved, mad she was at a very low chance in survival right now so she continued to lash out, she put her finger to the side of her mouth as if thinking "I wonder, is it easier for you to torture yourself and pretend that you feel nothing? Or harder for you to cope with the real problem?" Azura said calmly and cooly, ignoring the knife he continued to threaten her with.

 

[northguy]

The group would notice the horses slowing down after hours of on and off hard riding, only slowing enough for the horses to keep their energy up. He finally coughed as he looked back behind him to group briefly, before paying back attention to the road as he idly spoke. "Right, if you two are done arguing, we can go over the plan.." He waited a moment after this, before speaking once more two them. "So, first. We'll be meeting with the Earl Haron and be informing him of Agnar's plan to attack, I assumed Agnar will begin marching soon, though our horses give us plenty of time to do our work." He paused briefly, cracking his jaw. "So, with that, I'll need Azura and Decthalia to dress in rags, we don't want the earl knowing we have Saxon companions, so we will make him think they're slaves. And it will be more than enough proof that we speak the truth. Chuyen!" The Vietnamese slave suddenly began to quickly scramble through the wagon with his scrawny body, picking clothes out of his sack and handing them out to the women, doing this as Aron continued speaking. "Magnus and I will be your captors, and once we are done meeting, I will need you, Magnus, to stay with the Earl after that. Join him on the field of battle.." He trailed off in thought, considering if he should tell a portion of his plan to Magnus. "Chuyen, get the knife." He spoke briefly, the slave once again scrambling over to a seperate bag and pulling out an intricate Seax, Aron speaking as he pulled it out. "That is the knife of an ancient Norse king. Once you reach the battle field, I want you to fight and kill the Earl Haron, announce yourself a descendant of the king, and stake your claim on the earldom. I will trust you to figure out your own path from there, Magnus. While the battle occurrs, Azura, Decthalia, and I will ride back to Egersund where we will finish the plan. Hopefully by then I will have gathered some men." He stated this blatantly, not going into detail before he finally looked back at the group, "Any questions?"


@John Raptorfist @DarknessSpirit @sprouhtt

 

[John Raptorfist]

Magnus ignored Azura as she flung insults at him. Aron turned around from his seat and announced the plan in a flurry. It was well thought out to say the least, but one part caught Magnus's attention the most. The Seax was handed to him. It was heavier than his own, almost like a small sword. The handle was beautifully crafted with many designs that resembled vines that all created the form of a wolf, a ruby made up its eye and it's gaping jaws looking as though it were about to eat the knife's blade. Tucking the seax away, Magnus asked Aron. "Where did you find that?" Better yet, Magnus would be a king after this! A king! There would be no need for tricky diplomacy when he could beat the current earl in fair combat. "Not bad...for a Slav." He said jokingly.


@northguy

 

[Ms. Sparrow]

"Are you shitting me?!" Azura exclaimed, obviously mad "Really a slave?! Well this is ironic.." Azura muttered, she started muttering a series of curse words in Bulgarian, she grabbed some of the rags from the slave "Give me that" she pulled the rags harshly from the slaves grip. "Don't doubt me when I mean if somebody lays a single hand on me I will bash their skull against a rock, am I clear?" Azura asked Aron in a deadly manner.

 

[northguy]

Aron whipped the horses into a swifter speed as they got deeper within Haron's land, the village in the distance slowly closing in on them. He spoke behind to the group once more, first to Azura. "As long as you can wait until we leave to bash their skull." He joked, finishing with. "No one will touch you, it's unlike men to lay hands on another's property. Especially when I speak their tongue." He let out a short cough, speaking now in a well trained Norse accent. It was obvious Aron had to practice these types of things, no one particularly enjoyed Slavic company for that matter. "As for you, Magnus. Be assured that your claim will not be challenged, Agnar brings another man with a strong claim to the Earldom, you will have many trials ahead of you. I trust you can handle them.." He spoke, before adding on at the end, deciding not to answer Magnus' question. "And your Norse king will not be happy hearing word that a descendant of a dead blood line claims any land. Don't get ahead of yourself too quickly, pace your claim, do it smart and right." The town closed in on them even moreso now, being able to see people wandering the streets from far away. ".. Anything else?"


