Realistic or Modern Age of Vikings (Always Accepting!)

[John Raptorfist]

"Perhaps..." Magnus sighed, turning the sword he had picked up earlier in his hands. Halon was now asking about his companions. Magnus thought for a moment before speaking, a kingfisher sliced into the water nearby, only a flash of aqua blue could be seen. "The man's name is Aron. He's a good person, a faithful friend. He was leaving the earldom anyway, so I decided to go with him. The Saxon girl whom I kicked is called Azura. She's more of Aron's slave than mine. The last slave goes by Decthalia. She is mine." Magnus lied, leaning back in his seat that was nestled between two supply crates.


@Ruckingdom293

 

[sprouhtt]

Decthalia woke up to her head throbbing with pain, she had a killer headache. Decthalia got up from the cold hard ground and she looked around and saw nobody near her except for Azura, she wondered what had happened a few hours back since she ended up in a cell. She knew that she was still in the Earls place. Decthalia looked across the room to Azura,"What happened the last couple of hours ago?" She asked hoping that Azura would tell her what happened the last couple of hours. Decthalia rubbed her forehead hoping for her headache to go away.


@DarknessSpirit

 

[TwistedDreams]

Agnar woke early in the morning to prepare the defences of the town before Earl Hakon and his army arrived. He had ordered a large wooden spike fence be built around the village and archers to be placed around key points.


Now, with the battle only a short time away, Agnar stood in the hall of Hagevik awaiting his scouts word on Earl Hakon's position. His thought turned to Astrid for a moment, hoping that she was safe in Egersund, he was unwilling to risk her fighting in the upcoming battle which would surely be a bloody one. Suddenly Inghard entered entered the hall "Any word from the scout's?" He asked. Agnar turned to him "We're still awaiting-" As he spoke, a scout entered the hall, having just returned. "Ear- I mean King Agnar" The scout started "Earl Hakon is less then an hour away, sailing on the river with his entire army, the traitor Magnus is with him" The very mention of Magnus' name angered Agnar, his betrayal was still fresh in his mind. "Get everyone to their positions" He ordered, looking from Inghard and then to the rest of his men before picking up his shield and heading outside.

 

[Ruckingdom293]

Inghard nodded, leaving the tent and heading towards the field where his new soldiers were training. He stopped, though, giving Leiknir a pat on the shoulder. "May the gods watch over you today, as they had yesterday. I will not forget how valiant you have fought for a cause not your own," he said, seriously, leaning his head and bowing it slightly.


While most of the day had been spent in excitement and energy, Inghard found himself thinking of the men from Egdersun who had never even heard of Hagevik before him. Here they were, fighting for his town and his people. He would not forget that. Giving one last look to Leiknir, he moved on, towards the field.


"Soldiers of Hagevik!" he shouted, and the drills ceased. "Earl Hakon's army has been spotted sailing down the river. They will be here before middday... the time to take back our home has come!" he shouted, so that all the villagers before him could hear. "I know many of you have doubts, that you are not ready, that your fighting skills are not good enough." He drawled out the last words sarcastically. He caught sight of the Christian priest out of the corner of his eye and stared at him.


"But I assure you that the Gods are with us, for they have always stood beside those who fight for their kin, their homes and families! Let not doubts fill your mind, but let their fire fill your hearts! May Thor strengthen your blows, may Tyr give you courage, and may Odin give you the fearlessness to face down these dogs from Bersig!"


The members of Hagevik cried out in agreement, smashing their axes of their shields and stomping their spears in the dirt. Inghard looked at them with pride. They were ready.


XXXX


Smoke from the town could be seen on the horizon now. White plumes of campfires and smoke houses. Hakon spat at the sight of it all. "Sound the horn, we will reach the shores within the hour!" he commanded, turning rabid once more.


Oh he hoped to meet Inghard in the field. He should have finished him off like he'd done his father. He cursed the day he ever let the man slip through his fingers.


"Come on you men, soldiers of Bersig! There lies plunder! There lies glory! There lies waiting women! I hope they kiss their wives goodbye, because we will soon be kissing them hello!" he laughed, and the horn was sounded.


"Come Magnus, let us go win you the Earldom!" he hollered.


