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Post by Blindside Tex on Sept 27, 2021 20:29:04 GMT -5
Farryn Daevyre, Princess of Kingdom Aramore The Four HorsemenCiliren, Death's DaughterThe amber glow of raging fires filled the horizon. The distant screams of those within the city were the backdrop to the clatter of swords. Blood painted the cobblestone streets. The thunder of hooves ripped through the city. It was a nightmare. The end of times. An entire army rode into the kingdom clad in black armor with red banners. A far kingdom from across the seas set on demolishing all those that stood in their way. Though as the army rushed through the city four followed in, high on their ghostly horses. Famine. Pestilence. War. Death. It was just as the old tomes described the end of times to be. First it was a famine that struck the lands. The crops of the great kingdom of Aramore withered and crumbled into dust within days. A drought struck the land. The king of Aramore feared that magic was at work. He feared for the worst and before long his fears would become a reality. There was an old tome hidden well within the mountains of the continent. It was sealed in a magical tomb. Sealed away from the hands of the living to prevent an apocalypse from happening. To prevent a power hungry ruler from summoning something far worse than the demons from hell. The four horsemen. Second…it was pestilence. After the crops died, soon the livestock began to fall ill. The creatures were found bleeding from every orifice. First it was the animals. Then…it spread to the humans. The illness began to grip onto the old of the kingdom first. The king did everything he could. He sent his best apothecaries. He sent his own mage. The city was beginning to crumble within. The people were beginning to panic as the end became much, much clearer. It was as if a magnifying glass had been placed over the kingdom. No other kingdom had such illness. Many fled the city. Some survived. Others died. The very unfortunate that survived their journey to another kingdom were turned away. Told that they were ill and they were sent back to the wilting kingdom of Aramore. Third was the war. The night skies began to glow red from fire that came to life around the kingdom. Upon the hillside a great army had mounted its attack. Thousands of warriors. Aramore didn’t stand a chance. They were weak. Hungry. Most had fallen ill with disease. It was an unfair fight. Within the castle the king watched as his city was stormed. He stood upon the balcony, his hands gripped upon the white stone as he watched smoke rise into the air. It was then that he saw them for the first time. The horsemen. Three and four always seemed to ride together. Death went so well paired with war. There was much of it. Those that stood and attempted to fight were easily mowed over by the invading army. The king turned swiftly and rushed through the hallways. “Reid.” He called to a man that was clad in dark green robes that held silver tassels. “Come with me.” The king ordered as he took off in a sprint. “We must stop this.” “My king. How?” The mage questioned as he rushed after his king. “The horsemen are already here. The city will fall tonight. It has been a lost cause for nearly a month now. When the famine first stuck…we knew that this day would come.” The king ran up the spiral stairs into the tower of the castle. “We send someone back to stop it.” He smirked to the mage as they came to a door. He pushed into a room that looked to be a study. The walls of the room were lined with bookcases stuffed to the brim with books. In the center of the room a young elf sat at a desk. She lifted her gaze to look to the king. The woman had silvery white hair and golden hues. “Farryn.” The king spoke as he glanced over his shoulder to the mage. “Here.” He held a book out to the mage. It was an old tattered book that was barely hanging together by a few strips of leather. It looked to have been repaired several times. “Is it time?” The young elf questioned. Her eyes looked to the king. She stood and bowed her head slightly. “Your daughter…?” The mage choked out. “My king…” He stammered. “I…” He looked down to the book and then to Farryn. “If she stays. She dies. Isn’t that right?” The king turned and looked to the mage. “So what is the difference? Either she dies from this. Or she dies here.” He turned his eyes to his daughter and nodded. Farryn gave a soft smile and nodded as well. “There isn’t much to lose, so to speak.” Her accent was a thick elvish accent. She looked to Reid and stepped forward. She pulled a rug back from in front of the desk. Painstakingly carved into the floor was a rune from the old languages. She nodded slightly as she set the area rug to the side. “Don’t worry Reid. I’ve thought of the repercussions.” She spoke and stepped to the desk once more. She lifted up an old dagger that had beautiful intricate markings upon it. “I’ve been working on this since the famine struck. I’ve made certain that each line is correct.” She held the dagger to him. “It just needs your touch. I can’t very well send myself now can I?” Reid grit his teeth slightly. He looked to the king whom gave him a nod. The king stepped to his daughter and embraced her for a long moment. “Perhaps my dear you may save your mother.” He spoke his voice soft. “Wouldn’t that be grand?” A chuckle came over his lips then. He kissed the top of her head and stepped back. There was a clatter in the hallway. “They’re here.” He sucked in a breath and pulled his sword from his hip. “I’ll hold them off. Reid don’t hesitate. It is now or…nothing…” He nodded and rushed from the room. A yell came from the hallway and the clash of swords. Reid gripped the dagger and swallowed hard. He bit his lip and looked down to the book. “Okay. Lay down Farryn.” He spoke as he stepped forward. He knelt down next to her and gazed into her eyes. She gave him a reassuring nod and lay her head back as she held her hands up, palms up. “I hate blood magic…” He muttered as he unsheathed the dagger and sliced into her palms. Farryn winced slightly but then pressed her palms to the floor. Her blood leaked into the carefully carved inscription and as it spread the inscriptions began to glow. Reid lifted the book as he backed away from her. He began to speak the incantation. His eyes would lift from the book to look to Farryn every now and again, but she remained with her eyes closed and her hands pressed to the inscription. As he continued to read a wind whipped through the room and tore books from the shelves tossing each book about the room. The door pushed open. Reid looked up as he spoke the last few words of the incantation. “Farryn!” He cried out as he was grabbed by soldiers. A sword was thrust through his chest and he was slammed to the ground. Farryn gasped as the soldiers rushed forward. She shut her eyes tightly. Suddenly cold and silence surrounded her. She held her breath as her body felt as though she’d been submerged in a bath of ice water. “Farryn Daevyre. Princess of the Kingdom Aramore. Half elf, half human.” The smooth voice of a woman echoed off of the empty space. Farryn opened her eyes slowly. Darkness was all that met her amber hues. “So your father believes you can transcend time…come out on the winning side of all of this?” The question hung in the air for a long moment before a laugh echoed through the darkness. Suddenly Farryn was grasped by her collar and held up into the air. She found herself staring into icy cold eyes and pale skin of a woman dressed in a beautiful black dress. “I’d like to see it. None of the other gods believe it’s possible to tear this terrible piece of history from existence. But. I for one liked your little kingdom.” A smirk curved up the woman’s lips. Her grip remained upon Farryn. “I Ciliren of the underdark grant you access to the past, dear Farryn.” A laugh came over her lips. “One condition.” The grin that came then was wicked in a way. “You will no longer be Farryn Daevyre. You will not clearly remember Aramore. Bits and pieces as time passes perhaps. But…you understand I can’t just hand you the keys to the past. You can’t just change history without a little bit of an effort.” Ciliren grinned and chuckled as Farryn writhed in her grip, unable to speak from the grip around her neck. “You will know your name to be Emery Fells.” She allowed Farryn’s feet to touch the ground a moment. Though as Farryn’s feet touched the ground a swirling portal of darkness formed beneath her and she was dangling once again. Ciliren chuckled as the clop of hooves sounded behind her an a ghostly horse rode into view. “Don’t look so frightened. My father agreed to these terms, and he’s death himself.” With that Ciliren tossed Farryn back. The woman’s icy gaze watched as Farryn disappeared into the darkness of the portal below. ** Emery Fells A burst of hot air blew into Emery’s face. She gasped and scrambled back, her eyes wide as she gazed up to a midnight black horse. The horse had intricate black armor over its face and upon its chest. The saddle was carefully crafted as well. The woman took in quick breaths as she gazed about. A trickle of blood ran down the side of her face. She reached up carefully and looked to her fingers that were now stained with the red of her blood. She looked different now. She was no longer Farryn. She was who Ciliren wanted her to be. She no longer had silvery white hair. She held beautiful tasseled brunette hair and hazel hues. Her ears were no longer tipped. She was dressed in beautiful noble clothing. A silvery white dress with vibrant purple highlights along the cuffs. Her shoulder was adorned with purple feathers in a flashy noble sense. As she rubbed her head she felt a headpiece that stuck down upon her forehead. “Where…” She blinked several times. She couldn’t remember anything, with the exception of her name. “Emery…” She spoke as she furrowed her brows. The horse bobbed its head and snorted at her. Emery slowly stood and stumbled slightly. She looked to the rock that held a splatter of blood. “Did I fall?” She questioned and looked to the horse that bobbed its head as if waiting for her. She looked around as the summer sun kissed her skin with warmth. “What happened…?” She questioned as she drew in a breath against the tightness of the corset. She looked down to her hip to see a sword that held an intricate design of silver with blue jewels and a leather wrapped hilt. A woman walked down the road with pale skin, dressed in a beautiful black gown. Her hair was a silvery white. She smiled as she approached Emery. “My lady.” She curtsied. “Are you injured?” She questioned as she reached a hand forward. Her eyes were icy cold. Emery flinched back from the woman. The black horse breathed heavily and reared slightly as the woman had approached. “I’m well. Thank you.” She furrowed her brows. “Who might you be? Where did you come from?” She looked around to the thick forest. “Just out for a stroll, my lady. You shouldn’t be alone in these woods. Haven’t