Reflecting on a Predicament

[Odette Lamberte]

What ought to be said about the changing tides of best laid plans that were ever being challenged by this wretched place, I thought in witnessing another scuffle wind itself down off in one of the corners of the tavern. Surely I sought adventure though I naught understood fully of my limits until witnessing one to many dangerous fights within the walls of this abysmal establishment.

As the victor of this last bought basked in glory of the defeated party, I leaned thoughtfully against the edging of the bar to scan its occupants through weary eyes whilst waiting on the barkeep to load up my serving tray with vile, watered down drinks for its patrons, the poor dears. Soon I would be free of this place for the evening, at last, though I desired to be free of it entirely…soon.

I was aware that the medical clinic was seeking an extra pair of hands to aid them though I doubted that I would be of much help, aside from putting a smile on an ill patient’s face. Mayhap that was a good thing, alas it could only go so far in soothing their ill and I sighed heavily for the thought.

[Uruz Teiwaz]

As ever since fleeing my homeland I was on the lookout for a means to put food in my mouth and a roof over my head but at least I was starting to get the feel for the lay of the land in this pretty yet soft city. Thus I ducked so as not to hit my head while entering one of the taverns one of the more seedy watering holes on what the locals call Night’s Doorstep. But I was much larger than these thin blooded types and I did not even bother to carry my ax which was still hidden and instead allowed for my presence to gain me space. The locals might mutter but most knew better than try one like me and besides Odin smiles on those who go forth without cowering as might makes right. A few coppers were in my pocket and with luck I could enjoy a drink in peace and quiet or better yet I might get to bust a few of these pretty boy’s teeth.

[Odette Lamberte]

I saw an ox of a man enter the tavern, separating the drunkards and surly folk aside like a ship parting the waves upon the seas. He was first captured in the corner of my vision though soon with his advancing strides, stole my attention utterly from the other tavern patrons as his size demanded it.

His height was…astonishing. To tower above the short stature of the lands had to be a blessing, as well as a curse in that where ever an advantage in height gained him the upper hand, an equal disadvantage had to be in the wait. I watched him move through the tavern, completely unaware that I was intently gazing at him until a harsh thump on the bar rattled my senses to take heed of the barkeep making a fuss about my matron duties.

“Ah! Your striking features had set my mind a wandering once again,” I teased the withered looking barkeep with a wink before taking up my serving tray in ease. “Off with me then.” I took another glance towards the man whilst I began my track towards a table in the back of the tavern.

[Uruz Teiwaz]

I watched the serving wench as she made her rounds and was rather enjoying the view of her backside. Before my enemies ran me out of Skaldia with a proper hall burning I would on occasion take a nighttime slave or two of such caliber. But that was another lifetime ago though Old One Eye be willing I would find a way to raise my fortunes once more. The more I thought on it the more setting up as a weapons smith sounded like my best option the only problem was the hard currency to finance such an endeavor.

I was lost in such thoughts while starring at the wench’s shapely arse when a loud voice sounded in my ear ranting something about Skaldian scum and a pretty boys hand shoved on my meaty shoulder. Children! I did not even think about it or look as I backhanded the whelp hard sending him flying across the room and -then- I turned my head and spoke in calm tones into the now quiet bar “If you would like to try the Holmgang I will fetch my ax and send you to Hel’s Hall. Or you can lay there and bleed and let me have a quiet drink.” I starred at what passed for a hard man in this soft country my face totally expressionless. Apparently he decided bleeding was the better course as he did not speak and finally got up and left me in peace.

[Odette Lamberte]

He was observing me, I knew for his eyes were felt at my back, but I kept to the moderately simple of task of delivering drinks to the intended patrons. Skillfully I had lowered my form properly to dispense each drink to a group of fiendish figures when all fell silent with the incident at hand.

I slowly gazed across the tavern to mind the large fellow, along with the rest of the patrons, to follow the entertainment, or what passed as entertainment here, with interest. No one dared to come too the aid of the small, unfortunate soul who stumbled away to the comfort of the hole he crawled out of.

It was strange…it took a few moments for the business of the tavern to resume though it returned fiercely as if nothing had ever occurred, as expected. I completed the round of drinks with a kind, though forced smile, and retreated from that table to wandered towards the champion of the hour.

When he was finally settled at a suitable spot in the tavern, I made my approach with my plumping bust bouncing gently with my every step.

[Uruz Teiwaz]

As I settled back down I noted the wench heading my way and I also noticed she had a nice bounce in front as well. When she got close enough I asked "Can a man get a drink here without having to brawl for it?" Of course truth be known I was not opposed to brawling it was hard wired into my people and I had at one time been a Jarl by the might of my own right arm.

