Open Chronicles A Rowdy Night [Eretejva Tundra]

[Gylfi Runarsson]

A direct contrast to what was outside, the mead hall was full of warmth. There was no biting cold, heavy snowfall, and whipping winds to be felt. Instead, there was only a warm hearth, barrels of mead and ale, and a hall packed wall-to-wall with warm bodies.

Gylfi didn't care for it at all.

Nordengaard was but a temporary stop for the young Nordenfiir man, a moment of rest before he would begin Taking the Path. Though, one would find it quite challenging to get any form of rest over the slamming of tankards against tables or the overall ruckus that exploded within the hall. Whatever it was that was being celebrated, or whatever occasion there was, happened to be beyond Gylfi. He had come in place of his father to deliver materials recently harvested from a hunt near Indeholm- the repayment of a debt. Once the young man had concluded his business, he would begin Taking the Path. Such had been demanded of him by his father and even the Jorn of Indeholm.

Gylfi had somehow been absorbed into the evening's festivities, much to his chagrin. However, he was Nordenfiir through and through. He could not turn down warm food and barrels of mead.

Surrounding him were his kin of all types. There were young, old, men, and women, all of them eating and drinking and causing a complete ruckus.

 

[Baise]

Valthar took a step backwards and bumped into something large and furry.

"Oi!"

The svalen behind him lifted its head from a bucket, it white fur covered in beer suds.

Valthar offered a nod by way of apology. It was too early in the evening for the fighting to have started at least. Whilst he knew many of his kind were most comfortable in thir svalen form it did seem a little selfish to take up so much room. A svalen with such pale fur was likely an important member of their community.

Valthar stepped away and innediately elbowed Gylfi Runarsson

 

[Gylfi Runarsson]

The hall smelled of musk and was particularly strong from the many svalen, almost all of which buried their snouts in large buckets overflowing with beer.

Gylfi idly stood amidst his kin, clearly out of place. He'd never been to Nordengaard, and therefore had no acquaintances to meet up with. If not for the drink and food, he most likely would have left long ago to-

A sudden bump shook his arm. There was some weight behind it. Not enough to cause the young man to stumble, but definitely enough to nudge his arm. Beer sloshed in his flagon, and a fair amount spilled over onto his hand and floor. Gylfi spun as if he were turning on an enemy, his face contorted into an annoyed scowl. In a moment of uncharacteristic consideration, he calmed himself. He was a guest, a representative of his own settlement. Were he not responsible for the name of his father, he may have lashed out at Valthar. Instead, with a wry smile, Gylfi gave Valthar a "friendly" and overly aggressive pat on the shoulder.

 

[Maude]

The Queen was also in attendance as she was want to be away from Yjallaglask as often as possible. She'd taken up her usual place towards the far end of the hall at a table typically shared by her Harem, Court, and close accomplices.

Rowdy crowds and celebration were something of note this evening, for it was the birthday of the great Master Forger of Solstal, Jorn Helle.

Helle was a woman who didn't make public appearances lightly, and so her presence in Nordengaard was cause for excitement. Maude had entertained her with conversation for a time at the back table before the woman opted to wander off into the crowds to mingle with friends and family she'd not visited for a time.

The atmosphere was a good one and the Queen found herself relaxing far more than she had in the last several months. It was good to see her people full of cheer.

 

[Magrin Kor]

Hidden away in a darker corner of the Hall the Wanderer sat, nursing a large mug of mead in a heavy hand while the sounds of revelry, ruckus and cheer reached his ear. Magrin Kor, broad shouldered and with graying hair hunched over on a bench both apart and separate from the celebration that was taking place.

When he'd arrived at the Hall he'd hoped for a drink to quench his thirst and a hearty stew to chase it down with, nothing more but the others started to pack themselves inside. It wasn't long before the Hall was filled wall to wall.

Magrin remained largely ignorant of what or whom was being celebrated. He was just passing through.

