When roads meet (closed)

[milkmaiden38]

Dodging arrows was always difficult. However, the Nordic guy came to her rescue and crashed into the group firing the arrows. He was a killing machine as he quick dispatched them. His skill impressed her. She had watched to make sure the man had no problems and then she leap frog ahead of him in standard attack tactics.

"Well, it's time to get my hands dirty," she said to herself as she drew her swords and continued to move with as much stealth as possible. Even so, she was outnumbered and they knew she was coming. She approached a large mound of rocks

As she moved along one side, a bandit stepped around the cluster of rocks just ahead of her and was suddenly was face to face with Angela. He thrust his sword at her, but she was lightning fast and parried his thrust with the one sword. Her second sword ended up going through the man’s open mouth as he was about to shout to the other. The sword tip exited the back of the bandit's head. Blood dripped from it.

Angela wanted to stop and drain this bandit as well. But this was a battle … not a feast! Angela moved on as arrows flew around her, one landed in her leg with a thud. All of the arrows had been from the last group bandits ahead of her, but one that had hit her leg had been from the farm house. The farmer had shot at her thinking she was a bandit? Or maybe he knew she was a vampire? It did not matter, she was pissed! Here she was trying to save their asses … and they were shooting at her.

She kept the bandits attention on herself as she moving back around to the other side of the rock pile. This protected her from the farm house arrows and the bandit would focus all their attention on her. This should allow the Nordic man to surprise them from a flank attack. She took a deep breath and thought about the arrow from the farm house. She did not want to jump to conclusions. It might have been anyone in that house, the farmer’s wife, maybe even one of the farmer’s kids. She needed to wait and see what happened after the bandits were taken care of.

She had waited long enough for the Nordic man to get into position, so she rushed forward. Vampires were stronger and faster than most humans. More arrows hit the ground around her but her speed protected her. She heard shouting and sword and axe blows from the bandit position as she was almost there to help.

 

[TertiusHuman]

He would have preferred a shield wall, but with Angela going in like a berserker, he had to work with what he had. That was his own round shield and axe. It was enough, these were not warriors, but jackal preying on the weak. They went down much easier, but their arrows still offered a few distractions. He was busy bashing a bandit in the face with his shield when the arrow struck.

With a frustrated growl he used the edge of his shield and the axe to break off the haft of the arrow. He knew that it would hurt like hell later on, but it was better to take the stiffness and discomfort now, than to bleed out before the skirmish is done. Of course the action also allowed his opponent to recover and draw a sword. What a day this was turning out to be.

He met the blade with his shield, lashed a kick to the man's groin and practically chopped his head off when he suddenly lost all interest in attacking. Turning, he caught an arrow on his shield and ran towards the remaining bandits, the wound in his leg causing him to move slower than usual.

 

[milkmaiden38]

Some things you just don't joke about when you are a vampire

Angela had not fought with a partner in a while, and it showed. Her timing with the Nordic man was way off. She was the first one of the two to jump over the small rock wall barrier. She faced four angry bandits. They attacked immediately, their swords clashed against hers. Being able to fight with two swords was a big advantage in this kind of combat. She parried the blows aimed at her as she tried to go on the offense. That turned out to be very difficult as the bandits rained blows down on her. She did manage to parry one sword blow and with her super human strength pushed the man’s sword away with such force the weapon flew out of the man’s hand. Suddenly defenseless, Angela sword sank into the side of the man’s head, killing him.

“One down … where the fuck is that Nordic guy?” Angela said to herself as another bandit took the dead one’s place. Then she saw Nordic man sink his axe into the back of one bandit as his shield slammed the other bandit so hard it turned him 180 degree around. Angela took advantage of the exposed flank and a second later her sword came back from the bandit's side filled with blood.

The one remaining bandit tried to turn and run, but Nordic guy rang his helm with a powerful shield punch. The blow stunned him. My two swords went through his chest and the battle was over.

“Nice …” Angela glowed as she licked her swords clean from the blood.

“What took you so …” Angela asked the Nordic guy when she noticed his wounded leg. “Ahh shit. You are wounded. Are you ok?” She asked as she knelt down pulled out some strips of cloth she kept for injuries.

She handed him some of the strips then she yanked the arrow out of her own leg. “Farm house gave me this one” She told him as she showed him the arrow. She tossed it away. “How does that saying go … Sharper than a serpent's tooth, is a thankless child." She told him as she tied a cloth strip around her leg. Her wound had not been too bad, so one strip was all that was required. She knew she had gotten the quote wrong, so wrong the Nordic guy just gave her a puzzled look.

“Ok forget that quote, how about … don’t bite the hand that feeds you!” Angela said trying another quote she actually recited correctly this time. “Are you going to live … or shall I make it quick and suck you dry?” She asked him. She had meant the last part as a joke, but it was the totally wrong thing to say. She knew she had said too much and apologized. “Sorry about that, I was just joking” Angela said “Are you ok?” She asked again.

 

[TertiusHuman]

Some people makes you wonder...

He grunted and took the bit of cloth, it should help. Luckily the wound wasn't bleeding too much, that meant it was lodged in muscle. Judging from the arrows around them. He had left just enough of the arrow. Using the flat of his axe, he hammered the arrow through his leg. "You are weird company."

He drew the barbed head from his leg and tore more material from a dead bandit's shirt. Using Angela's bit (torn in two of course) as padding, he bound his leg. He would clean it later.

"You wanted to check on the house and then feed or do they look appetizing enough to try out before you go towards the house?"

