|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 Posted: Sun Nov 04, 2018 5:28 pm
 |
|
|
 |
Haldor had come home to find things in the Myrsky Syntynyt had changed. Luckily for him, he was among those convinced it had changed for the better.. though he did feel a tad guilty realizing the Captain who had led his first viking was no longer considered qualified (and was spitting mad about it). At least he would have the opportunity to prove himself again, an easier time now, in fact. His group had been so small and their return overshadowed by the tumult of dealing with the change in leadership that nobody had been looking for him. It gave him an opportunity to rest a bit before going looking for his parents the next day.
He was very eager to show off for his mother and show up his father.
Trailing behind him was a nervous looking wild dog. Adhama hadn't found an opportunity to escape before the band made it back home and she had nearly completely lost hope. The only good thing was that Haldor was not intent on causing her physical harm as long as she was obedient, so that was the least she could do for herself at this point. Despite her best efforts to focus on Haldor and where they were going, she was finding herself increasingly distracted as they walked.
She was a captive and most of the lions are her were terrifying.. but she'd never been this close to a pride before. Especially not one this big. And there were others like her here! She just.. didn't get a chance to really look.
"This way," Haldor said, looking back and catching Adhama's attention wandering, "Look sharp."
Arriving at his parents' den, Haldor was keen on making a good impression. |
|
|
|
|
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sun Nov 04, 2018 5:53 pm
|
|
|
|
Creiddylad was busy in her den trying to clean the place up. They had no thralls, no help...and Creid wouldn't let Ylva help her. No, her little gem needed to stay as spotless as possible, no nail chipped or fur rubbed off. So Creid had sent her away to scout around again, with a brother as her escort to make sure nothing happened. Creid had a rather ruthless father of her own, and she wasn't about to take any risks when she was trying to find a good betrothal for her daughter.
She was close to the mouth of the den now, using an old beat up fur to push some of the bits of broken bones and scraps of leather from old meals. "He's just so lazy," she mumbled, feeling a twinge of irritation at her husband. She had him corner about finally going out to be a reaver, but she needed just one more barganing chip to finally push him over the edge. She was this close to it, damn it.
And then she raised her eyes to see the face of her son....her blessed son, with what looked like a thrall with him.
YES. |
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sun Nov 04, 2018 6:10 pm
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sun Nov 04, 2018 6:23 pm
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sun Nov 04, 2018 6:51 pm
|
|
|
|
"It was an experience," he said, still grinning as he took a seat before his mother, "The world away from the cliffs is softer than I expected it to be, but that makes my job easier. It looks like I came back in the midst of something interesting around here, too.. but first.."
Adhama was caught between deciding if she should follow Haldor's lead and sit down or stay standing behind him. Luckily, when he turned to her suddenly she was still standing and quickly turned her full attention on him.
"This is Adhama," he said, nodding towards his mother before turning back to talk to her, "I managed to catch her without leaving a mark, and it was hard to keep her that way on the trip home. One of the other Reavers seemed eager to make an example of her.. but she's for you."
When he nodded, Adhama stepped around so she wasn't hidden behind him- and so her master could actually get a good look at her. It was humiliating but she hated to admit that she was already getting used to it. There was still some anger and grief in her eyes as she stood stubbornly between the lions, but she wasn't going to pick a fight. There was no way she stood a chance against them.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sun Nov 04, 2018 7:10 pm
|
|
|
|
"Soft indeed. This pride has grown soft, though it seems like we are finally having iron in the blood again, rather than water and flower." She was pleased to see him well. Strong, with clear pride in his stance. For the moment, he was the pride and joy of her children. Ylva may have her day to shine at some point, but Haldor's successes would directly feed into Ylva's future opportunities.
"Ah, yes," Creiddylad said as if remembering a lost thought. Her glanced again at the wild dog, properly presenting herself. Creid's head was raised as she glanced downwards at the wild dog, this time really taking the time to look at her.
"She look strong. Healthy. You've given me something I have always desired and has always slipped from my grasp. You are the future of this bloodline, Haldor. I'm proud of you." Her eyes went from her son to her thrall, shifting in tone as she shifted her focus.
"We will keep her healthy. There is much work to be done, attempting to find a suitable partner for your sister Ylva. She will be of great help to us." A coy smile spread across her face, just fantasicing about all the help she would now have to push her plans further into fruition. Their own thrall! It wasn't much power added into the household, but it was more than what they had and Creid would seize this opportunity to find more ground to gain in her political life.
Ah, thinking upon that thought. "Have you seen your father yet?" she asked with a touch of boredom in her voice.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sun Nov 04, 2018 7:21 pm
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sun Nov 04, 2018 7:53 pm
|
|
|
|
"Damn," she swore under her breath. "He hasn't been home for a bit. A blessing and a curse. At least I can get the den clean....though our new help can finish it off for me once we're done here." Granted she was almost done, but... at least she wouldn't have to do all of it alone now.
