Valhal

Aetri walked, arm in arm with Kara through the bustling Village, receiving harsh looks from the locals due to Kara's presence and being hammered by the sleet that hurried urgently to wetten their faces as it fell through the grey sky.

But neither sleet nor shunning gave Aetri the sour look on his face, one that Kara noticed as they moved past the great fires and open crowds of Uld warriors training in the muddy rainy camp "Aetri... are You going to talk to me, or are You going to carry on sulking?" Her nudging was playful, lighthearted and it pulled him partly from the shadow of his thoughts, though part of him remained in the stormy clouds as He smiled at her

"Maybe I'll keep on sulking, drive You to madness?." He jested, though Kara didn't seem to appreciate it, folding her arms close to her breast and putting on an annoyed look

"If I was to be driven crazy by Your secrets, then I'd be a Berserker by now." She moaned.

Aetri's brow lowered, a sadness was found in that, He didn't like that He kept her in the dark about his natures, but the man was not one to talk much about himself, Aetri preferred to move on, strive for the future and not dwell on the past... even if an amount of it still haunted him

"I know that face... You're still frustrated, about how quiet I can be, but... hey, Frigg gave us leave to be here together, peacefully."

Kara's Saphire eyes were impatient as they rested on him "And what did You give her in return, I wonder? maybe little Frigg wanted to reignite your little romance?" He paused, giving his Red-headed love the sternest look that he could muster.

"I am with You, always, You know this, Frigg is the past."

The Blue eyes rolled and arms folded even tighter "Right, well even if anything did happen, You probably wouldn't tell me anyway. Not about Frigg, not about where you're from, why you're here... I don't even know your real name, pft Aetri (Nameless) What a funny little joke."

He stood with her in the snow for a while, seeing that cute little pouty face that she made, how her hair seemed to glow red in the snowfall and He sighed, rubbing his eyes "I'm from the Heartlands, In Britannia I mean... where the sun always shines, the sky is always blue and where the King's men sing of Godrick the Old and the Holy Virtues... And Frigg did try and get me... but I pushed her away because I care about you. okay?" He could practically feel Lee and Crow's wrath already.

But the Girl's pouting ended and she smiled slightly "Y-You're from the Heartlands?" She said in a girlish tone, He nodded, throwing his arm around her, hell if Lee was going to split his head open she might as well go the whole nine yards

"Yup, the capital."

"The Capital!? that's where the Queen of the Britons lives right? where She sits on a throne of Dragonbone with her 9 holy knights at her side?" pure excitement filled her voice, there she was, that little girl that He had known who read one too many books on Old Britannia

"Uh-huh, now come on, I'm going to buy you some Ale!" And away they went, though not without him having to dodge another 700 million of her questions, if He was going to have his head split open at least then he could maybe live as a vegetable in peace, but He didn't want Lee to completely mash him into pulp... "Not even a word, Swear it." Like a warning bell in his mind, evermore.

After a little more walking and a couple more glares from not so notable locals, Aetri feasted his eyes upon a great Hall that lay at the East end of Uld, oh but this wasn't just any Hall, this was the legendary Valhal Mead Hall, where the Uld had been drinking and whoring and singing for generations... they also did a particularly excellent Rock Ale, oh and the Honey Mead, there was nothing to keep you warm in the frozen winters, like the mead could.

And by the goddess was it the grandest thing that a man could see, bigger than even the Jarl's longhouse and built of beautifully carved Black mahogany, taken from the dark trees that grew on the Skjal's side of the Tyrland territories, a thousand Uld warriors had beaten the Skjal in a bloody battle, in seeking the women and children that they had stolen, and so the two clans formed a shaky truce from that day, The Uld got their families back and the Skjal got to live... but not of course, before Great-Uld Grimnir cut down their trees to build a Mead Hall that would forever stand as a mark of their power.