 

[milkmaiden38]

Angela actually wanted to sink her teeth into the dead man but she also wanted the Nordic guy to trust her more. So she decided against it

“You want me to get fat!” Angela said to him. “Look at me” she suggested as she opened her fur lined Gothic cloak. She was still dressed in her corset and leather skirt under the cloak. Her mid-drift was exposed. It was flat and sexy.

“I can’t maintain this sexy figure if I drain everyone I kill! You know how much blood there is in a human body? It is over one and half gallons! That is like 8 really big bowls of stew! If these assholes had been Orcs … there is even more blood! No thank you” She commented. She peeked over the rock wall to the house, than she ducked again.

“I really think you should go to the house. You are the one that is alive and have a soul. They are just going to look at me and think I’m some sort of undead draugr” Angela grumbled. Then she sighed “But you are wounded, rest up … I’ll do it.”

She turned towards the house again and peeked over the wall. “Hey … you folks in the house, all the bandits are dead. My friend and I took care of them. You can keep whatever loot is on them.” She told them.

“Just wanted to check if you are all ok in there? And if you need any help?” She asked.

A male voice shouted back “Everyone is ok … now get out of here” but a second female voice could be heard urging “Tell her about your father, he needs medical help”

“No” the first male voice answered.

“Hey folks … sorry to break it to you, but we can hear everything you are saying. Let us in and we might be able to help” Angela suggested.

“NO … you’re a draugr! You’re going kill us all!” The male voice countered.

Angela looked back at Nordic man. “Told you!” She said and stuck her tongue out at him.

The female voice at the house said “Uhhh … we can hear everything you are saying too.”

“Oops, we are going to whisper from now on” Angela replied to the female voice laughing. Then she whispered to Nordic guy “You give it a try. I know a lot about healing and I’ll bet you do to, being in so many battles. We might be able to help.”

 

[TertiusHuman]

"Clean a wound, cover and press to reduce bleeding, treat fever with dried herbs...that is all I know."

He did rise and stepped into sight, his shield ready to take any arrow. "I am a living human. Not a thrall nor a draugr. Thralls don't talk and you seem to know draugr when you see one."

He made certain to stick his axe into the thong at his belt, "I have traveled a long way with her and apart from the fact that she may talk your ears off, she is quite harmless when unthreatened."

There was silence, then the male voice sounded again, "You vouch for a draugr?"

Did he?

He glanced at Angela, well...

"No. Just telling you as it is."

The woman's voice carried to them, "We need the help!" It had a hissing quality to it, suppressed words not quite suppressed enough.

A long pause, Thorvald could feel the blood trailing down his leg and thought that he did not apply enough pressure when he bound it.

"You are wounded?"

He shrugged, "I survived worse, but it did start bleeding again yes."

A hushed discussion and then, "Okay fine!"

"You may approach...both of you."

 

[milkmaiden38]

Angela went over and picked up a tall pike from one of the dead bandits. “I’d help you walk to the house, but being that close to you … would freak me and you out. So use this pike as a walking stick.”

She tossed it at him and he caught it. He leaned against the stick as he pulled up his shield. In this arrangement he could protect himself from arrows while approaching the house. He started to walk towards the house. Angela hurried up to catch up, approaching him from behind.

“Close enough” He said as she was getting to close.

“Hey … I don’t have a shield! What if they start shooting arrows?” Angela griped.

The Nordic man just shrugged his shoulders “You can turn into a bat or a cloud of gas … or something”

Angela was taken a back, he had come up with a pretty good idea. “You know, you are smarter than you look” Angela commented. She had been trying to give him a compliment but that was all that came out.

He reached the farm house door and it opened for him. He walked in. Angela was the next one through the door, everyone in the house kept their distance from her. She looked around and there were 5 people standing in a semi circle around her and the Nordic guy.

There was an older woman with long black hair and a strong, worried face. She looked like the mother of the family. Her small gray eyes looked over to the sixth figure slumped over in a chair by the main fire place.

There a younger man with a bow in his hand, drawn and pointed right at her. He looked to be the oldest son. There was no trust in his face at all. A small swallow scar was a prominently feature just above the side of his left eye, probably from some earlier battle.

The remaining people were all younger. There were two young, and very pretty girls in their late teens, each holding bows, but the bows were not drawn. Both of them seem to be smart and curious of Angela and the Nordic man. The youngest person in the room was a boy who was only about 10 years old. The only weapon he had was a dagger hanging from his belt.

“Well … I think introductions are in order” Angela said trying to break the silence in the room. “My name is Angela Bloodgem and this is my friend …ah … Nordic Guy” She explained.

“Some friend … you don’t even know his name.” One of the younger girls said. The Nordic guy started to laugh at Angela’s situation and discomfort.

“Ok …forget the introductions. I thought saving your asses would have bought some good will, but that is clearly not the case” Angela said in disappointment. “I take it that is the man that needs medical help?” She asked pointing to the man slumped over in the chair near the fire place.

“Yes … and if you hurt him this arrow is going right through your pretty head!” The oldest son threatened

Angela smiled at the young man “Thanks for calling my head pretty” She replied as she pulled off her cloak. Her super sexy, amazingly busty, slim waisted figure was on display for all to see. A few of the people gasped at her beauty. She sauntered over to the older man by the fire. Knelt beside him, she pulled the blanket covering his torso off and examined the wound in his side.

“The bandits jumped him. He took a sword in his side.” The older woman told Angela as she moved to watch what the vampire was doing.