you heard the stories?” A giggle came over the woman’s lips. She grabbed upon the reins of the horse which caused him to pull back in fear. She clicked her tongue and placed her hand upon his snout. “He’ll take you home, you know?” She gave a wry smile. The horse calmed to the woman’s touch. “You ought to get going. There are terrible creatures and bandits in these woods.” She grinned and turned to walk away. “Wait…won’t you be in danger?” Emery questioned quickly as she gripped onto the reins of her horse. “Me? No. Not at all.” A laugh came from the woman. The horse reared and pulled Emery’s attention away. “Hey!” She called to the huge horse as she fought to calm him. By the time she’d calmed him she looked for the woman and she was gone. “Hello?” She called. An owl in the distance answered her with a haunting hoot. Emery drew in a shaken breath as she climbed upon her horse. “Okay…let’s go…” She gave a gentle kick to the sides. The horse moved through the forest swiftly following the beaten path as if he’d traveled it a thousand times. She glanced over her shoulder several times, but the woman was no where to be found. Not even a set of footprints. As the sun began to set Emery found that she was at the edge of the forest. She rode into an open plain. In the distance she could see the light of a town possibly. She pat her horse on his shoulder and he sprinted forward. It didn’t take long for her to come to the gates of the city. A huge castle loomed over the city. The ocean could be seen and long boats lined the shore. The city was booming with life. She could hear laughter from within. “You!” A man held an axe in his hand. “You don’t look like you belong in Skorravik.” He stepped forward. The man had blue paint marked across his face. He wore furs and leathers. His hair was shaved on the sides and pulled into a braid on the top. “You wandered the wrong direction girl.” He gripped onto the reins of the horse and chuckled. Emery let out a cry as her horse reared against his grip. She toppled off the back of her horse and he took off into the night. Before she knew it the man had a hold of her and was chuckling. “Haven’t your people told you not to come into our territory?” He asked as he kept his grip upon her. “Never mind that. Too late for that, isn’t it? To the cells it is. The jarl will pay me well for capturing a noble from the city.” He snickered as he pushed her forward. “Wait.” She pleaded as she looked around and fought against him. She grit her teeth as she rammed her elbow into him and broke the grip. Emery swiftly pulled her sword as if she’d done it a thousand times. She pointed it to the man. “You’ll release me.” She spoke confidently. The man merely chuckled and crossed his arms. The next thing Emery knew darkness surrounded her once again. She woke sometime later with her hands bound by a thick rope. She lay on a bed of straw. Emery groaned as she woke and pushed herself up. Straw stuck to the side of her face where blood had dried. She blinked away the blur from her vision as she looked around to the empty cell that she lay in. What was this place? She closed her eyes as she tried to remember more. To remember where she was from. Nothing. Emery lifted her emerald hues as a door opened and footsteps sounded down the hallway, headed in her direction. |
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Post by Raven on Sept 27, 2021 21:43:24 GMT -5
The summer had been fruitful for the village of Skorravik. She was a moderate sized village, nestled close to a cliff side that looked down to the rocky ocean. Several docks led outward to what seemed like nearly a hundred long boats - tied to piers. The city was bustling with life - they had just stuck a treaty with the neighboring village - Yedinburr. They had been fighting over the plains near by - which was thick to plow of wheat and the kind. All were feverishly preparing for the harsh winter that was destined to come. The great cold of Hodr was on the brink. The seers had claimed it so, and thus blood war for the crops ensued. Skorravik was in the midst of preparing for a pillage to the Eastern Continent, where Wood Elves claimed the Forest of Odin, as they called it. The Enchanted forests - with creatures like they had not seen, fruits and berries of everlasting - only the Gods could have crafted a thing. They saw the Elves as the challenge placed before them by the Gods - slaughter and take, only the strongest could claim it. The race to prove themselves and sieze the artifacts of old, and the land of the rich... Skorravik's greatest day was told ages ago, 25 years, by the Great Seer Frikkva. The fall before the Hodr Winter. A band of Skorravik warriors, lead by the Golden Eyed Shield - Maiden. They would seize the Forests and she would absorb its power, enough to over-take the inhabitants. Skorravik would be the first to claim it, and become the most powerful Viking Tribe, enough to sieze the Nation and dethrone the False King Bjorn Skarsgard... To make this true - the ultimate sacrifice had to be payed. On the Blood Moon - Frikkva would lay her heart within the hands of the mother who would bare the Golden Crow. The night was high, the Bleeding Red Moon shone down on the center of the ceremonial circle. They were at the tallest peak of the mountain side. Huge 50 foot stones circled the mother, who lay in the middle of the circle. Outside of the circle was the entire village - who stood chanting softly in unison, like a whisper in the air. No flame lit the area, only the red light from the moon washed over the crowd... Frikkva, an old crone, stood before the naked mother. The mother had her legs spread - her nails gritting into the dirt before her. Her mouth opened to scream - but no sound came. She writhed in pain as she delivered the child alone. As the baby began to crown - Frikkva held a hand forward and the chanting suddenly stopped. A beam of red light shot from the moon - Frikkva gripped the glowing red light and then shoved it into her chest. As she did - she fell to her knees before the mother and the baby. She ripped her heart from her chest... the Heart was glowing bright red with the Moon's power. Frikkva then held the heart forward - The mother took the heart. She gripped the beating heart with two hands... and then she brought it to her lips and took a bite. Blood squirt out of the beating heart - all over the woman's pale face. She chewed and then swallowed. The woman looked to the sky - her eyes glowing bright red... she then collapsed from sitting upright. Her head hit the ground and there was silence.... The wind whistled for a long moment... There lying before the crowd was a dead old woman, and a young mother...blood trailing from both of their bodies. The blood combined together and then slowly traveled down the slight decline. Until the stream hit a huge stone... The runes carved in the runes began to fill with red liquid... All 6 stones followed suit, until the stones pulsed brightly with power. They then shot a beam of red light into the sky - which hit the Bleeding Red Moon, aligned perfectly over the stones. It was well calculated... As the beams hit the Moon - in an instant the moon turned a golden color. The beams suddenly turned to a bright shining gold. The stones runes turning gold - the blood trailing from the women.. glowing gold. Then it vanished. The cry of a baby erupted the silence... The moon returned back to Red as it passed over the circle. The Golden Crow was born that day... A man stepped forward and reached for the baby. He was a young warrior - the father of the child... He lifted the child upward and pulled out a hatchet - he cut the chord and then stood with the bloodied baby in his arm. The babe opened its eyes and peered to it's father - one blue eye.. the other Golden. The man smiled then and turned towards the crowd. "A Daughter..." he spoke. The crowd whispered in awe. "Tora Vyarson, The Golden Crow..." he held her upward then. The entire village burst into cheering... *** "Tora - a captive has been brought in.." A man approached. He was very tall and muscular.. he had a kept beard with small braids weaved within it. His hair was pulled back with shaved sides - old tattoos were upon his scalp, though slightly faded with age. He wore a black feathered mantle, and decorated leathers. "Father" Tora smiled as she stood. She was sitting with her axe in hand - sharpening it with a stone. "How unexpected.." She raised a brow. She looked a little more rough than her father, the Jarl. She kept a scruffy composure - much like the men might, as she often tried to strike strength and fear into others. Though her voice was gentle, and her smile ruined her look - as it was charming and beautiful. "Perhaps you can see into the truth" he smirked and nodded. "Come on" he waved her forward. They walked into a building next to the longhouse. Tora stepped inside and down the slight hallway, until they came upon a door. She raised a brow and then Erik opened the door. They both stepped inside and the door was shut behind them. Erik approached and knelt down before the woman on the strawbed. Tora stood back and crossed her arms... "Ah, you are awake" Erik spoke and smiled. He reached for his waterskin and then unscrewed the cap. "Drink" he nodded and held the waterskin upward, so the water would trickle into the woman's lips. "There you go.. sit up now" he helped her sit upward and then he placed a hand upon his knee as he was still knelt before her. He tilted his head as the man's eyes studied hers. "I am Jarl Erik Vyarson.. leader of Skorravik... it looks like you hit your head pretty good" he reached forward and pressed a finger against the wound on the woman's head. He then stood and brushed his knees off slightly. "You'll tell me what brought you this far north, hm? Your clothes" he waved to them "You've traveled quite the way...The closest place with clothing like that is the Redguard settlements..." "No doubt noble.." Tora spoke. She was leaning against the wall with a leg pressed against the stone. "Aye" Erik nodded to Tora and then glanced to her. "And quite the steed you rode on... I could tell that beast for 50 gold coins tomorrow if I wished..." she chuckled... Tora stepped forward - suddenly she paused. Her Golden eye glowed brightly - as she saw into the woman's past briefly - |
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Post by Blindside Tex on Sept 27, 2021 22:35:27 GMT -5
Emery thought the worst of her situation after the hit on the head that she’d received. As the door opened she’d drawn in a breath and gazed up to the two that entered. Her eyes gravitated toward the woman with the two toned hues. As he held the water skin to her lips the cool water washed over her tongue. It was refreshing. She sat up slowly with his help. Her eyes locked upon him now. Though she didn’t speak a word. Her emerald hues stared to him a long moment as he introduced himself. The Jarl. She briefly remembered the scruffy man speaking of the Jarl paying him money for capturing her.
