Ingvar The Stout
AXE-AGE, SWORD-AGE
Part X

978 A.D.

The Norwegian Sea

.....

Ingvar:

His only reply to Kolger's comment is a nod, and then he takes a place at 
the oars with the other men.  Though he's not very experienced at rowing, 
his strength should help him get through it.


Passing the promontory, Ingvar spots Astrid and Hammar.  He stands up 
from his seat at the oar and faces the pair.  Though he doesn't wave, 
Ingvar stands watching them for nearly a minute before returning to the 
oars.  He doesn't like being separated from Hammar, but there seemed 
precious little choice.

<><><><><>

[GM]

The Vikings' predictions of fair weather are only half-true....no storms blow 
over you, but the seas are still gray and choppy, and the crossing is not 
pleasant.


They also become frustrated because you're not very good at giving 
nautical directions....one bay looks pretty much the same as the next to 
you, how can you describe features of the coast that indicate you are near 
Harnut's estate? You know you'll recognize the port of Kolberg when you 
see it, and the bluff on which Harnut's mansion stands, some miles past it, 
but your sense of direction at sea needs improvement.

Eventually, to your relief, Kolberg appears ahead. The Vikings steer their 
longships well out to sea, so as not to be spotted.

<><><><><>

Ingvar:

Having made several sea voyages lately, Ingvar manages to only empty 
his stomach over the rail once.  Worse than how he feels is the difficulty in 
finding the right spot to land.  He hadn't realized that it would look so 
different from the sea...

Ingvar smiles as Kolberg finally heaves into view.  "There's Kolberg!" he 
nearly shouts at Kolger.  Fortunately, the Vikings are smart enough to 
quickly move out of sight of the town.

Ingvar watches intently as they move down the coast, looking for the 
landmarks that will indicate the presence of Harnut's estate.  His 
excitement begins to grow as he senses the nearing of a long-cherished 
goal.

<><><><><>

[GM]

You see a familiar bluff ahead. You aren't totally sure, since you've been 
looking at it from the land-side before, but it appears to be the point you 
marked as the best coastal landing near Harnut's estate.

Following your directions, the Vikings begin to steer towards the beach, 
navigating past a few rocks that you didn't think to take notice of before. 
It's a treacherous and difficult landing. "This better be worth it!" Kolger 
growls.

It is afternoon now. The consensus of the crews, your opinion 
notwithstanding, is that it will be best to wait until dawn, attacking just 
before sunrise, allowing them plenty of daylight to make their escape.

<><><><><>

Ingvar:

Gliding into the landing below the bluff, Ingvar's excitement continues to 
increase, though little of it shows on his face.  It's a tough landing, and the 
crews have to work hard to make it in safely.  Doesn't matter to Ingvar; to 
him it's worth whatever it takes.  Kolger's comment draws an "It will be!" 
from Ingvar, though he doesn't add the "to me" that is in his mind.  
Whether it will be 'worth it' to the Vikings is up to them.

Ingvar agrees that a nighttime attack is best, though it appears he has 
little say in the matter.  Most of the men appear to be involved in getting 
the boats safely situated and themselves ready to spend the night here on 
the shore.  Grabbing his own things out of the boat, Ingvar moves them to 
a place where they will be easy to find, even at night, such as a large rock 
or a tree.  Then he approaches Kolger.  "I'm going to go take a look 
around.  Make sure the owner hasn't brought in any guards or anything."  
He pauses a second for any reply the raider chooses to make, then begins 
to work his way up the hill.  As he goes, he will try to get his bearings and 
work his way toward the large tree that they have hidden under so many 
times.

<><><><><>

[GM]

"Good idear," Witgath says in a flat tone. "I'll come with you." He walks 
behind you.

<><><><><>

Ingvar:

"Alright.  Just move as quietly as you can," Ingvar replies.  He's not really 
surprised that one of the vikings feels a need to come along - probably 
more to keep an eye on *him* than to scout the terrain.  Oh well.

As they near Harnut's estate, Ingvar tries to remember everything he 
learned from Astrid about moving quietly and puts it to use.

<><><><><>

[GM]

You find your way to the tree across the field from Harnut's estate. Witgath 
stands there with you and looks at the mansion. "Don' look defened," he 
says skeptically. "Don' look like a lotta plunner either."

<><><><><>

Ingvar:

Looking across the fields, Ingvar is surprised to see so few of the 'slaves' - 
it bothers him a lot to use that word on a group of people that includes 
*his* family - out tending the fields.  A sudden thought strikes him: what if 
Harnut has gone somewhere and taken some of the group with him?!

Consumed by his own concerns, Ingvar is a bit startled by Witgath's 
words.  The lack of guards is fairly obvious.  "No.  That's good for us."  He 
is less surprised by Witgath's valuation of the estate.  "Most of the good 
stuff is inside the house; the owner likes fancy stuff.  The cattle are over 
that way," Ingvar states, pointing in the general direction of where he had 
seen them feeding before, "if you want a look.  You can get a better view 
of the house from over by the barn or the outhouses."  Again, he points 
towards the appropriate places as he mentions them.

Ingvar remains where he is for a little while, watching, looking in particular 
for any sign of Helgi or Istrid.  He knows that he needs to move up the tree 
that he had pointed out to Helgi to leave a sign, but he doesn't want to 
rush things.

<><><><><>

[GM]

Witgath walks around a bit, always staying within sight of you. He 
continues watching the estate. As it is growing dark, you have a hard time 
seeing much around the house. You can't see Istrid or Helgi.

<><><><><>

Ingvar:

Noting that that the sun is setting and darkness is creeping across the 
land, Ingvar creeps forward to 'the' tree on the edge of the fields.  As he 
gets close, Ingvar makes certain to note the exact position of the lowest 
branch and ducks under it near the trunk.  From there he surveys the 
fields and house once again.

After a few minutes, Ingvar begins to back towards where he left Witgath.  
Just 'accidently', he whacks his head on the branch behind him.  Angrily, 
he whips out his axe and hacks the offending branch, accompanied by 
several growled curses.  Satisfied, he crouches and continues back to the 
big tree.  Now if only Helgi or Istrid will come out to use the outhouse and 
notice the marker...

<><><><><>

[GM]

Witgath shakes his head at your antics. "I hep yer not so clumsy usin' 
t'axe in a fight," he says.

The two of you walk back to the Vikings' camp. You spend an anxious 
night, waiting for the pre-dawn raid.

<><><><><>

Ingvar:

"No," Ingvar growls in response to Witgath's comment.  "Then again, I'm 
not usually attacked by *@%&#* trees!"

Reaching the camp, Ingvar tries to get some rest.  Unfortunately, he 
sleeps fitfully at best, anxiety about the attack and the fate of his family 
tearing at him.

<><><><><>

[GM]

It seems like you just lay down, when the Vikings are rising, preparing for 
their raid.

"Arright Swede, lead der way!" Kolger says, almost sarcastically.

<><><><><>

Ingvar:

Ingvar cracks one eye open at the call to rise.  He's not a lazy man by any 
standards, but Ingvar *really* wishes he had gotten a decent night's sleep.  
Sleeping aboard the ship had been difficult enough.  Slowly, he rises and 
prepares for the day's battles.  Armor and helmet are soon joined by a 
shield.  Then he straps on his sword, axe, and knife.

It appears that a quick bite out of his bag is all he will have time for.  
"Alright," Ingvar replies to Kolger, "let's go."  He heads back up the hill, 
following the same path he had used the previous night.

When they start to get within sight of the fields, Ingvar decides to spit the 
group up.  "Kolger, take your crew and one of the others and circle around 
the fields to the other side of the house.  The rest of us will come in from 
this side."  He gestures to indicate roughly the route.  "You hit the front 
door and we'll hit the back.  Ok?"

<><><><><>

[GM]

Kolger nods, and the band splits up.

Even without trying to be particularly stealthy, the Vikings get all the way to 
the walls before anyone notices them. You hear someone screaming off to 
the side, and then you hit the back door and crash through after a few 
blows of your axe. Immediately a cry goes up, and the Vikings begin 
storming into the house as those within sleepily reach for weapons. Only 
the servants were already awake, and few of them were equipped to 
defend the mansion. Panicky chaos punctuated with sporadic bloodletting 
ensues.

<><><><><>

Ingvar:

Crashing through the rear door, Ingvar leads his group into the house.  As 
he moves, he yells and waves his axe - still in his hand from its use on the 
door - in an attempt to cow those before him.  Ingvar makes no attempt to 
loot, and anyone who gets in his way gets shoved aside.  He will only use 
his axe as a weapon if necessary.  Far more important things occupy this 
man's mind: finding Helgi and Istrid.  Moving quickly through the rooms of 
the house, Ingvar searches for any sign of his family.

<><><><><>

[GM]

People are screaming everywhere, and every door or wall that is not made 
of stone is being battered down. You don't know where to start looking. 
You see one woman being pulled screaming from a closet where she was 
trying to hide, smacked in the face to shut her up, and then dragged 
away. A boy not much older than Hammar doesn't get out of another 
Viking's way fast enough, and falls with his head split open by an axe. The 
man next to him berates him, saying "We cain' sell a corpse!"

Maybe large-scale raids on towns, with armed defenders arrayed against 
the Viking warriors, are more glorious; this is just a violent looting mob 
breaking into a big house.