“There is no sucking sound so his lungs are ok. And it did not pierce his intestines or liver. Those are all good things. It is still bleeding and he has lost a lot of blood, those are bad. I think I can help him, by cleaning and closing this wound, but I’ll need to use a very hot metal object to do that. One of my short swords will work perfectly. If you do not object, I’m going to put one in the fire place and heat it up.” Angela asked the family members.

They all looked at each other “Ok … but do it real slow” the oldest son said.

Angela pulled her sword out slowly and placed the point in the fire place. “Do you have some really strong alcohol?” She asked.

“We have a bottle of Akvavit, I’ll get it” The youngest daughter said.

“What is that for?” The old woman asked

“Four things. It will help clean his wound, It will numb the pain as the burning will hurt like hell, Nordic guy can use it clean his wound too and finally” Angela said “I think everyone in this family needs a shot … to lighten up!” Angela explained.

The Akvavit arrived and Angela used it to clean the wound and gave the man a full mug. “Drink it all … this is going to hurt like hell” She explained. The oldest daughter brought the bottle to the Nordic man.

“She is bizarre … How did you meet her?” The oldest daughter asked him in a hushed whisper.

 

[TertiusHuman]

He took a pull of the drink first, it was harsh, but not as strong as the mead he carried with him. He sat down, "I met her in the ruins of a monastery, I will say in her defense that the ruins was not caused by her. She was busy preaching to rats, or at least that is what it looked like."

He grinned at the family, "We shared a fire and since she is on a holy mission and I have been sent to do a god's bidding, we decided to travel together. That is how we came to this place."

He unwound the bandage and pulled the folded cloth away from the wound. He inspected the wound, it had only opened slightly, so the bleeding was not that bad. He poured some of the Akavit onto the wound, then he refolded the compresses and poured the brandy onto the material before he bounded up the wound again. Tighter this time, when he was done, he looked up to find the people staring at him.

"It will have to do. Thank you for the Akavit. Now, when Angela takes that blade of her's from the fire, pour some of the liquid onto the blade, it will help to clean it further. Oh and my name is Thorvadl Grelson, not Nordic Guy."

 

[milkmaiden38]

Angela had overheard the Nordic man say his name, Thorvadl Grelson, to the oldest daughter. The naughty side of Angela wanted to tease the man about finally knowing his name.

But she remembered back to her thoughts before starting this journey. She had been depressed about her life as a vampire, the pointlessness of it all. She could be good or evil and it made no difference. She had no soul.

But the last two days she had not felt that way. This man of few words had distracted from her depressing thoughts. Thorvadl Grelson had helped her even if he did not know it. She needed to continue to travel with him, at least for a while longer. His presences had helped her view her condition differently.

She stood up slowly, so the older son would not put an arrow through her and walked over to Thorvadl Grelson and the older daughter. She did not get too close, fearing Thorvadl’s axe as much as the drawn bow. Her piercing dark green eyes were on him.

“It is very nice to know your name, Thorvadl Grelson” She said with a smile. She turned to the oldest daughter, one of her hands out. “It is time to close the wound. And Thorvadl is right; the Akavit will help to keep any infection away”

The oldest daughter stared at Angela’s beauty. She was almost stunned by it. “You are very beautiful” She said as she handed over the Akavit. Without her cloak on, Angela was gorgeous and exquisite. To this farm girl she probably looked like a princess.

Angela smiled “Thank you for the compliment, but looks are not everything. Touch my skin.” Angela told her.

“Don’t do it … Tola” The oldest son shouted “It’s a trick!”

“Just shut up …nothing is going to happen” Angela said back to the oldest son.

Tola touched Angela’s arm and gasped “oh … you skin is so cold.”

“I have no soul. I’m not alive like you are. My body is the same temperature as the air in this room. I also do not feel the cold. I could walk naked in the snow for days and not feel the cold. I wear clothing only because of habit and I think clothing looks good on people. I tell you all this because I may look good, but looks are not everything. Trust me when I tell you, men want warm women in their beds …not just good looking ones.” Angela enlightened Tola.

“You have slept with men before?” The oldest son asked in surprise. His sexual desire getting the better of his judgement as the bow he was holding dropped to his side.

Angela smiled “That is a very personal question … but the answer is yes. I have slept with many men. I usually warm up my body first by taking a hot bath or drinking hot tea or having a warm bowl of soup. There is blood in my veins, if I heat it up, it will warm me.”

“Do you kill them afterwards?” Tola asked.

“NO … what kind of monster do you think I am? Do you sleep with a steer before you kill it?” Angela asked clearly upset. She did not wait for their answer to her question as she walked over to the older man by the fire. He had passed out again, but the mug she had given him was empty. With the man’s low blood levels and the amount of alcohol he had consumed, he would be nicely numb.

She grabbed the sword from the fire, poured Akavit on it, and then held the man’s mouth shut. Then she sealed the wound as everyone heard the man’s muffled screams. He thrashed about in the chair, but Angela was much stronger and held him in place. She used the Akavit to cool the wound and disinfect everything afterwards.

“Feed him lots of red meats for the next week. If you don’t have much meat, make a stew with dark greens like spinach & turnip greens this will help his body make more blood.” Angela explained.

“I’ll be outside, gathering up the bandit’s loot and hopefully find their horses. They can replace the ones they killed in your stable.” Angela explained and walked out of the house in a huff.

 

[TertiusHuman]

Thorvald watched Angela as she stomped outside in a huff, he frowned. It was the first time he had seen her really upset and not snarky about something. He drew his axe, getting worried glances from the farmers until he pulled a rag from his pocket and started to clean the blade. Blood caused rust and a rusty blade was useless.

"Do you find her attractive? The vampire?"

