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Post by Ringulf on Jun 18, 2012 18:11:00 GMT -5
"Gorm the Black!..You fat, ugly walrus turd!!... I will get you if it is the last thing I do!! Hollered Smidja Darkwater.
Smidja had been trading with, for, and against his antagonistic boyhood nemesis since they were both rowing around in little faerings without hair on their cheeks.
The little Knarr was agile and swift but she did not have the press of sail that Gorm's larger, sleeker Knarr could boast.
Smidja's big woolen sail had been doused with sea water to catch and retain every bit of wind she could, but it seemed the lumbering black tub of Gorm's was not going to let the Harr Marr through on this tack.
Smidja was to leeward of Gorm hoping to get out of the shadow of his wind with his sodden sail trick. It was looking like it might work and that the little ship would slide under the covering silhouette of Gorm's sail As a little puff came up and she started to slide by.
When Gorm saw that the wily Smidja was going to outsmart him once again, it was just too much for him to bear.
"AARR! That crafty bastard is not going to do it to me again by Odin's Stones!" Roared Gorm and pushed his steer-board down making his ship the "Sea Serpent" fall off the wind at almost a forty five degree angle to what his course had been previously.
It was customary for the leeward ship to give way to the windward in this situation but the move was so unsuspected and abrupt that Smidja barely had time to react. He put his helm down but it was not enough and the two ship slammed their forward quarters into one another.
The Gunnels and strakes of both ships held, though the Harrmarr sprung a few leaks as the lapstrakes flexed a bit then flexed back into position.
But the Mast was the fatality, Just after the impact everyone on both vessels heard the whip crack sound of the splitting timber under pressure and as Smidja wore around to circle back behind Gorm's stern the stress brought the whole rig down on top of them.
They were all covered with wet wool and tarred lines and all the crew were flailing like an octopus in a net to get out from under it and keep the ship from foundering.
Gorm winced as he looked back at the damage he had caused. He was rude, arrogant, vile, mean-spirited, untrustworthy and greedy, but he was not a murderer and not out to actually hurt anyone else more than get ahead himself.
"Ah Hel's left bubble, I am never gonna hear the end of this one! Otar, make sure when we get back in you send apologies and invitations to Captain Smidja and his Helmsman to dine with us after they get sorted out. I am going to see if I can placate him before I have to go before the Thing and do it!
Yes captain and shall I get the cook to get a brace or two of crow for the meal... I am sure some of us will be dining on it for sure! The helmsman said with a wry smile.
"Shut your gob you gutless wonder and just do what I tell you or I'll tell him it was your idea to cut him off and he can string you up by your damn toes!!" said Gorm with a disgusted look.
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Post by Ringulf on Jun 19, 2012 17:13:21 GMT -5
Smidja and his Steersman Gunnar were exhausted wet and foul tempered after wrestling the rig back into some semblage of order.
The crew had tossed out the sea anchor, which was like a seal skin conical parachute that had a hoop at it's throat to keep it open.
When thrown out of the ship at the bow on a sturdy walrus hide rope and given about twenty yards of slack it would dig in under the water and slow the boat thus turning the bow into the wind and waves.
When that was accomplished the crew could bring in the broken mast and cross tree and all the soaking wet woolen sail as well as all the lines that were in a bird's nest of a tangled mess. The blocks had to be recovered and the pins that held the lines in place and all of it had to be organized and stowed inside the craft before the crew could get to the thole pins and lash their oars to them and start maneuvering the Knarr under muscle power rather than wind power.
Fortunately they were not to far from Halasholm and those that were not rowing were bailing or caulking in order to manage the leaks in the forequarter.
All of that accomplished they were all exhausted and Smidja had just posted a guard and sent all else off to their homes or taverns to get some much needed rest and food and warmth, when Gorm's messenger gingerly came up behind them and delivered Gorm's apology and invitation to dinner at his Hov.
"Tell Captain Gorm that we will most assuredly come as soon as all is in order, And we shall have much talk of this evenings landfall! I see the Sea serpent is just about unloaded...were that we also could be but I have sent most of my men ashore to rest."
"My master said that he merely wished to get his cargo into the warehouse before it was subject to poor weather and that he will not bring anything to market until you do as a show of good faith"
"You mean the black whale will not even send anyone down to help us unload? Smidja questioned darkly.
