Private Tales Falling Snow..

[Ivar]

Ivar found a pair of eyes staring up at him from the water.

One time, while in Alliria, he had heard stories of large lizards in the water that lurked and showed only their nose and eyes. This sort of reminded him of such a thing. Willa though was no lizard, and the way she looked at him was a combination of fear and...perhaps confusion.

"Ah, sorry." He said, immediately turning around on the bank. "I wasn't sure..."

Lips thinned, his head shook. "Wasn't sure if You'd decided to part ways after all."

Suddenly he realized something.

"Oh." He had little manners, but a few. The cloak swept off his shoulders, and he held it backward so she could fold herself into it.

 

[Willa]

A slender brow arched curiously as he turned away from her, and she couldn't help but smile even just a little as he'd thought she'd left and had come looking for her. He really couldn't ever know just how much she appreciated his acts of kindness, both large and small. He presented another as he held his cloak out to her, and the shivering woman hobbled and sloshed out of the water toward him, the cold air biting at her stinging sting and making it that bit more pink.

She wrapped the cloak around her and sighed as she shivered, savouring the warmth he'd left in it. She crouched to pick up her clothes and limped past him, turning to offer a small smile and carrying on back to their little camp, hoping there were still embers in the pit.

 

[Ivar]

He wondered if Willa would ever actually be able to regain her voice. Ivar was no doctor, furthest thing from it really. The Barbarian knew how to take people apart, did not at all know how to put them back together.

A frown tugged at his lips, but he quickly followed after her back to their little campsite.

Once he reached it the Barbarian immediately set about rebuilding the fire. He was not entirely sure why she had chosen to bathe in a frozen river, but the question was not posed as he stoked the flames and brought a little more warmth to the morning. "We'll find a main road today."

He told her with a quick glance.

"Follow it to the nearest village and then ask for a doctor." Sell the pelts while they were at it and buy a knife.

After that? Well, he hadn't quite figured it out yet.

 

[Willa]

She knelt by the fire as he stoked the flames, carefully wringing out her hair and making sure to keep her naked skin covered under the cloak. She looked up at him and nodded slowly in agreement. The thought of walking far wasn't a pleasant one, she hoped the nearest village was close by.

Willa wasn't particularly fond of healers, she hated being studied, she'd had people look at her like she was some sort of monster because she was born with gifts that people couldn't explain. But, she did need help and perhaps they'd be able to fix her voice, or at least give her something for a more peaceful sleep..

She wasn't sure what would happen after that, but she didn't intend on being a burden to Ivar past that point. She'd stay back, find some sort of work perhaps..Start a new life if she deemed it worth living.

Willa slipped her dress over her head and awkwardly dressed whilst trying to keep covered. It was less about bashfulness and more about not having his attention drawn to the wounds and bruises she'd been left with, but it wasn't exactly an easy process.

 

[Ivar]

Not noticing the bruises was difficult. His eyes flickered slightly over her marred flesh, but he decided to say nothing.

The words wouldn't have helped either of them in the moment, something he knew well enough for himself. Fingers tightened on the stick he held in his hand, and he pointedly turned his attention towards the fire and away from Willa herself. Better to pay attention to something he could actually help.

A healer would do better for her than he ever could.

"Eat the remaining rabbit." He told her off handedly as she slipped on the rest of her dress. "I'll go hunting again tonight but there's no guarantees."

There never were any in the woods, and he was pretty sure they wouldn't be able to afford a meal at a Tavern.

Unless they bartered something else somehow.

 

[Willa]

Willa had gone days without eating, she was sure she could last one night, and she still felt reasonably well nourished after eating the entire rabbit the night before. She looked over her shoulder at him and shook her head with a soft smile before gesturing toward him. 'You have it.' she nodded insistently.

She pulled the fur back around her and combed her fingers through her damp hair in front of the fire for a while to dry it off, letting the heat work it's way back into her muscles before she quirked a brow at him in question, a tilt of her head given as though to gesture that she was ready to go if he was.

