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Post by Blindside Tex on Feb 28, 2023 1:01:49 GMT -5
The captain pondered as she felt the woman braid her hair. She drew in a breath, “But if Freyja chooses whom it is that your power is given to...why me?” She asked as she turned and looked to the Seer. “What about me is something that the Gods would like to see change this world? I have no aspiration to destroy the Fae or the Dragons. Those have already come and gone. Nor do I have aspirations to destroy a kingdom or conquer the world.” A smirk curved up her lips, “Am I not the worst choice that they could have possibly made? If they wish to see change...that is.” She watched Signe with a smile then before she’d turned and looked back to the map before her to allow the woman to continue the braid. Hadley chuckled to the way that Signe pronounced the island name. “Reykjavellir...” She repeated and focused on how she said the word. Her eyes watched the woman for approval or another chuckle. “Sacrifices? Like the ones you spoke of with the dagger that I have?” She asked curiously. “Yule...” She spoke the unknown word and nodded. “I want to know about Yule.” She turned and searched the woman’s expression as she smiled. “300 boats? Really?” She nearly gasped. To imagine a harbor full of so many long boats. How huge the city must have been to be able to house so many Vikings. It was then that the sounds came from above. Their conversation cut short. Before she knew it Hadley had rushed back to the helm of the ship as Signe broke apart the ice. She called out orders to her men whom moved about the deck. Emery moved amount among them, he glanced up to his captain several times to take in the presence of her with this new hairstyle. As the ship slowly edged forward Hadley continued to order what she needed to. The sails were adjusted, the rutter of the ship turned at the movement of her hands upon the wheel. The storm was thick and only seemed to grow stronger the closer they became to the island. Though as they drew near Hadley could make out the shadows of buildings. The curve of long boats within the water. The more she saw, the more surprised she became. Then she saw something that she did not expect. The glow of fire. Next she knew Hadley felt a sharp pain in her shoulder. She looked down to see an arrow protruding through her. “Captain! Get down!” More arrows littered the ship. Several of the men on the deck were hit. Hadley rushed down the stairs of the ship just as several hooks attached on the sides of the ship. She heard yelling as she pulled her sword. Hadley staggered slightly as she blocked a blow from an axe. She was locked in with the axe as her eyes stared to a man before her. He had the same icy blue eyes as Signe. Dark almost black hair that looked like a mane that belonged to a lion. He wore thick leather armor that had a fur pelt along the inside edges that she could see. She groaned as he reached forward and jerked the arrow from her shoulder. A white hot light filled her eyes from the pain that ripped through her body. Then darkness as she heard shouts in an unknown language. ** The kiss of the cold woke Hadley. Next the pain that she felt in her body. Her eyes fluttered and opened. She felt a harsh grasp upon her jaw. A woman stood over her. She spoke in the old nordic language. How was this possible? Was this a dream? She blinked a few times as she gazed up to the dark skies above as thick ash like flakes of snow fell from the skies. The man again from before appeared in her vision. Hadley felt him grasp onto her tunic and lift her to her feet. Why was she so weak? Was the arrow poisoned? She fell against him as her world began to spin. Hadley gasped as her body shuddered. The man repeated a single phrase several times to her. Varger dreng Blot. Froekn.Hadley gazed to him as her breath shook. She did not understand his words. But what he spoke to her was that she was a lone wolf warrior, and she would be a blood sacrifice. He told her to be brave. The Captain gripped onto the armor of the chest piece of the man, her wrists were bound. “Signe...” She managed to speak. Her voice sounded so far away. The man paused. His icy hues stared to her, he looked to the woman and spoke several words to her. He then tossed Hadley over his shoulder like a small sack of potatoes. It was completely effortless for him. She blinked slowly as she tried to move, her muscles felt heavy – almost as if she had cinder blocks on each limb. Or she was buried in sand. It took effort just to breathe. “Stop.” She spoke, her voice small. He merely repeated the same phrase to her again. The crackling sound of a bonfire could be heard as well as the beating of drums and the chatter and cheers of people. Hadley was set down roughly against something cold. Her eyes looked to the people. They were all dressed like this man. Her breaths quaked. “Signe. Get Signe.” She plead as she looked to the man as he tied a rope around her to hold her against the post. She looked to the snow around her – some was already blotted in blood. “Signe!” She cried, though her voice was small. What had they drugged her with? She looked about the crowd as she felt blood drip down the side of her face from a wound on the side of her head. Her breaths echoed. The man stepped before her once again, a knife in hand. “Froekn.” He nodded to her. Hadley shook her head as he stepped forward and sliced her wrists free. She felt his hand wrap around her wrist then as he began to speak loudly. His head leaned back, the crowd echoed his chants. Was he speaking to the Gods? Her answer came to her quickly as she heard the word Odin uttered by the man. She then watched as he brought the knife down upon her arm. She expected to feel pain. To feel something. Her lips parted as she watched her own blood drip from her arm into a bowl. Her breath shuddered as he dipped his fingertips into the bowl and began to trace over her cheeks and forehead. He then smeared her blood across his own face. He grinned to her, “Froekn.” He repeated again. She looked to her arm and the bowl that it hung limply above. She couldn’t move. “Help...” She whispered. “Signe...” Her chest trembled. Her eyes fell upon a body in the snow, the face a familiar member of her crew. She grimaced as she squeezed her eyes shut. What happened? Why couldn’t she remember? The man continued the ritual as he shifted and pulled her other arm from her lap to dangle over another bowl. Hadley shifted her emerald hues to him, “Stop...” Her vision was tunneling. If he sliced into her other arm – it was likely that the next step he had would be to either allow her to wither away or he would slice her throat. Depending on the ritual. She’d seen picture depictions drawn in books before. Then suddenly Hadley stood at the helm of her ship again. Her hands gripped onto the wheel. She gasped as she fell forward. Emery caught her and helped lower her to the ground. “Captain?!” Emery shook her gently. “Signe...” Hadley gasped. “Signe...make it stop...” Her breaths heaved, her mind spun. She squeezed her eyes shut. She couldn’t get the vision out of her mind. “Make it stop...” The village that came into view on the shore was barren. It looked completely abandoned. But was it truly? Hadley trembled as Emery lifted her into his arms. He rushed down the stairs of the ship as the men anchored it and tied away all of the remaining sails. He felt the body of the Captain loosen in his arms as he approached the witch. “Something is wrong with Hadley...” He spoke as he looked to the woman. He looked to his Captain with worried eyes. He then lifted his gaze as an arrow sliced through the air near him, it narrowly missed and stuck into the mast behind him. His eyes widened slightly. “Get inside.” He ordered quickly. “Inside!” He called to the crew. Emery rushed into the captain’s quarters with Hadley and set her down. “What’s going on?” He snapped as he pulled his sword from his hip, ready to defend his captain. The door burst open then and the man from Hadley’s vision easily slammed Emery to the side. His eyes then fell upon Signe, he stared to her a long moment. “Impossible.” He spoke in Old Norse. He looked her up and down and a grin split his lips. “Signe Helvig.” He spoke fluidly. He knew exactly who she was somehow. |
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Post by Raven on Feb 28, 2023 1:24:09 GMT -5
As they saw the island – it appeared empty, as if the great dragons seared the mountain sides of all living life. A pit in her stomach filled, as she was hopeful maybe something had been there – waiting for her. It was in these fine moments that she had to remind herself that her life was over, the dream of going home – she had to let that go. Even after 1,000 years… she was homesick.
Though in the midst of peace – arrows came flying from seemingly no where. Signe dodged and then held her hand up – stopping one arrow it its tracks. She observed it for a moment before more came flying. She grit her teeth and tried to stop as many as she could, but she couldn’t keep up. The arrows lodged into the wood of the deck, into the mast and even a few cut through the sails, leaving small holes in their wake.
Help.. Signe…
A voice called out to her from such a distance. Signe whipped around, searching for the voice. She looked to see the Captain was cradled by Emery, as he swiftly carried her into the captains chambers. Signe grit her teeth and rushed forward to enter the room. It was then as the door shut to the captains chambers that there was shouting and thudding from outside.
Signe turned and held her hands forward – black sparking magic jumped from each of her fingers. Who ever entered was about to get absolutely zapped to death. Though when the doors shoved open – she paused briefly, just enough to be recognized, and to recognize. Her eyes spread wide and the shocking black tendrils of magic licking her fingers faded.
