Westgate Pass [Ylva]

[Théodred Heavenshield]

A deadly silence filled the air around them all as the large wolf emerged from the forest and slowly stepped through them all, the only thing that moved in Théo was his head watching Bjomolf part them all, some even looked toward the thickness of the forest just in case more of these great beasts would follow, but none did. There was a slight smile on Théo's lips after Ylva spoke in her true fashion, and a glimpse of the leader would show the same. "That is an impressive beast", the red haired man spoke to Ylva as Bjomolf approached her side and he inclined his head in respect to the girl. He admired her spirit and the fact that she did not stand back and let the nobleman speak for her and there was something about the woman that was familiar to him although at this point he could not place it. "And you have found Clan Havardr, Lord Heavenshield, Lady Ylva".

The tone in the leaders voice set his clansmen and women to lower their weapons and relax, and so Théo took advantage of this to declare their hand some more, he could also feel within them that there was no aggression toward them unless they were here with bad intent, "We travel alone and wish for safe ground for the night, we would be honoured to sup with Clan Havardr and bring what we have to the table", he spoke with traditional Valkyri offering. A slight gesture of the hand of the man informed his clan to lower their weapons and return to the village. "I would like to know the name of the man with which I speak".

"Orkarl Havardr be my name" he said as he turn toward the main pathway that would lead them into the village proper. Théo took this as a sign of acceptance and holding onto the reins of his mount he would start to walk at a slow pace before turning to Ylva with a look to suggest she dismount and join him, he would not let her walk behind them but have her right by his side. "I have heard of the trouble in the northern parts of the Westmark from the traders that come to our village. Your father and mother have done an the west a great service in establishing Fridheim and helping those people that suffered". It did not take long before they would enter the village and the sight of it was heart warming to the tired travelers. Many of the clan, the children mostly, could come to them out of sheer curiosity to see the new comers, some of the elders stopped their work to look up and take them in their sights before returning to their chores. The smell of the evening fare was thick on the air and only reminded Théo of his hunger and fatigue from the traveling.

"It has been a long time since Thainbroek and it's grand hall have had the honour of Clan Havardr within it's walls", it was a comment made by him to prompt further conversation, and it was true that the clan had not ventured anywhere for some time, and Théo was curious as to why. However, Orkarl's face darkened somewhat, not toward Théo or Ylva but he seemed to have his mind set in thought, and it was true enough the clan had not seen the outside world for some time, not since ....

[member="Ylva Solveig"]​

 

[Ylva Heavenshield]

Orkarl of Clan Havardr...

Ylva's boots landed heavily upon the snowed in path that they three shared, surrounded by the Clan of this Orkarl's whom carried the name birth given name that she herself did. Her eyes had grown wide as the initial shock set to play over her, yet they seen great cold as though she had want to mistrust the man's words. [member="Théodred Heavenshield"] soon spoke of their lack of presence back within the Thainbroek alongside the rest of his Kin, yet Ylva didn't have the care to consider the other Clan's in the given moment and she soon cut him off by provoking further elaboration of the Clan's identity.

"What meaning does the name Raoul Havardr hold to you and your Clan?" She too had her right hand around the reigns of her Horse, yet her left still sat lightly upon the head of her Axe sheathed against the leather of her hand-crafted harness and belt; "If any..." she added, though her words faded as those around them within direct line of sight could be seen reacting in a mixture of alarm and anger. Orkarl himself lifting his head back in a moment of wariness, for the name had not been mentioned in a great many years, though it still held great significance to the Clan's history before them all.

"His is not a name that we speak of lightly here, girl" Orkarl turned to look directly down upon the lass with fire in her hair, his words were firm yet meant to be educating and without intimidation or aggression for their visitors; Turning in pause to gather his thoughts and bare witness to the expressions across those warriors and hunters of the Clan that had come together; their leader seemed to falter upon his response and instead motion to Théodred as they continued deeper into the Village. Naturally, all this did for Ylva was manage to piss her off something fierce, yet the name of her Father was acknowledged and apparently known here...-In light of her partners questions, she thought best to stand in silence for the time, brooding yet listening to what history might soon come between them.