You hear a familiar voice scream, then, and see Istrid slung over the 
shoulder of one of Kolger's men, crying and pounding ineffectually on his 
back with her fists as he carries her towards the nearest exit.

<><><><><>

Ingvar:

Moving from room to room, all Ingvar sees is ugly and brutal.  The life of a 
sea raider doesn't seem very glorious right now, if ever it did.  Seeing the 
young boy killed sends all kinds of fears running through Ingvar.  He *has* 
to find Helgi and Istrid - and *soon*!

Then he sees her: Istrid!  She's *alive*!  One of Kolger's brutes has her, 
but he doesn't seem to be hurting her.  "Hey!  Easy with the young ones," 
Ingvar calls out.  He starts to move towards them, but realizes that he still 
doesn't know where Helgi is.  Turning, Ingvar heads in the direction that 
the man carrying Istrid seemed to be coming from.  Hopefully, she and her 
mother were together...

<><><><><>

[GM]

Helgi isn't in the room Istrid appears to have been taken from; you only 
see some other children, ranging from about six to one girl in her early 
teens. The latter is being dragged away kicking and screaming, as she 
tries to pull the hair and scratch the eyes of the man grabbing her. The 
other children are being herded, roughly, by a Viking brandishing a sword 
and shoving the ones who move too slowly with the edge of his shield.

<><><><><>

Ingvar:

Panic begins to gnaw at Ingvar's gut.  What if she's not here?!  He doesn't 
recall seeing Harnut yet either.  Ingvar continues to search for several 
more minutes, until he is pretty certain that he has seen the entire house.

If he has still seen nothing of Helgi or Harnut, he will head outside to find 
Istrid.  Perhaps *she* can tell him of Helgi's whereabouts...

<><><><><>

[GM]

Helgi is not downstairs. You proceed to search the upstairs. That's when 
you hear Helgi shrieking. Then Witgath yells for you. "Ingvar! Get ore 
here!" Several Vikings are clustered in the hallway, having battered down 
a door that seems to lead into the master's bedroom.

Inside, you hear Harnut screaming in German "Bring Ingvar! Bring Ingvar! 
Bring Ingvar!" Several warriors are getting ready to rush him, but his 
knowing your name gave them pause, and they look at you suspiciously. 
You find Harnut standing behind Helgi, with a knife at her throat, cowering 
in the far corner of his bedchambers.

<><><><><>

Ingvar:

That scream causes Ingvar's ears to perk up - he'd know that voice 
anywhere.  It's Helgi!  The panic that gripped his guts but moments before 
transmutes to excitement at the thought of finally finding her.  Ingvar 
hardly needs Witgath's encouragement to come running.

Ingvar pushes his way through the crowd of vikings as he hears Harnut's 
desperate cry.  One look at the scene inside the room, and excitement 
turns to a cold, hard rage.  His knuckles turn white, so hard does he grip 
his axe.  Ingvar takes a couple steps forward, his face clouded with fury.  
"*Harnut*!" he yells, then his voice drops to a tone of hardened steel.  "Let 
her go, and I'll leave you alive.  But if you harm her, I'll personally carve the 
eagle in your back!"  Then, realizing that the 'man' - if such as he can be 
called that - may not understand Norse, Ingvar repeats the threat as best 
he can in his rough German.

<><><><><>

[GM]

Harnut does look perplexed at the Norse, but Witgath and his comrades 
look at you askance. "Yell what?" Witgath demands.

Harnut replies in German (after you repeat your threat), "I'll let her go 
when I'm on a horse riding away from here! Get your men out of our way! 
I've got nothing to lose!" He looks frightened, but with the kind of fear that 
makes a man desperate, and dangerous. Helgi gasps as Harnut's knife 
presses against her throat.

None of the Vikings seem to understand German. "Get 'em!" Witgath 
says, gesturing to his men to move forward.

<><><><><>

Ingvar:

Ignoring Witgath's query, Ingvar's eyes burn into Harnut.  Harnut speaks 
and tries to make a deal, but Ingvar doesn't trust him an inch.

Before, he can reply, Witgath shouts an order for the men to attack.  
Ingvar is stunned for an instant: *how* can he risk *Helgi's* life?!  "WAIT!" 
he shouts.  Not taking his eyes of Harnut, Ingvar tries to reason with 
Witgath.  "She's not worth anything dead, Witgath!  Besides, we don't 
need him - we came to loot his stuff and steal the slaves."

Hardly skipping a beat, Ingvar switches to addressing Harnut in German.  
"Not will happen, Harnut.  I take you to front door; let go Helgi there.  
Come."  He gestures to Harnut to follow him as he backs up toward the 
stairs.  Ingvar also gestures for the vikings to make room.  "Out of the 
way!"

<><><><><>

[GM]

"We han't fend's treasure!" Witgath snarls. "S'wat out the wimmen, she's 
too old t'sell high anylike." Harnut is panicking as the Vikings crowd 
against you and don't seem inclined to clear the way or back off.

<><><><><>

Ingvar:

Witgath has a point, and Ingvar *doesn't* like it!  But things are getting 
desparate here - he has to do *something*!  Turning to face Witgath and 
the other vikings, Ingvar holds up his hands in a 'stop' gesture while 
backing up a step or two in Harnut's direction, which he tries to make look 
incidental.  "WAIT!  If you just rush up and kill Harnut, you still won't find 
his gold, and you'll lose the woman besides!  Also, this is one of the two 
slaves I claimed; if she dies, I'll have to select another, more valuable, 
one."

Finally, Ingvar turns to face Harnut, hopefully much closer now.  As he 
speaks in his poor German to Harnut, he gauges his attack as best he 
can.  "All they want is you money, Harnut.  They not want you.  Give it to 
them - they let you live.  And this one," he says gesturing towards the one 
on the far right.  If Harnut's eyes shift, so much the better, but either way, 
Ingvar has to take his chance while he can.  Leaping forward, Ingvar 
makes a grab for Harnut's arm.  He hopes to immobilize it and pull it away 
from Helgi so he can't cut her.  Once Helgi's free, Ingvar intends to slam 
Harnut into the wall and gut the man with his own knife.

<><><><><>

[GM]

Harnut answers "All my gold is here....take it, but I am leaving here WITH 
your wife, if you want her alive!"

When his eyes shift, you leap.

You focus all your will on Harnut's weapon-hand, willing yourself to reach it 
before Harnut can press the blade into Helgi's neck. You actually hear his 
heartbeat, and Helgi's breathing, and the roaring of the men behind you 
becomes amplified, as you fly through the air, with a preternatural surge of 
speed.

It lasts for only an instant. The world shifts back into normal focus. You 
grab his arm, and slam into them both. Helgi cries out as she's crushed 
against the wall by your hurtling armored form. Harnut just grunts. You 
begin wresting his hand away, with your superior strength, but behind you 
come Witgath and the other Vikings, one almost colling with your back.

<><><><><>

Ingvar:

Harnut's admission to having gold here is more than he could have hoped 
for.  He certainly didn't know for certain that it existed, but it should serve 
to satisfy his rather disagreeable allies.

The flick of Harnut's eyes is exactly what he had needed.  Ingvar offers a 
quick supplication to Tyr during the long instants as he flies toward his 
target.  For just a moment, he feels strange, inhuman, and it dawns on 
him that his fears about what he has become may be far more real than 
he had imagined.

Ingvar hardly notices the impact through his heavy armor, but Helgi's cry 
tells him he has something more to appologize to her for when this is all 
over.  The thought of causing her pain mutes his joy at successfully 
grappling Harnut's knife hand.  Still, she's alive, and that is worthy of 
thanks.  He will have to remember this debt to Tyr later...

Fortunately, the strength of the pampered merchant is insufficient to resist 
Ingvar bending the knife away from Helgi's throat.  Then he hears the 
stampede behind him, and knows that they could all get crushed.  Ingvar 
tries to shield Helgi's body as best he can while continuing to wrestle with 
Harnut.  Once the knife is no longer a factor, Ingvar wants to pound him 
into unconsciousness, though something tells him that he isn't likely to get 
the opportunity in this press of bodies.

<><><><><>

[GM]

With so many men crashing into you, you and Harnut both tumble to the 
ground. You keep your grip on his wrist, but he thrashes and kicks, and 
screams as another Viking lands on top of him. You hear Helgi screaming, 
and everybody shouting in Norse and German.

<><><><><>

Ingvar:

Grunting as he hits the floor with bodies pressed all around, Ingvar 
continues his struggle with Harnut.  He would enjoy hitting the son of a 
troll, but if that is not possible he will try to twist Harnut's arm around until 
he either releases the knife or the arm breaks.  Should he not be able to 
do that either, he will try to get one of his hands on the man's throat, while 
still holding the knife hand with the other.

Helgi screams, and Ingvar's heart goes out to her, but there is nothing he 
can do for her at this moment.

<><><><><>

[GM]

You throw a few blows in the ensuing scuffle, but can't even be sure it's 
Harnut that you're hitting. Eventually you're separated by the other men, 
and you see Harnut being grappled by two Vikings, kicking and spitting in 
anger. Helgi has been cut across the cheek and is half-doubled over from 
being hit in the side. One of the Vikings is holding her roughly, waiting to 
see what else happens. With difficulty, you are able to struggle to your 
feet.

