Thread: Darkness Has Its Teachings (Athene & Alvis Alendran)

Rowena Though not from a high-up spot, Rowena also watched the counting of the plunder. Her head lowered every now and again not out of shame, but sneaking peeks back down at the rugs. They seemed to have been made almost flawlessly. So ... these people could hunt. That was what she gathered from this. Her head tilted as she shifted her gaze, focusing once more on the silver being counted. Then ... why do they do this anyway? It just didn't make sense. It felt ... unnecessary. And this town hadn't looked anywhere close to poor, nor getting to such a point. They knew enough, including trading with other places and people. Did they not have enough? Was it as simple as these Vikings were just that greedy? That last thought as a good possibility. It was one of the primary reasons for slavery, or so she'd heard. If it wasn't greed, it was generally an easy excuse to have a woman to lay with or someone to work for you. Often times both. Rowena swallowed at the thought. She'd kept herself pure. Not because she had to. She just had never found anyone that earned her interest. But now, she was understanding that may not matter. If it weren't for the fact her spells required components or her to speak, she'd do something now. And also maybe if she weren't still attached to the coffle. It wouldn't be fair to put anyone at risk just because she was considering trying to keep her purity safe. She could wait. Even if she wasn't back home, there had yet not been any definite proof the gods abandoned her. An opportunity would arrive. And when it did, she'd see about asking Scathach - or anyone, really - for help. She'd been loyal to them and vice versa. It seemed right that somehow, they'd still help her out. Though he still used the strange language, Rowena noticed out of the corner of her eye that Goormr was suddenly pointing at her. Somehow talking about her that much was easy enough to figure. It was just as easily confirmed as she noticed a small handful of men staring hungrily at her. A frown spread over her lips as she backed instinctively away. Just in case she'd been mistaken, there it was yet again. That word ... Volur. Now Rowena didn't think Goormr was speaking of her. No, now she knew it. ... Why? Why did it suddenly get quiet? Her head turned, gazing among all the people in the room. From the other slaves to any of the Norse, she tried to look for a clue. A hint. ... But hell, none of them had even tried to speak with her. So either they lacked the ability to do so, or they were just refusing to try communicate with her. She started to open her mouth and ask some of the Celts beside her if any of them could comprehend what was going on. Instead, her attention was grabbed - almost literally - by five powerful words the Jarl finally utteredd, looking right at Rowena as he spoke. You belong to me now. Confusion was the first emotion to hit her hard. Almost as if Goormr had simply slapped her himself. Fear steadily crept in next, mingling with the lingering bewilderment. If Jarl was essentially a king, what would become of her? Rulers were either the best or worst types of slave owners another rumor she'd heard time and time again. What was the truth, more so when it was directly applied to Goormr himself? A grimace had subconsciously formed on her face, her head lowering back down to the floor. Her free hand rose, tucking several red strands behind her ears. Just as the hall seemed to be quiet moments ago when Goormr had spoken of her, she appeared to return that gesture ... to some extents. It was also an attempt to think, to gather her thoughts, to come up with some response. .... Fine. Swallowing again, Rowena lifted her head, fighitn back a set of tears that wanted to finish forming and fall down her ace. This was beyond unfair. It was feeling more and more unnecessary with each second that ticked away. More and more, Rowena was hating that she hadn't bargained for the other women's freedom. The guilt was beginning to take its toll. The main thing stopping it was her own will. She'd promised to keep everyone behaved. And they had. What good would it do if anyone saw her break down and cry now? Tears could wait that was the end verdict she opted to use. Fine, she repeated, nodding to help confirm Rowena had heard Goormr's words. I understand and accept this fate. Agree with? Never. But if she was going to keep surviving in this new land and lifestyle, she'd select everything relatively carefully. So, even though she definitely was scared and a bit infuriated, those remained hidden away for the time being. Should Goormr have expected to hear her ask anything along the lines of 'What now?', Rowena would opt not to toss such petty questions over. She expected and assumed that would be elaborated in due time. So, she waited. Everything would happen soon. Hopefully when it all did, she could be as ready as possible.