After asking my question I calmly produced one of my scant coins and tucked it into her cleavage. This of course got a few mutters from the other patrons but at least at this point none of them seemed inclined to test one of their betters.

[Odette Lamberte]

His inquiry and deposit of coin between the swells of my breasts fashioned amused laughter to pour softly from my lips. I balanced the empty serving tray in one hand, with the other I planted the coin more securely for safe keeping, admiring his roughness as I spoke.

“The trick of it, my lord, is to best those of lesser intelligence, for surely the wiser of the bunch would have the thought enough to mind their actions around you.” I thoughtfully smiled then nodded. “Of which you mastered…wonderfully.”

Indeed. He had quickly disposed of his insulter with an expert hand that left the fellow to momentarily take flight across the tavern. May the Gods forgive me but his strength was arousing.

“A moment...I’ll be around with your drink.” I turned then, keeping the sway in my hips to slip away from his table so see about a drink fitting of his size.

[Uruz Teiwaz]

I grunted "Actually it makes me home sick" and I left it at that. "Thank you and kindly keep the bar keep from spitting or pissing in it and there might be another coin in it for you." I watched her go once more enjoying the view. She did catch a bit more of my attention after all than the toothless whore in the corner. Of course the depressing thought was that I could not even afford the toothless whore let alone some of the higher priced ones this country was known for.

[Odette Lamberte]

I dutifully observed the bar keep filling a mug with the watered down liquor of choice before he gave me a sinuous smile and noisily set the filled mug down upon my serving tray once the coin was removed from my bosom. “He is no form of man…that one,” a gnarled old finger cast towards the benefactor of the drink in my care. “Doubtful that he knows ought to do with a young pearl.”

Such a comment earned the laughter of the drunkards immediately in the presences of the bar keep. Some even flick their tongues lewdly to raise the laughter to heights beyond annoyance. It was disgusting.

A moment later I felt an unpleasant hand creeping up my waist, snaking a path around the curve of my side to slowly push onward in pursuit of my breasts.

My chevalier father had seen personally, for much as he could in his current capacity, to instruct his daughter with the skill to twist an unwelcome hand to cause pain. Thusly so I drew upon this skill and I quickly faced my suitor to sternly speak my mind. “My lord forgets his wits in the company of a lady.” I twisted his hand slightly more to steel my point. “I’m minded to grant forgiveness if his lordship rights his wrong.”

His face contorted in minor discomfort as his companions wailed in laughter of his position. A surety he was embarrassed and mumbled apologetically for his trespass. Naught swayed by so weak of a display, I twisted a hair more which prompted a louder apology that led to the freedom of his hand.

While I was inwardly frightened that he would later rebel against being mistreated by a bar matron, I forced a strong smile and took my leave of the group with tray in hand. Gods I could naught believe what I had just done in defense of my person. My legs trembled slightly for it as I approached my patron’s table.

“No harm has come to your drink, my lord. Whilst I can give no word on its flavor, it was spared being spoiled in any manner.” I felt ill.

[Uruz Teiwaz]

I watched the exchange at the bar through my flinty eyes and did not comment or move. Odin looks after those who look after themselves and if one does not look after themselves they deserve what they get. Ultimately might makes right by the way my people reckon things and if you are in need and can go a Vike and take it from your neighbor well then that is your neighbor’s problem. Thus I was relatively satisfied when I observed the wench could rudimentarily defend herself.

“Thanks” I grunted and lifted the watered down swill. It was not a horn of fine mead but at least to soothed the throat. “And I am no lord woman. I beg to differ but I happen to have a pair and know how to use them.”

[Odette Lamberte]

“I naught dare doubt neither your pair nor how you make use of them.” I offered sweetly then glanced over one shoulder towards the bar to see if anything was amiss. For the moment little was found except hateful glances cast our way, none of which I cared for.

Gracefully I relaxed into a chair along side this giant of a man, settling my stomach and the trembling of my legs as I did so.

“Might I have the pleasure of your name?” My eyes trailed up his broad shoulder to eventually meet his icy blue orbs. They were interesting, his eyes, never have I witnessed such a color. It made me smile.

[Uruz Teiwaz]

I grunted once more as the lass settled in “Uruz Teiwaz formerly of Skaldia obviously, recently immigrated after a long running blood feud lead to my hall being burnt.” I titled my head a bit and gave a belly laugh “And one would be certainly willing to show off how well I can use em after a long time on the road and an even longer time wondering where my next meal is coming from.”

[Odette Lamberte]

I chuckled mirthfully at his comment. “Uruz Teiwaz of Skaldia, take care in how you are willing to show their use. Pain is somewhat a pleasurable pursuit around here from my comprehension of things. Unless you are agreeable with such an endeavor…then you have come to a sensible place.”

