1. Defy

Cautiously, you begin moving forward through the trees. Warm sunlight brushes against your skin as you step out of the shadowy forest. A light breeze billows around while you briskly make your way towards the coast. This ocean doesn't appear familiar to you as the sun highlights it's slightly greenish hue. It takes a while before you reach it's sandy shoals and are met with the first whiff of salty air. As you approach, you're slightly confused to find a well in the middle of the beach. While you're no scholar, you at least know this shouldn't be possible. When you arrive before it you hesitantly take a look over it's ledge. At the bottom lies a pool of water with a bucket bobbing on its surface. Your eyes follow the slacked rope tied around it to where it's caught on the stones a few feet below you. Leaning forward more, you reach down and find you're still a couple of inches short. Gripping onto the edge of the well, you move further into the well and feel your finger tips just barely brush against the frayed rope. You're just above to give up when the stone you're leaning against give way. Gasping, you feel yourself fall several feet before splashing into the water before you. To your surprise, you keep sinking past it's surface as it seems to lead deep into the ground. Floundering around, you find the area is too narrow for you to turn around.

In a moment of desperation you begin swimming deeper into the well. After a while it opens up into a larger area but you still can't find a pocket of air. A strong current pulls against you and you find yourself being swept away into the dark unknown. Your lungs feel as if they're about to burst and your tired arms struggle to keep paddling. After a moment, you stop fighting and your vision slowly fades to black. The sensation of a large **** slamming into your chest pushes water out of your lungs and throat. **** slightly, you groan and roll onto your side in pain. Inhaling deeply, you slowly open your eyes and squint against the bright sunlight that hits them. When you feel a hand on your shoulder, you quickly scramble to your feet. The voice behind you sounds slightly familiar despite its unfamiliar dialect. Your brow furrows in confusion when you turn and find yourself standing before Erec. "Where am I?" Your voice is slightly hoarse as you look around and find yourself on the same beach from your vision. "It is you." Erec seems to be able to speak your native tongue as well and he steps forward before continuing, "I was worried I wouldn't see you again." Frowning, you run a hand across your slightly tender chest and cautiously continue to regard your surroundings. "Where is the forest?"

Erec looks genuinely surprised at your question and slowly replies, "What forest?" Behind you is an open field, with just a few sparse trees dotting the horizon. However, the beach is nearly identical to the one you had been in earlier, save for the missing well. "I assumed you washed up from the shipwreck after the storm." He says, seeming to pick up on your confusion. "Do you not remember how you got here?" Deciding not to reveal your strange vision, you slowly shake your head. Erec steps forward and gently brushes your messy hair out of your face. "Don't worry, I'll take you somewhere safe." This doesn't exactly reassure you, however, you have **** but to follow him. Your wet clothing clings to your body and you feel slightly gritty from salt and sand. He leads you further down the beach and after a while you can make out a large ship up ahead. As you continue towards it, you learn from Erec that you're still on the same strange nation. However, it appears you've some how ended up on the complete other side of the massive land. You decide to also keep this information to yourself and remain mostly silent for the remainder of the trip. When you reach the ship, you see they appear to be in the process of debarking. Large crates and barrels are stacked up along the shore and men bustle about around them. They pay little mind to Erec and even less to you as you make your way through.

"Can I ask why _you _are here?" Erec seems less surprised by this question and laughs lightly. "I'm aware I don't necessarily appear the adventuring type. However, there's only so much that I could learn about this foreign land without visiting it." Tilting your head, you careful observe his tall but lean figure. "You're a scholar?" Erec pauses for a moment as he seems to think this over. "In a way, I suppose." His cryptic answer leaves you with more questions. However, before you're able to ask them you seem to arrive at your destination. Erec steps past you and walks up to where a large figure is facing away from you. The man he joins matches him in height but has a larger frame. His dark brown hair has a slightly reddish hue to it and cropped short. You wait somewhat impatiently until Erec motions for you to join them. "This is Captain Renard." He begins while you carefully regard the man before you. "I was just telling him you might be able to help us get our bearings on this strange land." The large man's hazel green eyes skeptically take in your disheveled form. His clean shaven face is sharp and slightly hard. "Really, Erec, must you always find some stray to rescue on our journeys?" You blush slightly at his curt tone and glance over at Erec. He hardly seems bothered by the Captains question and shakes his head. "You need to let your hair down sometime, metaphorically, of course."