@Kencen @JacobLoL @The Elusive Shadow @John Raptorfist

 

[Ms. Sparrow]

Azura looked bored. She was literally dying of boredom, and her leg throbbed from moving it to much yesterday, she hadn't really slept that well either. So she had just groggily been led to a ship. Azura was laying on her back, humming a Bulgarian soft lullaby when Decthalia's voice startled her, although her face didn't show it, she sat up on the bench she had just been laying on. "We're on a ship. I don't know where we're going but the Earl brought his army. Agnar's army and Hakons army may clash today, most likely actually." Azura said casually. Drumming her fingers on the wooden bench.

 

[Sharkiee]

The sound of axes on shields made Astrid jump, bringing her back into reality, cursing under her breath, she had to do this. She picked up her shield, adjusting it so it clung tight to her arm, in the other hand she held tightly to the handle of a rather run down looking sword. She inspected it, hopefully she wasn't going to have to use it, not that it looked like it could do damage. Letting out a huff she let her feelings ease away, listening to the speech from Inghard, cheering as the crowd did.

 

[John Raptorfist]

Magnus hollred and cheered with the rest of the men as their ships closed in on Hagevik. He could see smoke arise from the town like pillars. Agnar's army was defiantly there. They must've fortified the town in some way, and Magnus knew that they would lose this if Agnar's party had the defensive advantage. "Hakon, my earl." He said in a somewhat grim tone, his ridged helm settled in the crook of his arm as he stood. "We should use fire. We have a slim chance at victory this battle if the enemy is holed up in a fortified stance. We should set the settlement ablaze and drive them out like the rats they are."


@Ruckingdom293

 

[sprouhtt]

"Damn these men, they'll get us killed if we go to war." She said to him as she got up and moved around, pacing back and forth. "I'm sorry if I woke you up." Decthalia said as she stopped her pacing to walk over to Azura who was now sitting on the bench and took a seat near her,"How's your leg?" She asked her since she knows that her leg would probably still be hurting. @DarknessSpirit

 

[Kencen]

Leiknir was thankful that Inghard had patted his right shoulder, rather than the injured left shoulder. He grinned, standing just outside of the tent, as he watched Inghard’s speech. He was disappointed to hear that Magnus really was with Earl Hakon. Perhaps it is all a ruse, Leiknir thought, though he had already prepared himself mentally for the fight that could come. Leiknir didn’t have much interest in politics; he wasn’t a good enough liar to take part, and he prefered to solve problems with his fists or an axe anyway.


Leiknir beat his shield with his axe, along with Inghard’s men. He then joined some of the other warriors from Egersund. Some of the younger warriors, the ones he had talked to before the battle the previous day, stared at him reverently.


Apparently, one of the younger men had watched his fight with Egil, the length and pure brutality of the struggle impressing him beyond belief. The tale had grown greater with every telling during the festivities the night before, and by morning, it was said that Leiknir had slain a hulking giant of a man with his bare hands. Leiknir just rolled his eyes at first, but then figured he’d try to play it up. These men were impressionable; for some of them, that had been their first battle.


“Yes! I slew Egil the Giant!” He lifted Egil’s axe in the air. It was a bit larger than either of Leiknir’s, though that was more due to Leiknir’s being balanced for throwing. “But, I am a man of Egersund!” He shouted as he returned the axe to his belt, looking each of the young warriors in the eye. “Egersund, the greatest Earldom in all the lands! And today, we shall prove it! Prove it to our new allies in Hagevik, and to our enemies from Bersig! Earl Hakon and his men will rue the day they crossed paths with the great warriors of Egersund! Today, we send them to the gods! For King Agnar! For Egersund!” He raised his right arm, hand clenched in a fist, a crazed smile on his face.


The young men all cheered, chants of “Agnar” and “Egersund” coming through. He even heard a few “Leiknir” and “Giantslayer” chants, though they were quickly drowned out by those for their King and their home. Even most of the veterans had joined in, though he noticed a few had been laughing. He looked on the men, and decided they were ready.


“Today we shall fight together,” Leiknir said in his normal, still admittedly loud, voice. “We will maintain a shieldwall as best we can. Prepare yourselves now; the battle shall begin soon. May the gods watch over you all!”

 

[Ms. Sparrow]

Azura laughed "I've been awake for hours. As for my leg, thanks to Magnus, my leg hurts like a bitch." Azura said grimacing, looking down at her thigh. Azura hated this situation, it almost felt real.