A thick woolen cloak draped itself across his back over the tunic and trousers he wore, intricate leather bracers encircled his wrists and heavy boots ensured his feet were well insulated. On the right of his belt a Bearded Axe was slung, a smaller Hand Axe was slipped into a leather loop on his left and a long knife was present somewhere on his person, hidden from view.

Lifting the mug in his right hand Magrin would press it to his mouth, tip it higher until the fragrant liquor ran down his chin and quaff the remainder of its contents before wiping away the excess with the back of his hand and looking for another.

 

[Hugi]

Two svalen were what could be called sat across from one another at a roughshod table. One built for such an event as the one that Hugi in his bear form had begun among the joyous ruckus that was a party. Svalen arm wrestling was happening at the table. A mix of angry grunts and face slapping as pawed hands attempted to bring the other to the table top and ultimately throw their opponent to the floor.

The brown bear with flecks of wheat coloring in their coat seemed confident as it leaned in, the strange horned helm covering their fighting paws as the other paw gave a swat to the opposite svalen. A small lapse in strength gave victory to the helmed one as the loser was sent to the floor.

A bucket rose in Hugi's paws, stopping short of the little tusks adorning the helm before he lapped greedily at the prize inside. Thirst satisfied, he gave an approving roar towards Maude with bucket shakily held in his paws

 

[Arnor Skuldsson]

Bears.

The hall was full of bears.

Despite his upbringing, people, and culture- even Arnor had a hard time finding his peace in his Svalen form. A stark contrast to the gathered crowd.

He watched with passing entrance, posted leaning on the wall, his body, without his cuirass for once. He did however, retain the sword on his back- a Steel-forged from the Elves, sharper than anything he had come across yet. A sign of his travels.

That, and he smelled like the Summer Lands. Floral, thanks to his affinity for baths. Unlike the Earthy-smell of his kin, he carried a lilac scent. And some noticed more than others.

Depending on how many....buckets of whatever they had to drink here they had. For now, Arnor was content on drinking out of a simple cup, filled with a sweet, spiced wine. For all his bravado and deadliness, Arnor liked the more 'feminine' things in life. But for a man who had made a living out of killing things and people- he could give a shit what knuckle-headed Bear-people thought about the way he smelled.

 

[Brenna]

It was so frigid outside, even Brenna was beginning to feel it in the tips of her fingers and the end of her nose. She shoved her hands under her armpits as she trudged towards the mead hall the guards had pointed her in the direction was.

It had been days since the family had been told Valthar had returned. Considering everyone in Faarin had thought him dead, it was unsurprising there had an eruption of joy. Questions about the others who had disappeared with him into the Red Mist had been thrown around and the whole place was abuzz with a general sense of celebration. The lost warriors had returned. Brenna herself had been teaching when the news had reached her and she had had to excuse herself. Relief almost made her legs too weak to complete the short journey home to her mother: she hadn't quite realised the weight the worry for her brother had been until it was gone. When she had finally got back to the small dwelling her family called home, it wasn't a happy set of faces she saw at all. Her uncle had been told Valthar had been arrested and taken to the capital to answer for the crime of murder. Brenna was incredulous. Her brother would do no such thing, especially not against one of their own. Despite all her uncle told her, of the knife and the blood and the lack of any other suspects, Brenna didn't believe it. She was disgusted her mother or uncle would even entertain the idea it might be. She had packed her things and left for the capital within the hour: if they wouldn't do anything, she would.

It turned out that doing something meant a lot of waiting around. The guards didn't know what was going on with her brother and they didn't want to. She could respect that, but it didn't mean she didn't want to wring their necks all the same. Days stretched on and still no word. To busy herself she had gone to visit the scholars whom she knew in the city and at least direct her pent up energy somewhere productive, even if it was just helping to stack their shelves or write out notes.

