[Ex] Draugararkvida: The Lay of Ghosts Saga Thread
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		<h2 id="linktree">Play-By-Post: Extreme =&gt; Extreme Small Groups =&gt; Topic started by: Mnemaxa on 11-03-2009, 15:56:07</h2>
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				Title: <strong>[Ex] Draugararkvida: The Lay of Ghosts Saga Thread</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Mnemaxa</strong> on <strong>11-03-2009, 15:56:07</strong>
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				<em>Hrothgunsen's Holdt</em><br><br>Winter is normally a lean time for the villagers of Hrothgunsen's Holdt.&nbsp; The few vegetables that grow in the winter are hard and tough; the animals that roam the woods are canny and swift.&nbsp; But this year has been different, and Rurik One-Handed of the line of Hrothgar is worried.&nbsp; <br><br>The Holdt is set into the southern face of Sigurd's Bane, the mountain that holds the precious iron which makes life in the Holdt possible.&nbsp; to the west is deeper cold and more mountains, where the herds migrate to in the summers.&nbsp; Yes this season there are more animals moving west in this cold winter than anyone has ever seen or heard tale of.&nbsp; And note merely the elk - the boar and the foxes, animals which never migrate have been seen moving westward, fleeing some unknown danger.&nbsp; <br><br>Lord Rurik has been thoughtful and silent on this strange matter, and it would not have been anything more odd than some strange migration if it had not been for the other animals.&nbsp; Cattle, and pigs - not boar, but the pigs which so often share the homes of men - have been sighted, and they bear the marks of men; brands and lariats, bells hung from ropes.&nbsp; Horses too have been seen, staggering in the cold and hungry.&nbsp; At first there werre those who collected the domestic animals, and kept them.&nbsp; No disease seemed to come from them, but as the weeks past and more strange animals and cattle and horses were seen, it became almost taboo to molest them.&nbsp; <br><br>And still they came.&nbsp; <br><br>The elders - so few, for the hard winters kill too easily - have been making noises of a great signs, and those who council Rurik One-Handed speak of sending someone to those homes and villages to the east to see what has driven these animals into the killing cold.&nbsp; A dragon or serpent are spoken of, or perhaps the ancient peoples, the dark elves and dwarves have risen up.&nbsp; Others speak of the ice giants, and how they must be driving those to their strongholds far west of all.&nbsp; <br><br>But the elderly women, the weavers and sewers, they whisper an ancient word, a dark word:&nbsp; draugar, the forgotten ghosts, the corpses which walk and feed upon men.&nbsp; <br><br>Rurik keeps his own council, but he rubs the stump of his left hand often, a sure sign that he is worried....
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				Title: <strong>Re: [Ex] Draugararkvida: The Lay of Ghosts Saga Thread</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Apple of Eris</strong> on <strong>15-03-2009, 01:52:15</strong>
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				Milyausha and the small group she rode with entered the village a few hours after daybreak. The going had been hard and the trek had taken many weeks to complete, but they had reached the North, and crossed the stormy waters many called the Austmarr or Gandvik (the Baltic Sea). Milyausha had seen many rivers and crossed them, and even been to the edge of the Pontos Axeinos (Black Sea) but had never sailed it's waters, nor the waters of any great body of water.<br><br>In truth, she had been terrified, and all the more so for the storm and ice they encountered on their voyage. The Northmen she journeyed with had teased her for it, but it was the gentle teasing of one fully acceptedinto their number. She had proven herself to this group in battle, and in the hunt, helping to keep them fed during their travel. <br><br>Entering the village she dismounted from her small steppe horse and followed the others to a stable to feed and keep her animal. Her brown eyes looked around curiously, taking in the odd sights and sounds, so different from the place she had lived far to the south. The people of the Holdt seemed worried to Milyausha and in truth she herself was somewhat worried. It seemed all was not well here in the North, and she was growing weary of the travel. The winter was a hard time, harder here in the unfamiliar mountains and forests of this strange land. She knew some of the group she traveled with wished to move on, others wished to stay. She herself favored staying for at least a short time, till hopefully the weather improved and she had a chance to recover from the strains of travel.<br><br>"Mil," one of her companions spoke. <br><br>"Hrm?" She asked with a questioning noise, tossing some feed to her animal.<br><br>"We will meet with Rurik, the ruler of this place today, request to stay a short time and rest before we move on. It will be many days before I reach my village. Some may stay here for the winter, this is a good village with many strong people, rich in metal, and for some of our friends," He jerked his head towards Agmundr who was openly watching a pair of young women of the village walk across the open space before the hall, "other reasons to remain. You may come or go as you wish Mil. If our paths part here, it has been an honor to travel with you this far."<br><br>Milyausha smiled and nodded, "I will think on this Gautirr, I will have my decision tonight. For now, let us eat something before we meet this Rurik and are made to drink more of your people's horrible ale." <br><br>Gautirr clapped a hand onto Mailyausha's shoulder and let loose a good-natured laugh. "Ah Little Sister, someday you will learn an appeciation for our drink. Come, let us eat now."<br><br>
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				Title: <strong>Re: [Ex] Draugararkvida: The Lay of Ghosts Saga Thread</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Valerian</strong> on <strong>16-03-2009, 16:12:50</strong>
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				Not far from this stable, a young girl lingered in the shadows of the building on the other side of the narrow, muddy street, watching the little group settle their horses in.&nbsp; Her eyes were the color of the sea on a calm day, when the water is still and clear enough that it almost gives up its deepest secrets, and they now watched steadily.<br><br>After a few moments, she nodded faintly to herself and relaxed her vigil, now only half-aware of what they were doing as they chatted a little more and then moved away in search of their meal.&nbsp; The girl, Signy, found a small patch of grass and knelt gracefully on it, as ladylike as she could be while dressed as a boy, her slender frame hidden beneath rough leggings and a tunic that was slightly too big.&nbsp; But she was otherwise neat and tidy, her dark blonde hair bound back smoothly, her face and hands as clean as anyone's in the Holdt.&nbsp; The small bag hanging at her waist was especially well-cared for, made of smooth, unbleached linen, one seam recently painstakingly repaired.&nbsp; She caressed that spot now, a faint frown crossing her otherwise placid face.<br><br>After a moment, her expression cleared and she reached into the bag, drawing out three runes slowly and steadily, and laying them out on the tough, wiry grass before her.&nbsp; They were made of smooth, ivory bone, each one polished and carved with infinite care, and she let her hand linger on each as she set them down.&nbsp; Again she nodded faintly, resigned to whatever she saw before her, then returned each rune to her bag with the same steady pace, closing the drawstring carefully before standing, brushing herself off, and continuing on her own way down the street towards the travellers' inn.
