Answers in blood

I USED TO BE AN ADVENTURER LIKE YOU

THEN I TOOK AN ARROW IN THE KNEE

With the slightest movement of his arms he grabbed the bow from his back. Moving his feet through the thick snow as if it was nothing. His eyes focussed on the target. A small deer, separated from the herd. Beorn had been following it around for quite some hours and he would finally see his change to shoot it. His eyes focussed on the target and narrow a bit with every step he took. The large longbow was taken from his back and he pushed an arrow against the wood of the bow. Everything was done very carefully and very precisely. Every movement, noise or cough cold be enough for the animal to scare it off. And that. Was the last thing he wanted.

A subtile grin was placed on the mans face and as he pointed the point of the arrow on the animal he stretched the bow out. Making sure he would absolutely stand still. He waited. focussing on it’s target.  As a predator sneaking up on his prey. Once he saw the perfect opportunity he released the grip on the arrow and the bow found it’s way into the thick skin of the deer. For another moment he was standing there. Focussing on the target which felt to the ground almost at instant. If, the deer would have ran away he would have had other problems. But this time, luck was on his side and with a satisfied grin on his lips he stood straight making his way through the snow towards the deer. Beorn lifted the animal over his shoulders and made his way back to Sk∅rravir.

Day had already started inside of the village and some northmen where already doing their jobs. Some of them chopping wood, others skin animals, and the women, well.. Most of them where doing the laundry or taking care of the children. A smile appeared on his face as he walked by and nodded towards the lady. Until his feet decided to move on. Within his gaze was the house of the jarl and his family. His brother must have been also somewhere around the house. He had not seen him this morning when he left so most of the time his older brother was with the jarl. Beorn decided to change his plans and move himself towards the house, there must be someone around there, hopefully.

Delaney

I USED TO BE AN ADVENTURER LIKE YOU

THEN I TOOK AN ARROW IN THE KNEE

While wondering where his brother went he decided to walk on. Baelon was never really talkative lately and most of the time he went away on his own. Luckily for Beorn he could easily save himself if needed. The two brothers where still living in the house of their parents but most of the time they where out, hunting, raiding or practising their skills. Just like vikings do on a daily basis.It did not take much time until the large doors of the jarls house dimmed up in his grey gaze. It was the center of Skorravir and the tower of the house reached far above the other buildings. At the top of the tower there was a small space with a viewpoint where you had the perfect gaze over the large lake and it’s surroundings.

Beorn looked up at the door which was decorated with the finest details. Representing Thor and his followers. A short smile appeared on his lips as he placed his hand on the decorated wood and pushed it open. Almost immediately he could feel the warmth that the fireplace gave him. He entered the place and closed the large door behind him. It was quiet, The jarls kids would probably have left the building to play or train outside. Beorn looked around the room and saw the skinned deer being roasted by the fire. Probably another meal for tonight. If there was one thing that vikings loved to do it was: eating.

As he made his way towards the dining table he pushed the just killed deer over his shoulder and placed it on the table. The animal became rather heavy and made his shoulder feel quite sore. It was then that he heard the complaining of a lady her voice and another ‘older’ voice with her as well. Although she was barely a lady by name and actions he would still prefer to call her so. He smirked and smiled as his gaze was thrown onto the table. If they would hear him it would look like he was eavesdropping the whole conversation and then, there would be no way to talk himself out off this.

So before making this scene even more awkward he made his way towards the end of the room, Where he saw the dark haired lady sitting with her daughter. He saw her struggling with some pieces of cloth and decided to watch the whole scene. --For now at least.-- He leaned with his shoulder against the wood of the building and crossed his arms. He never understood the important of sewing and all that stuff. To him it was rather useless work. A small hole or dirt in your clothes never hurt any man. But to women it seemed important so he just continued to watch the play. Scraping his throat

It was then that the girl called his name and suddenly looked his way. He leaned back and set himself straight again. The smile she showed him made him feel somewhat uncomfortable and he looked away from Delaney towards her mother. I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to spy on your conversation his voice hesitated, as he stepped closer. His gaze went on towards the girl who started speaking again. He focussed his eyes on hers. And he must admit that he was fascinated by her. She was very pretty, in a fragile kind of way. He liked her eyes, big and beautiful, and her hair, the white curls that fell down like foam on the ocean-waves. All her words flowed by but it didn’t reach his ears, and after she had spoken hers he was just standing there. Soundless for some seconds. There was always that awkward tension that dimmed up between them. He repacked himself and stood straight again. I see, his voice calm and collected. I was actually looking for you, Delaney. he went on. That could have been a lie. After all he was searching for his brother.  But he could clearly see she was struggling with her duties. So a little help from his side was welcome. -Maybe-. We .. I could use some help with skinning the animal I just caught. and another lie. Something he was not very good at.

