Finding a home. (Open to all Valkyri)

[Garza]

Courscant
Music: Far Away From Home - Five finger death punch

I sat in a chair next to my mother. She was aging and I knew that her time was coming soon. I had her hand in mine as I was visiting her. it was the first time I had came to Courscant in three months. Her skin was pale with age and I could see the scars that were on her hands when she was taken by the sith. I still remember to this day about how I had worked my way up the Sith empire to gain a favor of Ashin Varanin. she returned my mother soon after she came into power and allowed me to leave and stay alive. Since then, I have tried to help my mother's mind recuperate from her over a decade of torture.

She looked at me and smiled, "Do you remember when your father and I took you to the park on Korriban? How you just loved the swings?" I smiled and chuckled remembering one of the good times of my childhood. "Yes, I remember it fairly well. How you would always laugh at my childish laugh?" she squeezed my hand with a smile nodding her head. we were silent for a time when she gave a serious tone in her voice to me. "Darren, I have to talk to you before... well my passing." I shook my head looking at her in slight disapproval. "I already told you, I don't think we should talk about your will." She smiled leaning over to place her hand on my cheek. "No you silly boy! I mean to tell you about who I am."

I looked at her in confusion, placing my hand on hers. "What do you mean..... who you are?"

She smiled and kissed my forehead. she then started to get up, Quickly I got up myself and made myself as a prop for her to hang on. she nodded her thanks and led the both of us into the back room. Opening the door, she pointed to the spare bed. "Lift the bed and tear open the bottom will you?" I moved her to sit down in the chair and moved to the bed. With strength that was inhuman to most, I lifted up the mattress and flipped it over. Pulling a simple pocket knife I cut open the bottom. and laced within the bed frame was padding surrounding a long thin box about a meter by 40 cms. pulling it out, I handed it to my mother.

"This was part of my past life. and when you see it, you may know what it is, but I want you to promise me, that you will follow your heart." Kneeling down, I nodded my head. And without a second more, she opened the locks and pulling the lid open, revealed a rolled up set of fur clothing, wrapped around a bow and quiver, as well as a sword, a Claymore style blade. The size for a female. I then looked at her in awe and she smiled at me. Pulling out each item she handed them to me.

"These items were of my people when I was young. I young lass then. A Shieldmaiden of my Sisters." I looked at her in confusion, deciding to voice my question, "I have heard of many a peoples. But never of what you speak of?" She smiled at me, and then pulled out a necklace. it was a simple red crystal, and inside was a symbol that I have never seen before.

"My people were called the Valkyri, and Darren, You must go to find your true name."

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​

It was three days later since I had spoken to my mother. During that time, I had searched everything on these "Valkyri" There was literally a single paragraph on who they possibly where.

"A race of people who were mythed to be of a very much warrior society. Primitive in weapon styles and fighting forms, There have only been a few sightings of these people in the Tingle Arm of the Galaxy. An idea of where they are said to be on the edge of space."

I shook my head. meaning that I had to dig deeper. Taking many different images of Holomaps and layering them to show the "sightings" and the possible planets in that region that were rather cold, and could still be warm enough to sustain life. Three planets made that category. And one only had the "sighting"

Midvinter...

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Sitting in my ship above orbit of the planet that was as frozen as Hoth. Already I had made the connections in my life.

1. My father hid on Hoth to escape from the Sith
2. Father was an Echani who traveled alot, and remember a story of him landing on planets that were not known.
3. Mother was used to the cold and rather liked it.
4. Furs in the chest that she had me examined
5. and finally, my father wanted us to be somewhat close to her home while still in the sith as a backup plan. Korriban.

I shook my head as I made these connections and looking at the necklace that was now around my neck. I brought my YT-1300 down past the orbit of the planet and into the atmosphere, where I would encounter the unknown to find my second line of heritage.

 

[Not Ordo]

[member="Darren Shaw"]

'CHING CHING CHING CHING. SHOOSHHHHH'

The sound of hammer on steel rang out like music along the frozen landscape near his small stone home. The thatched roof was newly mended and the large wooden door sat closed against the elements. The large hammer with wooden handle sat firmly in the large hand of a the man. His arms were bare even in the cold air and his body was covered with a loose pale tunic. The wide leather girdle about his waist held many tools of his trade. With the handmade tongs in his left hand he lifted what would soon be a new axe from the wooden barrel of brine water and checked it with hard grey-green eyes. With care he placed it back in the coals to be heated again and then folded and hammered again to the shape desired.

