Misadventures and a Broken King

## **The Unconventional Meeting**

The vikings landed their ships on the coast of Nazaria. As a large group of the vikings gathered the supplies they did have, Gunnar's men gathered around him for instruction. All of them were uneasy about everything that had transpired the last few days and none of them felt safe being in enemy territory. Gunnar was young, but his people looked up to him has a leader, now more so than ever as he was the new Oberjarl. He instructed his people to start setting up camps and building forts where possible in the surrounding areas. Rationing their supplies was the only way they would survive until they could get set up and their hunters could start tracking again. Gunnar commanded his party to gear up in commoners clothing that they had acquired from their raids of these lands in the past...he had an idea.

As the group of rather large commoners made their way to the Holy City, where the king was, it was clear to Gunnar that his group and himself did not blend in well at all. The rags that they wore barely covered the large tattooed muscular arms that each viking had bolstered. He looked down at one of his men and realized that the disguises they wore did not have foot wear that fit any of them and they still donned their fur boots that where only common among vikings. He could only hope and pray to the gods that Oden would guide their group to their goal before they were found out. When they finally caught site of the city in the distance, it didn't seem so big. As they continued to walk, however; it seemed to grow larger than life. The vikings had never seen the capital of the others, and under any other circumstance they would see only a mountain of potential profit.

The large group walked though the city, feeling the stabbing stares they received from just about everyone. Whispers could be heard speculating who the group was; which varied from freaks, monsters, mercenaries, and brutes. As the group neared the castle, they could see it was larger than anything else in the entire city. It towered above any mountain in their own lands and they could help but wonder how such buildings could be made without falling over. They slowly made their way to the castle entrance and stopped the the royal guards halberds. Now in their faces, Gunnar admired the craftsmanship of the beautiful weapons. They where flashy, but he could tell that they where master craft and build to hold as well as look nice. The blackend metal of the blade was accented with swirls and vines of a golden pattern. The spike that protruded past the axe blade was silver and reflected so well that Gunnar was startled at seeing his own reflection; he looked so drained of life and the rags he worse did nothing to help his appearance.

"Who are you lot, I don't recognize you and you smell of wet dog. What business would you possibly have with the King?" the royal guard to Gunnar's left barked.

"I must tell the King of impending doom." Gunnar replied simply. He was a viking, not a diplomat. He knew not what the customs were of this land and had no clue as to what he needed to say to get to the King.

"You don't look all that important, and you never answered my question! Who the hell are you lot?!" the guard of the left hissed at Gunnar once more.

Gunnar looked at his viking group for council but all of them simply looked away. This was not something they were accustom to doing and not something they were comfortable with in the first place. Gunnar racked his brain for something to say, something that would make them listen. Something that could help them in some way. He was so used to handling any problem he had with his axe or fist, and that settled things just fine where he was from. Thinking of this he noticed his knuckles were white from the pressure of the fist he had been making. He knew he had to calm down and loosen up if he was to be successful in manipulating these guards into giving him an audience. What could a viking say that would get these guards to listen to them though? Gunnar's rage began to build and consume his mind. It angered him that he could not just punch these men and simply walk through. It was only two of them damnit!

"If you don't get the hell out of my way, I will personally shove that shinny silver spike so far up your fat arse your mother will scream to the gods in pain!" shit......shit Gunnar thought to himself. Out of everything he could think of that's what came out.

There was a silence that sliced through Gunnar's patience and calmed him into a worry. Might he have blown it and ruined this entire meeting for his vikings? Would he be able to even fight his way out of the city to get back to them? Gunnar glanced back at his weary brothers to see them looking at him in shock, some of them smirking with the delight of knowing being here would not change them.

The guards shared a glance and quickly pulled the halberds up out of the groups way. With a red face the guard on the left squeaked "Well, I suppose if it's so important you would threaten the King's royal guard you should have the right to present yourselves to him. We will take your weapons though, no one may have a weapon in the King's castle." The guard on the right held out his arms to gather the weapons but refused to make eye contact with any of the viking party.

Gunnar thought about fighting that as well but thought it best not to press his luck, he was surprised he had made it this far without a physical altercation. He signaled his men to hand over their weapons as he reluctantly did so himself. The group looked at one another and followed suit with a new found depression and disgrace. A viking would never be caught dead without his weapons or their shields if they were a shield-barer.