I AM NOT A MAN

I AM A WEAPON IN HUMAN FORM

Normally he never had issues with having conversations. And he can easily adapt himself to the energy that surrounds him. Though; he always struggled when the white haired beauty was close to him. Maybe it was because she was the jarls daughter. Maybe it was because he liked her more than she probably would have known. But he had decided some time ago that he wanted to keep these feelings for himself. For now. For it made him feel weak, and dizzy and all that stuff he never had asked for.

But nobody in Skorravir had ever cached his attention like she did. The girl had accepted him with all his flaws from the moment they ever spoke to each other. Or at least she had tried to. It was a cold winter that day. Colder than most of the days in Skorravir. It was that day that his older brother took him to the jarls place. He need some 'things' to be taken care of. When his brother asked him first Beorn did not want to go with him. But after a short compelling talk the boy picked up his bow and some arrows from the table and placed the thick coat around his shoulders and made his way out with Baelon. As the two of them made their way outside he could still feel the cold wind brushing against his face and pulling on his hair. He also remembered the heavy burning flames on his face wiping away all the cold from moments ago as soon as they had entered the great hall. The place had smelled like burning wood and cooked meat, ready to be served.

While Baelon seemed to have disappeared doing his duties Beo had placed himself somewhat closer towards the fireplace. Launching his arrows towards the fire ready to 'shoot' the flames from the air. If his mother would have been there that day she would have taken care of him. But .. unfortunately she was not. He and his brother where alone that day for several years. His thoughts trailed back towards the brief moment he and the white haired lady had met. She was barely a girl that day. Not ever older than 13 but still she possessed the certain authority. You could easily tell she was more than just a viking girl in this village. And it was not because of her unique appearance.

Turning his focus back to her - away from his dark and somewhat cluttered thoughts - he smiled subtile when hearing her words. "Well, skinning and bloody jobs have always been more of my thing than sowing idiots clothing. So sure. It would be easy for him to start laughing when she spoke her words. But he did not want to offend lady Zephyra in any way. She seemed to enjoy the tranquility of those fabrics and linnen all too well. So as he saw the girl walk towards him he swallowed one time and let her pass. His gaze went back towards lady Zephyra and he nodded at her turned himself around and made his way towards the room where Delaney was in. Normally he was perfectly capable of skinning the animal himself, But since he was already at the jarls house he could use the small lie he had set up earlier in his favor.

Once he reached for the table he had placed the deer on he placed himself on the opposite side of the table and let both his hands rest on the dark wood. Leaning a bit forward to support himself. With his grey eyes he catched her gaze again, pretty yet dangerous eyes. Eyes full of responsibilities she would have in a few years. A good claim, a title a birthright. But the lady has something of more value than just a birthright. And she might cover it up from time to time but she could not hide it from the world; She has a gentle heart and finding a ruler with both a gentle and a strong heart was something unique. There where times where he had looked at her from a distance and wondered if she is even real. Or just a vision, created by his mind.  

From the moment the flash of the fire into the sharp knives launched for his eyes he blinked. Pulling himself up from the tabled he picked the other knife and tilted his head a bit to the side. As their eyes meet again his lips curled up. ladies first

I AM NOT A MAN

I AM A WEAPON IN HUMAN FORM

You could say that the boy had a rather eventful childhood. Living with his older brother wasn’t that easy at is should look like. Baelon was most of the time gone helping the jarl or do his other duties. While Beorn took care of the house, the stables and his other duties around town. It was a rather busy life but it was a good life. It kept him from thinking about his parents and how he secretly missed them. Even though he would probably never say that to anyone.

Living in a viking village was so much different then the rumours he had heard from travellers. Valyria for example seemed like the best place to be for wealthy people. And perhaps even to raid. Maybe he should discuss that part with his brother when he would be home. Although making the travel all the way down was probably a big deal.

