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"Queen of The Known World"

Baldr had been riding several weeks towards the next clan. Behind him traveled but a small contingent of his own clan, a mere 5000 warriors and their wives and slaves. The dust from their coming could be seen for miles and he knew the camp would be ready for his coming, but he also knew they would not be prepared for what he was bringing with him.

Since he had been born and his father had named him, he had been destined for great things. his name meant "Prince" in the old tongue and he was determined to live up to it. His father had been a great chieftain and although he had only been able to sire one boy, had raised him well. He had taught him how to fight and ride as soon as he could walk. His mother had taught him to read and write, a strange custom from her lands far to the south, yet he learned much because of it.

As he grew he grew strong, but he also saw the suffering all around him. His people constantly fought. The fought with each other over the best lands to raise their horses and herds. They fought with the people to the south to try to extend their lands and to get gold and riches. But most importantly, they fought with nature itself to survive.

After his father died he took over his place by defeating three other challengers for the right to lead, then bided his time. He was going to change the way the clans lived, but he needed to start slowly. First he introduced new ideas slowly, putting ideas in the clan's heads that improving a central site to raise their herds and horses, while the warriors raided would improve their lot. Soon the council was coming to him expressing this idea. Of course he made them work hard to convince him it was a good idea, but eventually he caved in.

Soon a small village was made in a suitable spot, easily defended, well watered, with fields for their animals. The warriors could still roam knowing their women and children were safe and they traveled faster at the same time.

Then Baldr started his next plan. He raided a small clan, but instead of putting it to the sword he offered it a choice. Swear to obey him or be crushed. The only one that had to die was the clan chief. He would put up his clan, if the chief did the same. Blood oaths were sworn and sacrifices made to show the gods and each other no treachery was being done then the clash was begun. Baldr was never in any danger, but out of respect for his opponent he allowed the fight to continue for many minutes before he dispatched the man.

He continued to build up his clan this way, absorbing small clans until he was big enough to challenge larger ones. Now he was on his way to challenge one of the few remaining large clans. Soon he would be able to move onto the next step of his plans. The south should watch out.
 
Baldr had wanted to get to the camp in the early morning, but the God's had not seen fit to bless him with smooth traveling conditions. Still he had managed to send outriders to surround the camp and stop any stragglers from escaping. These people would be dealt with harshly. Loyalty to ones Clan was something he admired, however running away and cowardice were things he had no patience for.

He had arrived just before the noon day meal. Not the ideal time to fight, especially at this time of year, yet he had issued his challenge. He had hoped Borona may have accepted his offer to become one of his advisors if he allowed his tribe to be absorbed peacefully, but he instead chose to fight. He could not fault the man's decision however. He was still a fine warrior and had led his tribe well.It was just unfortunate that this was how things had to be done.

The tribes had lined up on opposite sides of the field of battle. His facing the camp, Borona's facing out. A wide gap of over 30 paces left between them was where they met. It was blessed by the holy men of both sides, and a fresh killed goat offered as sacrifice to the Gods to watch over them and to sit in judgement. Then the fight had started.

Borona was good. Fit, strong and healthy, he knew the ways of battle and used all the tricks he had learned. Unfortunately for him they were not enough against the younger, stronger and more determined Baldr. It did not take him long to dispatch his opponent and claim victory. He had the body taken by the holy men to be prepared for the fire. He was to be given all honor as had all other chieftains defeated by him.

He then gathered his leaders and strode towards the man's tent. As he walked inside he already knew he was too late. Damn another one then. He saw the body laying on the bed, dressed in it's finery and painted, ready to accompany her husband to the afterlife. He had expected this but had hoped to stop it.

Then he heard a voice from the foot of the bed and his eyes swiveled down. He saw a girl, dressed in slaves rags with eyes staring at the floor, not even daring to look at him. He could hardly comprehend the words she was speaking. Of course she would have been the servant of the chieftains wife, it would be the only reason she would be here and yes that would now make her his property to do with as he saw fit. He was about to exit the tent to call for another pyre to be made when her last words hit his ears.

"I am Onya ... the Untouched."

He froze then turned around walking over to the kneeling girl and looking down at her. It was true, in this light her hair did indeed look red, but that could be a trick of the firelight. Yet she was pale, even after what he had to guess must be at least over 6 months of captivity. Months slaves at least became somewhat brown after that time. Stroking his beard he pulled her to her feet and marched her outside. In the daylight the full impact of her hair was astounding. It truly did look red but he had heard of slavers using something to change a girls looks as they knew of his peoples fondness for certain hair types. He ordered his small band to surround them then look outward then grabbed her skirt and pulled it up exposing her nether regions. The hair there too was red. Quickly replacing the dress he moved back into the tent. No trader went that far and no woman either.

Placing her before a chair he had her kneel down and then sat. "I Baldr claim this woman Onya as my property. She will serve me now and I make it known to all those here who will spread the word, She is an untouched." Nodding he looked at all present then waved his hand at the girl, ""Onya food and drink for us all."

With that he dismissed her from his mind for now as he turned to his men. "Have them arrange another Pyre for Loro. She is to be burned with her husband. We will honor them tonight and feast. Tomorrow we head home as normal." He looked around at ten of his most trusted warriors. All of them had been with him from the start and all of them knew that there was more to his plan than just uniting the clans. "We have almost done it my friends. Only six clan's remain and I have heard that two of them may come to join us freely. Within six months the whole of the Clan lands will be one for the first time."

Smiling he stood and yelled to the ceiling and the skies above it. "Then there will be a feast this world has never seen," he laughed as he slapped their backs and looked for the food and drink he had sent Onya off for.
 
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Baldr and his men began to eat. He was pleased with the girls quick response to his needs and her handling of the other slaves. Of course she would be afforded a special place in their ranks, but he had seen the fear in their eyes as they had served them. He had not seen it in hers.

The slaves however had nothing to fear from his warriors, well besides from the usual. However every man there knew that they were to act responsible. They were all now part of the same clan and the slaves had the same rights as the ones that lived at home did.

This had been hard to get through to them at first. The first few raids they had still acted like they normally did, satisfying their urges on any slave that was near to hand, plundering from the families and even taking prized mounts as their own. Baldr had quickly put a stop to this though, sometimes through violence, but mostly through words and acts.

He knew it was not good to deprive the men, so he always split the chieftains treasure with them, something never done before. However as he was the only one fighting he also explained he took most of the risk. The warriors were there only in case of trouble. Of course when that happened they were allowed spoils. By the time he had a large clan his ways were set in stone and everyone knew their role. Newcomers were taught quickly the error of their ways if they stepped out of line by the men themselves.

As the meeting wore on, he discussed their travel plans and how fast his Karant's thought this clan could move. As usual the whole tribe could be ready to mve at a moments notice. The tents, though very solid, could be dismantled quickly and everything was kept half packed in a state of readiness. the herds and Horses could be gathered up and on the move within an hour, the whole camp within two with hardly a trace it had been here. The clans were masters at this.

Baldr nodded and then dismissed them to spread the word of the feast and of his desire to leave by midday.

He then turned to the girl who had been sitting quietly behind him the entire time. He nodded at her and indicated for her to rise and sit in the chair next to him. He studied her closely, noticing for the first time how truly beautiful she was. She had the fine features of a southern lady to go with her milky skin and a small graceful body as well. The clothes she was wearing did not do much to hide her figure but nor did they flatter her. She had small breasts but they did not look out of place on her, instead they complimented her look.

He smiled at her and then nodded. "So, you must be from the southern lands of course," he began speaking easily, "I would say the Meretheni Federation somewhere although how you came to be in this tent would be a fabulous story."

He poured two goblets of watered down wine and placed one in front of her. "I am rather looking forward to hearing it actually but for now let us talk about other things." He smiled widely at her as he sipped his wine. "I need you to convince the slaves that they will be well treated by my men and that nothing will change. Tomorrow we will be traveling back to my Clan's homelands and they are to be prepared to pack up the camp. However I also want to have a feast to honor both Borona and Loro. They were fine leaders and I had hoped they would choose a different path, but they were true clansman until the end. I need your best cooks and food to prepare it, and I think you know who and where that is."