@DarknessSpirit @John Raptorfist

 

[John Raptorfist]

"Smart and right, got it." Magnus said with a quick nod to Aron. He was already thinking of how he'd carry it out. Slaying the earl was the easy part, convincing his soldiers and people that he was not just some common thug along with defending this other claimant would be the real trial. "By the way...thanks." Magnus said to Aron, holding out his hand.


@northguy


(Sorry, need to go for the night D

 

[Ms. Sparrow]

"Deal." Azura had joked back, making sure nobody was looking, she untied her forest green dress, traveling her exposed body with only her under clothes before changing into the ugly, exposing rags, although her hair still remained neatly did as it did yesterday. "I'll try to remain silent to avoid pissing people off." Azura said bluntly, looked sourly at the rags she now wore.

 

[northguy]

Aron looked behind him at the hand, letting out a small chuckle as he winked at him, partly glancing back to catch a quick sight of Azura changing. Maybe he did like how she looked more than he had thought. "I'm not shaking your hand Magnus, you'll make it up to me one day, I know you will. That day, I'll shake your hand." He then chuckled at Azura's comment, turning and whipping his horses back into speed, speaking back to her. "It's only for a day!"


@John Raptorfist @DarknessSpirit

 

[John Raptorfist]

Pulling his hand away, Magnus nodded. "I hope I will." He was eternally grateful to this Slav, for he had just given him a free ticket to something that would normally take years to achieve. Maybe someday they would meet again, and Magnus would shake his hand. He turned away as Azura swapped into the rags, not wanting to get on worse terms with her.

 

[Ruckingdom293]

Inghard was rushing about, trying to find Earl Agnar. He hurried into the Earl's room and stood in the doorway. Rumors of Magnus' betrayal and the events around it made their situation precarious. "Earl Agnar. I have it on good faith that when our army arrives, the people within the settlement will revolt. It will allow us to easily approach Hagevik and capture it. If we move quickly, we can seize power before Hakon's force from Bersig can arrive to provide reinforcements.


It wasn't the whole truth, but Inghard trusted his friends to rally the people. The people may not known Agnar, but they knew him, and they knew his father.


He cocked his head slightly, "Have you heard back from Earl Syvl?" He asked. Having another foreigner's backing would be a great help. As it were, their forces would be mostly even matched on the battlefield. Hakon had more land than Agnar, this was true, but the men he could raise for troops from Hagevik would not be fighting for him.

 

[Elucid]

Pierre hadn't been able to thank the kindly woman for her hospitality , she had done much for them and Pierre hoped that despite all she may be one of the first to accept the light of god .... another thing that had been on his mind since stepping into the village was this talk of war , he had seen at night as he slept visions of death sweeping across the land talking all to the depths of hell , could it be that these visions were a premonition of what was to befall to this land ? if this was indeed true he had to tell someone , anyone and right now the woman Astrid was his only hope .


He had seen her go outside to take a stroll and Pierre thought that this would be the best time to approach her , as he walked a few paces from the small cottage he saw Astrid crouched , sobbing tears of anger and sorrow . Pierre gently approached the woman and laid a warm and understanding hand on her shoulder


"I understand that there is much that pains you , my child but there comes a time when you must put your personal feelings aside in light of the greater good . For I have seen terrible visions , of death and destruction that will plague this land , the army that your earl goes so readily to fight shall crush him and his men and continue onward to this village killing and plundering all they see , There is but one way to stop this menace and for this you must take me to where the deciding battle shall be fought"


@Sharkiee

 

[northguy]

The group rode through the town on their wagon in the early hours of dawn, the horses moving slow with each step of the way. Bystanders took note to the travellers, not thinking much of them as they passed by each house along their way. Aron took note of the people, most of them seeming satisfied with their lives though he noticed something off about the Earldom. He knew there was a possible usurper, though he doubted he had made more of an effort than kissing Agnar's feet. He had to be careful here, he realized, keeping his gaze ahead of him as they neared the long hall. He finally pulled on his horses reins in silent command, the wagon coming to a halt in front of the main door. He got off from the front of his wagon and travelled to the back, roughly grabbing Azura and Decthalia by their wrists as he dragged them from the cart. He needed to make this convincing. He nodded for Magnus to follow him, before going over toward the door and pushing it open, bringing the two girls inside with him. "Earl Haron.. We have much to speak of."