When she had returned that evening to check again, the guards had told her he had been released and had pointed her in the direction of the mead hall. Giddy, she made her own way there. She hadn't seen her older brother since she was 17 and had left on her own Path journey to discover her Svalen. Would he even recognise her? She had been skin and bones and had still looked like a girl. But now she was 21 and wore her skin comfortably as a woman. She jogged the last few streets, her patience wearing thin. She just wanted to know he was ok.

The mead hall was busy. It was times like this that she really noticed the lack of sound. She could see people laughing and joking; people gaming and wrestling. But no sound would ever reach her again. She tugged the door shut and left those thoughts outside in the cold where they belonged. Rubbing at her hands to warm them she stretched onto her toes to scan the room. It really was heaving in there. It was hard to tell where one person stopped and another began. But she would never not know that face or that scent.

Shoving through the crowds, Brenna signed apologies here, ducked under a paw there, and slowly made her way towards her brother. He was facing someone but she had no idea if they were talking for the man's back was to her. However, she couldn't hold her emotions back anymore and decided it was easier to ask for forgiveness after. Valthar seemed to register her a second before she launched herself at him, flinging her arms around his neck. After one long drawn out pause she slowly released him.

Brother, it's been too long. She signed, giving him a rueful smile and cupping his cheek tenderly. Glancing to Gylfi she offered him an embarrassed smile and continued. Apologies if I interrupted something. Brenna hesitated, then glanced to Valthar. If the man didn't know sign language then he would have to translate. Or, maybe he had forgotten. Damn, she was going to have to bring out the notebook again.

 

[Baise]

Valthar stepped away from the accidental bump with Gylfi Runarsson. Another day and perhaps it could have spilled over, but Valthar was not in the mood for a scrap. He sensed the other man was contain the fact that he definitely was. He offered an apologetic nod having barely kept his balance after the shoulder slap.

He had been drinking alone and was quite content with that. Valthar was home after nearly two years making his way back across foreign lands. He felt rather foolish that someone had unconvered a Portal Stone on the continent that could have reduced that travel to weeks. One did not try random symbols at a stone if they wanted to survive.

It was nice to simply absorb the atmosphere. Even if there was an odd scent of lilac on someone. Even if he felt the bite of the cold every time the door was open. He had become too accustomed to the warmth of the south.

"Brenna!" he cried out as she launched her weight against him. With a mug still in one hand he squeezed her tight. Even if she couldn't hear that she would feel the happy sound through him.

Valthar stepped back, grinning. He found a table to set his mug down.

"My sister is sorry, she thought she was interrupting something," he said to Gylfi. He frowned for a moment as he tried to remember a language he hadn't used in over a year.

I just bumped into him. I'm so sorry I didn't know you were here. I would have come but...was held by the...

Valthar couldn't think of the sign and didn't want to point Maude's way. Instead he slowly mouthed the word 'queen'.

 

[Maude]

"Perhaps it is time we commemorate our dear Jorn Helle," Aether the Priest sat to the Queen's right side, having been quietly enjoying his meal and watching the festivities.
"Commemorate?" Maude returned, her own gaze watching the massive figure of Hugi through the crowd as he claimed yet another victory at the table. Amused, she raised her cup to him in solidarity as he bellowed his mighty roar and drank to her brother in arms.
"Her warriors from the Forge were an essential part to your victory against Borvenir," Aether offered.
"That was a collective effort of essential parts. You would raise one pillar and forgo the others?"
"I would raise them all."
"Mm," brow furrowing, lips thinning, Maude turned a thoughtful glance across the faces before her, spying Arnor Skuldsson off to the side practicing his social distancing, to the heretofore unknown face of Magrin Kor, and landed squarely on Valthar and his apparent guest. The Queen's eyes narrowed at the man, taking in the wheaten-haired young woman he spoke to. Maude lifted her free hand to gesture that he bring her forth

 

[Gylfi Runarsson]

Gylfi responded to Valthar’s silent apology by baring his teeth in an unflattering grin. Once again, the young man’s patience was tested as he was shoved aside by the small woman. The mischievous smile was quickly replaced by tight-pressed lips and furrowed brows, though his anger was fleeting as the girl embraced the man.