When Erik reached forward and touched her wound Emery winced and flinched back. “I fell from my horse in the forest.” She replied quickly her brows furrowed as she looked to him. Did he expect her to tell him everything. Her eyes looked to the woman a moment before settling back on the Jarl. She shook her head slightly as he questioned what brought her so far North. She hardly knew her own name…let alone where she was or even…who she truly was. “I’ll leave. If you release me.” She spoke up. “I’m certain I have gold on my horse. I could pay you.” The question was did she actually have gold? She had no idea. Though before much more conversation could be had…something strange happened. Emery gazed to Tora as the woman’s eye began to glow. Her breath was stolen from her chest. Her eyes fluttered slightly as she was sucked into her own mind.
**
“Oh lovely. I forgot about this one.” Ciliren sat before a floating orb that peered into the world. It showed Emery collapsed upon the ground before Tora and Erik. “I’ll just have to….tweak a few things.” She smirked as she popped a chip into her mouth. It crunched loudly.
“Don’t you think you’ve meddled enough, Ciliren?” A dark voice spoke as a cloaked figure strode from the shadows that surrounded the young elf. He stepped forward and lowered the hood on his cloak to reveal white hair and glowing red eyes with equally as pale skin.
“You allowed this father. Don’t you want me to see what fun we can have with this timeline?” She grinned.
Death crossed his arms over his chest as he gazed into the ball. “This gifted girl will be troubling. Why did you plant the girl there? Of all places. It isn’t even remotely near the time of the demise of her people.”
“Ah no. It isn’t. But don’t you remember father? The tomb was found in these northern mountains just a few hours east of this city. It is the first time that the tomb was discovered. The first time it was used to summon you and your three friends.” She smirked playfully. “Just sit back and watch.”
Ciliren set her bowl of snacks down and stepped forward to the orb. “Now now, you’re not allowed to see her true memories.” She giggled as she waved her hand over the orb.
**
The world appeared around her in vibrant colors. Marble castle flooring. Blue and gold banners. It was the kingdom of Aramore which was on an entirely different continent than Skorravik. She looked out over the beautiful city that held gorgeous architecture. Tall stone buildings with intricate markings upon them. She turned and stepped inside and as she stepped to the mirror to look to herself her vision grew incredibly blurry. She stumbled and staggered as she held a hand to her head.
“Princess?” A voice came from behind her. “Princess are you alright?”
The vision faded into a swarm of shadows. The next she knew she opened her eyes and she was upon the back of her noble steed. She held her sword in her hand, she wore decorated armor that was well polished. “Ah there you are.” A man smiled up to her, he held the same dark hair. “You’ll win the tournament my dear. There aren’t many knights that could dream of besting you.” He pat the horse on the shoulder and sent her forward. She galloped into the arena. Her horse as adorned in beautiful purple and silver armor. It didn’t match the blue and gold that was shown in the first memory. She raised her hand over her head with the sword held tightly within it as she raced around the arena. The crowd went wild. She sheathed the blade and came to the middle of the arena. Her eyes gazed to the man that had already entered. He was twice her size. It was an unfair match. Her heart pounded within her ears. She gripped onto the horn of the saddle.
“Forfeit and I won’t kill you Emery.” The knight spoke with a chuckle.
“You won’t win.” She replied with a smirk before she lowered her helmet visor. As the two went to their ends of the fence for the joust the crowd roared. They were screaming something.
“Fells! Fells! Fells!”
Emery grinned beneath her helmet as they chanted her last name. She took her lance from the squire and nodded to the young boy. “Thank you.” She spoke and then she was off. She sprinted down the side of the fence. Rushing forward. Her horse pushed with every ounce he had. The two knights came together and both lances struck. Emery took the lance directly to her chest. The blow nearly knocked her off of the back of her horse. But her lance had splintered upon the other knight. She fought to regain her breath as she settled in and grabbed another lance. This time around she hit and the other knight missed. The crowd was going wild. Emery grit her teeth, she looked down to see a splinter from the lance of her opponent stuck within a gap of her armor. Blood was seeping from the wound.
“Emery.” The man from before. “You can do this. Just hit him one more time.” He nodded, encouraging her. “You wouldn’t want to let your father down. He’s watching.” He nodded toward the stands.
Emery gazed over to the stands a long moment before she kicked the sides of her horse again. She rushed forward. It was hard to balance the lance this time. She could feel every inch of the lance splinter that stuck into her body. She grit her teeth as her hit landed on the shoulder of the knight. His lance broke upon her chest. Both fell from the backs of their horses. The world was a blur as the dust began to settle. Emery fought to breath. Just as she realized what was going on a shadow blotted out the sun. The other knight. He brought his sword down upon her. She rolled to the side swiftly and scrambled to her feet. In a second Emery had pulled her sword. She gripped onto her side where the wood protruded. Her breathing was ragged.
“Give up.” The man spoke through his helmet. “I don’t want to hurt you.”
“You couldn’t. If you tried.” Emery spoke, her words broken apart as she fought to breath. She rushed forward and entered into a sword fight with the huge man. She was swift. Her movements were twice that of his, even with her injuries. She kicked at the back of his leg and then leaped forward after several minutes of clattering swords. Her heel planted on his chest and her sword pointed to his throat. “See?” She lifted her visor and grinned. Blood leaked from her nose.
“Princess. You’re bleeding…” The knight spoke as he pushed her sword to the side.
Emery staggered back slightly. As she did this several knights wearing purple and gold rushed the field. One caught her as she nearly fell. “We have to get her to the apothecary.” He spoke as her vision began to blur. “Good fight Rykor.” The knight spoke and nodded to the knight as the crowd continued to roar.
**
“Well played. You may be able to take my position one day, Ciliren.” Death spoke as he clapped a moment before he took a few chips from her bowl. He grinned as he crunched. “This may be entertaining. As you said.” He smirked.
“I told you father. Did you notice? The little detail?” She chuckled lightly.
“Yes. Yes I did.” He replied. “Good work. It shall be quite interesting to see how this ends up.”
**
Emery gasped as she shot up. She gripped her side and then stared up to Tora. She scrambled to her feet. “What. Was. That? She questioned, breathless. “What did you just do?” She looked around the room. “How did you do that?” Her eyes appeared almost amber for a moment before the hazel color took over once more.
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Post by Raven on Sept 27, 2021 23:01:49 GMT -5
As the memory played over - it was just a second long in real time. Meanwhile the memory itself seem to go on for some time. As it was over - Tora stumbled back slightly and her brows pulled together.
Erik laughed as the woman reacted. "Just a little gift..." he grinned. "The all telling eye of Odin, to see the past and the future.." he brushed his hands together and then glanced to Tora "Well?"
She pressed her lips into a thin line, her brows pulled tightly together. She relaxed then and glanced to Erik. She broke her concentration and smiled as she gathered herself. "She is quite the warrior where she comes from... her name - Emery Fells.." she pulled her brows together. There was more. She was a Princess... She omitted this information from her father though...
"It is quite the timing.. considering the preparations for The Forest of Odin... she might be helpful.." she crossed her arms.
"What is it you propose, then, my daughter?" he questioned with a raised brow, he was interested in her thoughts.
"She should prove her worth. A duel against the greatest warrior we have. Should she be as strong as her memory proves her to be - perhaps then... we can use her strength.." she grinned. "If she loses... then well... she dies" she glanced to Emery.
"What do you say then, fight for your life - a chance to live and serve? Or die an honorable death, against brute and steel?" she questioned and then she stepped forward. She pulled a dagger from her hand and cut the rope that bound her hands. She then held a hand forward to help her upward. "You don't have much of a choice" she winked and helped the woman up.
"Alright Tora, she is your play toy then... Get some warm food and prepare..You fight at noon... Emery, May Odin guide your blade.." Erik spoke and then he opened the door.
Tora held the woman's elbow and lead her forward. She did not push or shove the woman, calmly lead her. "You run from me... and you won't get a victorious death. The gates will be closed to you... you understand?" she looked to her. "Fight well, and prove me true, the Golden Crow see's all..." she spoke.
They stepped out of the building into the center of the bustling town. There was a bonfire in the center of town - always raging with flame - day and night, summer or winter. They walked around the edge of it and she lead her into the Long-House. Many bulky men stared as they passed, but as their eyes fell upon Tora - they glanced away...
Tora lead her to a long table, which was cleaned off. They found an empty spot between the occasional person and group. "Sit now..." she nodded to the bench and then she took the opposite side.
"Yvette!" Tora called out. A young woman in her mid teens walked over and set two full horns down. "Two plates m'dear" she held a silver coin out and then flipped the coin. The girl stumbled forward and grasped the coin.
"Right away Crow" she rushed off.
