Thread: An Empire in 100 Nights (Rosewood x LeatrixSage)

Thank you , he said, and her skin crawled. The last thing she wanted was thanks for all the lives she had allowed him to steal from them. The night air was so cold that the warm blood on her hands was steaming. It was just the latest to be spilt, but the sight of it made her stomach roll. She had to swallow bile while she stood there with her chin raised and her face placid. Guilt or horror at her own brutality? Solveig wasnt entirely certain yet. He was not the first living thing she had killed, but he was the first man she had ruthlessly murdered while she had looked him in the eye and watched him die. The light had gone out of him, some flicker of life that had vanished with his last, gurgling breath before he had fallen. That sound would haunt her dreams. Blessedly, he didnt make a grand show of things, but lit the pyre and let it burn. The mood of the mob was already shifting, and she felt her shoulder relax wearily. Askel had been a fool, but his death had been inevitable. They the mob, her people had needed a reminder of who she was and what she was capable of. Only the hard could lead, only the strong. After such a thorough defeat she had needed a moment of strength. Askel had given it to her through his betrayal. Why, then, did she feel so guilty? Morgundt offered the torch back to her, and Solveig reached to take it without thinking. There was a flash of pain from her hand, and she was startled to see the loose fingernail on her right hand. She hadnt noticed it until just then and she frowned at the sight of it. In the snow around her feet were drops of blood, little red gems that she now realized belonged to her. If she was unlucky, the nail would have to be removed. Just one more thing to look forward to. Slow was melting snow, the solemn mood of mourning began to change. It was quiet at first, the shifting of bodies as some left the prepare, and then in the distance one instrument began playing, and then another. One some other side street a voice lifted in song. The Pyre was lit, the dead were off to serve the Gods, and it was time for the living to celebrate being alive in honor of them. She waited until she heard laughter. The sound was like a tolling bell that released her vigil and brought it to an end. She was allowed to breath, and to smile, and to bend down and use the snow to clean the blood from her hands. I hope that mess didnt put you off your appetite? she asked as Morgundt as she straightened. She was holding a handful of snow around her wounded finger while she took a good look around. Whatever threat had been was long gone. They wouldnt try anything again, not tonight anyway. Even they would want to be with their families, drinking, feasting, and fucking to rejoice in being one of those that had survived this latest bought of suffering and bloodshed. Thanks to you returning our food, it looks like well have a proper feast. Solveig simply began walking toward the Keep and expected the man to follow. He didnt seem like one that needed instructions on how to act, so she didnt bother giving them. As they walked, people would call out, wave, even toss trinkets at them as they passed. Solveig caught a necklace thrown by a little girl but allowed most of the gifts to fall to the snow to be picked up by the little train that was following them. Anything she or Morgundt didnt catch or pick up was left for the needy that followed them. It was a sort of charity. Those that tossed the gifts could spare them, and it paid tribute and respect to the pair. Those that followed where those with a need of finding something useful to them, and Solveig showed care for them by leaving the best gifts behind. She measured the God-Kings reaction to the practice, but found it amusing to not explain it. It seems they have decided to give you a chance, she remarked as they passed by a group of men that were wrestling beside a fire. A woman stood by them, laughing and drinking from two horns. The sight made Solveig grin. Or, they are just distracted at the moment. Im not yet certain. Being who they are, they could decide to hate you again by morning. She was talking about them as much as herself. After all, she was as fickle and harsh as they. I suggest you eat heartily, laugh loudly, and drink deeply, she went on as they joined the lines of people flowing into the great double doors leading into the keep, Its the best chance you have of seeing them for who they really are. The Keep at Ravenswrath was a Meadhall, or it had been centuries before. The wooden structure that was the original hall was still standing, and it was the heart of the Castlemaine that had been built up around it in stone. After passing through the Laird Gate and crossing the Yard, a short set of steps led up to the massive double doors. Each door was constructed out of the trunks of ancient oaks that had been carved to depict the gods at feast. Beyond them where a dozen tables the length of longboats where hundreds could gather. Beyond them was a raised dais that stood empty. The throne had been removed, and it would stay that way for some time given the arrangement she was considering with the man that followed her along. In the center of it all was an open fire pit, over which sat a pot large enough for fifty stout men to bathe in, filled with mead. Everything about the hall seemed too large for normal men, something she often thought gave some credence to the wives tails about giants being the forefathers of the Northmen. But then, as she glanced up at the veritable giant that stood by her side, towering head and shoulders over all of them, what did that mean about the southern emperor that had come conquering on her doorstep? Get to know your people, Solveig invited airily to hide the malice she felt. She was looking for an excuse to abandon him, to escape his oppressive presence that seemed to sit heavily on her shoulders so that she could find rest and steal a few hours to herself before this all started again the next day. Any among them will offer you interesting conversation and endless stories. Some about the gods, and others about war. And youll find none of them wearing more than spit for armor.