He looked up as he took the handle of his bellows and saw as the disc shaped vessel broke the clouds and lowered heavy struts. He watched it until it lowered beneath the tops of the snow covered evergreens. He didn't tell anyone but he had left Midvinter before and he knew well the habits of some of the denizens of the greater galaxy. They were not all pleasant to say the least but there were also some very good kinds as well.

He walked to his home and opened the heavy door disappearing into the dark within. Moments later he came out wearing his leather and iron armor and many skins. His helm on his head and his great axe in hand he walked to his horse. With a nimble step of a man used to heavy armor he mounted and began trotting toward the ship.

No less than 45 minutes later he broke the tree line and looked upon the vessel. With care he drew back the reigns and then strated forward at a slower pace. Caution was his aim. There was no need to cause alarm.

 

[Coci Heavenshield]

[member="Darren Shaw"] | [member="Buliwyf Jarhulda"]​

​

One leathered foot is placed softly on the nettled floor of the forest. She distributes her weight slowly and evenly as she moves forward, it is not until then will she move her back foot forward in the same slow deliberate manner in order to make no sound, her fluid hips controlling the motion as they sway. Her arms raised up away from her body so not to cause noise by the cloth rubbing and her bow is in position in her line if sight. An arrow rests on the knuckle of her fingers gripping the bow her index finger hooked to gently hold the arrow against the bow. Aerin's right arm pulls back on the bow string, the arrow lock in the nocking point, the prey is still unaware of her presence snuffling in the ground with it flattened nose, a big boar tusked and dangerous.

She is in range for the kill shot, the bow string tightens .. her fingers straining to hold. When suddenly the boar raises it thick muddy head, ears twitch and in a flash he is gone. Seconds later the roar of a flying metal box cuts the tranquility of the forest. She curses at the loss of her quarry.

Aerin releases the arrow and places it back over her shoulder and into the quiver. There is a stern look on her face and she begins to move in the direction of the landing ship. She runs at a steady pace until she reaching the edge of the forest. She can see the ship in the middle of a large clearing but she is not the only one to have witnessed this, breaking from the forest curtain is a armoured man on horse back. Aerin waits within the line of trees hidden behind one of the many thick wooded pines.

 

[Kassandra Distorith]

[member="Darren Shaw"] | [member="Buliwyf Jarhulda"] | [member="Ærin Firebrand"]​

She really wasn't supposed to be there.

But she found it hard to stay away. Very hard. In spite of her exile from her clan and the sentence that hung over her head were she ever to return.

She could not stay away from Midvinter.

Bryndís breathed deeply of the cold, crisp air and exhaled slowly. Far from the holdings of Clan Völsung, there was little chance anyone would recognize her here. Even if they had...news such as that of her exile would have traveled slowly if at all. It would, after all, brought shame to the Chieftain. Which she thought he deserved, and not only for his treatment of her. Her family...they did not deserve thought for the way they callously spent her.

But it did not matter right then. She was at home in the deep forest of her homeworld, relishing the cold air and the quiet peace. She knelt in a tiny clearing of fallen trees, gloveless hands cupped together as her lips shaped a silent prayer to Teign. Between her fingers a sphere of shimmering blue and white swirled in place. As if it were a tiny storm in the making, the very seed to plant if one wanted to grow a blizzard. Instead, it rose slowly and moved to hover over a tree stump some few feet away, beginning to spin faster as a pillar of solid ice formed beneath it.

Keeping her concentration in spite of the ship flying in low overhead, she continued what she was doing until the pillar was about two feet tall and almost eight inches in diameter. With a sigh, she 'let go' of the sphere and watched it disappear, before turning her attention to the flawless ice. Cheeks flushed with the exertion of using her gift, she looked up as she heard the ship landing nearby and sighed. Her sculpture would have to wait, Bryn mused, checking the sword at her waist as she rose to her feet and padded softly through the trees.

Her hands tingled as energy lingered in her fingertips, her gift still at the ready. Pale blue eyes watched a Valkyr on horseback approach the ship, as she waited just within the trees.

