RP:Queens Pledge and Berserkers Oath

From HollowWiki


Synopsis: Eirik is puzzled over his actions, over recent events and his thoughts of Khitti, Lionel and Larket. Though he does know one thing, Frostmaw feels like home. Eirik offers his blade to the Queen and they exchange their own pledge and oath. Eirik, the unpledged becomes a pledged citizen of Frostmaw.

Frostmaw Fort

Eirik strolls into the fort of Frostmaw. Attacks of recent, his actions within the guild ever present on his over strained mind. Khitti, the drug dealers, the addicts. He often wondered of his position in life. His hatred of witches, the influence of rage from a source unknown in Larket. His brutal murder and near non-existent punishment. What exactly was this world heading too? As per usual an armored sleeve works its way up his right arm weaving into a fur covered leather and steel plate pauldron. A silver stitched black leather jerkin adorns his torso while matching pants give way to steel greaves and boots. Calloused hands reach behind his back and clasp while runic longsword sways from his hip; tied via the means of a leather baldric. Upon on his tired scar covered features is more than exhaustion. There is visible thoughts of a journey to come, the worry for a guild he was no longer part of. Stress over the outcome of the dealings of late.


Hildegarde had hardly slept a wink since the attack by the nearly finished wall, thanks in part to that addictive red dust. She had spent her night relocating troops, sending out healers and shamans, rounding up witnesses, collecting bodies and what evidence she could. It had been a long night. And a longer day still. Shamans came and left the fort, Hildegarde watching as a group of three left Balgruuf’s guest room where she spied him bowing humbly to the shamans before closing the door and gaining some degree of privacy. She could not and would not deny him his religious freedom: he had the right to pray just as any did. Yet Hildegarde’s thoughts are disturbed by the whisper of Lisbeth who notifies the Queen of Eirik’s presence within the fort. News had just travelled to her to the man had been ejected from the Warrior’s Guild and stripped of his position. She had heard rumours of some kind of issue in Larket, too. Hildegarde moved into the more central area of the fort and caught sight of Eirik, bedecked in his greaves, boots and armour. “Eirik,” she greets politely, “what brings you here?” she did not ask it in a way that would be read as ‘ew, why are you here’ or ‘you’re in trouble mister, you were dumb for coming here!’ It was a genuine and tinged with concerned question.


Eirik shifts his sights to the floor momentarily, an audible sigh exiting his mouth. The Queens words ringing clearly in his mind. She didn’t seem bothered or upset by his presence. Still he couldn’t help but try to figure out why he was here. What brought on his stroll through the fort. Finally yes shift to Hildegarde, “I came to see those still within the fort.” His voice trailed off for only a moment. “Those who survived the attack and came here.” The berserker would turn to face her directly. He was here for more than that - searching for something good that his hands had been personally responsible for. He murdered someone and what he believed of himself is changing; for better or worse. “Looking to find evidence of what I am to become.” He’d leave his words at that knowing that she probably knew more about Eirik than he had ever let off.


Hildegarde smiled slightly at his mention of visiting those who survived the attack. “We have many recovering in the eastern wing of the fort,” she had given up her own chambers to those who needed it more than she. “It’s a busy place these days,” she said, before lapsing into silence as Eirik spoke about discovering himself. She understood that feeling all too well. “Well… What do you think you can become? What do you think you will become?”


Eirik closed his eyes for a moment tilting his head back for moments - clearly thinking about the posed question. There are too many factors for him to calculate to come up with a clear answer. There is only what is, what will be and what he can do to achieve those things. He just had to find a way to let his past die. His hatred of witches, his current questioning of Lionels ability to lead. No matter how hard he tried Khitti is not someone who could trust right now. There is no way he could wage war knowing she was nearby. “I only know this,” eyes shift back to Hildegarde. “There are two places here I admire.” Here is meant to be taken as all of Lithrydel. “Frostmaw and Venturil. Somthing about those plains.” His voice trails off again at the thought of those fields and the disturbing scenes he had found there with Raphaline. “However, this place needs help now more than ever. I have a personal interest in your kingdom and its people. I would like to start new here and if Frostmaw, not the Warriors guild has need of my blade - you will have it.” He waits to hear what she has to say before adding anything else.


Hildegarde nodded as he spoke of his respect for both Venturil and Frostmaw. Venturil was a hard place, much like Frostmaw it was a tribal kingdom where only the strongest could rule the land. Yet Venturil was unforgiving, its tribes more political and divisive than Frostmaw’s culture. A hard place to heal. “Frostmaw will always welcome the pledges and blades of any willing to help it,” she tells him softly, “but… before I do, I would like to understand why you are no longer part of the guild. I have not been fully briefed on the matter, so my understanding is basic at best.”