"Well..er..he said nothing of it..but I suppose..." Smidja cut him off mid sentence,
"Never mind I would not accept the help anyway, I want to keep what I was able to save and not have it stolen out from under my nose while I dine with him. Tell him we will be there shortly."
The servant bowed and skulked back up the hill toward Gorm's hall.
"He will go to Gorm and tell him we are angry and they will be armed against us!" Said Gunnar.
"Relax," Smidja said with a smirk, "I want him on his guard and worried about our demeanor, that way I can get more out of him when we negotiate!" He said as he slapped Gunner on the back.
"Come my friend we are going to eat and drink to our hearts content and be paid well for doing so by a man who regrets every hunk of bread he would throw to a trell! No, Old Gorm will be most generous this evening, even if it kills him!"
The two started up the hill laughing at their mixed fortune, but one thing Gunnar was certain of, win or lose Smidja always had a way of coming out on top.
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Post by Ringulf on Jun 21, 2012 21:07:30 GMT -5
Smidja Darkwater and Gunnar entered into the longhouse of Gorm the Black. They were greeted by Gorm from his seat at the far end of the long table.
"Come, come my friends, my compatriots, I hope you are not still angry with me after our little navigational mishap...is your rig in tact? And your goods as well? I do hope that we can settle our affairs so that you are compensated for your small inconvenience!"
"It was no small inconvienience you big windbag! and I am still not sure of either of your querries as my ship has not yet been unloaded thanks to the exhaustion of my crew, THANKS to you "navigational mishap"!!!" Screamed Smidja at the man in his seat who affected a hurt expression as if to say "Who, Me?"
"You know you fell off hard just to get me to ware around and loose precious time and the advantage of getting out from under your shadow, you aught to be horsewhipped!"
"My Good friend you paint me the villain! I merely fell off to gain a bit of headway I did not realize you were trying to break the rules of the right of way and sneak under my lee!" said Gorm in a wounded voice.
"As for recompense you shall not bring your goods to market until I do?" Smidja said reiterating the message from the servant.
"The gods be my witness!" Gorm said with his hand raised.
"Good....What else?" Smidja said no longer playing the victimized captain. Now he was again the shrew trader.
"I thought fifty peices of silver to be a generous of..."
"That's an insult but it is a start, what of my mast and the time it will take me to step a new one or repair the old?"
"Oh...I have a spare in the boatshed you may have it, though you might need to shorten it a bit and..."
"You will have it delivered to my shed by your men and give me one of the black oxen you brought back along with 10 fowl and a ram for the sacrifice to end our quarrel?" Smidja prodded.
The food started comming in, many of the servants were drawn from the yard and allowed to bath in order to have enough help on hand.
One young man was carrying the platter that held the boar with the apple in it's mouth.
As he went to set down the tray he stepped on the tail of one of the large wolfhounds gnawing on a bone patially under the table. The dog gave a yelp and the tray fell forward. The head fell apart from the body of the boar showing were it had been scandleously trimmed so as to look full but in reality it was near to hollow.
The apple popped out of the swine's mouth, rolled down the table and knocked over Gorms entire mead horn spilling it over the table and into Gorms lap.
"AAhhh!!! you...you.. Damn,clumsy fool of a trell!... just let me get my hands on you and I'll flay your back so it will look like a straw broom from the cat! I..I will set you out in the tide pool for the crabs!" He took a large wooden ladle from the vat of mead and started to strike the thrall over and over with it Untill another young thrall stepped between them and grabbed Gorm by the wrist keeping him from another painful downward stroke.
Gorm was furious and his face already red from his anger, started to shake as he looked at the interloper.
"How dare you!!!" he said in a controlled rage, "You would raise a hand to your master in league with this, your brother thrall? Do you realise I can put you both to death?"
"Gorm!...forget your bull, forget your fowl, and the goat I will supply, give me the boy instead!" yelled Smidja as Gunnar looked up at him in surprise.
"Captain we can get three trells for what you just gave up..." Gunner said and was cut off by his captain.
"Silence Gunnar!...Well Gorm?" Smidja waited for his reply.
Gorm relaxed his upraised arm and the boy released his grip but Gorm did not allow his gaze to leave the boy and stared into his eyes.
"Done Captain Darkwater.."Gorm growled, "Take him and be done with it, you will get nothing more from me than I have yet sweared by,"
"And the mast? Gunnar asked.