Signe stepped forward and grasped the man by the fuzzy collar of his cape and stared to him. “Dagolfur Brodirsson – what is she shot with?” she pointed backwards to the captain. Though her words came out in a thick norse accent, even more rough than his own. Her voice was fueled with anger, and her eyes pierced his soul easily. “She Cannot die. Do you understand, Dag?” she shoved him back. “Call them off before I bring the wrath of Freyja down upon you” she shouted.
Swiftly Signe turned and approached the Captain, who lay on her bed. She peered to the arrow sticking out of her chest and bit her bottom lip. She pulled her pack out and began to dig through It with unsteady hands, as she pulled a small bottle out – her fingers shook slightly. For the first time in a long time – she was scared. “Not yet, young one” she spoke, still in ancient norse, though she said it over and over. “By the Gods, Freyja – give me time” she spoke and cupped the cheek of the woman.
“Emery – man the helm, take us to the port” she called and stepped out of the captains chambers and onto the deck. It was then that her eyes played upon the massive village. Her jaw dropped – it was as beautiful as it was 1,000 years ago. She stepped forward to the bow and peered to it – a feeling in her gut, the same one she would get every Yule. Excitement… a chance to prove herself, that cozy home feeling, and also the sort of sick feeling all at the same time. “Dag…” she finally muttered and glanced back to him.
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Post by Blindside Tex on Feb 28, 2023 2:07:01 GMT -5
The man froze as he stared to Signe. When she rushed forward he didn’t budge, a huge grin split his lips. A grin that matched that of an old friend. He looked to the captain whom had shaken breaths, sweat beaded upon her brow. A chuckle came over his lips as he looked back to Signe. The anger that she showed didn’t seem to scare him. When she shoved him back the grin faded from his expression. “She cannot die?” He questioned. “By Odin she can.” His eyes stared to her. The yells from outside continued on. His lips parted slightly. “Freyja? So it is true.” He glanced to the open door and looked to the fighting that had commenced upon the deck of the ship. “I’ll give you Odin’s grace.” He smirked as he stepped from the room. He called out and the deck of the ship filled with silence as the fighting stopped.
Hadley breathed quick shallow breaths, her body was numb. She looked to Signe with fear in her eyes. “He...will kill me...” She choked out. “Please...Signe...” Her muscles were heavy, just like in the dream. Just to breathe she had to fight. Her eyes fluttered as she fought to lift her arm. Her hand rest over Signe’s hand that cupped her cheek. “Please...” She begged. “He...will...sacrifice me...” Her hand fell weakly away. “Signe...” She blinked slowly. It took so much energy to move, to speak...to breathe.
Emery pushed himself up, he stood behind Signe. His eyes full of worry. He bit his lip slightly. “Right...of course.” He stepped from the captain’s quarters and walked passed several viking warriors to the helm of the ship. One shield maiden stood next to the wheel she had blood red paint upon her face. He swallowed as he looked to her and gingerly took the wheel in his grasp. He hesitated a moment before he began to call orders.
Dagolfur Brodirsson was a great warrior of Signe’s time. He was the cousin to the Jarl Eskil Brodirrson. He stepped forward and looked to her as he crossed his arms over his chest, a smirk upon his lips. “The arrow has nightshade on it.” He spoke as they reached the shore. “They stay.” He pointed to the crew. “Why is this girl so important to you Signe? These are not your people.” He motioned to the pirates as he climbed the stairs. He merely glared to the crew as he walked inside of the ship and tossed Hadley over his shoulder easily once again. “You tell them that they will stay or she dies.” He spoke his eyes pierced into Signe.
He carried her from the ship and down the ramp to the dock that led onto land. The village was bustling with life as if it was a thousand years ago. Many looked to Dag as he walked through the crowd. “Our seer spoke of a fiery haired woman and a huge ship...it was just before our seer was taken to Valhalla.” He spoke and glanced back to Signe. “Yule is upon us. She is to be our offering to Odin.” He walked up the stairs that led into the longhouse. “You’ll need to speak to Eskil.” He rose a brow slightly. He walked into the long house then. It was warm and smelled of ale. Children ran about and played. Others stood around the huge stone fireplace and drank their ale.
Many turned and nodded to him before their eyes stuck on Signe, their lips parted. Dag led her to a man that sat upon a throne with pelts upon it. He looked much like Dag, but older and he held a scar across his noe and one upon his brow. He looked like a strong warrior. The man stood and took a deep drink from his mug. “Very good Dag! Odin has smiled upon us this day.” He spoke as he watched Dag drop Hadley onto her back on the floor before him with a thud. Hadley whimpered slightly. Though as Dag stepped to the side Eskil paused. “What’s...this…?” He questioned and then a grin split his lips. He stepped down from the throne and rushed forward, his hands rest upon either shoulder. “Signe.” He pulled her into a tight embrace. “I thought you were lost.” He squeezed before he released her.
“Signe needs something of you cousin.” Dag spoke as he looked to Hadley whom lay on the floor, her breathing had become more jagged. Her blood leaked from the wound over the crisp wood of the long house floor.
“Signe...” Hadley choked on blood in her mouth, it was getting harder for her breathe. Her vision was nearly blotted out by this point.
Eskil looked to the fiery haired woman and then he lifted his gaze back to Signe. “Did you come on the ship with her?” He questioned, his brows knitted together. “Yri did not speak of your arrival.” He pressed his lips together slightly. “What is it that you would wish to ask, Signe?” He trained his icy hues on her then as the broken breaths of Hadley sounded from behind him.
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Post by Raven on Feb 28, 2023 2:27:08 GMT -5
Signe peered to Hadley as she choked out words – her brows pulled together. How could she know this? She pressed her lips together and made her way outside. When Dag questioned her – she peered to him for a long moment. “A lot has happened in these 1,000 years Dagolfur…” she peered to the crew, who stood nervously among the crowd of Viking warriors. “Fine” she stepped to the center of the deck.
“Crew of the Night’s Rose – you will remain here. I will return with the Captain when I have reached a bargain with these people. If I and the Captain do not return.. Emery…” she peered to him. “Hadley has been shot with Nightshade, and the only antidote is going to be inland… I will return swiftly” she then glanced to Dag and gave a nod.
She followed behind Dag as they stepped onto the old dock – a rickety as ever, and towards the village. “Yule is upon us, but we do not sacrifice outsiders to Odin, that would be disgraceful” she spoke, nearly through her teeth. “Take me to Eskil then…” she followed him up the stairs to the huge long house. The same she nearly was once worshipped in, it seemed.
When Eskil pulled Signe into an embrace – she gave him a gentle squeeze, despite her wish to not be in this current situation. She peered down to Hadley and she sighed softly. “I have been lost, Eskil” she peered to him. She remembered the man well – if anything, they had grown up together in the same village. Both were around the same age, though her death was early, and yet her immortality kept her same frame.
“I am bound to this one” she pointed to Hadley. “The Gods have cursed me with immortality, as much as you seem to be, but rather – I am bound to an individual. If they die – I will disappear until the next comes. It has been 400 years since I have woken last… If she dies, I die again” she crossed her arms. “My punishment by Freyja for killing Gauryig…” she sighed softly. “She hasn’t much time, let me save her and we can discuss Yule…” she crossed her arms. “Convenient that I arrived in time for Yule…consider you’ve lost Yri…” she remember Yri, though just brief moments as the girl was quite young in comparison. Just a child then…
“We have much to catch up on, but.. I ask you to let me save her, and that she is spared. She would not appease Odin’s needs, she is no Viking” she pressed on. “The Gods are already stirring enough… let me to Yri’s hut, I will mix the antidote… Please.” She eyeballed him closely. She was one step away from threatening them, because if they rejected her – she could truthfully destroy the whole village. She cared not of the history’s past – as curious as she was – they were not her people any more, for she was no one.
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Post by Blindside Tex on Feb 28, 2023 2:46:21 GMT -5
Emery stood at the helm of the ship as Signe announced that she would be back. He walked down the stairs and stared after them, he could see Hadley’s fiery locks as she was carried away into the village. “She’ll be back.” A crew mate sat as he tugged an arrow from the mast of the ship. “She always comes back, Emery, she’s our Captain. She has to come back.” He pat Emery on the back before he stepped away.