He glanced at the eldest and gave him a smirk, "I do."

"But she did not know your name?"

He grunted, "She doesn't even know my real name and neither do you. A name carries power and when it is bound so are you."

He flipped the axe over and went on cleaning the blade, "She may not be the normal draugr, but trust is earned. So far I have only seen a woman whose heart is bigger than her mind, nothing to trust."

He sucked on his teeth, "So yes I find her attractive. You find her sexy and want to fuck her."

Gasps all around, but he bulled on, "And you might even get the chance and it will something you will never forget. But if you are going to bumble along like a boy acting tough, you will be seen as just that."

He slipped the cleaned axe back into the loop, "Put down the bow and stop threatening us. If we wanted you dead, we would have waited for the bandits to do so and then just have killed them. If you really want to make amends, go out there and help her. Be a man about it."

He felt for his pipe, but he had left it behind with his pack. Nevermind, he could smoke later.

 

[milkmaiden38]

Orri, the Eldest Son

He lived by rules, his entire life. His father had told him what to do and how to do it. The rules had done right by him as a whole. He had seen others be reckless and not follow the rules and it never worked out for them.

But the rules had not done anything for his personal life. He was alone and had never been on a date in his life. There were other farms not too far away. During the warmer months the children of the farms would gather at a home to learn how to read and write. There were girls there, but Orri never talked to them, it was too risky.

Now he looked at the warrior, Thorvadl Grelson, sitting before him. The man had made sense. He had been a fool and had acted foolishly. It was time for him to start thinking. He put down his bow. He realized he had been following the rules without thinking.

“I will go outside and help the draugr” He told Thorvadl. He had said it. Now he had to do it. It was a rule. Your word was your bond. He took a deep breath. He was about to do something reckless. It was scary, but he also felt like a man for doing this. He pulled on his warmest coat and opened the front door.

The cold bit at his face as his lungs filled with the cold fresh air. He closed the door and he walked forward. He looked carefully at the bushes, trees, and rocks for any remaining bandits that might be hiding behind them. He was also looking for the draugr, but he did not see her or any bandits.

“Don’t worry, they are all dead,” Angela whispered in his ear.

He almost had a heart attack. She’d come out of nowhere.

“I’m almost dead too … don’t sneak up on someone like that!” he exclaimed. He had turned around to look at her. He stared at the beautiful woman standing beside him. Her features were so soft, her red lips, and big voluptuous breasts, her lovely waist and pale skin, everything was soft about her except for her eyes, her dark green piercing eyes.

She looked at him and asked “Aren’t you going to pull a weapon on me?”

“No” Orri said.

His answer surprised her, what had gotten into this kid? She felt the need to comment. “You are living life on the edge!” Angela kidded him

“I’m out here to say I’m sorry. I was an ass in there. Thank you for saving my father’s life.” He said.

“You are welcome. He is not out of the woods yet, but I think he will make it.” Angela replied

“My name is Orri, can I help you find the horses and clean up the bodies?” He asked.

“I’m glad to meet you, Orri and sure … I’ll find the horses … you collect up the loot. I killed one bandit over there, Thorvadl killed a few over there, and the rest are among those rocks.” Angela pointed out.

He nodded and headed over to the bodies. He thought “this is so reckless … but it was also memorable!” He found the first body, completely drained of blood. It freaked him out. But he forced himself to search the body for money, weapons and other valuables.

It was not long before he had searched all the bodies. A pile of clothing, weapons and money was at the front door of his farm house. He heard the sound of horses approaching and saw the draugr riding the lead horse. Her corset appeared to be held as if by magic as her big curves bounced under it. Her leather skirt had a long slit up each side so he could see her long sexy legs underneath.

His mouth dropped open as Angela lead the 8 horses to their stable and dismount in front of him. The woman tilted her head and stared back at him with her eyebrows raised.

“What?” She asked him.

He wanted to say how beautiful she looked but instead he said “You found 8 horses”

“Yes … not plow horses however. But you can trade these for plow horses. Or just put two on the plow.” Angela suggested. She looked at all the loot by the door and smiled at him “Well, good job. All this stuff should help too” She gestured toward the pile. He nodded.

“All that remains is to dig the graves. I’ll do it” She told him.

“Ah … can I help? He asked.

“You want to dig graves with a vampire?” Angela asked Orri.

“Yes” He answered

“Ok … it’s a date” She said “I’ll get the bodies, you find two good shovels”

An hour later, all the dead were buried. The two had talked and had even made a few jokes about getting “buried” in their work, taking “digs” at each other, etc. They walked back to the farm house, when they reached the door Orri admitted “Angela, you are the first woman I have been on a date with”

Angela smiled and gentle kissed Orri on the cheek “Thanks … it was a fun date. You are not such a monster, once you relax a bit” She told him.

“I’m not such a monster … that means something coming from a vampire” He said.

“You are defined not by what you are … but by the choices you make.” Angela told him. They each grabbed some of the loot and went back inside, returning to the warmest of the house.

Orri decided that taking risks can teach you more than just following the rules.

 

[TertiusHuman]

Thorvald sat and watched as the women went about their duties, looking after the older man and getting food ready for dinner. Since there was a lot of bows and arrows outside, he thought of helping these people by hunting for them. He had to fetch his gear anyway. So when Angela and the younger male came back into the house, he got to his feet.

"I have to go fetch my stuff. Don't wait up, I will be fine."