 

[Garza]

Pulling my ship around, I could see in the distance some huts and homes of people that lived further out than what I would have expected. If I was considered an "Alien" to them, they may attack with whatever they had. However, I didn't see any defense systems. And that showed me that either no one was here and these huts were long ruins of those who were once here, or they did not have superior technology that the rest of the Galaxy had. I soon found an open grove within the trees, and landed down. It was flat and easy to land on. With hisses from the ship in return, it landed with a thunderous clash and hissing.

I did not know what laid ahead of me. and I must prepare for the worst. But not so much as to confirm that I was not from around here.

I did not have my Dark rune armor, as it was a collection of Sith Alchemy and even non force users around would feel their spines tingle and shake. I did not want a fear factor. and as such, I decided to wear my Sith Stalker armor. I reached into the small armory that was in the YT-1300, pulling out a Sith sword that I had owned since I was a Dark Jedi Knight. Sheathing the weapon over my back, I attached my twin red lightsabers, as well as my twin white ones. However, they were hidden should the natives search me.

Grabbing a fur coat, I wrapped it around my form and turned around as my ship beeped. Alerting me that people were already near.

I was not alone. I grabbed my helm and pulled it over my head. As a sith, Word of me could get around, as I said, I didn't want to take chances. I turned to leave the ship. Opening the ramp with a wave of my hand. it hissed as the cold air rushed in and the snow was kicked up onto the durasteel ramp. Already from the sight I had, I could see a man on horse back. he clearly had weapons and was a warrior of some kind. He was able bodied, but so was I.

I could feel the breath of life from what seemed to be two others, but as to where they were, I only could tell that they were near here.

Walking down the ramp, my boots rang out with metal against metal. I raised my hands to show that I was not going to hurt anyone. and in Galactic basic, I spoke out loud, "I come to this planet in search for people of life, not of Death. I merely wish to talk and to sit." I let my hands fall down, watching and waiting for their responses.

| [member="Bryndís Silvertide"] |[member="Ærin Firebrand"] | [member="Buliwyf Jarhulda"] |

 

[Not Ordo]

[member="Ærin Firebrand"] [member="Bryndís Silvertide"] [member="Darren Shaw"]

...he sat on his grey and white spotted mare with his great axe in hand. The offworlder was big even for Midvinter men and Buliwyf could feel the energies swirling. He could also feel the signatures of the two women in the distance. Buliwyf had come to the desolate mountains to avoid this but it seemed he was at the mercy of a higher power. He nodded to the man and his request to sit and talk. That was someth8ng he could accommodate and it meant getting out of the open.

"Lock yourn wessel traveler." He said in his slow deliberate accent, "Und find sanctuary in mine home. Tis thar ve can sit und speak."

He slowly pulled the reigns of his horse to the side and looked at the tree line where the woman was hidden so well he could barely see her and then cast his eyes toward the other. They were safe in this area away from those who may call them witches or exiles. He held his axe over his head as the other man presumably move to make ready and then pointed toward his small stone house in the midst of the trees. With luck they would understand he was going that way and they could come.

"Ein am ready to show you ze vway vhen you are ready to folllow skyman."

 

[Coci Heavenshield]

[member="Buliwyf Jarhulda"] | [member="Darren Shaw"] | [member="Bryndís Silvertide"]​

​

Aerin's shoulder shuddered slightly as a chill ran up the back of her spine as if someone's fingers caressed the length of it. This happened mostly when she was about to have one of her visions or something was about to happen she could not account for, and now as she watched the two males a whisper on the breeze spoke to her telling her this was no chance meeting. She has not the ability to sense others, or at least she does not recognise it for what it is, but more there is to this event that she could not place for now.

Her eyes fixed on the man on the white speckled horse, almost so that she had him in her sights looking down the length of her bow focused and penetrating .. then he turned ..this surprised her as if he knew she was there. His gesture confirmed her thoughts and she darted back behind the trunk of the tree she was hiding behind. Her chest rapidly raising and falling with the adrenaline but his motion clear, he wanted her to follow them into the woods. But she would not leave the cover but instead moved among the protection of the forest toward the direction he indicated.