**
Eskil looked to her curiously. “Bound?” He questioned as he looked to Hadley whom was fading quickly. He crossed his arms over his chest as he looked back to Signe. His lips parted slightly, 400 years was a long time. “Hm I heard that you were the one to kill Gauryig.” He remarked his eyes back on Hadley. “Our immortality seems to be coming to an end. Yri grew sick. Before her it was Kadal...you remember him? Our great boat smith.” Eskil’s icy eyes locked on her when she spoke that the sacrifice of the woman would not appease Odin. He grinned then, “She is more viking than anyone on that ship.” He chuckled and then looked down to Hadley, her eyes had slipped shut. “Fine, Signe. For old time’s sake. You can save the girl. I’ll tell you of what Yri told me before she left for Valhalla.” He looked to his cousin and nodded. “Go on then.” He waved his hand. “Come back when you’ve finished, Signe.”
Dagolfur scooped Hadley up and tossed her once again over his shoulder. He stepped outside swiftly – he knew how dire the situation was. Without an antidote and with the amount of nightshade they had laced the arrow with...the girl would die. “You’ve always had a way of convincing everyone to follow you.” He smirked as he glanced to Signe. He led her across the town and to a small hut. It was cold and dark on the inside. The wind from the storm howled outside. He set Hadley down on a cot and he turned and lit the stove at the center of the hut before he lit several of the lanterns so that Signe could see. He looked to the pale skin of Hadley and then to her chest as it barely moved. The paralysis had continued to attack her body. Dag gazed to Signe a long moment, “I’ll be at the long house.” He spoke before he stepped from the hut.
Hadley mumbled in her unconscious state. Her lip quivered. Tears rolled down her cheeks. The tips of her fingers twitched as her muscles fought for control once again.
**
It was sometime later that Hadley rolled to her side. Her head throbbed. She could taste metal in her mouth from the blood that had choked her. She blinked slowly as she tried to remember what happened. She moved her arm and winced slightly from the pain. She was sore where the arrow had struck her. “Signe?” She questioned as the wind howled outside of the hut. She stood and staggered slightly, the room was dim and she could barely discern the features of anything within the hut.
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Post by Raven on Feb 28, 2023 3:05:43 GMT -5
Signe peered to Eskil and finally a sense of relieve washed over her – she did not thank him. No, she got what she wanted – it was not the Viking way to say thanks. She would be expected to return the favor, that would be her thanks. “It’s just braids” Signe smirked slightly down to Hadley. Dag lifted the woman and she followed behind her to the Seer’s hut. One that used to belong to one of her mentors – it was interesting to think that Yri had become the Seer, she wondered what happened… was she good? “I’ve got those cold ice eyes, convinces many” Signe glanced to Dag and then placed a hand upon his broad shoulder. “An Ale later then” she watched him leave. She then looked down to Hadley and bit her lip. She would have to move swiftly. She placed a small cauldron on the hook above the fire that crackled with life. She was quick to find the base of the potion, but she had to sift through many little boxes and vials to find the herb she was looking for. She lifted a small vial that had a slender red petal in it, it had darker red veins – Phoenix-bloom, very rare and it only existed up near volcanic sites. A single petal left… and counter to Nigtshade. It didn’t take long to brew the potion, after crushing the Phoenixbloom down, a quick cook, with a few other roots to add nutrients for recovery… She held a bottle over the lips of the suffering woman. She dropped it into her lips and closed her mouth. She whispered ancient words in prayer… Immediately the breathing of the woman shifted – the nightshade was wearing off… but it would be some time. Signe took the time to dress the wound on her arm and wrap it with the linens. “Your first Viking fight…” she sat back briefly and glanced to the table. There was a beautifully carved tattoo needle. It had a wooden handle and a brass tip to it… she gripped and glanced to a small bowl of ink that sat before her. “Only right…” she smirked and she dipped the needle and took the time to do a perfectly steady Valknut symbol, just above the arrow wound on her upper arm. When she finished – she cleaned it and applied a smooth clear ointment over the tattoo, but It was perfect. “I haven’t lost my touch…” she spoke softly and smirked. “You avoid death today…” Signe sat up and then pulled a parchment up – she wrote “Meet me at the long house” and then she wrote the same thing – but in runes, which was only 2 runes long. She set it down and set a candle next to it and placed a single hand on Hadley. “Rest up…” she spoke and then stood. It was all too comforting to be back in this village. The way her boots crunched on the snow, the familiar sounds of their ancient language, the yipping of people and children. She made her way to the Long house and absorbed the village in, before opening the door. She walked up to Eskil and crossed her arms briefly. “So, you are Jarl now, of the last remaining Viking settlement?” she smirked “Ragnar would be jealous, brother” she scooped up a mug and walked over to the large barrel and helped herself. “I will tell you my story, if you tell me yours. How did this place manage to survive, what sort of deal with the Gods did you make?” she questioned with a raised brow. “Last I knew… you were struggling to become a General, you had this dream you would marry Helgenda and have a hundred little viking warrior babies” she smirked. “But here we are…” she lifted her mug “Skol”. |
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Post by Blindside Tex on Feb 28, 2023 3:59:58 GMT -5
Eskil had a horn of ale in his hand and he was speaking to another viking man, a woman hung off of his side. His icy hues turned to Signe as she approached him. He grinned as she spoke of him as Jarl and how Ragnar would be jealous. “If Ragnar is jealous – that is all one can hope for.” A deep chuckle came from him. “Friends. You all remember the great seer, Signe Helvig?” He called out and several raised their mugs and cheered. “Welcome her after far too long back to Reykjavellir! We have a Seer for Yule! Skol!” He rose up his horn and ale sloshed over the edge as the entire hall filled with yells.
He slipped from the woman and grinned to Signe. “Your story is shrouded in mystery and myth. To hear it. Would be just as grand as hearing our own. Hm?” He walked her away from the crowd to the back of the long house near his throne as she spoke of Helgenda. A deep laugh came from his chest. “I was plundering the lands with a group of 30 of our best warriors. We were faced by the wrath of the gods upon our return. So much so that our longboat was encased in ice.” He took a long drink of his horn. “Skadi herself approached us from across the ice with Njord in tow.” He grinned at her. “I did not believe my eyes. Most of the men were unconscious from the cold and hunger...they told of a future without viking kind. That the world would fall into war and all of the magic would soon be gone...”
He paused a moment and smirked to her, “We were offered to keep our home here in Reykjavellir...but at a cost. We no longer leave the island...we sacrifice to Skadi and Njord each new moon...and on the red moon we must climb to the peak of Atgar….and make our offering at the alter of the great dragon Luta...frozen in ice...by Skadi herself.” He drank the last of his ale. “So we’ve lived...I’ve aged more than you I see.” He chuckled. “We are not fully immortal though. Illness may still sweep us away...and eventually our elders have reached the age that they will be welcomed by the gods. But our life here...it is full. We drink our ale, we celebrate our gods.” He chuckled, “We just cannot leave.” He watched her carefully. “If we leave, Skadi and Njord will ensure those that leave the island die...and it is not slow...I’ve heard the screams...” He cleared his throat slightly. “Slowly...as some left and others died. I rose to become Jarl.” He smirked. “So long as no one contests me. I will remain here.”
He scooped more ale into his horn and drank deeply from it before he wiped the froth from his beard. “Tell me, Signe. How did you kill the great black dragon?” He grinned as he watched her with curious eyes.
**
Hadley found the note and held it up. She looked to the noted and ran her fingertips over the runes. “Long house...” She spoke and shifted. She felt an unfamiliar burning sensation upon her shoulder. She looked and her eyes fell upon the clean tattoo. A soft smile curved up her lips. She looked to her well dressed wound and drew in a breath. She had been so close to death. She could feel it. Taste it. She listened to the howl of the winter storm outside. Her eyes glanced about the hut and she grasped a thick fur cloak from the wall. She wrapped it around her shoulders and settled into the warmth before she stepped outside of the hut.
The Captain pulled up the hood of the cloak as she walked through the storm. She was blown forward as she trudged through the near foot of snow that had fallen. Her teeth chattered as she held the cloak around her. She followed the sound of chatter. The yells and yips. The clank of mugs. The yell of Skol. She had a curious look in her eyes as she walked in from outside. The hood of the cloak fell to reveal her expertly braided hair. A few stopped and stared to the woman as she walked forward, her boots clicked upon the wooden floorboards.
Eskil turned his eyes to look to the commotion. “Hmph...and you say she isn’t Viking. Tell me, Signe. Do you remember Sibbe Starrisson?” He questioned with a smirk upon his lips. “Ragnvald married her.” He added another comment. “They left the island...I swore them to be dead...but Yri spoke otherwise...Yri spoke of a fiery haired woman upon a huge ship that would come to us before Yule. She spoke that the woman would be Ragnvald’s daughter.” He took a long drink from his horn. “Hard to argue. Isn’t it?” He questioned and raised a brow slightly.