He continued to smile at her as he sipped his drink. "You know you remind me so very much of my mother. She was a woman from the south as well. You may have noticed the red tinge to my hair. She always said that there was more to a southern woman than met the eye. My father found that out as did more than one male," he laughed gently.

he remained quiet for a few moments then stood up and gestured for her to follow him. "Come, lead me to the kitchens and we will see if I am as good with my words as I am with my sword," he chuckled, "Although I feel you will need to back me up."
 
Baldr looked at the two in front of him, then at his childhood friend Hodr who was his chief Karant and had taken the tour with them. Smiling broadly he he sat down at the table again, picking at some leftover fruit and nuts before beginning to quietly chuckle.

"Oh poor Borona. What a marvel he had in his own tent and I guarantee he never knew it. You know far more than you are telling me Untouched and you are definitely going to be worth keeping beside me."

He looked then at the warrior who stood beside her. He casually took the weapons he had given up from Hodr and tossed them back to him. "No warrior of mine needs go unarmed around me Yol."

Seeing their surprise he merely grinned. "If I am not able to defend myself against one man in my own tent, I do not deserve to lead my own Clan. However I have always prided myself on being able to read people and I believe I am safe around him," he smiled. "As for your worries about your fellow Karrant's, don't be. I have been at this a long time and we have ways of testing the loyalties of all our new recruits. If they are found wanting then they will be punished in the usual manner."

This was not just some idle talk. Loyalty to ones clan was paramount. Anyone found trying to stir up trouble was punished severely. It could range from banishment from the Clan's lands, to being made a slave. That was the ultimate dishonor for a Warrior. To never again be allowed to touch a weapon or ride a horse.

Of course there was trouble and there was challenge. At any time a Karrant could challenge for the leadership of the clan, yet he risked his whole family if he did. That included his wife and children, but also any brothers, sisters and sometimes even their parents and their Aunts and Uncles. It was a very drastic thing so one had to be sure they could win.

Still he was very impressed with the two of them. He had known he was being subtly guided, but had allowed it, wanting to both see why she was doing it and how well she could. He suspected just visiting those ten men had not been the entirety of her plan. She had made sure to parade him around the entire camp, making sure as many people had seen him, and more importantly, her together. It not only introduced him to these clansman, but confirmed he had recognized her status and had claimed her.

This girl had a sharp mind, maybe even sharper than his Mother's and he had learned a lot from her. Defeating Borona may have been the single most important victory he had had in his life so far.

"Still, you two have done me a service. It is going to be easier to keep an eye on those men now that we know about them. We will also see if they meet regularly with any of their men. I won't tolerate rebellion in my Clan."

He looked to Hodr and the man nodded and Baldr sat back at ease. He knew that by tonight each man would have a shadow on them that no one would ever suspect.

He then turned to Yol. "So you have been in charge of protecting Onya these past three years. Tell me then, What do you think of her?"
 
Baldr heard Yol's words and was astonished. He had not thought that Borona would have listened to the council of one such as Onya, or kept any Karant that he did not trust. Yet if the man's words were to be believed, then this is what he had done. Perhaps the once great warrior he had known had indeed needed the help of his Karanteen to rule. A sad day. That indeed put a new perspective on things. It was obvious the Karant's would have known that he would be coming to challenge for the leadership of the clan. Had they not challenged Borona just so they would not have to face him? If so what did they hope to do no that he had won? Perhaps they would bear very close watching after all.

"You have given me much to think on Yol. Perhaps one day you will also tell me the story of why you think Onya is such a great horseman. If she finds it embarrassing it is probably a good one," he chuckled.

He waved the man away and watched as he stepped outside to take up a post. He sat and thought about his next move until Onya returned, although this time she was not alone. He raised an eyebrow at the two slaves as they deposited two jugs on the table and he sniffed at them. One seemed to be a very fine wine, while the other was cool water. So already she was learning his tastes.

He was about to talk with her when she dismissed those slaves then returned to the entrance to escort 12 more slaves inside. As soon as they started walking in he knew what was going on and sighed. He could not really refuse this but he did not have to enjoy this, and by the looks on these slaves faces they were not doing so either. Yet he could not dismiss them out of hand as to do so would be a huge insult.

As they dropped their robes he stood up and began to examine them. He had to admit his Karant's had picked well. The women were of different shapes and sizes, from small and petite, to large a voluptuous and most shapes in between. However they were all fit, a life of a slave did not allow one to become fat. The men were the same. Small to tall although none as tall as him and well muscled. Their cocks although flaccid he could tell would range from small to large as well.

This usually happened every time he conquered a new clan. He walked up and down the line and smiled at each of them as he gave them a thorough, but hands off, examination. He had each one turn around and looked carefully at them without making them feel like a piece of meat. he complimented each one on something special about them, including the males but eventually he returned to standing back in front of them and turned to Onya.

"So hard to choose. They are all so good. So why should I. See to it that decent clothes are found for them and they will all accompany me to the feast tonight."

He gestured for them to get dressed again and then chuckled. he did this each and every time as well and was looking forward to the expressions on the Karant's faces. He wondered if even Onya would work out his reason for doing so.
 
Baldr sat in the place of honor and watched as the feast began. He had made sure his army had brought extra food along for it so as not to deplete the supplies of his new clan's. Around him he had mixed together his Karan'ts and his new Karant's. This was so they got to know one another and also so his could start the feeling out process. They would be sure to stay sober while appearing drunk, yet get the new Karant's as drunk as possible. As was said, 'Wine loosened a man's tongue and brought out the truth in him'.

The wine flowed, the food was magnificent, and the people danced to the music. If their was one thing his people were good at besides fighting it was letting loose. They lived each day in a constant struggle to survive knowing it could be their last, so when the celebrated they celebrated like it was the last time they would.

When he had appeared with every one of the sex slaves, he had seen shock on his new Karant's faces. They had each been ready to gloat when their slave had been chosen. He had hid his smile, and during the night he had made sure each had filled his glass at least once and served him food. He had played no favorites so they could not say even that. Let them guess about his preference as well even though among the clan's it did not matter. Many men took male lovers although most took a female as well. Continuing your line was of the utmost importance to a warrior. Having a son to carry on your name was what all strived for. The fact that he did not at his age was the talking point of the clan. However he had pledged not to marry until he had united the whole clan's under one banner.

Finally it was time, and quiet came over all those assembled as he approached the pyres that had been set up. They had been doused in scented oils and with a prayer to the God's to guide them to the afterlife, Baldr lit both and stepped back.

They caught quickly and soon both were burning fiercely. As the flames burned high he threw back his head and yelled to the sky. Soon his voice was joined by all gathered, over 10,000 voices rang out in a fierce cry. It was a warning to the heavens that a warrior was on his way and that they best be prepared.

As the last echo's faded away, the music started up again and the celebration resumed. It would go until the pyres burned away, however with the oils that did not take long, then the holy men would perform the ceremonies on what was left while the rest of the clan slept. Tomorrow was another big day.

Returning to his place Baldr gazed out at the party and smiled, already thinking of his next battle.
 
Three days earlier.

Col. Blood, late of any number of Free Companies, Grand Companies, Routiers, Free Booters, Reivers, mercs, guardas, militias, was a cautious man, which accounted for his continued existence in spite of the disappearance of most of his former employers, including a particularly nasty outfit calling themselves "lawmen".

Because he was a cautious man he knew how close to approach the low rise in the road, beyond which carrion birds circled some tragedy of the little forest trail he was taking from somewhere to somewhere else. He stepped off the trail into the woods and waited. And waited more. There was nothing but the squabbling of crows and grackles, possibly a blue tipped vulture but this was too far east for their normal territory although there was only one and presumably unmated. No human sounds, so he stepped out of cover and walked over the hillside to see what he expected to see after the cloud of birds parted in screeching irritation.

There had been an ambush and slaughter -- a thorough slaughter. He wasn't sure how many bodies there were, no less than 15, no more than 30, and a dozen dead horses. Two days ago. The stench was horrendous, and he lit a prime seegar to mask the smell. There was little else to see, much less to pilfer. One wagon with a smashed axle remained upright. He decided to rifle a saddlebag, which yielded a hard biscuit and a water bottle. As he stood up, he noticed the horse had fallen on and smashed a wooden box.