"And the mast!" said Gorm "but send your own to fetch it, I will no longer grovel at your feet for your forgiveness we are finished here!"
There was a bit of a pause then...
"And what of the other boy?" Smidja said slyly.
"The other "TRELL" , MY CLUMSEY, HALFWITTED, TRELL...Will be bound and thrown in the slop pit as I said, till the turning of the tide! Let the crabs feast on his eyes, I care not!" Gorm raged at the audacity of the question.
"And what if he lives when the tides turn what then?" asked Gunnar
"Whoever fishes him out when the tide turns, whatever is left of him, they can have! Ha Ha Ha! Now, all of you, get out! Take your Trell!," and he pushed the boy to him. "Take your silver!" and he threw him a small drawstring leather pouch. "And take your feast you coniving Bastard!" and he threw the head of the boar at Smidja who watched it sail over his left shoulder, and Gorm grabbed the boy on the floor by the scruff of his collar and dragged him out of the hall.
Gunnar went to follow him hand to his sword hilt, but Smidja caught him by the elbow.
"Not now my friend, not now. We will wait, and see what we will see." he said in a thoughtful way as he watched his host leave.
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a1ko4
Apprentice Cook
Posts: 77
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Post by a1ko4 on Jun 21, 2012 21:54:07 GMT -5
"AAhhh!!! you...you.. Damn,clumsy fool of a trell!... just let me get my hands on you and I'll flay your back so it will look like a straw broom from the cat! I..I will set you out in the tide pool for the crabs!" He took a large wooden ladle from the vat of mead and started to strike the thrall over and over with it Untill another young thrall stepped between them and grabbed Gorm by the wrist keeping him from another painful downward stroke.
Jake had been watching the scene and stepped forward when Gorm began to strike the other slave. He took Gorm by the wrist and held it their, not being able to bear watching the slave being beaten.
"How dare you!!!" he said in a controlled rage, "You would raise a hand to your master in league with this, your brother thrall? Do you realise I can put you both to death?"
Jake glared at Gorm, he knew he would be punished. He wasn't dull in the head.
"Gorm!...forget your bull, forget your fowl, and the goat I will supply, give me the boy instead!" yelled Smidja as Gunnar looked up at him in surprise. "Done Captain Darkwater.."Gorm growled, "Take him and be done with it, you will get nothing more from me than I have yet sweared by,"
Jake was relieved, he wouldn't face Gorm's punishment. But, what of the other boy?
The other "TRELL" , MY TRELL...Will be bound and thrown in the slop pit till the turning of the tide! Let the crabs feast on his eyes, I care not!" Gorm raged at the audacity of the question.
Jake winced. He didn't think Gorm would be so cruel. But, it hadn't exactly been a good day for Gorm.
As Gorm dragged the boy out the room, Jake wondered what the look on Smidja's face had been about.
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Post by Ringulf on Sept 20, 2012 11:00:31 GMT -5
Smidja watched Gorm storm off in his little tirade. He was not fooled for a moment, he knew Gorm was not nearly as angry as he made out to be. This little show was all part of the negotiations and Gorm cut his losses in half as well as got rid of a potential "problem" Trell. A trell with too much spirit is one that needs to be watched and can't be trusted. Gorm was the type who wanted his trells absolutely subservient.
Smidja on the other hand had trells, but considered the position temporary. He found that if a trell was given responsibility in accordance with his natural skills, He or she could be taught to become useful, then valuable and finally freed to become an ally rather than property. A free man at your side with a weapon in hand ready to fight for you, is much better than a slave behind you with a secret dagger, ready to plunge it in you.
He looked at the boy trying to asses whether he was brave or foolish or both. sometimes a lack of whit could be mistaken for courage. did this boy realize the consequences his actions could buy?
"Well don't just stand there gawking boy close your jaw, I have a few questions." Smidja said with a mock scowl. Then he was dead serious.
" If I were to whip a trell before you, would you stop me too? Do you think I would have the right to whip you if I had a mind too? Beside owning stones big enough for an anchor, what can you do?What skills do you posses? Where are you from and what is your name?"
When the last question was asked he folded his arms across his chest and waited for Jake's reply.
Gunnar fought to maintain his composure behind him.
