New To Town and Down on Luck

[Uruz Teiwaz]

Eyvind and I had at last made it to the City of Elua and no wonder our people had tried to conquer this nation the wealth and power was obvious and powerful. Our road worn clothes as well as our obvious Skaldian looks earned us some wary glances, but the people seemed not as hostile as on the boarder.

None the less we soon found ourselves skulking about the area called Night's Doorstep. I looked to my loyal Thegn "Well we made it now I am fresh out of ideas." I had stowed my ax a while back in an alley where I could retrieve it later and I was pointedly speaking the local tongue even though I had a thick accent. Odin help me I was trying to fit in.

[Eyvind Loevess]

I looked around the city of Eula with amazement as we made our way through. I had left my sword near Uruz's axe though I was a little sad to see it go. If we found a place to stay I would most likely sneak back for the two weapons, even if we did not need them. They had protected us for to long to be found by some bored kid.

"Well, we might as well get to know the place. If we walk around we will find something. This city has money and perhaps we can find someone who wouldn't mind sharing."

[Uruz Teiwaz]

I looked over the heads of those scurrying about the street as I really towered over them. That alone probably explained why we got so many odd looks I had never felt like such a freak of nature before in all my days. I grunted "Yeah, suppose they need someone to do the dirty work around here since everything else is so pretty."

[Eyvind Loevess]

I half snickered at Uruz' comment. THe possible truth in it kept me from completely laughing at it. "We can't be the first Skaldi to come here. Perhaps those who came before us was able to find their way somewhere. Somewhere that we can follow."

I looked around, arms folded. I was tired and hungry. I would find a place to settle sweeter than any cake. Though I would not settle anywhere if for some reason Uruz couldn't follow.

[Mielande nó L’Erouse (D)]

I was coming out of the parfumer's shop, having purchased some lavender soap for Her Majesty. Tucking it into the bottom of my basket, I hurried on my way back to the Palace. As I walked, I chanced to hear, "...that we can follow." D'Angeline, but with a Skaldic accent? I slowed my walking to peruse the speaker. He was a fair lad, and blond, while his companion was huge and hirsute. There was no doubt of their blood; each was Skaldic as Waldemar Selig himself.

[Uruz Teiwaz]

Nearly on cue at Eyvind's words an obvious Nordic beauty of our race appeared. She was clearly doing quite well for herself when compared to our worn condition and I breathed a small sigh softly for my companion's ears alone "Odin and Ponar I do not know what sort of spae craft you just did Eyvind but we may be in luck."

I noted the woman slowing and taking stock of us as I did the same with her. I offered what I hoped was a reassuring and pleasant smile but our time on the road had taught me that my size and appearance often frightened horses and small children.

[Mielande nó L’Erouse (D)]

I startled for a bit when the big one smiled at me, and my hands gripped my basket tighter. It was a busy street, I could easily flee if necessary. "From Skaldia?" I called out to him in Skaldic. I was still a good ten feet away from them.

[Uruz Teiwaz]

I heard her inquiry in my milk tongue and tried to make light of the matter as I responded in what I hoped were light tones. I also hoped that my pleasing expression helped lighten the mood as well. The fact she was easy to look at helped to keep the expression light "No, would you believe I simply ate some exotic food and grew to over sized proportions while hair sprouted in places from my body that I did not know I had?" It was pure jest and I hoped she took it that way.

[Eyvind Loevess]

I notice Uruz's distraction and looked his way. A very stately looking Skaldi woman was walking toward us, though she stopped when she had been noticed. I was curious for her reasons, it seemed that one of our own would at least give us a warm reception. Never the less, Uruz was more than happy to attempt a friendship and I could not help but to smile for it. I laughed openly at his jest but stayed back and let them converse.

[Mielande nó L’Erouse (D)]

My eyes widened and I took a small step back. "My lord jests," I said warily.

[Uruz Teiwaz]

"You think?" I asked with a small smile. Her wariness rather amused me. It was just Eyvind and I what did she think we were going to do sack and pillage the City?

[Mielande nó L’Erouse (D)]

I straightened myself up and said, in D'Angeline, "You may want to be more forthright, sir, for I can help you if you are."

[Uruz Teiwaz]

I fought the urge to pinch my brow and sigh deeply and instead schooled my face to a serene state. I even counted to ten and then back again in my head and switched to D"Angeline "Yes, we are Skaldian."

[Mielande nó L’Erouse (D)]

"Yes, you said," I said. I had known he was jesting; but Skaldi are not known for their capabilities in discernment. "Are you long in the City of Elua?"

[Uruz Teiwaz]

I simply grunted my answer "No." I was starting to regret having stashed my ax as well as maybe if I hit her just right with the flat of it what ever was stuck up her arse might fall out. Though I schooled my features to not reveal my thoughts pretty easy to do when you are gruff as I am really.