Hadley found Signe, her emerald hues locked on the woman. She walked across the floor with a bit more purpose now as several looked to her. “Signe.” She spoke as she came to the woman’s side. She glanced to the man a moment, her breath caught in her chest slightly. He looked so close to Dag. Her lips pressed together as the vision from before flashed before her eyes. “Can we go?” She asked as she looked to Signe.
Eskil chuckled, he could nearly smell the fear off of her. “A taste of death and she’s shaking in her boots. Perhaps you’re right. Perhaps she is not viking.” He finished off his horn. “I still need to sacrifice for Yule, Signe.”
Hadley looked to him with confused eyes, she couldn’t understand a word the man said. She looked to Signe and pressed her lips together as Dag approached and took a drink from his mug. “He killed me. He is going to kill me.” She spoke her voice hushed as if she expected them to understand her.
Dag grinned as he looked to the Captain. “I’m surprised to see her on her feet after that dose of nightshade. Good job, Signe.” He spoke and took a drink of his ale.
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Post by Raven on Feb 28, 2023 4:45:15 GMT -5
Signe pulled her brows together “You cannot leave?” she hummed slightly. “A viking who does not Viking.” She raised a brow. “I see…” she took a long swig of her ale. “Viking king perishes but yet you remain, I suppose it is a gift from the Gods” she glanced toward the door – which opened.
The entire crowd turned as Handley entered – Signe smiled briefly as the woman approached. Signe stood and lifted an empty horn and dipped it into the barrel of ale and handed it to her. “Captain Hadley Addington” she bowed her head. She listened to the woman and lifted a brow “You are not going to die today” she spoke to Hadley, her accent was thick but she spoke in English. “You saw something, I am assuming… I want to investigate more into that, but… you are safe here. I promise.” She lead her over.
“Sibbe Starrisson…” Signe glanced at Hadley and studied her. “Maybe” she spoke in Nordic and then glanced back to Eskil. “I will tell you my story – and be your Seer for Yule. I have two conditions…” she looked to him with serious eyes. “She does not get sacrificed, and her crew can visit the island for Yule..” she spoke clearly and looked him dead in the eyes. “She may be the daughter of Ragnvald, but she is not the sacrifice…” she lifted a brow. “I will perform a Rite of Vision, I will see what future beholds us. There is a chance the interpretation is…” she lifted brow.
“If you deny me, I will simply leave…” she smiled then and then she stood. She downed her entire mug in several long seconds and then she turned to Eskil, the crowd was watching.
“Glauyrig died as I summoned a bolt of lightning, in the name of Thor and struck him down from the skies. He challenged me – and so I took him up on his challenge. In his trial I defeated him, and so I absorbed his power…” she raised a brow. “However, upon the act – Freyja killed me instead. She trapped my soul in an artifact, to be summoned by those who she tests is worthy. Those who command the artifact command me, and the power of the Ancient Dragon, who shaped the earth with his breath.” She lifted her mug “So, I became the most powerful seer to live, though thwarted by my own greed. Glauryig lives through me, but it has been a Thousand years. It is finally nice to be home” she lifted her mug “Skol” she took a long swig.
“Now someone of my power… may be able to commune with Skaldi and Fjord… I am too curious – what would appease them. A chance to save our people and retry?” she questioned with a brow. “It wouldn’t be the first, nor last time, I’ve communed with a god…” she looked to Hadley, who she knew wouldn’t have understood a single word.
“Eskil” she spoke in English. “Tell the woman she will not be sacrificed” she looked to him. She knew that they had to have known English, even if just a little.
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Post by Blindside Tex on Feb 28, 2023 7:54:51 GMT -5
Eskil gave a shrug when she repeated that they could not leave. “It isn’t as horrible as you make it sound.” He chuckled and took a drink of his ale.
Hadley could feel hear heart as it beat within her chest as though it wanted to leap through her throat and rush to the door. Her eyes were locked on Dag. Though she looked to Signe as she handed her the horn of ale. She gave a small smile as the Seer introduced her, though she still glanced to the two vikings uneasily. She looked to Signe as the woman promised her life. “I did...Signe...it isn’t safe here.” She protested and gave a sigh. “But. I will trust you.” She stayed at Signe’s side. Her emerald hues looked about the room. As Signe began to speak to Eskil and Dag her eyes looked to them almost nervously. As if they fought over her. She felt their eyes upon her. What were they saying?
Eskil grinned as she agreed to be his Seer for Yule. He then frowned ever so slightly at her conditions. “You strike a hard deal, Signe. You always have.” He smirked as he watched her. “I do not want outsiders in my village.” He didn’t break eye contact with her as he said this, her icy stare didn’t seem to scare him away as it could most. “When you perform the Rite...you will see that her blood is requested by Odin.” He drank from his horn. She spoke that she would leave then if he denied her requests. The viking grit his teeth. He needed a Seer for Yule. He frowned as she smiled to him.
Hadley looked back and forth between the two. The thick accent of the language was intriguing to her...but after she saw Dag slice through her arm in the vision. She wanted nothing more than to leave. She drank down her horn of ale in hopes to take the edge off. Eskil looked to the eyes of the watchful crowd. “Fine. You can have what you wish, Seer.” He spoke defeated. He knew if she left they would blame him and possibly that would be the end of his reign as Jarl, as well as his long life.
He shifted and his expression changed as she spoke of the death of Glauyrig. His eyes were trained in on her. Dag even grinned as he listened to it. “You controlled the very lightening of Thor?” He questioned with a chuckle. “Odin smiled upon you on that day, Signe. Perhaps it was the jealousy of Freyja that caused her to kill you, rather than the wrath of the gods.” He drank his ale and then gripped the horn from Hadley’s hands. He smirked to her as he walked around her and refilled her ale at the barrel. He returned and placed the ale in her hands and then he listened to the rest of the story. “Skol!” He called out and others did the same before they drank deeply from their horns.
Eskil grinned as Signe spoke that she could commune with the Gods. “You would do that? For us?” He questioned and a chuckle came over his lips. “Skadi may just yet have graced us with your presence this Yule.” He smiled. Hadley’s eyes snapped to Signe as she spoke in English. She then looked to the man that Signe spoke to. Her emerald hues focused on him carefully. Eskil looked to the fiery haired woman and stepped forward. “You are safe here.” He spoke as he gazed into her eyes. “Not a sacrifice.” His accent was incredibly thick, so thick that it was difficult to understand him.
Hadley drew in a breath and she nodded. “I see.” She replied and held her horn up. “Skol.” She spoke the word and forced a smile.
Eskil grinned as he lifted his horn. “Skol!” He called out and it echoed through the other vikings in the room. He chuckled as he finished off his horn. “Tell me, Signe.” He spoke in norse once again. “How does it feel to be among your people once again? A thousand years?” He shook his head slightly. “It must feel worse for you to be trapped as you are, than for us to live on this island in solitude.” He drank from his horn. “Freyja is truly a spiteful god. Isn’t she?” He smirked as he watched her carefully.
Hadley shifted and turned her eyes over the crowd that carefully watched their Jarl with the lost Seer. She swallowed as she felt their eyes upon her. She blinked a few times as her vision blurred, her breaths grew quick for a moment. Dag stepped forward and wrapped an arm around her. “She seems to still be recovering from the Nightshade.” He remarked as he looked to Signe. “Cousin. Let us rest this evening.” He offered. “Tomorrow your Seer shall speak to you more.”
Eskil grinned as he looked to his cousin and then his eyes looked to Signe. “Tomorrow we speak more of the Gods, and you perform the Rite of Vision, Signe.” He finished off his horn and walked away from them.
Hadley slipped from Dag’s grip and placed a hand on Signe’s shoulder for balance. “I’m dizzy.” She spoke as her knees felt weak. She collapsed then only to be caught by Dag.
“Come, Signe.” He spoke as he cradled the Captain in his arms. “You can make a tea for the girl.” He rotated her close to his chest as he walked out into the thick blizzard. Dag trudged through the snow without so much as a lantern. The snow pelted his face as the wind whipped through the city. Skadi had her hold on the little village now. Each year seemed to get worse in recent years. He wound through the city and into the hut of the Seer where the warmth hugged around him. He carefully set Hadley down on the same cot from before. He searched her eyes, “Rest, Starrisson.” He smirked slightly before he turned and looked to Signe, he gave a respectful bow of his head before he turned and walked from the hut.