<><><><><>

Ingvar:

It's just damned impossible to vent his anger on Harnut in this crush of 
bodies.  Finally, Ingvar has to let go of the b****** before his own arm gets 
broken.  Seeing that several of the vikings have Harnut under control, 
Ingvar realizes that it just isn't his problem anymore.

Squirming and struggling, Ingvar drags himself out of the pile and 
manages to reach a standing position.  He can see Helgi standing there 
unhappily, and he doesn't like the way the viking is treating her.  Ingvar 
marches over and steps up close to the man holding onto Helgi, juts his 
face in the other man's and stares him in the eye with a very unpleasant 
look on his face.  "I'll take the woman," he growls, his tone fraught with 
danger.  "The slaves are being collected outside."  A glance to Helgi.  
"Come," says Ingvar.  Placing a hand on her arm, he begins to lead her 
outside.

<><><><><>

[GM]

"I like this one," the other man says stubbornly, probably more to provoke 
you than because he has any real desire for Helgi. "I'll take her outside."

<><><><><>

Ingvar:

The man's attempt to provoke Ingvar works, perhaps better than he might 
have hoped.  Letting go of Helgi with his free arm (the one without the 
shield on it), Ingvar smashes his fist into the man's midsection.  If the 
viking is still resisting, his next move will be to grab him and give him a 
knee to the groin region.  Ingvar doesn't really want a fight, he's just tired 
of being messed with and wants to end this quickly.

<><><><><>

[GM]

Your shield gets in the way of your punch. The other man steps back, 
then swings back at you. Helgi screams and ducks, while he misses your 
head narrowly.

"Hey!" Witgath exclaims. The other man tries punching you again, this 
time with the pommel of his sword, but he only bruises his knuckles 
against your shield. He growls and snarls an oath at you.

<><><><><>

Ingvar:

Totally ignoring Witgath's interjection, Ingvar smirks as the other viking 
punches his shield.  Not one to back down from a fracas, Ingvar continues 
to swing at the man until he gets in a solid blow.

<><><><><>

[GM]

The two of you slug it out for a few seconds, mostly ineffectively; it's hard 
to punch someone in chainmail and a shield. Eventually you get a blow in, 
and the other man stumbles, and you start pounding his shoulders with 
your fists. At this point one of his friends hits you in the side of your head 
with his shield. You go reeling.

<><><><><>

Ingvar:

This fight isn't doing anything for Ingvar's level of frustration.  Trying to get 
in a decent blow seems all but impossible.  Ingvar manages one decent 
blow, but then suddenly something smacks him upside the head and he 
staggers back a couple steps.  He just catches a glimpse of another of the 
vikings standing there pulling his shield back into position to prepare for a 
return attack.

Ingvar shakes his head to try to get rid of the sudden fuzziness.  As he 
does so, he spots Helgi; it appears she has been forgotten for the 
moment.  He hates walking away from a brawl, but it has proven pretty 
ineffective under the circumstances.  Besides, getting Helgi and finding 
Istrid is more important.

Growling low, Ingvar mutters a gutteral curse at the man that bashed him 
in the head, then turns towards Helgi.  Walking past her and heading 
toward the door, he mutters to her as he passes.  "Come on.  Let's go find 
Istrid."

<><><><><>

[GM]

The men with whom you're brawling aren't inclined to just end it and watch 
you walk away. Maybe they were planning to jump you at some point, or 
maybe they've just had their tempers sparked, but over Witgath's angry 
protests, they charge you. You go down in a tangle of armored limbs and 
sharp swords and axes, and shields clattering together. Helgi squeals, 
while fists and elbows flail everywhere indiscriminately. She is in serious 
danger of being injured, caught in the midst of this melee.

<><><><><>

Ingvar:

Ingvar had just achieved a smidgen of control over his emotions, but that 
was destined not to last.  The attack from the two vikings shatters the little 
self-control that he had scraped together.  Cold, hard fury explodes in his 
breast as he gets crushed to the floor by the two men.  His axe drops fron 
his hand and clatters to the floor.  Virtually everything but the need to fight 
back disappears from his awareness - including the danger to Helgi.

Throwing all his anger and determination into the brawl, Ingvar attempts to 
shed his shield as he continues to throw punches and twist limbs.  He has 
enough experience to know that it will just serve to hinder him.  Though he 
may be at a disadvantage against the two of them, Ingvar is determined to 
make them pay for their temerity.

<><><><><>

[GM]

Your shield is a tremendous hindrance, and not easily shed in the middle 
of a brawl. But one of the other two men is similarly encumbered.

Your strength is an advantage, but being on the ground under two men is 
a big disadvantage. The one without a shield pulls yours out of the way, 
and thrusts at your chest with a knife. The point jabs through your chain 
shirt, inflicting a painful but minor wound. Meanwhile, the other man 
grunts and rolls over after you catch him in the side with a kick.

<><><><><>

Ingvar:

Once again, fighting with a shield is proving to be quite frustrating.  With 
two people on top of him, it is turning out to be damn difficult to get the 
blasted thing off his arm.  There *has* to be a better way...

"Gyeah!"  Ingvar cries out between clenched teeth as the knife cuts 
painfully into his chest.  A moment of fear flickers through his mind 
instinctively before he remembers that he cannot die from such a pitiful 
weapon.  Still, the pain only serves to increase his anger at these two 
treacherous goats.  Managing to land a solid kick on the one with the 
shield brings a momentary flush of pleasure and enable Ingvar to turn his 
full attention to the one with the knife.

Still struggling to get the shield off his arm, Ingvar continues to kick and 
punch at the man with the knife.  If an opportunity arises, he will either 
grab the knife arm and bend it away, or try to knee the viking in the groin.

<><><><><>

[GM]

The other man manages to stab you again before you punch him across 
the face. The second wound is deeper but still fairly minor, and if past 
experience is a guide, the first one has probably stopped bleeding already 
and will now be closing up.

This brings up a troublesome thought; if you are seriously hurt in this fight, 
it will be difficult to explain your magical recovery.

More troublesome is the second man, whom you should not have 
dismissed so quickly. He jumps back on you, tearing your shield away and 
giving his companion a clearer shot at your throat. None of the other 
Vikings are intervening, but Helgi suddenly jumps on the knife-wielder's 
back. He growls and rolls over, slamming Helgi against the floor.

<><><><><>

Ingvar:

More searing pain as the knife again manages to carve its way through 
Ingvar's armor to his skin.  Sweat from pain and exertion is beginning to 
mat his hair and soak into the cloth beneath his chain.  Uttering yet 
another curse, a thought blooms in Ingvar's brain - one bad wound and 
things are going to get really ugly even *if* he survives!

Ingvar grunts again as the second man lands on him.  He begins to smile, 
thinking the man has done him a favor by removing his cursed shield, but 
then Ingvar gets another look at the knife waving in the air not far from his 
unprotected throat and he begins to have doubts.

"*Helgi*!" he bellows, seeing his wife get roughly slammed into the floor by 
the knife man.  In Ingvar's vision it seems as though the world turns the 
color of blood and all he hears is the pounding of his blood in his ears.  
With a sound more like an animal than anything human, Ingvar becomes 
a maelstrom of fists and elbows and knees and feet.  His concern for the 
second man only extends to removing him from his path to the troll with 
the knife.  A small voice in the back of his mind wishes his knife were in 
his hand, but Ingvar is too furious to take the time to draw it.

<><><><><>

[GM]

You manage to push the first man away, and grab the other one. 
Unfortunately, grappling him has added your weight to his, and now both 
of you are crushing Helgi. He grunts while you start pounding him, and 
tries to stab you again. The two of you roll off of Helgi.

<><><><><>

Ingvar:

Clearly, Helgi isn't enjoying being under the two of them, and Ingvar isn't 
much happier about it.  Shifting his weight suddenly and pulling on the 
goat with the knife, Ingvar succeeds in getting them off his wife.  He can 
only hope she scrambles out of the way.  "Move... Helgi..." Ingvar grunts 
between labored breaths as he strains against the viking.

Immediately, Ingvar turns his full attention to getting control of the knife 
hand of his assailant.  His intent is to twist the arm, bang the hand on the 
floor, whatever it takes to get the knife away from the man.  An occasional 
punch can't hurt either...  Ingvar spares just enough attention for a glance 
toward the second man every so often.

<><><><><>

[GM]

Helgi is trying to get up, while your opponent wrests his arm free of your 
grip, and almost slashes you across the face. It's not possible to keep tabs 
on someone behind you and keep your attention on a knife-wielding 
opponent wrestling with you at the same time.

You're starting to overbear your opponent, when something crashes into 
your head, hard enough to stun you even through your helmet. Then you 
feel an impact against your back, slamming into your spine with crushing 
force.

<><><><><>

Ingvar:

As his grip on the other man's arm slips loose, Ingvar curses, only to have 
to jerk his head back to avoid getting his face slashed.

Ingvar is just getting the b****** with the knife back under control when 
something smashes against his skull.  His head spins and a ringing 
sound seems to fill his ears.  Before Ingvar can even form a coherent 
thought, a blow lands on his back.  Feels like it nearly broke his spine.  
Only his grip in the first viking prevents him from crashing to the floor in a 
heap.

Struggling to clear his head, Ingvar can only think of trying to get some 
defense against the second guy.  Trying to shift his grip so that he's 
holding the man with the knife from behind, Ingvar lunges and pulls 
mightily in an effort to bring the knife-wielder between himself and the 
second sea-dog.