The group was escorted in by the guards. As Gunnar looked around he was amazed at the architecture of the room he now stood in. The floors seemed to swirl with a shinny reflective rock as if it were a liquid waiting for something to interrupt it. The pillars that supported the castle itself where as big as a viking ship and as tall as the highest evergreen in their forests. The stone used for the pillars was a pure white and seemed to be as sturdy as a mountain. The ceiling was painted with murals of the cities history, these paintings were nothing like the drawings the vikings had done to preserve their own history though. The more he looked at the paintings the more he could swear the people in them where truly moving and battling through the different colors that surrounded them. He looked at the King, so extravagantly dressed that he looked like Summer itself, though his face betray the warmth of his clothing. His throne was made of a stone foundation matching the stone used by the pillars but had a sleek red wood infused with it making up the seat and back of the seven foot tall chair. The rug that they walked on was a crimson red and reminded him why he was here. Any pleasure he had been gaining from looking through this room was now lost to him and in it's place was the rage of losing his people....his father.

"King! I ha..." Gunnar started to shout.

The Guard next to the King stepped forward and shouted with an anger that would shake Valhalla "You will kneel to your King commoner, lest you want your legs removed from your knees!"

Gunnar's face reddened with both embarrassment and disgust. Vikings were all looked at as being equal, there was no belittling of being forced to kneel to someone or release your weapons to them. He could feel the fire of his hate spreading from his feet up to his head. If this was to continue, he very well may lose it. He looked back at his party for a sign of support and one by one they reluctantly knelt. Gunnar shot a glance to the King that would have pierced an arrow had it been anyone else. The King just sat there in his funny looking clothing, wearing a frown and holding his brow in a bridge shape.

Gunnar sighed, then took a knee himself. "I apologize, King...for any disrespect I may have shown you." Gunnar managed to say through gritted teeth "We have an important message for you. It would be best to talk about this in private."

"And why would I grant your request for a private council with me when you mean nothing to me? I know not who you or your group are, and I certainly know you are not citizens of my lands." the King managed with a tinge of anger and disgust in his voice.

"Truly, King, you have no reason to trust me or the rest of my group but this is beyond u"

The conversation was interrupted with a shadowy figure barging into castle with a speed of a horse but the grace of a noble. He was directly behind the vikings before anyone could react, and he took a knee near them.

"My King, I must speak to you urgently. It is a matter of great importance, and may mean life or death for the Kingdom!" it was Arengar, and he spoke through a heavy breath.

The King's frown began to grow with the interruption that had just transpired. The Kings guards quickly ran in behind him with their weapons drawn. "I am sorry my King, he was so quick we couldn't even..." no sooner than the words left the guards mouth Arengar had both of his saxe knives in hand, handle faced behind him so the guards could take his weapons peacefully.

"I do not come here with malicious intent my King, there is a Darkness over this city that is growing. I need to speak with you about it." Arengar said almost as quickly as he had moved passed the guards.

"This is what we came to speak about as well King, our lands were destroyed by a Darkness." Gunnar managed to say through the anger of being interrupted by Arengar's presents.

King Zathera pondered what the two strangers said for what seemed like a lifetime. He was an older man, but he carried a presence of a warrior and someone who not only demanded respect but deserved it. He wore the traditional red and white King's robes with a purple accent embroidered into the trim. Jewels and golden chains hung from his neck as though he were a slave to his own wealth. The boulders embedded in his rings only emphasized the Kings demand for obedience and his importance. The crown he wore shone and shimmered in the daylight seeping through the stain glass windows. The singular gemstone in the center of the crown seemed to swirl like a whirlpool of yellow and black. His long white hair rest on his shoulders and swayed with every movement he made, held away from his face only by the crown on top his head. A rather large scar hugged his left eye, but instead of being revolting it seemed to heighten his sense of strength and dominance. His cold dead blue eyes seemed to pierce any joy the King might have shown, though he never seemed to show any to begin with.

"If what you have said is true" The king boomed through the chamber "Then I have no choice. Meet in my antechamber and I will be with you shortly."

