Aelfgar Saewulf rode hard , his wolfskin cloak keeping the sudden downpour from soaking him. Up ahead was a tavern and in the tavern was his target . Aelfgar dismounted outside the building and kicked open the door . Inside the inn feel silent as he stood in the doorway . " Banan Vaglis, also known as the butcher of Braintree , also Known as " not the kids as well" Vaglis , i have come for you ". The crowd was silent and quickly parted to reveal Banan Vaglis . He was a huge man with a face of scar tissue and a body of tough hard muscle . He held two swords and smiled at the battle preist . " Your not the law" he spat " so what buisiness do you have with me " . Aelfgar looked at the bandit with ill disguised hate . " You have no Honour and kill innocent woman and children . Thats what makes it my Buisiness you low life donkey raping inbreed bag of pus" . Banan advanced , spinning his swords . " you think your big hammer is a good weapon for a crowded inn?" he asked mockingly . His smile disappeared as the five foot warhammer sailed through the air and smashed into his face , splattering his head against the floor with a sickening squelch. " Yes" said Aelfgar picking up his weapon . He quickly blessed the body so it could not be used as undead , although he gave no such blessing to Banans soul . " Hel take you filth" he spat , then got up and left
that night he Arrived in Tilia
The night of Tilia was the usual case of filfth and melancholic drunkardness from Brohn and Vaagen alike, the streets littered with partially regurgitated meat and ale which once sat in the belly of a militia man which now made its resting place upon the shore of Tilia dock.
As morning broke out, and the sun began to shine over the wilderness creeping its glorious face across the sky something strange did sturr.
Within moments a great river of blessed water surrounded by tree's which had not been chopped down for which seemed at least an age did appear, and from within this river did flow a Elven Longship which had not been seen within this land for time upon legend, for it was a Longship of Alfheimr. The River was grand, beautiful to look upon, those few commoners and malitia men who were hung over from a nights recreational drinking found themselves no longer wanting to be sick, rather there stomachs did no longer sturr, and the heavy grey rinkles which dominated there eyeline began to retract, giving them a sense of mild youth, beauty and handsomeness which many of them had not seen for at least ten years.
What was strange for those who did see it, was that the river arrived from no where, and the water itself of Tilia no longer took upon the dank overcaste of grey it once had, and glowed like it never had before, irrelevant of the warshships docked and merchant vessels arriving and leaving, the river dock of Tilia did shine.
The tree's in the distance, tall and mighty, un-touched by axe echo'd in the distance holy life, and as the Ship almost not touching the water came fourth, having no resistance by the choppy swells and under currents, it began to sing a song unheard by for a legends breath.
Unsure what it was, all those who did hear it found themselves highly spirited, embraced by the thoughts of good deeds and valour, of might and tranquility. That irrelevant of the thought of the Dwellers in the Dark, and Wars in the future so grand that they have not been seen since the first race of man, there is some good out there and all is not lost.
The Choir of song and light elven voices of Alfheimr did continue to sing, and the aura grew brighter until the ship docked gently upon the shore line near the docks of Tilia.
Gradually and gracefully stepped an Elven man hooded in Golden Silk and adorned in Mithril Platemail which did show the sign of ancient dragons and the wheel of the sun. Behind him an Elven horse did leap gently from the boat, covered and surrounded in merchantile goods, swords, jewellery, equipment and armour.
Within moments, all of the elven Paladins belongings had left the longship, and were placed steadily upon the back of the Horse which stood beside him.
And, as they say, as if by magic, the Longship slowely and gently began to withdraw from the shore, and turn onwards back onto the river in which hence it came. As the longship drew past the dock of Tilia, and made its way half way into the River which just obscurely appeared, it dissapeared faded away from time and existance, back to the land of which it came.
"Ahhh.. Middle Earth, Midgard."
Asvaldr thought, remembering his goodbye's he had made to his beloved sister Eir.
*Just thought i'd post it here for you also Wayne, as you're in Tilia it seems atm, main post is in the main forum*
Aelfgar Left the tavern , his drinking horn still full of ale . The tavern was on the river and so he noticed the change that had over come it and the Elven ship as it departed . Aelfgar looked at his ale , then at the river , shrugged , finished off his ale and headed back into town . As he walked up the road , three men stepped out from the bushes , all armed with sword. " dont worry lads " aelfgar laughed " everyone to his own i say , i wont judge" . The first man , a thin weasel with a long nose and short greasy hair , pointed his sword at the battle Preist , his face red with anger ." give us all your money and i might just let that insult go" he hissed . Aelfgar sighed . " i am a battle preist of the Vaagan , i have my happy stick . are you sure you want this" . The mans companions moved around Aelfgar , encircling him . Aelfgar suddenly swung his hammer and struck the Weasily man in the knee. Bine splintered as the heavy warhammer crushed the joint and the man went down screaming . Before the others could react Aelfgar had reversed his swing and pivoted round. the second man raised his sword just as the hammer struck. Although his actions saved him, his sword was knocked from his hand. The third man ran in and swungs his blade . Aelfgar stepped back and brought the end of his hammer up into the mans chin. The spiked ball that sat there tore into the mans jaw and he fell , blood pouring from his ruined mouth . The other man at this point had recovered his sword and ran in screaming . Aelfgar swung round and his hammer struck the man in the chest , knocking him though the air to land in a crumpled heap , his ribs shattered . Aelgar turned to the weasel . " now you donate all your money to the church and we can forget about this " . The weasal laughed and threw a dagger , which bounced off Aelfgars chainmail and fur. "Oh dear" he said , bringing his hammer down. the Weasel didnt even get a chance to scream as his head burst like a melon . Aelfgar tied the three corpses together and dragged them to the guard house . With a bit of luck they were wanted and he would get a reward .
Alegar was happy . the Guard had taken the dead men and given him a reward . The three were wanted dead or alive for murder, rape and robbery . Aelfgar took the money and headed to the poorer area of Tilia . there he found a soup kitchen , run by the church and donated his gains to feed the homeless . