Signs of the Gods

[Freja]

Tilting my head up slightly as the breeze picked up slightly causing the weird scent to invade my nose. My finger tips danced with excitement on my blade as I chewed on my lower lip anxiously. I knew they were getting close as Vince spoke of my sword skills, an almost sinister smile swept across my pink lips. "Wait and see," bouncing on my toes as I could feel the adrenaline washing over my small curved frame. My breathing hitched slightly as my vision slightly blurred, the throbbing in my head slowly returned. Fumbling with my a small pouch tied to my hip I fished out a small vile. It was as if time was against me because I knew the people or things that were tracking us were lurking in the shrubs. Gripping the rubber cork with my teeth spitting it out and chugging down the contents. My face twisted with disgust as the bitter liquid eased my aching head instantly.

Glancing over at the male again, I caught his intense gaze nodding my head at him. A small twig snapped alerting me that whoever it was simply hid in the shrubs. My fingers found their home around the hilt of my blade as I slowly drew it out. My sword was nothing special but it held a special place in my heart as it was my mother's sword that she had made as a girl. Pursing my lips together a did a high pitched whistle waiting to see if Floki had gotten his clumsy self into position. A few moments had passed by and I sent up a silent prayer to Odin that my over grown companion hadn't gotten lost or worse taken out. Another whistle, low and long answered my call as a grin spread across my face.

"Here goes nothing," I murmured to myself.

Slowly these long lengthy human like things came sauntering out of the woods. I had never seen people, or creatures that looked like this pointed ears, long silky hair that billowed with ease in the wind. Their black cloaks were a sharp contrast against the bright colors of forestry behind them. Tightly my head slightly I watched as they moved, they glided as if a boat on sea simply skimming over the water. The leader of the other two was in front his face lowered slightly casting a shadow over his face. It was like he knew I was confused on what he was or questioning simply what the hell was going to happen. His gaze turned upward and met mine, his brightly green colored eyes almost looked like they were shining.

"What the hell..."

Just as spoke Vince breathed out a word that sort of sounded like elves. Glancing at him I than quickly looked back at the trio with curiosity. For a moment nothing seemed to happen as I was starting to get antsy, "what is it that you are here for?"

[Cards of Fate]

The scholar wasted no time ascertaining their origins. Their cloaks bore the symbol of Alerar's military; a bold move on this side of the mountains. His eyes narrowed at the drow before him, each with ashy gray skin, and eyes of coal. His stance tightened, he extended his blade.

“What purpose do you have in Raiaeran territory?” He inquired, his voice cold and authoritative.

“What good is a country that cannot stand on its own?” the elf growled back. “We’re here to find good places to set up logging camps when you’re country crumbled under its own wei-“ The man hadn’t even had time to finish his sentence before Vincent’s blade was at his throat. The scholar did not slit the man’s throat however, he only smirked.

“I highly suggest you look for timber on the other side of the mountains friend, you will only find your death here.” The Drow didn’t even blink as they drew there blades to strike at Vincent. The Emperor simply blinked backwards in a flash of blue, safe from their blades before sizing up his opponents. The three seemed to spread out, looking to cover more ground and draw Vincent in.

The scholar opted instead to take several steps back and flourish his blade. Two of the men broke off to attack the woman and her guard, leaving Vince with one left. With a grin he dashed forward and swung his blade at his foe. The elf met his blade with his own, and attempted to deflect his blade. The scholar grinned and placed his full force behind the blade and sent the spies blade flying from his hand. Vince grinned as he watched his foes eyes fill with dread.

He plunged his blade into the fiends stomach and watched as the life drained from his eyes. “I told you…” Vince grunted. “You would only find death here.” He pulled his blade from the now dead man, and a fountain of red spurted forward caking the scholar.

Grunting, her turned to see how his new “friends” were doing.

[Freja]

I watched closely as the two talked or rather barked threats at one another, the air was thick with animosity. I was not nervous for the blood of Odin flooded in my veins. My hand shook slightly confusing my advancer to make it seem as if I had fear in my heart, he was sadly mistaken though I had the heart of a warrior and wouldn't back down from a fight. A sinister grin seemed to slip across his thin lip making his face look more menacing than the calm collected look he had just worn. His lengthy limbs moved fluidly as we circled each other almost sizing one another up. Flipping the sword around in my hand adjusting the weight slightly as the circled started to grow smaller and smaller.