He managed to lever off enough of the dead animal to pry the box free. It was stuffed with papers, parchment, scrolls, maps, leather-bound books. Not a letter could he read, but the junk might be sellable as curios, maybe pay his fare back home to the land of the Frenks, or ... just where was home? He wasn't sure. He wasn't sure of his name either, after all this time, which wasn't "Blood", or his status in life, which wasn't "Colonel".

He extracted a silver and ivory-framed parchment, rolled the balance of the papers into a cloak from a less eviscerated victim, and cached it 100 yards off the trail, carefully taking bearings so he could return, if he had to.


Three days later.

The potential mark was a merchant and wealthy, just as the barman promised. And he was intrigued by the tale the well-travelled Col. Blood wove about this wonderous albeit unreadable scroll from Antiquity, in a frame of bone and the finest silver from the north of Spain, which the merchant had never heard of and therefore must be Exotic and worth the handful of half-vintis asked by the Colonel. The merchant wasn't totally sold on this, well, traveller's tale, but the Colonel had arranged with the barkeep to top off the merchant's mug with cask-strength ale, so his normally fine-honed mercantile sense was dulled to a warm, soft-edge. Holding the meeting in the half light of a midnight tavern added to the exotic ambiance, and made a close inspection that much harder.

The merchant considered, this so-called Colonel asked for 10, he could resell for 13 and 3/8s at least. He reached into his coin purse, started counting out the price.
 
Baldr had been surprised when Yol had come to him asking if Onya may visit him. As a servant she was permitted free access to his tent at all times, however this sounded almost formal. He had nodded to the man and sat in his favorite stool awaiting the girl.

It had been many days since they had left the camp grounds of Borona's ex Clan. It would still be several more until they reached his own new village. He was pleased that his timetable had been moved up. Seven days ago the Karanteen of Jurger had ridden up with their clan in tow and pledged their loyalty. Two days later the last of the clans, Felstad, had done the same. Both had been holding out for a long time, more from pride than good sense. Felstad had been killed by his own wife, who had ridden in proudly to hand over control of her clan.

Now he was the absolute chieftain of the North. He was going to change how his people lived and make their lives better. No more just surviving, soon they would have luxuries and places to live. However he knew some would cling to the old ways and that was good. He still wanted his horse warriors, he just wanted them to have a better life.

His thoughts were disturbed when Onya entered and Yol began to introduce her. In truth he only half paid attention to the man as he gazed upon her. Gone were the ill fitting clothes of a slave, although he had got her better fitting ones. In their place was a beautiful gown made from expensive material. It was worth a lot he could tell and he was shocked she still had it.

It fit her well, accentuating her figure very nicely, although he could tell it had been made for her when she was smaller. The way the hem showed too much ankle, the sleeves did not quite hide her wrists, how tight it was around her breasts, and how snug it was around her hips. Still it was very pleasing to his eye and made him see her in a whole knew light as she had bathed and washed her hair as well, making sure she was very presentable.

Then the titles Yol was rattling off penetrated his brain. His mother had been very thorough in his education. If she truly was related to all these people she was a very valuable slave indeed, in fact she was a Princess above all others. He smiled then put his hand over his mouth and stroked his chin to hide it. For her to reveal herself she had to want something. He waited for her to speak.

"My Lord Baldr," she said with a confident tone, trying to hide the effects of the rapidly and strongly pounding heart within her. "Upon the marriage of my father, Rolton, King of the Meretheni Federation ... to my mother Laura, daughter of the Frahm of Ras Rufna, granddaughter of the High Counselor of the Republic of Yalla ... the High Priestress of Vint declared that my father's children would reign over the whole of the Known World ... that they would bring piece and prosperity to all the people ... under one banner."

So her father had once had a dream like himself, only he had hoped it would be fulfilled by his children. His mother had explained how the south chose their rulers not by might, but by titles and birthright. It had confused him. He had asked a lot of questions, mainly about if that person was stupid or sickly what right did he have to rule? His mother had just shrugged and explained it was the law. Baldr had still not understood and considered them stupid. No clansman would follow an incompetent leader.

Onya then stepped out of her Sandal and showed him a series of Tattoo's between her toes. Nodding his head he marveled at the intricacies of the thing. Whoever had done them was an artist. He could also understand their placement. Who would know about them or see them at a casual glance. He himself had never done so. It was a brilliant way to prove someones birthright.

"These markings from the Old Religion are proof of my birth ... of my position ... of my rightful claim to the Meretheni crown ... and more.

"I ... I don't expect you to understand their meaning." She chuckled a bit, feeling her face flush as she lowered her foot and stepped back into her sandal. "I didn't understand their meaning when they were applied to me." Again she laughed, adding, "All I knew about them was that they hurt!" She regained a bit of her composure, continuing, "But the Priests of the Order of Vint would verify with you that they are genuine ... that they mark me as who I claim to be ... and that they are proof of the claims I make."

He nodded at her. "I have no doubt that they will. However so far you have not told me why you are telling me all this. You are only making your worth as my slave that much higher. In fact were I now to sell you I could ask a truly fantastic price with all that you have revealed to me."

He waited to see what she would do. Of course he had no intentions of ever getting rid of her, far from it in fact. She was too intruiging and if the truth was told he was beginning to enjoy having the girl around. She was one of the few people he could talk freely around and who had a mind as sharp as his own. The fact that she was beautiful also might have something to do with it, although he was not ready to admit that to himself just yet.

"I beg of you, master," she continued, only now looking up into Baldr's eyes. She could have put the Chieftain first in her next statement and herself second, but then, Onya was the one with only the claim to power while Baldr was the one with the real power ... the very real and big army. So she said quite diplomatically, "Let me join you in your quest to conquer the Known World. Let me give legitimacy to your claim over the South..."

Then, as if to show how important this was to her, Onya leaned her head forward to expose the back of her neck in a tragic way as she finished, "...or release me from my years of want and desires ... and let me join my lost family in the Fires of Un."

So she knew of his plans to do that. That just proved his point. Not even his closest advisors had worked out his next step and already this girl...no woman had put two and two together. Oh he truly needed her by his side. There was no way he could sacrafice someone like her to Un.

"You will not be journeying to Un this night, or anytime soon, if I can help it Girl," he told her. "Now stand up and come sit beside me. I believe we have much to discuss. It will be several days until we get back to my village and you will be spending every night in this tent." He smiled at that thought. "You best be careful, pretty soon there may come a time when your 'untouched' status might be questioned," he chuckled. "You best have your Protector watch us very closely."
 
Baldr listened as Onya talked about her Father and her Siblings. He had known exactly what her Tattoo's meant and how the succession process worked through his mothers teachings, but perhaps it was best to play the ignorant Barbarian for now. Still he was moved by her tale. To have so many siblings die was tragic. In a culture which prided itself on caring for it's children, to listen to this was a tragedy. He felt truly sorry for her.

CutiePie1997 said:
"If I were to return to Fothala ... to the capital of the Meretheni Federation ... with the High Priestess of the Order of Vint to confirm my identity and claim and pave the way to the crown ... and an army of Horse Warriors at my back to secure it--"
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Ahh so this was her plan, even though he had already guessed it. No wonder she had waited until now to reveal herself. He had finally united all the Clan's and now had a sizeable force and the power to command them without leaving himself vulnerable in his own lands. Besides which his plans coincided with hers. He wanted more and richer lands for his people and she was offering them to him. However he could just take them, what was she going to offer in return?

She continued with boldness, "And a fierce, confident ... King ... at my side..."
Click to expand...

Baldr's eyes widened in surprise. She was offering herself. A truly large prize indeed but only if her claim was true and if they could win the war. Still he would like to take her for his wife anyway but he could not let her know that or his bargaining position would be weakened. He had vowed not to take a wife until all the clan's had been united but that task had now been done and he was free to pursue any woman he chose. He would have to think long and hard on this though.

Still it was best to test her resolve.

