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Post by Espen Varangr on Feb 28, 2023 17:43:33 GMT -5
It hadn't been very long since the ceremony and accompanying feast. As enjoyable as the evening had been (perhaps more so the night and following morning), Espen was itching to commemorate the moment with something a bit more productive. A hunt would have been traditional, but with the herd still largely reclusive and recovering, what better way than to pick on their lovely neighbors to the south?
This morning, he had summoned Eirik Aland to meet him just south of the main camp, along with some of the other warriors he normally fought with. It wasn't a very large group, only a score or so of fighters, but all of them were eager to work off some energy from the ceremony and simply being pent up in the camp. It was all quite strange to be somewhere so long. His caretaker had started gardening.
Espen leaned against his mount, ensuring his quiver was attached tightly. Not that he planned to use it. Hell, he wasn't even very keen on riding the beast into battle, but the walk home would be far too long without it. "How long has it been, Eirik?" He called over his shoulder. They had been fighting side by side for years. Far longer than as Jarl and Thane. The answer, of course, was a joke. It was always too long since they had had a good scuffle, even if in truth it had only been a month or two. He vaulted up into the saddle, the dark bay horse huffing in annoyance. "The military is in that little wolf village. I think we head to the southwest. See what of their farms are that way?" He said, though he was certainly open to what the other man thought.
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Post by Eirik Aland on Mar 1, 2023 18:19:41 GMT -5
Eirik was always more than happy to join Espen on any hunt, raid, brawl, or general shenanigans the man wanted to get into. Which weren't as much now that they were older but they were always fun. Though he'd also been more than happy to tease his best friend when he was asked to join him. "Kicked outta bed already were ya?" He asked with a laugh. After the ruckus that happened at the ceremony he'd seen who Espen had left with. And how he hadn't returned. It was pretty obvious the girl hadn't wanted to be there anymore, which Eirik couldn't blame her for. But had Espen just been walking her home he would have come back.
Eirik stood next to his own mount. A tall, stocky horse with a white mane and black and white patches across its body. His Raven sat on his shoulder, her head swiveling around curiously. The question made Eirik chuckle to himself. "Feels like it's been years!" He exclaimed dramatically with a soft laugh. Eirik had been fighting along side Espen for about as long as he could remember. They'd been thick as thieves since they were just boys. With a soft click of his tongue his companion flew off toward the tree to allow Eirik to climb on his own mount.
He thought for a moment about his friends suggestion. He looked over the men with them then nodded to himself. "I think I remember seeing a small farming village that way. We could check it out, then split off and hit them from either side," he offered as he pet his hand affectionately over his mounts neck.
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Post by Espen Varangr on Mar 1, 2023 19:01:54 GMT -5
Espen snorted. "It's my bloody bed and best you remember that," he growled, though there was a twinkle in his eye as he said it. He wasn't at all surprised to find Eirik knew what he had been up to and who he had been with. He wasn't hiding anything, after all. Eira was his to do with as he pleased. And he was quite pleased with her. "Don't be complaining about your joints already, jealous prick," he nudged back.
"Too long," he agreed a bit softer in accompaniment to Eirik's laugh. It was always too long.
He pressed his heels into his mount's sides, leading them off and watching his thane's raven aloft before them. He smiled faintly at the symbolism, wondering if the villagers held the birds in the same regard they did, as an omen of ill luck. It was fitting. Espen shrugged. "I doubt farmers are that organized, but I suppose that would make things more fun," he allowed. It was a smart move, certainly, he simply didn't think it worth the delay when they could simply hit them. Even if they ran into a patrol, there were only ever a few armorer fighters. The king didn't seem all that concerned about these small communities, which was all the better for them.
Espen led them toward the path that served as the main road in the area but was careful to keep off to the side of it. Not that it was likely for them to encounter anyone, but he would rather take anyone they did meet by surprise. |
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Post by Eirik Aland on Mar 8, 2023 2:34:48 GMT -5
"Yer bed? Ya share it with someone so often I forget who it belongs to." He teased with the same playful twinkle in his own eyes. The two of them had known each other long enough, spent enough time together that it was only natural they'd tease each other. Espen was a brother to Eirik and he was more than happy to treat him as such. He'd never gotten any blood related siblings as it was. But the girl did belong to him. "Surprised it took ya this long to get her in there." The comment about his joints made the thane roll his eyes. "Yer the one that's going to complain about yer joints, old man."
"It'll be good practice if nothin' else." He said with a shrug as he felt the tug of his companion that flew ahead of them. "Besides, I just wanna see em scatter like rats." He said with a soft laugh. It wasn't the largest raiding mission Eirik had ever been on. Least of all with Espen. Nor would it be the trickiest. But he did enjoy finding a little bit of fun where he could. He rode fairly close next to Espen, helping him lead the group they had behind them.
There was almost a part of him that hoped they ran into someone. A Manthirian guard. Maybe a small group of the farmers patrolling just outside their village.
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soul devoted to the four winds
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Post by Roan Varangr on Apr 1, 2023 20:54:47 GMT -5
Roan listened to the good natured banter with little to add himself. He was happy if his brother was happy and she seemed to make him happy.
He had no intention of breaking the mood either. He knew that raids usually had a general feeling of comradery …even though he hadn’t gone on one before. He had heard the others talk about it. It was a strange feeling that had urged him to make the rare request to join his brother on this raid.
He wasn't much of a fighter, he had brought an ax more for Espen's piece of mind than for his own. Unlike Eirik he was hoping to avoid actually fighting anyone if possible. If it weren’t for an uncannily strong feeling that he would regret it if he didn't join this raid then he wouldn't be here.