Swift feet dashed across the floor of the forest, weaving between trees and branches until she came upon a small clear with housed a small residences. Low roof to the ground thatched and smoke billowing up from a chimney. A Smith yard near by and stables and yard for the horse. She waited, however, her ears picked up a sound coming closer, the touch of feet on the ground indicating the arrival of another. Aerin hide yet again and waited.

 

[Garza]

I kept a very watchful eye on on the man that rode on a steed of some kind. But what I was watchful for was the weapons he carried. Even from here I could tell that they were made by a steady hand and made with a hearts desire. Only problem, is that I didn't know what they were made out of. I was not scared. There was only one person who scared me, and they happened to be a Jedi master, and a friend of mine. I just made sure to keep this man in check as he clearly was a soldier or warrior with connections, or he knew how to make the blade himself. The man had an accent as he spoke. Saying that he would take me into his home.

I nodded my head. And as I walked towards him, the ramp to my ship closed as I took crunching steps towards him in the snow. I looked around to see someone begin to run off. I let whoever it was because the more people that saw me with one of the locals, the more likely I would be accepted. I looked to my right and faintly I could feel someone within the treeline. I opened my hand out to whoever it was, "Come out into the open. I have no reason to cause you harm." I looked to the man and nodded my head to tell him that I would be following.

[member="Ærin Firebrand"] | [member="Buliwyf Jarhulda"] | [member="Bryndís Silvertide"]

 

[Kassandra Distorith]

[member="Darren Shaw"] | [member="Buliwyf Jarhulda"] | [member="Ærin Firebrand"]​

A soft sigh escaped her lips as the large man on horseback turned and pointed. There must have been a cabin in that direction, she mused, her thought confirmed as she caught a snippet of the their conversation. Pale blue eyes were as bright as the ice she could create from her fingertips, as her awareness trilled in recognition. Something...or rather someone, she mused, was nearby in the forest and hiding.

It would have been unbearably rude to refuse the invitation, and as such, Bryn stepped out of the tree line and approached the pair of men with a hand on the hilt of her beloved sword.She worn no cloak or heavy winter gear, simply her usual leathers and comfortable boots. While it was certainly cold, it was not the heart of winter, so the cold was at an almost pleasant level...well, for her anyway.

Falling into step beside them as they drew closer to where she was, she took a moment to appraise the newcomer, as the Valkyr on horseback was a relatively common sight to her - she did however, incline her head politely to him. Blonde braids fell over her shoulder as she tilted her head to regard the stranger carefully, something peculiar in her instincts seemingly reacting to his presence. But she paid it no mind, chalking it up to seeing a stranger and his ship somewhere other than the capital.

"It is odd to see a stranger land a ship here, outside the capital." Bryn began quietly, her expression even. "I am Bryndís."

 

[Not Ordo]

[member="Ærin Firebrand"] [member="Bryndís Silvertide"] [member="Darren Shaw"]

Buliwyf was looked at the man. Sharp eyes scanned his features but he said nothing. He had fought many men, many force users, but that was another life, another time. He slid his axe into a metal ring on the Horse's saddle and rode forward as the young woman exited the trees. He scanned her face but wasn't sure he knew he by name as he rarely went to the capital. His forge was still hot and the small plume of smoke from his chimney could be seen over the tree tops.

The horse stirred slightly and the Man looked to the horizon. Dark clouds were just starting to amass in the distance but with out fail they would be on them soon enough. He nodded to the woman and man as he patted his draft animal on the neck. His heavy left hand adorned with a single ring on his left finger ring finger. His wife, how he wished he was with her still. he looked up into the forest and saw a small white bird flutter into the trunk of a tree and then he breathed in through his nose deeply.

"Zhere is a Storm coming." he said calmly, "vee shoult get in doors soon."

He nudged his horse and began taking the group through the woods toward his small home. The smell of the wood burning could be smelled as the drew closer. Before long the could see the one story house with it's thatched roof and heavy grey stone walls. As they arrived they would see the small covered forge and still burning coals. the man dismounted and brought his animal into the stable then removed the saddle and got it ready for a storm. All the while he watched them both with a careful eye. His weapons in hand he opened his door and went inside leaving the heavy wooden hatch partly opened.