With that the two adventurer's and the viking group were dismissed from the main chamber and were lead to the antechamber by a small wimpy man. The man was a whole head smaller than Arengar and was a mere dwarf compared to the massive viking build of Gunnar. He was wiry and one could tell by looking at him that he spent most of his days inside the castle tending to the King. His pale skin seemed to have never felt the warmth of the sun and his hands looked to be un-worked and smooth. Gunnar seemed disgusted by the man, and in any other situation; would have cleaved him in two. Arengar, being formerly a noble welcome in the castle and used to the noble life, seemed to be unfazed by the feminine man guiding them through the castle.

Upon entering the antechamber, it was very plain. There were shrubbery in large pots and three benches scattered along the walls of the small room. A podium-like desk was planted near the doors of the King's chambers with a single chair resting behind it. The wiry man snapped for attention and bowed low to the adventurer's in front of him.

"The King will see you shortly!" The small man seemed to whimper in an attempted stern tone "If the sirs would be so kind, please take a seat."

The vikings all sat together, still in there civilian disguises. They all looked so out of place that the small man couldn't help but stare at them in curiosity. Gunnar, noticing the small man staring, growled and glared back at him. He quickly turned away and started for his small desk.

"Who is that pathetic excuse for a man anyway?" Gunnar asked out-loud but to no one in particular.

"He is the King's chamberlain" Arengar's reply made the group of vikings dart their attention to him.

While no one was looking Arengar had sat on the bench next to Gunnar. He was quick and silent, but with the wave of tension the vikings brought with them it made it all that much easier to sneak up on him.

"You are not from around here.....answer me this." Arengar looked at Gunnar quizzically as he took advantage of the vikings confusion "Are you lot vikings by chance?" he proceeded in a sly and casual tone.

Gunnars entire body seemed to burn with rage, he couldn't fail here not after getting so close to his goal. "It's not important where we're from. We are called many things."

"Your friends looks betray your words. Tell me, are you their leader? Forgive me for stating so, but you seem so young to lead a group so seasoned."

Gunnar, already mad from the events that have transpired so far, lashed out in a rage. "It doesn't matter how young I am, nor how seasoned they are! Leading is about respect and I have their's."

As the vikings began to get up in a threatening manner, the chamberlain quickly opened the King's chamber doors to check if he was ready. He quickly interjected by crackle of his voice as he spoke "The King will see you now! The large group will have to stay behind, but seeing as you speak for them you may enter first." He spoke directly to Gunnar as to try and get them out of the castle first before they decided to break it.

Gunnar glared at Arengar one last time, then proceeded to the King's chamber. Inside, there was a crimson rug that matched the one in the main chamber leading all the way to the King's large cherry wood desk. There were two windows behind the desk that were currently covered by heavy red wool curtains that barricaded the light from outside from flooding into the room, making it seem rather dingy. The only light came from four large candle holders that flickered in the corners of the room. Large and heavy looking bookshelves covered the walls that were adjacent to the wall with the windows. Gunnar had never seen so many books, or anyone that would want to read that many of them for that matter. Behind the desk sat the King, slouched over his scrolls scribbling away in a wave of weary motions.

"King..." Gunnar let out in a near whisper.

The King proceeded to write on his document and seemed to pay no attention to the large warrior in front of him. This angered Gunnar, he didn't understand why he whispered in the first place. It's not like the man before him was his own King.The man meant nothing to him, he simply needed to use him to save his people!

"KING!" Gunnar bellowed and made his annoyance seem tangible.

The king put his quill down and rubbed his eyes with his thumb and pointer finger as to emphasize his exhaustion. "Why have you come here."

"King, our lands...to the east whe"

The king slammed his hand down onto his desk in a fist. "I know who you are VIKING, now why have you come here!? Why should I care for you and your people!?"

Gunnar's mouth had dropped and he was speechless. He attempted to gather the words he had thought to say to the man in front of him the entire trip there, but everything seemed to be whipped as though the Kings shout had erased his thoughts and left him stupefied.

"You come to my land after acting like the demons you are, and have the gull to ask US for help?! You and your lot are but animals acting on the most basic of instincts to survive. You would do anything in your power to make yourselves prosper even if it meant making entire kingdoms fall just to do it!" The King's veins bulged in his neck and forehead and his cheeks where red with a tangible fiery rage.