I was starting to grow antsy at the simple fact of Floki not coming out of hiding yet. The other elf seemed to watch his companions engage as he sat back waiting. Just as my doubt almost grew over the edge Floki's deep, chest rumbling battle cry rang out. He jumped from the tree over head landing on top of the on looking elf. I made the number one mistake that usually cost most warriors their lives, never take your eye of your enemy. I found myself on my back and not in a pleasuring way with the air forced out of my lungs. Quickly regaining my composure as best as I could I watched the cockiness consume the male. The tip of my tongue traced my slightly drew lips as the etch of determination lay on my brow.

"Let's do this."

Just like that our bodies collided as he jabbed me in the ribs a few times, swinging my sword at him aiming for his chest as he moved at the last second. Grunting I thrust my sword again and again barely missing him, this cat and mouse game growing tiring. The poison that was in my body slowly working against me as the elf disarmed me. I watched my sword land with a solid thud a few feet away from Floki, hand to hand combat I can do this.. He swung quickly grabbing for me which I blocked smoothly, the next strike was as quick as a snake going for the kill. That deflection didn't go as smoothly as the first one having me stumble a bit with my footing.

Recovering once more we collided again but this time a felt a small sharp pain in my shoulder, I hadn't realized he had unsheathed a small dagger that he had embedded into my shoulder. I hissed, the pain a more burning sensation as he had a look of triumph on his face letting his guard down. Just as he did I jumped at him positioning one hand under his jaw and the other slightly under the crown of his head. Turning us as I see the look in his eyes trying to figure out what was happening. Spinning around I climbed up sitting on his shoulders I twisted my hands as he fell down like a falling tree. My chest heaved up and down as I looked around noticing Vincent had ended the other scum bag.

"Floki," my voice was shaky just like my strength. Looking around my legs wobbled under the weight of my own body, falling to my knees I yelped slightly.

"I'm here Freja," out came the large sack of meat a few cuts and bruises as he dropped to his knees examining my shoulder and the rest of me. Batting away his hands "I am fine Floki just a little weak.." "It's that damn poison I told you we should have asked the seer for help!" I gave him one stern look warning him it was not he time since we had company. Looking over at Vincent than back at Floki I pushed myself to stand up, my legs still wobbling slightly.

[Cards of Fate]

The scholar hadn’t had time to intervene before the giant of a man came to the woman’s rescue. He did, however, have time to retrieve a roll of bandages and a flask of water from his little pocket dimension. Closing the gap, the scholar glanced over her wound and turned to the man.

“Do you mind if I treat this?” the words hung in the air for a moment before the giant nodded. Vincent proceeded to pour a little bit of water into the cut carefully in some vain attempt to clean it out. Althanian first aid was a messy process compared to back home on Earth. Before he would have gotten an entire first aid kit, cleaned it with hydrogen peroxide, wiped it down with sanitation wipes. The whole nine yards really, instead he had to make due with water and wrapping her injury in a linen bandage. When it was all said and done, he took a moment to catch his breath and look over his handiwork, and to reflect on their earlier words.

“Pardon me, but did you say you had been poisoned?” The scholar inquired raising an eyebrow. “By whom? And with what?” This complicated things. If the woman was sick, or dying from some unknown poison, he could not sit idly by and watch as she suffered. “I happen to know an excellent healer, so great he can even bring people back to life in fact. Would you allow me to escort you to him?”

[Freja]

I watched has Vincent worked, his hands delicate yet diligent with the task at hand. Watching his eyebrows draw in when he tending to think hard about something. "Do your people usually look like they share the genes of Gods? You have a beautiful look about you, some what dark and mysterious. " Before I could understand what was happening my tongue was spilling out all my thoughts. Thankfully Floki clamped his hand over my mouth that had betrayed me. "Poison..." Floki mumbled under his breath as he grinned, I knew he was enjoying me making an ass of myself but he knew he would pay later had he let me ramble on. When I was all patched up I pursed my soft pale pink lips slightly at how well he had done, yet how stiff my shoulder felt. Not sure if it was the blood lose or the poison I started to lean slightly, maybe the two bloody things were working together against me.