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Post by Espen Varangr on Apr 11, 2023 23:46:06 GMT -5
The Jarl was not entirely sure how to feel about the shaman tagging along. Part of him was beyond excited to share a raid with his brother. The bonding of shared combat, the rush of adrenaline, fighting together and protecting each other...it was a dream he had always shared. But when Roan had been deemed special and gifted in other ways, and he had made that dream a reality with Eirik. Forging a deeper connection with his family though was exciting.
The other side of him, the part he pushed aside because Roan had explained he had some sort of...premonition about joining the raid. So in his excitement, he decided to let it slide. Besides, Roan had an axe. He probably knew how to use it. On logs. Which...was similar to people.
Espen chuckled. "I know I'm an Elder now, brother," he said, using the term of endearment casually, "but that doesn't mean I aged anymore in the last week. I'm still just two years yer senior," he teased back.
He took another look around at their numbers. Not the largest group, but it was a good number. Plenty for the small village they were riding for. He knew most of the warriors to varying degrees and felt more than comfortable. He let Eirik lead the way as he seemed to have a bit more idea where they were going. The ride would be about an hour, especially as they were avoiding the roads. Espen too looked forward to running into a patrol. It would be a bit more exciting, after all. |
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Post by Eirik Aland on Apr 12, 2023 23:59:40 GMT -5
Eirik also found it rather odd that the Shaman had joined them for this raid. Not that he thought the man totally incapable but he did worry. Roan was a good man. But in all the years he'd known the family he'd never known the man to be a fighter. He'd always figured his talents were best served elsewhere. But this wasn't a large or particularly dangerous mission. And if Espen thought he'd be alright who was he to suggest otherwise? He'd just have to trust both other mens judgement.
"Lot can happen in two years," he teased with that same playful grin. Though they were only two years apart Eirik had been teasing Espen about being old since they were teens. Especially when he'd had his first son. But he always loved riding into a good fight with the man. He could feel his companions tug leading them closer to the little village.
The group they had currently was small but anything much larger likely would have been overkill. Though it seemed perhaps their group was more excited for an attack than the shaman was. He wondered what this vision he'd had about the raid was about. Why it was so important that the man suddenly join them.
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Post by Espen Varangr on Jun 5, 2023 19:16:34 GMT -5
A lot had happened in two years. Espen hadn't originally been a fan of settling down, but he was content to make the most of it. He's spent a large amount of time in this home, enough that their camp was starting to look more like a village. It was the only home his daughter knew. And it was the last one he had shared with Astrid. While some of their mission today was about celebration, it was also about staking a claim to their territory. He'd come to change his tune when the mother of his daughter was killed only last year.
Only a handful of skilled warriors were needed to fight off the lowly farmers. Between the fifteen of them or so, it was likely to be an uneven fight. Even those stupid enough to think they could match axes with the jarl and his fighters weren't very tough game, but Espen applauded them nonetheless. He respected their spirit, if not their lack of skill to defend their homes. All the more reason why it should belong to someone who could take it.
As the fir trees began to thin, slender smoke trails could be seen ahead. Espen slapped Eirik on the arm and pointed at the sky. "You take Roan and a handful around to the east," he said, quietly giving into the man's wishes to try some sort of fanciful tactical maneuver on the farmers while at the same time asking the man to look after his brother. That seemed a fair deal, after all. "Send your crow with a signal." Usually a specific call. "And don't ask him to shit on me this time or you can dig yourself out of your own mess."
The Elder led the other ten warriors around the right side of the village, to the west, still keeping off the roads. They were too distant to see much beyond a few buildings and fences. The place was larger than just a simple street but not nearly so large as Wolvstadt had been. Espen held up his fist in an order to wait for his thane's signal. |
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Post by North on Jun 5, 2023 19:49:55 GMT -5
The north wind was quiet this morning.
Set between two rivers, the town of Geissenheim was a sheepherding community. Most of the families these days were interconnected craftsmen, all working together to create their own cozy piece of home in the frosty northern region of Manthir. The pride and joy of the town, however, was the winemaker. The Keller family had been at it for generations, long before the land was formally claimed by King Harlan.
Geissenheim cared very little for politics. While they had set up a curfew and a few other rules with the tales of raids, as of yet, their small town was yet untouched by conflict. The winery enticed a few travelers in the warmer, safer seasons, but recently they had had very little contact. At the moment, however, a local militia patrol had stopped by the town to check in, share news, and hopefully tempt a few of the boys to join the Duke of Ramberaht's army ranks. The patrol numbered about ten men. Plenty of the locals, including the herders and smiths, as well as a few visiting cattle ranchers, were able bodied fighters as well. The militiamen left a sentry on each of the main roads.
Espen's raiding party arriving from the north would have to cross the shallower of the two rivers, easily fordable with horses, but it would make a get away dangerous. Three bridges, a northwest, southwest, and due east, connected the town to the 'main' roads. there were quite a few hours, a small central tavern and inn, and a quaint town square. Most of the townsfolk were about doing morning chores, taking down laundry, preparing breakfast, feeding animals, and fetching water.
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Post by Kiili Shepherds on Jun 5, 2023 23:27:25 GMT -5
Kiili was visiting Geissenheim with his brother Lance. the brothers were hoping to buy a small cask of the local winermaker's stock for their oldest brother and his wife, to commemorate his second child on the way. It wasn't exactly a birthday celebration as the child wasn't due until winter, but with how difficult childbearing could be, the family of cattle ranchers liked to celebrate the small wins and look to the future with a positive note.
Lance was busy tailing one of the local girls he'd thought was cute. Meanwhile, the shier Shepherds brother was helping fetch water from the well at the village center for the family that had put them up for the night. It was much cheaper than staying at the inn.
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