Dvallar falls back, hesitating for a moment as she passes the pendant. With a quick movement she kicks it under a nearby stunted shrub, fixes it in her mind, and continues to back away.
"We come back for it when we don't risk the girls." she announces to the others.
Chained and beaten, Snorri can't help but include himself when others refer to 'the girls'...
So the group makes their retreat. The howls co tinue to echo through the air. And yku still feel uncomfortable about the sight of those men being torn limb from limb by an unseen attacker. The girls. They are white as snow. Shaking. The youngest one on the verge of tears. But being around you. And seeing how you are dealing with it. Keeps the tears at bay
You are half way to the fort when the girls wanted a rest. Theur bodies still in shock. And too tired to continue
"We cant. Just a few minutes rest... please. For the sake of my sisters" the oldest one asks
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Helle stands guard over the girls while she waits for the rest of the party to catch up. She keeps a sharp eye out for anything other than friends approaching.
"I know you are tired, but it's not safe. Keep an eye out for anything odd girls. We'll rest here until everyone else catches up with us. Then we must continue."
Quickly catching up with the forward group, Aðalbjörn comes to a halt. listening intently for any signs of pursuit
"We cannot wait for long, the Jarl must hear of what has happened, and I would see you home safely at all costs."
He never takes his eyes off the track behind them
The girls nod as they slump down and sit. The fear and adrenalin finally leaving their bodies. You can see how tired they are. But trying to be brave. They only rest a few minutes before they are up again
From what you can see. Nothing is following you. No howls either. As far as you can tell. The hounds did not follow you
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"Up girls, let's go. We should be inside the walls soon. Then you can rest." Helle herds the girls back toward town.
As you enter the gates, a messenger is waiting.
"The Jarl wishes to speak to you as soon as possible. I am here to escort his daughters to their rooms."
The girls gets ushered off before you can mount any sort of protest or questions
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"Of course. We are at the Jarl's command. Besides, we have matters that we should report to the Jarl." Despite his cooperative tone, O∂orn eyes the man warily, trying to perceive any ill intent in his voice or manner.
-Maybe anyone of you- says Snorri -could remove my chains? Or do you want me to go before the Jasrl in this guise?
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-Maybe anyone of you- says Snorri -could remove my chains? Or do you want me to go before the Jasrl in this guise?
The smiths of the town make short work of your chains. Laughing at the poor qaulity and workmanship
"There you go lad! Easy as breaking a window. Now. Off with yah! We have work to do" the gruff looking man shoos you away from his workplace
If Snorri is to accompany you. You may want to take him to get dressed first
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"I shall go straight to the Jarl and begin the telling, as I must. Join us when you are ready Snorri."
With this Aðalbjörn heads of to see the Jarl.
"I agree - we must go as soon as possible - but together. Does anyone have some more respectable clothes for poor Snorri here? He looks like he was dragged backwards through a briar patch." She shrugs "I can lend him my cloak - though it'll be small on him. Otherwise he will just have to go clothed in his honour."
I have an extra dress, but it's not exactly yiur color or your size." She teases. She pulls out a bedroll and offers it to him. "Maybe you can wrap this around you somehow.
Enough jibes, ladies. Here, Snorri. Take my cloak. It's not the finest material, but it will at least make you decent enough to appear before the Jarl, given the circumstances."
-Thanks. At least my balls will be covered.
"I'm not jibing. Use my cloak as a kilt, and O∂ørn's to cover your up,then. But enough sartorial discussion - let's report."
With a grunt Aðalbjörn moves to the Jarl's abode with the rest of the party. He is impatient to report, but glad that the party go together.
"Snorri Svensson, I don't know what you are mixed up in here. But I hope the Jarl frees us to find out, no free man should live in chains..."
-Oh, well, I guess it's their right as enemies to try to enthrall me. On the other hand, it's my right as enemy to try to take vengeance.
Do you know anything of those... things that killed the men? I've never seen such a thing in all my days, and the Jarl should be made aware if some evil has come to visit his realm.
"There are stories... Spirit Wolves. Invisible stalkers bound to hunt and kill particular prey."
Snorri shrugs.
-No idea.
When you arrive at the Jarls place, the common room. There is a young man you have never seen before since arriving. He too seems to be waiting for the Jarl. Even though young, his eyes seem to tell a different story. A scar stretching across his face. He is clothed in what looks like wolf furs. He greets you with a rather pleasant smile
"Seems i am not alone on waiting for the Jarl!" he gets up rather quickly and greets you
"Apologies. My name is Ulf. Pleasure to meet you"
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Snorri raises an eyebrow. Suspiciously, he greets the stranger.