"So you wish me to be by your side as your King. Perhaps we should have this wedding take place before we set out to make sure you do not back out of your promise then. We will be home soon and I can have all the high priests and Karanteen assembled several days after that. In fact if I send riders now they can be there when we arrive. Preparations will take several days and then we can be wed. What say you to this proposal?"

He was very interested in how she would answer. He wanted to see just how committed she was to her dream.
 
Baldr smiled at the girl, for girl she was. He had expected her to pull away from him and give him some excuse why she could not wed until after his warriors had done their job, but she was willing to marry him before that as long as it was done by a Priest of Vint. Of course no such Priest was present in Clan lands, but it would not prove too difficult to get one. It would only delay their wedding by several weeks. Still he had a suspicion why Onya wanted the wedding delayed. He saw how the girl looked at him. While there was some attraction there, there was also concern and fear. Oh he knew the fear was not directed at him personally, but more at what this union meant. She had never been touched and he would be surprised if anyone had even talked to her about sex. She was afraid of the wedding night and what was expected of her.

While Baldr himself was no great expert in that department, he knew he would be gentle and caring with her, but she needed someone to talk to who was wise in the ways of men and women. Unfortunately he did not know anyone and truth to tell he was embarrassed to ask any of his men. Hopefully a solution would present itself before their wedding night. As for the other problem, well he had a solution for that.

"Don't worry my beloved, getting a priest will not prove difficult. Why there are plenty in Vint still, so we shall just travel there to be married."

He smiled at her shocked expression and continued. "It will kill two birds with one stone little one. I will find out if those tattoo's are real and if they mean what you claim, and if so we can be wed right away. The priests of Vint can bless the union and also proclaim that a new king and queen have arisen to claim their rightful place and woe to anyone that opposes them."

He looked at her and smiled widely. "When we get back home I will announce our engagement and select the warriors that will accompany us. We will set out for Vint by the start of next week."

Baldr was as good as his word. The assembled Karanteen's and holy men were skeptical at first but once Baldr had Onya show her feet and the tale was told most came around. The others were convinced by the plan to war against the south. Baldrs plan called for the clans to mass on the border between Fenwater and Vint. He would travel to Virta to be wed and then send riders back so the invasion could begin.

All towns would be given the option to surrender and join under the banner of the rightful rulers of the Known World, King Baldr and Queen Onya. Failure to do so would result in being burnt to the ground and sacked. His warriors knew what to do, they were experts.

A small force was to be left at home to protect the homeland from attack from the sea and to care for the wounded as they were sent home. They would also be back up troops if needed. The men all drew lots for this duty with the Karants doing that duty. The unlucky ones cursing and the lucky ones whooping. However Baldr assured the ones staying at home that they would get their chance as he would rotate the troops so everyone fought and everyone got time at home. This pleased them and made all the troops happier.

In one week the bulk of his troops set out for the border. Of his troops,10,000 set out to man the border with a further 2000 to travel with Baldr to travel to Virta. Just over 2000 protected the homeland plus 4-5000 freeman who if needed could be armed. Baldr felt sure his home was well protected.

It took a little over a week to ride to the border and then he left his troops. Only his guard would be traveling with him, no slaves, no freeman, just horseman and Onya. They would be faster this way and truly who would want to tangle with 2000 clan troops? Smiling Baldr gave the order and they set out for Virta.
 
Baldr had been busy on the trail between his lands and the city of Vint. He had not had much time to spend with his betrothed as he wished, but he had made what time he could for her every night. He had laughed the first night when she had hastily withdrawn into her tent complaining she was feeling tired. Anyone could tell she was a novice to the saddle and while she had been fine while they had been traveling at the sedate pace of a clan's movements, now that they were traveling at a true warriors pace she would have to learn to toughen up.

Baldr would have a word with her slave. There were salves and ointments that could be massaged into the tired muscles that would not only make them feel better, but would also toughen them up and provide relief that way.

As the days passed he noticed that Onya began to get used to her saddle and smiled. It would not look good if the wife he had chosen could not ride like a warrior. It would have made him look weak, and indeed some would have taken it as a sign he could be challenged. Now however it just looked that he had chosen well, and that his bride to be was worthy to ride beside him.

Each day as his outriders reported to him about the lay of the land, he had Onya sit next to him. Once all the reports had been given he had her sit in with the discussions he had with his Karanteens. He wanted them to get used to the fact that she would soon be his wife and he wanted to show that she did have a brain in her head. The knowledge she provided was incalculable. Her knowledge of the lands and of the cities proved valuable for him to paint a picture in his mind of how this land was fairing, and the fact was it was not doing well.

His scouts reported ruins and farms that were overgrown and abandoned. What few towns they spotted were all fortified, albeit poorly in most cases with wooden walls that looked poorly built and maintained. There was evidence of troops but more evidence of bandits although they did not show themselves to any of his groups. Probably deciding that they had easier prey so why try to take on sharks in a pool of minnow's.

Baldr digested all of this and knew that if need be he could sweep into this land and have it under clan rule within a fortnight. A few victories here and there and word would do most of his work for him. Most towns would open their gates and invite him in instead of risking bloodshed.

As they finally topped a hill and spied the vastness of the inner sea, Baldr called a halt. He gazed down at the sheer expanse of the inner sea and marveled at it. Of course he had seen the ocean in his own lands, but this was surrounded on all sides by the land mass of the known world. Lowering his gaze he got his first sight of the great city of Virta. To say it was a let down was an understatement. He had heard tales from his mother of the brilliance of this city. How all the Lords, Kings, and Rulers made pilgrimages to it so that they could study in it's great library that was said to hold all the vast knowledge of the world within it.

Now it was a collection of ruins held together by a few hardy souls, that seemed to be making a living in certain parts of a once great city. Baldr just hoped that the priesthood was still around.

"Well my beloved shall we go and see if there is a priest to be found in these ruins. I hope so as I am looking forward to making you my wife," he smiled at her.

He knew of her slaves nightly activities although he did not know all that she had done. He only knew that Onya had taken an interest in learning about the goings on between a man and a woman. He was actually glad as he did not want her too shocked about want happened on their wedding night, however he did hope there was a bit of mystery involved.
 
CutiePie1997 said:
"You must tell him who you are to pass, m'lord," Onya said as she leaned in close to the Chieftain. She spoke to him in a soft voice, not wanting to either sound as if she was giving Baldr direction nor give the indication that maybe he was ignorant to the workings of Southern ways. She continued, "And tell him why you-- we are here."
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Baldr looked to the woman at his side and nodded once then gestured to his men to stay where they were. He moved his horse forward at a walk until he was within talking distance of the men before him. Even though he had approached them alone they still appeared nervous and their hands strayed towards their weapons although they did not openly put them on them.

Smiling Baldr took stock of them. All of them were dressed in black leather armor of high quality. Still it would do little to protect them against the weapons his clansman wielded. They were used to fighting against opponents that wore chainmail and leather and were adapt at piercing and bludgeoning such. Plus a horse gave added weight to a weapon making it that much stronger. No their armor would not stand up to their weapons or spears.

Yet they had that wall to hide behind and that changed things. His men were not used to fighting against such things. Of course they had raided small villages and towns with small wooden walls but nothing like this impressive stone wall. It would be a challenge but he knew he could overcome it, although it would cost him many men.

Turning his attention back to the one that had spoken he smiled at him. "My name is Baldr and I seek a priest of Vint so that I can marry my bride to be. I need a few claims she has made verified before I do and she insists that the ceremony be performed by one of your priests and I have agreed to her demands. As long as you do not attack we will do the same. Ours is a peaceful mission."

He looked up at the wall and then bellowed, "Whoever shot my man know this, if I find out who you are I will be challenging you to single combat and I do not fancy your chances of coming out of that alive."

Smiling back at the herald he resumed talking. "So lackey, may we enter or do you have to confer with your masters?"
 
Baldr had been following the exchange between Onya and the herald closely. He was a little surprised that she had not gotten his permission to speak before announcing herself to him. He would have liked to keep her true identity a secret for awhile longer, at least until they were inside the walls, but she had ruined any chance of that. They would have to talk about that. She was still effectively his slave until they were wed and maybe it was time she was reminded of that fact.