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a1ko4
Apprentice Cook
Posts: 77
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Post by a1ko4 on Sept 25, 2012 7:09:45 GMT -5
"Well don't just stand there gawking boy close your jaw, I have a few questions."
Jake quickly relized that he was standing with his mouth open, he snapped it shut and looked up at Smidja.
" If I were to whip a trell before you, would you stop me too? Do you think I would have the right to whip you if I had a mind too? Beside owning stones big enough for an anchor, what can you do?What skills do you posses? Where are you from and what is your name?"
Jake began to answer the first question, "It depends on what the trell did. And if you whipped me, it'd probably be for a good reason, if it wasn't, then I would protest. For the third, I'm really just strong, I can fight with my fists if it comes too it, but I've never had much time to learn much else," he said this bitterly, as if it were the skandans fault he could only fight. "As for my name, it's Jake and I'm Araluen."
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Post by Ringulf on Oct 9, 2012 9:30:34 GMT -5
Jake began to answer the first question, "It depends on what the trell did. And if you whipped me, it'd probably be for a good reason, if it wasn't, then I would protest. For the third, I'm really just strong, I can fight with my fists if it comes too it, but I've never had much time to learn much else," he said this bitterly, as if it were the Skandian's fault he could only fight. "As for my name, it's Jake and I'm Araluen."
"Well Jake of Araluen, you are strong and you have courage, you are not a fool as you knew the consequences of your resistance yet chose your action anyway.
You speak our language well so you must have been among us for some time, do you speak your native tongue as well?"
"I do not believe in whipping a person without cause but I will not with hold punishment when it is justified."
"Work hard, live without fear and take what joy you can, try to find what you enjoy and what you are good at while you serve me and when you become more useful to me as a Karl than as a trell, you will become one. Deal me falsely or try to escape and I will hold you to the task for I will pay and be paid in kind."
"Now you will go ahead with Gunnar, retrieve whatever possessions you have and go to my Hov. Gunnar, take this feast back with us as it is ours skimpy pig and all, then, see that Jake is given two sets of new clothing one heavy against the cold, boots, gloves and a leather helm to protect him when we are out. he will need a warm bedroll and since he is strong, and I think well suited to rowing, His position among us other than trell will be that of an oarsman, make it the walrus hide one for he will spend time with us aboard the Harr Marr. Give him Olly's seachest, he will no longer need it."
"See that he has a good meal before he turns in.....oh and take any weed he may have, you use warmweed boy? Because as of tonight you don't, I will not allow it in my hold and you will sweat it out from this day forward till you are rid of it."
"When you have finished with these instructions you will obey Gunnar at whatever tasks he gives you as though they were from my own lips"
"Gunnar we still have much cargo to unload to the warehouse and the mast to bring to the boathouse, Show the boy his duties, Strong Jake of Araluen will now be in your care."
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a1ko4
Apprentice Cook
Posts: 77
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Post by a1ko4 on Dec 5, 2012 7:53:22 GMT -5
"Well Jake of Araluen, you are strong and you have courage, you are not a fool as you knew the consequences of your resistance yet chose your action anyway.
You speak our language well so you must have been among us for some time, do you speak your native tongue as well?"
"No, not as fluently, but I can still speak it," Jake felt a flash of shame at knowing the language of his captors better than the language of his heritage, but he quickly pushed it aside.
"I do not believe in whipping a person without cause but I will not with hold punishment when it is justified."
"Work hard, live without fear and take what joy you can, try to find what you enjoy and what you are good at while you serve me and when you become more useful to me as a Karl than as a trell, you will become one. Deal me falsely or try to escape and I will hold you to the task for I will pay and be paid in kind."
"Now you will go ahead with Gunnar, retrieve whatever possessions you have and go to my Hov. Gunnar, take this feast back with us as it is ours skimpy pig and all, then, see that Jake is given two sets of new clothing one heavy against the cold, boots, gloves and a leather helm to protect him when we are out. he will need a warm bedroll and since he is strong, and I think well suited to rowing, His position among us other than trell will be that of an oarsman, make it the walrus hide one for he will spend time with us aboard the Harr Marr. Give him Olly's seachest, he will no longer need it."
"I have no possessions of worth to bring."
"See that he has a good meal before he turns in.....oh and take any weed he may have, you use warmweed boy? Because as of tonight you don't, I will not allow it in my hold and you will sweat it out from this day forward till you are rid of it."