 

[Ivar]

Ivar decided that it was best not to argue the point of who should eat what and decided just to finish off the rabbit. Both carcasses were then buried, and when Willa indicated that she was fine to set off the Barbarian pulled himself up to his feet and stretched.

The sun was beginning to rise as they set off, creating over the trees finally and illuminating the black towers of Kyslith two or three miles behind them.

Ivar could still see the tallest one sitting in the distance as he looked back, a small prayer to the white wolf muttered as he shifted and looked away from it. Fingers clenched slightly, and he felt as though an odd weight were left from his shoulders the further and further they moved away from the dark city.

Eventually they found a road.

"What do you think?" Ivar said as he looked both ways along the compacted dirt. Both sides of the road appeared equally worn, tread and wheel marks going both ways. "East or west?"

Ivar asked, pointing each direction in turn.

 

[Willa]

Willa didn't look back at the towers. She hoped never to see the place again as long as she lived. Walking was still painful, but the meal the previous evening had at least given her something to go on. She'd managed to stop shivering too.

She bit down on her lip as he posed the question of which way, her shoulders shrugging as she looked off down the road in both directions, her gaze narrowed as she tried to see some signs of a town or village. She turned to look behind them at the river, her eyes following it as it curved to the left. She looked at him, and pointed along the road that would no doubt meet back with the river a little way along.

 

[Ivar]

East it was.

Ivar was not entirely sure about the region they were in. He had come to Kyslith on a ship, though when he'd been there the Captain had allowed him to glimpse a map. He was fairly sure that if they headed far enough east they would find Elbion, but that wasn't much of an option.

Cities were expensive. "Lets go that way then."

He told her, deciding there and then that if Willa couldn't speak he would be the one to say things for the both of them. It was a way to keep himself sane more than anything, something he had always done.

A habit picked up from his father.

"I never minded walking." He said out loud, musing more to himself than Willa even. "Not sure if you left Kjos much, but it was always nice to walk in the Tundra. The crunch of the snow, the silence."

Ivar smiled, an almost uncharacteristic expression from the man that a day ago had torn apart other human beings.

 

[Willa]

Willa limped along side him, trying her best to keep up but the tired aches in her legs were no secret as she grimaced a little with each step. She looked up from the dimpled path as he spoke, seeing the smile on his face as he spoke of home.

It was difficult for her to smile at anything, but her eyes creased slightly with a warm expression and she nodded at him. She loved walking in the snow, and she remembered the calm silence of snowfall fondly. A deep sigh escaped her, and she smiled sadly as she remembered simpler times. She doubted she'd ever see a place more beautiful than the Tundra.

Up ahead the road curved toward the river, and above the forest of trees there were a few plumes of smoke, from chimneys perhaps? She reached to tap on his arm and pointed. She'd have smiled at her relief of it if she knew anything about it. It might have been a place just as horrible or worse than Kislyth, but she doubted it.

 

[Ivar]

Fire meant people, and multiple fires meant a village, at least with smoke like that.

If the place was being burnt to the ground there was no doubt in his mind they would have seen it an hour or so ago. A breath filled his lungs, and he shifted the two hare hides on his back with a glance towards Willa.

"No idea what this place is." Ivar told Willa, shrugging his shoulders. "But a Village is a village."

As long as they didn't try to kill them.

It took them another thirty minutes to find the edge of the village, and thankfully it was about as ordinary as Ivar could have hoped for. There was a small town square, a few buildings, smithie, and what he thought might have been a tannery. "Inn first, I think. Get some rumors."

He told her softly.

 

[Willa]

By the time they'd reached the village, she was even more unsteady on her feet and her skin had paled with the growing pain. Once or twice she'd felt on the verge of collapsing but only just managed to carry on. She envisioned falling into a comfortable armchair by a hearth, imagined a delightful little old woman who'd heal her leg with salves and give her a herbal tea and some cake. Anything to get her through the last bit of the journey.

