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Post by Vaklu on Feb 7, 2015 4:39:49 GMT
As the sun was setting the various unit commanders gathered in Gudrik's grand pavilion. A great table had been set up in it's center, beyond were curtains that separated the Thane's personal section of the tent. At the table the seating was ordered by seniority and rank. Gudrik sat at the head flanked by Lagertha and General Pjjokhat to either side followed by Wulfric Thunderfist and the rest of the commanders. The meal was simple, salt herring baked with vegetables and breading with a cream sauce. Except for the sauce it was what all the troops would be eating provided they hadn't been able to bring down any game after the march. Gudrik understood several bowmen had been able to procure quail and rabbits once camp had been established.
After a short span of time conversation began to flow. The Thane turn to the young woman he knew so little about. "I understand that there are many fields of use for magecraft, if you don't mind my curiosity what do you specialize in? War magic like your father or some other study?"
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Post by zurajai on Feb 8, 2015 3:11:56 GMT
Lagertha sat at the table patiently, hood removed as he upright posture gave a certain noble appearance. Her robes, the simple red and white long robes of a Tovenaar, remained unchanged from her travels beyond her hood being pulled back to hang over her back. Her cool grey eyes looked to the Thane as he spoke unto her, an eyebrow raising as he expressed interest in the Tovenaar field before dropping down.
"Your curiosity is not without merit, Thane. A sensible question. I am Tovenaar-Akur, like my father, though my mother would see me schooled in other arts. My father always said I was to be like the shield-maidens of his ancestors and to bring the light of Aed to the giantkin of the Jotun. Unlike he, though, I do not lay foes low with my fists. A question for you, then. Your epithet is a curious one: why is it yours?"
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Post by Vaklu on Feb 8, 2015 6:05:31 GMT
It was not Gudrik who replied but one of the other commanders, a veteran of the wasteland expedition. "It's the way he fights my lady. He moves with grace rarely seen by Jotun on the battlefield and all that follows in his wake is the blood of the enemy." He gave a grin. "Besides he's always taken rather well to battle even as boy."
"The master at arms said that Aed made me to end lives." Gudrik shrugged. "I never had cause to disagree. I'm good at what I do and I serve as my brother's strong right hand."
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Post by zurajai on Feb 8, 2015 20:40:16 GMT
Lagertha raised an eyebrow and turned her gaze to the other commander speaking to her. Curious. For another to answer for him proved such an epithet was certainly given, not chosen, whether accurate or not. A respectable quality.
"Aed gives us all a purpose. Yours and my father's are not dissimilar. You show an understanding for your Duty and a Mastery of it that few rarely achieve. Commendable."
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Post by Vaklu on Feb 9, 2015 4:45:28 GMT
Gudrik nodded in appreciation. "Thank you." He focused on the woman for moment as if making up his mind.
"There is something else I wished to ask. Why did you decide to attach yourself to our forces? Not that your company is unwelcome, but I find it odd a for Tovenaar-Akur to join a force such as ours. If you simply wished to see your father you could have simply stayed at Karmozijn Kerk and waited for his return."
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Post by zurajai on Feb 11, 2015 3:08:51 GMT
Lagertha gave the Thane a sidelong glance before shrugging innocently.
"Your brother spoke with the Chief Priest, Staas, regarding a wife for you. He then spoke unto my father who gave permission only under my own acceptance. Also, I relish the thought of smiting the enemies of Aed with his divine gift. But mostly the first one."
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Post by Vaklu on Feb 11, 2015 3:45:56 GMT
Gudrik could have sworn he saw a smirk creep onto Stae's face. There was also muttering from the assembled captains. For himself she was fair to look at and intelligent. He Liked Haakon and felt a little bit of pride that he'd thought him worthy of his daughter. Her willingness to fight also gave him hope. His brother's wife was no shield maiden and as such she was scornful of those who made it their lives.
In the end one of his captains stood up, arguing with the other captains near him. "No, Haakon left the our people of his own will and many of our traditions as well. Do you even carry a ancestor weapon?"
"Sit down Hudran." Gudrik's tone was soft but menacing. "And put your teeth together before you get yourself in more trouble than you can afford."
"But my Thane!"
"You may leave. Now go to your tent before I personally knock you unconscious and put you there. I will not tolerate you being rude to our guest. SHe is the daughter of a man I respect and even if she was nothing else that would be enough. Anyone who takes issue to this may leave this tent now."
Only the captain that had been ordered out left the tent.
Gudrik turned to Lagertha. "I'm sorry for the behaivior of Captain Hudrn. Please forgive his rudeness. He's a capable warrior but lakes decorum."
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Post by zurajai on Feb 11, 2015 3:55:35 GMT
"Apologies for another man's actions are not necessary," she affirmed, showing nothing but cool calmness to the outburst before standing tall just as the Captain was about to leave, "Hudran's opinions are his and it is his right to hold them. However, it is my Duty as the daughter of Haakon Titanhand to issue challenge onto Captain Hudran Word-sayer. If he doubts that the blood of my ancestors flow in me than I shall show him otherwise."
