Blood and Bones

Ragnvald had given his companions the order to set up a camp so they could rest for the night. His eyes stood dark and haunting. Life had been given him many choices. Some he had regret, others... he would simply choose them again and do it all over, many scars drawn on his body from the battles that he fought and the villages that he took over. With every city they took the jarl became more greedy and less careless. He had tasted the feeling of victory. And ever since it started he never quit.

The jarl dismount from his horse and placed the stallion in a pen. Turning his gaze around for his wife he saw that she was nowhere to be found. For a moment the man sighed, she was no little girl like 16 years ago anymore, she could take care of herself. But still. He had to take his responsibility and take care of her. The man turned himself around towards his most loyal companion.Baelon his voice was sharp. Could you see too that the camp is set up properly? I have to take care of some things. Was his demand for him. Although he could be harsh. Baelon was someone he had trusted for many many years. And he was not only a companion to the jarl anymore.

Ragnvald took the reins of the stallion again and pushed himself up on top of the dark brown stallion. Before he knew he pushed the stallion into a little trot and left the camp. It was a rather short walk as he saw the silhouette of the woman appear on the horizon. After all these years he knew exactly where she would go. Some would call it obsessive, other would call it overprotective. Ragnvald was neither of these two things so he though.

He knew he would find her here. Being alone was a relieve for her sometimes.. and he could only agree on that. As he was close enough to her he stopped the horse and jumped off it. Letting the reins slip through his fingers he moved the horse forward behind him.

He could see and feel that: after all these years. he could never satisfy her happiness. Vald could never make her happy as any other man would. For a moment he closed his eyes and let history repeat in his mind. He could see it clearly.. almost 16 years ago they stood before the altar. Making their vows, swearing that they would protect each other forever.

Do you Ragnvald Mord Staekar son of Thorvald before all these witnesses here gathered take this woman Zephyra Helene Naess Daughter of Azazel as your loyal wife. To have and to hold from this moment, until death aparts you? While the priest spoke these words Vald pointed his face again on hers I swear with the gods as my witnisses Vald replied. And do you Zephyra Helene Naess daughter of Azazel take this man Ragnvald Mord Staekar son of Thorvald as your husband. To have and to hold to serve him and obey him from this moment, until death aparts you.I do zephyr replied

They may not have been the ideal couple at first. But when they had to say their vows Ragnvald had felt a certain feeling of joy and happiness. But that feeling had disappeared during the years that came. and it had made place for a much more 'comfortable' feeling.

The jarl pointed his blue eyes for a moment on the horizon. Large waves that represents his life where crashing against the rocks and cliffs that surrounded them. His blue eyes focussed on every movement of the sea. But in a short time he grew bored of it and turned his gaze towards Zephyra.I knew I would find you here, my beautiful wife. He spoke the words.. harsh.. like he was talking to a victim. Just as he was.

For a moment he pointed his eyes back on the stallion. The reins still holding in one hand. The silence that layed as a blanket over the two of them made it even more painful. Ragnvald turning his gaze away from the steed and made a step towards his wife. Placing his rather large hand around the back of her neck onto her curled raven hair. He longed for the pride she hold in her eyes, and power she hold with her tongue. It was in the questions she asked, calm and collected. But with a certain curiousness as well. There where times when he was imagining she was even real. And not some creation of his dirty minds. The jarl washed his thoughts away and didn’t need to think long about an answer. Valhalla. He simply replied. as it was for him. Behind those clouds, those radical formations in the sky lied the valley of forgiveness, understanding, and women. Ruled over by the god Odin, together with his son Thor. Valhalla was known to many vikings and they all longed for it until the day they would give their last breath.

As she continued her words he listened. And as she moved her head up he followed her. His light brown eyes following the horizon until he watched the clouds together with her. People know nothing. Most people are useless. he almost hissed as he let his hand glide through her hair. For Ragnvald there was only one god, and that god must be Odin. All others must be false.

And for a moment he wondered how much she valued him as a “human” being. He also wondered how many victims he had made after these several years of travelling, fighting and slaughtering. His mind was. Is a maze. A collection of several unanswered questions and thoughts he wants to be solved. But is too afraid to ask. Too afraid to show his weakness and snap back at something vulnerable and weak.  He hadn’t meant to hurt her, did not mean to give her a life like this. But it happened and he had roamed the world long enough to never let his guard down. He loved her, even was it in his own silly way.