<><><><><>

[GM]

You grapple your opponent, and start rolling over. He stabs downwards, 
the point of his knife skidding off your chainmail, but you can't get all the 
way over before another impact rings against your skull, stunning you a 
second time. You feel another impact in your side, and you lose 
consciousness.


You can never gauge how long you've been out when you revive, but you 
are still lying on the floor in Harnut's master bedroom. There are no longer 
any Vikings in here, though.

<><><><><>

Ingvar:

Not enough.  Not nearly enough.  Ingvar's last thought is a curse as he 
slips into unconsciousness.


Waking some time later, Ingvar notices immediately that he has been left 
where he fell.  His head is still tender from the beating it took, not unlike 
the feeling the day after drinking too much.  Quickly, he looks around for 
any sign of Helgi, but doesn't expect to find any.  If he comes across the 
shield or axe he dropped, he snatches them up.

Not wanting to delay, Ingvar hurries outside looking for the rest of the 
vikings.  If he doesn't find them, he continues on to where they left the 
ships, not wanting to be left behind.

<><><><><>

[GM]

Your shield is still lying on the ground next to you....your axe is gone. And 
they also took your helmet.


Running back out of the ransacked house, you see that the Vikings are 
gathering all the loot and slaves outside, preparing to leave.

<><><><><>

Ingvar:

Slinging his sheild on his arm, Ingvar races outside.  Under other 
circumstances, he would probably be quite upset about the theft of his 
helmet, and especially his axe.  However, Ingvar is far to concerned about 
being left behind to worry about them.

Feelings of relief flood through Ingvar's mind as he bursts out the door 
and spots the vikings still near the house.  Searching the area for Helgi 
and Istrid, he moves in their direction.  If he happens to spot his helmet, 
or Witgath or Kolger,  he will note their location for later.

<><><><><>

[GM]

The Vikings seem shocked to see you again. You don't immediately spot 
Helgi and Istrid, nor can you see Harnut. Witgath looks up and frowns 
when you come running towards the group, and one of the men with 
whom you had your brawl points at you, face white.


"I bished his #$@%@! head in!" the warrior exclaims. "Yer a #@$%@! 
trollkin t'be walkin' around agin!"

<><><><><>

Ingvar:

Approaching the band of marauders outside Harnut's house, it doesn't 
take long for the expressions on their faces to tell Ingvar what must have 
happened.  He had been afraid that might have happened, and now his 
fears prove out.  "S***," he mutters to himself as the one warrior speaks 
up.

Ingvar strides directly toward the man who claims to have killed him, his 
hand resting on the hilt of his sword.  "So now I'm supposed to be 'dead'?  
Seems you didn't do as good a job as you thought, you pile of pigs***!"  
His voice is loud enough to make sure those nearby hear him as well.

<><><><><>

[GM]

You hear Helgi scream "Ingvar!"

Witgath and Kolger come forward. Witgath is looking back at the captives, 
including Helgi, with suspicion, while Kolger says "Izzit true, Swedlander? 
Are ye part Troll?"

"I smished 'is skull!" insists your adversary, backing away from you, fear 
and anger mixed on his face.

"Twasn't near as much lute's ye had us tink," Witgath says. He jerks a 
thumb over his shoulder. "An' tat woman seems t'know ye. I'm tinkin' you 
ain't teld us everyting y'aught, and I'm tinkin' ye better start talkin' er we'll 
cut ye into pieces and see if fish like trollmeat."

<><><><><>

Ingvar:

Ingvar'a head snaps around at the sound of Helgi's cry, but before he gets 
much time to try and spot her, he is forced to face the approach of Kolger 
and Witgath.  The questions and accusations come fast, and Ingvar is 
forced to wait until they are done before replying.

They seem almost to want to believe that he bears the blood of trolls, but 
Ingvar finds it hard to claim such a thing.  Thus, he leaves that question 
for last to give himself time to think about a better answer.  As for the 
former, it seems only truth will serve at this point.

Looking back and forth between the two leaders of this band, Ingvar 
chooses not to approach any closer, his hand still resting on his sword's 
hilt.  "You said it yourself, I'm no viking.  So I must have had a reason to 
want to do all this.  I stated that my price on this trip was my choice of two 
of the slaves.  The woman over there," he gestures in the direction of 
Helgi's voice, "is my wife, and one of the others is our daughter.  They 
were taken from our home in Vastergotland by my enemies while I was 
away and sold.  I followed them here, but Harnut wouldn't sell them back, 
so I hired you.  I get my family back, you get lots of loot, and everybody's 
happy.  Now you know."  Ingvar studies the men for their reaction.

<><><><><>

[GM]

"So this was all t'git yer wife back?" Kolger snarls. "Well, I be NOT happy! 
This wan't the treasure horde ye promised!"

"An' yer a troll, or a warlock, or something!" says the man who claims to 
have killed you.


Witgath, a little calmer, says "How d'ye answer tat? Ye tink we lik bein' 
tricked? And whata Kvig's claim?"

<><><><><>

Ingvar:

As the others talk, Ingvar continues to scour his brain for a story.  He 
*refuses* to call himself a troll.  And he can't pass for one of the Alvar.  
The gods then; but which one.  Thor and Odin are too obvious, Tyr as 
well.  The Aesir are our for the same reason as the Alvar.  Heimdall never 
leaves the Bridge, that he knows of.  And noone is going to believe he's a 
*god* anyway.  Maybe the offspring of one?  Everyone knows that the 
gods are inclined to dalliances with mortal women.  So how does he 
explain not dying?  Death...   hmm...   

Soon Ingvar has to respond to Kolger.  "Yes!  It was.  And I'm not happy 
about it either.  Don't know what you're griping about; you got *plenty* of 
loot!  I told you two boatloads, and that there is, between the slaves and 
cattle and household stuff.  From the looks of those ramshackle huts of 
yours and the poor condition of your boats, hardly seems you've done as 
well up to this point."

Witgath forces him back to the problematic question.  Hope they buy his 
story...  "I don't know, Witgath!  My mother told me a story when I was 
young, but I don't know if it's true.  She said my father was the bastard 
son of Uller.  I've never met Uller, or any of the other gods, but he 
apparently granted me a kind of 'resistance' to death.  My father certainly 
seemed godlike to me, though that may be true of most young boys.  I 
know I saw him once pull a small tree out of the ground with his bare 
hands.  Other than that, I don't know."

A moment's breath.  Ingvar looks at Kolger and Witgath.  "I see two 
options.  You kill me know and sooner or later I return for my revenge.  
Unlike me, *you* only die once.  Or you can take me and my family back 
to the island, and you'll never have to see us again.  Your choice."

<><><><><>

[GM]

"E's fulla s***," Kolger says.

"I say we killim," another man growls.


Witgath strokes his beard. "We kinna say fer certain he's lied to us," he 
points out. Witgath seems to be the most reasonable of the leaders, 
though he has never been particularly friendly to you. "But you dinna tell's 
all t'ruth ner, an' I'mna sure t'Uller tale. Imna sure we'd wull risk the ill-will 
of a god if's tale be true, to."


He paces around you, and glances over at Helgi and Istrid, who shiver 
slightly at the edge of the throng of captives.

"If'n yer the offspring of a god," he says, "then'a jernbyrd should prove't, 
din'ya gree?"

Ordeal by hot iron. A murmur of agreement goes through the assembled 
Vikings.

<><><><><>

Ingvar:

"Am I?" he replies, locking gazes with Kolger.  Ingvar ignores the foolish 
man in the crowd; it's obvious that Witgath and Kolger are the ones who 
matter.  He's tempted to demonstrate with his knife as he has before, but 
something tells him it won't be sufficient.  Witgath also doubts his story, 
but is wise enough to consider the possibility.

"Whether the story is true or not," Ingvar responds, "doesn't change your 
choices.  You can't kill me.  Do you want me angry, or grateful?"

It's not long before Witgath proposes an alternative.  "Jernbyrd".  The word 
strikes a note of fear in Ingvar's spine.  He's never seen it, and only heard 
it mentioned once in a tale.  Nevertheless, he knows what it means: PAIN.  
Having been burned to ash once, Ingvar's *fairly* certain, that even this 
won't kill him for good, but it won't be pleasant.

For the first time, he pulls his eyes away from Kolger. Ingvar scans 
around, trying to guage the situation.  His eyes are drawn to Helgi and 
Istrid.  This may well be almost as horrible for them as for him.  Yet he can 
think of no alternatives.

Ingvar tears his eyes away from his family, and he looks back at Witgath. 
"Very well, Witgath," he says, tiredness and resignation in his voice.  "If I 
survive this, I want all my things back - *including* my helmet and axe - a 
ride back to the island, my family, one head of beef, and one in three parts 
of the gold in exchange for the silver I provided in the beginning.  Do you 
agree?"

<><><><><>

[GM]

"You ain't in pos't t'demin more'n ye compack'eder when we set off!" 
Kolger shouts. But Witgath holds up his hand.

"Agreed," Witgath says, over Kolger's blustered protests. "If you fail the 
ordeal, we leave you here with nothing." Nothing....not even Helgi and 
Istrid.


The Vikings build a hot fire on the beach, while sentries look out for any 
possible response from the nearby town, though they are far enough 
away- and left no witnesses behind them- that it should take until the next 
time someone visits Harnut's estate before anyone knows about the raid.