My lips formed into a thin line as he had heard what Floki had said about the toxins in my body. Floki dropped his hand clearing his throat uncomfortably. He looked at me than back at the man that inquired some knowledge about my dark past. Chewing on my lip I nodded telling him to go ahead and spill about what had happened. "I need to sit.." Black dots danced like little fire flies in my vision and my chest tightened slightly impairing my breathing. "Deep breaths Freja, in and out. Here sit down and close your eyes and breathe." Floki guided me into a sitting position my back against the trunk of a large oak tree.

"She was poisoned almost seven days ago, we were fleeing from our home land after her family had been slaughtered. An enemy of her father had paid one of their slaves to poison them but the slave must have not put enough toxin in their food. It was taking too long for the traders liking so Rollo took matter into his own hands and killed her father Ragnar, her mother Alliah and brother Brenan, Freja was out tracking a deer for food when she had heard the screams."

I tried forcing down the large lump that was forming in my throat. Tears welled up as I could still remember that day, "I- I held my brother Brenan as he choked on his own blood from the gash in his chest. Floki pried me away from his body as he had tried helping my father fight but he promised to save me and take me away. I don't know what I was poisoned with but I am growing weak and starting to see things that aren't really there, I have no control over what I say almost as if I was drunk." Wiping my eyes as the tears had spilt over my cheeks, the aching in my chest just a fresh reminder of how alone I was.

"If you think you can help me I will take it, I can't pay you but I will be in your debt..."

[Cards of Fate]

Vince simply chuckled as words spilled out of the woman’s mouth. He’d been on Althanas for a long time, it had changed him. It had forged him into a much more handsome and defined man than he had been. He’d gained confidence, smarts, and skills beyond his wildest dreams, but it had also made it humble.

“Thanks, I’m Italian so I get this kinda bronze look going when I’m out in the sun too long.” Vince didn’t know why he was explaining his earthen genetics, but he felt he needed to help the woman save some face. He watched as Floki lowered her into a sitting position and listened to her story intently. The wind whistled overhead, and chills ran down his spine as she recounted the savage fate of her family. The scholar found his fists clenching unknowingly, his knuckles turning a sheer white.

“Fucking hell.” The words left his lips almost as a hiss as he glanced down at the woman. Such sorrows were the tragedy of the world, even the strong could not escape the brutality of the monsters in human clothing. “Don’t even worry about needing to repay me, this sort of work is my usual calling.” He extended a hand to the woman to help her up. “I’d be more than glad to assist you in any way. If it is within my power to aid you in seeking a cure, or in exacting your revenge, it will be done.” He locked eyes with the giant and gave him a nod as he raised the woman to her feet.

“The healer is no more than two days away from here. Do you think you can make it that far? The terrain is rough, but my hounds and I are familiar with it.” The scholar let out a high pitched whistle, and the baying of the monstrous hounds could be heard in the distance.

[Freja]

"Italian," I sounded slightly like a purring cat as I repeated the word. "Sounds sexy and exotic, I bet you are great in the sack." A small girlish giggle came from me. "Freja what are you a bitch in heat?" Shrugging my shoulders I eyed the man up and down, I wanted to rip of his shirt watching the buttons scattered on the ground along with my ambitions. Down girl, down... but I would indeed ride that Italian stallion and tame him. Shaking my head I tried to snap out of my sexual desires for him. My attention quickly drawing back to Floki as he told the story of the undoing with my family.

I chewed on my lower lip slightly as Floki had told my story and I had finished. Crying to me was a weakness and I was showing it now in front of two tough males. Wiping at my eyes aggressively as if it was going to make the damn things stop with the water works. My eyes surely red a slightly puffy now from the tears I was hoisted up, feeling uncomfortable at the fact of everything. Focusing on how Vincent's hands were rough yet warm and consumed my own. His grip firm yet somehow gentle, I was finally standing trying not to look like a new born doe just finding their footing. I wanted to break the ice of the awkwardness that I felt was floating thick in the air. Blurting out at our close proximity and his lovely, delectable form; "if I told you had a nice body would you hold it against me?"