"We Havardr have not joined at the Thainbroek for a good many years, though we have our reasons...-The Usurper can be thanked for our dishonor; for we dared to resent our Jarl's decision to abandon Midvinter..." His eyes quickly darted back to the girl Ylva before clarifying, "Raoul Havardr is a traitor to all that we stood for; a coward...-No better than his brother, Akron..." Ylva stopped dead in her tracks, several of those following behind, shouldering against her sides as they grunted and sought to continue on while she simply stood there aloof and without words to respond. Akron Solveig, that was the name that she knew; the name that she christened her War Bow with on the eve of his murder alongside the rest of the Clan...Clan Solveig...-Clan Havardr?

Questions abruptly hit her without warning; if she were born of Midvinter why would they have left. If Akron had been her Uncle, why would he treat her so; had Clan Solveig been the deserters of her true name...-Had they all truly been of the same origin in the end? Everyone of them had been murdered in the night by her own hands, did this make her a coward and were she of the same ilk...?

 

[Théodred Heavenshield]

Eventually Théo and Ylva were led to the front doors of a grand hall, smaller in design then that of the capital but impressive nonetheless. "The Usurper took a great many things from a great many of people in his rein. Recruited alliances through lies and deception and even held hostage prominent family members for insurance of their loyalty". He could sense Ylva clearly, the force telling him that she is angry and confused and he knew it took a great deal of strength for her to have even uttered the name of her birthright. For his love, he had to get to the bottom of all this, no matter what.

Orkarl turned to face both of them, on his face was the look of a man that did not wish to speak of such things, this dishonour to the clan but he also realised that he was speaking to a member of the royal family, the very family that their clan had dishonoured and maybe through this evening Clan Havardr could restore some of it's honour. "Come", he gestured toward the grand hall, "We will speak more by the warmth of the hearth". The main door was pushed open and they were invited to enter, which Théo accepted with a nod of his head while securing his mount to the pole. He approached Ylva resting his hand within her's, "Bring Bjomolf inside as well .. just in case", he did not like the idea of Bjomolf outside for who knew what might happen, the gentle command was given in concern for the wolf.

Once in side, Théo led Ylva to the warmth of the fire and noticed that there were not many within the walls of the Hall, only what appeared to be the family of Orkarl who come to greet him and welcome his return. They viewed Ylva and Théo with curious eyes and suspicion but they respected the fact that their leader had welcomed the strangers. Orkarl was unaware of the what had happened to their Jarl and his brother and the reasons they had left Midvinter. That had all been revealed when with the Iron Empire, and Théo had to wonder if Havardr had been deceived by the Usurper .. or maybe by his brother. Once the family had retreated for the night and left Orkarl alone once more, "Tell me of this Akron you speak of".

​

[member="Ylva Solveig"]​

 

[Ylva Heavenshield]

The invitation and welcome into Okarl's home didn't deter Ylva's discomfort in any sense, though the warmth of the Hearth was a pleasant greeting, perhaps more-so than the curious eyes cast upon them by his Kin. Ylva did her best not to look at all threatening, her anger over the subject was difficult to shoulder, yet she offered them all a curt nod in acknowledgement, otherwise following in line with Okarl himself, [member="Théodred Heavenshield"] alongside her all the while, something she were truly grateful for. These truths, still yet to be entirely convincing, were enough to make her want the blood of most men and back before they had met, she might have drawn a blade and spilled it under the share prospect of Akron being Kin to her...Bjomolf had picked up on this, the beast more than comfortable stepping into the home of these strangers, almost as though he might have disobeyed were he to be told to await them outside. More feral beast than a pet, it was easy to forget that he was still one of the wilds and obedience was something to appreciate, were it not always the case.

"Akron Solveig and Raoul Havardr, brothers born out of spite to their Mother, Adera..." Okarl began as they all seated themselves before the hearth and were left to discuss such things within private. Ylva silent in her need to hear him out, this history nothing of the past that she had been told before. Locking her gaze upon that of Okarl, she listened intently, unknowingly having gripped Théodred's hand at her side so tightly that her knuckles had whitened. "This land was not always of the Havardr, Clan Solveig shared it with us, long before...-Adera however wanted more, ready to risk peace for strength".

