The Northmen of Falt, Winter 488

[GM Craig]

Arne is improving under the constant care of Valka, but it takes some time for his health to return. When it does so, he seems more robust for what he went through. It is said by some that Northmen improve with scars, and that certainly seems to be the case for Arne.

The Northmen who worked as mercenaries fared not too badly, all things considered - enough to sustain the community for the winter. For the first time, the Northmen will not be beholden to Falt for aid and can pay their own way. There is even a little extra - £3 is handed over to Arne and Valka to do with as they wish.

[Arne]

Arne grinned broadly as the warriors brought him and Valka no less than three libra as a gift to do with as they pleased.  He'd already been pleased with their performance during the summer campaigns, but this gift was not only a sign of great respect, it was also a measure of the warriors' sense of responsibility to their people as a whole.

Looking at Valka and Holmg?r?r (her name didn't translate properly when we shifted sites), he clinked the coins down on the table and said, "So . . . we should honor our warriors for their bravery, honor and generosity in front of our people.  But before wee see to that, let us speak of this money . . . I think we should use it to make our settlement better.  What should we look at first?"

[GM Craig]

Perhaps remarkably, Valka does not become pregnant, and your existing child survives the winter just fine.

With no horse herd to draw upon, you are a little worried, but any mounts you and your people had survive the winter, so you will not need to purchase replacements.

[GM Craig]

It would also be customary to call on the new Lord of Falt to ensure that the previous arrangements were still satisfactory. A new lord means you are effectively squatting on his lands until you have formal permission to remain.

[Valka]

It would also be customary to call on the new Lord of Falt to ensure that the previous arrangements were still satisfactory. A new lord means you are effectively squatting on his lands until you have formal permission to remain.

Guys, Want to RP that?

[Arne]

Sure.  Someone might want to remind Arne IC, though, that we should speak to Falt's new Steward first.   

[Geoffrey]

It would also be customary to call on the new Lord of Falt to ensure that the previous arrangements were still satisfactory. A new lord means you are effectively squatting on his lands until you have formal permission to remain.

Guys, Want to RP that?

I'm game.

[Arne]

OOC:  So . . . who'd like to remind Arne?  Valka or the resident priestess?   

[GM Craig]

Geoffry could also call on them himself. It would be a little bending of social protocol.

[Arne]

(OOC:  Oh, what the hell, I'll throw the first pitch . . .)

Arne idly rolled one of the coins on the top of the table, his mind already going over the different things they could use for their community.  He felt a sense of relief that they didn't have to rely on Falt for support now; Sir Rodric . . . may Freya and Christ Jesus watch over him . . . and Lady Habren had already helped more than enough.  If . . .

Arne's hand froze, and the Librum he'd been toying with fell over onto its companions with a dull clink.  "I am stupid," he groused.  "Here I make plans for the growth of our settlement, but this Lord Geoffrey is now the steward of these lands.  Whatever agreement we may have had with Sir Rodric and Lady Habren was with them, not him."

He straightened, then rose slowly out of his chair.  "Valka, we must send a messenger to Falt and ask Sir Geoffrey if we may meet with him there to speak of our settlement."  He shrugged, and heaved a sigh.  "He is within his rights to tell us to leave these lands, so we must prepare for that possibility."

[Valka]

"This possibility filled my thoughts the entire trip home," she replied solemnly.

[Arne]

Arne nodded wordlessly, and drummed his fingers on the table for a few moments before heading for the lodge's exit.  Opening the door, he stepped outside into the bracing cold air . . . and took an involuntary step back as a small pack of shouting boys ran past, waging a running battle with practice swords and shields.  Arne chuckled as he spotted the one in the lead that was shouting orders and insults, and he bellowed, "<Wulf!  Come here!>"

The tow-headed boy came to a sudden halt upon hearing Arne's voice, and was nearly bowled over by his friend who was close on his heels.  Wulf muttered a curse and gave the other boy a cuff on the head, and ran over to where Arne stood waiting.  He came to attention a few paces before Arne, and slammed his sword against the front of his shield.  "<Command me, chieftain!>"

Arne beamed with pride at the lad's demeanor.  Wulf had been the one that had scoured the encampment for Arne the year before when Valka had gone into labor, and had been a . . . squire of sorts? . . . to the settlement's warriors, bringing them food and drink during the training sessions, and seeing to their mounts and gear.  A first many of the warriors had looked upon him as an annoyance, but that feeling passed soon enough when they saw how serious the boy tended to his duties without being asked.

Heh . . . not so much a boy in his own mind.  He's . . . what?  Eleven now?  But his sense of duty and responsibility makes him seem near my age.  His parents raised him well.  In another few years he'll be ready to take to the field.

Arne nodded in approval, and said, "<Can you ride a horse, Wulf?>"

Wulf nodded enthusiastically.  "<I can, Arne!  The warriors have let me practice on their mounts, and they say that I can ride one well.>"  He hesitated, then flushed red and he muttered, <"I am having trouble hitting targets with a spear on horseback, though.  But I practice to make myself better!>"

Arne chuckled.  <"You're probably better than me with the damned things.  Not the way we usually fight, but learning new skills does not hurt.  Now, do you think you could remember a message in your head and repeat it to someone a day later?>"

Wulf's eyebrows furrowed in concentration for a few moments, then he nodded.  "<I think so, Arne.>"

"<Good!  Then come with me, Wulf.  Valka and I need to send a message to the steward of Falt, and it might take some time to think of the right words.  Once we agree on the message, we shall tell it to you, and you will repeat it to us.  And again the day after.  If you get it right, you shall be our messenger to the steward . . . and you may even pick one or two of the warriors to escort you there.>"

He watched the boy's face for any sign of fear, but if anything it only hardened in resolve at the task and honor offered to him. <"I will not fail you or Valka, Arne!>"

Arne clapped the boy on the shoulder and ushered him into the lodge.  "<I have no fear of that, Wulf.>"



(OOC:  Time for Valka, Arne and the priestess to hash over a message for Geoffrey.  Who wants to go first?)

[Valka]

(I think we should listen to what wisdom she has to offer first.ł

[GM Craig]

The two of you track down Holmgærðr.

"I have little to offer. We are here at the will of the lord, and now that lord has changed. I would recommend a personal meeting. Send a messenger, and arrange an appointment. But perhaps we should be offering something for our keep - we lived a year on Sir Rodric's charity. That is a debt we should repay if we can. That may balance the scales when we speak with the new steward."

She looks from one to the other of you. "What do the two of you think?"

[Arne]

Arne nodded slowly as he rubbed at his jaw.  "I think that would be only proper, yes.  It would show that we can be trusted, and it shows our gratitude, too."  He frowned.  "Do we have a tally of what we owe them?  Our people were very generous with their gift to us of three Libra, and Valka and I both earned one each for our service last summer.  Oh yes, and a libra gifted to us at our wedding.  Will six Libra be enough?"


(OOC:  Did we ever come to a decision about how the spoils of war would be divided?)