Her warming smile and Valthar’s apology soothed Gylfi’s rising temper, and the boy dismissed the issue with a wave of his hand.

“Forgiven, friend.” With that, he left the two to their own business and sought a new place to stand. Gylfi passed by when one svalen threw another down, and the young man found himself cheering alongside the others that celebrated the victory.

 

[Brenna]

Brenna gave a relieved sigh when Gylfi said all was forgiven and turned her full attention now to her brother.

Queen? she showed him the sign again with a gentle patience and a small smile. She had so much to tell him, but she was too scared anything signed quick would be missed. Forcing down her frustration she took it slow: Uncle and mother are fine. They told me you were dead when I returned from The Path. Brenna's eyes had always been too easy to read and there was clear pain in them now at remembering such a horrific memory. The thought she had not been there for him, or the city, when it had needed everyone it could get. She wouldn't have been much use but it would have eased the agony of guilt she had felt over the past few years. Then we hear you have returned, but are accused of murder and to be taken to the Queen... Her hands slowly clenched into fists, she didn't need to sign how she felt - it was clear from the tension in her whole body.

She wanted to know what happened.

 

[Baise]

Valthar's shoulders dropped as he was relieved of a weight he had forgotten he had carried. It had been a long journey indeed to drag it with him. The fear that his uncle had been left in those cursed mists and that he wouldn't know.

"I am glad..." Valthar paused, grinned and shook his head.

Out of practise. I am glad to hear it. I will see them soon. Do they know?

Some of them must have thought him lost to the demons. They had dragged him down as the others had fled through the possessed stone. Before he could expand on this he saw Maude waving his way.

Did you ever want to meet the Queen? No choice now.

He turned and bowed his head slightly and dragged his younger sister along after him.

 

[Hugi]

Hugi slapped the bucket down on the table, watching Maude as she eyed the crowd, speaking with Aether before making a motion for someone to come forward. The interest in whoever was being called forward made him move towards Maude, leaving the table open for others to use as he pushed and grunted his way up to the throne area behind Valthar and his sister.

Sniffing them both, he moved around the pair, lazily placing himself just in the corner of both Maude's eye and view of the pair. Just out of sight enough to not be included in the conversation, but enough to defend his sister. Hugi pawed at another pale of liquor, slowly bringing it to himself.

 

[Arnor Skuldsson]

What was there to say? What was there to do? He knew of only one person here, and only the other in passing, Hugi. Though, there were not many who were not familiar with those who aided Maude in becoming what she was now.

And his eyes fell on Maude, lingering on her for a long while, and then to her company, and the pair approaching her. A part of him wanted to join them, but he kept his distance for now. He found himself a chair, settling into it as he watched the festivities unfold.

But there existed a doubt in his mind, a lingering feeling that even in his own home, among his own people, that he didn't belong. So he drank his wine, and leaned forward in the chair, watching the Nordenfiir interact with the same tired look he always wore.

 

[Magrin Kor]

The emptied mug weighed heavily in his hand, he stared into it as though willing the contents to return however Magrin had never been skilled in that kind of magic and so with a grunt he'd concede to reality. As his eyes rose from the void of the mug he'd have seen as one svalen threw another to the floor, watching momentarily as the cheers and shouts of those gathered rose as a crescendo all around.

Rising from the lone stump he'd occupied in the corner he started to move across the hall towards one of the tables where drink flowed freely amidst sounds of revelry. Amongst the Nordenfiir he was shorter than many, though his body was still noticeably thick and muscular beneath the cloak which hung from his shoulders. Unlike the others he also had never found his svalen, instead he'd been afflicted rather gifted with something else.