"So what are you saying..." Ylva spoke up somewhat blatantly, her brows furrowed and her gaze daring; "She had Son's to two different Men, of two different Clans..." the reason in this escaped her though loyalty it seemed was something rare within her heritage if this was anything to go by. Perhaps it was a thing of love back then, yet there today after a lifetime of hardships, Ylva couldn't help but appear immediately bitter about it all; that her life had been stolen from her by some sort of lovers quarrel; "Explain to me how this relates to your Usurper or why in all seven hell's I spent my life on a foreign world raised by a man, an uncle no less, whose hands were more wanting than his heart" if her eyes could mimic the heat of the hearth, they'd be ready to set everything ablaze.

Okarl seemed to falter in the moment, though his hand lifted to seek for pause, his eyes landed upon Ylva with some further understanding in her likeness to the Havardr and too her approach that differed so much from the merits of the man beside her. Her hold of the young Heavenshield's hand neither escaped his notice though he made no show of it. "The Brothers grew up encouraged to hate one another, their father's feud with one another came to unravel where Adera came between them in combat. I know not who of the two put her to the sword, or whether it was they both, neither would speak of it in truth yet as head of their Kin, the Clan's turned upon each other in the winter of the Usurpers rise".

 

[Théodred Heavenshield]

There had been so much turmoil on Midvinter in the years before the Usurpers raise to power, many clans had turned against the crown some of which had do so because of the promise of power, more lands and a seat at the high council at Thainbroek, others through deception and lies only to realise their error in judgement far too late. Thrand Dawnbringer had been forced to leave his beloved Midvinter but he had always held in his heart the desire to return and take back what was rightfully his, but there was more to it than that, much more. He knew that his people would be suffering under the yoke of the Usurper and he would return for them, to free his people from the tyranny.

Théo gently squeezed Ylva's hand in his, he did not have to use the force to know she was suffering as the words tumbled from the mouth of a kinsman, family. Already established was the fact that Ylva is of Midvinter, she is daughter to the chieftain and sitting here by the warmth of the hearth in her grand hall, she sits with family. The history unfolding extraordinary to hear.

It was obvious that the story of her mother was the key to unlock the entire mystery of her having left her homeland. But this might be a part of the history that will remain hidden to Ylva as much as it had done for the Clan. There was a love triangle it appeared, Théo had to wonder which of the brothers was actually Ylva's father. Was that why her parents were murdered?

"Ylva and I met on a planet .. in a place far from Midvinter, and in the months after that my father and I learned that there was a small pocket of Valkyri that had lived there. They had traveled in order to hunt down and kill my grandfather removing any hope that the rightful King of Midvinter would return. They failed and were stranded, Solveig was one of them". Théo spoke as Orkarl was distracted, his eyes locked to Ylva realising who had returned home to the clan.

As hard as it will be for Ylva to hear, she needed to know what actually became of her true family. "Tell us all you can about the brothers .. and welcome back to your hearth your kin".

​

[member="Ylva Solveig"]​

 

[Ylva Heavenshield]

"I was but a boy when the fighting began.." Okarl's eyes remained upon Ylva as he spoke, apprehension and trauma in his voice as he offered up what he recalled of his Clan's history softly before the embers of the burning fireplace; Ylva's eyes were to the ground as she listened, not able to meet the larger man's gaze for she knew not what to think of the situation and only recognized the feel of [member="Théodred Heavenshield"]'s hand within hers. "It started with their rivalry, Raoul and Akron until the Son of Solveig came before them. My father bore witness to the boys death as did many, slain not by Raoul but by his own father, a mistaken blow in the heat of their hatred".

"It was this that brought the two Clan's to turn upon one another. Solveig blamed Havardr and the like..." Okarl waved his left hand through the air dismissively as though the details were uncertain and did not necessarily matter; it had happened some life time ago and he had hoped never to relive the experience, the first fight he had seen as a young cub. "There were several battles to follow over the sun season, and in retaliation for Solveig's accusation..." his words slowed to a falter causing Ylva's gaze to rise to meet Okarl's, angry and yet intrigued, liking neither feel of the emotions running through her for her instincts told her to walk out in that moment. Her pride forced her to remain seated.

