Seeking To Learn

[Alleycat]

Ever since Earl Ragnarson, Chieftain of both Reykjaa and Hüsavik in the northwestern providence of the Realm, had granted Saga Björk her freedom from his service at the bequest of his third son, Eddval, the former slave had been dreaming of nothing but fulfilling her desire to become a shield maiden of Midvinter. It was told to her that if she wanted to be one, a great one, Saga would need to travel to the village of Rildonmark where the steward of Clan Sabina was located. Which is where the golden maiden was headed this day.

The journey for the young Valkyr had started several days before by sea, sailing in a small longboat from her home village on the upper west coast around the southwestern cape, then onward along the south coast to a port on the southern borders of the great equine warriors. From there, Saga had bartered her sound boat for a decent mount and pack horse, then made her way inland over land following a river towards the mountains where hopefully her destiny would present itself.

[member="Ærin Firebrand"]

 

[Coci Heavenshield]

Rildonmark​

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Early Eve​

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[member="Saga Björk"]​

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Darken smoke issued from the homes of Rildonmark, the coming of eve portent the preparation for the evening meals and the scent of cooking meat filled the air. Clan Sabina is settling for the night, after most of the village had been busy with the foaling, the next generation of war horse delivered and housed in halls to protect them from the cold until they are strong. Aerin had been out on her horse to scout for last seasons breeding, to see how they fare and to check the breeding stock. Her old war horse, BlackWing is growing older now, white hair peppering in muzzle but he is still strong and vibrant and without fail will come to her summon. She will never ride him again, she vowed that to him, as his days of war are over and he had served Midvinter well, flying, into legend that horrible day, saved a King and she as well.

Aerin is in the forge placing an order to the smith for horse shoes, the next generation will have to be hurdered and training soon. The heat filled the forge, an orange glow flicking at her face and yellow light daning on her long unfettered red hair, she stand in her leathers, sword by her side, saber clipped to the strap. The smith would close soon and after the arrangements made for the morrow, Aerin bid the smith good eve and made her way to the mead hall of Rildonmark.

Her leather boots crunching upon the fresh snow that had drifted down through the afternoon, she sent her well wishes to through that passed her making their way to their homes. The daughter of the old chieftain, cousin to the new one she is given all due respect to a noble family of old. Entering the Hall, Aerin makes her way to the keep, and smiles. "Good eve Red Beard", she greeted her old friend and protector through her exile and warrior within the capital on the day of the battle. In his usual way, he grunted, his form of greeting which made her smile more, but before she could say another word, a tankard of mead was placed before her.

 

[Alleycat]

Saga took in the wonderment of the new land as she traveled northward towards the village of Rildonmark; taking notice of the nuances of it. What was the same and what was different from her native area of the west coast and rocky mountains; the flora and fauna as well as the geography. It was all beautifully intriguing to the young aspiring shield maiden.

With early eve approaching, Saga considered making camp for the night in the woods, then decided to press on as billows of darken smoke could be seen in the near distance after traversing over a ridge that lead to a valley below where Clan Sabina must reside.

The weary traveler quietly made her way through the village though onlookers did give her a cautious eye as a stranger was among them. Saga merely gave them a respectful nod and continued on to the gathering hall where food, drink and the warmth of a most welcomed fire would be. The aroma of freshly roasted beast made her empty stomach growl like a wild cat as she slipped from her mount and tied it and the pack horse carrying hospitality gifts up to a railing outside the hall. She would not be able to leave the animals there for long as the night chill would get to them soon.

The golden-haired maiden entered the hall and pushed back the hood of her fur coat already brushed off of any snow gathered on the journey; her keen blue orbs taking in the room as they had done with the land. Leather booted feet led her to where the keep was standing with an auburn woman, one Saga had seen some time before at the Mead Hall in Thäinbroek while she had been there with Eddval Ragnarson, third son of the Chieftain of Reykjaa and Hüsavik.

"Greetings, good gentle and lady. I am Saga Björk, daughter of Vernik. I have come from afar in search of the Steward of Clan Sabina. May I share in the warmth that your fire brings and speak to them?"

[member="Ærin Firebrand"]

 

[Coci Heavenshield]

[member="Saga Björk"]

After having a very clipped conversation with Red Beard, Aerin's force sense alerted her to a coming presense of a force sensitive. It was strange in the sense that she had felt it before, yet it seemed distant to her. Her head lifed from her mead and looked to Red Beard who only nodded his head toward the door of the Hall, but continued to go about his cleaning.

Within minutes a young girl stood beside her, Aerin regarded her as she spoke and that sense returned. Yes she had seen this girl before in Tháinbroek, a long time ago and she looked complete different then. "I believe we have seen each other before, Saga. I am Aerin Firebrand".

"Please take comfort in the Hall", she said turning to Red Beard, "Mead Red Bread for our visitor and some stew I think, for two". Red Beard turned and disappeared out the back.

"You have found the Steward of Clan Sabina", she smiled slightly, "How can I help you?".

 

[Alleycat]

[member="Ærin Firebrand"]

"Thank you, Milady, for your hospitality. I have brought with me gifts from my home village to share with yours," Saga nodded, then took a seat at a nearby table; slipping off her outer fur parka and setting it next to her.

"Yes, I do believe we were both at Mead Hall in Thäinboek when the offworlders came to check out our hunting grounds," the blonde maiden replied, then went on to answer the steward's question.

"I was a slave at that time, but since have been released from my servitude with Clan Ragnar. I wish now to become a Shield maiden of Mdivinter. I was told that you are the best to learn from, and therefore ask humbly for your tutelage."