"No, I never have and never will," he said, though once, in desperation, he almost had.
"When you have finished with these instructions you will obey Gunnar at whatever tasks he gives you as though they were from my own lips"
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Post by Ringulf on Apr 1, 2013 19:05:59 GMT -5
"Work hard, live without fear and take what joy you can, try to find what you enjoy and what you are good at while you serve me and when you become more useful to me as a Karl than as a trell, you will become one. Deal me falsely or try to escape and I will hold you to the task for I will pay and be paid in kind."
"Now you will go ahead with Gunnar, retrieve whatever possessions you have and go to my Hov. Gunnar, take this feast back with us as it is ours skimpy pig and all, then, see that Jake is given two sets of new clothing one heavy against the cold, boots, gloves and a leather helm to protect him when we are out. he will need a warm bedroll and since he is strong, and I think well suited to rowing, His position among us other than trell will be that of an oarsman, make it the walrus hide one for he will spend time with us aboard the Harr Marr. Give him Olly's seachest, he will no longer need it."
Gunnar gave a nod to Smidja to indicate that he had heard all that was said and understood.
"Are you going back to the Hov Captain?" Gunnar asked.
"No I have some visiting to do, but you go on ahead with Jake and I will see you in the morning." Smidja said with a wink.
Gunnar knew that even at Smidja's age there were few who had his capacity for drinking, gambleing or women. "Visiting" could put him in the bed of any number of ladies he kept company with up and down the coast of Skandia, or a half dozen other countries for that matter.
"Come Jake let's get this food back home grab that cloth from the table and start placing it all on that." Gunner instructed as his captain left.
It did not take them long nor did they stay any longer than they had too since Jake needed nothing to depart from the Hov of Gorm the Black.
They walked up the hilly street toward the town then down the other side of the hill toward Smidja's Hov and his Ship houses. Their were several and each of a different size all standing at right angle to the scaley shoreline.
A toolshed, a sail loft and ropewalk as well as what looked like a sauna accompanied the main hall whose roof tooked like an overturned ship's hull pointed at both ends. off the back behind the hall looked like a fairly simple building that had many sleeping areas along each side, many of which did not seem occupied.
They entered into the main hall and were met by a smallish woman rounded and middle aged but sharp and clear, her eyes spoke of a keen wit and her apple cheeks glowed with industry. She stopped long enough to greet them and directed them to the kitchen where the food could be stored.
"Well Gunnar I heard the news from the men about the knarr, They said it was already unloaded and in the storehouse I made sure before they went out drinking."
"Ya that is good it is what was expected and it seems Smidja may have followed, Gerta, this is Jake, he is originally from Araluen but most recently a trell in the house of Gorm the Black. He will now be a work in progress to Master Smidja. I was told to go into the stores and get him clothed and equipped as an oarsman with a walrus hide bag and Olly's seachest. He can take any closet not occupied in the manning house, and can turn in after he is fed but he must be mustered for work at the boathouse with the rest of the men."
"And were will you be?" She asked though she already knew the answer.
"Drunk or keeping Smidja out of trouble or both" he replied with a sneer.
"Some things never change!" she said with a chuckle.
"Jake you are now in capable hands, Gerta will see to your needs do not anger her she is the hand that feeds you, I will see you in the morning."
With that he strode out of the hall leaving Gerta and Jake to finish the equiping.
Well Jake I am sure you have many questions but before we get to all that I have a hot bath drawn next to the sauna and the water is cold in the lake so go clean up and come to dinner when you are finnished I will set some clothing out for you with a towel and you may throw what you are wearing in the refuse pit.
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Kallie
Apprentice Messenger
Posts: 422
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Post by Kallie on Dec 10, 2013 14:53:35 GMT -5
Nicholas was not having the best of days. He had already tripped twice that morning alone now he had gone and dumped an entire meal practically on the floor. And whats worse had spilled Gorms drink as well. He coward away from his master and yelped as the spoon came down on him cracking loudly against his bony frame. He covered his head in order to protect it he peeked through his fingers as another slave what was his name? Oh thats right Jake stepped forward and stopped him. Nicholas was whole hardheartedly surprised by such an act he didn't think anyone would defend him, his body hurt terribly from the blows he had received, he watched the scene unfold then gave a sharp cry of pain as he was hauled to his feet and shoved out the door. Now he stared at the water as the in coming tied started to playfully lick his toes, now however with no one around to see him he started sobbing uncontrollably. He didn't know how to swim and the water was always ice cold. He was going to die out here and no one would care, hot tears of fear and grief coursed down his cheeks without shame. He didn't want to die but there was little else he could do his hands were chained above him to the wall and even though his wrists were skinny he couldn't pull them free he had of course already tried. He hung his head in despair, he didn't want his life to end like this.