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				Title: <strong>Re: [Ex] Draugararkvida: The Lay of Ghosts Saga Thread</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Sarissa</strong> on <strong>17-03-2009, 16:06:15</strong>
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				The holdt, while massive to Ádísa, did little to instill a sense of security in the thinned survivor. Following the other animals she had found along her westward trek, the scraggy looking girl was given shelter amongst the mountain side village. Her welcome was distant: not the greeting of strangers, but that of those who were afraid to offend some not-so-distant malign presence. In truth, the feeling of being a pariah made the transition easier for Ádísa. While one could only have so many mental conversations with oneself, full blown discussions seemed entirely too surrealistic a concept for the wizened traveler.<br><br>A rugged, unkempt steed walked seemingly aimlessly beside her. Stacks of pelts and supplies were tied with careful knot work and perched evenly over the horse's back, yet the hide-clad traveler did not appear a trader. In truth, the goods were gathered along the way and such a collection gathered was entirely more than Ádísa could use in many weeks. There was but one reason to bring this much into Hrothgunsen's Holdt: to pay for an extended stay and for protection only metal weapons and armor could provide.<br><br>Her haunted eyes still reflected the fear that she felt and held close to her core since the 'incident'. It seemed remote, but the dreams would rush the memory back in unforgiving clarity. Casting her eyes the circumference of the holding, the fur covered traveler's gaze would pause upon the warriors, weapons and fortifications in place. As if hugging herself, Ádísa tried to feel reassured that such brawn and bravery would be enough to banish the ghost of her past and the dreams of her present.
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			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: [Ex] Draugararkvida: The Lay of Ghosts Saga Thread</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>The Golden Touch</strong> on <strong>18-03-2009, 02:28:08</strong>
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				In the distance was the Holdt, the town spread out in a half ring against Sigurd's Bane mountain face.&nbsp; The village was well-patrolled at the fringes, as well as the tall fence built to keep riders and masses from invading.&nbsp; It was a sound place to live, and their King a good one.&nbsp; Sabine stood on a hill, the reins of her black mare laced in the fingers of her gloved left hand.&nbsp; Her hood pull up over her flame coloured tresses, shielding her from the harsh, cold winds of the surrounding tundra.&nbsp; Smoke was rising from the cook pits of the village, she could see it from her far off viewpoint with her own eyes.&nbsp; <br><br>She and her friend, Rydis, had gone hunting the day before for whatever game they could find.&nbsp; The migrating animals made it harder to feed the population of the town, and the lack of vegetables even worse.&nbsp; The few winter berries and herbs she'd gather would lend to the dwindling stocks.&nbsp; Her mare pranced restlessly beside her, neighing, straining because she knew home was close.&nbsp; Sabine ran the gloved palm of her right down her mare's ebony neck, whispering calming words to the prancing animal.&nbsp; The horse calmed, nosing her rider's chest for treats.&nbsp; She laughed, rubbing her fingers over the mare's nose.&nbsp; <em>"Good girl, pretty girl,"</em> She whispered to the creature, looking over her shoulder at the line of trees, and the shadows beneath.<br><br>Rydis needed to catch up so they could make it home before nightfall.&nbsp; The hunt had been successful, at least enough to feed the village.&nbsp; The two of them had flushed a lean boar out, and by sheer mistake, or luck, a second one.&nbsp; Her horse had been nimble enough to avoid the aggressive creature, allowing Rydis to down the animal as it took its final stance against the pair.&nbsp; Thankfully, his Clydesdale was strong enough to drag the two carcasses behind it, while her nimble mare was not.&nbsp; She'd ridden ahead to scout their return, but she'd expected him to appear sooner than this.&nbsp; Her attention turned back the village, and the growing threat to their way off life.<br><br>The elders of the village, at least those that had survived the cold winter, spoke of a strange people- those that were death, but not dead.&nbsp; The draugar, an ancient and forgotten people.&nbsp; Their King ignored the words of the wise women, and in turn, could prove to be the downfall of the mountain town.&nbsp; But Sabine knew her King was worried, for he rubbed the stump of his left hand and it was a sign of his discomfort of the situation.&nbsp; She frowned at she looked at the village, praying that they would make it through the rest of this winter- and whatever came their way.
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			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: [Ex] Draugararkvida: The Lay of Ghosts Saga Thread</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>SinXAzgard21</strong> on <strong>18-03-2009, 07:03:17</strong>
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				After traveling through the trees of the forest at the fringes of Sigurd's Bane mountain, the Holdt village would come into view with its sturdy defenses.&nbsp; The branches of the old pines hung low enough that Rydis had to lower his head so that his near hairless head would not be exposed to the chilling elements.&nbsp; Steam rose from the horses maw as it took in air, a light snow covering it auburn fur.&nbsp; Strapped to the back of the saddle was a gurney on which the hunted boar laid slain and ready to be skinned.&nbsp; Ducking one last time he came to the hill Sabine was standing on, the hill that led home.<br><br>Rydis looked back to make sure the boar had not been taken by crafty wolves or other predators.&nbsp; The hunt had been rather successful, considering they were lucky enough to fell another boar.&nbsp; Still he couldn't believe how lucky Sabine was to have complete control of the mare, otherwise the boar would have removed the horses left leg.&nbsp; He looked back over to the top of the hill as the old Clydesdale trotted up&nbsp; with boars in tow.<br><br>The village was becoming more and more empty, even the sun was a scarce sight.&nbsp; The heavy snow season passed, now all that was left was the shear chill of the winds and rain.&nbsp; Rydis had always lived in the village and knew all the stories due to his mother being one of the elders.&nbsp; After listening to her pleas begging the king to listen he decided that the stories were a sham to scare the children of the village, survival became the main priority.<br><br>The horse finally made it to the top of the hill that looked over the gray village.&nbsp; His deep blue eyes looking over the dreary excuse for a village, his masked cover the lower portion of his face puffed as he huffed.&nbsp; "Lets go Sabine."&nbsp; He said without looking at the rather tall female.&nbsp; He never understood her and probably never will but she was one of the best hunters in the village, due to sheer luck.&nbsp; Squeezing the horses sides giving it the go a head to start moving forward and holding the reins tightly keeping to keep a slow speed as not to loose the game Rydis restarted his ride home.
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				Title: <strong>Re: [Ex] Draugararkvida: The Lay of Ghosts Saga Thread</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Mnemaxa</strong> on <strong>20-03-2009, 00:59:42</strong>
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				The travelers rest is less of an inn and more of a long-house with places for strangers to sleep.&nbsp; There are few visitors this time of year, but the fires are kept strong and there is ale and mead to be shared.&nbsp; There is always a warrior or two of the holdt present, as well as a number of the unattached young women and men, working on hides, keeping the brews alive, and cooking and roasting meats to be jerked.&nbsp; They are here also to make themselves available to the traders and the new arrivals, not merely for pleasure but as potential wives and husbands, spreading the blood of the holdt to others and keeping the blood from begin mixed too deeply in their own.&nbsp; <br><br>Fate seems to draw them together, these strangers and friends: even as Ádísa is given directions to the wayhouse, so do Sabine and Rydis go to deliver their prizes to be taken by the butchermen and prepared; Milyausha and her traveling companions arrive to rest themselves before the work of trade can begin, while Signy cautiously enters the warm, firelit wayhouse to see those of whom her runes have spoken.<br><br>These are not all of those whom are to be set against the mysteries before them, but they are some of them.&nbsp; Though fate and destiny are written in stone and star, every watchful Loki, trickster and mischief maker, meddles to make certain even the Norns cannot trust their auguries....