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Post by Vaklu on Feb 11, 2015 4:37:50 GMT
Gudrik was taken aback a little, but now there was no doubt in his mind that the woman before him was Jotun. "Tomorrow morning, I will stand as arbitrator. Because we are on campaign our traditions dictate that duels to the death are forbidden, so it would have to go no further than first blood. That is if Captain Hudran will not retract his words." He gave the man a grin.
Hudran glared in defiance. "I will not. If this girl wishes to test my metal so be it."
Gudrik turned back to Lagertha. "Is this acceptable?"
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Post by zurajai on Feb 11, 2015 5:59:32 GMT
"More than acceptable," Lagertha proclaimed as she returned to her seat, leaning back as she stared down Hudran from underneath her hood, "Till the morning come, Hudran Word-sayer."
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Post by Vaklu on Feb 12, 2015 4:18:47 GMT
Gudrik smiled into his mead. Even if he won the duel Hudran would be living down the title Word-sayer for years.
The next morning would have Gudrik standing before his army with a large white cloth square spread out before him. Not only would it provide the boundary of the duel but it would make it the slightest blood spillt readily apparent. On one side stood the captain in simple tunic, breaches and leather breastplate, armed with sword and shield. On the other stood Lagertha.
"A challenge has been issued and accepted. This duel will be fought to first blood. As arbitrator I may order the fighters to cease and desist to check for injuries on either party. Failure to do so will be considered a forfeiture. Do you both understand?"
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Post by zurajai on Feb 13, 2015 7:35:56 GMT
Lagertha stood calmly, bedecked in the partial-plate and robes commonly donned by Tovenaar-Akur in battle. Strapped to her left arm was a heater shield of appropriate size to match her stature. In her right, however, hung a surprisingly vicious looking maul that seemed proportionately too large for the giantess. The ease at which she manipulated it proved such a thought false in an instant, the mace head horizontal to the ground as she pointed it at Hudran.
"Have no worries, I understand. Though I must warn you, Hudran Word-Sayer, this is not a bout of boasts. Prove to these men you can beat up a girl barely old enough to carry the mace that's going to see you on your back quicker than any whore you've paid."
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Post by aspenivan on Mar 6, 2015 17:37:15 GMT
Moderation Mark
The duel between Lagertha Haakonsdottir and Captain Hudran began rather ignominiously for the latter. Just as the Tovenaar-Akur had prophesied, moments after the combatants advanced towards one another, Hudran was flat on his back from a blow to the chest from her mace. But there was no blood, and thankfully for him no bones yet broken. The bruise would last a long while after the battle, though. Looking down at the poor sod with a smirk, Lagertha took a step back, giving the man room to get back on his feet. Some chuckles could be heard from the surrounding giants. With a look of deep anger on his face, the captain pulled himself up and took a deep breath. He assumed a fighting stance with his shield in front and attacked. " You insolent daughter of a trai - " he was cut off by the crunch of his shield cracking under a second blow from the Tovenar-Akur, sending him reeling backwards. He stayed on his feet this time, but it didn't make the spectacle any less embarrassing. It certainly wouldn't help erase his newly-given title of Word-Sayer. Having moved now from anger to rage, Hudran practically keeled over forward with a rash charge. His sword came down at an angle with all of his might, and... crunch. "HA!" The woman's nose had broken. But...there was no blood coming out...what was going on? "What a champ, Miz Titanhand's snorting it in!" came a cheer from the sidelines. Lagertha was holding her own blood inside her nose by snorting it in. It couldn't last too long, but she didn't need it to. Her surprised opponent saw her smile wryly, and then he felt his shield shatter. From there, with his guard hopelessly down, it only took one more blow to send a splatter of blood out from his mouth: A heavy iron "slap" across the face. Lagertha's smile widened into a grin, and she finally stopped inhaling and let the blood flow out from her nostrils. "Go home, Word-Sayer," she spoke softly but triumphantly. "The battlefield is no place for children." There was no question about it. Lagertha Haakonsdottir had trounced Captain Hudran and made him look like a joke. |
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Post by Vaklu on Mar 7, 2015 0:10:02 GMT
Gudrik had smiled at Lagertha's determination to win. He knew that Hudran would never live down the name she'd given him after such a defeat. He stepped forward, holding his hand up to quiet the muttering and back slapping. "Lagertha is the winner. The matter is now settled and now I want this camp ready move within the hour. Get to it."
He watched Hudran storm off shouting commands to his men. He walked over to Lagertha and lifted her chin so he could get a better look at her broken nose. "You should have it looked at. One of my huscarls, Gertic is a decent bone setter and flesh mender. If you'd like I could have him take a look." He removed his hand as suddenly as he'd placed it. "Or would you prefer your own to take care of it?"
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Post by zurajai on Mar 7, 2015 6:54:24 GMT
"Such things are not beyond my own hands," claimed Lagertha, shrugging as blood ran down her face in rivers, "But I thank you for the offer. My father taught me to handle issues myself; this one I shall deal with presently."
With that Lagertha spun on her heels and returned to her own tent to see to the mending of her broken nose, her smile running red as he stood proudly; her first true opponent bested in her first true duel. Father would be proud.
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