Hadley furrowed her brows slightly, “Starrisson?” She questioned and shook her head. “Signe. It isn’t safe here. You say it is safe...but it is not.” She looked to the woman, her breaths quaked as the weakness from the residual Nightshade seemed to overcome her. Her vision blurred. “Is...everyone on the Rose okay?” She asked as she remembered the dead body from the vision. She looked to her forearm and ran her fingertip down it as she thought of the blade that sliced down her arm. “Tell me, Signe. Why did I see my own death?” She questioned, her voice soft. “It was as real as now...I was tied to a pole...I couldn’t move...just like before...and that man...” She motioned toward the door that Dag left through. “He cut my arm. He chanted something over and over again. The people that surrounded us did the same...I watched as my blood filled a bowl and he drew something on my face. He smeared my blood over his own face...” She pressed her lips together. “We need to leave.” She spoke after a moment of silence. “I...don’t want you to have to be trapped again, Signe.” She admitted after another moment. The Captain lifted her eyes to look to the Seer as she drew in a breath.
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Post by Raven on Mar 1, 2023 1:32:30 GMT -5
“Very well” Signe stood Dag came to their rescue, Eskil sent them off from the dining hall. She glanced to Hadley as she stumbled and caught the Seer’s arm. Signe grasped her hand briefly just as Dag lifted the woman with ease she collapse. “Damnit” Signe muttered and followed behind the brute of the man. She was thankful for his strength, she had nearly forgotten the relentless nature of the viking people. Signe nodded to Dag “Thank you… good night” she spoke as the wooden door of the hut shut behind him.
Signe sighed softly and glanced over to Hadley, who had woke. “Indeed” she spoke and then she put a kettle on over the fire. She began to gather several dried herbs into a small bowl and began to grind them with a round stone. “In every village – there is a Seer. The Seer of this village passed recently, supposedly before her passing – she dreamt of you. That there would be a huge ship to come before Yule, and a fiery redhead. The tale is that this fiery haired woman is the daughter of Ragnvald and Sibbe Starrisson… two Viking who lived here and managed to leave the island… but the people of this island are cursed to never leave…” she lifted a brow.
During her talk – she poured the leaves into a small strainer and stepped over to the kettle and set it neatly within in it to steep. Shen then sprinkled a light dust from a small leather bag and then stepped away from the fire. “Sibbe Starrisson was a seer. I can’t say how great of one she became – as I died when she was young, but I know she was an Alcolyte. Ragnvald was the son of a powerful warrior – who was on Ragnar’s viking crew…” she pulled the kettle off and then poured two steaming hot drinks. She waved a hand over the two mugs and the steam settled to a gentle warm.
Signe stepped over and offered the tea to the woman, while also holding her cup to her chin briefly, inhaling the sweet scent of the herbal tea. It was that of many different fragrant flowers, it would be a sort of fruity flavor with an earthy after taste – the roots of the medicinal plants gave just a gentle bitter flavor.
“Your visions… confirm this interpretation by the Seer here. You have visions – and they’re not exactly wrong.” She took a sip of her tea and then sighed softly. “I think you are right… I don’t trust Eskil to honor his word, 1,000 years makes one desperate. Their people are dying – the Gods aren’t tending to them, desperation is in eyes. I can see it in the way he looks at me, the way he shifted in his throne…” she took a gentle sip and then sat down in a chair at the dining table, her thoughts roaming.
It grew silent for a moment – and Hadley spoke again. “Then we leave tonight” she spoke and looked over her mug. “These are not my people – I lost them a thousand years ago. I do not belong to them anymore… I belong to you. I will pack what I can and we can leave whenever you are ready. I can…” she stood with an idea. “A quick little potion… invisibility, hm?” she smirked with a devlish grin. “I wont let them hurt you… mostly because that would mean I would have to sit again for a few hundred years” she teased.
She began to gather herbs once more and put a small pot over the fire. She got the water boiling and began to drop a few things into it. “It will take me about an hour to brew this up…” she spoke and glanced over to the woman.
"When we return to the boat – I’ll do a Rite of Vision, but instead I will peer into your lineage. I can trace your soul backwards, see if Sibbe really is your mother….” She pressed her lips together briefly. “I wish I had known her more, but I know she was good. If they left the island… she could have died, but you lived on..” she lifted a brow “Being an orphan would fit, if that was their tale…” she sucked in a breath. “I can give it my all to find out… if that is what you want…” she spoke softly to her as her hands squeezed a pinch of root and then dropped it into the pot…
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Post by Blindside Tex on Mar 1, 2023 21:15:37 GMT -5
Hadley watched as Signe worked fluidly. It was effortless. Something the woman had done a thousand times and then possibly a thousand more. She listened to the words of the viking as she spoke of the Seer of the hut that they sat in now. She furrowed her brows slightly as the story began to unravel. “How could she have dreamt of me?” She questioned, her eyes watched as she placed the leaves into the kettle over the fire. Her mind raced with questions the more Signe spoke. Hadley stared into the dancing flames of the fire. Was she a viking? There was no way. It was impossible. But was it true? The captain shook her head slightly, “Signe. I am an orphan. I am not the daughter of a viking warrior.” She pushed the idea aside swiftly. She reached forward and took the mug and a soft smile turned up her lips. She drew in a breath as she hugged the warmth against her chest. She smelled the delightful aroma of the tea that Signe made. Her emerald hues opened once again as Signe began to speak of the visions that the Captain had. She pressed her lips together. She’d had things like this happen before. Her whole life she’d seen strange glimpses. Things of her imagination. At first it felt like deja vu. As though she’d lived the moment before. Then things over time became more complex and detailed until she couldn’t discern her own reality from a dream. They were random. But she’d gained an advantage that she didn’t even know how to use. Hadley sipped upon her tea as Signe spoke of Eskil. How his people were dying. But why now? The silence was broken by Signe once again. Then we leave tonight. A look of surprise filtered over the Captain’s features. Signe truly felt no pull to help these people? She gave a broken laugh to the teasing comment from Signe. “At least I trust your word that you won’t let them hurt me. They don’t seem to realize the power you hold.” She gave a weak smile. She watched the woman work, her eyes curious. The next words caused Hadley’s breath to catch in her chest. It was everything she’d ever wanted. To know her past. To know who her family was. She’d searched and searched and was so far unable to find anything. Even the old woman that ran the orphanage said that Hadley was abandoned on the doorstep without a note or even a trace of who might have had the baby. “You can do that?” She asked as the silence settled again. Her eyes looked to the crackling fire. “If...” She paused and thought deeply. “If I am the daughter of this woman...that would mean that these people...” She bit her lip slightly. “They would be my people. Wouldn’t they?” She questioned as she watched the woman work on the potion. “But...my people are those that are on the Night’s Rose. Those as the ones that I trust with my life. These people...I can see the thirst for blood in their eyes. The wild looks. I don’t trust them...and if my mother left this place...perhaps I am right to not trust...” She bit her lip slightly. She had the offer to know everything about her past lineage. It was more than she could have ever dreamt of. Hadley sipped upon her tea and she stared to the flames as they flickered and danced about. “I want to know...it is all I have ever wanted to know...” Her eyes locked onto Signe. “I’ve failed to find out any information about them...I’ve tried time and time again and I’ve always come out empty handed...” A sigh came over the Captain’s lips then. “If you truly can see into my past...please...” She watched as Signe continued to make the drink. "Can...you tell me about Sibbe? What was she like? Do you remember?" ** Sibbe Valdis (Starrisson) The sound of waves as they lapped against the shore below echoed over the tall grassy knoll as the gentle sea breeze caused the blades of grass to dance back and forth. Upon the edge of the cliff sat a woman of red hair. She had her hair pulled back from her face with braids on either side of her head. Her eyes were a striking golden amber color that looked much like that of the embers of a fire. She wore a black fur cloak that held feathers upon her shoulders. Beneath she wore leathers that were artfully crafted to hug her body. She had a beautiful axe upon her hip that held intricate laced designs that included Fenrir. Her feet dangled over the edge of the cliff and she kicked her feet slightly a soft smile upon her lips as she overlooked the sea. “Sibbe.” A voice came from behind her. A young woman climbed up over the boulder and a gust of wind pushed her dark tasseled hair into her face. This woman had icy silver eyes and feathers weaved into her hair. “You’re going to miss the morning meeting again.” She sat down next to Sibbe on the cliff and looked over the sea as the sun began to filter rays of light into the sky. It was truly a gorgeous view. “You know that Bjorn will be displeased with you...even if you have abilities. If you keep missing--….” “Yri.” The fiery haired woman turned her eyes upon the dark haired woman. “Shh. Just….” She drew in a long breath as she placed a hand upon the woman’s shoulder. She nodded her head in the direction of the sun as it rose. Upon the horizon a beautiful white dragon flew through the sky. The roar of the creature could be heard for miles. Sibbe grinned as she watched the creature – majestic and strong. “Kaida.” She spoke, her expression filled with awe. “I saw her in my dreams last night. I couldn’t miss her.” She gave a squeeze to Yri’s shoulder before she stood. She gazed up into the sky as the great dragon flew over them, she reached her hand up and her fingertips just barely grazed the belly. Sibbe turned as the beast landed on the rocky boulders above them. Another roar bellowed from the beast. “Good to see you, Kaida.” Sibbe spoke, unafraid. Yri stood her lips parted as she stared to the huge creature. Kaida was by far the smallest of the dragons. She was one of the most beautiful though and not one to make an appearance often. “Sibbe...” She whispered and tugged on the woman’s cloak slightly. Sibbe turned her golden gaze to the woman a moment with a smirk upon her lips. “Yri, it’s fine.” She spoke before she looked back to the dragon perched upon the boulders above them. As she looked up Kaida leapt down from the boulder and landed before Sibbe. The snout