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				Title: <strong>Re: [Ex] Draugararkvida: The Lay of Ghosts Saga Thread</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Apple of Eris</strong> on <strong>20-03-2009, 03:48:57</strong>
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				Milyausha followed her much larger companions into the sturdy looking structure her friends explained was a pace for visitors to rest. Mil's eyes roamed the room when she entered, somewhat overwhelmed with the size of the place. To her people, such a building would be a true extravagance. She had seen permanent dwellings, even entered a few before, but never one so large. Amongst her people while several clans had begun establishing permanent dwellings, most homes were still the simple rounded yurts similar to those most of the nomadic steppe peoples favored.<br><br>She noted the number of other peoples in the dwelling, women and men, some freemen, some servants. She noticed first a young woman, dressed in the seemingly overlarge clothes of a boy, her blonde hair pulled back in a tail. Milyausha noted the pouch the girl wore on her belt, it seemed well cared for, almost more so than her clothes.<br><br>Soon she noticed another woman, this one dressed in what seemed like the scraps of furs sewn together in an outfit that looked too large for the thin woman. She did carry a spear though, one that semed as if it had seen better days. That made Milyausha smile, she too favored the spear, though hers was of fine quality, well cared for and with a tip of iron. The woman though did have at least one odd looking weapon, she made herself a mental note to ask about that later.<br><br>Lastly she took note of a pair of norsefolk who seemed to both share a flame colored hair. Milyausha had never seen hair in that shade before and openly stared a few moments before one of her companions nudged her, whispered in her ear and laughed. Mil frowned and turned her gaze away from the strangers and returned her attention back to her friends who were exchanging stories of their trip, making grandiose boasts about their prowess - on and off the battlefield, and discussing future plans.<br><br>"Remember when we saved our little Sister here?" remarked one of the men. "Surrounded wasn't she? Sure to be carried off!"<br><br>"To be a wash servant! Even the savages on the plains wouldn't have her!" Another man threw in, laughing.<br><br>Milyausha glared at the man and spoke, "Now I know why you must carry off your women and keep them drunk with your mead. None would lower themselves to sleep with a whoreson like you otherwise."<br><br>The second man's eyes hardend for a moment before he cracked into a huge grin and peals of laughter filled the hall. "Good Little Sister!" The one name Gautirr said, clapping her on the back in approval. "I remember our first meeting. She had killed three men who sought to down her, and a fourth was missing a hand. Fought like a cornered wolf she did and had we not arrived, she might have killed them all and saved no sport for us!" <br><br>Milyausha grinned proudly at the boasting of her prowess in a fight and shook her head, sending her loose straight hair shaking about her head, "No, no. Without you all I would have fallen. And for your arrival, I give my thanks to Tangra," she said, one hand reaching for a small bronze amulet of a bird that hung from her neck. <br><br>Her companions hoisted their mugs and drank again, laughing amongst themselves and beginning to talk of other moments on their journey. Milyausha herself though found her attention once again returning to the others here in the building, her eyes shifting slowly from one to the other of the four she had noticed earlier...<br><br><br>
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				Title: <strong>Re: [Ex] Draugararkvida: The Lay of Ghosts Saga Thread</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>The Golden Touch</strong> on <strong>20-03-2009, 21:10:49</strong>
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				Sabine heard the heavy hoof beats of Rydis' Clydesdale through the trees, turning her head back over her shoulder, gazing down the long slope towards the tree line.&nbsp; Her hood shaded her green orbs from the late afternoon sun- the bright rays glinting off what snow was on the ground with a blinding brightness.&nbsp; Her eyes sought out the blurred figure of her hunting partner and his horse with a smile.&nbsp; The man was a mystery- for he dealt with her for reasons she could not, or did not, want to figure out.&nbsp; <br><br>His voice was rough as he spoke to her through the mask covering the lower portion of his face, and she smiled at that.&nbsp; Her eyes followed him as he continued on without stopping, slowly making his way down the path towards the plain that separated them from their village.&nbsp; She grasped the reins in her gloved right hand and swung up onto the mare's back, fitting her feet into the stirrups.&nbsp; Sabine turned the mare's head away from the hill's edge towards the downward slope that would lead home.&nbsp; The mare pricked her ears forward, lifting her head and prancing slightly before Sabine got her under control again.<br><br>Following Rydis at a steady pace, she let him get to the bottom of the hill before she started to ride at his side.&nbsp; Her horse moved at a checked pace, though her rider knew she wanted to be home to be feed and groomed.&nbsp; Sabine leaned forward and patted her ebony horse's neck and whispered to the mare, <em>"We'll be home soon."</em><br><br>She considered the long ride home and knew it would take at least another half hour at this pace, for Rydis' load, though strapped down tightly, was precarious.&nbsp; To lose it would lengthen their journey as it was.&nbsp; Sabine laughed to herself, resting her gloved left hand on her thigh, guiding her horse with the simplest twitch of her legs.&nbsp; She glanced at Rydis and turned her head forward, parting her lips, the voice that emerged was clear as a bell- soaring through the notes of a song...&nbsp; She sang as they rode towards the village, keeping herself entertained- but probably bugging Rydis to no end.<br><br><em>"Heill dagr.<br>Heilir dags synir.<br>Heil nótt ok nift.<br>Óreiðum augum<br>lítið okkr þinig<br>ok gefið sitjöndum sigr.<br><br>Heilir æsir.<br>Heilar ásynjur.<br>Heil sjá in fjölnýta fold.<br>Mál ok mannvit<br>gefið okkr mærum tveim<br>ok læknishendr, meðan lifum."</em>
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			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: [Ex] Draugararkvida: The Lay of Ghosts Saga Thread</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>SinXAzgard21</strong> on <strong>23-03-2009, 05:44:03</strong>
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				Rydis hated noise when he rode, mainly Sabine's singing.&nbsp; Though she had a great voice it just bugged him that they could not trail down the hill with peace and quiet.&nbsp; Shaking his head he decided to ignore it and continue down with out telling her to hold her tongue.&nbsp; &nbsp;<em>"Home, gods this place is a nightmare."</em> He thought to himself.&nbsp; His left gloved hand patted the side of the Clydesdale's neck, "Where almost home boy, just a bit further and you can rest."&nbsp; He said noticing that his ride was growing tired.<br><br>Winds continued to flow through the mountain side as he reached the bottom of the hill.&nbsp; Sighing at the sight of the gates, knowing that rest was soon to come.&nbsp; Rydis would drop off the game to the women and head to his home to sleep till the food was finished.&nbsp; The gates stood higher than he was mounted on the horse, Rydis lifted his head up looking at the archers posted at the gate, "Open the gate, we have brought back enough for a small feast."&nbsp; Rydis called out in a deep voice from behind the mask.<br><br>The guards nodded and signaled for the gate to be open.&nbsp; Rydis watched as the gate was lifted from the ground, the wood creaking and the sound of fresh mud dropping to the earth as it was being pulled open.&nbsp; With the gate held in place Rydis squeezed the horse once more letting it know to move forward.&nbsp; He led the horse to the center of the village where he unhooked the stretcher.&nbsp; <br><br>The people gathered around looking at the felled boars, some amazed and astonished some just looked hungry.&nbsp; "Clean and cook it.&nbsp; We eat well tonight thanks to Sabine."&nbsp; Rydis said and guided his horse to the stables.&nbsp; He would let Sabine have to glory of this hunt since he had so many for himself already.