“Odette Lamberte of Siovale. If you would indulge my curiosity, could you tell me of your journey?” I smiled then offered my hand in introduction to him.

[Uruz Teiwaz]

I shook her hand in my own meaty one and growled "Well I am a bit more on the down to earth side when it comes to such matters so I will keep your advice in mind." I took a healthy swig of my drink "As for the journey I am certainly willing to share, but it is not really very glory filled. Was more a matter of making our way across your land and finding food and shelter where we could. That is a difficult task when one does not have coin in their purse."

[Odette Lamberte]

It was the plight of the journey that interested me. The persistence of weather and nature testing the limits of man was thrilling. Mayhap I romanced the notion of rough travels with the many stories I had read or heard over the years but it somewhat interested me so I was thankful that he was willing to share the details of his journey with me.

“No coin to be spared for the journey…amazing.” I leaned forward on the table, rocking the swells of my breasts to motion as I rested an elbow on the table and tucked my hand under my chin to listen. Out from the corner of my vision something was amiss though I ignored it for only a scarce moment. Slowly I turned my head to witness the approach of two brutish drunkards, one of whom I narrowly bested by twisting his hand up unnaturally a short time ago.

“Shemhazai guide me.” I murmured lowly as each leered at me and darkened their expressions for ill of my Skaldia-born companion. I lowered both my hands over the top of my serving tray to lightly clinch at the edges whilst they continued their approach, grunting lowly to one another.

[Uruz Teiwaz]

"As I said my hall was burnt by my enemies and thus a Jarl fell. In this case the Jarl was me and I was pleased enough that me and my companion escaped with our hides." I then noted her look as well as the two rough men approaching. Well what passed for rough in this thin blooded land.

I really did not seek trouble as that would only add to my predicament but one takes what one is given as Old One Eye has no respect for the weak. So I simply watched the pair with an utterly neutral expression. My manner was not unlike any cornered vargr. Like any cornered wolf this could pass and we could all go on with our lives or it might explode in violence and some very life altering ways. But in the end what will be will be and it mattered not to me.

[Odette Lamberte]

I took in the ungentle pair a moment longer before releasing the hold on my serving tray. An empowering confidence to belay a situation before it began prompted me to rise too steady feet and scoop my arms around each of their bloated bellies in the hopes of dragging them away from the table by way of wit and charm.

“Tell me that there was no offense against your person from a little play I entertained you with?” I coyly smiled at each of them as they gave a look of disgust at Uruz and turned slightly to follow the direction of my arms leading them to do so.

“No doubt you could imagine, if not already bravely faced, the pleasures of certain Houses that have done much more that what I have done in twisting up an arm or two in this tavern, and far more skillfully too. Why having braved a twisting of an arm…I can reward you with at least a drink of my purchase. Come, my handsome patrons!”

Stroking the ego of men could do wonders, I’ve learned. In my mind I knew what needed to be spoken to lessen their anger over the matter though in spite of my presently keen wit, my heart was pounding in fear that the drunkards would see that the matter was properly taken care of by causing uproar of violence that others would no doubt cheer on.

My heart eased in its thumping when they remitted to the demands of my arms and grunted lowly in response to my musings. I further spoke charmingly to each man as I saw to their drinks personally once arriving in the presence of the barkeep.

[Uruz Teiwaz]

She stood and went about the task of charming the two thugs and even got them a drink. Not the way I tend to handle such matters but I let it pass. I drew a long breath to relax and took a sip of my drink. I kept an eye on the trio though in case my trouble arose but at the end of the night I suppose it was not any of my business one way or another. Still it all tended to leave a bad taste in my mouth.

[Odette Lamberte]

I remained in the presence of the pair longer than needed, if only to be assured that their anger had passed for the moment. It was beyond my want to purchase more drinks for them so I took my leave of them to join Uruz once again.

“My apologies for abandoning your company, Uruz.” The sincerity in my voice was unmistakable, for indeed I felt poorly for having abruptly parting way with him. I settled back into the chair along at his side then smiled up at him. “I do hope you forgive me. Misery would follow me all the days of my life, if you naught forgave me.”

[Uruz Teiwaz]

I gave her a serious look "It is your business and not mine so I will not judge. It is not my way nor the way of my people to appease idiots though." I swallowed a bit more of my drink, Odin and Ponar it was as warm as and tasted about like piss "We tend to be a people of might makes right and we follow a religion that views displays of fear or yielding as mortal sins." I rolled my massive shoulders "Your people do not view matters the same way and we have learned you are anything but weak for it."