With that, he snagged a bow and quiver of arrows, leaving the shield behind, he walked out of the door, pulling it close behind him. He looked at the air, sniffed at the wind and decided that the rain would make tracking easier and that he had a few hours of light remaining. With bow and a ready arrow in hand, he headed off towards the forest, he had a slight limp, but the rest and the rebandaged dressing would hold up. He knew that he wouldn't have to look too far, the forest would be teeming with life after the rain.

 

[milkmaiden38]

Angela watched as Thorvald came back in from the cold. He stomped his feet to remove the mud. Then he came inside the house.

“I found a small herd of red deer. They were in the valley just before those steep hills to the north. I got one. I used one of the horses to bring it back to the house, hope you don’t mind.”

“Red deer, they are hard to get. They usually only come out after dark” Orri stated in surprise.

“Food is scarce high in the hills this late in the season, the deer move to lower lands. I got lucky.” Thorvald said with a shrug. Angela knew it was more than luck. Red deer were hard to catch and Thorvald was being modest.

Tola and Orri both looked to their mother “Mother … we should give them two of the horses. Thorvald leg will heal better if he stays off it for a while. They also saved us from the bandits, saved father, and now Thorvald has provided food for weeks.” They both pleaded, trading sentences.

“Enough …I was thinking the same thing.” The older woman agreed. She brought Thorvald the remains of dinner. “We ate while you were hunting” She explained. He took the bowl and started to eat.

“Thanks for the horses, if everything is settled … I’ll be going to sleep” Angela said with a naughty smile on her face. She walked to the front door and opened it. Then she turned into a bat and flew off as the family stared in shock and surprise.

The 10 year old boy was the first one to break the silence. He turned to his mother and said with a great deal of pride “I want to be a vampire when I grow up!”

The next morning.

Thorvald and Angela were all ready to leave and said good bye to the family.

Orri shook hands with Thorvald firmly “Thanks … for the advice” He told the warrior. The 10 year old boy just gave Thorvald leg a hug. Orri then gave Angela a big hug. “Thanks for the date” He whispered to her. She whispered back “You’re welcome”

All the women gave Thorvald hugs, thanked him for the deer meat, and warned him to stay off his leg. All the women were not sure what to do with Angela. But Angela made it easy for them by getting up on her horse and waved to them. They waved back.

Then Thorvald and Angela rode off and headed further north. The weather was still a thick layer of overcast clouds, but there was no rain or snow. Angela had a big smile on her face and was itching to say something Thorvald as they rode. However she did not say anything for the first hour.

As they entered a dark and thick forest she finally said something to him.

“Thorvald … we helped those people back there. We made a real difference. It was good … don’t you think?” She asked him.

 

[TertiusHuman]

He grunted in response, adjusting his shield to not bang against the wound. "It was a good deed yes. As for it feeling good, it doesn't. It got me wounded and without the detour I would not have had to brave the Valkyries."

He shrugged into his furs and gouged the sky with a look, "I see you have figured out my real name along with the farmers. Thought that Thorvadl would throw you off the track."

He gave Angela a small grin, "But it is better than asshole and Nordic Guy, so I will take it."

 

[milkmaiden38]

“Thorvald … you made a joke!” Angela said in shock. “There is hope for you yet!”

She smiled to herself. This trip was turning out to be much better than she had thought. Back at The Pub of the Twin Ravens, she just knew this assignment which involved a church was going to go badly. Hired because she was evil to destroy a greater evil, a person who had killed a dragon, it had “fucked up” assignment written all over it. But meeting Thorvald had changed that all around. She was starting to enjoy the quiet, grumpy, warrior and his snarky comments and simple truisms. Helping the farming family had also been a bright spot. Helping people had felt good.

But what did it all mean? For Thorvald, he probably scored points with his chosen god. Points for his soul so that he could reach Valhalla or the field of Fólkvangr, or wherever he wanted to go. Valhalla was her guess. But she had no soul. She did not score points so her acts and deeds at the farm house were meaningless.

What was the point of being undead? Why worry about good or evil acts? The whole equation that governed living beings made no sense for the undead. Yet she still did feel good about what she had done back at the farm house. “Hope … There is hope for you yet!” is what she had said to Throvald about his joke. Maybe she believed there was still hope for her.

“We’ll be entering more populated areas soon. Now that we are on horses, I would not be surprised if we did not reach Hjava by early evening. We’ll need to ride closer together and I can’t use any of my vampire powers, for obvious reasons” She warned him.

“Just don’t get too close” Thorvald stated firmly.

Angela was correct in her estimation. The two of them saw Hjava before the sun was down. Hjava was a small but important town along the deep fjord of Sjondor. It was important town because it provided a major source of food, mainly fish, for the surrounding areas. The town’s harbor was protected from the rough winter storms and thus held a large fishing fleet. The fishing boats were not large, holding between 3 to 5 men, but they were numerous. Besides the fishing industry, the town was also known for making excellent furniture. A strategic ferrying crossing was located at the town as well.

Angela and Thorvald rode their horses along the mighty and steep mountains sides towards the picturesque town with its colorful houses and shops. Even with the overcast sky the fjord had a beautiful emerald green color from the melted glacier water providing a beautiful backdrop for the town.

The small lush mountain pastures were dotted with farms that produced high quality fruit, berries, lamb, and goat cheese. As they entered the town of Hjava the distinctive architecture of turrets, spires and beautiful ornamentation, like something from a fairy tale, could not be missed. The town was pulsating with activities and people.

“The ferry does not leave until the morning. There is a pub coming up with great food, nice music called “The Snoring Cello Bar” want to go there?” she asked Thorvald.

 

[TertiusHuman]

"As long as there isn't real Cello's snoring I have no problem."