of the beast was the side of Sibbe. Though as the dragon pressed forward with the black abyss of eyes that it had, Sibbe did not shy away. The curved slender snout of the dragon pressed into the chest of Sibbe and she gingerly placed her hand upon the side of the dragon’s snout. She stared into the eyes of the beast as her breathing trembled slightly. You have a great future – a kin of your blood will turn back this world into what it is now. The voice of Kaida sounded within her mind. Do not falter in your step. With that the dragon abruptly took to flight. This knocked Sibbe back onto her back, her head hung over the edge of the cliff. “Sibbe!” Yri grasped her hand and saved her friend from tumbling over. She pulled her to her feet and gazed into the eyes of the fiery haired woman that seemed to shimmer with magic. “What did she speak to you?” She questioned quickly. “I...do not know...” Sibbe furrowed her brows. The ways of the dragons were never straight forward. At least not always. She held a hand to her chest and turned her head slightly as she heard the blow of a horn. “Come on.” She quickly rushed toward the path down the mountainside. “Sibbe! Wait!” Yri chased after her as they ran down the thin path toward a small village below. It was the town of Skali. The town of Seers. It was the site that all Seers came together to learn their abilities and hone in on their gifts. Once per year they would meet during the first month of winter, Gormanuour. “You’re going to be late Yri, hurry up.” Sibbe chuckled as she made her way swiftly down the mountainside with nimble feet. The village below was small, but beautiful in the way it was weaved around the river that cut through the mountains and into the ocean. It was built around a lake that fed into the river and into the ocean. A perfect natural design for their village and to hold their boats. It made for great fishing as well. Sibbe rushed through the village and the two pushed into the long house alongside other men and women. Sibbe laughed – full of life from her encounter with the dragon. She turned her golden hues upon Yri. “See? We’re fine.” She winked as she walked to a table and took a seat. Yri took a seat next to her and sighed breathlessly. “She could have killed you. You know?” She spoke in a hushed tone. “But, she didn’t.” Sibbe smirked, “Odin saw it as so. It was his wish.” She grinned and gave a chuckle as she looked about the room. The group consisted of less than 50 that were gifted. This was Sibbe’s first time coming to the gathering. Luckily she was from the same village as Yri, but otherwise she only recognized a few faces from Yule. She looked to a woman that she’d sat across the table from and smiled, “Signe right?” She questioned. “I’ve heard you’re quite gifted.” She offered conversation. Yri turned her silvery hues to the woman and then smiled brightly, “Signe.” She spoke in a friendly tone. “Oh yes, she’s one of the youngest Seers. Not just an acolyte.” She shifted and raised a brow slightly. “Signe, this is my friend Sibbe Valdis. She just recently had her first vision only just a moon ago.” Sibbe turned her eyes toward the others in the room, taking everyone in. She was one of the few that did not yet hold a tattoo upon her face. Though she knew that one day she would. She heard a few speaking of the dragon. Some called her by her name, Kaida. Others were just excited to have been graced with a dragon's presence for the event. “What was your first vision like?” She asked and turned her golden hues back to Signe. |
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Post by Raven on Mar 2, 2023 0:11:07 GMT -5
Signe peered to the woman with a slight smirk – she knew the discovery of her origins would be no easy thing to swallow. Though Freyja made it so – Destiny aligned them. “No, they do not know the power I hold…” she spoke as she worked on the potion – she held her hand over the pot and a gentle blue glow from her finger tips seeped downward and stirred into the swirling pot. “The Viking people hold a blind and blistering faith to the Gods, they live to idolize them, while we Seers live to fear them. We know the truths, we see their work, and it is our job to please them… They have had a thousand years of the same thing - their blind faith in their Gods has only grown worse. What is infinite time with no purpose?” she hummed as she seemed to think out loud, her eyes diverted to the swirling pot. “I can certainly try, Hadley” Signe responded as she looked up to her. She moved her hand and then glanced over her shoulder to several salts – she sprinkled in small amounts. Glittering colors wafted upward from the reaction. “You are correct, your people are the Night’s Rose. You may be Viking blood – but the Viking are gone. Viking is not just one clan, it’s the whole of the nation, the people, the clans, the drums and war. This island has seen none of that…No matter the case, they would never see you as their Kind, as they are hardly mine anymore either” her voice had dropped softly, but she let it go with ease. She dropped fragments of bones into the pot and then glanced back to the table of goods, searching for something. Her hand hovered over a pile of feathers, petals, ashes, her fingers wiggled slightly as she searched. “Sibbe…” she sucked in a breath and then plucked a blue feather from the pile and dropped it on top of the pot. It caught flame and burned briefly, before sinking into the blue liquid. *** The winter frost had come over the lands, from the highest peek of the northern Isles – it always hit harder than others. Gormanuour had come upon them and that meant the Seers would gather yet again in Skali, where the first Seer became so long ago. There they would tell of their experiences, Prophesize, pray and learn. Signe had grown up in the village of Fjordinak – from a very young age she exhibited signs of being a Seer – and she immediately began her studies under the seer of the village – Freydis Hrolfsdottir. The two gathered with their things and boarded a long boat, which had a group of 6 viking that rowed upon it. She sat down on the small bench and glanced back to the Village – which many gathered to see them off. “It is an important visit, this year…” Freydis peered to Signe. Freydis was a particularly devout seer. She wore a tattoo of a dark tree across her dark painted eyes, with seeping lines from her eyes. Her hair was blonde and beautiful, though it was that of braids, locks, and waves, half pulled up, the rest in braids that climbed down her back. She was mysterious, powerful and omnious. Freydis was revered as an older Seer, who held ancient tradition in her bones. “You will perform your first Rite of Vision…” Freydis spoke in a heavy accent and glanced to the village that was growing small in the distance. The sea was calm, just as she willed it. Atop the mountain in the far distance – a huge black dragon swooped downward and spread his huge wings. He glided over the next peak and then dove downward, disappearing briefly. “What might I see?” Signe questioned softly. She did not yet wear her attire of black raven feathered and black wolf pelt cape and black robes. Rather, she wore brown leathers, though bone and skull was woven into the fabric. Atop her shoulder rest the skull of a falcon, sewed into her brown leather. She wore several fine chains around her neck that hung low, and with each movement – they would jingle slightly… Her hair was braided and pulled partially up as well, though much more tame than her mentor’s. Signe had her single line that crossed her cheek and nose tattoo, which was a tattoo that symbolized tranquility, peace, balance and strength. Those who had very strong and accurate visions were gifted with this tattoo… while Freydis’s was more for the devout and powerful – the ones who could commune with Gods. “Whatever the Gods will you to see….” Freydis spoke and then chuckled slightly. “If you are lucky – a glimpse of your own fate” she turned back to the ocean and peered outward. It was not a very long boat ride, it was mostly idle talk from the viking men. As they climbed from the boat – the warriors of her clan carried several crates into the village. Each Village would contribute to the gathering, and once it was all settled – the warriors would return back to their village, and make the trip once more in two weeks time. There would be no distractions, and no one other than Seers. It was a tradition hundreds of years old now. They had only just arrived, the first day was to commence. Freydis was one to always arrive exactly on time, never early – never late. When they entered the grand long hall – Freydis split away to sit with the Elder Seers, and naturally Signe found her way to an open table otherwise. She eyed the people in the room – who had glanced to her and nodded. She took a seat at a empty table and a woman came by with a glass of mead. She accepted it and took a long sip. Just as she did – two woman came rushing in, taking a seat at the open table. Signe eavesdropped in their conversation – though she seemingly caught the end of it. Signe glanced to Sibbe, and then Yri. “Yes, Signe Helvig” she lifted her mead and took another sip. She studied the two for a moment and then smirked. “My reputation proceeds me… Yri” she nodded her head. “A pup then” Signe glanced to Sibbe and leaned forward slightly. “My first vision was when I was quite young… around 10 years of age. I had a vision during the day, while peering into the flames of a bonfire. The village members said I had collapsed over, my eyes sheen like a dense marble – glowing with light. I saw Thor fighting his brother, Baldur, a bolt of lightning reflected off of Baldur’s shield and shot downward. I watched the lightning transverse the lands – even glimpses of Yggrasil itself. The bolt was cast down onto the land, hitting the peak of Fjordinak. The earth quaked and an avalanche formed… I woke from my dream and quickly told this vision. 20 minutes later – the earth shook…” she lifted her brow. “A bolt of lightning – brighter than the sun – struck from the skies. Just as I said. The people knew immediately, they ran into their huts. Freydis was able to cast a spell to protect the village…” she smirked proudly. “I’ve been coming to this gathering ever since..” she leaned back and took a long swig of her mead. “Skol” she said peacefully. “And yours, young pup? What was your vision?” she questioned with curious blue crystal eyes, though she held a sort of confident grin over the lip of her mug. *** “Sibbe was… adventurous, full of light and hope, she was a sight to be seen…” Signe glanced to the woman, a gentle fondness swelled over her being, and then she stirred the pot to break the moment. “She was a powerful Seer, powerful in different ways than me… but I admired her very much…” she spoke softly, almost painfully. |
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Post by Blindside Tex on Mar 2, 2023 0:47:05 GMT -5
Hadley gave a light chuckle and smiled, “Perhaps it is best that they do not know your power. Otherwise they may try to obtain it for their own.” She raised a brow slightly as she watched the swirling blue light that Signe used. It was incredible to watch the woman work. The use of magic. How easily she did it. Completely effortless. She sipped upon her tea as she listened to Signe speak of the viking people and their ways. “Perhaps there is purpose to it. If the Gods have chosen this path for them.” She spoke with a curious tone.