"So Emery..." Tora raised a brow. She lifted the mead up and took a long sip and let out a sigh. "Quite dangerous for...a woman of your nature... to be wandering so far from home..." she set the horn down. "I can imagine...there might be a great search out for you..." she lowered her gaze. "You put my city in much danger... you can imagine the situation I may be in..." she bit her lip slightly. "You will fight Jork, he is a brute... two hand axes... don't underestimate his size - he is very quick..." she looked to her.
Yvette came back with two plates - turkey legs, potatoes and a slice of bread. All roasted with some mild spices. Tora looked to Yvette and nodded "Skol Yvette" she held her horn up and took a sip. As Yvette walked away - Tora looked back to Emery. "You will need to kill him, do you understand?"
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Post by Blindside Tex on Sept 27, 2021 23:38:16 GMT -5
Emery stared to the two. “A gift?” She exclaimed and shook her head. “I’m not so certain that things such as that should be a gift…” She muttered the last bit. Her expression seemed confused as Tora omitted the fact that she was apparently a princess. As the two bantered back and forth a sinking feeling formed a knot in her stomach. She would have to prove herself. To prove herself from the memory…that she didn’t even know she had. She bit her lower lip and swallowed. As Tora looked to her and questioned her lips parted. But the words ‘You don’t have much of a choice’ caused Emery to suck in a breath. She chose not to respond at all. Either way she looked at it she was a prisoner to these people.
When Tora sliced through the rope that bound her hands she gazed to the woman and then to the Jarl. “Noon. Right.” She spoke as she rubbed her wrists. She glanced to Tora as the woman grasped her elbow. “What gates?” She questioned, confused. “The gates of the city? I can imagine that…I wouldn’t get far enough for you to worry about closing the gates of the city.” She shook her head. Emery gazed about the strange city as they walked through it. When they came to the long house it was busy and bustling with many. Ale splashed about at many laughed and drank. The entire place smelled of ale. Her nose wrinkled slightly. That…wasn’t a smell she was used to. As they came to the table she took a seat when ordered to and she continued to gaze about.
She gazed to the full horn of ale as the smell wafted her direction. She’d have to drink that…and fight? Her brows rose. That was a large horn of ale for her small stature. She watched as Tora spoke her name, “Yes…it appears that way…doesn’t it…” She drew in a breath and lowered her eyes slightly. The only memory she held now was the memory that Tora had pulled from her mind. “I can’t imagine that it is safe for me to be kept here.” She looked back to Tora. “Because of my…nature…as you put it.” She gave an uneasy smile. Then when the woman spoke that she would fight a man that wielded two axes she slowly nodded. “Quick…I see…” She spoke as the plate was placed before her. She brushed her tasseled hair from her face and tucked it behind an ear. “Perhaps I could be supplied with clothing for the ordeal. I don’t believe a dress is proper attire for such hand-to-hand combat. Do you have armor?” She questioned softly. As she gazed about the room though, she knew the answer was a hard no. Besides the armor in her memory must have been custom fit by a blacksmith.
Emery looked to her plate of food her stomach growled, yet she felt sick. She closed her eyes a long moment. It wasn’t until Tora spoke once again that she opened her eyes and gazed to the woman. “That is not…” She sighed before she even finished her sentence. She didn’t have much of a choice in the matter. She fell quiet then as she thought of all the possibilities. Her eyes closed once again as she tried to remember. She rubbed the deep wound on the side of her head from her fall. It was scabbed over but it still hurt terribly. Was that the source of her memory loss? Was she truly a princess? A worthy opponent to this Jork? At least…if she was not…she would die a quick death.
Her breathing quickened at the thought of death. No. She couldn’t die. Not just yet. There was something. Something that told her she needed to press on.
**
“A fight to the death!” Ciliren grinned and danced about. “Isn’t that music to your ears father? Look she’ll already be claiming lives.” She giggled. “Farryn hadn’t harmed a soul. Now look at her.” She smirked as she looked back into the orb. “I do hope her senses kick in. Otherwise.” She pulled her finger across her throat and then giggled once again. “That would be such a drag.” She shrugged and popped a few chips into her mouth as she kicked her feet up on a coffee table.
Death looked to his daughter and shook his head. “You know…I almost feel bad for her…” He paused for a long moment before he chuckled. “Nah. Only a slight lapse in judgement.” He picked up his scythe that leaned against the back of the couch. “Well. Best of luck to your pawn, dear girl. I do hope you don’t ruin your puppet this soon.” He lifted his hood over his head and stepped into the shadows.
Ciliren rolled her eyes. “She’ll be fine. You’ll see!” She called toward the direction that he’d gone. She then stood and let out a long breath. “I hope.” She then giggled.
**
Soon enough noon came around. Emery stood in the center square. She held her sword in her hands. She wore leather boots that were a bit too large and pants that hugged her body. She wore a top that was made from furs and cotton. Everything was colored with black dye. She stared to the large viking that stood across from her. He grinned wildly as he tilted his head slightly. Jork then grinned and looked to Tora. “I will crush this one like a bug.” He spoke and then snickered. “Is that what you intend, Tora?” He questioned just as the fight began with the sounding of a viking horn.
Emery waited. She stood her ground and watched as Jork rushed toward her. His yell carried over the cheer of the Vikings around them. She drew in a deep breath as she focused. Just as he was about to strike her she dodged forward and slammed her shoulder into his abdomen just below his ribs. This knocked the air from his lungs and sent the brute stumbling back. A hush came over the crowd from their surprise. Though Jork didn’t take long to come swinging at Emery. She blocked each of his attacks with her sword. Her movement was nimble. She dodged to the side and sliced into his leg. He let out a yell and spun. This caught Emery in the upper arm, his axe grazed against her as she tried to doge away from him. It sliced clean through her skin and blood began to run down her arm.
The two stepped back from one another for a moment. “Valhalla!” Jork screamed and rushed forward. Another clatter of axes against Emery’s sword. He was beating her down. His strength doubled hers. She slipped from beneath him once again and sliced into his back and ducked as he swung at her once again. Emery sliced forward catching his arm and then his side. She moved with more confidence now. The way she held herself showed a great deal of training.
Where was all of this coming from? Emery faltered and was caught across the front of her abdomen, a grazing wound, but still deep enough to hurt. She let out a cry. Jork slammed her back and pressed his foot into her chest, her sword clattered to the ground from her grip. She stared up to the giant as he yelled, “For Valhalla! For Odin!” He brought both axes down. The time that he’d wasted bantering Emery managed to move just enough for his axes to miss, barely. She stared into his eyes as both axes buried into the dirt. He let out a roar of frustration. Emery gripped onto his leg and tugged him forward, pulling him off balance. She quickly slipped to her feet and jumped back as he swung at her. She was without a weapon. Emery dodged and weaved away from his attacks. Her eyes were wide with fear. She ducked forward and spun. She gripped onto one of his axes and ripped it from his grasp. The axe dug into his side as she rolled and then backed away several feet.
Jork looked to his side that bled freely. He chuckled and then looked back to her. Emery was proving to be a worthy opponent. She waited for him once again. Her hazel hues fixed on the man. As he rushed forward to bring his axe down upon her she swung upward. She sucked in a breath and held it as the axe struck up his sternum and sliced up his throat and finally lodged into the base of his jaw. Blood spurted all over her. Emery took in quick breaths as she heard the gurgling of Jork as he fell to his back. She stood, her muscles trembled slightly. His axe had cut into her back, but it hadn’t stuck like her axe had. She watched as his body twitched as his blood pooled into the dirt. The look in her eyes said it all. Her first true kill. She stepped over to her sword and picked it up before she looked to Tora. She brushed at the blood upon her face, only causing it to smear like battle paint. The crowd was cheering for Valhalla and their fallen brother as they drank their ale.
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Post by Raven on Sept 28, 2021 0:02:01 GMT -5
Tora chuckled slightly "Your shiny suits of armor won't be a thing here..." she leaned back and chugged her ale. She then reached forward and took the horn from Emery "Don't over do it, m'lady" she teased her and then easily downed that horn too. "Come on, we'll fit you with something. Though, you're a bit small for a Shield Maiden... we'll make due.." she urged her up.
Soon enough it was noon. The people had gathered near the bonfire. They created a circle of bodies - a fighting ring. Tora glanced to the Jarl, who stood on the stairs of the Long House and watched down. She nodded to the man with the horn in hand and he blew loudly. The crowd burst into cheers as the fight began.
Tora watched the woman - there was a moment of confusion...but then she saw Emery warm up. She moved with finesse and speed. She could tell the woman had a long history of fighting - but not quite like Viking fought. No, the Redguard fought like they danced. Chaos was never coordinated, this was the true nature of Viking fighting...
She chuckled slightly as Jork was sliced with ease, though the two put up a great fight against each other. She stepped forward slightly as she watched Jork gurgle on his own blood. Not the exact out come she expected... though she wasn't sure what to expect...
Tora clapped her hands and approached the ring. "The outsider has won in battle..." she looked to Jork and she knelt down and lifted one of his axes. "Jork joins Odin, he shall climb to the great Gates and dine in Valhalla!" she lifted his axe into the air and the crowd roared. She turned then and pushed the axe against Emery's chest. "We Welcome Emery Fells to take his place. Not of Viking blood, but born in war" she smirked.