"He's taking it as well as you can expect. Pretending like nothing has changed," she replied with a disgusted look on her face. "I'm about ready to break his a** over his ways, but I think you have the advantage now to maybe light a fire under his a** instead." Her disgusted look turned into a smirk, pleased with the idea of Snorre singeing some of that fur off his a** before he ran off to finally do aviking and become a Reaver.
"Its a fools errand, but your mother isn't one to back down from a challenge," she said as she leaned towards Haldor. "But I intend to get him to bring more loot and perhaps another thrall back. I need power to secure our family with this new warlord. He is strong, and has strong allies. I am hoping to get Ylva somewhere within that power. So, we need to add to our own family's power to really turn some heads," she said with a smirk. "And then you can find yourself a good wife, one that you want, rather than what you'd have to settle for. Like me."
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sun Nov 04, 2018 8:21 pm
|
|
|
|
Haldor nodded as his mother went off about her husband, already plenty used to the complaining (and sharing many of the opinions). He wasn't thrilled about the idea of taking his father viking with him but he would consider it if his mother asked. Someone had to take care of her after all.
Adhama listened intently when the topic changed, actually finding it interesting now. The lions almost sounded like a normal family talking like this, even if it was clearly within the structure of a culture she wasn't yet familiar with.. she saw an opening, too, for herself. If she was useful, maybe there was hope. It wasn't much but she had a lot to think about.
"In that case, the best thing he could do for us is go on a raid," Haldor said, rolling his eyes, "His reputation can only improve when he's not around."
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sun Nov 04, 2018 8:34 pm
|
|
|
|
"I agree," she nodded. "I wish for him to go out untested with someone not of his blood. I know it sounds foolish, but I wonder if he may actually do better without our pressures following him past the border."
Her eyes wandered back towards Adhama, unable to not look at her newest possession. She was rather pretty, and Creid was vain enough to be even more pleased to have a pretty thrall. Keeping her coat white would be the most difficult, but having well groomed, fed, and trained thralls would show her excellent skills at running a household. Ylva would learn well from this.
"What are your thoughts on this idea?" she asked Haldor, genuinely interested in his in opinion. If she didn't agree with it she would toss it aside, but as a newly anointed Reaver, he had power. He needed to learn how to use it.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sun Nov 04, 2018 8:43 pm
|
|
|
|
"I certainly don't want to travel with him," Haldor answered reflexively, frowning, perhaps a bit too honest, "I say that as his son, though. I know I do better without him, I wouldn't be surprised if he did better without us."
He paused.
"Maybe a little surprised," he said with a smile.
Adhama saw Creid's attention keep turning to her and it was the only thing keeping her focused on the conversation they were having. As much as she needed to learn about her captors, there were other curiosities around her now too.
"Maybe he'll surprise us," Haldor said, "I'll be looking for a new band to go raiding with myself, looks like the group I just came back with won't make the cut under the new Warlord. If I hear of any that might suit a flower-blooded first-timer then I'll make sure you know about it."
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sun Nov 04, 2018 9:12 pm
|
|
|
|
Creid allowed herself to chuckle a bit with her son's agreement. "Very surprised," she added with a smile. A real, genuine one.
"I know I can be crude, harsh, and strict, but.... I am proud of you, Haldor. Thank you." His new position would certainly help them all, but she could still be thankful that he struck out to better their lives, especially his. "Thank you for the gift. Speaking of..."
Creid turned to her new, and only, thrall. While she knew a bit about keeping thralls, this was going to be a true test of her core values. She never forgot the fact that her mother was a thrall until she and her siblings were conceived; she herself had been so close to the same state that Adhama was now in. "I assume you are tired. I need you to finish cleaning out the den, and then you may rest. I am a stern and strict mistress, but I need an able-bodied thrall to help keep my home in order. Go ahead and get started," she motioned to the wild dog, trying to not let herself get too sentimental from the start. She didn't want to grow attached to her, only to have to use her as a bargaining chip for better jewelry for Ylva later on.
"Well. Thank you, Haldor. I assume you have some others to also celebrate your success with?"
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sun Nov 04, 2018 9:25 pm
|
|
|
|
Haldor watched with interest to see how the wild dog would respond to her first formal orders. Adhama managed not to jump right out of her fur when addressed directly but she did straighten up. She had no idea how a lion liked to keep their den but she would learn fast if it kept her on their good side, so she got up and turned her attention on the scraps Creid had been tidying up before they arrived.
"You're welcome, mother," he said, grinning, "You deserve it."
Gods only knew what Creiddylad could accomplish with proper support from the men in her life. Snorre wouldn't help so Haldor stepped up, but it was in his best interest, too. He wasn't eager to settle down, that hadn't done his parents much good yet.. so he would spoil his neglected mother while building his own reputation.
"I do," he said, getting up to his feet and stretching out, "I'll drop by again soon."
As useful as a thrall could be, Haldor was glad to be rid of the canine. It was a burden trying to keep her in line while they were traveling and then just waiting to drop her off with someone who could use her. Now he could actually go enjoy himself and see what trouble he could get into now that he was home and there was actually some excitement around here.
Fin!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