There's a playful look in Erec's eyes as his own shaggy locks bounce around his head. Renard's expression remains unchanged as his gaze returns back to you. "You may stay, for now. However, I don't want you underfoot." Your blood boils slightly at his words but he turns and leaves before you can manage to reply. Erec sees your annoyed expression and laughs again. "Don't let him get under your skin. He's just still stressed from last nights storm." Exhaling in frustration, you try to put Renard's words out of your mind. "I don't suppose you have a more permanent camp somewhere?" You finally ask, feeling quite uncomfortable in your now dry and stiff clothes. Erec nods quickly, and leads you up the beach towards the bare land up ahead. It's a slightly steep climb up, so Erec moves up first before offering you a hand. When you make it over the embarkment you're surprised to see a large battalion of men moving about. Glancing behind you, you finally notice the group of ships in the distance. "What's going on?" You don't hide the accusatory tone in your voice when you question Erec. He frowns slightly before cautiously replying, "I figured you would have already heard. One of our allies has declared war on the Danes..." He slowly trails off when your eyes widen in surprise. "For what reason?" You demand, taking a step away from him. Erec runs a hand through his hair as he somewhat hesitantly says, "The official reason is; King Rurik refuses to join the church."

"And you believe this?" Erec pauses for a moment as he thinks your question over. "When it comes to war, I find there's often more to the story than we're told." Nodding slowly, you warily glance over at the large formation of men in the distance. "As long as you don't plan on converting me, I suppose it's none of my business." A small smile tugs at Erec's lips before he replies, "I'm hardly in any position to do that." Satisfied with his answer, you follow him towards the encampment. You're slightly confused when he leads you past them and continues on towards where a small cluster of trees lay in the distance. When you reach them, you find a small stream of water cutting through before flowing down towards the beach. Erec glances down at your clothing before looking over at the stream. Blushing slightly, you pick on his wordless hint and wait for him to turn around. He leans against a tree with his back facing you while you cautiously strip. The water is quite cold but you're glad to wash the dirt and grime from your body. You feel marginally better when you slip back into your slightly crusty clothes. When you're done you gently clear your throat and Erec slowly turns around. You catch a disappointed look flash across his face when he sees you're dressed. Dismissing this, you walk up to him and thank him.

"My pleasure." He gives you a quick grin before turning around and walking back towards the camp. Trailing behind him, you're wince slightly when you see Captain Renard talking to a group of men up ahead. His eyes drift over to you as you walk past but he doesn't stop his conversation. You're unable make out what he's saying as it's in his native tongue. Doing your best to avoid his gaze, you quicken your pace to catch up with Erec. Many of the soldiers stop to look at you as you move through them. Blushing slightly, you become keenly aware you're likely the only woman there. Additionally, since they sailed here, you're likely the first woman they've seen in some time. Sticking close to Erec's side you feel your anxiety steadily grow. When he approaches a line of tents near the edge of the camp you stop in your tracks. "You can't expect me to stay out here with all these men!" You quickly protest while looking around. Erec turns and regards your indigent expression for a moment before chuckling. "You're quite a sight when you're mad." Crossing your arms over your chest, you scowl at him in response to his statement. Erec walks into one of the tents and emerges a moment later with some bedding. Walking past you, he gives you a small wink before saying, "Of course I wouldn't expect you to stay out here." You relax slightly at his words until he goes on to say, "You'll be staying with me."