All is Fair to Say in Love and War (A Viking Saga) ||wintersday92 & Kegger0311||

[wintersday92]

A blanket of white fog coated the fields like powdered sugar on a doughnut. The trees laid bare and the sky was filled with grey clouds. It was crisp early mornings like this that Fiona loved. When most people preferred summer she had always loved winter. With the cold outdoors with blankets of frost or snow and the songs from robins that landed on the wooden fences. Not to mention the The smell of a log wood fire, warming up the house and Inn and wrapping yourself up in warm blankets while drinking hot tea made everything feels magical to her.

With a think shawl wrapped around her shoulders and a bucket and small stall held tightly in her hands, she made her way over to the field of animals which consisted of a few sheep and cows. Their prime source of income came from the Inn the the few sheep and cows they could look after. Right now their only main source of income was coming from the Inn. The wool on the sheep wouldn't be ready for shredding till spring hits and milk can only get you so far. Mostly passing treads men would stay at the Inn, the odd solider here and there would stay a night but they often felt it was their right to stay for free, since they where risking their life for the country. A war which Fiona was already done with. To many women have lost sons and husbands due to the Kings pride, including herself. Her husband died some time ago. It seemed all her King cared for was money and power. Rising taxes for the working kind while the rich gets to sit high and mighty waving their fingers about telling others to do their bidding. She saw no point for risking more and more lives for the benefit of a greedy King and Kingdom. The only thing that kept her going was their little boy Daniel who was 8 years old. He was every bit his father and done his best to act as the Lord of the village. It both warmed and made her heart ache seeing him being so strong and brave, just like his father.

Daniel was still fast asleep, she knew he would be for another hour or so, so it gave her time to think about the days plans. The life stock to be checked on and fed, and chores around the Inn that needed to be done. Not to mention food to cook for any guest which might find their way to her Inn. Not to mention any other issues that would pop up throughout the village. Being the Lady of the village demanded a lot but it kept her mind from wondering off to darker thoughts, thoughts of her late husband and the threat of vikings.

With every step she took her breath could be seen before her red plump lips and hazel eyes. Her flaming red hair flowed down her shoulders in light waves and bounded lightly with every step of her feet. She stood at 5 foot 5 inches. with which most women commented a perfect hourglass figure. Her long sleeve undercoat in cream help keep her warm while her dark green gown tucked and snitch in her waste help carving her figure, showing the plumpness of her breasts. Her light weight boots crumbled the stiff grass, making a slight crunching noise with every step. Opening up a gate which she close behind herself she walked up to a near by cow. Placing the small stool on the ground she settled down, stroking the cow firmly letting her know she was present and wanting to milk her. Within a few moments she started to collect the milk from the cow which she would warm up later in the Inn. Once the cow had, had enough she let the cow leave, leaving hear sitting the the small stool in the cold alone. Not that she minded.

Fiona's hazel eyes wondered the landscape, taking in the beautiful views of patchwork fields and woodland forests that had an eerie look to them thanks to the thick fog. IF her husband was still alive he would be out in those woods hunting down dear or other game for her to cook later for dinner. But that wasn't the case anymore. She was about to get up and head back into the Inn when her eyes caught sight of something in the distance, just peaking out from the forest. Standing from her stool leaving her milk beside it, see took a few steps closer in it's direction. Her breath catches in her throat as she narrows her eyes and see that their are men standing across the rest of the field from her. From what she can tell, they don't like the normal solders that would past through. They weren't dressed the same, the looking unpolished, scruffy in a sense and they had an abnormally tall man with them too. Her guess was that these men where vikings, not that she had much contact with them but by what previous guesses that said in the Inn had said about them, they sorter match what some of their loose description. Of course some men had said they have 4 arms and horns out of their heads but men do tend to stretch the truth at times.