As the cold wind brushed against his face he glanced back at Zephyra. You are overthinking too much, woman. He spoke with a heavy voice. We do only put our faith in Valhalla. As it is our faith and ours alone. Before he even realised Ragnvald had turned his body towards hers and pinched his fists to take a hold on himself. People see us as pagans, thieves and wildlings. But we are not. We are not less than them. No. We are greater. He glanced. Look what we have acomplished in all these years.. an all of it because we believed Valhalla would be good for us in the afterlife. It was, what he truly believed in. Some people would see him as a mad man. But Ragnvald was just desperately clutched towards his faith. To Odin and the afterlife.

She tried, he could not deny that she tried to convince her faith in Odin or in Valhalla. But he knew that she would never fit there. She was no warrior, no soldier, no fighter. She was a lady. But she was a jarls lady so eventually she will find her way through the lands of the death. Maybe it was time to learn her some things. She might get useful in battle anyway. And if Delaney has the fast learning from her mother it would be fastly done as well.

I have heard of it.. Of the south. Of these sandy terrains and hot weathers. And I would love to plunder their ships and start a riot there. He hissed to himself while smiling. In fact, they could travel south. They had enough ships for all of the men and these men where all trained to be better than any knight in this country. They where trained by Ragnvald and his best 10 men. And anyone who did not obey them or was a lazy student would pay for that. Odin will reward us highly for all the bloodshed we did in his name. As he started talking about it again his eyes grew wider. Blood has always been an obsession to him. The more blood the better.That is why he preferred his axe. It was a heavy weapon but with great damage ranges. From beheading to slicing of limbs. It was just a perfect weapon. And while thinking about it he grinned.

I have heard of a dragon queen also, with raven black hair and a porcelain skin. He had to be honest that he was curious for this “Queen”. And not only because of the country but also the woman behind it. He has heard rumours she bewed one of her kings guards as her King consort. Well.. that would be a pathetic thing. I should meet her one day Even though they where up here in the north. They would never be safe. In every border there was danger. Was it not from the enemy then the many creatures and monsters will treat hen their existence. That is also why they had to travel further before they would stay in the same place for far too long.  But they had to wait for now. Wait until the night would disappear and the sun would light their faces again.

As Zephyra asked about the kids he turned his gaze back for a moment where the camp would be set up. I guess Baelon is taking care of it. Or wel .. at least he tries.

Delaney is a fast learner. But she has to stay focussed and not dig around with other people while she is busy with her training. If she stays behind from the rest I will not let het continue this training. He could not make it up to himself or to anyone to show any sign of weakness. There where sometimes…’offers' had to be made. Even if it was his own daughter.

The jarl turned his face towards Zephyra and stepped in  front of her. With his free hands he grabbed her face and lifted it up a bit so he could look into her eyes. She will become a great leader someday. And after we are old and rotten who knows what will happen to her. Only Odin can tell us. he sighed while pressing his cold fingers gently into her skin. I am glad what you have given me. Showing any sign of affection towards her. Even if it was the most small sign  they where sometimes times that he did showed it.

As zephyra started talking about the queen a slight grin appeared in the corners of his eyes. He loved to look at them. women. Loved to be with them. But that was all before he met her. Before the arrangements has been made with Zephyra her father. Ever since he was married he never looked at women the same way as before. Or maybe it was because everyone knew they had to stay away from Vald. Or else they had some troubles with the jarls wife. That or.

A wonderful person huh? he raised his eyebrow and pointed his face towards her. Since when did you start to call people who kill each others family member for the throne wonderful? with a curious face he watched her. That woman seriously had some secrets around her. Perhaps she did knew more about this murderous queen who killed her own father in order to gain a crown.

I don't know if I will like her he coughed She is exactly the same as all the other royals in this land. Hiding behind their large stones walls and their firearms. They are no warriors like us, they don't know how to kill or how to take a real life without speaking their sentence to the executioner and let him do the work. Ever since the land has been separated and the different countries rised there came so much more people like this. And he hated it. Wars where fought unfairly with all these new machines. We need to start somewhere to take over the country again. Starting with Hillerod. That place has been damned ever since the Skarsgård had invaded it. he balded his fists and with that a loud noise came from the camp. Quickly Ragnvald turned his face away from Zephyra and pointed his face on the camp. As the sky turned orange and large clouds of smoke arise from the ground. The jarls eyes turned wider. Goddmmnd! I knew I shouldn't have left the rest alone! he hissed. Rage turning his voice colder.  We have to get back to the camp! Maybe an ambush? Maybe Maldred was practising his 'magic' skills again.. it could be anything.. But it was not good.