 

[Ruckingdom293]

Hakon smirked at Magnus, "Are you truly willing to burn your own future earldom? He asked, chuckling, a crazy glint in his eye.


He bent over, picking up his long two handed axe, and stared off as the village began to appear.


"Before we land, our archers will clear a path. We shall then jump ship to the shore, under cover of the arrows," he said, recounting the battle plan that had been decided by him and his hirdmen earlier. "Magnus, you and I shall lead the charge. Look for those who seem untrained and unprepared. I have forbidden martial training in Hagevik since I conquered it. It's warriors will be no match for us!"


The ships got closer to the shore, and Inghard could see them now. "SHIELDWALL!" He commanded.


The soldiers rushed to the beach, interlocking their shields and lapping them over each other.


Hakon laughed as his ships turned towards the port. "Sails down!" He commanded, and a horn blew to signal the command. His black sails were wrapped up, and the soldiers began rowing. As the got close enough to the town he raised his axe.


"ARCHERS!"


And a volley of arrows was sent sailing towards the shore.


(Posting while on break, won't reply for some time.)

 

[John Raptorfist]

Magnus lifted his brow at the man. "It won't be mine future earldom if we lose here, will it?" He donned his helmet, watching as they got closer and closer to the town. "I'm willing to rebuild this place if we win." He mumbled, watching as a torrent of arrows ripped through the sky above them, some finding their targets with deadly accuracy. Tapping his foot, Magnus grew impatient and hopped off into the shallow water, deciding to try his luck in the shield wall. Though he was told to aim for the unready, Magnus knew who he wanted dead. That person was Agnar himself.


@Ruckingdom293 @JacobLoL @Sharkiee

 

[TwistedDreams]

Agnar joined the long shieldwall that had formed along the shore as the flurry of arrows came down from Earl Hakon's ships. The shieldwall successfully blocked the arrows. Looking throught the small gap in the shield wall, Agnar could see that Hakon's men were now jumping off the boats into the shallow water. "ARCHERS! FIRE!" He yelled, the archers behind the shield wall sent a volley of arrows, hitting the men as they jumped off the ships. Agnar soon spotted Magnus, wading through the shallow water as Hakon's men quickly tried to form a shieldwall opposite to their own.


@Ruckingdom293 @John Raptorfist @Sharkiee

 

[Sharkiee]

Astrid formed part of the sheild wall, locking her shield with the other warriors. She peeked through the gaps, watching as the men formed a similar wall. She braced as the arrows flew towards them, digging her foot in behind her as she felt the impact of the arrow on her shield, her heart was racing, she was in too deep. She adjusted her helmet, making sure her hair was not visable. The call from Agnar sounded the throng of arrows from their side on to earl Hakon's ship. She blinked, she needed to focus if she was going to make it out of here. Finally Magnus came into view as he stormed through the water, her heart sank, it was true, he did leave to fight against them. Anger filled inside of her, she chewed her lower lip watching him, Astrid knew that Agnar was out to get him.


@JacobLoL @John Raptorfist @Ruckingdom293 @Kencen

 

[Ruckingdom293]

(Short reply


Hakon scowled as Magnus leapt off the ship before his command. Already his army fumbled off their boats, some following Magnus but the rest unsure of what to do.


"Jump Ship!" He roared and leapt over the edge, his shield slung over his back and large axe in hand. He waded toward the shore with his men, and they crashed against the shields of the defenders.


Inghard and his men braced, but the disorganized beaching of Hakon meant the charge was not as heavy as it could have been, and they were able to keep their feet.


He could see Hakon, and Hakon saw him, and both men felt their blood boil.

 

[Kencen]

Leiknir had fallen in with the shieldwall, watching and waiting for the enemy to close in. He was frustrated; how he wanted to charge, to claim the first strike in the battle as he had done the day before! But he knew it could not be. These men were ready, and he would probably be shot before he got near any of them were he to run ahead alone. Two arrows hit Leiknir’s shield, though neither managed to penetrate very far. Hakon’s men seemed confused, and only about half of them charged, the rest only just getting off their ships. Leiknir braced himself, smiling at their good fortune.