"Why are You staring at Valhal like that?" Kara pulled him out of his boyish grinning at the huge double doors

"Like what?" He said, clearing his throat and rubbing his red ears

"Like it's the most beautiful woman that You've ever seen?" She chuckled, Aetri scoffed

"Well, maybe it is, full of Ale and Warm as summer, and on Wednesday's it sings like a bird, and silent every other day of the week, by the goddess heavenly silence, Maybe I'll marry it!" He laughed walking towards the heavenly doors, Kara stood with her mouth open and her face red

"Y-Yeah... well... ugh, I'm never gonna top that." She grumbled with annoyance

He shook his head proudly "Nope."

Just as Aetri had said, Valhal was quiet most days dead as a cold furnace... but today was Wednesday, the Raven's day, and on the Raven's day, Valhal was subject to rejuvenation that was nothing less than Legendary!

Aetri smiled as He could hear the voices within, quiet through the huge double doors, but as Aetri grabbed the large latch pushing it open with all of his might, the Heat rushed to embrace him, the Smell of Cooking boar and Stag and Rabbit filled his nostrils, and the sound of roaring song graced his ears.

"VALHAL, VALHAL, VALHAL!" The many voices boomed, the ground shaking at the stomping of foot and banging of drinking horns, Kara held unto him tightly as they crossed the threshold, Aetri slamming the door close to keep the heat in as He looked with glee to his surroundings.

On each high Wall were carved the Charms of One Eye, and that mixed with the Horns and Antlers, the heads of Ursine and of Wolf, this place was painted by victory, the many helms of friend and foe were hung by the Hearth which burned in the glory of the past where the Uld would pay their respects to those that they called a friend and spat to those who they called foe.

From wall to wall the place was packed with people, Men and women of the Clan who danced, sung, drank and frolicked like there was no tomorrow.

They stood and sat in all places, save for the far corner where a hundred casks of Good Brown Ale, and many more of sweet Honey Mead, gathered in great flagons and horns by poorly clothed White-banded serving women who made sure that their men were drinking aplenty.

Aetri smiled as He saw them all, drinking and singing, but nothing made his smile more than the sight of a familiar group, a Tall dark-haired man at their head, standing proudly on the mead-soaked tables and singing to the heavens with all of his might in praise of Valhal, his many brothers following in suit.

"VALHAL ~ VALHAL!
They Drink beside the River and By the Hanging tree!
But on the god of Raven's, Valhal's the Only Place for Me!
VALHAL ~ VALHAL ~ VALHAL ~ VALHAL!"

They called, The Leader's booming voice echoing all around as He swayed drunkenly on the table, an equally as drunken girl... with barely much to cover her pale breasts as the large man wrung her tightly with his thick arm.

"VALHAL ~ VALHAL!
The Raven god adores us, when we's drink and when We's sing
And we always drink in Valhal, where bastards can be Kings! Hahaha!
VALHAL ~ VALHAL!

His dark hair was short, save for the black braid that ran along the right of his crown, in each, a Black feather poking out, but His beard was a thing to behold, a mass of iron black hair that seemed to almost fly as Red-Knot Lok danced with his Red-headed maiden in hand.

"VALHAL ~ VALHAL!
By day we wield our Axes, with Iron in our slings!
But in Valhal we wield Drinking Horns, where bastards can be Kings!
VALHAL ~ VALHAL ~ VALHAL ~ VALHAAAAAAAAAAAAAAL!!"

The world rumbled at their roaring, Lok soaked his maiden's full breasts with his flagon of honey mead, her globes tipped with full areola glistening in the fire-light as Lok shoved his face in them, crying joy as He drank his fill.

Aetri... looked at those breasts, that ripe fruit bare for the picking, and felt... a spark in his heart, a hideous, beastly thing that stormed through him like a sweeping gale, it made his eye twitch and his muscles seize slightly, the flash of growing electricity whipping through his body and thunder clapping primordial arousal in him.

He had to have her, He had to have some girl any girl, K-Kara refused to go all the way with him still... and He had to grip a smooth frame in his arms, stuff his cock full into a wet cunt before the day was done, He had to, HE HAD TO!

"Aetri?" He jolted, his head snapping as He met Kara's fearful eyes. He was gripping on her arm tightly and His eyes were wide He realised "Aetri!" She growled jabbing him harshly. He looked around, the Singing had stopped, eyes were on him, all manner of eyes.