"Tonight we honor Jork Ragbrok. Krayvek! Hunt us the greatest Elk you can find... we shall roast its ass on the fire, just as Jork would have it!" she shouted. The crowd roared again and then dispursed. Several men lifted the body of Jork and carried it to be prepared...
"Come on.. let's get you cleaned up... and that is yours now... Wield it with honor" she lead Emery towards a small buidling, which was more tent like, but yet with solid wooden walls. She pushed the leather drape of the door to the side and held it open for Emery.
In the small hut was a woman with fiery red hair. "Sara is our healer..." she smirked and let the drape fall. "Sara - " Tora stepped forward and kissed the woman's cheek in a formal fashion. "Sit Emery.. Sara will clean you up.." Tora moved to the table and began to mix together a paste...
"Looks light you fought well... no good fight goes without a few cuts and bruises..." Sara spoke. She was a very small woman with nimble hands... She pulled the leathers of Emery. "You'll need some stitches on this one..." she pointed and then reached for a cloth. She dabbed at the wound on Emery's back. "I hear this one is one us now, hm?" she glanced to Tora.
Tora turned and chuckled slightly. "Enough to keep her from being raped and murdered..." she turned then and leaned against the table, looking to the two. "Much to still prove until she is truly one of the Village... but she fights like a Viking ought to..."
"You don't normally play with your pets so much... Tora" Sara glanced over and smirked.
"Well, this one is special..." Tora spoke.
"Uh-huh" Sara chuckled and then began to remove the leathers more. She nodded her head to Tora...
Tora stepped over and then looked to Emery "Find me in the long house when you are done here..." she spoke and walked away. With that Sara exposed Emery to address the wounds....
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Post by Blindside Tex on Sept 28, 2021 13:14:54 GMT -5
Emery let out a shaken breath as Tora clapped her hands. She wasn’t certain if she should expect the Vikings to be angry with her for killing their brethren. But they celebrated it. They would feast to his death? Her brows furrowed, her expression was of pure confusion. They kept speaking of Valhalla. What was this place? She stumbled back slightly as the axe was pushed into her chest. She looked down to the axe now that she looked to it she realized the amount of craftsmanship that had gone into the tool. The head of the axe was silver with a golden embellishment that looked like the head of a dragon. But if one looked a bit closer it was almost like a distorted longship. She ran her thumb over a golden inlay in the handle that was of a viking man in a horned helmet with a great beard. Beneath that the handle was wrapped with a gripping that was a silvery color. Axe artHer hazel hues lifted to Tora as the woman spoke that she would take his place, her jaw loosened slightly. They had welcomed her into their clan? The people cheered. Her expression was of surprise. “You’re giving this to me?” She questioned as she looked down to the axe and shook her head. “I…cannot take his weapons…I…” She glanced to the body as it was lifted and carried away. It was asinine to argue with Tora it seemed. She let out a sigh as she followed the woman. Blood ran down her arm as she walked. She looked down to her abdomen, blood had soaked into the furs of her clothing by then. She followed the woman to the tent like building. Her eyes looked to the walls as they approached. She gripped her arm and blood rolled through her fingertips. Emery gazed to Tora as she spoke to the small woman inside of the hut, she watched as the woman was greeted with a kiss on the cheek. She moved and sat on a padded cot where Tora instructed her to sit. “Only a few cuts.” She replied to the woman her hazel hues looked over the woman’s fiery red hair. She winced as the leathers were pulled away. What clotting had occurred had stuck to the clothing and removing it only ripped the wounds more. She groaned slightly and let out a shaken breath. “Stitches huh?” She spoke as she balled her hands into fists. Now that she was sitting still she could feel the pain. The fire from the wounds. The conversation between the two women seemed as though it melted into the background as she focused on breathing, her eyes focused in on the flickering flames of the fireplace. Her eyes lifted to Tora as she mentioned that Emery was enough to keep her safe from terrible things. The words that came from the viking woman’s mouth caused Emery to part her lips to speak but just as she did Sara had doused her wound in something. She winced and let out a soft whimper. Her eyes squeezed shut as the wound on her back burned. She grit her teeth as she listened to Tora’s words. Special? What did the woman see in her? Besides the fact that she knew she was a princess. Was she really a princess? It all felt so surreal. Emery’s eyes fluttered slightly as the woman continued working on her wound. “Why don’t you lay on your stomach?” Sara spoke. A soft hand upon Emery’s shoulder. “This is going to hurt. But I have to clean it and stitch it shut. But it has a lot of debris in it…” The woman had such a gentle touch. Emery nodded her head slightly and moved to lay. She let out a cry as the woman began to irrigate the wound. “Here.” Sara shoved a cloth into Emery’s hand. “Bite down on it. It’ll help…or at least it’ll muffle that scream of yours.” She spoke as she continued to work. Emery was in and out of consciousness as Sara worked on her wounds. It must have taken nearly an hour or so for the woman to patch everything up. When all was said and done Sara moved about the yurt humming softly as she cleaned her supplies. A pile of clothing was set at the head of the bed near Emery’s head. “You’re about my size.” Sara spoke as she knelt next to the bed. “Are you with me?” She brushed Emery’s hair from her eyes. “I’ve made a tea for the pain for you. It’ll help.” She motioned toward the clothing. “You can have those. It’ll fit you better than these leathers…besides it isn’t covered in blood.” She spoke as she stepped away to a whistle of a tea kettle. Emery sat up slowly, a blanket had been draped over her body. She pulled it around herself. She gazed about the room slowly and then she looked to the clothing that had been offered to her. She lifted up the carefully crafted clothing and piece by piece she pulled it on. Deep blue pants that had patchwork upon the knees to protect her in battle. A vibrant red shirt. She pulled on the leather boots that held white fur upon the inside and looked over the leather carefully. “It’s about to get quite cold.” Sara spoke with a smile. “Here let me help you.” She motioned for Emery to stand. “These were my mother’s.” She spoke as she carefully strapped two metal shoulder pieces upon Emery’s shoulders. Cuts and scrapes were evident upon the metal, as if the pieces had seen many battles. She helped her with a tan fur cloak that wrapped around her shoulders and padded beneath the shoulder pieces. She then helped her with a belt that held more fur to keep her warm and leathers to protect her. “She was a great shield maiden. Though, small for one.” Sara spoke as she took a step back and smiled. “That looks much more comfortable.” She laughed lightly and held a mug toward Emery. “Drink up, then you need to get to the long house.” She nodded. Emery Viking clothingEmery looked down to herself as she pulled on the fur gloves that went with the attire. She drew in a breath and took the mug. “Thank you.” She spoke as her hazel hues met the woman once again. She sipped from the mug and soon enough she’d downed it. She set the mug down on the table and drew in a breath. “The long house is…?” She looked to the woman. “Ah just exit and go to the right. You can’t miss it.” She smiled. “Tora…doesn’t usually take such a liking to those that are taken in…consider yourself lucky. Hm?” She commented before she returned to cleaning her supplies. Emery nodded and stepped from the yurt. She walked down the street. The sun was warm against her cheeks. She gazed to those that brawled and partied. Her arm was grasped by someone then harshly and she was pulled back. Emery spun around just as she was slammed against a wall. A bearded man chuckled as he looked to her. “You think you’re one of us now, hm?” He had black lines smeared over his eyes. “Think you can just kill Jork and you’re one of our clan?” He smiled and chuckled. “You are an outsider and should be treated as one.” He narrowed his eyes as his grip upon her tightened slightly. “Gorm.” Sara’s voice came from the yurt. “Tora wouldn’t like you touching her new toy, much less threatening her.” The woman warned. The man sneered and looked to Sara. “What are you going to do? Run to Tora?” He cackled and then released Emery. “Just wait. You’ll see.” He smirked before he walked away. “You won’t be protected forever outsider.” He called over his shoulder. Emery glanced to Sara whom gave her a soft smile. “You’re small. That’s all they see.” Sara spoke and gave a nod. “You’re protected so long as Tora wants you to be protected. Remember that.” She then stepped back into her yurt. Emery drew in a breath as she turned and walked down the street once again. Her sword hung from her right hip, the axe was attached to her belt upon her left hip. It bounced against her thigh as she walked. As she stepped into the long house a few stopped and stared to her. Her eyes quickly searched around for Tora. She felt like a fresh piece of meat to these people. As if she was bloodied bait in waiting for a shark. She walked forward and one of the men approached her. “Well, well. Don’t you look like you belong here now.” He chuckled. It was the man that had captured her the night before. “Jarl is quite pleased with my capture of you.” He smirked before he walked off. Emery drew in a breath and walked forward, her eyes found Jarl Erik upon his chair that was on a platform a bit higher than the rest of the room like a throne. She stepped up to the base of the stairs and bowed her head. “Jarl.” She spoke before she lifted her hazel hues to him. “Tora requested me to come here after I was finished with the healer.” |
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Post by Raven on Sept 28, 2021 13:42:27 GMT -5
The Jarl looked to the woman who approached, then she bowed. He chuckled loudly and then leaned back in the chair. It was a great carved throne like chair. The arm rests were carved to have two wolf heads sticking outward on the ends. It was draped in many leathers, and atop was a white wolf head that was hanging off the side...
