New To Town and Down on Luck

[Eyvind Loevess]

I fell into stride with Mielande and Uruz. I was not too surprised to hear her say that she was adopted, it could possibly explain her attitude toward us when she first saw us.

"Skaldia is a very grand country indeed, but obviously quite different than this one. I will have to say that where we come from is a bit rough, and carries much tension. But, the country itself is very pretty, especially where our brothers have not chosen to war with each other."

I was still feeling pretty poorly about the whole situation and the household we had lost. Part of me hoped I did not sound to petty, but I mostly did not really care.

[Uruz Teiwaz]

I walked along with them and thought to add about the harshness due to the climate that often forces one to take from a neighbor less they starve. But Eyvind was clearly handling this pretty if prickly woman better than I could hope so I choose to remain silent. But her questions about her origins did explain a bit about her willingness to aid us. I suppose with the wars and the like that her type were probably not as rare as one might suppose.

[Mielande nó L’Erouse (D)]

"Rough? Tension?" Somewhere deep inside my stomach, an old fear was stirring. "What do you mean?"

[Eyvind Loevess]

I hung my head slightly in a small gesture of sadness. "Skaldi has meet some harsh winters and not enough rain in the spring. People are growing short and in exchange irritable with each other. Some clan wars have sprung up and there has been some fighting amongst certain families." I sighed outwardly, having just come from one of those families.

"I hope soon that things start to look up for our fair land. Even if I was not able to live there, I still hope for the best for our people." I looked briefly at Uruz and then the ground and added in a slightly lower voice, "well, for most of them anyhow."

[Uruz Teiwaz]

I peered at the woman and stated the simple facts of the matter “In Skaldi it has always been like a pack of vargr. When one is hungry they take from the other or the weaker. Our home is a harsh land of strong people Odin does not suffer the weak.”

[Mielande nó L’Erouse (D)]

Uruz's harsh words made me tremble slightly with fear and pity for those weaker ones of Skaldia. A thought crossed my mind; that if these two had fled to Terre D'Ange, they were on the weaker side. This was a tragic thought. "Is that why you have come here?" I asked. "Because you are hungry?" I was sure that wasn't the only reason.

[Uruz Teiwaz]

I rolled my shoulders "Hungry, homeless, some of my family's old enemies burnt my hall and slaughtered all but Eyvind and I. We had two choices run or perish. While running is not the most noble of options after a long and hungry walk we are here."

[Eyvind Loevess]

I simply gave a slight nod of agreement at Uruz's explanation of our arrival. While travel had given us some time to think and deal with the attack I was still broken by it deep down inside. It had happened to me before as a child and now history had repeated itself. At least we would be safe from such things here. If anyone did attack us it would not be from blood feuds, at least not ones of the same nature.

[Mielande nó L’Erouse (D)]

I was extraordinarily saddened by their tale, but I was not altogether surprised by it. What did surprise me was that they had chosen Terre D'Ange as a refuge. "That is truly tragic," I said. "I am so sorry."

[Uruz Teiwaz]

I continued walking where ever she might lead "Thank you for your kindness and words." I looked at her then "But our race is taught from a young age to not bemoan fate but to simply adapt and struggle on. It is the way of things and wasting time and energy cursing fate achieves nothing."

[Mielande nó L’Erouse (D)]

I nodded. "Very recently, Terre D'Ange was in quite a state of instability," I said. "But through strength and resilience, our people bounced back. I pray that your country too returns to peace."

We turned a corner into the residential section and I pointed to a house about halfway down the street. "There is my home," I said.

[Uruz Teiwaz]

I did not really comment as Skaldi never knows peace. Well that is with the exception of one time that I am sure this particular nation would just as soon forget. So I looked up as her home came into view “It looks very comfortable.” I observed of course at this point in my life a hay loft in a falling down barn would look comfortable. I envied those like her who actually had a roof over their heads and some idea where their next meal was coming from.

[Eyvind Loevess]

I walked with Uruz and Mielande listening but not commenting on their conversation. I did not want to bring up the raw feelings that were still strong in me. I didn't think it would impress either Mielande or Uruz, though Uruz would at least understand to some point.

I looked toward the house that she pointed out and nodded in agreement to Uruz's statement. "It is beautiful," I told her, "you have done well for yourself. There is a sense of pride in seeing a Skaldi with a place like this in Terre d'Ange."