I could see the surprise wash over his face slightly as I wanted so badly to catch his lips with my own. My Gods am I forming a crush for this hunk, I sure am! I was having an internal battle with myself when he asked if I could make the travel. Nodding gently I faltered a bit stepping away from the two. "We should get moving than if it's that fair away." I knew the rosiness in my cheeks were starting to slowly drain and I was getting weaker so the faster we got to the healer the better. Glancing at my escorts as his pack of dogs, wolves whatever they were rounded the corner.

Once all settled in we started off on foot, I continued to push myself as Floki took the lead following the wolf like creatures Vincent in the middle and me a little behind. I could feel sweat starting to collect on my forehead and my shoulder which I had been stabbed seemed very stiff and ached. I groaned slightly huffing and puffing to push myself to go a little bit faster to keep up with the rest of the party.

[Cards of Fate]

The woman’s strong advances caught the scholar off guard, and he struggled to keep his composure. Vince tried to keep his face from blushing, but he got the strong sense that he’d failed miserably at that. ‘God, that poison must be really toxic…’ the scholar thought to himself. He mused several other cheesy ways to respond, but he figured the dirty looks the giant was giving him were enough of an impetus to stop. He simply offered the woman an arm to lean on and ushered them to set off.

“You see, the healer happens to work with my organization.” Vince mused as they walked. “We’re…kinda unique. We study magic and myths and do our best to use them to better the world…” He wasn’t going to tell them everything, but he figured he needed to let them know something. “He happens to reside at my base of operations, but the last leg is going to be incredibly dangerous…” he mused. He tried to keep his eyes off the woman he was helping, but couldn’t help but let his eyes wander every now and then. She was attractive, almost like a Valkyrie from the Nordic tales back home. In fact, Vince half wondered if they were even from Althanas, or another realm just like him. The idea of another realm lost wanderer intrigued him; perhaps the walls that lined the reality the occupied was extraordinarily thin?

As they walked the sun began to set, and they ended up at the bottom of the mountain range by the time darkness fell. Keeping Freja’s condition in mind, they stopped and made camp. Vince had tasked the hounds with fetching firewood, doing a surprisingly good job for such a complex job. Vince simply pulled several flasks of water from sparks of blue. He didn’t happen to have any food on hand, but they could trap something in the morning to break their fast. As they settled down, Vince faced an interesting struggle.

He felt that he should post up close to Freja, in case of an attack or if she needed help. But given her actions earlier, he was perhaps slightly afraid she was going to make a move on him. As the fire crackled and flickered, sending shadows dancing to some invisible beat, Vince decided to sit about five feet away from the woman and her giant companion, leaning against a tree. The stars shone bright above, filling the sky with millions of brilliant diamonds.

“Do your people have any stories about the stars?” Vince asked after staring at the sky in silence.

[Freja]

The trip had been long, tiring and hard for me; my body drenched in sweat as we finally made camp. My joints begging to stop, rest and let them heal properly. I felt filthy and needed to bathe and I was going to find a stream to bathe in, glancing over at Vincent he seemed distant yet still concerned. "Floki I want to wash up, I heard and smell fresh water close." Floki looked like he was going to protest for a moment, "Frey..." I held my hand up stopping him from speaking any more. I looked at Vincent winking at him playfully, he was a beautiful man and I found myself drawn to him but it was also amusing watching him squirm under my advances. Lifting my head up towards the sky I inhaled deeply following the scent of fresh water.

Walking through the forest the wild life slightly quiet as most creatures sleeping but a few snippets of sounds here and there. I knew the stream was coming closer as the sound of rushing water became more clear. It was a small stream but it would do for now, I awkwardly undressed with my bum shoulder. Wiggling off my shin high leather boots, I let my toes spread in the damp soil, unclasping and tying my skirt fell to the ground a small pool around my feet. Taking off my shirt I tossed it away from me hissing slightly at the tightness and protest it was trying to do from moving. Bathing in the moon light I sighed the sadness of missing home and belonging no where like a nomad. Stepping into the stream I bit down on my lip to hold back from squealing from how cold it is. Adjusting to the cold water I walked deeper into the water wading about waist deep.

