The Night Is Dark And Full Of Terrors

[Lief]

Thainbroek​

Midvinter​

​

It had been several days since their arrival in the Capital; he had met with the High King, young Thorrand had met with the Crowned Prince, and a venture out into the Wilds in search of Vinterbound had brought about the discovery of a being from beyond the Veil. Strange times were upon them, and though the might of the undead scourge had been obliterated more still roamed in the shadow of night.

Stepping out into the dimly lit courtyard, he was greeted by the sight of an already saddled Mistin. Quite clearly the stable boy here was better trained than those he had back home, he had only given the order just ten minutes past... Best find a way to reward the lad, I suppose. He had a while to think about how, he didn't know how long this venture would see them from the City. He'd packed enough provisions for a week, but beyond that only the Gods knew.

Gathered beside their own horses were a handful of men. Good men, loyal men, who had been by his side since he was appointed Lord of Valsten. Some even before then, when he was just a lowly City Guard prior to the True King's return. He smiled their way, though the expression was more grim than anything.

"Ill tidings, from the East" he informed them, as he neared his mare, "The dead are walking, at least three have been sighted. Odiir knows there's always more, though."

He looked between those who were gathered, giving each his full attention for a moment or so, before slinging his pack over the saddle. One among the group was new, not to Joramyr specifically but to these hunts. "Didn't expect to see you, Reykholt; the more the merrier, I suppose. Shall we?"

He gestured toward the distant gates which would take them onto the eastward road, and waited for a moment in case any man had a thing to say. It was a dangerous job, after all, men usually had things to say before embarking on it.

 

[Kellyn Muir]

For the first half of his life, he hand't set foot outside Hallkjavík. Now he lived in Valsten, and not just in any old homestead, but that of the Lord of Valsten. Of course the grander quarters were reserved for the nobility of the hold, but as castellan, Leif had a place there. Valsten was Leif's to rule in the absence of the incumbent, and given the threat of the Vinterbound, he found himself seated in the grand hall more often than not. He had come to know the hold's people and their problems, and he had become quite an effective governor. Lord Varamund was far from an absentee lord, but rather a more hands-on one, seeing to the threat of the Vinterbound personally. They weren't just a threat to Valsten, but to all of Midvinter, and he wasn't the type to send others to do what he wouldn't do himself.

Leif had adopted the same ideology, handing the reigns of governance to the Master-at-Arms of the hold, as both the lord and his castellan were on the hunt today. He wasn't just deft at governing - he was quite talented with a sword as well. He wasn't called 'Leif the Unscathed' because of his defeats with a blade in his hand.

"Didn't expect to see you, Reykholt; the more the merrier, I suppose. Shall we?", Joramyr said as mounted his horse. Leif didn't expect to see himself there either, but alas he was.

"Aye, my lord. It's time the Vinterbound received a proper introduction.", he jested with a grin.

[member="Joramyr Varamund"]​

 

[Lief]

A few of the men murmured their groggy greetings, the cold helping to full awaken them from the slumber they had been so rudely deprived of. Joramyr had seen the true horrors the Vinterbound were capable of carrying out if left to their own devices, it wasn't a case of wait until morning struck, because by then the living could have joined the dead.

Once within the saddle he waited for the others to follow suit, and once every man was mounted he gave a firm nod of the head. His eye drifted to Leif, humour was something of a necessity in these parts, it helped bring about disassociation from what they were about to see. There was hardly a soul alive on Midvinter today that hadn't witnessed the Vinterbound, the Battle of Thainbroek had assured that. Laughter helped to steel nerves, it was better than having the men seize up with fear.

Those among them were seasoned veterans, though... He doubted he had to worry about them losing their mind.

With hardly a gesture Mistin began to lead the way toward the Gatehouse. While in the City he made a distinct effort to remain controlled, the sound of galloping horses through echoed streets would wake its fair share of individuals after all. So he kept the pace to just over a walk, until the City was behind them and naught save the open road before.