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				Title: <strong>Re: [Ex] Draugararkvida: The Lay of Ghosts Saga Thread</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Valerian</strong> on <strong>23-03-2009, 18:45:24</strong>
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				The gruff old man tending the fires, his face lean and pitted from more long winters than most have seen, caught sight of Signy out of the corner of his good eye as she stepped inside.&nbsp; She wasn't quite creeping in, but nether was she walking in naturally, as a customer would, and the man seemed fully prepared to chase her away as a good-for-nothing scrounger -- until he realized who she was.<br><br>His scowl deepened, and he turned away, though he somehow gave a strong impression of keeping a close watch on her just the same.&nbsp; Signy was used to this, and merely continued on her way, not having hesitated even an instant.&nbsp; She still did seem uncertain, though, moving slowly, only her gaze darting quickly around the room, leaping from face to face.&nbsp; Some were familiar, and those she discounted for the moment.&nbsp; Others were not, though thanks to the runes, she still recognized them.<br><br>One of the women serving out the mead was known to Signy, who had done a reading for her not long ago which the woman had apparently liked; for she splashed a ladleful of mead into a small wooden cup and brought it over to the girl, surreptitiously.&nbsp; Signy smiled slightly and murmured an awkward but genuine thanks, unused to these politenesses.<br><br>She didn't drink yet, continuing to drift gradually closer to the nearest strangers, seeming faintly uneasy, but quietly determined, as was often her way.
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			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: [Ex] Draugararkvida: The Lay of Ghosts Saga Thread</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Mnemaxa</strong> on <strong>24-03-2009, 09:30:15</strong>
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				As Sabine and Rydis waked off to the side to receive their thanks from the head of the butchermen, and Signy stalked Miluyasha, Adisa (who was just outside the hostel) heard the first cries of alarm and awe.&nbsp; Children mostly, meaning it was not truly a threat, but it had attracted their attention.&nbsp; Gautirr frowned, and shook his head to Miluyasha, and stopped another of his men from rising to go look.&nbsp; <br><br>It wasn't long before a small crowd started gathering, and the whispers were heard.&nbsp; Fear and awe murmured with quiet words, and several people steeped inside the longhouse to pray, hiding from whatever sight had troubled them.&nbsp; <br><br>Those who stepped outside to see were treated to a strange thing indeed: a herd of horses, riderless, yet bearing saddle and furs, walking&nbsp; slowly towards the east.&nbsp; not one or two, but a full two dozen, many thin and struggling, others better fed and yet exhausted.&nbsp; Many were wounded - long, deep gashes that bled little, black and gangrenous, in patters of five, like the hands of a man....but a man of such size they would have stood taller than the horses by another half of a man's size.&nbsp; And half of them had coem from a nearby village - the furs and gods-signs and talismans were too familiar.&nbsp; <br><br>Signy would have recognized the men who had owned those horses....<br><br>
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			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: [Ex] Draugararkvida: The Lay of Ghosts Saga Thread</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Apple of Eris</strong> on <strong>26-03-2009, 03:08:20</strong>
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				Milyausa' eyes widened even as the mead rolled down her throat, and she lowered the cup which had been fashioned from some kind of horn rather quickly, her eyes seeking Gautirr's. He shook his head and Mil nodded ever so slightly. It wasn't their concern, it wasn't their village, and in all likelihood it was simply children being children. <br><br>Milyausha waited, watching several of the northfolk enter the longhouse, muttering things, some of which she could not understand. Those who entered looked troubled, and the woman turned her eyes to Gautirr again. He was the oldest of their group, the one the others looked to for guidance, and whom Milyausha had come to trust over the past few weeks. Herself, she would have left to investigate, but she trusted him and his knowledge of his folk more than her own curiosity.<br>
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			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: [Ex] Draugararkvida: The Lay of Ghosts Saga Thread</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Sarissa</strong> on <strong>26-03-2009, 20:08:51</strong>
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				Save the wounds on the steeds, the site was somewhat familiar. The lands from which she traveled yielded much in the way of untended and domesticated boons. Men wrought of fierceness and cold guarded well their hard won or ill gotten gains; the site could only testify that the owners were driven off or killed and their possessions taken. <br><br>Gathering her pelts closer to her emaciated frame, Ádísa leaned against the longhouse frame and watched the procession of animals. This was sign that the lands were too dangerous to travel alone; the lone wanderer had made the right decision to seek shelter amongst others. While the warmth of the fires within called to her, Ádísa's dreams and curiosity needed satiation. <br><br>Besides, perhaps she could lay claim to further goods that others would shun. These would be forgotten and time and could be sold for a longer stay.
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			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: [Ex] Draugararkvida: The Lay of Ghosts Saga Thread</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Valerian</strong> on <strong>26-03-2009, 21:54:42</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Signy hesitated, listening for a moment as the confusion built outside.&nbsp; This was it, then, it seemed, and sooner than she'd expected.&nbsp; The runes could not tell her when, and though she'd guessed it must begin soon, she had held to some small hope that it would hold off, just a little longer.&nbsp; But that was not to be.<br><br>She took a slow drink of the mead, savoring the taste, using it to help brace her for the events to come.&nbsp; Then she set down the cup and moved back towards the door, stepping out as quietly and discreetly as she'd stepped in, her eyes following the tumult.&nbsp; It wasn't quite a surprise to her to realize that she recognized things about the row of faded, exhausted horses -- there was a familiar carved saddle, there a tattered piece of banner that she knew.<br><br>One hand went to the bag of runes at her side, resting there, drawing out what comfort the bones could give her.&nbsp; Without at first realizing she was doing it, she stepped over to a horse she knew, searching her memory for the beast's name.&nbsp; Horses were often more comfortable companions to her than their owners, for the horses did not wonder uneasily as to what witchery she might be capable of.<br><br>"Goti?" she murmured, uncertainly, reaching out a careful hand well before she drew near to the animal.&nbsp; It would not surprise her if even the best trained mount panicked at being approached, given what horrors must have happened to them, and startling them would do no good.&nbsp; She was sure they had a tale to tell, to those who looked for it, and she knew it was a tale that had to be read.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: [Ex] Draugararkvida: The Lay of Ghosts Saga Thread</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Mnemaxa</strong> on <strong>26-03-2009, 22:34:00</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Though the once-handsome beast shies away from Signy's hand at first, he does stop; her voice is familiar to him, as his rider had been to her.&nbsp; He snorts softly, his flanks only lightly scarred, the blood long dried, the wounds healing better than on many. <br><br>After a moment the horse lowers his head, tiredly, his eyes drooping, and he sniffs the young mystic's hand.&nbsp; He pushes at her hand, seeking an apple, or a bit of dried honey.&nbsp; The horse remains and other people look on, awed by Signy's willingness to approach the strange, silent animals.&nbsp; <br><br>Gautirr lowered the knife he'd been using to cut the meat and shook his head, sighing.&nbsp; "We shan't be staying long.&nbsp; Whatever moves, moves closer, and it may come here sooner rather than later."&nbsp; He looked at the other men, even those who might have stayed otherwise.&nbsp; Now, it was becoming too dangerous.&nbsp; 
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: [Ex] Draugararkvida: The Lay of Ghosts Saga Thread</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Apple of Eris</strong> on <strong>28-03-2009, 15:59:29</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Mil gave Gautirr a puzzled look, "Why? Surely a thing as this will not dare enter a village. I know you wish to return home Gautirr, but I have never seen you speak in fear."<br><br>Gautirr's eyes grew hard and cold with anger, "I am not afraid girl." He answered in a brittle voice, "If I am to die, then so be it. Our life's skiens were made long ago, but before I die, I wish it to be amongst my people."<br><br>Milyausha lowered her voice, and in a more soothing tone spoke again, "But... Gautirr, your home is many days riding, surely we should wait until the danger has passed."<br><br>"Then stay if you like!" Gautirr exploded, flinging the meat he ate down, and shoving himself away from the table to go stand by the door and look out. Troubled, for she had never seen him act thus, Milyausha rose and slowly approached the large man, reaching out a small hand to lightly touch his forearm. <br><br>"If I offended you, I apologize..." she whispered.<br><br>Gautirr shook his head and sighed heavily, "No Little Sister, I understand your worries. I share them. This is why I must return, if the things of legend have returned, I must look to my family, to my village."<br><br>Milyausha nodded, "Then I will go with you Gautirr, you saved my life and I am indebted to you and will follow in your journeys until I have repaid that debt and more." She smiled and lowered her hand from his arm, turning to look out the door at the wounded animals. "What thing does this? What do the legends say?"<br>