"You fought well.. bested one of our greatest of warriors..." he smirked. "Jork will live on through you now... do not let his legacy be forgotten..." he shifted his leg and then lifted an apple from a basket. He took a chunk out of it and chewed as he looked to her. "Much of this must seem different to you, it is with no doubt - I am certain you do not even know who we are. What we stand for... our customs will be quite a shock in comparison to yours... I am surprised to see that you are handling it so well..." he smirked.
After a moment - Tora stepped forward from the back. "Ah, Tora" he waved her over. To which she stepped over. She pat her chest with her fist - their greeting of respect.
"The young one bows" he laughed then.
Tora smirked and looked to her - she held her fist out and then beat her chest again with it. "This is how we show respect..." she nodded. "Viking never show their backs, sign of weakness. We do not kneel, we do not bow, we do not even nod. You beat you chest... meaning..." she hit her chest, the thud of it ringing for a moment. "I would fight for you, Jarl." she then beat her chest again and looked to Emery. "And I would fight for you.." she tilted her head and then smirked.
"Well..." Erik stood then and chucked the apple core into another wicker basket. "I am not sure what you are capable of, young one... but you can fight. This is true... Every Viking plays their part in the village... You will spar with the younglings, and learn to fight like one of us... perhaps you can teach us a thing or two.. hm?" he smirked.
"In a week we have a Ceremony of Drengr... When the young warriors became of age, they swear their fealty to me and join the ranks..." he raised a brow. "Tora here wants you to come with her to our greatest Voyage yet... to take the Forest of Odin... You will go, only if you partake in the Ceremony... So" he took a step down. "Settle in.. discover what it means to be Viking. You decide if you will join..." he smirked.
"If you decide not to, you get one chance to leave... but it's not easy. You must prove yourselves to the Gods. If you make it out a live, then your life is your own..." Tora spoke and then nodded.
"We have never offered this to an out sider... but The Crow has deemed it so..." he nodded. "We do not question the judgement of the soul of a seer" he nodded. "Get her prepared, Tora" then he stepped away.
Tora looked to Emery and then smirked. "Come on then... you'll be staying in the barracks.. your job will be to keep the place clean... Train the younglings, spar with the others, and learn our way of battle... the good news is, I am the leader of the Shield Maidens, so I am your Captain" she spoke and then lead her out of the Long house...
They traversed to the far west side of town... There was several circles with wooden training dummies... an archery range, and then a sparring area. The large building before them was split in half. Half of it was a collection of small rooms - the barracks. The other half was an armory and the like...
"We have a bit of time before the kids come back from their chore hour... sit sit" she waved to a log bench which was set up to view the sparring range. "So, what do you know of Viking kind... I am sure you have questions..." she placed an elbow on her knee and glanced to Emery...
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Post by Blindside Tex on Sept 28, 2021 16:35:41 GMT -5
Emery looked to the Jarl as he chuckled at her bow. Her mind raced as she found that she didn’t understand why he was laughing at her. He seemed amused in a way by her actions. She gave a nod as he spoke of Jork. “Of course…I will do my best to…honor him.” She gazed to the room of Vikings. The next words that the Jarl spoke were quite true. She didn’t know of these people at all. But then again…she didn’t even know of her own people. She gave an uncertain smile as he spoke of his surprise. Luckily Tora approached to break the awkward moment that was about to ensue. When the Jarl mentioned the bow again she furrowed her brows slightly in confusion. Was it not custom here?
Her answer was given quite quickly as Tora smirked in her direction. She watched as the woman beat against her own chest. She listened to the woman as she spoke and watched her actions. Then Tora did something she didn’t expect. She initiated the action toward Emery, stating that she would fight for her. Why? She was a captive. She was an outsider. Her attention was stolen by the Jarl as he spoke that she would spar with the children of the village. “Viking.” She spoke after he’d spoken of the Forest of Odin. She hadn’t heard of such a place. Was it like this Valhalla that the people spoke of?
It was then that Tora offered her a means of escape. An offer to leave, but it sounded as though it would be rather difficult. She pressed her lips into a flat line as thoughts raced through her mind. She thought back to the single memory that she had, the one she’d shared with Tora. Emery glanced to the Jarl a long moment before she followed Tora. “I’m not certain I am someone who should teach others how to fight.” She spoke. “I…don’t even know how I survived the fight against your comrade….but I will do my best, Captain.” She spoke and looked to Tora then. As they moved through the city Emery took in the architecture, the sounds of the children laughing, the men and women carrying on. It was a happy place. Even with the loss of Jork. How? It did not make sense to her.
Emery looked to the buildings and the training grounds. She stepped over to the bench as she was told to sit. When Tora questioned her she drew in a long breath. She gazed forward, not looking to the woman for a long moment. “I don’t know anything of your people, Tora.” She spoke after a silence had settled in over them. It was then that she turned her gaze to the woman. She felt a strange pull on her mind once again. Her breath shuddered as her eyes began to flutter.
**
The sound of children laughing filled the air. “Ring around the rosie. Pocket full of posies. Ashes ashes. We all fall down!” Giggles erupted from the children as they fell to the ground. Emery was young here. The city once again held blue and gold banners as she gazed up to the buildings.
“Oh bother. Would you look at you.” A voice spoke, a woman. “Darling, how many times have I told you to stay out of the dirt? Hm?” The woman turned her around. The woman’s eyes were an amber color, her hair was a silvery white. She held tipped elvish ears. “Sweet girl. Come on.” She took Emery’s hand.
“Farryn! Wait up!” A voice called from behind the little girl whom turned her eyes to meet the young boy who chased after her.
**
A groan came from Ciliren. “This is going to be a fulltime job isn’t it?” She growled as she rushed back into the room. “Can’t a girl get her beauty rest? Hm?” She lifted her hand and waved it over the orb. Dark shadows filled the orb. “Stop looking into her past, it isn’t yours to know. Nor it is her own to know.” Ciliren spoke in a frustrated tone.
**
The scene filled with darkness. Shadows swarmed the memory. It took just a moment for the memory to shift. Emery held a wooden sword in her hands. She looked down to it and drew in a breath. “Father?” She lifted her eyes to the man. “Why am I not to partake in tea like the other children?” She questioned. She had bruising on her arms from partaking in the sparring.
The man stood next to her, he wore shined armor with a purple and silver cape. He knelt down on one knee and gazed into his daughter’s eyes. “Emery, my sweet girl.” He cupped her cheek. “You are my only heir.” He searched her eyes a long moment and rubbed her cheek with his thumb. “Your mother has passed, she will not give me another heir. You must be strong. You cannot simply have tea and cookies.” He gave a wry smile. “One day you will become queen. I need you to be strong. Hm?” He stood and then looked to the man, the one from before. “Now your Uncle Theo will continue to train you. Won’t you Theo? Again.” The king clapped his hands.
The man held a wooden sword. He drew in a breath. This was the same man from the first memory, the one that encouraged her to continue on in the joust. He lunged forward. Emery blocked his attack but was knocked to her back. “Get up.” He spoke as he continued forward. Emery rolled from side to side evading his attacks as she scrambled back away from him. She got to her feet and blocked another attack from Theo. She had to be no older than five years old. She was tiny compared to the knight that her father had put her up against. She let out a cry and lashed forward. Her wooden sword came down upon Theo’s arm. He grinned to her. “That’s it.”
The king clapped, “Take him down dear.” He spoke as he took a seat and sipped upon a goblet of wine. “He is no match for you. You’ll see. One day you will be the greatest fighter of the Kingdom of Silas.” He lifted his glass. “But don’t let your guard down dear.” He spoke as Theo made an advance toward the distracted young Emery. Emery blocked a bit too late. The wooden sword came down upon her collarbone. A sickening snap sounded in the courtyard. Emery let out a cry that echoed back from the stone walls. The king stood quickly. “Theo!” He spoke with a worried tone. “You aren’t supposed to injure her.” He rushed forward and knelt by her side. “I told you not to hurt her.” He scooped Emery up in his arms as she continued to wail. “Get the apothecary. Get my healer. At once!” He ordered as he rushed his daughter into the castle.
**
“Ouch…that had to leave a mark.” Ciliren spoke as she sat back down on the couch. “Hm.” She pondered a moment.
“Ciliren.” A younger female voice spoke as she walked from the shadows. “I heard you had a new puppet.” The woman was dressed in thick furs, she looked much like the Vikings that Emery was now living among.
“Skadi!” Ciliren jumped up and hugged the woman. “Ah it has been too long. How has summer hibernation been? Do you plan to bring a great winter storm upon the land?” She questioned happily.
“Of course. Today was the first day of fall solstice. How could I allow that to pass without a little snow?” Skadi replied. “Tell me about your puppet.” She peered into the orb to see Emery laying upon the dirt ground. Her head tilted slightly as she saw Tora. A smirk curved up her lips. “Challenging yourself are you? That girl was gifted by Odin himself with the sight.”