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a1ko4
Apprentice Cook
Posts: 77
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Post by a1ko4 on Dec 11, 2013 0:05:24 GMT -5
Jake smiled at the bantering of the two old friends. For a second, he thought of how much he'd love to have a friendship like that. The sadness flashed through him, but the moment it struck, he banished from his mind. No. He would not think of those days.....that day.
Jake almost jumped when Gunner spoke to him, bringing him out of his past and back to the present.
"Come Jake let's get this food back home grab that cloth from the table and start placing it all on that." Gunner instructed as his captain left.
"I-uh, okay." Jake stuttered for a second before hastily picking up some of the food. He held it as though it were nothing, a tribute to his strength, though the food was not exactly weighty.
They quickly left, much to Jake's relief, he didn't want to stay in that hell-hole any longer than he must. His only regret was the boy that he left behind. He wondering if he shouldn't have interfered. Maybe Gorm wouldn't have been so cruel if.......no. If anything, death would be a blessing for that trell. Almost anything could be better than slavery. At least in death he wouldn't be tortured and whipped. Besides, there was nothing he could do. What was done, was done.
They walked up the hilly street toward the town then down the other side of the hill toward Smidja's Hov and his Ship houses. Their were several and each of a different size all standing at right angle to the scaley shoreline.
A toolshed, a sail loft and ropewalk as well as what looked like a sauna accompanied the main hall whose roof tooked like an overturned ship's hull pointed at both ends. off the back behind the hall looked like a fairly simple building that had many sleeping areas along each side, many of which did not seem occupied.
They entered into the main hall and were met by a smallish woman rounded and middle aged but sharp and clear, her eyes spoke of a keen wit and her apple cheeks glowed with industry. She stopped long enough to greet them and directed them to the kitchen where the food could be stored.
Jake found the woman to be fascinating. She looked so bright and sharp. Like glass. Glass could, of course, cut you. So, perhaps he should be careful near her, though, she certainly didn't seem dangerous. Not that that meant much, outside looks could be deceiving. He'd learned that particular lesson years ago.
"Well Gunnar I heard the news from the men about the knarr, They said it was already unloaded and in the storehouse I made sure before they went out drinking."
"Ya that is good it is what was expected and it seems Smidja may have followed, Gerta, this is Jake, he is originally from Araluen but most recently a trell in the house of Gorm the Black. He will now be a work in progress to Master Smidja. I was told to go into the stores and get him clothed and equipped as an oarsman with a walrus hide bag and Olly's seachest. He can take any closet not occupied in the manning house, and can turn in after he is fed but he must be mustered for work at the boathouse with the rest of the men."
"And were will you be?" She asked though she already knew the answer.
"Drunk or keeping Smidja out of trouble or both" he replied with a sneer.
"Some things never change!" she said with a chuckle.
"Jake you are now in capable hands, Gerta will see to your needs do not anger her she is the hand that feeds you, I will see you in the morning."
With that he strode out of the hall leaving Gerta and Jake to finish the equiping.
Well Jake I am sure you have many questions but before we get to all that I have a hot bath drawn next to the sauna and the water is cold in the lake so go clean up and come to dinner when you are finnished I will set some clothing out for you with a towel and you may throw what you are wearing in the refuse pit.
Jake nodded to Gerta. A hot bath. When was the last time he'd had a hot bath? Forget hot! When was the last time he'd had a bath!? New clothes too. Perhaps this place would be better than he thought, it certainly seemed to be an improvement from Gorm.
He walked toward the sauna that he'd seen earlier. Once inside, he stripped off his grimy clothes and almost jumped into the clean water. The heat engulfed him and he slid down to the bottom in pleasure, immersing his head. He scrubbed at his hair and his body, feeling cleaner and cleaner as the filth peeled off of him.