He flashed Angela a small grin, "I'm guessing that you will be paying since you did take some coins from the bandits before they were buried?"

Oh he was not stingy, actually far from it, but since he was sent by a god, his loot was kept in his home and he could only have taken the golden coins, which was not a lot. What he did have he wanted to stretch, stuck in any place without coin and only your prowess was not always the best way to go on any journey.

As they drew closer to the more populated areas, he actually nudged his horse close to Angela's and reached out to flip the hood of her cloak over her face. Then he allowed the horse to draw away from her, it was a skittish beast and it knew an alpha hunter when it smelled one. "Just to keep from prying eyes seeing you. Perhaps I should do most of the talking while we are here and on the ferry. Don't want people to take too much interest in you. They still know a vampire when they see one."

 

[milkmaiden38]

Angela was again shocked by Thorvald actions. By covering up her face there was almost no chance of someone detecting she was a vampire. He was worried about her. That was amazing. Of course she needed to tease him about that.

“Are you sure, the “prying eyes” you are worried about aren’t the ones trying to get into my pants … vice the ones that want to cut my head off? I think you are jealous!” Angela kidded Thorvald.

He just shrugged his shoulders “Jealous? I think not. I just don’t want to be collateral damage when they kill you.”

“Ok, I’ll remained covered, but you doing most of the talking I HAVE to see this!” Angela laughed.

The two arrived at the The Snoring Cello Bar, a way station for travelers. There was a nice sign above the door which read “Welcome! Good Food! Warm Beds! Tasty Rumors!” They walked in to the main chamber which was an upscale dining hall with numerous large tables, a fireplace on the western wall, and a lifted stage to the east.

There was a band playing music (one player was using a Cello). The floor was made of polished wood and the walls were covered in tapestries which depict various exploits of local heroes and their adventures.

The place was filled to 50 percent capacity. A long bar stretched along the back wall with a rather cheerful man with a pot belly was mixing drinks. Every table was adorned with a large round candle, all of which seemed to float an inch or so into the air. In the kitchen behind the bar every so often the sounds of crashing could be heard, but still the The Snoring Cello Bar was known for its amazing food.

Angela looked at the Menu and whispered to Thorvald “two rooms for the night, a bottle of Akavit, the Carrot and Mushroom Soup, Honey Bread, and the Smoked Boar for dinner” As she finished talking, She slid 4 silver pieces to him to pay for the rooms, her meal, and his meal… unless he ordered something very expensive.

“A whole bottle of Akavit?” Thorvald questioned.

“Yes … I forgot how good it tastes, until I took a sip at the farm house” Angela explained.

 

[TertiusHuman]

Thorvald Grelson

He grunted at her response, pushed the coins along with another silver from his own purse to the barkeep, placing Angela's order and adding roasted boar, rye bread and two jugs of mead. The change went into renting the rooms and a small tip for the barkeep, who of course told Thorvald a small bit of news.

There was a baron in town, taking the river crossing the next morning. Thorvald just shrugged, it didn't bother him. He took a jug of mead and the Akavit with a glass and lead the way for Angela to a table. He placed their drinks on the table and pulled out a chair for her (in his mind it would make her seem like a high placed lady) and then took a seat. He uncorked the bottle and then he took a swig of the mead straight from the jug.

He was a Northman after all, not some poofter lord.

 

[milkmaiden38]

It had been a good diner and the empty plates around them were a testament to that fact. Angela had also been doing a lot of drinking. Five empty bottles of Akavit lying on the table. She was having difficulty hold her head up and her motor skills were very off. She drank all of them in the last two hours as they listened to the music, so the fact she was still conscious was amazing and a real statement of her strength.

“See Thorvalddd … I’m not so baddd. You ateee diner with me and we have been riding together …and nothing happened. I’mmm not so baddd." She said in a slurred voice “Isn’t thereeee something you likeee about me?” She asked Thorvald.

“You smell like brewery … that’s nice” Thorvald pointed out.

“Ha, ha …You are so funnnyy .... you knowww Thorrrrvald I have a hunger tonightttt” Angela said. Thorvald tensed a bit, wondering what she was hungry for.

“Nooo … not that kinddd of hunger, silly. I meant I have a hunger for sexxx. I want a good fuckinggg” Angela stated. “That bowl of Carrottt and Mushroommmm Soup warmed me right up … I knowww you are not interested, I understand thatttt. And I’m not offendedddd. But maybe one of these young unsuspecting lads in this bar …might be willing to do the honorssss” Angela suggested

Thorvald was really sure that was a bad idea. The young man would figure out quickly she was a vampire and cause all sorts of problems. However, before he could say anything, Angela did a face plant into her empty soup bowl. She had passed out completely and was snoring quietly.

 

[TertiusHuman]

He looked at the passed out vampire and shook his head, she was really a weird one. Not like any normal draugr he had ever come across, that much was clear. He finished the last of his mead and then got to his feet, he slipped an arm around her, hooking her arm around his neck and helped her to her feet. But this would not really work as she was much smaller than him and he had to stoop. That would have given problems on the stairs, well there was only two ways to carry her up there and he did not pick the over-the-shoulder approach. He lifted her up and cradled her in his arms as he walked up the stairs.

Once he got to her room, he pushed open the door and dropped her on her bed. As he turned to leave, he stopped for a moment. She wasn't all that bad and seemed to really try very hard to gain his acceptance, but that could also just be another trick to get to his neck. But then again, she have had quite a few times that she could have attacked him, but didn't.