As the two of them had placed themselves behind the table and Delaney started skinning the animal he watched her work. She was well skilled with a dagger and other weapons and he loved to watch her work

Delaney pointed out that there would not be much for him to do once she was done with the animal. And a soft pleasurable smirk was placed on his lips as he moved himself towards the other side of the table to stand next to her. The dagger still holding in his hand. Well, I did the catching, so it is fair that you may do the dirty work, Delaney. he leans somewhat towards her and as his lips finished the sentence he moved himself back. In no time most of the skin was gone from the animal and could be used as a nice fabric for clothes, a small blanket or something else they could probably use around town. After all most of the people in this village where skilled with making weapons or sowing new and warm clothes.

Then she pointed out her idea on what they should do next. And every vein in his body was saying yes. The two of them already knew each other for quite some time and they where often seen together. So hanging around would be a nice way of distracting. You know to give your idea a little upgrade He grins as he turns himself around and leans against the table as he places his grey eyes on her. Once we are done we could walk into the forest and see who catches the largest prey he grins as he twirls the knife around his hand and tries to catch it. His reflexes where only to slow so it fell back on the ground. -Well played beo well played.- His coordination could be a little more sharpened if he would impress the white haired girl. And with a strange laugh on his face he picked up the dagger from the ground and turned himself towards the table again. Making sure he could talk over his little mistake as if nothing had happened. The one who skins and catches it the fastest gets to decide what the loser has to do. What do you say of that?

I AM NOT A MAN

I AM A WEAPON IN HUMAN FORM

He loved to make these little deals and play those small games together. It made daily work so much better having her around. And as she agreed on his little upgrade he added he places the dagger on the table again and watches as she is busy skinning the dead animal. While he sums up the words he wanted to say to her.  Too bad for you the teacher is also participating. So don’t think you’ve won so easily. he leans himself towards her again as his face turned into a subtile smirk. Don’t think I let you win like the last time we hunted together.

He knew that she probably was going to give him a rather odd punishment. As always. So he had to think of something good. Something she would and could not say no to. Something that has not been asked before. Since it was rather dull to brush a horse or clean the leather saddle and reins. No it had something worthy of a punishment, yet it had to be good enough for a jarls daughter. Even tough it would be hilarious to see her do his chores around house. I t was not what he had in mind for her. Winning, was the most important thing right now. The girl learned quick so he would not be surprised if she had practised a lot.

His grey eyes trailed towards the large dog that had placed himself close to delaney. The beast seemed always be around her and it was for the better. Not many people were happy with her presence and sometimes he even heard people whisper about the white haired witch of Skørravir. It honestly has made his blood boil for a few times already. But what could he do. It was not as if he could say anything about it. People would definitely starting to bash him out also. So he had swallowed the irritations away as good as he could. A subtle smile appeared on his face as he looked down to Delaney. Well then, I guess I will see you outside. he pointed out as he turns himself towards the skinned deer again. I need to sharpen my arrows, but I will see you in ten minutes. he stated as he moved his body back towards the door. Still imagining what he should ask her he points his grey eyes on her again and then leaves the room.

I AM NOT A MAN

I AM A WEAPON IN HUMAN FORM

It went all so easy. That little deal that has been made between the two of them. It was just as when they were a lot smaller. Always chasing each other in the woods. Always looking for adventure and danger. Always close.  He grew fond of the white haired girl. More then he could ever have had imagined. Too bad for him he was never able to do anything with those feelings. He was not allowed to be and perhaps he was even scared for the jarls reaction. After all, she still was a girl and he, just a man with a bow. With a shook of his head he pushes these thoughts away and moves himself out off the house. As he points another eye on Delaney who seemed to be too busy with skinning the deer he smiles slowly and leaves.

Once at the stables he saddles his stallion and pads the horse on it’s neck. Good boy, make sure I win from her today. he whispers at the steeds as he pulls the reins over it’s head and makes his way towards Delaney again. She had already placed herself on a haystack and was waiting for him. A subtle grin appeared on his face as he leads the horse and stops just on the right distance. Am I late again? he jokes as his grey eyes wens from delaney towards the horse that was saddles. His face frowned a little and he looks back at Delaney. Where is your mare?  he asked her bluntly and scrapes his throat. Surely she could not be riding this one. The mare was everything for her. Or it seemed that way.