Fantasy The Dragon of The North

[Ms. Sparrow]

Jocelyn nodded "as we all are, when we get to the pass and pass it, we should probably get a good place to rest" she urged calmly.

 

[Offspring]

Abe followed behind keeping to himself the others on his horse Stormbringer, he enjoyed there company as it had been a while since he traveled with people, there conversation all though different in every way it reminded him of his crew. He look beyond seeing the statues they were odd in his opinion but somehow fit perfectly within the scenery, He admired the artist being one himself.

 

[Abendrot]

The Gateway to the North finally came into view after many nights of travelling. The gigantic statues of the two kings stood proudly over the narrow passage, their arms outstretched and their faces pointing towards the heavens. The stone men threw long shadows across the tundra as Einarr rode towards the distant purple mountains ahead. He had seen the Gateway many times before, yet it never failed to amaze him time and time again. If only he could return home on better circumstances.


As he rode towards the stone feet of the statues, he caught a most magnificent sight indeed. Riding through the overarching shadows were the group from Shukumei, who were sent to find the Dragon. A strange coincidence. thought Einarr

 

[Spazzycat101]

In a single swift motion, a large raven fluttered above Einarr's head, abnormally close for such a creature. The bird landed right upon his horse's whithers, observing him for a moment before the horse spooked. At that moment, the raven rose up in a blur of feathers, off toward the guardians of the Northern Gate.

 

[XxLuluxX]

((Awfully sorry I haven't been on. Halloween and paper rounds aren't the best mix. ANYHOW- So during my oh so fun job, i've decided that the northerners (Having a large Scandinavian influence) Have the Viking gods. Odin, Thor etc. But if there is any other gods or religons you'd like to reference, go ahead, make it up! c: ))


@Wild Born @Calcifer @SdrawcabDaer @TheDarkOwl @DarknessSpirit @Kulu

 

[XxLuluxX]

Bennett's gaze flickered over each strangers face, the small indentations of frowns, the lines of laughter, and the times where they had shown anguish. A face could tell you a bigger story than one could hope to be told. Yet it was the same with hands; Soft, fine palms, used to little work or holding a weapon. Rough, calloused hands from weapon use, or farming the land. So much could be taken from the appearance, although even he didn't possess the power to peer into the souls of each. The knight cleared his throat, watching as they approached the gateway. "We'll stop soon. Set up camp with our backs to the south." He suggested, once more becoming silent. "...Has anyone been to Thuaidh recently?" Sir Williams words quite out of the blue.


@Wild Born @Calcifer @SdrawcabDaer @TheDarkOwl @DarknessSpirit @Kulu

 

[SdrawcabDaer]

Uki nodded at Xamien, as to communicate that she understood. She then looked at Bennett. She wasn't sure if she liked that he acted a little like he was the leader of the group, but then again, she wouldn't want to lead the group herself. Although she was thankful that they would settle soon, she just nodded, as she had never been one to add much in words. While she continued to move forward, she looked at the big gates. According to the religion of her tribe, it was a sacred place, a sieidis, from which you could contact the spirirt world. This was one unique in that in that it protected everyone, instead of just one tribe. She remembered that when the falling of the North had just started, plenty had travelled there to get help from the gods. She wondered if she should offer anything when passing by. It stung a little in heart to see it, as she had missed the North, even though she hadn't been away from it for a long time.


When Bennnett mentioned Thuaidh, she looked at him again.


-Yes, I was in Thuaidh before I travelled to Shukumei for the meeting, she said.


@XxLuluxX

 

[XxLuluxX]

He nodded, pausing once again. Almost unsure of what to do, or say. "...How was it? I didn't have time to stop by. I passed the gates, only to see another influx of refugees entering. The city's crumbling under the pressure...I was wondering how it was dealing." The knight asked, head bowed. He only asked as of his mother. The only family he had, apart from his uncle whom he barely knew. What he did know, was only that he was a disgrace to the family, and had turned to a life abroad. The way he asked, was one that could be confused with embarrassment, or perhaps an awkwardness that exposed his tense anxiety.