As the invaders finally clashed with the shieldwall, Leiknir groaned in pain, the impact stressing the wound on his left shoulder. Angered, the blonde viking stomped on the attacker’s foot, then slammed his axe into the man’s forehead, reaching over his shield. He pushed the sputtering man away, and another took his place. This one, wielding sword and shield, managed to parry Leiknir’s first strike, and blocked the second, though the man’s shield was splintered. The third strike destroyed the shield entirely. The man looked at Leiknir, in wide-eyed terror, as Leiknir’s axe met his throat, sending him to the gods.


This was what he lived for! All thoughts emptied from his head, as the exhilaration of a true battle filled him. His body pumped with adrenaline, he roared and struck at his next target, who had been struggling with the young man to Leiknir’s right. The invader managed to block Leiknir’s strike with his shield, but it left him wide open. The dark-haired young man, Iver, took advantage of his adversary’s distraction, slashing at his throat. He and Leiknir grinned at each other, then readied themselves for their next foes.

 

[Sharkiee]

She hissed as the army charged their wall, knocking her back onto her back, causing her helmet to fall off. Astrid blinked away stars, looking up at the man who had done it, some black haired brute with a grin on his face. She pulled herself up as fast as she could, fumbling for her shield and for sword. With shield held tightly she ran at the man, bring the rim of her shield up into his chin. He grunted as he stumbled back, she stared at him with gritted teeth, her breath short. He brought his sword down onto her shield, making her curse, he was stronger and was more experienced at this. Watching as he pulled the sword back again she charged him again, knocking him back a few more steps. Her sword gripped in her right hand she swung at him, missing horribly as he jumped back. The man's grin became more wicked as he finally started to gain ground, knocking his shield into hers making her stumble back, before finally she dug her foot into the mud and standing her ground, she glared at him from over the rim of her shield.

 

[Elucid]

The heathen men were exactly like he had seen in his visions terrible , monstrous and thirsty for blood they attacked in quick succession , coming from the deepest darkest parts of the ocean , they were doomed no hope was left this was the lords justice for the sins of man .


Pierre fell to his knees bending his head in prayer and started mumbling in Latin....


"Pater nostra, qui es in caelis, sanctificetur nomen tuum. Adveniat regnum tuum. Fiat voluntas tua, sicut in caelo et in terra. Panem nostrum quotidianum da nobis hodie, et dimitte nobis debita nostra sicut et nos dimittimus debitoribus nostris. Et ne nos inducas in tentationem,."


by this time his hood had come off his tonsure clearly giving up his identity .


@Sharkiee , @Kencen , @John Raptorfist , @Ruckingdom293

 

[TwistedDreams]

"BRACE!" Agnar yelled as Hakon's army clashed with their shield wall. His archers let off another volley towards the men still diseembarking the ships. Hakon's army looked to be confused and not all of them had charged the wall. Agnar swung his sword over his shield at one of the invaders, slicing through his shoulder, the man screamed in pain before Agnar swung, again this time stabbing straight through his neck. Agnar moved back from the shield wall before sprinting forward, putting his foot on one of the men's shoulders and leaping over the shield wall, bringing his sword down on the skull of one the invaders and hacking at another one from behind. He looked around, trying to spot Magnus in the hopes that he could kill him in the battle.


@John Raptorfist @Ruckingdom293 @Sharkiee

 

[John Raptorfist]

Magnus collided with Agnar's shieldwall with a grunt, he used his own solid shield as a buffer. In the midst of it all, Magnus had bowled over one of Agnar's men. Or more like, boys. He was a lanky teen, maybe sixteen years or so in age with dark brown hair. He'd seen this boy in Egersund before. He was the son of a chicken farmer. Magnus couldn't help but grin as the boy fell on his back and scrambled backwards on the dusty ground with a look of sheer terror glinting in his green eyes. In a clean motion, the blonde swede thrusted the tip of his sword through the bottom of the boy's chin and through his skull. Magnus felt as the tip of his sword exited the other side of the boy's head and hit the back of his helm. "The gods are with us today, men! Push these rats back up from the beaches and send them scurrying back to their hovels!" He shouted above the roar of battle, pulling his sword out of the boy's head. That was when a sharp whistle of an arrow cutting through air hit the man's ears. An arrow slammed into Magnus's left shoulder, sending the warrior stumbling backwards. It hurt like hell, but the swede was able to simply break the shaft off, cursing as the blazing pain ripped through his shoulder. He'd just have to remove the arrowhead after this brawl. Regaining his composure, Magnus charged back into the fight, his shield arm aching. He soon came across some red-haired shieldmadien being attacked by a black-haired man. Magnus decided to intervene and practically push the aggressor out of the way. The swede used his shield to slam into the shieldmadein, pain still shooting up his left arm. This woman was clearly untrained in combat, she was somewhat of a sloppy fighter. Snarling, Magnus dug his heels into the sandy ground, wailing on her shield with his sword. But soon, as he peeked from his shield he saw her eyes. Warm and brown. "Astrid?" He asked, loosening his advance. That was my until he caught a shield-rim to the side of the face by some blonde man nearby. It wasn't enough to break his jaw or crack his skull, but it still bled and throbbed in pain. Tumbling over, Magnus quickly got back to his feet, the blonde man was gone.