"That's an awfully pretty little girl," Kolger leers, while on the other side of 
the fire, your wife and daughter stare fearfully at the iron bars being heated 
to a rosy glow in the flames.

<><><><><>

Ingvar:

Ingvar isn't asking any more than they had agreed to before leaving on 
this trip.  Though Kolger doesn't, Witgath seems to recognise this.  Either 
that, or the man has no intention of honoring the agreement either way.  If 
he doesn't survive, there's nothing he can do for Helgi and Istrid anyway, 
though he doubts this will happen, based on his own experiences and 
what Astrid has told him.  And he has certainly been "without anything" 
before; memories of his experiences after waking upon the funeral pyre 
drift through his mind.  At least it's not quite as cold around here...

Sweat starts to drip in various parts of Ingvar's anatomy as he watches 
them build the fire.  The pain he experienced at Astrid's hands during his 
'training' was not insignificant, but Ingvar is sure this will be *far* worse.  
Yet more memories surface: this time of lying in the snow as Ole cut him 
open and pulled his lungs out through his back.

Ingvar finds a place to sit on a large rock and wait.  There seem rather few 
guards posted.  Earlier, Ingvar had idly been wondering how likely they to 
be interupted, but it seems the vikings have little concern of that.  It strikes 
Ingvar as odd that his mind is functioning with this level of clarity in the 
face of his emminent ordeal.  Yet it seems almost as though every detail is 
standing out as though each was the only thing of note.

Kolger's comment cuts through Ingvar's strange mood.  Turning to look at 
the man with cold death in his eyes, Ingvar begins to wonder if he should 
kill the man on general principle alone...

<><><><><>

[GM]

Everyone has heard of the jynrbyrd, but it is rarely actually used as a 
method of solving disputes....it's even rarer than an actual duel. Most find 
it preferable to have their quarrels settled by the Thing. But there is no 
Thing here.


The principle behind the jynrbyrd is simple....the one to be tested will 
subject himself to the ordeal of hot iron, and the gods will decide if his 
cause is just. But while most Norsemen will profess to believe in the gods, 
few call on them and actually expect a response. Which is why the more 
rational arbitration of the Thing is more popular than trusting in the gods to 
intervene when a man picks up a red-hot bar of iron with his bare hands.


Supposedly, if a man who is innocent (when accused of a crime) or right 
(in a legal dispute) picks up the hot iron, his hand will not be burned. 
There are plenty of folk legends about jyrnbyrds where it actually occurred 
that a righteous man picked up a glowing bar of metal and was not 
harmed....but who *really* believes them?

A slightly more reasonable test is to wait until the burns 
heal....supposedly, the righteous man's hands will not scar. Of course, the 
Bornholm Vikings are not going to wait that long.

Fortunately for you, they won't have to.


"They look nice'n hot," grins the armorer in charge of repairing weapons 
and shields, who is now tending the fire.

Just a simple test.....you have to pick up a red-hot bar of iron with your 
bare hands, and hold it- long enough to satisfy the Vikings.

Thanks to your claims of demi-godhood, they will be expecting to see your 
hands unburned. Thanks to your immortality, you know that if you can buy 
a few seconds to let them heal, they will. The only other difficult part will be 
not screaming or dropping the bar until the armorer gives you the nod. 
Technically that may not be part of the test...but your manhood is being 
challenged as much as your claims to divinity. They'll never respect you if 
you don't bear up as the grandson of Uller should.

<><><><><>

Ingvar:

Images of himself holding red-hot iron bars.  Images of his hands sizzling 
away to stumps.  Images of the bars leaping in the air and clubbing him to 
death.  Nightmarish images seem to sprout in Ingvar's mind like weeds as 
he considers what he is about to attempt.

Trying to dispell the images, Ingvar focuses on Istrid at the edge of the 
crowd.  He scours his mind for every memory he has of her before he 
died.  Few come, and it does little to still the nagging voice in his head 
that repeatedly predicts his doom from this.

Ingvar only half hears the armorer, but his body responds anyway.  
Climbing off the rock he was seated upon, Ingvar walks purposefully over 
to the fire pit.  As he approaches, he can feel the heat on his face.  By 
time he is within reach of the bars, he wonders idly whether the heat will 
burn the hair off his face...

Bending down, he reaches close to the glowing bars.  Then, looking up, 
Ingvar looks his gaze on Helgi as a constant reminder of why he is doing 
this.  Gritting his teeth, he immediately snatches the iron bars up, 
straightening his body as soon as he feels them in his hands.  There is an 
instant's hesitation before the his nerves are able to transmit the pain to 
his brain, and then it hits like the power of Mjolnir.  Sweat runs in rivulets 
down his face, mixing with the tears that force their way from his eyes.  
Ingvar draws on every reserve of willpower that he has as he fights to 
retain his grip on the searing metal and stifle any cries, though he can't 
prevent a low moan from escaping his lips.  He struggles, and he waits...

<><><><><>

[GM]

Your imagination may have been worse than the reality. Flesh does not 
burn easily, and your hands are thick and calloused from many years of 
working wood.


Of course, it does HURT. It hurts a LOT. But there is no danger of burning 
your hands off.

Your flesh sizzles on contact with the glowing metal, and then the pain 
flares in your palms, and sinks all the way into your flesh. Soon you can 
smell it, and the heat makes your eyes water.

But you hold the bars without dropping them, thinking of all the times 
Astrid ran you through with a sword, or beat your face in.


Finally you drop them, judging sufficient time has passed to prove your 
point.

You can't speak yet, still hissing air through your teeth, and feeling the 
smoke curling from the edges of your palms, which are probably black in 
the center. Much of your skin is charred, beyond pain. If you move too 
much, you may feel new waves of pain coming from the broiled nerve 
endings...but you stay on your feet, praying you can keep from 
succumbing to shock before your immortal healing ability begins its work.

"So, granson a'Uller," says Witgath, with a slightly mocking intonation. 
"Are ye still fit'i hulla sword?"

<><><><><>

Ingvar:

Pain.

Agony.

Searingfleshpaintearsanguishdon'tcryoutmiserydon'tyellaaaggghhh.

The blistering heat of the iron bars turn his palms into charcoal.  Truly, 
Ingvar has discovered a new level of pain.  As he holds the articles of 
torment, he remembers all the times that Astrid hurt him during his 
training.  He remembers freezing naked in the snow.  Yet this is 
something new.

After a few moments, the pain starts to fade away.  Perhaps all the nerves 
in his hands have been burned away.  The first thing that Ingvar notices is 
the scent of his burned flesh.  It makes him want to retch, but he refuses 
to show such weakness to this rabble.

Deciding that it has been long enough, Ingvar drops the bars back into 
the fire.  For some reason, the pain doesn't go with them.  Ingvar bends 
forward while taking a step back from the fire, and places his hands gently 
against his stomach, as much to hide them from Witgath's prying eyes as 
to hold them still.  Still moaning slightly, he pays careful attention for the 
feeling that tells him the Quickening has begun the healing process.

Witgath's words strike him like blows.  He *has* to have more time.  
"Give... me a... moment..." he gasps through clenched teeth.  "That... 
*really*... *hurt*!"

<><><><><>

[GM]

"Did it now?" Witgath says. He stands there, with arms folded, watching 
you.

Your hands begin hurting where they didn't, as burned nerve endings 
begin regenerating. The pain flashes through you quickly, but whereas it 
sometimes took you a minute or more to recover from being run through 
by Astrid's sword (assuming you weren't killed outright), your hands heal 
over much more quickly. When you glance at them, the blackened flesh 
has already become raw pink, and you can flex your fingers as you look 
back at Witgath.


A murmur goes through the Vikings as you hold them up.

<><><><><>

Ingvar:

He ignores Witgath's sarcastic remark, choosing to focus on his palms 
and the Quickening.  Moments later, the resurgence of pain as his nerves 
regrow draws a gasp from the stout carpenter-cum-warrior.  Still, Ingvar 
manages a small private smile as it reassures him that he will soon be 
healed.

When the pain subsides the second time, Ingvar risks a look at his 
recently-ruined hands.  Lifting them up where he can see them, Ingvar 
watches, still fascinated by this unnatural process, as all traces of the 
damage so recently done to them disappears.

Seeing that his hands are virtually back to normal, Ingvar holds them up 
for the crowd of vikings and slaves to see.  Again, he catches Helgi's and 
Istrid's eyes, one at a time, in an effort to reassure them that he is alright.

Hearing the murmur of the crowd, he looks back to Witgath.  "You asked if 
I was fit to hold a sword.  What do *you* think?"  With that, he draws his 
sword, stepping back if necessary to make sure he is far enough from 
Witgath and Kolger so as not to appear to be threatening them.  He 
swings his sword around a bit, using any fancy swings or twirls Astrid may 
have taught him, then switches to his left hand and does the same, 
though without the fancy stuff.  Finally, returning the sword to his right 
hand, he sheathes it.  "Well...?"

<><><><><>

[GM]

"I tink y'shew'ff too much," Witgath grumbles, but he seems unnerved in 
spite of himself. "Aright....troll's blood or gods', ye win yer part. But soon's 
we mek land and ye take yer slaves'n lute wit'nye, we want naught done 
a'ye mer."


The Vikings begin making preparations to leave, while you extract a joyful 
Istrid and a somewhat more subdued Helgi from the cluster of slaves.