-Hello... Name's Snorri. You from here?
"He is not."
"What business have you with the Jarl?"
The day's events have left Aðalbjörn on edge
Any other day Dvallar would attribute Ulf's wolf stylings as an affectation - despite that they'd never admit it the warriors here were often vain about their appearance. In the aftermath of the summoned spirit wolves, however, her suspicion had grown fire-hot.
O∂orn gives a slight bow to the stranger, but keeps a wary eye on the man all the while. "I am O∂ørn the Drowned, chosen Godi of the great Rán, master of storm and sea. May he bless all your travels upon the waves. Forgive my intrusion, but what business do you bring before the Jarl this day?"
Helle stays to the back of the group. She watches the man carefully. After a few moments, she politely says, "Well met. Nice wolf pelts. What brings you here today?"
He smiles and gives a slight bow
"I was invited. Some personal business we have to discuss."
He looks at the furs then to the one askinf about them
"Tradition. And trophies. If I can call them that. Its a long story." he gives them all a big smile again
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Helle nods. "We too have been asked to speak to the Jarl. May both our business' be concluded quickly."
She continues to stand at the back of the group. She know's she's not the first person who will be called forward just because of her abilities.
O∂orn nods politely at the stranger's description of his unusual garb. "Our traditions bind us together with our ancestors past and strengthen us as we move into the future. If they are worthy, may the gods judge your traditions to last a thousand years." Concluding his brief benediction, O∂orn returns the man's smile, then looks back toward the Jarl's high seat and begins rocking back and forth on his heels, clearly anxious to discuss their encounter in the woods with the Jarl and to assure him of his daughters' safety.
The Jarl finally arrives. He beckons you in. On his side, the young man that came to collect the girls.
As the Jarl looks at you his expression flashes to panic. Its gone just as quickly as it came
"It seems there was a conflict with..." he stops and looks at Snorri
"I take it this is the... how did my daughters put it... 'bedraggled almost naked man'" he looks him over
"But besides that. What happened? My daughters could hardly talk. Their faces were white as fresh snow!" his face was of concern and worry.
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My jarl, this is Snorri Svensson, we came upon him bound, and lead by three men, a few miles outside the hold. The men were agressive and disrespectful and an altercation broke out. We subdued the men and were about to bring them to you to seek your judgement when spirits tore them limb from limb, I know not what we saw... but we made all haste to bring your daughters back to you."
"Wolves from the spirit world." Dvallar elaborated. "Someone must have sent them - though why someone with such power cared about such insignificant men I do not know."
The dwarven woman couldn't help but look at the visitor for a moment as she talked of wolves.
"This is most distressing. I will send out a patrol at once. Even if they dont find anything. Securing my border is the most important thing right now." he takes a deep breath before he continues. His age showing suddenly
"There is a matter that i need to attend to. I will speak to you tomorrow. There are a few things i need to consider." he points to the man next to him
"Günthar here will help you with my gift for protecting my daughters from the attack..." he looks back to the reception
"On your way out, you can tell the... young man i will see him now"
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"Lord, there was another thing that may help with any investigation, an amulet or talisman that the men gave us, I believe Odorn has it now.."
"Aye, my lord. The men dropped the talisman just before they ran and...died." O∂orn procures the small token from within the folds of his cloak and holds it out before his Jarl. "If you wish, we will do further investigation into the talisman's origins and meaning."
"You have my leave to investigate the matter further" he nods them
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"Thank you my lord. The girls? They will be all right?" Helle asks.
He hesitates. Then answers
"They will be fine. They just need time to calm down and... come to terms with what happened"
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"They were good." Dvallar throws in. "They stayed in their position, they did not lose their courage, and they moved when we needed to move. I do not believe any of this had anything to do with them. I would not be averse to taking them out again on another day, given they did not get their flowers."
Helle nods in agreement with Dvallar. Yes they did well.
She looks at Snorri, "Let's go get you some clothes. We can't have you shocking any more young ladies today or old ladies for that matter." She bows to the jarl, and walks from the room in search of clothing for Snorri.
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Helle follows the Jarl's man from the room.
-Yeah... these will do. I hope if they send us anywhere they'll give me anything to hack with...
"we'll sort you out one way or another Snorri"
Following the Jarl's man...
He leads you to a room. He opens a chest and takes out a pouch and hands you each one "For saving and making sure the daughters of the Jarl is safe"
For Snorri, he hands a larger bag too "Hope these help you"
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Dvallar's eyes snap on the pouch. "It was an honour." SHe says, a strange thrum in her voice. "Günthar. Please tell the Jarl I am ever loyal."