Still as they talked it seemed the Herald was testing the validity of her claims. It looked like Onya had been here once before and an incident had occurred with a horse. As the story unfolded the man changed certain details or asked questions only the real Onya could answer. Baldr was pleased when she seemed to get them right. After all he was here to also see if her claims were true or not. This was further proof that there was some truth to her stories. However this only proved the girl was here three years ago.

He watched as one of their party took off at speed and he was impressed at the horses performance. Nothing they had would be able to catch that, well over a short distance. He had already noted the powerful legs and chests of the horses the riders had below them. However they had no stamina to them. A clan horse could canter most of the day and still be ready to fight. He doubted these horses could canter for more than an hour before they had to rest. Still he wouldn't mind trying to cross breed a few.

Looking at the man when he mentioned about his wounded man and the offer of a healer he shook his head. "They may be good, but he would refuse them. Only another clansman may touch him while he is part of this force. It is an old superstition but one we take seriously. However when we join you tonight I may have a word with them and maybe get some advice," he smiled.

He looked to the man and then at Onya. "For now though I think we will take our leave. My betrothed and I have much to discuss before we enter your city and I would like to see my men taken car of before we do."

He motioned for Onya to proceed him back towards the waiting warriors then followed her. Once there he started to give orders and soon tents were up, a temporary corral was in place and the horses were being taken care of, Fire pits were being dug and a space for latrines was being made.

Baldr oversaw all of this then directed Onya inside his tent. "First Never again announce yourself like that without my permission," he told her once they were seated with some light refreshments in front of them. "I took great pains not to mention your name and yet you go blabbing it about for anyone to hear. Just remember you are still my property until we are wed and it can remain that way."

Calming down he looked at her. "So saying, tell me what you can of these people and what I should expect. I wish to be prepared fully for our meeting tonight."
 
Baldr frowned as the man rushed in. He had insisted that they not be interrupted and he was about to yell at the man when he quickly informed his chief of the reason he had dared to interrupt him. Baldr's anger immediately increased but now it was no longer aimed at his bodyguard but at this audacious priest. Had he not told the herald that they did not want any help and that in fact it would be an insult to the man if a priest turned up? So what was this man doing here?

He brushed passed his man and walked forth and approached the waiting priest. He was an older man and stood stooped over meaning Baldr who was already a good head taller than the man looked even taller. Looking down into his face Baldr glared at him.

"What are you doing here old man. I informed your herald that we did not need your assistance. In fact I made it perfectly clear that it would be an insult if you were to come out here." He gestured around at the angry faces and looks from passing warriors he was receiving. "As you can see from the reception you are getting my men do not appreciate your presence and neither do I. If this is the sort of diplomacy I can expect from the vaunted priests of Vint then perhaps they are not so intelligent as I have been led to believe."

He looked at his bodyguards and gestured to the priest. "Escort him to the boundary line of our camp. What he does then is his problem but he is not to be harmed, although he is not allowed back inside our camp." Turning back to the priest he glared at the man. "You heard my instructions. My men will not harm you as long as you stay outside of our camp grounds.However if you try to enter they will force you back out and if you are harmed while they are doing so, well let us just say that you have been warned," he smiled.

Two of his men stepped forward and stopped beside the man who merely looked at Baldr and nodded then turned and followed his escort away. Baldr glared after him then retreated to his tent and looked at Onya. "I am surprised at these priests and disappointed. From your descriptions they seemed reasonable people, but to send someone after being told it would be an insult is a grave mistake and one I am not likely to forgive lightly."

He sat down and ate some fruit until he had calmed down a little. Then he smiled and looked at Onya. "Well before we were interrupted you had advised me not to take these Darkness troops lightly. I assure you I take no troops lightly, however you will find there is something that we of the clans have that those in the south do not. Years of combat experience. Their troops may have fought a few skirmishes and an occasional battle, and they may have trained every day for most of their lives but we of the clans learn to fight as soon as we can walk and are fighting for survival against each other and the land soon after. Our whole existence is a fight and no amount of training can ever replicate that."

He smiled towards her. "Yet I will take your words to heart. You have seen these people fight and I have not, and already I know that these walls would cost me many men to take. I would prefer not to do that. Instead I would like to make friends with these people and marry my beautiful bride to be," he smiled at her and stood up walking towards her and stroked her cheek.

Again there was a discreet cough at the tent flap and Baldr sighed and pulled back as the same man entered. He was sweating as he interrupted his Chief a second time but he had wished to be informed about this.

"Excuse me chief, but wagons are approaching from the wall. I believe they are the supplies you were promised."

Baldr smiled and walked outside gesturing for Onya to follow him. He looked at the wagons approaching the camp and the small flock of goats being driven behind them.
 
Baldr heard the scream and knew immediately who it was from. There was only one woman that had been brought on this journey besides Onya and it was not her that had screamed. He was out of his tent and at Onya's in seconds to find a hysterical Gree babbling about her mistress being taken by spirits.

He walked past the woman and into the tent and examined it thoroughly. One side of the bed was still warm while the other was cool to the touch. He had been told of Onya and Gree's sleeping habits but knew it for what it was. The nights were cold and sharing body warmth was excellent at fighting off the chill. However it appeared Onya had not been in bed for some time.

He spotted the slit in the tent and checked for tracks. There were faint markings here and there but nothing he would be able to follow, although it told him exactly who had kidnapped his betrothed. The Darkness. According to Onya they had the skill to pull something like this off.

Walking back outside he questioned the fearful guards and Gree. The guards had heard nothing, and Gree admitted to sleeping soundly although she mentioned waking up with a pounding headache like she had drunk too much wine, however she had only drunk one goblet. One goblet to a clansman, even a woman was like drinking water. Baldr knew that was important and sent the two guards on a search from the rear of the tent towards the nearest edge of the camp for any other warrior suffering the same effects.

Walking back to his own tent he summoned all of his Karrants. He began to issue orders. If the priests were still there they were to be taken prisoner and bound and gagged and placed in a tent to be guarded day and night. A swift rider was to be sent back to the main force to summon them here on the double.All persons not of the clan were to be kicked out of the camp quickly and a fortification set up. Large hunting parties were to be sent out to procure food enough for their main force for a week.

His men hurried to do his bidding and then Baldr took two men with him and began riding towards the walls. They had dressed in full battle gear and took their best weapons. Each man carried five throwing spears in a small holder on the left side of his saddle and a large lance on his right. His two bodyguards had white flags attached to theirs, a symbol of peace and a wish to talk.

He stopped within hailing distance of their gate and looked at this wall himself. Men scurried around on top of it and their was smoke rising from different places on it. What that was about he did not know but it was probably some type of defense and did not bode well for his men. Looking at the gate itself he saw that it was sturdy and would take many men to break down although he could see how it could be done. Still he looked above it and began to bellow out.

"Last night you sent out food and wine and even whores for my men and I thought you were good people and was willing to treat you as such. Then you insulted me by sending priests to my camp even though I told you not to and they would not be welcomed. Against my better judgement my betrothed calmed me down and insisted it was just your way and again I was ready to treat you well." he let his words sink in then raised his voice to a battlefield boom. "Yet this morning I wake to find that you have stolen the woman I came here to wed!! This insult will not be tolerated. You have one hour to return her or one of your precious priests will die. Every hour you delay another will die and I can guarantee you it will not be quick. You will hear their screams of agony from inside your walls. Once they are gone I will come for my bride and leave no one alive in my wake. Virta will cease to exist. Perhaps the priests in Vint will be more obliging. You have one hour to make up your minds."

He turned and rode back to his camp which was a flurry of activity. As he got there he sent out small raiding party's to surround the town with horns to signal if they tried to break out from any other exits. It would take his main force at least two days to get here and the rider a day to summon them. Plan on four days just in case and a day of rest before he could attack in earnest. Until then let them stew and wait. Maybe they would come out and fight them in the open and learn what true warriors could do.
 