 

[Coci Heavenshield]

[member="Saga Björk"]

Aerin's head snapped around as Saga gave account of some of her history. Slavery is abhorrant to Aerin and she is disgusted that this old practice still exists on Midvinter. "Slave?, if I had known that... ", she tailed off, but took a steading breath before continuing. "This is not tolerable, the practice of slavery upon our fair homeland is part of our culture but that does not make it right. It may have been allowed to continue under the reign of the old king, but I am sure our new and fair King, [member="Thrand Dawnbringer"] would not allow it to continue further. I will bring the matter up with him on our next meeting". Her beloved friend Thrand would have a mighty fight on his hands if he was to oppose Aerin.

She settle herself, trying to rid her mind of the thoughts of injustice to people's freedoms and one more custom that only evokes servitude and inequality of others, especially women of his fair land. Damn the world of men, times are changing and for the better and the woman of Midvinter will rise up and demand their rightful place among the ranks of authority and demand respect. Look out [member="Thrand Dawnbringer"] here I come.

"Your presence here in Rildonmark is gift enough, but thank you for your gifts and I will be honoured to train you as warrior and to reach the title of Shieldmaiden. It will be a long journey, I have trained in this way since I was able enough the hold a bow and use it, same with the shield and sword. Tell me, what abilities do you posses already?", she asked to gauge the level of skill Saga already had. Aerin also sensed much more of the girl, she is thick with the force but Aerin is unsure if she knows or even knows of the forces existance.

 

[Alleycat]

[member="Ærin Firebrand"]

"Well I believe that if and when Ragnarson the Younger takes over from his father, the Earl, as Chieftain of his clan, he will not tolerate slavery either. The noble son in fact is the one who secured my freedom. I am in debt to Lord Eddval for his kindness of heart."

It was true, she was in debt to him in more ways than one, but the only way Saga would be able to pay Edd back was to be the best shield maiden she could be. The former slave could never be what he truly wanted her to be… His father had seen to that in the agreement set down between Ragnarson the Elder and herself.

"I know the basic use of a sword and shield as I was taught to defend myself while traveling on behalf of my master, and I have been self-teaching myself the ways of the bow. Sailing though comes naturally to me and I am well versed in navigation."

 

[Coci Heavenshield]

[member="Saga Björk"]

"On the morrow we shall begin, firstly with the bow in the morning and the sword come the eve", she said with a smile, Aerin was happy to do this it gave her purpose once more, after the war had ended she was at a lose. Peace is wonderful, but it also give one nothing to do.

"We shall retire to our beds, do you have lodgings? I have a spare room in my home you would be welcome to stay with me, but if you prefer privacy I will understand". she offered. "But now lets eat". The stew looked to good to resist, Red Beard a good cook had filled their plates and the stew thick with game.

Once the meal was completed Aerin would turn in for the night, the two had a long day ahead of them in the morning which included inspecting the foals from this seasons breeding.

 

[Alleycat]

[member="Ærin Firebrand"]

"Your tutelage will not be wasted I can assure you, Lady Aerin. I am dedicated in heart and soul to becoming a great shield maiden so I may help protect the Realm, and those dear to me."

Yes... even if Saga could not be with the one she truly cared for, fighting and raiding by his side would have to be enough.

"Lodging with you I humbly accept for it is late of hour and I did not plan ahead this far. I will seek other arrangements as soon as possible so as not to take advantage of your generous hospitality any more than I already have."

With that said, the food was brought and the most satisfying meal shared with good company. Soon the hour of rest was upon them. Saga was certainly tired from her long journey and slept soundly in her comfortable accommodations provided by the kind Steward of Clan Sabina.

In the morning, the blonde maiden was dressed and up just before sunrise with the gifts from her homeland spread across the long table. Dried cod, smoked salmon, and pickled herring was on display along with some table woven bands that could be worn as headbands, wristbands, or as decorative pieces to be worn on clothing. Saga was known in her village for being a good loom weaver. There was also a beautifully woven blanket that could be used under a saddle folded on the table as well.

Leaning up against the table was the sword and shield [member="Eddval Ragnarson"] had given her along with a simple bow and quiver with arrows she had bartered for in Thäinboek. A knife, one used often to gut and filet fish, was sheathed upon a leather belt that accessorized her modest shield maiden outfit.

"Good morrow, Lady Aerin. Please accept these gifts as friendship from my family to yours."

 

[Coci Heavenshield]

[member="Saga Björk"]

The night had passed with the howl of the wind through the village, the dawning of the day heralded the sound of the forges, fires stoked, billows swollen and the hammer hitting the anvil. Aerin stretched in her bed of fur before greeting the morn with a wakening yawn. It would be a long day today, and one she looked forward too, more so now Saga had come to train with her. This opportunity would also give Aerin much needed practice as well.

Quickly she dressed and fixed her hair before leaving her bedroom to find Saga. She is up already, dressed and prepared, Aerin smiled and moved to the hearth to add a fresh dry long on the smolding fire to ignite it to flame once more. "Good morrow Saga, I trust you slept soundly? we shall break fast before we go".

However, Aerin did not have the chance to prepare the food. Saga offering gifts of her fair land to her and her family. "I accept these gifts as a sign of friendship and alliance", she said in trueful words. Now she looked them over, and in turn picked up the items to inspect, "These are wonderful .. did you make them?".

But Aerin's eyes found the blanket and she picked it up feeling the fabric.