He turned back to her, pulled back the blanket on the bed as he lifted her up and then he laid her down again. Since he knew sleeping all bundled up in a bed was not nice, he slipped her out of her cloak. Looking down at her, he could see what she meant that the soup had warmed her up. Her body had a healthy tint to it. He removed her boots and after a few moments of thought, he went on and stripped her completely. He could see why she was such a sought-after concubine when she was alive. Near-flawless skin; slim, feminine body with curves and hollows in all the right places and of course that nice set of breasts of her's.

He stared for a moment of two at her and could feel his own body reacting to the sight. With a grin, he pulled the blanket over her and tucked her in nicely before he left her room and went to his own. Stripped down and got into bed with his axe in hand...you never knew...

 

[milkmaiden38]

Angela's eyes were barely open as thin rays of light streamed through the blinds into the Inn’s eating area. Her head was aching as she pulled her cloak tighter around herself. The cloak provided shade from any possible sunlight.

“Good Fucking Morning” She said to herself sarcastically. She felt like shit and the morning sunlight did not help. Sunlight landing on her exposed skin was a big problem, so she took extra precautions. Her actions were sometimes misunderstood.

“Are you cold madam?” A waiter asked a minute later

“Yes” Angela answered, not sure what else to say.

A few moments later she was greeted by the smelled the fresh ground coffee. The waiter brought her a cup and she wrapped her hands around it. In a matter of minutes the warmth of the coffee was carried throughout her body.

She had been drinking several glasses of water, and now the warmth of the coffee helped her headache melt away. Thorvald came in a sat down next to her.

“Good morning” Angela said with a nod. Thorvald nodded back.

“Thank you for last night. I sort of lost control. I’m sorry for my actions. I thank you for your mercy and kindness. I’m in your debt” Angela stated humbly.

Thorvald smiled but did not respond to Angela. He merely changed the subject. “Our boat leave in less than an hour, are you ready”

“Yes … just need to finish this coffee.” Angela answered. She was happy Thorvald did not want to explore why she had lost control last night. She drank the rest of her coffee as Thorvald received a simple breakfast of meat and bread. In a short time the two left the Inn their horses in tow.

The morning sun had risen above the cloud layer. These clouds now blocked the sun from directly shinning on Angela. But the cloud layer looked skinnier than before and Angela remained covered just in case. They paid their fees and boarded the ferry. It was large vessel and the horses were led below deck as the passengers were top side.

Through all this, Angela remained quiet and cloaked allowing Thorvald do most of the talking. She had done this to stay hidden, but it was behavior very common of important people. Soon passengers were taking small glances at her trying to figure out who she was.

“Crap … I don’t like this … people are looking at us” She whispered to Thorvald. He grinned “Don’t worry.” He said in confidence.

“Why?” Angela asked wondering about the confidence in his voice.

“Baron Svinhufvud is embarking, we’ll be quickly forgotten” Thorvald said

“Baron Svinhufvud … Baron Swine’s head” Angela giggled, translating.

“The one and only. A pretty good Baron … in spite of his last name” Thorvald explained.

“I have heard that too … but I can’t get past his last name” Angela commented as she turned around to watch the Baron’s arrival. There was no formal ceremony, but two trumpeters herald the Baron aboard the ferry. The baron, an advisor and two guards came aboard as well. Their horse ushered below. The Baron smiled and waved to the people on the ferry watching. He was dressed in long sleeved, hide jacket to protect him from the cold. His torso covered with a gold armored breast plate, decorated with an embossed pig’s head. He wore luxurious pants that were held up with his sword belt. His leather boots were simple but highly polished.

Thorvald was right, everyone watched as the Baron took a seat in the middle of the ferry and started to discuss something with his advisor. Thorvald got a funny look on his face.

“What?” Angela asked Thorvald

“Probably nothing … but see those 6 men each carrying those identical bags.” Thorvald said without pointing. “They got nervous when the baron arrived, and now they just look fishy” He added

“Yes, I wonder what they have in those bags.” Angela postulated

The ferry unfurled its sails and soon it pulled away from the pier. Angela and Thorvald would find out what was in those bags in about an hour as the boat moved towards the middle of the Fjord.

 

[TertiusHuman]

Thorvald did his part, keeping Angela away from most of the people and making sure that she didn't talk too much to anybody else. Which in turn meant that he had to listen to her. It wasn't a bad thing though. Despite what he had said, she may have a knack of stating obvious things or try out a few puns, but overall she carried a good conversation and had a knack for spotting things.

He soon found himself drawn into her conversations, enjoying himself so much that he had almost forgotten about the six men he had spotted earlier. Whom by now have taken up strategic spots on the ferry. When he saw this, his scalp started to tingle and he knew that trouble was brewing.

"Angela."

He wasn't certain if it was the tone of his voice, or the fact that he cut her off mid-sentence that caught her attention.

"I think those six men from earlier are going to try something. Most likely take the baron hostage. They are placed in positions to do just that. We might have to..."

The craft dipped slightly to one side and it was then that the six men made their move. Weapons appeared from the bags. Bows, arrows and swords. Thorvald placed his hand around Angela's upper-arm, "Don't move and our cover should be safe."

 

[milkmaiden38]

Ferry Feast Two

It happened so quickly that even Angela was impressed. This is quite a statement, as her vampire strength allowed her to do things very quickly. The baron had a knife to his throat, while his adviser and two guards stood with their hand up in the air, swords pointed at them. One of the men, facing the passengers, pulled away his hood to reveal his face.