Baldr had been busy in his tent planning out strategies with his Karanteen. No mater how he looked at it he was going to loose a lot of men if he tried to breach those walls. He already knew what an accurate barrage of arrows could do to a horse charge, and now it seemed that these Darkness warriors had come up with a better bow that had a longer range and more power. Veedon had been gravely injured and indeed the clans healers had had to treat the wound in a new way. Unable to simply pull the arrow out as they normally would, they had completed it's journey through the man's shoulder, pushing it through then snapping it off then withdrawing the shaft. Veedon would never have the same strength in that arm again, but luckily it was not his sword arm. The healers had packed the wound with healing herbs and so far he was surviving. He was running a slight fever but that was to be expected. If he lasted through the next few days they expected him to survive.

All of this however was just another problem Baldr needed to overcome. He had not seen more than a few hundred men on the walls and doubted there was many more inside. He estimated that he outnumbered the enemy by at least ten to one but they had that damn wall. Still that could be their downfall. Once his main force was here he would outnumber them by fifty to one and he could surround the three sides available to him with large forces. They however would be stretched thin. That would be the time to attack. Maybe he would give them a chance to surrender, it would depend on their actions.

He was just putting a few finishing touches to his plan when he was informed of the party approaching by one of the bodyguards at the tent flap. He gestured at all those gathered and they mounted up and rode out to meet them just outside the newly completed opening in the wall.

He saw the same herald he had talked to before standing before the gates but he did not dismount. Instead he gestured for his men to stop a little bit behind him and walked his horse towards him and leaned casually on it's neck as he waited for the man to speak.

"I am Sir Parta, First Captain of the City Guard of Virta. I have been sent by the High Priest of Virta to negotiate the release of the Priests now in your care."

Baldr snorted in amusement. Why would he give up valuable prisoners? This man was obviously hoping he was either stupid or had never gone to war before.

"But first, I wish to discuss the misunderstanding that has arisen concerning the disappearance of the Lady Onya. Lord Baldr, I assure you ... we, the Darkness ... the Order of Vint ... we do not have your betrothed in our care."

Baldr almost laughed in the man's face at the audacity of his claims. Who did he think took her then? They had been before the walls of their city and he had found another two men inside the camp and two sentries who had woken up with headaches the same as Gree had described. The men in camp could be explained away as they admitted to drinking. However the sentries could not. No man would drink on duty.

Then a Female dressed in the manner of a warrior dismounted from the party beyond him and walked forward. She was armed to the teeth and walked with the assured grace of a true warrior. Baldr was impressed.

This is Aliza, m'lord," Parta explained. "She was Lady Onya's Protector for the three years that she lived her. Aliza has volunteered to remain here in your camp, m'lord..." Parta added a bit more friendliness to his tone as he specified, "As your guest ... to aid you in discovering Lady Onya's whereabouts in as timely a manner as possible. Aliza is very familiar with the Raiders -- both from the Fenwater in the west and the Frenkish Empire in the east ... who sack our villages and town on a regular basis. It is our belief that forces from one of these entities has taken Lady Onya, and we wish to resolve this misunderstanding without any further bloodshed."

Aliza. Baldr remembered that name from Onya's story warning him about the prowess of the Darkness's abilities in battle. So she was indeed a decent warrior. Still this laughable matter of them trying to pass off the abduction as the work of Frenkish or Fenwater raiders was insulting. The clans had fought them for more years than this man had been alive and knew how to deal with them. In fact they knew all their raiding techniques and this was not one of them. All they were doing was giving him another prisoner.

"Very well. I thank you for sending us the help of such a trained soldier Parta. I am sure she is as eager as I am to get Onya back considering her close association with her. However you will understand I can not have her walk armed into my camp at the moment but she may need her weapons later. If she will just hand them over to one of my Karants...Ah you would call them lieutenants I believe she will be most welcome."

He waited to see what this warrior would do.
 
Baldr sat watching the woman divest herself of her impressive arsenal impassively. Even when she half revealed herself he kept his eyes locked on hers and did not look away from them. He had an idea she was actually putting on a little show for him and his men, seeing what they were made of and so far most of them were failing.They had never fought a true woman warrior before, oh there had been a few woman that had picked up weapons and fought when they had gone raiding, but that was not the same. Before them was a woman bred for war. She was truly dangerous but his men did not see it.

When she finally finished and bowed to him claiming she was as safe as a lamb he laughed. He knew she probably knew several different ways to still kill people with bare hands just as he did. Then the Captain stepped forward again.

"Now, m'lord Baldr ... about the Priests currently in your care..."

"Wait just a moment Parta, I must see to the comfort of my new guest." He motioned for two of his Karants to come forward and then had one pick her up and seat her in front of him while the other took her weapons. "Take her to Onya's old tent and make her comfortable. She is to be treated as an honored guest so anything she needs except weapons are to be provided for her. Food, drink,companionship." He looked at the woman. "I would appreciate it if you would look around her tent for me. Not much has been touched so perhaps you can provide some new thoughts on who could have taken her in such a manner." He waved them away then turned to Parta once they were out of earshot.

"As for the priests, they will be staying where they are until my bride to be is found. You have bought them some time however. I will give this woman Aliza one day to dazzle me with her skills. If she has not found evidence of who took Onya by then, Well let us just say I would hate to be a priest," he smiled viciously. "You best hope she is good."

He gestured back to the waiting group of warriors and the wall. "Our meeting is over now, you may go," he told the man waving him away. Then he turned his horse around and rode back inside his camp followed by the rest of his Karants. Baldr rode towards his own tent where he knew the weapons would have been placed. he wanted to examine them before he talked to his new 'Guest'. He needed to find out just what these Darkness warriors were playing at. They could not honestly expect him to believe this ruse of theirs about other forces abducting Onya could they?


Meanwhile several miles distant, the scout Tyr who had been sent to summon the main force was worried. He was approaching a forested area but had seen several birds fly into it and head to the exact same spot. Nothing too unusual unless they had flown in from the same direction as well and that had been from a distance. The clans did not use birds to carry messages but they knew of them and had observed them before, especially the scouts. He was sure these had been such. Obviously there was someone or a force waiting for him ahead.

His options were few. He needed to go that way to get to the only crossing for miles a fact they obviously knew. He could circle around the forest making the hidden force come to him on his terms but it would add time to his journey and his chief needed the main force as soon as possible, or he could barrel through and hope for the best.

He chose to circle. I might add time but it also had the greatest chance for success. As he changed direction he heard a horn and soon three riders broke from the forest. Smiling he continued on. He had made the right choice. Three against one, in a forest when they had set up the ambush. He would not have stood a chance. As they drew closer they drew swords and again he smiled. He pulled one of his spears and threw with deadly accuracy and strength, piercing one of the warriors through the breast skewering him. The other two were rapidly closing the distance but he threw another spear hitting one in the shoulder, crippling him and taking him out of the fight.

Now it was one on one and he drew his sword and turned his horse around and charged his opponent. He saw the surprise in the mans eyes and then their blades clashed. He streaked past then pulled back heavy on the reins, his horse digging into the turf and standing on it's hind legs to turn and charge again. This was what it was bred and trained for. His opponent meanwhile was still trying to turn around. He managed a weak charge back but Tyr had all the momentum and his swing almost knocked the man from his saddle. Again his turn was quick and he was almost upon the man before he had completed his. Tyr decided to try to end it and actually had his horse charge the smaller horse plowing into it. It shied back and almost went down the man atop it flailing to control it and his weapon. Tyr waited and when an opening presented itself he thrust and the man grunted in pain then collapsed. He was not dead but he would definitely not be going anywhere soon.

Tyr had to admit these were good warriors, but their mistake had been to try to fight him on horseback. No warrior could match a clansman on the back of a horse yet they had come close. Three on one and he would have been hard pressed, in fact he probably would have lost his life, still it never got to that he grinned. He began to ride off when he felt a sting in his leg. Looking down he saw a dart and then looked around. The rider he had put a spear through the shoulder had somehow managed to approach and had thrown the dart. It was a minor nuisance yet he was grinning as he sat upon his horse wobbling from pain and blood loss.

"Got you. Poisoned dart. You will...be dead...in a day," he started to chuckle.