[Odette Lamberte]

“Mayhap you could instruct me in tending to such matters more…diplomatically in the future.” My favor for the notion was reflected in the way a gentle hand was laid upon his thick arm. A moment later I began to explore the strength of his arm by merely caressing the muscles under the material of his clothing. I said little else whilst testing his boundaries.

[Uruz Teiwaz]

She began to caress my arm while asking how to handle such matters more diplomatically. Diplomatically indeed “I find that a strong arm and a sharp ax tend to settle things fast.” I rolled my massive shoulders “I mean in my case violence is not the best thing right now, but one must stand on their own two legs no matter the circumstances.”

[Odette Lamberte]

His words rang true in my ear. I knew far too well about having to stand on my own two legs, no mind to the circumstances surrounding one’s life. It was surety that his life must have been ten fold in such matters, having immigrated from Skaldia and survived the journey to these lands, with a companion, on scant coin. I was fortunate to have a means better than he when I decided to venture forth into the world, having now to completely survive by my own means, like he.

I turned a thoughtful gaze to the surly patrons to survey one circumstance I wished to change given time, that of being a bar matron to such a rough and tumble bunch. “What you speak holds weight with me. Your companion no doubt shares in your notion.” I returned my gaze upon him, caressing his arm as before to inquiry somewhat about his absent companion.

“Why are you without your companion? You entered this place alone…is he ill or otherwise restrained?” A little grin curled at my lip at that. My assumption, mayhap, was wrong in the gender of his companion. It was an attempt to see if he was without an immediate, womanly acquaintance.

[Uruz Teiwaz]

I rolled my shoulders once more "You do not really understand or you would not have appeased the two crow gutters. And my companion well he has some different ideas but he is a loyal thane and for that I am thankful." I grunted the rest "As for the rest we are not always together nor are we connected at the hip. Such is not the way of things in my land." Though I dare say Eyvind seemed to be getting along better here than I. But I did not give voice to that thought.

[Odette Lamberte]

The wanderings of my hand slowly ended the pursuit of fully exploring the length of his thick arm, as I withdrew it to fold it with my other arm upon the table. Indeed, I aught to have known better to appease those who were undeserving of such, like the pair I had dealt with a moment before.

While I reckoned myself a friendly enough soul to be around, I was selling the better part of myself each time I eased out of an uncomfortable situation, in the manner I had done, rather than making an effort to truly show that I would not tolerate any follies against me. I needed to be free of this place…truly.

“That is good to have such loyal companionship,” I commented nicely.

[Uruz Teiwaz]

I grunted once more “It can be but a man must make his own way in the world and not become so soft as to depend too much on others.” Her manner was certainly receptive and it started turning my thoughts to certain needs that I had not been able to address in quite some time. Thus I gave her an appraising look not bothering to hide where my eyes were looking.

[Odette Lamberte]

His comment was acknowledged through a gentle, yet thoughtful nod. He was an interesting fellow, this man of Skaldic descent, exact and blunt on his view of the world. I fancied his ideals despite lacking a crystal clear understanding of them.

Leaning forward on the table, enhancing my bust, I minded the setting of his eyes upon my bosom in fair amusement. Mayhap it was gamble, for little was known about his desired qualities in a woman, I knew somewhat, though not enough to assume he would be inclined to accept a harmless inquiry that I hoped would lead something satisfying for the pair of us.

Innocently the inquiry was posed. “Uruz, my duties here are complete.” I pressed my arms under my bosom, plumping the youthful flesh caught in his vision all the more before continuing. “Would you accompany me and see a lowly bar matron safely home?”

[Uruz Teiwaz]

It was clear she was pushing her breasts up all the better for my inspection and I was not a man to deny such a view. So I continued to take in the sights while she posed her question that from my perspective seemed to be an invitation. It was also an invitation I would gladly accept as it had been months since I had spent time in the company of a woman “Of course” was my simple reply. It seemed we both had similar things on our minds and there was really no need to beat around the bush.

[Odette Lamberte]

"Thank you. " With his acceptance of the notion, my arms righted themselves, ending the display that achieved so much when words spoke little of my intentions. A certainty he knew them. Gracefully I left the ease of the chair to stand and watch him follow in suit.

Once in motion, there were numerous groping attempts that I avoided by simply being light on my feet, while others were avoided by merely anticipating them. I’ve grown somewhat wise to such antics. I glanced over one shoulder to spy on Uruz, knowing he would not have the same issues as I in wandering towards the door.

[Uruz Teiwaz]

“Your welcome” and at least I know I shall have a roof over my head for a little while I thought. I stood with her and headed toward the door as she deftly avoided many busy hands. I was not quite so subtle though and just before we passed out of the portal I planted my elbow hard in the solar plexus of the owner of the last hand. I did not even bother to look back as the dolt crumpled and tried to recall just how to breathe.