"It is said that Raoul took it upon himself to claim the first born child of Akron's. A girl, born not of their mutual lover but already in her third season..." There was a certain sympathy to his voice that froze Ylva in her place and put ice in her veins. "Akron was a man impulse, yet he had only two children where Raoul had none..." the truth was there, though it was an insult to a grievous life long injury; "The fued between the Clan's was ended by this, not through any battle but by Havardr's exile...-His action brought shame upon himself and his people...Wherever he took flight it, we believe Akron and his Clan that still lived, followed".

There was no welcome to follow, for if what Okarl could recall was truthful, Ylva Solveig wasn't of the Havardr; nor had Akron Solveig been her captor.

 

[Théodred Heavenshield]

He sat attentive to every word of what Orkarl said, and within Ylva was a growing unrest that with each word unraveled her family's history that had led her to a life of untruth. It was the tale of two brothers at log-a-heads over a woman and fearsome in their nature in the process. His hand gripped her's tighter, yet nothing he could do or say would give her any reassurance at this time, yet he held her dearly regardless in support which was all he could offer her at the moment.

"From what you have told us, it is clear the brothers had equally lowered shame on the clans .. and there was no nobility in their actions .. either then nor after", Théo said sternly but not out of any accusation toward Orkarl or the clans that live here now, for they were not to blame for the actions of two. "Your people are not to be held accountable for their mistakes, nor are their kin that did not have a hand in their treachery".

"You speak of a woman outside of the triangle of lovers that had given birth to the girl", he looked at Ylva, "Who is she? and is she still alive". Théo stood, releasing his grasp of Ylva's hand and went to a side table and pour his beloved a glass of water should she wish for it.

"You are Havardr, where do you stand in all this?", he asked handing Ylva the glass as he sat once more. "What are you to Ylva?". If these talks were to turn the table, he would be ready with a strong arm and his sword.

[member="Ylva Solveig"]

 

[Ylva Heavenshield]

"Alara Ýdras..." Akron answered [member="Théodred Heavenshield"] apprehensively, the woman the young Heavenshield had asked for was well into her years now, an age long since passed that had scarred her deeply. "She is with the Havardr aiding my Kin as our Seeker...-She's a gifted old woman though I'd ask you not to burden her. She see's things others do not.." Akron's cautioning them was out of concern for his Kin, these people still strangers to the land no matter the girls claim.

Ylva's brows furrowed however as Akron's last words echoed in her mind, "She see's things?..." she spoke up, looking first to Akron in the hope of clarification before soon glancing sideways to Théodred as her first thought went to the memory of his trying to describe the Force to her during their initial days there on Midvinter.

Akron's response came in the form of a simple nod as Théodred had posed the question as to his and likely to be his clan's stance on Ylva and were she to belong or find acceptance there with the Clan. Keeping his eyes upon the Red Wolf, his right hand rose to scratch the side of his jaw, fingers trailing his beard as he considered his answer justly so. "I do not truly know your story as I was but a pup myself...-But it's clear that you come from those of both Clans and for better or worse, only the Havardr remain. Whatever the quarrels of our elders, they are not to be yours to bare". It was here that Akron turned in pause and offered the man beside her a knowing look, Théodred no doubt recognizing the offer in the face of doubt, "Should you wish it, the Clan will take you in as one of our own".

Within her silence, Ylva's mind was screaming for answers where only she found further confusion. The details of her parents and this in-fighting between Clans, the possibility that Akron had been her father, that Raoul had taken her from the Solveig; everything had been flipped upside down and all that she thought she had known and killed people for had been torn out and rejected; sitting there with her eyes to the fire burning between them, her jaw had grown rigid, teeth bit together and her expression absent in her inner turmoil. To this offer she could not initially answer, there was too much to consider and still an unknown factor. Who was this older woman, was she Ylva's Mother? Where in all of this was Ylva supposed to fit in, how would she ever find peace in any of this?...

Standing, she found her feet without really realizing it. Blinking a moment, her eyes slightly hazy and distant, she glanced back to Akron a moment before looking down at Théodred and speaking under her breath "I need some air...-Sorry"; for possibly the first time since she had met Théo, Ylva apologized before turning without hesitation and moving to leave the hearth and home of their host.