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Re: Mists of the North (A Birthright Tale)
Crassus
Victory Feast
Tag: Malena and others
The young lord and soldier of his people looked from face to face of the three women before him. Many of his men had quieted down their conversations to listen in on his proclamation, where he would have to judge between the three influential women of Hogunmark - a fighting druid and daughter of the chief of the Aegilsgaard, an elite warrior and royal houscarl, or the exotic half-elf princess and heir to the largest human kingdom in the Northlands.
"Each of you have already a way to strike through to my heart. All of you are defenders of Hogunmark, and as for your beauty, to compare you is to compare the rising dawn, the zenith of noon, and the sacred eve. All are different, and all have inspired the skalds to sing and wax poetic."
He turned to the Druidess.
"Sigrunn Gunnvorsdottir, woman of the tribes, unfettered by the influence of outside politics, you are grounded in nature, a voice of spiritual guidance for our people and the exemplar of what an Aegilsgaard woman should be. No chieftain could be more proud, nor a sect of Erik more gifted, than to hold you as their daughter and sister of the woods and taiga. You have courage and a warrior's heart, not balking where other druids would hesitate to use the sword - or sickle - to bring low a foe. If you were to ask it of me, I would travel the wilds by your side, for you are worthy of my heart."
Crassus' gaze then moved to Gretta.
"My lady Gretta. Houscarl to the house of the King. Right hand of our royal princess. Captain and leader of soldiers. If every warrior in our army had your heart and your beauty, we would win all wars, but never need to raise a spear, for the enemy would be in awe. I have only seen you in battle, but your stand at the gates today against the hobgoblin captain was worthy of song. You are a valkyrie out of legend. I would follow you into the very jaws of the White Witch's realm, or lay siege to the Gorgon's dark cities, and gladly die upon the field of battle while riding in your company. Were such a woman to ask of me to be her partner in love, I would count myself thrice blessed."
Lastly, the young lord spoke to Malena.
"My princess. The Hoguns are a proud people. We are isolated here in the far north, where winter draws a curtain and shuts us off from nearly all the world. The north remembers the old wars with the elves... but I think too few of us are able to see beyond our own traditions, and respect our old enemies. The elves are graceful, beautiful, and endowed with a magic that few humans can understand, and you have all of their gifts in abundance. I have witnessed it firsthand today, and I can say that your power and beauty do not frighten me. For a woman so fair and so possessed of such bravery and a willingness to face down a charging worg in defense of her people, is as true a Hogun than any of our warriors who fight with spear and axe. I believe you would use your powers always for a good purpose. I trust in my heart when I hear your words, see your face, and stand in your presence. Even if your rule meant a change in all of Hogunmark, I would trust in your guidance as our queen. Just the same, I know that you are one of us, and respect the tribes of the north. You need but ask anything of me, for my sword, bow and heart are yours to command."
He paused and took his cup of mead and raised it high.
"A toast to the beauty of our Princess Malena, for it wins the day, against the very best that Hogunmark has to offer."
After a brief pause, there was a cheer, and a raising of glasses. And all drank to Crassus' announcement. Gretta and Sigrunn held off in saying anything until Malena, the winner of the lord's decision, gave her response.
Crassus
Victory Feast
Tag: Malena and others
The young lord and soldier of his people looked from face to face of the three women before him. Many of his men had quieted down their conversations to listen in on his proclamation, where he would have to judge between the three influential women of Hogunmark - a fighting druid and daughter of the chief of the Aegilsgaard, an elite warrior and royal houscarl, or the exotic half-elf princess and heir to the largest human kingdom in the Northlands.
"Each of you have already a way to strike through to my heart. All of you are defenders of Hogunmark, and as for your beauty, to compare you is to compare the rising dawn, the zenith of noon, and the sacred eve. All are different, and all have inspired the skalds to sing and wax poetic."
He turned to the Druidess.
"Sigrunn Gunnvorsdottir, woman of the tribes, unfettered by the influence of outside politics, you are grounded in nature, a voice of spiritual guidance for our people and the exemplar of what an Aegilsgaard woman should be. No chieftain could be more proud, nor a sect of Erik more gifted, than to hold you as their daughter and sister of the woods and taiga. You have courage and a warrior's heart, not balking where other druids would hesitate to use the sword - or sickle - to bring low a foe. If you were to ask it of me, I would travel the wilds by your side, for you are worthy of my heart."
Crassus' gaze then moved to Gretta.
"My lady Gretta. Houscarl to the house of the King. Right hand of our royal princess. Captain and leader of soldiers. If every warrior in our army had your heart and your beauty, we would win all wars, but never need to raise a spear, for the enemy would be in awe. I have only seen you in battle, but your stand at the gates today against the hobgoblin captain was worthy of song. You are a valkyrie out of legend. I would follow you into the very jaws of the White Witch's realm, or lay siege to the Gorgon's dark cities, and gladly die upon the field of battle while riding in your company. Were such a woman to ask of me to be her partner in love, I would count myself thrice blessed."
Lastly, the young lord spoke to Malena.
"My princess. The Hoguns are a proud people. We are isolated here in the far north, where winter draws a curtain and shuts us off from nearly all the world. The north remembers the old wars with the elves... but I think too few of us are able to see beyond our own traditions, and respect our old enemies. The elves are graceful, beautiful, and endowed with a magic that few humans can understand, and you have all of their gifts in abundance. I have witnessed it firsthand today, and I can say that your power and beauty do not frighten me. For a woman so fair and so possessed of such bravery and a willingness to face down a charging worg in defense of her people, is as true a Hogun than any of our warriors who fight with spear and axe. I believe you would use your powers always for a good purpose. I trust in my heart when I hear your words, see your face, and stand in your presence. Even if your rule meant a change in all of Hogunmark, I would trust in your guidance as our queen. Just the same, I know that you are one of us, and respect the tribes of the north. You need but ask anything of me, for my sword, bow and heart are yours to command."
He paused and took his cup of mead and raised it high.
"A toast to the beauty of our Princess Malena, for it wins the day, against the very best that Hogunmark has to offer."
After a brief pause, there was a cheer, and a raising of glasses. And all drank to Crassus' announcement. Gretta and Sigrunn held off in saying anything until Malena, the winner of the lord's decision, gave her response.