@John Raptorfist @DarknessSpirit @sprouhtt @JacobLoL


(Gotta go for like 4 hours. Don't do anything crazy while I'm gone! xD )

 

[Ruckingdom293]

(I hope nobody minds me playing as Hakon, since I did create him )


Hakon was sitting in his chair, raised slightly above the long fire pit that ran the length of the room. He frowned, a plate of food in his hands. His friend had just been telling him a particularly thrilling story about his shield maiden daughter, and Hakon did not enjoy being interrupted.


He wiped some chicken from his beard before holding a hand up to silence the newcomers. "Continue, Leif," he said, sending another wary look towards Aron and his companions. Hakon would let Leif finish his story, and watch the group carefully as he made them wait, without food, drink or comfort. He wanted to see how they would behave, so that he might discern if these strangers were worthy of either trust or even respect.

 

[Sharkiee]

Astrid blinked up at him, pushing her red hair from her face, "you've seen it too?" She mumbled, wiping her cheek as she stood, "the gods have shown me visions of this war" she cleared her throat, she wanted to stay by Magnus' house in case he were to return, but she knew that Agnar would not appreciate his future wife hanging around the so called traitors home. "Come, we can talk inside" she looked around, he wouldn't mind... she turned to the door, giving it a push it opened rather willingly, she stepped into Magnus' cottage, holding the door for the monks behind her.


@The Elusive Shadow

 

[Elucid]

Pierre went into this abandoned house that from what he understood must have some sort of emotional attachment to Astrid . The house was very plain with hardly any furniture , it seemed that whoever lived here left in a hurry . Pierre took the chair closest to him and sat down . he motioned for to woman to sit down too .


"Firstly , it would seem we have not been properly introduced , my name is Pierre de Vriers and i hail from Freesia , the northern lands of East Francia not much farther from the place your people call Jutland , I come here by order of his holiness the pope , the leader of the christian faith , to bring the light of god to the northern lands , I fear my child these visions that you see are not from Odin or Thor , but from the almighty GOD himself , you have a special role to play in what is to come , you can be sure of that"


Pierre continues to tell Astrid the story of Jesus Christ the savior , of Adam and eve and of the scriptures ect ...


@Sharkiee

 

[Sharkiee]

She sat and listened, questioning him at times. She watched silently for most of it, out of amazement for this god and his son. Once he was done she let out a sigh, "this God you speak of, why does he not send his son to save us again?" She tilted her head as she spoke, "unless you are him" Her eyes widened as she came to her conclusion, she shifted unsure what she should do.


@The Elusive Shadow

 

[Elucid]

Pierre bellowed in laughter , "No , child I am not the Savior , I simply spend my days in this land preaching and waiting for the second coming of Christ so that he may take all those who he deems worthy to heaven . You may even be one of these people , if you are pure of heart and dedicate yourself to the service of all man , for they are made in the image of god"

 

[Elucid]

@Sharkiee[/URL]

 

[Sharkiee]

She stared at him for a moment, "you await a man to come take you from this earth? To a heaven" she was confused, "you wish a man to take your life on this earth, so you can do what in heaven?" She held the bridge of her nose, overloaded with information. She shivered as the room grew cold, she got to her feet and tended to the small hearth in the middle of the cottage.


@The Elusive Shadow

 

[Elucid]

This form of questioning was not something Pierre was used to but he knew he had to learn to answer if he wished that people of this land converted .


"Ah , why do I await the coming of Christ you ask ? , well you need only to look around you , this world is plagued with disease , hunger death and poverty , the nobles feast in their castles as the poor slave away in fields not entitled to enjoy the fruits of their labor . Man has succumbed to the sins of this flesh , I try to help repair what I can but , there is not much my brothers and I can do . When Christ comes the best among us will be chosen , to go to heaven and have a life where all such evils don't exist , much like your valhalla - except you reach there through good deeds not through violence."


Pierre rubbed his hands together warming himself.


@Sharkiee