[Eyvind Loevess]

Uruz's jests went unnoticed and I watched the air between the two prickle. She was hard to gauge. She offered help but didn't seem to want to actually extend her hand. Perhaps she felt obligated because of the blood we shared. If we had been in better straights I would have suggested we found someone more hospitable, but as it were we were not in a position to be picky. I simply hoped this would be just a bump and we could at least find someone in the city who would not see us as barbarians.

[Mielande nó L’Erouse (D)]

"Have you found lodging yet?" I wondered if I should help these people at all, they looked like ruffians and the big one had the manners of swine. With my position, I could have much influence in their favor, but I was loathe to use it.

[Uruz Teiwaz]

Odin and Ponar this one was clearly not raised among our people a prideful people as she seemed to take some perverse delight in dragging out in detail our current lack of station and stature. The way she did it could not have been better designed to insult any true Einherjar but I mentally cautioned myself I was in no position to do a thing about it. And for the first time in many days I felt sharply the sting of my defeat at the hands of my enemies.

"No, we have no money and have largely been working as we can and living off what we can find." I admitted in humble terms that made my stomach roll a bit. Such an admission was the final humiliation and I felt my shoulders droop. Maybe I should have stayed at my hall that night and perished in glorious battle.

[Mielande nó L’Erouse (D)]

He was humble, and I knew it pained him. He was clearly a proud man. "My name is Mielande," I said, "and I may be able to help you."

[Uruz Teiwaz]

"I am Uruz Teiwaz and this is Eyvind Loevess" I simply said by way of introductions as I motioned to Eyvind. Even with our fleeing now most of the way across two nations all starting with a fight for our lives this seemed the lowest point I had reached. I could not see how Hel's Hall could be much lower the way my spirit had sunk as this exchanged had carried on.

[Eyvind Loevess]

I saw Uruz's spirit drop and it pained me to see it. Oh, if only there was something that I could do. I was limited, however, and even more so out here in the streets. I would try to at least say something later.

I decided to speak up, if anything to distract him. I should show some respect for Mielande even if she did not come across as being very friendly. She still offered to help and that had to count for something. Part of me was loath to accept it, some for pride and some for her attitude toward us when we first meet.

"It is a pleasure to meet you mam," I said, "we may seem crude but we have had some rough days and do not feel ourselves."

I could not bring myself to appologize, she truly had no ideal. She seemed like one who had been coddled. I did at least make some reason for our apparence.

[Uruz Teiwaz]

Eyvind's words helped to sooth me more than a little bit. I would not fall to despair that was the place of the unworthy a man stood on his hind legs and took what came head on. And that is what we were doing. This lady may look down her nose at us but we still had our pride even if it did not fill our bellies. I gave Eyvind a grateful smile as he always was better at more level headed negotiating than me. My skill was the brag but I had little to brag on now aside from still being alive.

[Mielande nó L’Erouse (D)]

"Eyvind, yes?" I asked. "Eyvind, I would like to offer you and your kinsman my hospitality for the night. In the morning, I may curry the Queen's favor for you."

[Uruz Teiwaz]

Of course the question of why on earth the Queen would care one lick about a couple scruffy Skaldi entered my mind but I held my tongue.

[Mielande nó L’Erouse (D)]

I took a tinny little step back, hardly noticeable. Couldn't this pair express any gratitude?

[Eyvind Loevess]

I smiled warmly at Mielande and gave her a slight tilt of my head in thanks. "Your kindness is well appreciated," I told her. "If it would be proper for you to inform the Queen of our presence than we will await her response. In truth we simply wish some jobs and a small quite life of ease. We do not wish any harm upon anyone of this fine city."

I did not know what all Mielande was thinking, but I knew what others thought of us in general. It seemed prudent to cover all of the bases. I kept my smile warm however, through my little mini speech. Not only did I not wish harm on the city but I even more so did not wish it upon us. Since Mielande was able to do well here we should be able to find our way as well. Though it would be much easier to do so after a good bath and a night of sleep.

[Mielande nó L’Erouse (D)]

I nodded. "My home is not far; if you have other business to conduct, I can send my family's carriage to collect you at a later time if you wish."

[Eyvind Loevess]

I nodded in thanks and looked to Uruz. "Is there anything you must do at the moment?" In truth I wanted to save her the trouble of sending a carriage or even of being any place in particular. I did not know the city as well and I was pretty sure it was Uruz's first visit as well.

[Uruz Teiwaz]

I shook my head no then looked to the lady "A warm meal and a place to rest would be greatly appreciated. We have been living very lean for sometime now. My thanks." For one reason or another this all drove home to me just how desperate things had become. It was a very humbling revelation.

[Mielande nó L’Erouse (D)]

I nodded. "Perhaps you will tell me of Skaldia?" I asked, as I beckoned them to walk beside me. "I recall very little of it; I was adopted as a child."