 

[Coci Heavenshield]

Buliwyf Jarhulda | Darren Shaw | Bryndís Silvertide​

​

Standing behind a large tree nearby the stables of the Smith, Aerin watched the band of three arrive. She tucked the long bladed knife in her belt as it was clear no malice was the intent from the Offworlder and so she step out as the Elder stabled his grey horse. "Greetings Smith, Midvinter has seen some stranger visitors of late and more so now I see. I am Aerin of Sabina Clan to the South", she need not include her rank as he would wise to it just by the look of her and her weapons. The others would be close at hand to hear her. However, as her visions of late had boded ill, Aerin had grown cautious of all. But still ...

She gave the Elder a bow of the head in respect for once a warrior, she could see that in his gait and arms. Not only the arms of a Smith held history in those limbs and his eyes spoke of past experiences she could dare imagine. He would note much concern in her eyes if he so looked, and something she wished to warn the peoples about, but how to do that without causing the usual superstitions. The others soon arrived behind the Elder and Aerin greeted them accordingly.

"Well met", she said without much more addition as her eyes too, lifted to the skies. "You have a studied eye Smith, we do well to take shelter in our home and I thank you for it .. Sir your name please as I did not have the pleasure of it in the clearing".

 

[Garza]

I turned to the woman that had left the shadows of the forest and towards the two of us. she was still wary of me as had placed her hand on the sword hilt. I looked to the older man as he spoke of a coming storm. Nodding my head I indicated with my left hand to lead us on.

While the man stayed on his horse, I simple walked in front of the woman, giving her assurance that I was not going to go behind her back. But awkwardly it was quiet the entire time we walked to the man's house. Over the tree tops I could see the smoke of a fire. so either he had been cooking with food, or from the way that the man's clothing looked covered in soot, it may be metal. He would have a hammer/weapon arm that was more frequently used to pound metal, but one thing was clear. This man was strong to do it for a long time. Even his beard seemed to be made of the shavings from metal.

Coming out into a small clearing, I could see the man's house, and another woman walked out. claiming her name to be Ærin from the southern portion of clans. I looked to her, and smiling under my helm, decided to show who I was. My face was visible as well as the white hair just as the snow beneath my feet. Looking to all three of them in turn, I motioned for all of us to go inside. Then speaking to the blacksmith, "I hope you don't mind three people in your house my good man."

[member="Ærin Firebrand"], [member="Buliwyf Jarhulda"], [member="Bryndís Silvertide"]

 

[Not Ordo]

[member="Ærin Firebrand"] [member="Darren Shaw"] [member="Bryndís Silvertide"]

"I'm Buliwyf." the man said to the woman his grey-green eyes sharp and strong. He looked at his house and then the man that spoke to him.

"Four friend, unless you're staying en Zhe stables." Buliwyf said his deep voice quiet in the cold air, "but all are velcome under mine roof. Stew is heat nao."

He walked to the fireplace to the large black pot and sniffed the steam. Simple fare to be sure but warm to the bones and joy to the belly was a stew in the cold. He left the room briefly and came back to lay four wooden bowls and spoons on a low table. The small house hard three rooms, the one they were in furnished with simple table and chairs with a skin rug. The one he left which had tools and food storage and one locked. With a smile he nodded at the utensils.

"Eat und drink vhile you have thime." he said to all of them, "Und tell me vhat you have coom for."

 

[Coci Heavenshield]

Buliwyf Jarhulda | Darren Shaw | Bryndís Silvertide​

​

As Aerin stepped over the threshold into the Smith's house, her eyes cast around his welcoming home. The scent of stewing meat filled her nose and warmed her blood, she removed her thin leather fingerless gloves, her preferred choice when priming the bow, and tucked them into her leather fitted jacket. She removed her bow and quiver and rested them by the wall near the door and moved to the hearth to warm.

"I thank you Buliwyf", she inclined her head once more. She turned her back to the fire and waited for the others to enter. However, she turned her eyes back to the Smith preparing the table, she watched and noted his physical form, much strength in his body and limbs, and she suspected not only won through the Hammer and Anvil. No, there is a quality to the man and vast experience that she could never imagine. This alone won her respect.

"May I help you with preparations?", she finally asked, at least an offer of aid would pay for his generosity.