Then, and only then, did his hardy mare turn from trot to gallop.

There wasn't much to be said throughout the short journey east, it was cold out, and shouting against the sound of the whistling wind and galloping hooves was pretty darn useless. The moon was high in the sky, full and shining down upon them. Too often the nights of this world were dark and inky, with just a few stars to light the way... It was good to see that the Gods had brought the celestial bodies into full light for them this evening.

[member="Leif Reykholt"]

 

[Kellyn Muir]

With a coarse sigh, Leif groaned as he mounted his steed. The amount of men present and they way they were geared, you would think they'd be off to war. They were at war, but not in the traditional sense. Their enemy wasn't a hostile nation, nor was it a guerrilla insurgency. The Vinterbound were almost an ethereal threat, constantly looming in wait, striking when least expected.

Thank the Maker they had been blessed with enough light in the skies, which was only amplified by the fresh snow on the ground. If something was coming, it'd at least be easier to see them. Leif had only ever heard of the Vinterbound, though he was confident he'd know them if he saw them.

Though a formidable warrior, he rode towards the center of the group. He didn't know much of the destination, and the rear was generally reserved for the lower ranks of the group. He'd be less of an obstruction there. As the horses' speed gradually increased, Thainbroek behind them grew smaller and smaller, and eventually all that was visible were the tops of the gate with the East road closing.

At speed, the party remained generally silent, and Leif followed suit. As they neared their destination, he was sure Joramyr would slow the party, and from there that is when they would become more vocal, though not totally ignorant of caution.

[member="Joramyr Varamund"]​

 

[Lief]

Screams in the night, that was the first sign that they were nearing the village. Without much warning Joramyr kicked his horse into further action, until they reached the top of the rise and could see the little houses tucked into their valley. The place was alight, the sound of clashing steel rang through the air, and that meant one thing: Hope.

"Let us not waste any time" he said, as the others slowed beside him, "Show these bastards what happens to those who would do us harm!"

The men cheered themselves into mental readiness, before steering their mounts down the incline and onward toward the village.

"Odiir watch over us" he murmured as they entered the fray; telling apart living from dead was easy, the Vinterbound had a distinct look about them, their skin was blue, many towered over even the Valkyri, and the air turned cold around their presence. His sword rang as he pulled it from its sheath, directing it toward one of the first of the undead fiends he came into contact with.

[member="Leif Reykholt"]

 

[Kellyn Muir]

As the equestrian convoy trotted to the foot of a rugged, snow-covered hill, hooves and heavy breathing weren't the only things audible in the night. Steel, shrieking, it all indicated one thing. There was still time and there was still hope. As they topped the hill, they could see the local villagers doing their best to fend off the Vinterbound, though it was clear they wouldn't be able to hold out much longer. Unsheathing his sword, Ser Joramyr kicked his stirrups and his steed bolted off toward the village. It didn't take long for the men of the Vinterguard to follow suit, and Ser Leif shortly after.

His heart raced, seeing the eerie threat that loomed in the cold night. He'd heard only stories, but he never believed them. Now he saw the blue-skinned figures stopping at nothing to destroy all life in the village. Not while the Vinterguard were there. With his blade in his hand, he leaned into his horse to help pick up speed and minimize his size so it was harder for projectiles to hit him. There didn't seem to be any archers or ranged weapons to worry about, but it was a good habit to have nonetheless. As he neared, he leaned back slightly and raised his sword, thrusting it in a downwards slash as his horse ran past one of the blue valkyri, engaged with an elderly male villager.

He passed through the masses, hacking and slashing the Vinterbound as they came. As he passed, he turned his horse to see the engagements. Had the Vinterguard not shown up and turned the tide of the battle, it was clear that the village would no longer have any inhabitants. The battle was not over though, and Leif continued to do his part in eliminating the Vinterbound menace.

[member="Joramyr Varamund"]​