Eirik nods to Hildegarde, “Of course.” Hands would unclasp from behind his back as he recounts the details of the meeting. “I personally have issue with Khitti. I simply cannot trust her right now. Lionel and I have spoken over this matter and per his words at the meeting, she would be watched under a considerable amount of guards. I understand that she is not herself and that its beyond her control, but for the sake of the guild I believe the commander should take his own words to heart. I agreed to let the issue drop until our last fight in Gualon happened. She was also there at our meeting yesterday, which in itself is fine. However, only esche stood guard which is a counter to Lionels own words.” A single digit points to himself. “I’m not a baby sitter. Emrith isn’t a baby sitter, and there is too much at stake to be worried about this vampire which may or may not be an ally. It is because I feel that he has failed me, and the guild personally that I refuse to help. I blew up at him.” He understood that she might gather his nature as a berserker is attack first think later. “Before the entire guild I cast my own doubt in anger at his actions. At the moment I cannot follow him.” Eirik simply didn’t have trust in the knight-commander and co-leader of the guild.


Hildegarde grunted at Eirik’s explanation of events. True, Lionel was a little closer to Khitti and therefore might have been a bit blinded by the situation. Khitti should not accompany the warriors if she was a danger to them and herself, her focus should surely be on her current mission? Alas, Hildegarde cannot dictate to everyone unless she wishes to be called a tyrant. “Eirik,” she begins, taking a step towards him in the hopes of being able to settle her hand gently upon his shoulder. “I ask you not to lose faith in the guild. I will not beg nor ask you to rejoin us, but I will ask you to not cast us from your heart and do not shun the thoughts of returning some time in the future. You are a good man, Eirik,” she tells him. The Silver then gives his arm a little squeeze before taking a step back. “You’re a good man, Eirik. Don’t forget that,” she reminded him with a little smile. “But alas, you wish to pledge your blade to me? Where is this blade?”


Eirik does indeed allow Hildegarde to make contact, he also understood that she as Queen might make decisions for the good of Frostmaw which he did not enjoy. However, he truly believed anything she had personally told him would be held more accountable. That she was far mor likely to be honest with him. Her words ring in his head for moments, pulling a small smile to his features. Perhaps one day the guild would be sought out again. However, Lionel and he had to come to some sort of arrangement - discover something in the other agreeable. Another nod is given to Hildegarde and Eirik takes a knee before her without being instructed. Brann, is pulled slowly showing her that no ill intent is meant. Without further word it is held up horizontally before her, handle in one hand, the flat of the blade resting in the other. Though it is nothing more than a basic longsword the runes etched upon it allow the blade to be quenched in the flames of Eiriks rage and has never failed him before. “Here,” he spoke at it reached towards her. Even if the kneeling wasn’t something needed, he intended to keep this posture till it was over.


Hildegarde did not require kneeling, but she didn’t want to seem a bit mother-hen like and usher him back up onto his feet! Instead, she merely accepted the sword with a solemn nod. “You come to me to pledge your blade to me and to the people of Frostmaw. In doing so, however, I would like to make a pledge unto you,” she told him, gently setting the blade upon Eirik’s shoulder but allowing him to be aware that it was rather close to his neck; she could quite easily swing and end him if she wished to. Inhaling deeply, Hildegarde began her vow to Eirik: “I vow that you will always have a place in my house, at my table, and by my side. I will ask no service of you that might bring you dishonour...and I promise not to toss you thoughtlessly toward your End. I swear it, by all the world beneath our feet. That I swear if you enter my service.” She looked to him for a moment and asked, “Do you so wish to enter my service?” If he said yes, he’d garner just the smallest of taps and the blade would be moved clearly away from his shoulder; the Queen’s hand extending to help him up.


Eirik took note of the blade resting atop his shoulder and its close proximity to his neck, but he does not falter. Her words echo in his mind for only moments. At least here he could continue to do good for all of Frostmaw. “Yes, my Queen.” Before he would take her hand offered to help him he had his own pledge. A berserkers pledge. “I swear to you Queen Hildegarde that so long as I draw breath my sword is yours. My life is yours. And though I am quick to action, I will follow your orders. For the good of Frostmaw I will do what is necessary. Your enemies will be mine. Your family and people will be mine and like a big brother I will protect them and you to the best of my abilities or may my ancestors swallow me whole and strike my name from the stories of history.” Her hand would now be accepted, if it is still there, and Eirik would climb to his feet to stand before her.


Hildegarde would lend her strength to help Eirik to his feet, before turning the blade in her hand carefully in an effort to offer it back to him at the hilt end. “You are much and more, Eirik,” she told him fondly, “and I think you can be whatever it is you want to be here in these lands. Your heart is in the right place, my friend,” she had faith in him, that much was clear. It was obvious she wanted him to do well and she wanted the best for him. “I think that’s a lot of official talk for one day, don’t you? I think you need some meat and food, eh?”


Eirik would gently take the offered sword back and sheath it yet again. “That sounds good,” he offered with a genuine smile. It had been a bit since his last meal. Though the official talk was over, Eirik still felt a little pride for his choice in a home. Frostmaw was so close to what he called home and its presence alone removed that feeling of homesick he had so often felt. Scratch that, it is now his home and Eirik would look soon to finding a piece of land that he could claim as his own for a home.


Hildegarde said to you, "Stake your claim in the mess hall, Eirik! I'll join you shortly. Sort a plate for me."