When Signe spoke that she would try to look into her past the Captain smiled. Even just having the Seer try was worth anything in the world to her. She watched as the woman sprinkled the salts into the potion that she wast creating. Her eyes followed the wafts of color that lifted from the pot. She sat forward slightly as she watched the woman drop bones into the pot. The way that Signe spoke Sibbe’s name left many questions upon the tip of Hadley’s tongue. Her eyes moved to the flame within the pot from the blue feather then as Signe began to speak.
**
Yri smirked as she watched Signe, “A well deserved reputation. Don’t you think? You’re one of the youngest Seers here.” She motioned around the room. “Well aside from myself...and well Sibbe.” She looked to the young woman next to her. “But your visions came so young. Look at you. You already have so much experience.” Yri clearly idolized Signe.
Sibbe giggled and looked to Yri a moment before she looked back to Signe. “Go on, please tell me your tale.” She lifted a mug and drank of the sweet mead. She was drawn in by the story of the avalanche and how Signe had saved her entire village. It was an incredible feat. “You saw the Gods in your first vision?” Her lips parted and then she grinned. “A truly gifted Seer. I can only imagine the things that you’ve seen since.” She lifted her mug, “Skol.” She spoke back and nodded.
“Skol.” Yri echoed the two, she gazed to the crystal eyes of Signe as she held the smug smile upon her lips. She glanced to Sibbe whom looked a bit nervous. “Go on. Tell her.” She nudged the young girl in her arm.
The fiery haired woman drank from her mug and set it down. “Hm. It is not nearly as grand.” She replied, her voice revealed her nerves. She glanced to Yri whom urged her once again. She then returned her golden hues to meet those of Signe. The piercing crystal color caused her breath to catch in her chest. “I sat within the field of battle. One side there were strangers. None of the Viking clans. They wore strange clothing and spoke another language. On the other side of the field I saw our clan, our Jarl...my father...the warriors of Ira.” She paused for a moment, “I watched as our clan was ripped to pieces by the weapons of the enemy...from a distance they threw bombs...and one by one my clan fell to Valhalla.” She pressed her lips together by the end.
“I woke in the hut of our healer...I had collapsed in the midst of a training session. I ran to our Jarl and told him of my dream. The next day strange ships appeared off of the coastline. The strangers that I saw in my dream were fast approaching.” Sibbe didn’t look away from Signe as she spoke. “We killed all of them. They didn’t even get a chance to fire off a single bomb….and that evening...” She grinned and glanced to Yri whom smiled to her and nodded. “That evening a Raven landed before me as we celebrated out victory. It dipped its beak into my mug of ale just before it flew away!” Her voice was full of excitement. “Now...I’m here...” She gazed around the room. “And this morning….”
“Skol.” Yri interrupted the story. A jealous look in her eyes. For Sibbe to have been chosen by a dragon at such a young age. That was something that all Seers sought, but few received.
“Have you ever seen your dragon?” Sibbe blurted out the question with an excited smile. “You must have one.” She locked her eyes on Signe.
**
Hadley searched over Signe as she spoke with fond words of Sibbe. She watched as the woman stirred the pot. “Did you spend much time with her?” She asked curiously. “It sounds like you did.” She gave a weak smile. “Do I….look like her?” She asked then after a long moment of silence. “Do you believe Eskil that I am her daughter?” Her brows tugged together slightly. “How could it be possible?”
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Post by Raven on Mar 2, 2023 1:28:36 GMT -5
Signe glanced to Yri as she cooed about her, she offered a smirk and simply nodded. “I suppose you are right” clearly a little full of herself, but in a positive manner. Signe was not afraid of her power, she embraced it, and honored it. In some fashions the older Seers often claimed she had an ego, but to their demise – Signe always proved herself worthy of it.
“Aye, the Gods indeed…. I could tell you more of my visions over a pint or two” she smirked to Sibbe and then took a another sip of her mead. “No vision is better than another Sibbe, grand or not – we have the eyes of Giants.. no one else has that” she nodded and allowed her to tell her story.
Signe had tilted her head as she told it, a smile crept over her lips. Another that had a premonition of a future threat. “Freydis spoke of those who could feel the energies of the earth shift, the winds and it song brought you a vision of a great threat. Those who do this are very in-tune with the energies of the world, and within, quite the gift. So much that even Odin approved, Raven’s eye.” she smirked.
As Yri interrupted Sibbe – it peaked her interest. Though it didn’t take long for Sibbe to pipe up again in excitement. With a chuckle – Signe sipped over her mead and then set it down. “Glauryig, yes. The Ancient Black Dragon of the Northern peaks” she paused briefly. “I’ve had a few encounters with him, even graced by his voice” she peered to her.
“So you were the one that they saw approach Kaida” Signe leaned back with a bright smirk and then nodded approvingly. “Well well, when you come out the gate – you come out strong. Welcome to the exclusive clan of the overly gifted and often hated. I look forward to getting to know you more, Sibbe Valdis” she turned then, as if she knew this moment would come.
Standing at the small stage, where often the Jarl might have a table and sit - though it was empty, intended for giving speeches. Standing there was the Grand-Seer, an elderly woman. Though she stood tall with broad viking shoulders and strong arms. Her hair came to her waist – of braids and beads, weaved and woven. She wore a headdress upon her head – with two antlers that stuck outward, many beads and talismans wove from one antler to the other atop her head.
The woman wore decorated robes – her entire chest was covered in necklaces, every bit of her was adorned with ancient pieces, she jingled with every breath she took, but she shook the earth with her presence. Painted upon her face was two lines that started at her forehead and traced down over her nose lips and chin, like two bloodied fingers were dragged down her face… a tattoo of power and leadership.
“My Seer women…” her voice was strong, yet it had some age in the under tones. “The time has come for our gathering… we feast tonight as women of magic, women of the Gods. Then at midnight we will make our great sacrifice to the Gods atop the Altar of Eir” she paused, the attention of the room upon her.
“The following two weeks will be that of training. You will have long days and even longer nights, tribulations of the spirit and mind. You will practice, and perform, you will learn – “ she lifted a mug up. “You will be assigned your groupings, of which you will house together. The same will be assigned different Elder Seers for your training… Remember to share your knowledge, your stories, for it will be a long time until we return… While we are viking, we are Seers first. Our family of Sisters is here…” she lifted her mead. “Skol, sisters”
Signe lifted her mug “Skol” she spoke in unison with the crowd. With that – several woman emerged and brought out huge platters of food and began to set them at the tables. Music began to play – that of drums, flute and a hurdy-gurdy.