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: [Ex] Draugararkvida: The Lay of Ghosts Saga Thread</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Mnemaxa</strong> on <strong>15-06-2009, 11:17:45</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Gautiir glanced at the other who remained in the tent.&nbsp; He leaned close and spoke softly, not wishing people to overhear words of dark things.&nbsp; <br><br>"The old women speak of tales of long ago, and of things not so long ago.&nbsp; The draugar are the dead who walk.&nbsp; they feed on the living, cursed to never rest.&nbsp; It is said that they are moved by the spirits that have not been given to Hela or to Frejya, those doomed forever to wander the earth feeding on the living to keep their bodies from falling to pieces."&nbsp; One or two of the travelers near them nodded, and one ran his fingers over the heavy leaden amulet of the Thunder God. <br><br>Outside, the horses were slowly, carefulyl rounded up.&nbsp; Signy caught the reins of the warhorse, who tossed his head tiredly, but did not try to escape.&nbsp; Goti stopped walking, and hung his head, as though weary and hopeless.&nbsp; The other horses were easily caught as well, which told of how long they were traveling.&nbsp; Flecks of foam showed on many of their mouths, and one collapsed onto it's side, chest heaving as it's eyes rolled.&nbsp; Goti, however, nickered softly, and swung his head to look at the young soothsayer.<br><br>Sabine and Rydis could see the capture of the lost horses, and heard soft gasps of horror, and at least one mother crying out at her children and forcing them away.&nbsp; The horse was brought around, presumably to be led to a healer or husbandmen, and they could see the long, slender cashes of black along it's rump, the marks of claws that had grasped, but not caught.&nbsp; The wounds were deep and festering with dark ichor, <br><br>Adisa would have recognized the deep wounds and terrible fear int he animals easily - she had seen them before, seen what had caused them.&nbsp; And, if the words of the denizens of the Holdt were to be believed, Rurik's people would be fleeing next.&nbsp; <br><br>Soon, word was being whispered of the terrible fate that must have befallen those who lived in the town these sad, troubled refugee beasts had come from.&nbsp; And almost as if to answer the whispers, a bell was being rung in the Great Hall, a call to all who were strong of body and stout of heart, who did and did not live in the Holdt.&nbsp; A gong that spoke of the Lord of the Holdt wishing to speak to one and all who could bear arms or speak wisdom.&nbsp; <br><br>Lord Rurik was demanding a council of war.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: [Ex] Draugararkvida: The Lay of Ghosts Saga Thread</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>The Golden Touch</strong> on <strong>16-06-2009, 08:34:19</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Sabine spoke quietly to the butchermen after she dismounted from her horse, and promised them tales of their hunt later in the night.&nbsp; She led her mare away, brushing her over quickly and setting her in the stable.&nbsp; As she walked back out of the stable, she recognized the horses and people from another village.&nbsp; Her eyes flickered over the animals, the orbs widening slightly at the black ichor that ran from the gashing wounds on their flanks.&nbsp; They looked very like animal claws, but they had not ripped the horse down and eaten it.&nbsp; It surprised her a bit, since horse flesh was the easiest meat to find in these cold days.<br><br>The gong was loud, startling her from her examination of the horses.&nbsp; Sabine looked towards the Great Hall, her eyes flickering over the gathered crowd as their faces paled, and tightened in fear.&nbsp; The number of the gongs, and the loud reverberating sound of them could mean only one thing.&nbsp; The Lord of the Holdt was called together a council to debate what to do, calling all the warriors together.&nbsp; They would go to the village, she knew that.&nbsp; And now, she would go to the Great Hall and listen in the council of war.&nbsp; Her long strides ate up the ground as she walked across the ground towards the Hall.&nbsp; Her bow bounced on her back, and she could not find the words to sing as she usually would have.<br><br>She slipped inside the Great Hall, inclining her head to the people all ready gathered there.&nbsp; Crossing the floor, she slipped onto one of the benched, casting her gaze about to look for Rydis.&nbsp; He would appear eventually, she knew.&nbsp; But it made her feel slightly better when he was near, because they complimented each other in battle and such.&nbsp; Sabine ran her fingers over her wrist, rubbing the flesh for comfort as she watched the Lord of the Holdt speak to someone, waiting for all to gather for the Council of War.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: [Ex] Draugararkvida: The Lay of Ghosts Saga Thread</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>SinXAzgard21</strong> on <strong>16-06-2009, 10:04:05</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				&nbsp;Rydis leads the horse into the stable removing its saddle and bridle.&nbsp; Taking a feeder off the wall and filling it with hay to feed the beast. With the feeder on the horse ate slowly, taking its time to fill it's own stomach.&nbsp; Rydis began brushing the horses dirty and mattered fur.&nbsp; After taking care of the horse Rydis left the horse to feed and rest.<br><br>Leaving the stable, Rydis stretched out his arms and yawned.&nbsp; Hoping to get rest and a good meal was like asking for the God's to make him a king.&nbsp; His eyes were drawn to a huge crowd, even the want of a bath couldn't stop his curiosity.&nbsp; A crowd of people was gathered around a few horses, his eyes catching some black markings on the horses.&nbsp; Rydis moves though the crowd and inspects the horses closely, cursing under his breath as he recognizes the wounds on the poor creatures flanks.<br><br><strong>"Bring a healer, this horse needs to be treated for poisoning."</strong> Rydis called out as he heard the Holt's gong ring out into the village.&nbsp; His head lowered again, cursing under his breathe he left the horse in the hands of the first healer that presented themselves.<br><br><strong>"What in Thor's name could be going on now?"</strong>&nbsp; He asked himself as he walked up the steps to the great hall.&nbsp; Only the God's would know what was going to happen next, but Rydis knew deep down that this day was probably not going to end well.<br><br>Rydis slipped in quietly and with out word.&nbsp; Moving slowly through the small crowd of warriors barley even noticed.&nbsp; He walked up behind Sabine and laid a hand on her shoulder.&nbsp; <strong>"You should relax Sabine.&nbsp; You're always so tense."</strong> He said to the shorter female, while his eyes were focused on the leader of the Holt.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: [Ex] Draugararkvida: The Lay of Ghosts Saga Thread</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Valerian</strong> on <strong>16-06-2009, 21:30:58</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Signy flinched at the first gong, both hands gripping her little bug of runes instinctively, her slim hands turning white-knuckled.&nbsp; But she watched and made quite sure that the horses would be tended to, even going so far as to find a withered but still serviceable apple for Goti, though the horse was very nearly too tired to eat.&nbsp; Now she wished she could read animals' eyes as well as her runes, for clearly this animal had seen much.<br><br>She patted and soothed the horse as best she could, watching the reactions to the summons.&nbsp; The idea of going to the hall made her uneasy, perhaps simply because so many people would be crowding into it.&nbsp; Some would be bound to look askance at her, perhaps many of them.&nbsp; But they would want a rune-reader, surely, to help guide their decision, even if she was not from this place.<br><br>She edged closer, slowly and reluctantly, still watching for now as other moved more quickly in that direction, postponing the final step for herself as long as possible.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: [Ex] Draugararkvida: The Lay of Ghosts Saga Thread</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Apple of Eris</strong> on <strong>17-06-2009, 04:48:39</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				"The dead who walk," Mil repeated in a whisper, her eyes gazing at the animals that had entered the village, thouh her thoughts drifted far away. <br><br>Her reverie was broken by the sudden clang of the bell summoning the able bodied to the main hall. She turned to Gautiir questioningly, and he resonded only with a short nod before hefting his sword andstepping past her to trudge towards the hall, his men and Milyausha following behind. <br><br>Walking across the open ground she noticed the one woman feeding one of the horses, she seemed to be avoiding gong to the hall. Mil wasnt sure about the reasoning for this, she was one of north people, why would she be nervous about being among her own? She made herself a mental not to ask Gautiir about it later if she had not found out herself by then, of course, she was sure her friend was going to be exhausted with her continual string of questions, but he hadn't seemed annoyed by them yet!