As he passed through the crowds he'd have pressed his free hand to the back of one man so that he could push around him..."Pardon. Passing through."...was said to Gylfi Runarsson as Magrin made to go around behind him. The gray haired man turned his head and looked as he went, tilting his head just so that he could see to the head of the man; he was a tall one one standing well above Magrin.

 

[Brenna]

Brenna's eyebrows pulled together and she went to ask what he meant - did he want to know if they knew whether he was alive or whether he was out of prison? - but just as she raised her hands he asked her about meeting the Queen. The girl was quick to shake her head firmly in a negative. She had absolutely no desire to meet the woman who had just kept her brother holed up for the past few days, but it didn't look like she was going to get a choice in the matter. Brenna looked at him in dismay as he grabbed her hand and began to drag her through the crowds.

When they stopped in front of the imposing figure the queen cut she followed her brothers example of giving a short bow and threw him a look that said plainly she was going to get him back for this sudden change of events. She clasped her hands in front of her in attempt to hide her discomfort, which was only heightened when Hugi moved past them after giving them a good sniff, committing their scents to memory.

 

[Maude]

Maude watched Valthar bring the young woman forward through the crowd, the pair of them bending to bow in greeting as they arrived at the far end of her table. A red brow lofted at Hugi who'd snuck in as much as a man his size could to get a sniff and stand off to the side. Were she feeling particularly motivated she might've done similar, but she had a full plate of steaming food and a fresh horn of ale. Maude was invested in remaining in her seat for the next foreseeable hour.

"I like to think I know most faces in the capital," she began, measuring the young blond's stature from where she sat with a probing gaze of green. Did she detect a hint of family resemblance? Might've smelled it if she'd gotten closer, but the hall was filled with a great many smells and she'd much rather focus on her meal.

"Who do you have here, Valthar?"

 

[Baise]

Valthar's gaze shifted towards Hugi and then back to the Queen. So far he was not particularly impressed with those that she kept council with. Even against such a mountain of a man he would be quick to shield his sister.

Though she had been born with far more martial prowess than him. Only the accident had held her back from from following in their father's footsteps. Meanwhile he had always seemed destined for a simple life and been thrown into a world of chaos.

"This is my sister, Brenna, my queen," Valthar called back over the din of the hall. His hands worked the signs away from his chest, where Brenna could see. Side on, she would not be able to read his lips. "She is deaf. And I have not seen her since the demons came."

 

[Hugi]

Hugi was quiet now, listening intently as he managed to slowly devour the bucket of golden deliciousness. Oblivious to the discomfort he had caused in some, and the small harrumph from him to Maude was all the more he had spoken while sniffing the pair.

 

[Brenna]

Brenna moved her eyes along the crowd of people sat with the Queen and slightly adjusted her position so she would be able to see most of them talking, if they did speak. It did mean she couldn't see her brothers face at all and she was grateful he signed his part of the conversation for her. She could feel rather than see the slight tension in him though; so he wasn't entirely sure why they had been called over either.

Apologies, for any intrusion. I came to the city when I had heard he had been arrested a few days ago. Her brother might have been able to pick on the thin lace of anger that threaded her words, but he had been gone for so long perhaps even he had forgotten the subtle nuances of the signs. Again, a hesitation as she realised Maude might not even be able to speak in such a way; she had grown too use to her community and their widespread ability to speak it. The tension in her jaw was the only hint of irritation at the barrier for she had a long stream of questions and grievances, number one being - how dare you lock my brother up after all the trials he's been through - quickly followed by - Did your guards honestly not tell you someone was here looking for your prisoner? - and it was going to take a while to get through them with no form of communication.

After a moments hesitation she reached into her pocket and pulled out a notebook with a half crooked smile of apology - if she couldn't read the signs Bre was happy to write, the gesture indicated.