My teeth chattered slightly as I let the water rush down my back and breast washing away the dried, sticky blood. Undoing my hair it well down in long blonde waves, dipping my head under the water to wash away the grit from today. No longer feeling dirty I walked towards the shore, the wind whipped against my body causing me to shiver some. A twig snapping drew my attention, "whoever is out there I hope you are enjoying the show." I slowly dressed leaving my shirt on the forest floor wrapping a jacket made of bear hide around me. It was a small hike back to camp but I felt better and my body slightly relaxed. From the looks of things Vincent and his wolves had found the fire wood they were looking for. Floki offered me another shirt as I turned my back to the two allowing myself some privacy though I was not shy about showing off my body. I was after all named after the goddess of fertility, my exposed flesh grew goose bumps as I shimmied into the shirt. Turning about around I wrapped myself in the bear hide shielding my already showing nipples out of the cold.

I smiled fondly of the question that Vincent asked after we all settled in around the fire, I loved the stories my mother would tell me about the earth and the stars. Floki spoke first, "we have many stories of the stars, some say it is all the Viking warriors that had lost their lives in battle some say it was Odin's gift to the love of his life Freja." Floki smiled down at me knowing that was my mother's favorite story she used to tell me when I was younger. I some how drifted to sleep soon after to the soft low rumble of Floki and Vincent chatting.

~
"She's a tough girl you know?" The big brute glanced at the foreign lad than towards the small woman that was like his niece. "She has been through many hardships and battles never backing down against any man or woman. She has always been so feisty and full of life, lately though her spirit has been fading some." His brown eyes lifted frown the sweet innocent looking face of Freja as she slept back towards Vincent. "She likes you, yeah the poison is making her say things without thinking but she has always been very blunt, unfiltered like her father..." A sad smile creased the old warriors face. "I'm warning you she might be a hand full for a lad that is Italian, not even Viking men could handle her." Laughing gently he stroked her wet blonde hair, she stirred slightly snuggling deeper into the animal hide.

[Cards of Fate]

While the Valkyrie had wandered off to bathe, the scholar scoffed indignantly as they both ignored his question. “Guess not, he mused aloud.” He rose to his feet and began to fiddle with the firewood brought to him. Vince had spent several minutes building an elaborate structure of twigs and dried grass. After a moment he took a step back and grinned turning to Floki. “It’s the Istien University!” He exclaimed. Without blinking he snapped his fingers, igniting the flame with a shower of blue sparks. “And now it’s gone, call me fucking Xem’Zund.” The scholar chuckled at his own joke for a moment, not making eye contact with the Viking who probably had no idea what he was talking about.

“I need to go piss.” The scholar stated flatly as he wandered off. He had not paid the woman any attention as she had stalked off, so without knowing it, he had ended up perhaps ten feet from her as she bathed. Normally this wouldn’t have been too much of an issue; Vince would simply walk away when she rose. However, the scholar had his pen out and was busy draining its ink when the woman rose from the river to reveal her full glory.

‘Oh my’ the scholar mused internally. ‘She lives up to her name…’

He finished, and as he was turning away a twig snapped noisly underfoot. The woman made a comment, but the Scholar was already back at camp with a single flash. The giant eyed him oddly as her sat down.

“Hug fucking snake.” The scholar commented. “Was gonna bite my ankle, and then we’d be two down.” He fidgeted for a moment getting comfortable. When the woman returned he forced his eyes to stay glued to the flames before him, he’d already gotten way more than he’d deserved.

…

As the woman slept soundly, the giant confided in him, that despite the venom, the woman acted this way normally. That she’d actually been hitting on him with her usual bluntness. The thought was enough to panic the scholar a little bit. This woman liked him? Why? Not even Vince liked Vincent that much, despite all of the airs he tended to put on. What if she found out she didn’t like the way he ate his food? Or maybe she didn’t like giving desert to rodents nearly as much as the scholar did? She barely knew him!

He spent a moment and cleared his throat, trying not to sound like a wimp as he spoke. “I guess I’ll have to think on this…I’m not used to being so openly courted…” he cracked his neck. “You can go to sleep, the hounds are set to patrol the surrounding area in shifts. They’ll keep watch and alert us if we’re in trouble…” he peered at the flame once more and chewed his lips slightly. She was a pretty woman, but he barely knew her…

‘I barely knew Luna, yet I let her seduce me into her apartment and almost suck some of my life energy out of me…’ he mused once more. Without a second thought, he let his eyes close and allowed sleep to take him.