Now that she stood looking at the village however, she realised how anxious she was, and a sudden wave of panic crashed over her and caused her pulse to pitch. It looked normal enough, cosy and quaint even, but she didn't know these people or what sort of people they were. She limped up to Ivar's side and reached to grip on to his elbow. She didn't really know him either, but what she knew of him was that he'd rather help than hurt her and he seemed a good man, and that was enough. She'd stick to his side, holding onto him like a child would a comfort blanket, and she nodded and followed to the square, and into the inn.

 

[Ivar]

Ivar looked down at Willa for a moment, eyes shifting over her in confusion. No word escaped him, and he decided not to question as she practically squished herself against him.

He could practically smell the fear and anxiety that fled from her, as though monsters were hunting her around every corner. It reminded him of a lost fox cub wandering the Tundra, it's head jerking left to right at every little sound. His father had always said it was a mercy to take them, that their fate would be at the hands of a Frost Troll or some other malevolent creature lurking.

The barbarian didn't say anything as they headed towards the dilapidated Inn.

He pushed the door open, a breath of warm air and the scent of stale ale flowing over them as they stepped Inside.

"Hail strangers! Don't often get new faces in here. Can I interest you in a room? Ale? Glühwein?"

Ivar blinked at the Innkeepers overtly friendly toned, startled that someone so close by Kyslith would be helpful in the least. He frowned a moment, then shook his head in answer. "Unfortunately no, were rather short on coin. Looking for someone to sell these pelts to, maybe get a job for a day or two."

The Innkeep frowned a moment, then nodded.

"Well I'd say old Tom would buy the pelts for a few coppers. As for work...picking is pretty slim 'round here, but lad like you might be able to find work in the logging camps up north. They pay well and even offer family housing."

The man said with a gesture towards Willa, obviously assuming the two were married.

 

[Willa]

It was new for her to feel as timorous as she did, but then before now she never had much reason to. Before now she hadn’t realised how cruel a place the world could be. The warm air and the friendly lilt of the inkeep’s tone done everything to ease her tension, and she loosened her vicelike grip on Ivar’s arm a little. She wouldn’t let go yet, mainly for fear of falling over if she did.

Her lips curled slightly and she offered the man the smallest of tired smiles, but it reached her eyes at least. As he gestured to her, Willa looked up at Ivar and her brow quirked, her expression showing some semblance of amusement at the assumption.

 

[Ivar]

"Might just have to do that." Ivar said, wondering just what time in a logging camp would actually look like.

The Tundra did not have many forests, at least not near Kjos. He had seen a few in the south, but the great pines there were not to be disturbed. There were old things in the forest, things that only a fool would wish to rouse.

In the South it was different, at least from what he had seen, and that sort of work wouldn't be too bad. At least not for a little while. "Mind if we sit for a while, she has an injury of her leg."

The Innkeeper gestured.

"Be my guest, there's a healer in town...though Vras is a rather surly fellow. Might take a look without coin if you offer a favor in return."

Ivar frowned, but nodded.

Not entirely sure what sort of favor he could offer, the Barbarian lead Willa over towards one of the benches in the corner of the Inn.

 

[Willa]

Her brow furrowed and she chewed idly on her lip at the man’s comments about the healer , her grip tightening a little more on Ivar’s arm. She’d have been more comfortable had it been a woman, but she couldn’t exactly be choosy. She allowed Ivar to lead her to a bench and sat down with a grimace and a soft sigh of relief before letting him go.

She reached to take a gentle hold of his forearm and shook her head at him and tapped on her own chest. It was her favour to owe, they were her wounds to heal, and she didn't want him taking responsibility for her and allowing her to be any more of a burden than she'd already been. He'd done enough by getting her here in the first place. She'd have insisted that he go if she wasn't so afraid of being left here on her own.