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: [Ex] Draugararkvida: The Lay of Ghosts Saga Thread</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Mnemaxa</strong> on <strong>18-06-2009, 07:51:04</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				The Great Hall could house almost the entire warrior population of Hrothgunsen's Holdt, and a few to spare.&nbsp; The horses were seen to, though with much making of signs against evil and muttered prayers, while the children were gathered and taken to their own homes, and those who did not make war returned to their homes as well to consider all that they had seen, and wonder....<br><br>Lord Rurik, Chosen by Tyr, stands near the center of the room, near the large fire pit.&nbsp; Those who have served him well, his advisers and his good warriors alike, knell, less out of fealty than to allow others who see the lord less to have their chance to do so.&nbsp; He is still strong, still has color in his bears and hair, though there is more now than there was even one season ago.&nbsp; The heavy set warrior steps up onto the bricks that circle the fire pit, which raises him a full two heads above the others here, and there are many.&nbsp; Rurik raises his hands and the murmurs and conversation die slowly, until quiet reigns.&nbsp; <br><br>"<em>My people, and those who are not of my people, but are friends to my people....the omens have been dark this season, and the strangeness that comes from the east comes more swiftly.&nbsp; I have heard talk of both abandoning the Holdt....</em>"&nbsp; Dire mutters and soft claims of 'never' slither through the great hall.&nbsp; "<em>....and defending it to the last man.</em>"&nbsp; More mutters, but these are more pleased, more eager.&nbsp; No man wished to flee from battle.&nbsp; Only Hel awaited them.&nbsp; "<em>But we will be one people who does not wait idly for those to destroy us to come to us.&nbsp; I have pledged the finest weapons and arms for those who will go forth and root out this evil at its source.&nbsp; Those who return will be given their own holdings, and livestock from my own to fill them with.</em>"&nbsp; It was generous, incredibly so.&nbsp; The best went to the Lord, and an offer to share that out was unheard of.&nbsp; The murmurs and slither speech wafted through the chamber.&nbsp; <br><br>"<em>But the soothsayers have spoken.&nbsp; They warn me that no more than one third of the Holdt's warriors may leave, and that those who leave will be haunted until their steps take them to the Mouth of Niflheim.</em>"&nbsp; The muttering was louder, and took longer to die this time.&nbsp; he was speaking of dangerous things.&nbsp; The mouth to Hel's domain was far to the east, supposedly, and to hold so many back smacked of trying to protect his wealth - which it was, but not in the way it seemed.&nbsp; "<em>Those of us who remain will gird ourselves for war.&nbsp; Those who cannot fight will be sent with treasure and animals to Gunnerskreig, where they will take refuge.&nbsp; I will listen to those who wish to speak to me now.</em>"&nbsp; he sat upon the bricks, the fire at his back, and waited as the indivudual warriors and homesteaders of the Holdt came to speak with him, offer their counsel or their services as they would.&nbsp; <br><br>The young witch Signy could feel the troubled power in the tent, and it felt...wrong, incorrect.&nbsp; Not evil, for there was no evil in this, but doom wafted through the tent, the hounds of Hel sniffing at their heels.&nbsp; <br><br>Milyausha could very well profit greatly from the lords offer, and even Gautirr looked both troubled and interested on the riches and wealth that the keeper of Iron could bestow up him.&nbsp; He hesitated, rather than leaving the tent at once, perhaps to see if he could hear more, perhaps lingering to offer escort to those who would seek refuge - possibly even to his own Holdt.&nbsp; <br><br>Rydis and Sabine had seen councils of war before, and this one had been different.&nbsp; It almost felt like the Lord was preparing a last, desperate stand, where before he had eagerly gone to battle with his foes.&nbsp; <br>
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: [Ex] Draugararkvida: The Lay of Ghosts Saga Thread</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>The Golden Touch</strong> on <strong>18-06-2009, 09:48:56</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Sabine made a small gasp of surprise as Rydis laid one of his hands on her shoulder, speaking to her. Glaring at him, she huffed.&nbsp; Laying one calloused hand on her chest, she took a deep, cleansing breath to steady herself.&nbsp; <strong>"Easy for you to say, we're in a Council of War.&nbsp; The last like this was before the war between the villages,"</strong> The woman said, wrapping a loose strand of her flame coloured tresses around her fore finger.&nbsp; She dropped her hands to the table, turning her head to look up at her long time friend, smiling.<br><br>She listened to the Lord of the Holdt speak of the offering of wealth, and acres.&nbsp; Her eyes narrowed, realizing that all their lives were going to be changed forever.&nbsp; Less than a third of the warriors would leave the moderate safety of the Holdt and leave for Niflheim to face the growing darkness.&nbsp; Sabine watched her Lord and Leader sink into his throne, waiting for the warriors to come forward and speak with him.&nbsp; The woman rose slowly, refusing to flee with the other refugees.&nbsp; Raising her voice to be heard over the clamor, she spoke for all, <strong>"My lord, I will leave the Holdt and travel to the East."</strong>
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: [Ex] Draugararkvida: The Lay of Ghosts Saga Thread</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>SinXAzgard21</strong> on <strong>19-06-2009, 00:18:34</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Rydis let go of her shoulder and moved towards the front as Rurik spoke to the crowd.&nbsp; He knew of war, loss and pain was all that was to come.&nbsp; Fear filled the room like the stench of a rotting corpse, Rydis could smell it even sense it.&nbsp; Rurik continued speaking about the soothesayers visions, something Rydis cared less and less about the more he heard of it.&nbsp; Only one thing remained true, an end had to be put to this even if it did mean war.<br><br>Knowing that Rurik was asking for volunteers and only a third would be able to leave the village, Rydis decided that it would be best if they could fell the creatures before they came for the village.&nbsp; <strong>"I will go.&nbsp; Sabine must stay here and protect the village, hunting is her skill not war."</strong>&nbsp; Rydis said aloud knowing what comment he would get from his smaller companion.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: [Ex] Draugararkvida: The Lay of Ghosts Saga Thread</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Valerian</strong> on <strong>19-06-2009, 01:34:38</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Signy was only dimly aware of the murmurs, the volunteering and the protesting.&nbsp; Her senses were caught up with other things, with the wrongness in the air, the feeling of hanging on a precipice, about to take a wrong step.&nbsp; Unconsciously, her hand worried at the bag holding her runes, tugging fretfully at the drawstring that held it tightly closed.&nbsp; For once, she didn't want to cast the stones, didn't want to heed their call; but she knew she would give in.&nbsp; She had to.<br><br>Heedless of the crowd, which thankfully seemed to have no attention to spare for one odd young woman in any case, she found a quiet spot to the side, kneeling as she fumbled open the bag and closing her eyes as she pulled out the stones and spread them on the floor in front of her.<br><br>The sign was as clear as she knew it would be, and she bit her lip.&nbsp; She was tempted to try again, and again, but the answer would never improve.&nbsp; Her nerves were making her foolish, she scolded herself, the uneasiness of the horses' appearance making everything seem far more important than it really was.