Tyr's eyes flew open and he charged the man taking his head clean off in his rage and then he started to ride again for the main force. It was still almost two days distant and according to that bastard he only had one. Well he would show him the strength of a clansman.
 
Baldr sent his men away and had one of his bodyguards take care of his horse then strode into his tent. He ate a quick meal of bread, cheese and fruit while sipping on water while he waited for Aliza to have enough time to look around Onya's tent. Once he was sure enough time had passed and he had kept her waiting enough time beyond that, he strode forth and made his way to her tent.

Without any announcement he walked straight in. He wanted to see if he could catch her doing anything untoward. Smiling at her he walked to the small table and sat gesturing for her to do the same and then asked Gree to go and fetch them some Klatch.
The girls eyes widened. That drink was only brought out on special occasions and normally only served between respected members of the clans. She had never heard of it ever being served to a foreigner before. Yet she knew better than to disobey her chief and she hurried from the tent to fetch a bottle.

"So Aliza, have you made any discoveries we have not. I am sure with your extensive knowledge of the ways of southerners you have probably found something we have overlooked in our haste." he let a touch of sarcasm enter his voice and pierced her with a hard stare.

He listened to her reply then smiled. "Interesting. However our own investigation has led us to believe otherwise. Still you are the expert, perhaps you are right."

Gree returned with the bottle and two small cups and placed them on the table. "Ahh the Klatch. You must try this Aliza. It is a special brew only drunk on the most auspicious of occasions. I believe this is one of those times." He pulled the cork from the bottle and then poured two small shots of the liquid from within. it was as clear as any water and he lifted his cup to her and drank it straight down in one gulp. "Ahh the nectar of the gods. Please drink," he said gesturing at hers. When she looked at it with a slight grimace and hesitation he smiled. "perhaps you think I am trying to poison you." Reaching across he picked up her cup and drank it down smiling, then refilled them both. "Now too our partnership, may we find lady Onya together safe and well." he downed his third cup and looked at her expectantly.

Tyr was making good time but he was starting to experience headaches and his leg was burning. Damn, maybe that man had been right. However he trusted his horse and knew it would see him home. He placed a note in his satchel with their orders and then gritting his teeth he rode on. He had to get through or die trying.
 
Baldr smiled as he watched Aliza go through her little ruse. Her reasoning was sound and well thought out with just enough truth to it and facts to back it up to cast doubt on what he knew to be true. If he did not already know certain things he might well have been swayed by her argument.

Her explanation for the slit in the back in the tent was true. He himself would never have cut upwards. Cutting the leathers securing the bottom of the tent was the most effective way and left little evidence to be spotted from the outside. However she was also right that the top of the cut was ragged, except that the rest of the cut had been done with a knife that had been razor sharp. He had been puzzled at that until she had produced that knife and given him that explanation. So already they had been planning on putting the blame on a specific people. He would however have to talk to the warriors who had searched this tent. They had failed to find the knife and that was inexcusable. However he was impressed that she had managed to keep two razors hidden on her person.

Her theory about the plant material however did not stand up to scrutiny. Gree had cleaned every inch of the tent that she was allowed to, twice. She had been so upset at the loss of her mistress she had wanted to make sure everything was in order for her return. He knew that the tent had been spotless. Besides her reasoning was flawed as well. If the people who took Onya had to make their way through the camp, to her tent, hiding all the way to avoid being spotted, it was highly unlikely they would still have any plant material that would easily drop off in just the right spot to identify them when Onya had not even struggled.

While she tried to distract him further by undressing in front of him, he examined the hide with her likeness on it. It did look a little something like her, and as a guide it was perfect. There was no one that looked like her in the clans so even though the picture was crude it was good enough. He caressed it and was surprised when the picture smudged. For something that was supposed to have been drawn days ago this was wrong. Smiling he rolled it up and put it in his pocket just as Gree came in with the Klatch.

As they drank he smiled as he watched her become more and more open. The woman had probably drunk something like this before or even something she thought was Klatch but no one knew the real secret recipe of making the true stuff except the clans. Gradually she became more and more intoxicated and she began to reveal more information. She told him all about the Fenwater, it's people and the lawmen. It was good information and would serve him well later and it seemed she had a personal grudge against them.

She then looked at him with a gaze he was used to, lust. Girls and women had been looking at him that way for years but he had rarely if ever taken them up on their offers. Still there was something about this woman. Then she looked at him and asked him bluntly, "Do you wanna fuck me ... m'lord?"

He was rather shocked. He had never had a free woman ask him that question that way. It was true she was a beauty, in fact she had a more beautiful body than Onya, but he found himself drawn to his redheaded bride to be and not this woman. Oh he had lustful thoughts about her of course but he had lived with those all his adult life and was used to repressing them. "Do I want to...Well of course I would like to. You are a very beautiful woman Aliza. Am I going to? No...No I am not. Perhaps when I have found Onya and we are married and I have her permission to seek a second wife then perhaps we can discuss this again. In fact I would very much like to discuss it again," he said reaching across the table and stroking her cheek.

Filling up her cup he downed his own and smiled at her. "Of course if you really want that to happen the quicker we find Onya the quicker we can be together. If you would only stop playing games and tell me exactly where she is perhaps I may even be convinced to not wait."
 
Baldr did not even feel the cup hit his head and was off his stool and after Aliza before she had taken two steps. He needn't have worried much though, she had obviously miscalculated just how much the Klatch would effect her. She had planned her escape well. The earlier cuts she had made in the tent to show him the difference in the way she would have entered and the difference in how sharp her blades were compared to the fenwater knife were now her escape routes. Whether this was her plan all along or just that she always had a back up plan just in case he admired her. Her mistake was that she had never drunk true northern Klatch.

She stumbled on her way and as she tried to dive through the horizontal slit she actually hit the side of the tent and bounced back onto the ground at Baldrs feet. Casually reaching down the big warrior lifted her up by encircling her neck with one hand and bringing her up off her feet, holding her in front of his face as she slowly began to choke.

He held her there until most of the fight had gone out of her before walking towards the bed and throwing her down on it. Systematically he stripped her of all her clothes and footwear until she lay naked before him and then ran his fingers through her hair. He did not trust her to not have any other weapons secreted about her person, especially after she had displayed just how easy she had gotten two razors past his guards.

While she struggled for breath he moved everything that could be used as a weapon away from arms reach then sat on her legs and pinned her arms above her head with one arm. Smiling down at her with malice he waited until her breathing was back to normal.

"So you have finally decided to forgo your lies and tell the truth. That is good. Now you are going to tell me the exact route these warriors took and when they left, how many there are and how they are armed. If not I am going to torture you. Oh I can see by your scars that you will not really care about that, and I doubt if I ravish your body you will care much about that either. However you are sworn to protect your Priests are you not? What if I was to start on those first? Perhaps one of those females. I am sure they have never felt the touch of a man before, perhaps it is time they did. In fact not just one man, but three at a time until she is used up and then we can kill her slowly in front of you. Of course if you haven't talked by then well we will just have to keep going. I have 2000 men and 5 priests. Do you think they will be able to service all of them before you talk?"
 
Baldr cursed. Her words had the ring of truth about them. She had been privy to the plan to move Onya but not as to the time of when. Still there were very few places they could have left from and fewer times they could have done so. His patrols were very thorough but he did not have the manpower to completely block off the entire length of the walls. There were gaps in the patrols in which a small force could sneak through.

He called out and immediately one of the men at the door rushed in. If he was surprised at the situation he found his chief in he made no comment. "Send a rider to the patrols on the wall leading to Vint. They are to look for signs of a small force that broke out from Varta and headed towards the city. Be quick, they can't have been gone long. Also send word to my Karant's. I want a force of 500 warriors ready to leave in the next ten minutes."

The man saluted with a fist to his heart and ran out and Baldr looked down at Aliza. He now had another dilemma. He had sworn to kill the Archer who had injured his man, but he had a feeling Onya would not be happy if her ex guardian was slaughtered by him. Besides it would be a waste of a perfectly good woman.