Her brows rose suddenly at an epiphany and she slipped his cloak off of her shoulders to reach for the silver clasp of her own. She pulled hard at it until the threads that held it on snapped, and she held out the large, crescent moon clasp to him. It was all she had, but it was solid silver and should no doubt count toward some food and board until she could walk again.

 

[Ivar]

He blinked, not quite expecting Willa to hand over the necklace. Not having even really noticed that she had it.

The silver would likely let them stay here for a week, probably even more. Might get them a Knife and be enough to pay for a Doctor. Silver went a long way, not quite as far as gold, but if it was pure it would be more than enough.

"Are you sure?" He asked.

The necklace had to be sentimental, but then perhaps she didn't really care much about that at this point. Sleeping outside for a night or two was all well and good, but her injuries were serious and they didn't have the supplies for camping.

They didn't really have much of a choice, he supposed, but he would still leave the decision up to her.

 

[Willa]

It wasn't that it was sentimental, but it was the only thing that she had which bore her family's sigil on it, that proved she had birthright to her home, but she didn't intend on returning to Kjos, and surviving seemed more important. She reached to take his hand and press the trinket into his palm with a definitive nod. Honestly, she didn't know how valuable it was and how far it would get them, but it would surely afford them some shelter and food.

 

[Ivar]

"Alright." He told her softly.

Feeling the weight, the cool touch of metal, Ivar was able to guess just how much coin they would be able to get from the Trinket. It was much more than the rabbit pelts would have given them, something he was glad for at the very least.

He took a breath.

"I'll get us a room, some food tonight." Ivar said as he pocketed the trinket. "Maybe some supplies too so we can head south."

The Barbarian glanced at her. "Once you're healed up."

That was the most important thing right now.

 

[Willa]

Willa's lips twitched as he mentioned heading south. She didn't have the energy to insist that he leave her behind. She'd find somewhere to live, perhaps here, until she had enough coin to get to Elbion. She planned on finishing the journey she'd almost completed with Rob and Rand and refused to let their deaths count for nothing. Ivar had already done so much for her in the little time he'd known her, she wasn't his responsibility, but she appreciated his kindness. She hoped she'd be able to speak again before they parted ways, so that she could tell him that.

She sighed softly and gave him the warmest smile that she could as she nodded in agreement anyway. The place was quiet, but warm and welcoming thus far, she could feel the warmth slowly start to thaw her frigid muscles and her tension was easing a little. The Innkeep called over a young lad named 'Coop' and instructed him to go and find Vras, the healer and bring him here. Willa gnawed on the inside of her cheek, and her attention fell to the hearth as she waited..

 

[Ivar]

It didn't take long for Ivar to negotiate everything else.

He found where they could get the Silver traded in for some local coin, spoke with the innkeeper in regards to a meal, and even managed to finagle a contract for some hunting. If he and Willa were going to stay here for a few days, The Barbarian figured he could at least be useful.

The deal was simple; If he could snatch a deer they would get a room for free for each night he brought the kill back. If he caught three, he could keep the bow.

It was a fair enough bargain, and Ivar accepted it gladly. It reminded him of how things were doing back home.

By the time everything was said and done Ivar and Willa found themselves in a modest room. There was a wash basin, two beds, and a small nightstand carved out of some sort of dark wood along with a fireplace in the corner. There was a knock on the door, and Ivar stepped over to it. "Yeah?"

He called out.

"I'm the healer, open the damn door."​

A gruff face answered him.

 

[Willa]

Willa was staring at the bed when the door knocked and she near jumped out of her skin. She wasn't sure if she had always been this jumpy, but she doubted it. Her brow furrowed at the man's voice behind the door..He didn't exactly sound the friendliest of sorts, and Willa looked to Ivar uncertainly before giving a light nod.

The grisly man stepped in amidst a puff of pipe smoke and he ran his fingers through his floppy hair as though he was pressed for time and constantly harassed. She couldn't see how, the place seemed quiet enough, but she supposed some people were just...stressed. He stormed his way into the room and threw a case onto the bed before turning to Willa, his hands on his hips.