Once finished, he reluctantly emerged. He was clean and the water certainly wasn't. It had begun to loose it warmth as well, gradually turning colder. Beside the door he saw a pile of new clothes. He wondered when Gerta had left them there, he handn't noticed her. He pulled the clothes on, reveling in the feeling of, well, cleanliness. He closed his eyes and sighed, this place would definitely be better than Gorm.
Suddenly, his stomach grumbled. He looked down at it in surprise It usually didn't do that. He'd become so accustomed to starvation that he no longer noticed the hunger. Then he remember Gerta's promise of dinner.
He ran as fast as he could to the Main Hall. If the food was anything like the rest of this, it would be a treat!
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Post by Ringulf on Dec 12, 2013 20:57:55 GMT -5
...he stared at the water as the incoming tide started to playfully lick his toes, now however with no one around to see him he started sobbing uncontrollably. He didn't know how to swim and the water was always ice cold. He was going to die out here and no one would care, hot tears of fear and grief coursed down his cheeks without shame. He didn't want to die but there was little else he could do his hands were chained above him to the wall and even though his wrists were skinny he couldn't pull them free he had of course already tried. He hung his head in despair, he didn't want his life to end like this.
The midden or slop pool was the place were all the refuse from the hall was thrown. the pool was filled each day with slops from the animals from the kitchen and much to the chagrin of the boy tied to a pole in it's center human waste as well. It stunk, in fact it reeked but he would not have to worry about that for long as the cold sea water poured into the pool and filled it covering the slimey hole with fresh salty water and eventually cleansing it as the tide ran back out.
This cleansing was also aided by the myriads of sea creatures that found thier next meal here too. The gulls were the first to come along with the great lumbering skuas who bullied the other seabirds like the auks and puffins and mures. As the tide rose in the pit more of the offal was covored by sea water and then it was the crabs turn.
Now normally this was not a bad thing and as a system, seemed to help both the sealife and the human inhabitants as well. Unless, of course, you were bound to a stake in the middle of it with the tide creeping up. The guards that stood around Nicholas now were taking bets on whether or not he would live long enough to be drowned or weather he would succumb to the cold or the picking away of his chilled flesh as his numb limbs became indistinguishable from the rotten meat and other slops they fed on.
Very rarely did anyone survive the latter two hazzards and if they did they were almost grateful to be drowned. Most often the numbness crept in and the beconing of the frost trolls would be too sweet a lullabye to resist. the shaking and shivering would stop and the painfull feeding of the crabbs would be like a bad dream happening far away to some other unfortunate creature as sleep filled the eyes and eventually only the velvety darkness could be felt.
Smidja had seen this before, it was not pleasant but this was the life of a trell and many times the death of one too.
"Boy!" he called, "Boyka!" he yelled at Nicholas as he bowed his head and wept. "You need to listen to me right now, you may die here, I am not sure how strong you are, but I will talk to you and keep you from singing with the frost trolls. You know what you did this night was not your fault and that fat old walruss did not have to do this in order to teach you not to be clumsey. But he is a miserable excuse for a man and you must proove him wrong! He has said that any one who pulled you out after the tide turned could have you! So you need to get angry! you need to kick and stamp your feet! you need to keep blood in your legs and arms so the crabs know you are alive and you need to cry out to the Allfather to give you the stregnth to live! Do you want to live boy?...Do you have anything to live for?...well how about freedom? What about a life of your own choosing, one with hard work and a soft bed at night, a woman to love, children at your feet to call you Papa. A Karl not a Trell, fishing, fighting, farming, crafting, doing a trade that can feed you and make you your own man, does any of that seem worthwile to you? Are any of those good reasons to live? Because this is the last obstacle that stands between you and the life I have just described, so think about it, live! Let the anger give you the fire in your belly to warm your blood and chase the trolls away, chase the crabs away, I will fight with you boyka, I will be your shieldbrother against Gorm the Black and when the tide turns I will pull you from here and carry you home to a warm bath and and a hot meal and a new life! Live damn your eyes live!"
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Post by Ringulf on Dec 12, 2013 21:24:41 GMT -5
Suddenly, his stomach grumbled. He looked down at it in surprise It usually didn't do that. He'd become so accustomed to starvation that he no longer noticed the hunger. Then he remember Gerta's promise of dinner.
He ran as fast as he could to the Main Hall. If the food was anything like the rest of this, it would be a treat!