<br><br>But perhaps this was that important, the most weighty and terrible knowledge that would ever be thrust upon her.<br><br>She stood and spoke before she could think -- she had to, or her courage would have failed her.&nbsp; "It must be the right warriors," she said, her voice shaky but still clear enough to carry from her corner.&nbsp; "The right people must go, only a few.&nbsp; It is not strength of numbers that is needed, but --" She faltered an instant, suddenly realizing how many eyes were turned upon her.&nbsp; "Four people.&nbsp; Only four.&nbsp; One an outsider, two warriors of the Holdt, one a soothsayer.&nbsp; Those four may succeed where no others could."<br><br>She bit her lip, her usually pale face pink with embarrassment.&nbsp; "The runes have told me," she finished, simply, and knelt once more to retrieve her stones, rubbing the polished surface of the bone to soothe her nerves and looking at no one.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: [Ex] Draugararkvida: The Lay of Ghosts Saga Thread</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Apple of Eris</strong> on <strong>19-06-2009, 03:52:06</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Milyausha watched as the lord spoke, her eyes shifted from him to his gathered warriors, then to the girl with the hair the color of flame. She smiled when the woman volunteered, she respected bravery, and these north folk were brave, even their womenfolk.<br>She heard the woman's companion speak as well, saying he would go but she must remain. No doubt he cared for her and was afraid the woman would come to harm; of course she could not be sure if this came from nobility or if he was simply to afraid to face the chance he would lose her. Then again, she could be wrong about the pair, but she doubted it.<br><br>Her eyes caught the woman who had been feeding the horse kneeling, pulling something from a pouch and casting it onto the floor. A wise woman so young? Milyausha wondered. In her tribe those who read the portents were old, young women were merely in training, surely she could not be...<br><br>Her thoughts were unstrung by the runecaster's voice. She understood the words clear enough, four, one an outsider. Milyausha glanced around the lodge, it seemed as if all were from the North, all save her. Slowly she came to noticed dozens of pairs of eyes that had slowly turned to her. She looked to the young woman who had thrown the runes with a glance that seemed almost accusatory before turning her attention to the Lord of the holdt.<br><br>"If the gods so wish it, I will travel with your chosen to slay whatever it is that troubles your lands." She spoke in a heavily accented voice, she spoke slowly, clearly thinking about the words she used before she spoke them. "However I owe my life to the man beside me, and by the customs of my people I am bound to him till I have repaid this debt. Until he deems my debt satisfied, I must accompany him."
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: [Ex] Draugararkvida: The Lay of Ghosts Saga Thread</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Mnemaxa</strong> on <strong>20-06-2009, 12:57:49</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Dead silence reigned in the hall, as the assembled warriors took in Signy's words and the offering of the outlander Miluyasha.&nbsp; Gautirr's eyes wandered the room, and then he looked at Miluyasha, and spoke loudly, for all to hear.&nbsp; "If it will protect the lands and people of Lord Rurik's place, then I would count my debt paid in full, and more so."&nbsp; Several of his own people nodded and clasped his shoulders and arms.&nbsp; He smiled at Miluyasha, as the warriors of the Holdt nodded approvingly.&nbsp; <br><br>Lord Rurik stood back up. <br><br>"<em>Though Signy is young, and has come from another village, no one has ever known her seeing to0 be false.&nbsp; If the outlander will go, and Sabine and Rydis wish to go, and Signy will walk with them, then I still hold to my offer - they will have homesteads and animals and wealth to start families of their own, WHEN they return.</em>"&nbsp; The men who served as his council stopped their feet, approving of the lord's words....and acting as witnesses, so that he could not be forsworn.&nbsp; "<em>Come to my tents tonight, and i will speak with you four at length, and give you what I can to aid you on your travels.&nbsp; The rest of our warriors will remain, and prepare for battle, should Hel stand in your way.</em>"&nbsp; He spat into the fire, not in an insult, but to burn away any curse the words might bring.&nbsp; <br><br>Gautirr stepped closer to Miluyasha and lowered his voice.&nbsp; "I too would have words with you, before you go, friend."&nbsp; His expression was hard to read, but his tone was respectful for the lady warrior.&nbsp; He and his warriors slipped out as Ruruk and the counselors spoke with other warriors, and not a few suspicious and disparaging glances were cast upon the young seer.&nbsp; Naturally, Rurik's permission for Sabine to accompany the others overrode Rydis' suggestion she stay....<br><br>((You may split up, disccus among yourseves, or the like - I will respond to those speaking with NPCs or set up other situations for those not immediately involved with one depending on reactions to the Lord's words....))<br><br>
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: [Ex] Draugararkvida: The Lay of Ghosts Saga Thread</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>The Golden Touch</strong> on <strong>21-06-2009, 01:47:02</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Sabine glared at Rydis across the hall, her long fingers curling into frustrated fists.&nbsp; She had known her friend would deny her the honor traveling to the East.&nbsp; It was in his nature.&nbsp; Her family had died many years before she had come of age, and Rydis' mother had taken her in.&nbsp; Knowing what she owed him all ready, Sabine turned away from glaring, and listened to the soothsayer as she rattled her bones down.&nbsp; With her peripheral vision caught the gaze of the Outsider, and she turned to meet the girl's gaze.&nbsp; A smile curved her lips as the woman offered her services, but as the expense of her debt.<br><br>The man called Gautirr stood, releasing the woman from her debt to him.&nbsp; Sabine looked towards the throne, watching her Lord stand.&nbsp; He spoke at length, giving his permission for the four that had spoken to go.&nbsp; She did not turn to look at Rydis, knowing their Lord's words had overturned his suggestion.&nbsp; She inclined her head respectfully to Lord Rurik, and made her way out of the Council Hall.&nbsp; There was much to do before night fell, and many things to gather.&nbsp; The travel to the East would be dangerous.&nbsp; She turned right as soon as she was outside the Hall, turning towards the home that she shared with Rydis, his mother, and his little brother.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: [Ex] Draugararkvida: The Lay of Ghosts Saga Thread</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Apple of Eris</strong> on <strong>21-06-2009, 03:05:21</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Mil nodded to Gautirr and clasped his arm for a moment then turned away, looking to Lord Rurik as he spoke again, then waited silently as the gathered warriors parted ways. She leaned against her spear as the woman warror left the hall, then shifted her eyes to the man who spoke against her leaving, then to the rune-caster.<br><br>Milyausha, not sharing the predjudices of the northmen approached the young woman, stopping a few feet from her. "You are called Signy?" she asked, looking to capture the woman's attention, then bowing her head slightly once the woman looked her way. "In my tribe, all the wise women are very old, women your age and mine are merely their apprentices. You must have truly been blessed by your gods to have gained such skill so young."<br><br>"Do your runes show you anything else about this threat?"