"By Frey..." A voice said, a familiar one. A Figure emerged from the crowd, tall, dressed in fine furs, with cropped Platinum blonde hair, dark blue eyes and a scarred face "...Who dares bring an Outcasted into this hall?" Young-Uld Tyrg spoke, his voice light but hoarse and harsh like cold ice, and his Blue eyes traced darkly on Kara who hid behind Aetri as the fierce people of the Clan averted their eyes.

"I dare," Aetri said, keeping a strong stance as Tyrg moved towards him, halting barely an inch from Aetri.

He was nearly a head shorter than Aetri, He had grown in the past year, the last that He expected to have... but He was fine with it, especially now, when He stood at towering 6ft 3 peering down at Tyrg, as He scowled right back up at him

"Of course the filthy Outsider brings in the fucking outcast. Typical, tell me Fehu, did You at least kiss Your sweet maiden before I gut her for offending the Raven god with her presence?" Tyrg growled, his heavy brows raising like a hungry wolf as Aetri smiled darkly

"Aye, Tyrg... I did, tell me did you manage to get any girl this week, without paying them I mean?" Aetri grinned as Tyrg's ears went red, and hence came a ball of thundering laughter, Aetri bathing in the joy as a man fell from the tables, landing on his feet with a hard thump, his mouth agape as a booming laugh left his jaws

"HAHA!!! Gods, oh sweet Gods! Aetri ma'boy HAHA!" Lok threw his arm around Aetri, his smile bright even through his beard "Have mercy on the poor fucker, he's flushing!" Lok boomed, clapping Tyrg on the arm as He fumed, reaching down for the Short Broad blade that was strapped to his belt.

Lok's laugh ended in a flash, his face snapping to deadly serious in seconds as He snatched the pommel of Tyrgs sword and held it firmly in its sheath "We draw no blood on Gallow's ground, Boy." He growled like a huge black bear, his teeth bored like a hungry beast, but Tyrg didn't back down, and neither would His men, a good 50 Raiders grasping the hilts of their weapons.

As Fast as lightning, people threw their drinks aside, all of Lok's boys erupting from their seats and ready to battle, tensions were blazing... and as tempting as a chance to bust the New Gen's to hel was... "You will not fight, any battle may draw attention, temper your rage, there must only be focus."

He sighed, pulling Frigg's skin from his belt a placing it out on the table for all to see "Here is the Mark of your Jarl, it is with Her blessings that Kara will drink with us this night, now as Bloodthirsty as we all should be, we obey the word of the Jarl!" Aetri cried for all to hear, the Elders nodded in agreement, and Lok's wrath soothed

"You heard the Boy, Tyrg, get your hand off that sword, and share an Ale with us eh?" Lok said to Young-Uld.

Tyrg's eyes looked between the three of them, to Kara, to Lok and then to Aetri

"You really put up for this bloody Outsider, Lok, this fucking-"

"This bloody Outsider is sworn Kin of Your late Father, Boy. Now I know you and your lot don't respect the Old ways, but we take our Jarl's word for bond. now, take, your hand, off that sword." Lok wouldn't back down, neither would Tyrg.

"That's enough." Aetri slid between them, holding them apart "We don't need to fight, Tyrg... we've had our differences, but let's just share a pint, like the old days?"

Tyrg looked Aetri over, then pushed his hand away "The old days are done, Fehu, I'll follow my Sisters word for now, but you better not bring that Outcast near me."

Aetri felt his insides boil, but He nodded, turning back to Lok "Come on, mate, let's just have a drink." He whispered, urging his friend to back down which He did, though not without a shove or two.

Kara smiled at him as Aetri took her arm "That could have gone a lot worse." Kara said chuckling as the groups began to separate.

The Two were just walking away when... "Hey! wench, fetch that Outcast whore a drink, maybe she'll spread it for us after a good few!"

Aetri wasn't even sure if it was Tyrg who said that, or maybe one of his men, He didn't care, in that moment He didn't even care that He had lost his sword to Eric, He had boiled over and now He was turning, a storm in his wrathful eyes as His fist balled ready to thump every one of those New Gen bastards!