"Well?" he asked, his eyes looking over her bruised face and he cast a wordless glance to Ivar. Willa followed his glance and shook her head, but the man only huffed and grew even more irritable. "I ent got all day lass, spit it out."

Willa frowned and answered by limping to the bed, and sitting down. She looked at the man nervously, and as he reached for the skirt of her dress, Willa's hand shot out to catch hold of his wrist in panic. His eyes snapped up at her and he seemed about to get angry but his expression paused for a moment as he looked at her.

"Forgive me, lass. Please." he gestured to her and she let go of him and let out a breath she hadn't realised she'd been holding before lifting the skirt to her thigh to let him look at the wound.

 

[Ivar]

Ivar wasn't really sure what he was supposed to do.

Should he leave the room? Should he stay? His lips thinned for a brief moment and he decided simply that he would just stay in the room but not look at anything that was going on. It was probably not the most mature option, but it was the one that he decided to take.

His body shifted slightly and he looked at the fireplace.

It was an ordinary fireplace, really rather boring. There was stone, brick, and of course logs that crackled away and added some heat. Back home the pits were usually in the center of the building, built in such a way that the smoke lifted to a small hole in the roof.

The southerners instead seemed obsessed with chimney's. Ivar didn't really understand it, but had never asked about it either.

A breath filled him, and he realized how ludicrous this entire thing was.

Twelve months ago he had been in the blightlands marching with an army of Orcs, now he was standing in front of a fireplace pointedly not looking at a woman he had saved from...well, he still wasn't entirely sure from what.

How did he end up here?

 

[Willa]

"Stab wound hm?..." Vras asked rhetorically as he unstoppered a small bottle of clear liquid and poured it over the wound. Willa squirmed and made a strangled sound of pain, trying to pull herself back but the man placed a firm hand on her knee and she looked away, eyes tearing up. She frowned as she looked up at Ivar, glad he'd chosen to stay. She felt more comfortable with him there.

Her eyes closed as Vras studied the wound, prodding around it with metal instruments before nodding in conclusion. "The blade has missed the bone, should be fine to sew up. You'll need a few days off of your feet to let the healing start, you've already done more damage to it than you should have." he muttered and threaded a needle to start closing off the wound. When done he applied a paste, and wrapped it in fresh bandages, leaving some spare. "Re-dress it in two days." he told her and went to stand. Willa's hand reached out to stop him again.

She moved the collar of her dress and tilted her head up, tapping on her bruised throat and mouthing 'My voice..' to him. He frowned and grumbled to himself as he sat on the bed next to her to take a look. "Someone done a number on you, eh?.." he huffed, casting another look to Ivar, obviously assuming he'd beaten her.

He instructed Willa to open her mouth and he peered down her throat as he pressed around at it.. "Fraid there's nothin' I can do bout that, lass.. May heal, may not..Only time will tell." he answered, and his hand lifted to touch at the bruises on her face with a look of scrutiny.

"If there's nothin' else, I'll be takin' my payment now." he cleared his throat and looked between them both expectantly.

 

[Ivar]

Ivar turned on his heel. "Right."

He frowned for a moment, deciding that it was probably best to be honest with the man. He seemed...well he seemed less cut out for dancing around a conversation than most of the Southrons did. Best to just get to the point.

"We have little Copper, fewer silver." He hadn't gotten to the general good store to trade in the clasp yet, and in truth he would rather have less time and more silver. "But The Innkeep you might be amenable to trading for a favor?"

The Healer let out a sigh.

"Swear to fuck I'll never make any money with that man around."​

Ivar shrugged his shoulders, the Healer looking at Willa for a moment before he regarded Ivar. His eyes looked him up and down, clearly studying his warmth.

"You do this to her?"​

The Barbarian looked taken aback. "What? No. I saved her."

There was an instant edge to his tone, a sharp anger that could only be brought from incredulity. The Healer looked at him, then glanced at Willa for confirmation.