Ciliren grinned and giggled. “Oh perfect. I do believe they haven’t finished harvest.” She looked back to the orb. Ciliren seemed to track many things within the world. She drew in a breath. “She’s from the other timeline. Where my father and his other riders destroyed her city. Brought it down to rubble. She escaped using a blood magic to traverse back in time to save her people.” She tilted her head. “I made her forget all of that though.” She grinned, “Oh! Yes and she’s from the city that brought her city to its knees.” She spoke in a gleeful tone. “Couldn’t have planned it better I don’t think.”
Skadi chuckled lightly, “Well this certainly will be interesting to see play out. I’ll toss a nice storm their way soon enough.” She winked.
**
Emery’s eyes opened. She’d fallen onto her back off of the bench. Her legs were still up over the bench. She breathed heavily. Her vision was blurry as she scrambled to her feet. She gazed to Tora, her brows furrowed. “Stop doing that.” She spoke breathless. She held a hand to her head. “I…don’t understand how you do that.” She sat back on the bench. “I am not certain what happened when I hit my head…but I don’t remember anything. You should know that. I do not know why I am not with my people. I have no idea why I am…so far north as you said…” She shook her head and closed her eyes a long moment. It was clear that she was having trouble holding back the overwhelming emotions.
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Post by Raven on Sept 28, 2021 17:11:30 GMT -5
Tora leaned back as she came back from the vision. She gripped her head - a wave of pain filled her as seem to touch every sense of her body. It quickly ended as it had come.. she gripped her forehead with her hand and she stood. "The visions are not mine to control" she chuckled and shook her head.
"Each of the memories make a shift" she shut her eyes for a second and then opened them once again. "I've never had visions like that before..." she spoke softly. "Hmm..." she bit at her lip slightly. "No training today... come with me" she grasped her arm. She walked towards a large viking man who was moving a barrel.
"Varrik - You train the younglings today. I have to go to The Seer's Temple" she spoke and then lead Emery to the stables. "Get your horse" she nodded to the black steed that neighed to Emery's presence.
Tora grasped her own horse - which was a large solid brown steed. She mounted him and then gripped down to two black fur cloaks that were hanging on a hook. "You'll want this" she smirked and tossed it over to her. "The Seer Temple is up the mountain side - I have... questions, which need answered. The Temple was once managed by Frikkva, a great Seer that knew all... Now the temple has been left to me... I have neglected it for years, I hadn't felt the need to seek it out... until today" she clapped the reigns and they left the front gates.
The mountain side winded upward, as they climbed upward - the temperature began to drop. Piles of old snow lingered throughout the entire year...
"You don't remember a thing... nothing. Your memories cannot even remember... I have seen many visions in people. Even in the deranged - and it is nothing like this. If I've learned anything - when something is out of expectation...then something is up. I am no stranger to the Gods... I can see when their touch causes ripples in this plane..." she scoffed then slightly, and then released a chuckle. "I have nothing but the journals of Frikkva... I speak like I know, but I know very little.." she raised a brow. "But I know the victory days of my people are coming, and it is no coincidence you have arrived. No coincidence that you are as unique as you are... Gods don't do anything without purpose..."
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Post by Blindside Tex on Sept 28, 2021 18:25:56 GMT -5
“You know. This would be a lot more interesting if she wasn’t just a husk without memory, Ciliren.” Skadi spoke as she continued to watch in the orb. “Give her some flare. Let her remember at least who she is in this timeline. Her other memories will come.” Skadi leaned against the shadows like a wall. “Memories are a funny thing you know? They claw their way out, no matter how many chains you put upon them.”
Ciliren huffed slightly and looked to Skadi. “I thought she would feel more tortured if she couldn’t remember.” She crossed her arms as she stepped up to the orb. “Alright. I’ll give her more…but…” She looked to Skadi. “You’ve got to give us a storm to remember.” She grinned.
Skadi smirked to her, “Oh that I can do.” She chuckled as she looked to the orb once again. “Just let them get up the pass first.”
**
“Not yours to control?” Emery exclaimed, frustrated. “Why not? You keep burrowing into my mind like you own it. Just barging in there.” She crossed her arms tight over her chest. “A shift?” Emery questioned. “What do you mean? I thought it was more than one memory each time…it feels like you are sifting through my head.” She commented back. It was then that Tora grasped her arm and towed her forward. “No training? Wait…” She looked confused once again. She followed along willingly toward the stables. A grin curved up her lips when she saw the black steed. “Hello my friend.” She walked up to him and pat his nose. He neighed once again and pressed his nose into her palm.
Emery tacked the horse as if she’d done it a thousand times. She then walked him from his stable. When Tora tossed her the cloak she caught it and pulled it around her shoulders. “Up the mountain side?” She questioned. She climbed upon her horse and followed Tora from the city. She listened to the young woman speak, “What do you mean my memories cannot even remember?” She asked and furrowed her brows. “I am not so sure…” She commented and shook her head. “If I had such a purpose. Perhaps I would know it.” Emery fell quiet as they climbed the mountainside. “Though…I will tell you something. When you posed me with the duel to the death…I felt an overwhelming need to survive that fight…perhaps that is your gods that you speak of working in action.”
As they began to climb the mountain thick clouds began to form within the skies behind them. The temperature began to plummet, a wind began to kick up. The further they climbed the more the storm rolled in. Flakes of snow began to flick through the air signaling the arrival of Skadi for the winter. Emery gazed to the dark clouds. “Are you so sure that we should be up here?” She questioned, her eyes met Tora’s once again and she grit her teeth. Emery gripped onto the horn as a wave washed through her.
**
Emery sat on a log around a bonfire. There were men dressed in plate armor with the purple and silver lining. “Everything is to plan Princess.” A knight approached her. “We should arrive at the temple in roughly three days. See here?” He handed her a map that he’d carefully drawn. He was the cartographer of the group.
“Very good. We are making good time. We will make it to this temple and back before winter even thinks of taking hold.” Emery spoke, her voice full of confidence. “Once we have the artifact we will return it to my father. He will be quite pleased.” She smiled as she held the map back to the cartographer. “How incredible for a temple to be buried in the mountains this far north.” She let out a laugh as she stood. Many of the men were drinking ale from wooden mugs. She herself didn’t drink at all. She walked over to her horse and held an apple forward to him. He happily accepted the apple. “There you are, Gemini. Have to keep you strong for the mountains huh?” She smiled as the horse neighed and bobbed its head happily.
Emery crawled into her tent for the evening. She lay on her back, her mind wandering to this and that. The artifact was said to hold great power. To allow the right wielder to fend off any foe, to overtake any threat. It was the key to ruling the world as they knew it. It sounded like something from a fairytale. But, her father believed in it, an old sage had found inscriptions in the caverns of Silas about the artifact. As Emery began to slip into a slumber a loud crash jarred her awake. Her eyes shot open to see her cartographer over her. “Princess! Savages! We are being attacked!” He exclaimed. He pulled her to her feet swiftly. She was wearing her beautiful dress. The one that she was found in by the Vikings. “Come princess!” He rushed her forward to her horse. The clatter of steel behind her caught her attention. “Go! You cannot fight. We are outnumbered.” The man slapped the rear of her steed.
Emery gazed over her shoulder as Viking men and women rushed into the camp and slaughtered her people. They carried a banner with an elk upon it black and gold. She took to the forest. Her horse raced through the night. They bobbed in and out of the trees and leaped over boulders and brush. It was several hours later that a branch reached out and caught Emery in the chest. It tore her from the back of her steed and she plummeted to the ground head first…everything went black…
**
Emery gasped. She was slumped forward on her horse. The snow was piling up on the ground now, nearly half a foot had fallen. Her eyes gazed up and she saw a temple before her with strange symbols upon it. “Tora?” She questioned as she looked to see the woman. She reached down to grab her reins to find that Tora had the reins to her horse. Had Emery passed out? She must have. How far had they traveled? She slipped from her horse as her body shivered. Snow had created ice on the tips of her hair that protruded from beneath her cloak. Emery grasped the reins of her horse and walked inside. With that memory. Several others came forth to her. She held herself a bit differently now. She looked about the stone entryway of the temple. “This…is where my father sent me…” She breathed as she stepped up to one of the pillars. She touched it and gazed around. “The Vikings…that wear black and gold. Who are they?” She questioned then as she turned and looked to Tora.
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Post by Raven on Sept 28, 2021 18:58:34 GMT -5
"Perhaps the Gods..." she smirked and continued upward. "These mountains are Sacred to my people. I am a viking - there are no rules. This land was intended for my feet to travel it" she glanced back and then continued forward. She wrapped the cloak a little closer as the snow began to sprinkle the ground...
A moment passed and Tora glanced back again - Emery's horse was stepping along, but Emery seemed stiff as stone. "Emery?" She questioned and stopped her horse. She waited for her to catch up and she shoved Emery's shoulder slightly. The woman slumped - and Tora grasped her to fix her balance. She checked the woman's pulse - alive and fine... She pulled her brows together and then grasped the Reign, leading the horse forward with her...