"Why do people always think they have the best healers," he said shaking his head. "We are not the savages you make us out to be. Your arrow was new to us but we have found a way to treat it and my man is doing fine. He will need some rest but he is looking forward to fighting again very soon," he smiled. "Besides we have our beliefs and what would you have me do, just ignore them when it became inconvenient? Do you ignore yours like that warrior of the Darkness?" he smiled down at her.

Shaking his head he eased up the pressure on her wrists some but still held her firm enough that she could not get away. "I have a dilemma Aliza of the Warriors of Virta. You have just confessed to me that you are the one that shot my man. I made a solemn vow to challenge and kill the person who did so. However my bride to be Onya remembers you fondly and would be very upset with me if I was to do so and may even grow cold towards me. Not a good way to start a marriage you must admit," he smiled. "However I have a proposal for you. If you give me your solemn word not to speak of this ever again I am prepared to allow you to stay here in my camp and once Onya is safely back with me again, you are to become her personal bodyguard along with her protector Yol. If you go back on your word, not only will you be used by every man in this camp, but every man in the entire North including the freeman and slaves. If there is anything left of you by the end of that well, maybe we will start with the horses," he smiled roughly."You can of course choose to take your chances fighting me that is up to you. So what say you Aliza, will you fight or wait for your charge?"
 
Baldr looked down at the woman kneeling before him. He knew that by invoking the Goddess Un she was effectively promising by her very soul. There was no way she would break the vow she had just committed herself to. He could now trust her to do exactly what she had said. Still what she had said did not mesh with what he had asked. He did not want her to find Onya, he would do that himself and he did not need her dictating the terms of her surrender. She was his to do with as he saw fit. Yet he was impressed with her and maybe she could still prove useful.

"I agree to release the priests. They are no longer of use to me anyway. With Onya now no longer in Varta I also have no reason to destroy it so the people are safe. However my men will remain here so your warriors can't pursue me as I go after Onya."

He looked down at her and smiled. "I also don't need you to tell me how to treat my wife. It may come as a shock to you Aliza of the Darkness, but I truly love that woman. Not just for the titles she brings but for the woman she is. If I did not I would not be taking her for my bride. Do you truly think I need her to conquer these lands?" he chuckled. "This is but a small part of my army. No one in the entire South has an army as big as mine and no one will join together to defeat me. You all squabble among yourselves and hide in your own lands hoping you will not be next. That is why I would win. However now I have found a true Queen to rule at my side and perhaps some will flock to her banner and survive what is coming if they swear fealty to us."

He smiled grimly down at her. "However like you if their word is broken they will not survive to regret it. For now you will be bound here in this tent until I am sure I can trust you. Prove to me your loyalty and you will serve me the rest of your days as a free woman."

He walked to the door and talked to the remaining guard and soon a small chain and anklet was brought back. Approaching her he snapped the anklet on her and then measured out the chain and then attached it to the tent pole. "This allows you the freedom of the tent. Gree will have thee key and will get you whatever you need. She will accompany you to the privy and back and you may have it off when you bathe. Knowing your training it will be a simple matter for you to remove it and escape or escape when it is off. That is your test, to not do so."

He turned and left calling for Gree and handing her the key explaining her new duties. He then called for the priests to be brought to him and he began leading them towards the gates as he blew a horn signalling that he wished to talk.
 
Baldr had been making his way to the gates when he spied the tent in the middle of the road. So they had set up a way point obviously just for the purpose of negotiations. He looked back at his camp and then forward to the walls of Varta. He smiled as he realized it was set up closer to the walls than his camp but it would take a very trained eye to tell. It would give the defenders a fraction more time to prepare and would put any delegation from Virta under the covering fire of their archers very quickly. He nodded suitably impressed. He would have done the same if he had been in charge. This Parta was a smart man.

He dismounted and strode into the tent along with two of his bodyguards. He left the five priests lined up along the back of the tent where they could be seen clearly by anyone approaching guarded by the two Karants he had brought with him. Inside he looked around and then calmly sat at the table that had been set up and poured himself a cup of water.

It was not long before Parta walked in and greeted him. He sounded a little eager but at the same time nervous. Obviously he wanted to know why the priests were here, but at the same time he must be glad they were not harmed. Baldr wondered if he was going to be smiling after their little talk.

"Good evening to you Parta. I have some good news for you. I have decided to release your priests back into your care as long as they do not come near my camp again. In truth they are not needed. My man is doing well and we have no need of their so called healing anyway. It was rather arrogant of them to think that they were the only ones that could cure him in the first place. I would appreciate it if my wishes were followed to the letter in the future." He smiled pleasantly at the man the waved dismissively as if the whole subject was bothersome.

"Still let us just call that a misunderstanding on your part and say no more about it shall we." He made as if to rise then sat down again and looked at Parta with a steely glare. "Oh there was one other thing. I know for a fact that you had," he said stressing the word had, "Onya within your walls until recently, and that she is now on her way to Vint accompanied by some of your warriors and priests. They believe she is too good to marry a what was I called...Barbarian from the North, and needs to marry a proper Noble." He smiled at Parta but it was deprived of all warmth. "I can guarantee you this. They will never make it to Vint, and how many survive depends on their actions. If any of your forces try to go and help them they will be killed on the spot. I have finished playing games with you people. I have made a promise not to harm anyone within those walls. Step out of them and you will face my wrath. You kidnapped my Queen and are trying to marry her off to another man. Perhaps I should take all of your women and do the same," he asked the man. "At least I would not be breaking my promise."

He stood up and turned to leave then looked back at him. "Tell me, did Onya ever say she was being forced into this marriage or that she wanted to be taken away from me?"

Baldr glared at him as he listened to the man's response then began to walk from the tent. "Take your priests and go back to your city and do not show your face outside of it again until I send for you. Anyone that does is fair game, this is my warning to you Parta of the Darkness."

Baldr strode from the tent and mounted his horse riding away without a backwards glance as his men mounted up behind him and did the same.

An Hour Later

A scout came hurtling into the camp at breakneck speed and rode straight to Baldr's tent. He dismounted and was quickly ushered into his presence.

"Signs have been found Chief. They lead away from the wall and towards Vint. They were well hidden close to the wall but further out were picked up. Scouts have been sent on ahead to mark the way."

Baldr gave the man water and rushed from his tent. Soon the five hundred warriors were assembled and riding behind the scout they were led to the trail and soon flowing along it in the mile eating pace they were so famous for. Baldr had no doubt they would catch up to the group. They might have a good lead on them, but they would have to slow down. His band however could go days at this pace, although he did not think it would take that long. He would say a single day at most, maybe even by noon the next day if they failed to realize they were being followed. Smiling grimly he resisted the urge to make his horse go faster. Soon he would see his Onya again and then there would be hell to pay.
 
Baldr listened to the question then smiled. So Parta knew where the information had come from and was not denying it. This confirmed what Aliza had told him better than if the man had flatly told him it was false or admitted it was true but told him she was still inside the city. Maybe he could trust the woman after all.

Of course his next question was aimed at getting information about her and the subtle threat was obvious in his tone. If he had done anything to harm his warrior...Of course that was laughable. The man had planted her inside his camp in the first place to feed him disinformation. The fact that she had been caught was due to his skill. What happened to her was up to him, but it was on Parta's head as her commanding officer. Of course he had already mad his deal with the woman but he did not need to know that.

Smiling he stood up. (OOC. For what happens next see my above post)


Baldr and his men had been riding for the entire night and now dawn had come and gone. The men broke their fast in the saddle, drinking water and eating dried meat and bread from saddle bags slung before them. The scouts reported they were closing upon their prey rapidly. They had found the remnants of a camp, a fire pit with dampened coals but enough still warm to indicate they were but hours behind them.

Baldr smiled. Obviously they did not know they were being pursued and as such they would not be pushing their horses. They would make up that time quickly, yet once they came into contact they would not be able to catch them. Still it would then be a game of endurance and one he was sure to win. He wondered if the leader of their troops would recognize this and try to fight with fresh horses or after they had been running away too long. Personally he hoped they chose to run. It would make his job easier.

He looked towards the horizon and sent his thoughts towards it. Soon Onya, Soon he would rescue her and they would be together again and then there would be a reckoning.
 
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