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: [Ex] Draugararkvida: The Lay of Ghosts Saga Thread</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Valerian</strong> on <strong>22-06-2009, 22:31:33</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Signy had curled in upon herself, staying hunched down well after she'd finished retrieving her runes.&nbsp; She didn't need to look up to know that eyes were watching her, some hateful, some merely confused or disbelieving.&nbsp; A young runecaster -- a true runecaster, not a charlatan -- was about as likely as the seas freezing at the height of summer.&nbsp; It was something known only in other lands, something that happened in the old tales.<br><br>And so she flinched when the other woman approached, for all that she stood at a discreet distance away.&nbsp; Signy looked up wide-eyed, gripping her bag more tightly.&nbsp; "The runes want me to cast them," she said, flustered.&nbsp; It was not her usual sort of reply, but it was the truth, for good or ill.<br><br>"You are the outsider," she added, looking for firmer conversational ground.&nbsp; "I know little else yet.&nbsp; But this threat has come before, to other places.&nbsp; Brute force did not stop it then... Now we must take another path.&nbsp; The runes have the right of it."<br><br>She said this last simply, knowing it to be as true as that the sun rose in the sky every day.&nbsp; The runes being correct did not necessarily mean that all would be well, or that all of them would return to this place under their own power, but she let the woman think that if it gave her comfort.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: [Ex] Draugararkvida: The Lay of Ghosts Saga Thread</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Apple of Eris</strong> on <strong>23-06-2009, 03:52:38</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Milyausha smirked and nodded, "I must be the outsider, there are none others that I have seen. And I do not need bones to tell me this." <br><br>"Your name is Signy then? I am Milyausha, though you north-folk have not the tongue to pronounce my name correctly, so you may call me Mil." Milyausha extended a hand in a warriors greeting to the young seeress. "What you say makes me glad, if brute strength were what was needed it would seem folly for three women to accompany one man. Warrior I am, but strong as some of your men I am certainly not." She added with the hint of a smile. 
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: [Ex] Draugararkvida: The Lay of Ghosts Saga Thread</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>SinXAzgard21</strong> on <strong>26-06-2009, 03:37:25</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Rydis listened to the final decree of Rurik, not at all surprised that he had given his permission for Sabine to journey to the East.&nbsp; He shrugged one of his broad shoulders, knowing that he would rather have Sabine's arrow to any other man's sword.&nbsp; His concern was for the soothsayer, because of her age and abilities.&nbsp; He knew why the four of them were traveling away from the village... To kill what threatened their families and homes.&nbsp; The Outsider could fight, he saw that from the respect that her friend had paid her.&nbsp; She was tiny, and Rydis hoped he would not be babysitting her along with the soothsayer.<br><br>He turned on his booted heel, moving to the fire-pit where the boar had finished cooking.&nbsp; The fat dripped into the fire, hissing softly and sending up the smell of cooked meat.&nbsp; He retrieved enough meat for himself, his mother, little brother and Sabine.&nbsp; His mother, Iela, had taken Sabine into her home, raising the woman as her daughter.&nbsp; His brother, Zain, always called Sabine 'Big Sister,' treating her with the same respect that he did Rydis.&nbsp; He considered Sabine not as a sister, but as a friend.&nbsp; Leaving the Great Hall, he turned towards his home, seeing the woman standing not far along the path.&nbsp; <br><br><strong>"Here,"</strong> He said, hanging her a portion of the meat he had procured.&nbsp; Pressing it into her hands, he meet her gaze before moving up the path towards the house.&nbsp; Once inside, he prodded Zain towards the table, laying the boar on the table.&nbsp; He sat down, starting to eat.&nbsp; Though they would be going before Rurik again tonight, he was not worried about packing yet.&nbsp; He would be ready in time for their departure.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: [Ex] Draugararkvida: The Lay of Ghosts Saga Thread</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Valerian</strong> on <strong>29-06-2009, 16:55:23</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				"Milyausha," Signy echoed, very slowly and awkwardly, though without entirely mangling the name, apparently fascinated by the exotic sound.&nbsp; "Mil," she added, with a hint of relief.<br><br>Then she shook her head, returning the warrior's grip Mil offered shyly.&nbsp; "I am no fighter, nor even a hunter.&nbsp; If the runes did not speak so clearly, I would think I would be the very last person in the holdt who should go.&nbsp; I cannot tell you what we should expect, but there must be some reason why we were chosen."<br><br>She spoke simply and trustingly, as one would expect from a young woman who had spent all her life being guided by such intangibles.&nbsp; When she spoke again, however, it was with a hint of world-weary knowledge of politics and a faint, wry smile.&nbsp; "If we needed more than the runes, the fact that Lord Rurik was so willing to accept my prophecy is proof enough that this was meant to happen.&nbsp; I am not sure he would be so quick to believe otherwise."
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: [Ex] Draugararkvida: The Lay of Ghosts Saga Thread</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Apple of Eris</strong> on <strong>30-06-2009, 03:54:54</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Mili smiled when Signy tried out her name, it was closer than most attempts, she had to credit her that, even if it was not perfect. <br><br>"I am sure we will learn the reasons we all were selected and more than we wish soon enough Signy." Milyausha answered. She looked around and lowered her voice, "Many here are afraid. You can see it plainly enough even if they will not admit to it. I do not know if Rurik believes your prophecy or if he only uses it to try and ease the fears of your people, but whatever his motives, he sets your prophecy in motion."<br><br>She smiled then, "But, enough talk of that for now. I must speak with my friends before we see your Lord Rurik again, and I am sure you will wish to visit with your own friends and family."
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: [Ex] Draugararkvida: The Lay of Ghosts Saga Thread</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Valerian</strong> on <strong>02-07-2009, 15:11:17</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Signy nodded in agreement, all too aware of how often prophecies were misused or misinterpreted, often by people in power like Lord Rurik.&nbsp; She knew nothing against the man, but Mil was right -- clearly everyone here was frightened, and not without reason.&nbsp; Fear was as much a motivator as ambition.<br><br>She looked at Mil blankly for a moment at her closing remarks, then nodded again and said, "Yes, of course."&nbsp; She still seemed perplexed, but quickly moved onto firmer ground.&nbsp; "We must all make ready to leave.&nbsp; Now that Lord Rurik has made up his mind, he will likely want us to leave as soon as possible."&nbsp; She smiled shyly, glancing around nervously, afraid that she was still earning dark glares from the others in the Holdt.
			</dd>
		</dl>
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