Helgi stays close to you, but incisive as always, whispers at the first 
opportunity, "What was all that nonsense about being Uller's grandson? If 
your grandpa Emil or that old drunk Ragnar was Uller, I'm the daughter of 
Freya!"

<><><><><>

Ingvar:

He just smiles back at Witgath.  "Very well.  I agree."  Ingvar stands and 
watches the man walk away for a moment before tending to his own 
preparations.

Seeing the joy in Istrid's face, Ingvar gives her a big hug.  "Soon you will 
be with your brother again, and we will start looking for a new place for you 
both to grow up.  Would you like that, little one?"  It's hard to let go, but he 
has much yet to do to prepare for their departure.

As they move to collect his equipment, Ingvar hears Helgi whisper to him.  
He responds with a soft chuckle, and replies in a low murmur as they 
move.  "So I lied.  I had to make up *some* kind of story.  I couldn't very 
well tell them the truth; they would have thought me a witch or some such.  
And I *certainly* wasn't going to agree to being part *troll*!"

On the trip back, Ingvar plans on riding in Witgath's ship.  He is also 
careful to keep an eye out for his helmet.

<><><><><>

[GM]

You don't see your helmet on the trip back. If one of the Vikings took it, it 
could be on one of the other ships, or hidden away.

They leave you alone, mostly. Helgi looks at some of the other slaves, 
obviously feeling some sympathy for them....though not for Harnut, who is 
huddled miserably in another boat, still alive. On your boat, only a couple 
of young men were brought aboard. Most were put on other ships. There 
are certain things going on with some of the female captives that are 
expected, but considering that if you weren't here, Helgi and possibly even 
Istrid would be suffering the same fate, it's not a pleasant thought to dwell 
on. Helgi obviously wants to get away from these men as quickly as 
possible. She stays close to you for protection, but she talks litte on the 
voyage back to Bornholm, other than to assure herself of Hammar's well-
being. What the two of you will work out once you have time to sit down 
and discuss your future remains to be seen.


Eventually, the cold grey shores of the Vikings' native island appear off the 
bow.

<><><><><>

Ingvar:

Though disappointed, Ingvar's not surprised that he is unable to spot his 
helmet.  Not that he would mind popping Kvig in the face a time of two, 
either.  He *does* intend to hold Witgath to the entirety of the terms of 
their agreement, which included the return of his axe and helmet.

Like Helgi and Istrid, Ingvar stays well away from where the slaves are 
being given such rough treatment.  They serve as a constant reminder of 
their own vulnerability, and he finds his stomach upset by what the men 
are doing to the women slaves.

He understands Helgi's aloofness.  There is much that they need to 
discuss, but now is not the time, and here is not the place.  Right now, it 
is more important to find her and the kids a new place to live.

Spotting the shore of Bornholm as they near the island, Ingvar watches for 
any sign of the peaceful village he had first visited there.  If he finds it, it 
points it out to Helgi and Istrid.  If not, he simply tells them of the village 
on the west side of the island.  "I left Hammar there in the care of Astrid.  
Not a perfect situation, but the best I could come up with as things were at 
the time."

As the viking's village grows closer, Ingvar feels increasingly eager to get 
going.  He looks forward to seeing Hammar again, and returning to the 
mainland.  In a quite moment while sitting next to Helgi, he asks her a 
single question.  "Where would you like to live now, Helgi?"

<><><><><>

[GM]

Helgi's face tightens a little when you mention Astrid. "She didn't exactly 
strike me as the motherly type," she says.


She lowers her head when you pose the question about where to live. "I 
don't know," she says finally. "I am not sure what to make of your return 
from the dead. All the explanations that legend and superstition would 
suggest would also suggest I should take my children far away from you, 
but you seem as much mortal flesh and blood as before. Istrid and 
Hammar are young, they can accept supernatural miracles, but I'll tell you 
frankly, I'd just as soon have the gods and their magic stay legends. 
Where can we go? I want to go home, damn it all!"

<><><><><>

Ingvar:

Perhaps Astrid did a little *too* good a job of earning Helgi's enmity...  
Ingvar wonders whether there would be any point in trying to explain to his 
wife at some point just how much Astrid had done for them.  Probably not.  
"She's not, but our 'friends' here," he gestures slightly to the vikings 
around them, "made it clear that neither Hammar or Astrid would be 
allowed aboard the boats.  The only other choice was to give up and leave 
you and Istrid where you were.  I wasn't willing to do that."


The pain and uncertainty in Helgi's voice hammer at his heart.  She 
couldn't have known what the gods had in store for them when she chose 
to become his wife.  Damn them!  This is not the life he had meant for his 
family.  He places one hand softly on hers.  "Much has happened since 
we last spoke; much that has convinced me that I may be less human 
than I thought.  I killed another 'like me', and it was the strangest 
experience of my life.  Continuing to be your husband or the kids' father 
just doesn't seem right.  Still, I would help you get settled somewhere."

Ingvar's voice is sad, and his body betrays a sense of defeat.  "I don't think 
'home' is a good idea after what happened.  What's left of the Firehair's 
probably would try to hurt you and the kids.  And explaining how you got 
free and returned would be damn hard too.  I think Uppland to the north, 
Skane or Smaland in the south, or the islands of Gotland or Oland are 
your best choices.  Still, it's your decision.  Just tell me which, and I will 
help you get set up as best I can."  In truth, not a whole lot of evaluation 
went into his recommendations; he just listed all the places well away from 
their former home that he had heard of large numbers of people living.

<><><><><>

[GM]

"The Firehairs violated the law!" Helgi exclaims, angrily. "If we bring our 
case to the Thing, it's THEY who should be persecuted, not us!"

She looks at you, still uncertain, but a more calculating look in her eyes 
now. "Supposing they claim to have killed you. After we make our 
accusations, who is going to believe them? Would they even want to 
admit publically that they supposedly murdered you in cold blood?"

<><><><><>

Ingvar:

"Yes!  They did!"  It's a struggle to keep his voice muted.  Ingvar's hands 
clench and unclench.  "But I don't think we can prove it."  He would love 
nothing better, but he just doesn't see how.

He breathes a deep sigh.  If only it were so easy.  To many people *know* 
him to be dead.  His shoulders sag.  "Probably not.  Those dogs wouldn't 
have the courage.  But others know that I died.  When I found you gone 
and the house burned, I gathered all my kin and we attacked their house.  
If any of us survived, they would have seen me die, and if not, everyone 
knew where we were going and what would happen.  Noone returning 
would signal that we all died."

<><><><><>

[GM]

Helgi slumps also. "Then they'd think you a doppleganger, or worse," she 
says.

She rises, and looks over the railing, at the approaching land. "We'll have 
to go somewhere else, then," she sighs, dispiritedly. It's only as she 
moves away, putting as much distance as she can between herself and all 
the other men on the ship (not a lot), that the "we" registers. Did she 
mean "we" as in herself and the children, or ALL of you? You're not sure.


Upon making landfall, she draws away, keeping her distance while you 
conclude your business with Witgath. Grudgingly, he hands over your 
share of the gold, and a cow. Then he holds out your axe, and a helm. It 
isn't your helm, and it's lower quality than the one that was taken from you.

"I don't know who took your helmet!" he snaps. "Want to question every 
man one by one?" Behind him, the other Vikings give you brooding, 
uneasy stares. Kolger smiles at you, daring you to press the issue.

<><><><><>

Ingvar:

He's seen Helgi in this mood before, and it saddens the big Swede that it 
has come to this.  He watches her step away, remaining where he is to 
give her some room to think, or feel, or whatever it is that she does when 
she's like this.  Glancing over at Istrid, he sees that she is beginning to 
rise to go to her mother, and Ingvar gestures for her to stay.  She's a well-
behaved girl, and settles back down.

Slowly, like molasses in winter, the "we" sinks into Ingvar's brain.  If only 
he could be sure she meant it.  If only he felt it was the right thing to do.  If 
she decides that she wants him to stay, what does he do then?  Stay?  
Go?  His head hurts from considering it all.


Ingvar clambers down the gangplank from the ship, holding Istrid by the 
hand to steady her.  Once down, he releases her hand to go with her 
mother as they step away.  Ingvar watches the rest of the men, waiting for 
a chance to speak with Witgath.  Suddenly, the man is before him.  He 
hadn't seen Witath approach, as he'd been watching the unloading of the 
slaves.

Ingvar accepts his payment without comment, but he notices when 
Witgath hands him the wrong helmet.  "This isn't mine," he states flatly, to 
which Witgath replies angrily.  Blood starts to rise in his face as he notes 
Kolger's attitude.  He almost gives in to his anger, but a glance at Helgi 
and Istrid waiting for him off in the distance, and he stuffs it down.  It's just 
not as important as leaving this place and taking his family to a new place.  
But should he ever run into them...  "No.  Not worth the time."  He puts 
the helmet on and the axe in his belt, tucks the gold inside his tunic.  
Grabbing the cow's rope, he turns and begins to lead it away, not 
bothering with any farewells.

Catching up with Helgi and Istrid on the edge of the small viking town, 
Ingvar stops for a moment to transfer his rucksack to the back of the cow.  
A smile for Istrid.  "Let's go find your brother, little one."  With that, he 
begins to lead them back to the nice town on the west side of the island 
where Hammar and Astrid should be waiting for them.