The man had long, unclean hair that clumsily hung over his lean, frowning face. He stared at the passengers with narrow evil filled gray eyes. There was a great scar on his face, reaching from the low left jaw bone, running up and through his nose and ending on his fore head. It was the face of Vail Mortem, or more commonly called, The Scarred Cockroach. There was a gasp of terror as passengers recognized him. He had claimed responsibility for numerous ruthless killings and acts of terror.

“Everyone back … back away or the baron dies!” He stated. The passengers backed away. This included Angela and Thorvald.

“Oh, I hate this asshole” Angela whispered to Thorvald.

“Shhhh” Thorvald told her.

Vail Mortem looked pleased with himself. He smiled at everyone. “Much better!” He said

He took a big breath and launched into his prepared speech “This is a great day for the second phase of our war against Baron Svinhufvud and the people. We might have loss the first phase, during the people’s upraising, but we will reclaim our rights and lands. This ongoing War is about regaining lost liberties. My family ruled these lands and had those rights were taken away from them.”

“Oh … I’m going to vomit” Angela said to Thorvald just a little too loud.

“What … What did you say?” Vail Mortem asked in disbelief looking at her.

Thorvald sighed.

“Nothing … sorry … please continue” Angela said
politely.

“NO … explain why you are about to vomit!” He demanded.

“Ahhh well … you and your family lost your kingdom because of your ruthless disregard for your subjects. You killed all sorts of defenseless people. The people rose up and removed you from power. Baron Svinhufvud has done a great job, as their new ruler, and the lands have prospered. So the lost liberties and rights you speak of are to torture the innocent, destroy the land, and steal from the poor. You’re just an ass … that likes to kill defenseless people.” Angela explain in a factual way.

“We did not start out by killing! I made use of every lawful, peaceful and honorable means at my disposal, to reclaim my rule! My cause is just. The vindication is the gods gave me the right to rule. You cannot argue with the gods! We will devastate this land and kill all the people on it, to restore my rule!” He screamed in anger.

“Man Slave” He yelled to Thorvald “Bring your noble woman with the big mouth and big tits over here … I want to see her face more clearly” He yelled.

Thorvald whispered “It is always a bad idea to spit in the devil’s face” he scolded Angela as he got ready to do something heroic. “Just remember, when you help not to do any vampire shit” He added as he brought Angelia closer to the scarred cockroach

 

[TertiusHuman]

As he moved closer with Angela, he sized up his chances. If she could keep one of them busy, it was not that bad. Five on one. One with a dagger, three with swords and two with bows. He would have to move quickly and decisively if he wanted to pull this one out of the fire.

"He will most likely try to draw back your hood. Make your move then. Keep him busy, but don't kill him."

He had whispered in her ear as the raft lurched and he stumbled against her. They stopped in front of the leader, this dirty, mangy thing calling himself a leader. Thorvald already held a dagger in one hand, the hand hidden in the folds of Angela's cloak.

"Now from which noble house might you be?"

The Scarred Cockroach reached for Angela's hood and when she moved, so did he. Drawing back and throwing in one fluid motion as his hand drew his war axe from underneath his cloak. The body of the man holding the baron fell to the ground just as Thorvald knocked the Baron over with a body charge, saving him from two arrows. He deflected the sword thrust and opened the man's throat with the reposte.

He heard metal on metal and glanced to see Angela sparring with the other swordsman. One of the archers were aiming at her and the other at him. So he threw the axe, with blind luck it sunk into the archer's skull and he dropped dead to the deck. Thorvald moved, but not fast enough as the arrow struck his shoulder. With a growl of frustration, he produced another dagger and charged the bowman.

The space was cramped and there was only time for one more arrow, it grazed his cheek and then they locked horns in hand-to-hand. The man no match for the pissed off Thorvald.

Thorvald cleaned the blade of the dagger on the bowman's cloak and turned to find Angela dispatching the last man with finesse. He reached up and yanked the arrow from his shoulder. Of course it hurt, but he was a Norseman. He walked over to retrieve his axe and then to Angela, "Are you alright? How did you knock out the Cockroach?"

 

[milkmaiden38]

Angela smiled at Thorvald's question. She wanted to carefully word her answer back to him. She thought about what had just happened.

The scarred cockroach had reached for her hood, and she moved her head forward inside his grasp. She slowed her reaction speed down to that of a human woman. Her head smacking into Vail Mortem head. The collision had rocked his head backwards. That had given her time to think of what a noble woman would do next. It came to her in a rush and she kneed him in the balls as hard as a human woman.

Vail Mortem head had now come forward again as he doubled over in pain. He grabbed at his damaged crotch. She needed another noble woman fighting move and she could not think of one. As Vail started to recover, Angela noticed the gold chained and odd looking cross hanging around his neck. "That was it" she thought. She had grabbed the chain with one hand and twisted it. This had choked off his air. The chain was plenty strong and she could use all her vampire strength to hold it tight and no one would be the wiser. She just had to make it seem like she was still fighting him in other ways. So with her other free hand she had slapped his face back and forth.

“HOW DARE YOU TOUCH ME WITH YOUR BUG INFESTED HANDS” Angela had said as she just kept slapping his face on each word. Vail had tried to grab at the chain around his neck and pull it free, but there was no way he could get a good enough grip as it was already too tight around his neck. After a little more struggling he fell to the ground knocked out.

Angela mind came back to the present and she answered Thorvald question. “You know, bugs have very diverse religious views that is because they are all “in sects”. She joked. She bent over and pulled the chain and strange cross off Vail's very red and swollen neck.

“I think he got all choked up about losing this” She said handing him the item smiling at how clever her little puns were.