“Wonder if we will house together” she smirked, it was likely – as they were the youngest of the crowd.
***
“We spent a good amount of time together. As Seers – we are bound to our village, but – we do meet up once a year for essentially.. Seer training” she gave a chuckle “I remember her first year, and I remember the second, and third after. We became… good friends” she smiled and then she pulled the pot off the fire and set it aside to rest, though it slowly churned magically. It was a sparkling blue color, thick – it even had a decent fragrance to it.
“Do you look like her?” she hummed softly and stepped over. Signe cupped her chin and turned it from side to side. “You want to see her?” she questioned softly. Signe stood and stepped over to a wooden bowl and she poured water into it from a bucket. She then dug through several necklaces that she had hidden away. It was a small talisman of the moon – carved out of ivory pine. She slowly took the necklace off and held the talisman in her hand, she whispered an incantation in Ancient Nordic and then she cut her palm with a small knife. Her blood dripped onto the talisman and then dripped off – into the bowl of water.
“Come” she waved her over. The water turned into a perfectly glazed mirror – a woman appeared within it. It was a memory of Signe’s, of her watching her from across the table. There was no sound – but there was motion. Sibbe laughed and then peered forward, as if looking directly into their eyes. Sibbe said something, though unsure what, and laughed again – holding a mug to her lips, she took a long and happy sip.
“You look just like her” Signe whispered.
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Post by Blindside Tex on Mar 2, 2023 3:12:50 GMT -5
Yri smirked back to Signe as the young woman agreed with her. But then both paid attention to Sibbe as she spoke of her vision. Sibbe gave a nervous laugh as Signe smirked to her, “Hm. Well..that is easy for you to say. Isn’t it?” She asked before she began her story. Once she was finished Sibbe paid close attention to Signe’s words. She grinned to the encouraging words and when Signe smirked again the woman seemed to smile wider. She frowned slightly as Yri had interrupted her. But that hadn’t held her back for long. When Signe answered her question her lips parted in awe. “Glauryig? Really? Oh wow.” She nearly gasped. “His voice?” She questioned, her brows raised, the excitement in her face seemed to brighten even more. Yri watched the two, her silvery hues looking back and forth as the words were exchanged. Then when Kaida was brought up she cleared her throat slightly. But before she could speak – the elder approached the stage. The room grew quiet to the presence of the woman. Sibbe glanced to Yri with a smile and merely got a nudge to look back to the elder as the woman spoke. She was a sight to be seen. Sibbe was among the most respected people of the clans. Those that every warrior looked to for answers. Those that every Jarl asked to speak to the Gods for answers to their questions. “Isn’t the Altar of Eir on top of the mountain?” Sibbe questioned quietly, to which Yri nodded to her. She returned her attention to the woman as she spoke of the two weeks ahead of them. “Skol!” She echoed and raised up her mead. She was a bright light among the crowd. A viking at heart but yet she had a gentle soul. When the music started Sibbe swayed slightly to the music, losing herself to it. The music around a bonfire was her favorite part of a night. She looked to Signe, “You think we will?” She asked curiously. “Yri.” An elder approached. A woman of silvery hair and deep ocean eyes. She held a tattoo of white lines that ran down her forehead over her eyes and down her cheeks. A tattoo that signified strength, and unity. She looked to Sibbe and then smiled, “Sibbe, you’re here.” She chuckled lightly. “Yri how did you manage to get her here on time?” It was clear that Sibbe was not known for being on time, a free spirit. She placed a parchment down upon the table and then smiled as she looked to Signe. “Ah, Signe, may Odin bless us. This year is your first Rite of Vision...Freydis told me. I do look forward to the results.” She smiled and shifted forward. Her braided hair held several beads within it and feathers. She pointed to the parchment. “Looks like you’re with Sibbe.” She looked over the parchment and nodded, “Yri you’re with Halldis again this year.” She smiled before she walked away without another word. Sibbe looked to Yri, a nervous look in her eyes before she smiled to Signe. “You were right.” She took a long drink of her ale. She plucked meats and vegetables from the platters that were placed before them. Yri drew in a breath, “I’m going to go speak with Halldis. It’s been a year since I’ve seen her.” She pat Sibbe’s shoulder whom looked to her then like a little sister might look upon an older sibling. Yri gave a chuckle, “Oh you’ll be fine.” She chuckled lightly before she stood and walked away. Sibbe poured mead from the pitcher and then topped of Signe’s mug. Her cheeks were pink from the mead that she’d downed. “What was it like when you met Glauryig? His words...did they make much sense at all?” She questioned curiously. “Kaida spoke to me...but I’m not certain of what she meant. But...I saw her in my vision last night. I knew she would be here and I knew that she would approach me.” She took a long drink. “Yri is jealous of it. Isn’t she? I didn’t...ask for Kaida to approach me...I didn’t ask for visions...” She looked away slightly. It was clear that she felt a bit self conscious of her visions. Nervous even. ** Hadley smiled as she listened to Signe speak of Sibbe. “Seer training?” She chuckled along with Signe and then took a drink of her tea as the woman continued on. She glanced to the pot as it was pulled from the fire. The color was beautiful – unlike any color she’d seen before. The scent was sweet in a way with a floral note. Which she found hard to believe after she’d seen what had been placed into the potion. She wrapped her fingers around the mug of tea as Signe stepped over. As the woman cupped her chin her breath caught. She allowed her to inspect the features of her face, the soft brow, the pronounced cheek line. The gentle nature of her jaw. “See her? How?” Hadley questioned as her brows furrowed slightly. She watched as the Seer grasped a bowl. The Captain shifted and moved to sit next to Signe as the woman pulled the talisman from around her neck. She winced slightly as she watched the woman slice into her palm. She glanced to Signe curiously as the nordic words came over her lips. It was mysterious. There was just something about it. She looked to the bowl of water then and watched as it glazed over. She watched as a woman appeared within the bowl and the memory began to play. The laugh. The smile. The facial features of the woman. They all looked strikingly familiar. Hadley stared to the bowl as the memory faded and only the water remained with the talisman resting at the bottom of it. You look just like her. The words broke Hadley from her stare that she had frozen into. Her lips parted slightly and she lifted her eyes to meet Signe’s. “Was that...a memory?” She questioned curiously. “She...was laughing, smiling.” She smiled, nearly in the same way that Sibbe used to when she was nervous. “How is it possible, Signe? Her eyes...” She paused a moment. “Her eyes were so vibrant...that color...mine...they look nothing like that...” She looked back to Signe again, her breath trembled slightly. She reached into the bowl and pulled the talisman out to inspect it. It lay in her palm, the water dripped over the edges to the floor of the hut. She ran her fingertip over the gentle marks from a knife. Hadley lifted her emerald hues to look to Signe then once again. “I want to try.” She spoke as she pulled a necklace from around her own neck. “This is the only thing that was with me...” She revealed a talisman made of silver. It was of two dragons, one scaled and one smooth that weaved together to create the viking knot. Hadley lifted her eyes to Signe as she pressed her lips together. She placed the talisman into the bowl. She looked to Signe, “You’ll have to help me with the words.” She gave a soft smile before she pulled the knife from her hip that Signe had told her before that was used in rituals years ago. Hadley spoke the words slowly, carefully as she sliced into the palm of her hand. She grit her teeth slightly as her blood ran freely over the talisman. She took in a breath as she dropped it into the bowl and the water began to swirl. “Signe?” She questioned as she lifted her eyes. Within the emerald color flecks of amber could be seen. She brought her brows together as the room grew cold. Her brows rose slightly as the water within the bowl swirled more swiftly. She reached forward and grasped onto Signe’s arm and lifted her eyes just as darkness blanketed over them. The air grew crisp around them. The caw of a raven could be heard. Hadley opened her eyes to see a woman whom clutched a crying baby in her arms. The woman wore a cloak over her head, fiery red hair poked out from beneath it, but the face was well hidden. She rushed forward, her footsteps echoed loudly. “Wait!” She called out. Her voice sounded as though it was under water. The world around them rippled. Hadley paused and turned around. Her eyes looked to the familiar buildings of her childhood city. “Signe...what is going on?” She questioned and looked around once again. Her eyes locked on the Seer. The world around them rippled once again. She turned around as she heard the crying of a baby once again. |
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