Kara threw herself in front of him, as Tyrg growled with a smile, drawing his blade along with his group. Lok followed suit, his eyes blazing as He flexed his muscles and roared "VALHAAAAAL!"

The two parts went running at each other, upturning tables as flagons and Horns went flying everywhere in the midst of coming battle.

And of course, as if on queue, the Double doors burst open, and everybody froze.

Two figures, black against the firelight, both women, one medium height and dark as night, and the other tall and strong as Iron, Aetri promptly pissed himself (Metaphorically... kind of.) His eyes wide and frozen as the larger of the two stepped forward, Her strong form draped in a long and thick fur coat, her black hair billowing as she glared into the Hall with deathly Green eyes, her black scarf billowing behind her.

She stepped forward, shivering and looking very agitated, though that was Lee's default face "What in Dragon's shit is making all that fucking noise?" Lee growled, stepping further in. Nobody moved, nobody made even the slightest peep, they knew better.

Lee's eyes fixed on Aetri, his clenched fists and Kara still holding him, gods that look, She could freeze Hell over with that glare.

"Separate." Aetri jolted, feeling silky hands pulling He and Kara apart. Crow stared with her Black eyes that seemed soulless from under that hood... How the Hell she just appeared out of nowhere, well let's just say that He never got used to it, she was like a bloody ghost.

Crow looked at the New Generation, all of them, and took a few steps forward "You will desist, No Blood is drawn on Gallows ground." Crow said, her voice cold as ever.

Tyrg smirked at Crow, who's faced was deadpan and unfeeling "And why should I listen to an Eastern Slut, like you-ugh.. ugh...." Aetri's eyes widened, Crow was... Her arms were around Tyrg's neck, flexing as she applied the slightest pressure, Her eyes dark like pits of death, wide and ready and aware

"You will desist, or I will crack Your neck in a way that leaves you broken, not dead, just broken." She warned calmly, Tyrg's eyes opened in panic, feeling the pressure building. He nodded quickly, and Crow released him. released him into the table that He went flying into that is.

"Alright then... fuck me it's fucking freezing, brrrrrr!" Lee said, rubbing her arms as she stepped forward "Come on then, stop lingering, somebody get me a god damn drink!" Lee sneered at a wench, everyone instantly resuming their normalcy, picking up tables and running drinks like nothing had happened, they knew better than to mess with Lee Ector.

"Lee-fu! The One and Only Black Iron bitch!" Oh god, Lok stop... "I haven't seen that pretty face in many a moon!" He's going towards Her... He's doing it... "I have to say, Lee, you haven't aged a day-"

Lee's fist cracked across Lok's face, the massive man colliding with the hard floor as she frowned "That's Aunt Ector to you, Fool." She growled, strolling up to Aetri who hung his head naturally

"M-Mentor... I can explain." He started, though she hushed him and took him by the chin, looking over his face

"Hush, are you hurt?" She asked, He shook his head and she smiled

"Good." pain, pure pain cracking through his face, her forehead smashed into his nose like a Warhammer sending him reeling unto the table, grasping his Nose, gasping for air and trying to use the Zero breath Though it was impossible with blood flowing through his nostrils "Clean that up, don't spill blood on the Raven god's ground, treat out guests traditions with respect." She commanded, and He nodded, pinching his nose

"What the fuck, are you out of your mind!?" Kara cried coddling Aetri as He... started laughing,

"Ish that the best... ugh... you've got, you old... Hag?" He asked in a slurred tone

Lee cracked a smile, rubbing his shoulder "Shut up, before I knock you out, stupid kid." She said warmly, nudging Kara out of the way as she stood tall "Bring me an Ale You lazy bastard, I THOUGHT THIS WAS VALHAL!? BRING ME FUCKING ALE BEFORE I DIE OF BOREDOM" Lee cried, many voices crying in agreement.

Kara looked at Lee with confusion, before trying to dry Aetri's nose with her sleeve "What the Hel is wrong with You two, why can't you just hug and say hello, like normal people?" She asked, Aetri chuckled and it hurt

"Pft normal people, You're funny, come on let's have a drink, might take a bit of the pain away, Gah... thick-headed ass."

"The fuck you say?"

"N-Nothing Mentor!"