Bennett had many sides, one of them was even caring would you have ever believed it? Of course he was a confusing man, used to being in charge, even when it wasn't his place to be. It was...Natural? Oh hell, he got in trouble for it, and tried to not act like the commander he had been; but things such as that were instilled into you. Yet the one thing he hated most about leadership was the guilty conscious one would gain from the death of a member of the group, or injury he could have prevented. All those "Ifs" could really bring a man down. By the gods he didn't know how much lower he could get!


@SdrawcabDaer

 

[Spazzycat101]

@Lorkhan

 

[Abendrot]

Roach reared as the raven suddenly landed on his back, almost throwing Einarr off. "Damn!" Einarr cursed. When he looked up, the raven had left behind a rain of black feathers at the mare's feet, and was now flying upwards towards King Svein's statue. Einarr wondered why a timorous bird such as that would take this much interest in him, rather than avoiding him altogether. Without paying any more mind, Einarr jerked on the reins and continued riding forward.

 

[Calcifer]

((Sorry for my inactivity lately))


Astrid looked up and gazed upon the statues- the guardians of the northern gate. They were much bigger than she imagined them to be. In fact, they were even more impressive than she imagined them to be. Her thoughts were then interrupted with Sir Bennett William asking about Thuaidh. It then made her wonder why he would ask such a question. Therefore, Astrid looked at him as she rode before speaking. "What makes you ask such a question? If you don't mind me asking..." Astrid said nosily, hoping that he would answer the question. But she could never quite be sure, after all it was Bennett and he was unpredictable to her...


@XxLuluxX

 

[XxLuluxX]

The knight looked up toward Astrid, pausing a moment. "...It is my home." He finally responded after pausing. Finding the words to speak. Bennett concealed the truth, for the truth made one seem weak, did it not? He hardly knew these strangers, apart from their names, and first impressions. He'd already had a breakdown infront of them, and wasn't going to let it happen again. Hopefully. He locked his jaw, tensing it slightly as he proceeded to look away from her and back out to the gateway. It was then he shut his eyes a moment in silent prayer


May Odin give me knowledge on my path,


May Thor grant me strength and courage on my way,


And may Loki give me laughter as I go.





@Calcifer

 

[Calcifer]

Astrid could see that he was uncomfortable about speaking. Perhaps something had happened? She didn't want to push him, in fact she knew that it wasn't a very good idea to. They needed for him to be strong and have a clear head. Until he could talk about it, she wouldn't mention it again. Astrid then looked away from him again and glanced back into the distance. "I see." She answered with and then nothing more. Then all that passed her lips was silence.


@XxLuluxX

 

[XxLuluxX]

"Are you religious Astrid?" He asked, opening his eyes to look at her intently. Bennett would say that he was a man of faith, a warriors faith. One that rewarded you for a good death. Which is one of the reasons, he was still alive. To die in battle, meant he would be sent to the gates of Valhalla to be judged, then dine with the gods for eternity. A paradise of knowledge, and war. Boasting of victories young and old. The knight himself, alike other warriors favoured Thor. The god of thunder, the sky and the law. Yet no one should forget the goddess Freya, of war and death.


@Calcifer

 

[Calcifer]

Astrid could feel his gaze upon her, which made her feel slightly uncomfortable. She turned her head back to face him before she spoke. "No. I only believe that I can control my fate, no one else." Astrid thought for a moment. "But it would be nice to think that there is something else after death." She admitted, hoping that she had answered his question.


@XxLuluxX

 

[TheDarkOwl]

(sorry i didn't post something these last days, but I had an exam coming up O.o )


She had heard the question Bennet asked Astrid. As she didn’t like the silence and needed something to distract her from the moons pull. She decided to also answer his question and said. ‘I am, but unlike most people, I don’t pray as much to Thor, Odin and Loki. Instead I pray to Dagur an Eir.’ Eir was the goddess of healing and as she was a healer, she prayed a lot to her. Well.. and Dagur was the god of the sun, but to her he was more a god of salvation.