 

[Maude]

Maude's gaze shifted from Valthar to the young woman, watching the movement of her hands. Narrowed eyes peered at her for several brief moments when she appeared to have finished, an obvious movement of cogs behind those vibrant greens. It had been some time since Maude had seen the use of Sign in Fiirevik, but the dust was easy enough to brush off after some practice to jar the memory.

[Welcome to Nordengaard,] the Queen began, hands cutting slow signs back to her over the table.

Another beat and the woman offered an earnest smile, "I'm a bit rusty," she admitted, "and do not recognize some of your signs."

She looked back to Valthar, expression leavening somewhat, "All Rangers are taught sign in Fiirevik, but nothing that, mm," she considered Brenna for a moment, "complex."

Aether leaned forward where he sat and nodded a hello to Brenna, "I understand you have been helping Priest Rigan to extend the lexicon. Very good, very good work. May I overstep my right and ask them to join us, Dott'rhi?"

"Why not," Maude gestured to the open seats at the table across from her, "have a seat, both of you. Hugi, you too. Stop looming in the corner of my sight." The Queen smirked and gestured to an attendant to bring more plates, horns, and food before turning her attention back to Brenna, "Not the best circumstances to be visiting the capital for - I am sure you must be glad to find your brother free of his chains."

No, apparently none had told the Queen that someone had been asking after the prisoner. The Queen had not been in the Capital at the time of his arrest nor for the duration of his first few days in the keep.

 

[Baise]

Let's sit and eat, yes?

Valthar signed towards his sister. The movements were slow, it had been too long since he had used them. They felt awkward, like trying to wrap your mouth around a word you had not used before.

He knew his sister's temper, but he also knew that there were plenty sitting around the Queen with their own foul moods. They might take offence and then Valthar would take offence and then there would be fighting.

He was tired of fighting. Even the kind that ended in drinking and singing.

 

[Hugi]

The large bear feigned insult, a claw pointing to himself before the equivalent of a smirk appeared and he ambled to the most open side of the table, slowly scooting the drink along with him. The bucket scraped here and there, and while he could easily maneuver on three limbs, he was feeling lazy and particularly troublesome today. It was hard for him to get drunk in the first place and his continued drinking was a warm-up for his attempt.

He caught the signing being made back and forth, head tilting a bit at the show before listening to Aether speak about the priest and the girl adding to the lexicon. Which made the bear's ears perk up. He still was slow to read, taking almost double the time of any decent reader, but he still enjoyed doing his best. Some of the stories were pretty interesting after all, and while the verbal tales were easy to listen to, there was something lost when you didn't read it. He looked at his paws, looking back to everyone that could sign and then to Maude with a curious look in his eyes.

The silent question of what it was they were speaking in his eyes.

 

[Brenna]

Brenna's eyes moved quickly, as she went from reading the Queens lips, to Aether's, and back to the Queen. An offer to sit at her table was a high honour and so many people were suddenly moving as she asked for more drink and food. It was slightly overwhelming and her temper was still simmering which made the whole situation even more bewildering. Valthar cut through the thoughts and feelings with such a simple question. There was a slight plea to the question of sitting and eating, she could read the tiredness in the slump of his shoulders and his eyes. The fight went out of her in a heartbeat; she had come here for her brothers welfare and what he needed most right now was peace.

In the moment of activity as plates were set she groped in her pocket and then took her brothers hand to gave it a gentle squeeze, slipping the small whittled boat into his large hands in the same movement. It was similar to the things she had given him when they were small but with a little more skill than she had possessed as a child; a miniature copy of his boat. She hoped the little reminder of home would help him get through an evening of socialising. It was also her silent way of saying she would be on her best behaviour.

Brenna took the seat opposite Aether and gifted him with a genuine smile; he had known about the work she had been doing. Before she could ask if he spoke Signs, the slight movement of his eyes alerted her to the fact the Queen was about to speak again. Mindful now that she would be more familiar with the basic sign language of the Rangers she stripped back her movements to the basics.

We are just glad he is home. He has been missed.