When Jake came back into the eating room,Gerta had set out a large wooden mug of hot nog with some sort of brownish orange spice on the top, "Drink it! She commanded cheerfully, "it will warm you and give you some stregnth it also has egg in it so that you will fell better in the morning. The spice is nutmeg and cinimon from the eastern lands and it will improve your blood flow. You have not been eating to well it seems and from the looks of your skin and your toes and fingers you have been overly cold. Now did they pump you full of that weed? We are not going to have to get you down from that are we?," Gerta crossed to Jake and took hold of his chin firmly lifting his head towards her as she looked deeply into one ey then the other. "...no you look too sharp for that, your eyes are bright not cloudy. Well, since you rescued the boar it is only fitting that you get to eat some of him, there are also some vegitables and some bread and cheese. Eat now there will be apple bacon in the morning and fresh milk with your porridge and we may be able to get you out of work for the day so I can give you a hair cut and nail trim and make sure you have the rest of the things Smidja said you would need. I will need some help around here too, so we will get you back on your feet a bit more slowly than Gunnar expects, but on your feet you will be. When you are done I will show you to your sleeping closet and tuck you in, hee hee no, do not feel like a little baby I do that for all the men, they like that and they are warm and snug before they sleep. You will meet many of them tomorrow, your shipmates and the others that work in the household. You will not be lonely anymore Jake and if you are as good a man as Smidja thinks you are, you will get along with them well.
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Kallie
Apprentice Messenger
Posts: 422
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Post by Kallie on Dec 13, 2013 20:13:47 GMT -5
Nicholas looked up tears still streaming down his face he sniffed. He'd barely understood a word the man had said but he had got the gist of it. Fight to live don't give up there's always something worth living for. What the man didn't understand was he didn't have anything to live for. His home was burned to the ground his parents were dead nobody talked to him though most of the slaves just jeered at him. He was very different from the other slaves, even though he had been brought here as a young boy he still didn't know what the Skandians were saying half the time. He was one of the few people brought from Arridia, being in the cold had done nothing for him he was much more used to warmer climates, that and he didn't really speak their language. His limbs were always stiff from the cold making him so clumsy. He called out to the man in halting Skandian with a thick accent. "Sir, me no understand why you nice to me?" he paused thinking. "I'm no good slave." he hung his head again then yelped as a crab snipped at his leg angrily he took his foot and kicked the crab sending it away along with some cabbages. The tide was coming in faster he shrunk back against the pole drawing his feet to him then using the pole for balance he pushed against it getting to his feet he was already starting to shake. What chance did he really have? He was just a boy and the water was freezing he was half starved. He didn't stand a chance against the rising tide.
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Post by Ringulf on Dec 13, 2013 22:14:20 GMT -5
He called out to the man in halting Skandian with a thick accent. "Sir, me no understand why you nice to me?" he paused thinking. "I'm no good slave." he hung his head again then yelped as a crab snipped at his leg angrily he took his foot and kicked the crab sending it away along with some cabbages.
Smidja realized that he had been a fool to have just sat there and yelled at the boy in a language he barely understood. However as a merchant and trader Smidja knew enough to get by in many languages Aridy being one of his better ones.
So he called out again to the boy, this time in very passible Aridy.
"Listen boy, you have everything to live for because you have no good reasons to die! Your God detests weak men with no character! He makes you live a very discaplined life. You should not even consider giving into the whims of an infidel such as Gorm the Black, your former master! Yes that is right, I said he is your former master, for by casting you in here he has given you the ultimate choice of who will be your next master.
You choose to live and it will be me and I will teach you a trade and make you a free man when you have earned it, or you can die and go into eternity and serve your god before you have accomplished your goals in life. I think he will not be as pleased! Be Angry! kick and rage against Orm the Black! Cry out to your god! I will be your shield Brother, we will fight together, but you will have much to live for if you deny the Frost Trolls! A Skill, a trade, a wife and family someday perhaps, it is all up to you! It is not in the hands of fate, it is in your hands!! Now kick! Kick Damn you! Breath! Focus! Do not fall to sleepyness, I want you to focus! Yell out your story to me, what do you want in life? What are you good at! What happened to you to bring you here come on boy I can't here you! and niether can your god!! You may not have much time to tell your story does that not make you angry? well! tell meee!!!"
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