As far as she could see she had two options. One was to run and warn her villagers, which could end two ways. Either some of them make it alive or they all die. She didn't know if that was all the men or if they had other scattered but she knew they had seen her. The odds where that they would be faster then her and she wouldn't be able to get to everyone in time to save them. She couldn't just hand pick the people to try and save. Their where young children, elderly, some even sick and women who had never lifted up a sward let along knew how to fight. She had to think of a better idea. one which feared her the most. She could offer to help them. Give them food and maybe shelter for a night in return the spare her people and son. But this could end badly too. She took a long look towards her village. Knowing that the women and children would be starting their day any time soon.

Taking a deep long breath, she wrapped her arms around herself and headed in their direction. The worst case was that they kill her on the spot. A thought that loomed over her. She wished that there was a way to a least warn her son but maybe, if the god see fit she would be alright, that her son would be ok. The bounding of her heart was all she could hear, it felt like it was in her throat. She left sick to she stomach and even a little light headed. She had no idea how her feet where carrying her but she was grateful that they where. At least still she was a few feet away. Far enough that she might have a chance to outrun them but close enough to hear them call over to her if they so choose to. Standing up a little straighter and wrapping the shawl around her tightly, prayed in her head to her god she took one last deep breath.

"We don't have much." Fiona's words where loud and clear. She had no idea if they understood her but she had little choice now. "We have some food and water which you may have and I have a small Inn if you wish to rest a while..." Her words still come out clearly though she felt like she could faint at any moment. "But all I ask in return is that you leave my people alone." she added almost holding her breath as she waited for some kind of answer.

 

[Kegger0311]

Torsten had been in this country too damn long. Not that he minded feasted on the carnage but that he was to remain throughout the winter. A prospect that didn't sit well with any of the Norsemen. He was left to sit and freeze his cock off while his father sat warm and full by the fire with women to fill his bed. Regardless of his thoughts about his father he had to survive to usurp his father's throne.

As he walked threw small mounds of snow and frost drenched grass the massive 6'6 tall man stopped as two of his scouts approached. Shifting once, his aged and rust littered armor creaked atop his powerful frame. Creating a bad symphony of music as the rest of the men's armor had done the same.

"There is a small village ahead. Just women and children mostly." One of the scouts had voiced. The mention of women had perked some of the men's attention. It was one way of knocking the chill off. Torsten couldn't help to think about such thoughts too but they were only in passing. If they were to remain hidden, this village might be his saving grace.

"Advance but don't plunder, unless I give the command. We are staying until the fleets arrive." An order that sat ill in his throat. His men saw as much in Torsten's statement but the men were seasoned and knew better than to question his authority.

In unison, the Vikings had marched. There was nothing silent in the march of heavy steel boots and the clanking of armor. If the sun's light cutting through the fog didn't reveal their presence to the villagers the sound of their approach would. The village was ideal for his need for secrecy but now he had to win over the fool who ran this so-called excuse of a village.

As Torsten looked over the village, he beheld a strange sight. A woman approached them, her looking as if it had been kissed by the fire. He knew her language but instead, he had just starred at her. His eyes wandering from her soft pouty lips to her voluptuous bosoms. Returning his gaze back to the village.

"Capture the village but don't cause too much trouble." Speaking in his own language. In turn, his men immediately like a swarm of locusts went about looking for food to fill their empty stomachs and heat to warm their bones.

Removing his weathered steel helm, holding it by the eye sockets. Revealing his face, it was both rugged yet charming. The subtle winter winds danced threw his locks of sand-colored hair. His emerald eyes returning their gaze wandered back down to the woman. Ignoring the ruckus the soldiers had been causing.

"We will take the food we need and stay as long as me and my men desire." He'd now speak her language even if he didn't like doing so. His speech was blunt and matter of fact. He'd give her no room to negotiate.

"In return for not slaughtering your people, you will not inform your king of our presence. I intend to kill him come the spring. Also if you make us feel welcomed I might be able to convince my men to hunt game."

As the sun grew brighter it gave more definition to his muscled physique. Such a definition would make Thor himself proud of such a warrior. Torsten spoke again assuming his offer had been taken.

"Now take me to this inn. I require food woman." Motioning to this woman the Freya herself must have molded to form.