Thread: Icy Heart (Books and darjeeling)

It happened all too fast. A particular caravan from Divinitys Reach had stopped for the night on the borders between Human and Norn territory. The path was the quickest way to Hoelbrak but it was often enough said to be plagued by bandits and raiders of both races. The caravan master had thought the risk worth it and had opted to take the path, believing his guards to be able to handle the task. Not everyone in the caravan was comfortable with the decision but they had all gone along with it nonetheless. This decision proved to be a most fatal mistake when an arrow double the size of most normal arrows punched through one of the guards and pinned him to a tree. A number of black shafted arrows flew from the trees, followed by the shout of a number of warriors from within the darkness. From the trees came forth a number of men and women twice again as tall as any human in the caravan, wielding axes, spears, and swords. Garbed in a wild assortment of armor ranging from animal hides to scale mail the Norn raiders struck the caravan and its inhabitants hard. Those that dared take up arms were swiftly cut down, smashed, or battered and knocked cold. Those that surrendered or attempted to flee were captured dragged screaming into the night. The battle if it could be called such was brought to an end swiftly enough, the raiders striking hard and fast with extreme precision. Anything that could be taken was taken and anything else was burned to ash. Shouts, cries, and clashing blades rang through the night. Flames burned brightly enough to be seen for quite some distance, though help would not arrive in time for this caravan. Come the morning the entire site would be nothing but a broken and burned corpse, the dead on the ground providing a feast for the crows. Come the morning as well the survivors of the raid would find themselves marched, carried, or dragged to a fortress of hewn wood and stone. Tattered banners of plain brown cloth blew in the chilly air. Wolves the size of ponies snarled at the captured human and the Norn here leered down upon the men and women. They would find themselves marched into a large hall, a lodge of sorts obviously built with the proportions of the Norn in mind. Here a number of other Norn loitered, drinking, eating, and throwing knives at a wall. At the far end of the lodge sat a woman upon a throne padded with bear hide, her legs crossed and her cheek resting on her palm in a bored manner. Fiery red hair was pulled into a ponytail with her bangs framing her pale freckled face. Blue eyes regarded the captives marched into the hall with passing interest but little else. She was garbed in scale armor dyed a light red shade, her horned helmet resting to the side and a sword large enough to be considered a greatsword for most humans rested beside her throne within arms reach. She was somewhat attractive perhaps, though a rough scar that traced its way down her cheek to her jaw detracted from that a bit. The leader of the raiders removed his helmet, revealing a bald head adorned with blue tattoos and a beard as red as the womans hair. He inclined his head respectfully to the woman, casting a hand out over the assembly of captives and other spoils from the journey. Adela, I bring tidings of success from our recent raid. Ten captives I return with for the homestead as well as many goods of varying value. I can see that, Olong, I have not yet lost my powers of observation. I welcome you back home with open arms and see your deeds as worthy of song and praise. The woman responded, rising from her throne and moving to stand before Olong. She stood a head above the tall leader of the raiding party, making her positively titanic to most humans as the tallest captive only came up to her crotch. The raiders regarded her with some respect but not difference or reverence, nor did she attempt to hold herself above the men or women here. Norn lacked most forms of government, those with great deeds to their names might establish a homestead but they were not dictators of those Norn that lived there. Adela walked down the row of humans, her eyes gazing over each of them in their turn. Lets see what you have brought the homestead. She said.