@Calcifer @XxLuluxX

 

[XxLuluxX]

He nodded himself, looking away once again. "Don't worry, I won't try and preach to you about religion. Merely out of curiosity you see" He explained, giving a ghost of a smile in response. "But, as you said, having hope that there is...Something after death...Is natural. I believe that Valhalla waits for me after I die." Bennett ran a hand through his hair, looking about his surroundings. "...Its...Strange. When you say to a dying man: I'll see you there. Its as if you're walking down to the tavern for a drink afterwards" He laughed lightly. "I like that."


The knight looked now toward the other woman on horseback. "May I ask what is after death for you then? Who knows, we may cross paths in the afterlife"


@TheDarkOwl @Calcifer


((Its fine ^-^))

 

[TheDarkOwl]

‘I hope’ Cyra said after thinking, about his question for a while ‘to find a better place, with new chances, new beginnings and I hope to…’ she stopped for a while not knowing which words to use, then after a few seconds she decided ‘…gain respect’ The actual thing she wanted to say was; regain respect, but these people didn’t know what had happened and she liked to keep it that way. She especially wanted to regain the respect of the people she had disappointed. Her friends, her grandparents and above all Gaius. Automatically when thinking about Gaius she touched her bracelet, only if it was just to make sure it was still there.

 

[XxLuluxX]

"I hope your death be noble" He replied bowing his head. Bennett himself wore an amulet of Thor's hammer Mjölnir around his neck for what little protection it could give. It gave his mind peace. "My father always said, that the key to a good death was to fight with a sword in one hand, Thor in the other with a smile on your face. I still live by his words." He recalled, remembering far back into his youth. Then the day they told him and his mother, that his father had fallen. "Of course, death in battle is not for all. Some would like to die alone, others surrounded by family. But let us change the subject, death is a little too dark a conversation for the trip. They say the harvest this year will be a plentiful one"


@TheDarkOwl @Calcifer

 

[TheDarkOwl]

‘well I’m happy to hear that’ she said, it was true. She still remembered one year, where the harvest was so bad, people were from everywhere flooded the big cities, just to get something to eat. If there was a year with a bad harvest it would affect the entire land. Then she started wondering, about something and so she asked Bennett. ‘how do you actually get food in the North? Isn’t it way too cold to grow crops? Do you trade things for food?’


@Calcifer @XxLuluxX

 

[XxLuluxX]

"Yes, and no. Our crops are soil based, and are seeded in the spring. The spring causes a light frost, killing off weaker plants and unhealthy leaves or such. Then throughout the summer we harvest. But through the winter, we have a trade of our steel ore and furs. Most men and women will hunt to make up the meals, or taxes. It is why most weddings are in the summer, as it requires a weeks feast. Trust me, that is one hell of an after party" He laughed. "But at the ending of summer, we welcome in the winter with yet another week long party, to get rid of any perishable foods."


@TheDarkOwl @Calcifer

 

[Calcifer]

Astrid listened intently to what he had to say. It was certainly an interesting conversation as she hadn't really have any experience with traditions like that. For her, even when her 'father' took her in, it was all about survivalfor her, nothing else. Astrid would have loved to be apart of a wedding, or a feast. "So i'm guessing you have been apart of these weddings and feasts?" She asked Bennett to clarify.


@XxLuluxX

 

[XxLuluxX]

The knight nodded with a slight smile "Indeed, I've been to a few. The winter festival is wide spread though, each village has its hall, to feast in. A reason why the cities have lots of halls too, for each area. Everyone pays money into their halls charity, for the winter feast. You must have been Astrid, every man, woman and child from the north has been to the winter festival. Yet weddings depend upon how many people you know whom would get married. In the army, there's a lot of men with sweethearts at home"


@Calcifer

 

[Spazzycat101]

Religious inquiries. Something Ella dared not bother with. If it were essential she say anything, she would only mention she was undecided. Any more and she could embarrass herself. She decided to silence herself to avoid that peril. She intended to live to the fullest of her ability, if there is life after death, all the more power to her. If not, she was already satisefied.

 

[Calcifer]

The feasts certainly sounded an absolute pleasure to go to. Astrid listened to everything he said before replying. "Well, if I did I really don't remember. I was very young when-" She cut the sentence off right there, not wanting to finish what she was going to say. Astrid then looked away from him so she would avoid awkward eye contact.


@XxLuluxX