<><><><><>

[GM]

The Quickening tells you that Astrid is waiting for you, in the place she 
said she would. Soon she emerges, preceded by Hammar, who runs to 
Helgi, overjoyed. Helgi grabs him and holds him and Istrid tightly, sniffling. 
Astrid just stands and watches, arms folded over her chest. She looks a 
little less warlike, wearing only an ordinary blouse and skirt, typical Viking 
woman's garb. Her armor and shield must be inside. You still see the 
outline of a scabbard beneath her dress, visible when she moves.

"You were successful," she says, sounding a little surprised. Not dressed 
for combat, or in "mentor" mode, you can almost forget her true nature 
and see her for the beautiful young woman she appears to be. And there 
seems to be almost a wistful expression on her face, while she watches 
Helgi reuniting with her children.

<><><><><>

Ingvar:

His steps falter and a small groan escapes his lips as the Quickening hits 
him.  It has been several days without that unpleasant sensation, but 
Ingvar hadn't really noticed how nice it was to be without it until now.  Still, 
he's pleased that Astrid is still here, and even more pleased when he sees 
Hammar come running out.  A smile carves it's way across the rugged 
ground of his face as he watches the reunion of his family.

Ingvar reaches out and musses Hammar's hair before stepping over to 
Astrid, still grinning.  In some ways, it's like seeing the woman for the first 
time, and he can't help but appreciate her beauty.  He had never expected 
to see her in such humble garb, but she wears it as well as she does 
everything else.  Even the sword beneath her skirt makes her no less 
attractive.  The note of surprise in Astrid's voice causes Ingvar to feel a 
certain sense of pride.  After all, it *was* quite an achievement.  "Yes, I 
did.  Though it would have been much easier with your help.  Still, it looks 
as though you have taken good care of Hammar, and I thank you for that.  
Once again, I am in your debt."  The mention of debt reminds him of that 
soft lump pressing against his flesh beneath his tunic.  "Speaking of 
debt..." he begins, as he fishes out the pouch containing the gold he 
received from Witgath.  "You paid to hire the vikings and their boats, so I 
figure this is yours.  Here."  Despite the fact that gold is heavier than silver, 
this pouch is still lighter than the one she had given him.  However, since 
gold is worth far more, perhaps she won't be losing much on the deal.

<><><><><>

[GM]

"Thank you." Astrid accepts the pouch, but tucks it under her belt without 
even opening it.


"So now what will you do?" she asks. Hammar looks up at her. "Are you 
going to stay with us, Astrid?"

Helgi frowns slightly, while Astrid looks amused. "We talked about that, 
Hammar. You know I won't."

Helgi rises, and faces Astrid. "Thank you for looking after my son," she 
says, a bit stiffly. "And...my husband."

"Looking is all I did, and I have NO desire to be your cowife," Astrid 
retorts, taking Helgi by surprise with her bluntness. Then she continues. 
"Listen to me, woman. This soft-headed oaf, who's sure as hell no Viking, 
crossed half of Sweden and the ocean to get you back. I don't want him, 
but if you don't take him back, somebody else will, and you'll be poorer for 
it."

Helgi gapes at her, but Astrid wheels about and faces you. "Remember 
your promise," she says, and softly, whispers "I'll be back....after they are 
gone. I will expect you to wait for me at Birka, to repay your debt."

<><><><><>

Ingvar:

Not having much more to say, Ingvar watches and listens as the 
conversation flows between Astrid, Hammar, and Helgi.  At Hammar's 
question, a moment of hope catches him up, but is as soon deflated.  The 
exchange between Helgi and Astrid seems baffling; Ingvar is certain that 
he will never really understand women.  He does sense that Astrid's 
comments are a compliment, in a way.  Though he has little interest in 
finding someone else, the compliments serve to bolster his pride.  
Perhaps being with her wouldn't be so wrong - surely Astrid would know if 
there were any reason why 'immortals' shouldn't be with normal people...

Astrid's whispered words cause his smile to fade.  He had wondered for a 
long time what this woman's intentions were, and now he knows.  Despite 
what she may think, he is a man of honor, and will honor his debt to her.  
"Of course," he replies in a low voice, taking a step around Astrid to get a 
little farther from being overheard.  "I will be there - as long as I still have 
my head."

<><><><><>

[GM]

"Well, if you lose your head, I can't collect on your debt, can I?" she says. 
"So keep it."

It only takes her half an hour to gather her possessions, and don her 
chainmail for traveling to wherever she's going from here. Hammar looks 
distraught that she's leaving, though he has been prepared for it. He 
quavers "Good-bye, Astrid. Thanks for teaching me how to swing a 
sword," trying not to sniffle, and the warrior-woman picks him up and 
embraces him against her armored chest.


"Take care, farm-boy," she says. "Time will pass more quickly than you 
know."


Helgi watches her leave, then sighs, and looks down.

"I don't know where to go, Ingvar," she says. "Just take us somewhere."

<><><><><>

Ingvar:

A touch of hardness enters the carpenter's eyes.  "I plan to," he replies, 
then smiles.  "Fare well."


As Astrid packs for her departure, Ingvar takes a quick look around the 
town.  He feels a need to familiarize himself with the town, and if there 
happens to be a butcher, he will note that.  He returns in time for Astrid to 
say her goodbyes to Hammar.  He's just a bit charmed by the obvious 
affection that has grown between the two.  Somehow, she seems just a bit 
more human, and feminine, because of it.  The "farm-boy" remark catches 
his nerves edge-on just a bit, but not enough to upset him - especially 
since Hammar is still young enough to fit the description.


After watching Astrid depart, Helgi brings up the subject of where to go 
once again.  Unfortunately, she leaves it up to him.  "Alright, well... um..." 
he stammers, a bit unsure of himself.  Looking around, he considers the 
fact that they are on an island.  The only way to leave is by boat; that may 
cost money.  Digging through his pockets and pouches, Ingvar pulls out 
whatever is left of the silver he pocketed from the pouch Astid had given 
him, plus any he might have had left previously.  Suddenly, it doesn't 
seem like very much.

"Alright.  This is all the money I have left.  We need first to get off the 
island.  You take the kids and start looking for some place to stay if we 
can't leave right away, and I'll ask around the docks for any ships leaving 
the island."  Assuming that she agrees, Ingvar heads over to learn what 
he can about opportunities to leave and what it might cost.  As he goes, 
he remembers a question he had long wanted to ask Astrid and swears, 
realizing that he may not get a chance for quite a few years unless he 
happens to see her before she leaves the island.

<><><><><>

[GM]

[Astrid was calling YOU farm-boy. She couldn't resist a parting shot. <g>]


Bornholm is not exactly a major trading center, but it does see some 
traffic. Getting a ship off the island won't be hard...getting one that's going 
exactly where you want to go could be chancier. Most merchant vessels 
are either heading for Denmark or the Frisian coast, or occasionally east 
towards the Slavic coast, from whence traders continue on by river to 
Novgorod. Very few go to Birka anymore.

Unless Astrid catches a departing ship this very evening, though, you can 
probably find her again.

<><><><><>

Ingvar:

At this time of year it seems that most of the traffic is outbound.  Still, if 
they wait a bit, there must be some ships coming along going the other 
way.  Fortunately, they aren't picky about destinations; any of those he 
mentioned previously to Helgi would be fine.  Even Birka would be ok, 
though not preferable.

Once he has gathered his information, Ingvar returns to find out what 
Helgi has discovered in the way of a place to stay.  Something to eat, and 
then he goes looking about the village for his mentor.  Because of the 
nature of his question, he takes the sword he won from Merick in addition 
to his usual one, leaving the axe behind.  He's a bit nervous, thinking that 
his question may touch on a sensitive subject, but he *needs* to know.  
After all, anything that may affect his survival is *very* important.

<><><><><>

[GM]

Helgi found a tavernkeeper willing to put the four of you up in the cold 
alehouse. It will be crowded, but it will suffice for a few days, provided 
you're only going to be in there to sleep.


You sense the Quickening closer to the port, where Astrid, naturally, has 
already found a berth on a large ship of non-Viking make. Norsemen 
make up most of the crew, but there are a few dark-skinned foreigners as 
well. The ship is still docked, and obviously won't be leaving tonight, but 
Astrid probably paid to sleep on board.

She comes to the side when she feels the Quickening, and looks down at 
you. "Did you forget something?" she asks archly.

<><><><><>

Ingvar:

Not the best accomodations for children, but they should do for a few 
days.  Now, if only he can find transport soon...


Once again, that unpleasant buzzing stirs in the back of his neck as he 
approaches the dock area that evening.  Unfortunately, from what he had 
heard earlier in the day, the ship she is on isn't going anywhere that would 
help him.  Some of the foreigners aboard appear quite strange: dark 
skins, strange eyes, alien faces.  Ingvar feels uncomfortable around such 
people.  Still, he's curious - where might such people come from?..

Astrid certainly isn't thrilled to see him.  Then again, he hadn't really 
expected her to be.  "Yes.  I have one last question."

<><><><><>

[GM]

Astrid arches an eyebrow, a mannerism that's becoming familiar to you. 
"And what might that be?" she asks.

<><><><><>

Ingvar:

Ingvar looks about, nervously noting how many other people are nearby.  
It would probably be better if Astrid were willing to do this somewhat more 
privately, but obviously that isn't the case.