Fore what seemed like an eternity, both parties fell silent. The kind clutched the bridge of his nose and slumped his head foreword with an exhausted motion. Gunnar was both confused and enraged, he had never felt a kettle of emotions such as the one that was brewing in his gut right now. If the King knew he was a viking, why even let them into the city to begin with. How much did the King already know and was he involved in any of it?

"King, our lands were destroyed." Gunnar managed to exhale into a near whisper.

The King looked up with a new found sense of urgency and surprise. "When you say your lands were destroyed, do you simply mean Jorfsdarl?"

At the mention of the vikings capital, Gunnar looked at the King quizzically. "I mean our entire continent. But, how do you know about..."

"That isn't important now." the King said in a cool almost calm voice. "How was your entire civilization destroyed? How many of you were left alive?"

Gunnar put his head down, both in sorrow and embarrassment. "We don't know, nor do we understand, what whipped us out. It was an unnatural darkness that began to engulf the sky and plagued our people. No one saw what did it, but slowly our people were demolished, ripped apart before our very eyes. The people we suspect did see it are left mumbling to themselves and have been lost to madness."

The King put both hands down on the desk and looked around the room thoughtfully. "This is most disconcerting. If they are as powerful as you say we may no longer be able to fight them back."

"That is not the worst of it, while in the sea many of our ships were sunk. We are left with three out of an entire fleet." Gunnars words dropped like boulders in the room.

The King nearly became pale and his eyes widened. "You mean to tell me that they sunk vikings, the dogs of the sea, out of their own waters?"

Gunnar's mind started to flood with questions. "How do you know so much about us King?"

The King rubbed his eyes and regained his composure as well as his grim frown that seemed chiseled onto his face. "That doesn't matter, what does is coming up with a plan between the two of us. I assume you came to me to get aid to take back your lands and fight off the so called "darkness" back to the depths that they came from."

"Yes" Gunnar's emotions started to settle not that the conversation had finally come to a more simple solution. He knew what he wanted and the King saw it right away.

"Unfortunately, I will not help you."

Gunnar's ground his teeth and nearly irrupted in anger and fury. He grabbed for his axe and in a startled confusion remembered the guards taking their weapons when they entered the castle.

The King simply held a hand in the air signaling the viking to stop and hear him out. "I have an entire kingdom to defend and look after. Your lands are gone already, help us protect ours and we will help you regain yours. If you and your group prove useful to the kingdom you may be granted access into the city under the protection of the King. You ill be looked at as refuges and will be given basic rights and privileges, of which can be taken away if you decide to make trouble of course. We will dedicate some of our resources and send them to your group that is still on shore, I assume not all of them will welcome our version of civilization. You will also be payed of course. This is the offer I give you, though I don't trust nor like you this is bigger than both of us or our feelings. This could potentially mean the end of the world. Do you accept?"

Gunnar, still slightly enraged and embarrassed, thought about the offer for a moment. He hated the fact that they were relying on someone so full of himself and had to help people that acted like they were better than them. Gunnar uncurled his fingers out of the fist he had been making, allowing color to return to his white knuckles, and presented his hand forward. "I don't like your ways, King. If it means getting my land back and ensuring my peoples safety, I will do whatever it takes."

The King grabbed the vikings arm directly under his wrist and shook him with some force. This took Gunnar off guard, he did not expect the older man in front of him to be this strong.

"So be it. I will send a messenger with further instructions to you or a member of your group with further instructions. Now leave."

With that, the wiry little chamberlain struggled the doors to open and escorted Gunnar away from the Kings chamber. Gunnar regrouped with the viking group he had brought with him, they left for the nearest tavern to drink and discuss their new situation.

## The Fall From Grace

Arengar was waiting in the King's antechamber for the viking leader to finish his meeting with the King so that he could get down to business himself. For fourteen years Arengar had lived on the streets as a thief, doing whatever it took to survive. Surviving wasn't his only priority though, for much of that time he has been investigating into his families sudden misfortunes. He slowly has pieced together a conspiracy that has been eating away at him ever since he found the evidence that could link the King to it all. His families fortunes had been funneled into a private organization that hadn't existed. This organization was very secretive, and so far the only thing he knew about them is that they all wear funny looking masks. (May possibly edit to enhance story).(More to come when I feel like it....)