@Sharkiee

 

[Sharkiee]

Astrid held her shield high, her eyes closed as someone started bashing at her shield, she fought back tears as she strained under the constant assult. Then it stopped, and her name was spoken, she cursed, spinning around to find her helmet as the man was taken down by a blonde ally. Turning back she locked eyes with the bloodied Magnus, a pit of anger finally taking over, she glared at him, thrusting herself in his direction. She wanted to hit him, how dare he leave her there like he did, she hit him in the stomach with her shield, not hard enough. Stepping back she readied herself for another charge, this time making sure she used her sword, she gripped it tight charging at him again.


@John Raptorfist

 

[John Raptorfist]

Magnus felt the wind get knocked out of him as Astrid's shield punched him in the stomach. Gasping for air, Magnus watched as she readied herself for another charge. He stood there for a moment, just watching. His hand was placed over his stomach and his sword dangled loosely, it's bloodied tip touching the sandy soil. The swede grinned slightly, his mouth red with blood from the strike at his face. Magnus weaved out of the way of Astrid's next charge. She looked furious, and rightfully so. "Astrid!" He said, sharper this time. "There was nothing left for me in Egersund. I didn't want to be ordered around by a man I hate only to constantly reminded of my failures in life." He tossed his sword to the ground. "So, if you will it, kill me." Magnus said, his hands open.


@Sharkiee

 

[Ruckingdom293]

Inghard ducked under a spear thrust from the other side of the wall, then brought his axe down on the skull off the man who wielded it.


"Fight on!" He shouted, as the men wrestled with each other, bashing shields against each other.


He could feel their side starting to wane. His men were not physically strong enough to hold the shield wall for much longer.


He looked up and saw Hakon, standing there, grinning at him from behind his men. He raised his axe and a young man blew a small horn.


Some of the men from the left flank disengaged and formed up behind Hakon. He knew what was about to happen.


"BRACE! BRACE!" He cried out, trying to command his untrained warriors. But they could not hear him, and when Hakon's axe dropped their reinforcements charged, slamming into the backs of his own men, and pushing open the center of Inghards line.


A man came at Inghard but he pinned his sword arm with his shield, chopping into his collar bone. Another man came and slammed into him, causing him to lose grip on his shield as he fell to the floor.


Looking up, he saw none other than Hakon himself.

 

[Sharkiee]

She let out a growl as the man moved out of her way, making her stop awkwardly turning to face him. Astrid stood gawking as Magnus dropped his sword, tears filled her eyes. "pick up your sword" she growled at him, poking it with her foot, "don't do this" her face softened, "I did this too you" she gulped staring into his eyes, her hand twitching as she held her sword steady. She paced sideways watching him, was he seriously giving in that easily. She wanted to slap him and kick him for leaving her there, but not kill him, she loved him too much.


@John Raptorfist

 

[John Raptorfist]

"I did this to myself..." Magnus said, rather quietly for the circumstances. At this moment, Magnus realized that though he wanted the cold embrace of death to lift him up and out of his futile existence, that he wanted all of his anger and stress to be lifted away, he had to live. If he died, how would that effect Astrid? Magnus winced as he bent over to pick his sword back up. "Astrid, if I live, I want you to head north to a town called Bersig. That is where I'll be waiting." Magnus said to the russet-haired woman, spitting a glob of scarlet blood onto the sand. "Gods protect you Astrid." He said solemnly before charging back into the fray. Now was the time to find Agnar.


@Sharkiee @JacobLoL