With a sigh, he pulls Merick's sword from his scabbard and lays it across 
his hands to display it for her view.  "Is this sword better than the one I've 
been using?  It... seemed to tear through my chain shirt with unusual 
ease.  Would I be better off using it to, um... defend myself?"  Concerned 
that Astrid needs no more reminders of *that* night, Ingvar opts not to 
mention Merick directly or anything else of the circumstances in which he 
got this particular sword.

<><><><><>

[GM]

Astrid looks down at it almost indifferently. "Probably," she says. "Merick 
was a knight, he must have had good equipment." She shrugs. "I doubt 
it's magical, if that's what you're asking."

She looks at you with mild disdain. "Evaluating weapon quality is 
something you'll have to learn to do yourself. I suggest you take the two 
blades to an armorer to compare them, if you're not sure." Clearly she 
considers this a trifling matter, and makes no move to come down to the 
dock and look at them herself.

<><><><><>

Ingvar:

Well, at least she doesn't seem upset.  Perhaps Astrid is finally getting 
over what happened that night in the woods west of Kolberg.  Then again, 
with a woman, you never can tell.  Sliding the sword back into its sheathe, 
Ingvar sighs once again.  He wishes she had considered the matter more 
important; *he* certainly feels that anything that might help him keep his 
head is important.  "Very well, I'll do that.  Fare well." 

Turning, he scratches at his beard and walks back toward where he left 
his family.  Many thoughts wind their way through his mind as he walks.  
Unless there happens to be an armorer in town, he probably won't be able 
to speak with one until they find a new place to settle.  That being the 
case, Ingvar decides that he will follow Astrid's hunch and make Merick's 
sword his primary one.

Tomorrow will be here soon, and then he will have to go back to seeking 
for a way off this island.  Noticing that he is still scratching at his beard, 
Ingvar realizes that it's been longer than Helgi usually allows since his last 
bath.  Perhaps he will have to do something about that...

<><><><><>

[GM]

Helgi does make a comment about it being time for you to bathe, usually 
irksome, but right now it brings a little bit of normality back into your life.

She seems indifferent as to what your destination should be; she still 
wants to return home, but if that won't happen, she sighs and says she'll 
settle for anywhere that's peaceful.

<><><><><>

Ingvar:

"I know, Helgi," he repies in a calm voice.  "While I'm looking for a boat 
tomorrow, you can find out whether there is a bath in this town.  Also, 
please find out if there is an armorer around here.  Alright?"

Ingvar takes his time to enjoy getting the kids to bed.  It's been a long time 
since he has gotten to relax and appreciate such a simple pleasure.  For a 
few minutes at least, life seems normal again.  Still, he knows this is no 
place to settle down.  But that will come in time.

After the kids are down for the night, Ingvar spends some time talking with 
his maybe-wife.  He understands her desire to return home, and being the 
practical woman she is, she seems to understand that 'home' just isn't an 
option any more.  Still, there are many good places where they *can* live, 
and he promises Helgi that he will find them one.

Starting to feel tired himself, he gives Helgi a kiss and then goes and finds 
a place to sleep near the children.  Since she doesn't seem to have 
decided for sure yet whether to accept him back, Ingvar decides not to 
bring up the subject of 'sleeping arrangements', though he greatly misses 
sharing a bed with his wife.

<><><><><>

[GM]

Helgi says nothing either, but picks her own spot and goes to sleep.


The next day, your search for a vessel off this island shows that the most 
likely prospects are still the mainland, or east along Swedish trade routes. 
You'll have to leave soon though, as winter is approaching, which will 
mean frozen ports and an end to sailing for a few months.

<><><><><>

[Can you give me an idea of the size of this town: 10/50/200 families?]

Ingvar:

Rising early as is his habit, Ingvar leaves soon after they have broken their 
fast.  The children seem to be regaining a bit of their spirit, though he 
doubts they'll really be their old selves until they have a stable place to live.

After a few hours talking with people around the docks, it turns out that the 
opportunities are disappointing.  He's willing to spend a half dozen days or 
so seeking passage to the Swedish mainland or islands.  A boat heading 
for the Danish mainland or islands would also have to be considered 
strongly.  Even the mainland coast just east of the lands of the Danes 
might be an option, if he thinks they can get to the Danish lands from 
there before winter hits.  Much longer than that, and he will have to settle 
for the Swedish settlements to the east.

That afternoon, Ingvar will take himself to the baths, if Helgi has found 
such.  He will also look around a bit for an armorer if Helgi was unable to 
find one.  If there is a butcher in town, he will consult with Helgi about 
selling the cow for some salted beef and some silver.  Travelling with a 
cow seems inconvenient, at the very least.

<><><><><>

[GM]

The town's population is about 1000. You find a ship that is sailing east in 
a few days, but will be stopping at a port on the Swedish coast before 
crossing the Baltic Sea.

There is a small bathhouse. The blacksmith here doubles as armorer. He 
can work blades, but he is not a swordsmith normally. And the butcher 
would be willing to buy your cow, but the price he offers is very low, as he 
knows you can't very readily take it with you elsewhere.

<><><><><>

Ingvar:

Surprisingly, he takes a certain pleasure in the bath, representing as it 
does a certain return to normalcy.  The warmth is also welcome, as is the 
cessation of itching for the next few days.

Ingvar decides not to bother the blacksmith, as he doesn't seem to be an 
expert.  Perhaps he can find someone who is more of an authority 
wherever they end up.  Hopefully, someone who is willing to teach him 
something about judging the quality of swords.  He wouldn't even mind 
learning something of the armorer's art.

News of a butcher here is good, and Ingvar talks with Helgi about what 
they should try to get in return for it.  Unfortunately, the butcher knows he 
is in a good position for bargaining, so Ingvar just tries to get as good a 
price as he can and settles for that.  He wants 6-8 Kg of smoked 
(prefered) or salted beef, and whatever silver he can get for the rest.

Hearing of the ship that is stopping along the Swedish coast before 
heading east, Ingvar becomes rather excited.  He searches out the 
captain to find out what it will cost to purchase passage for him and his 
family.  Ingvar even offers to use his woodworking skills to effect repairs to 
help defray part of the cost.

Once he has worked something out with the captain, Ingvar rushes back 
to their temporary 'home' to tell Helgi and the kids.  Gathering them all 
around himself, he takes a deep breath.  He tells them what he has 
learned of this opportunity.  Based on what he knows of the route, he 
suspects that the port they will stop in is in eastern Skane or Smaland.  
He doesn't know much about the area, but he believes that they can find a 
decent place to live there.

<><><><><>

[GM]

Helgi nods, resigned.

"Why can't we go home?" Istrid pleads, echoing Helgi's earlier question. 
But Helgi has the children busy themselves, packing what few 
possessions you have (including your fresh smoked meat) for the trip to 
Skane.

<><><><><>

Ingvar:

Helgi's fateful resignation saddens the brawny woodworker.  He would like 
to be able to give his wife whatever she wants, provide her with the normal 
life she wants.  Unfortunately, that just isn't possible now.

Istrid's question brings a smile to his lips.  "It's too dangerous, little one," 
he replies.  "Those Firehair trolls will be wanting vengeance, and may try 
to hurt any of you.  I can't take that chance."  Ingvar gives the girl a hug 
and sends her to help her mother with the packing.

The next few days are spent preparing for the voyage and performing any 
services he promised to the captain.  He gives Helgi whatever money he 
has left, as she and Sigtrigg have always been responsible for the money 
in the family.  She will surely use a few pieces to purchase whatever other 
foodstuffs and supplies she feels are needed for the trip to Skane and the 
first couple days there.

<><><><><>

[GM]

The captain of the ship isn't pleased at having a pair of children on board, 
and tells you to keep them out of the way. He yells at Hammar whenever 
the boy wanders around, bored and impatient.


The trip north across the sea takes only a few days. The ship stops at a 
small port town called Vyolakånd, and this is where you disembark, on the 
eastern coast of Sweden, hundreds of miles south of your old home.

<><><><><>

Ingvar:

Reminding Hammar periodically to stay out of the crew's way helps some, 
but the boy is just at an age where he's not going to sit in one place for 
even a couple hours, much less a couple days.  After the third or fourth 
time the Captain yells at Hammar, Ingvar decides to occupy his son by 
telling him what has happened over the past year, leaving out only the 
details about his own deaths.  He talks of finding them gone and the 
house burned, of working in Gullspang to earn money, of slaying Ole and 
Bengt and Hakon, of going to Birka, of being trained to fight by Astrid, and 
of following them to Germania.  Showing Hammar the sword he got from 
Ole, Ingvar promises that once they find a home, he will start teaching him 
how to use a sword.

Due to her experiences over the past year, Istrid seems to cling to her 
mother.  Though concerned, Ingvar realizes that this is natural; and it 
does serve to keep her out of the way of the crew.


As Vyolakånd comes into view, Ingvar joins Hammar at the bow.  "Take a 
good look at your new home, son.  Maybe not right in this town, but 
somewhere hereabouts.  Looks to be plenty of good farmland, and 
enough trees for me to make a living.  Bet there's good fishing around 
here, too.  New girls for you to meet too, eh son?" he asks with a grin.

Collecting up what possessions they have, Ingvar and his family deboard 
the ship and wander into the town.  First priority is a temporary place to 
stay, and some food.  Over the next couple of days, both he and Helgi 
spend time talking with as many people as possible about the area, other 
towns nearby, where there might be a need for a skilled woodworker, and 
good places to build a home.