"Something is up, I am sure of it..." she glanced to the sky and pressed her lips together as snow landed upon her forehead. The further they climbed - the more it began to snow... "A storm?" she questioned as she felt the wind pick up as well...
Soon enough they came to a long pair of stairs. The horse clopped up the stone steps until they came to a great flat platform, which then lead towards large arches into a huge temple... She stood on the open platform and leaped from her horse. It was then that Emery came to. "Well, get some rest?" she questioned and held a hand up to her to help her down..
She stepped to the center - she reached down and brushed the snow away with her hand to reveal a blood stain. She pressed a finger against the stain and then let out a slight grunt. She then stood up and approached the doorway. Standing infront of it was a statue that held an axe and shield upward, the entirety of the statue was blocking the door...
The whipped against them harder now - she fought to stand her spot. "I can tell you of them... but first" she held her hand upward. She spoke in her native tongue - praise to the Gods. Then.. her eye glowed brightly. The statue began to grind and move - it stepped to the side and held its axe upward... The huge door of the temple began to open.
"Only a Seer can open the gates..." she glanced back to her and led her into the safety of the temple... She had never actually gone in before...
"The ones who wear Black and Gold.. our neighboring Village, who we had been fighting against for some time... we recently agreed to peace... a Great Winter will be upon us.. we cannot waste our energy fighting... Yedinburr, lead by Jarl Igor Fjordar. He is a believer of pillaging, rather than foraging and building. They tend to pick fights with everyone... the Treaty was not for his people to sow the land. It was for us to provide a percentage of the goods, for them to stop fighting us. My people say an agreement, I say we lost..." she sighed. "but I cannot disagree. We needed the crops, and our men."
She fumbled around until she found a torch resting on the side of the wall. She lifted the torch up and then stepped to Emery. "Hold this" she spoke. She then lifted her axe and a stone off the ground and smacked them together. A spark shot outward - she did this several times until the torch caught a flame...
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Post by Blindside Tex on Sept 28, 2021 19:12:05 GMT -5
Emery looked around a bit dazed as she was helped down from her horse. “Perhaps I was tired.” She gave a soft smile to Tora and then bit her lip. Her life. It was almost overwhelming getting slammed with all that information all at once. She pulled her cloak around her body as the wind picked up. She too fought to keep her balance in the wind. She ran her fingertips along the pillar as Tora began to speak in her native tongue. She dropped her hand and watched as the woman’s eye began to glow just as it did when she sifted around through Emery’s memories.
“You’ve magic.” Emery spoke with a bit of a smile. “Not many are able to hold magic like that.” She spoke as she watched the huge statue move from their path. She led her horse forward by his reigns. She listened to the story of the neighboring village. The ones whom had attacked her encampment. Emery felt as though it was fate that got her away from them. She could only imagine what would have become of her if she hadn’t ran like her cartographer told her to. She’d gotten away just in enough time to go unnoticed. Or perhaps this treaty had saved her life? If she had wandered into the territory for Tora’s people…then that is why this other clan did not chase her down and capture her. “They sound like a dishonorable people.” Emery spoke she stepped forward into the dark temple with Tora.
She took the torch and waited for Tora to light it. Once the flames came to life she gazed about the huge open space. Her eyes looked to the inscriptions. The dangling feather dreamcatchers, skeletons and old withered plants. “No one has been here in quite some time…hm?” She looked to Tora curiously as she walked forward. Emery found a narrow passage that led to a set of stairs the took them down into the temple. “What exactly is it that you hope to find here?” She asked. Though Emery hoped to find the artifact that her father had sent her to find. Now she had her purpose. She knew what she was sent here for. Fate had willed her to end up here with this Viking. Otherwise her and her men would have frozen outside the temple, unable to gain passage. She needed Tora to get to the artifact so that she could bring it back to the king.
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Post by Raven on Sept 28, 2021 19:36:18 GMT -5
Tora chuckled "Your perception of honor is much different than ours. Plundering, stealing, fighting... this is our nature. My people can be just as..." she thought for a moment. "Your people would call it savage..." she rolled her eyes. "I would call yours pretentious, and whiney" she chuckled and lead her forward.
"Magic..." she recalled what Emery had said of her. "I'm not sure what you mean by that... Gifted, yes. The Gods favor me... They call me the Golden Crow, with the eye of Odin himself... I am sure you are curious" she stepped forward to a wall. There were etchings in the wall...
"Him" she pointed the torch to the man at the top... he had one eye which was colored in bright blue. "He is the.... em.. King of the Gods, the father of the Gods, ruler of Vanaheim - where our dream to live our afterlife, conceptually...Valhalla... Odin... he has a mystical eye - taken from the last remaining Giant in Jotunheim. The all knowing eye, to see the future, the past.. other realms.. anything..." she sucked in a breath.
"He gifted portions of this sight to certain people, Seers. Sight comes to them in dream state. Meanwhile.. mine come.. well. Sometimes whenever... I have been told a hundred times to come to this Temple. To learn how to control my power..." she shook her head. "I couldn't manage to bring myself here... My father says it is guilt of how my power came to be, and then rejecting the gift's responsiblities" she laughed. "He is right..." she shrugged.
"You struggle with your memory, I want to learn how to control it - but most of all..." she lifted a hand. "There is an artifact that helps unlock the 'Hidden Mind'. I figure this could be useful for you to remember who you are... and perhaps - uncover whatever its happening to you. If the Gods are influencing your life.. we will find out" she smirked.
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Post by Blindside Tex on Sept 28, 2021 19:57:28 GMT -5
Emery glanced to Tora and shook her head. “Pretentious?” She questioned. “Civil…would be more of the word…I do believe.” She raised a brow slightly. The word savage caused the woman to suck in a breath. The cartographer called the Vikings that as they ransacked her camp. “Savage is a bit harsh.” She spoke after a long moment. Though she shook her head after she spoke. She looked about the huge room and to the carving of Odin upon the wall. She listened to the grand story that Tora laid out before her. “He sounds quite powerful.” She spoke as she looked to the woman. “Great power always has great responsibility that follows it. Hm?” She gave a soft smile.
The woman grabbed another torch off of the wall and lit it on Tora’s torch. “Guilt? From gaining your power? What is it that you had to do to gain such a gift? If you don’t mind me asking.” Emery spoke, tip toeing around the subject as she began walking forward. As Tora spoke of an artifact her hazel hues turned to the woman. “I don’t believe it is gods. I’m sorry, but I…fell off of my horse.” She pulled her hair back to show the gash that Sara had cleaned up quite well. “I think many with such an injury would have trouble remembering. But I’m remembering a little, hm?” She seemed oddly confident now. Having her memories back gave her that sense of confidence.
**
“Hidden mind?” Ciliren groaned and rolled her eyes. “No, no, no. You’re going uncovering that the gods are toying with you.” She crossed her arms as she stood at the orb. “I’ll make that part of the temple collapse if I have to.” She narrowed her brows. “That’ll keep you out. Won’t it?” She spun the orb around slightly and tilted her head.
**
Emery walked forward toward another passage and just as she took one step into the hall a rumbling began to sound. She reached back and grasped a hold of Tora. She pulled her forward swiftly and ended up landing on top of her with wide eyes as the hall behind them collapsed in on itself. As she gazed into the eyes of the seer she felt the tug on her mind once again. Her eyes fluttered as she saw the glow from Tora’s eye.
**
Music played. A sweet flute and a lovely melody from a lute filled the air. Emery laughed lightly as she twirled about in the arms of an elvish man. He dipped her deep and then pulled her in tightly as they moved about the ballroom. The dance was fluid, they moved together as if they’d danced before a hundred times over. At the end of the dance he cupped her cheek and gave a nod. “It was a pleasure, princess.” He spoke as he bowed deeply and stepped from the dance floor.
She turned and gazed about the ballroom. Blue and gold banners. Knights stood at attention upon the outskirts of the room. A woman stepped forward and smiled to her. “Well done darling. Those lessons have certainly paid off.” She took her hand and led her from the ballroom floor. It was the same elvish woman from the previous broken memory when she was a very young child.
The memory blurred then as it faded away from existence…
The smell of fire filled her nostrils the next moment. Her breathing was quick. She gripped upon the stone of the balcony that overlooked Alamore. She watched as people below were slaughtered, tears welled in her eyes. “No…no this can’t happen…” She begged as she turned and brushed tears from her cheeks. She rushed into the room, it was the study within the tower. “This can’t happen…” She spoke over and over again as she began searching through books. “Please stop this…please…” She whispered to herself between sobs.
**
Emery was tense as she came back to, her eyes still stared into Tora’s. She shuddered as she’d gripped onto the woman’s shoulders when she was tugged into the dreamlike memories. She stayed like this a long moment, frozen in place, until she quickly got to her feet and helped Tora to her own feet. “Apologies…” She muttered as she quickly moved forward. “This temple is unstable, huh? Think the gods are trying to keep us from something? You mention this artifact and then suddenly the place collapses in.” She spoke, sounding a bit flustered. She was trying to make sense of the memories. She bit her lip slightly. “Can you tell?” She asked then suddenly. “Can you tell a memory from the future?” She watched Tora closely. “How do you discern it?”
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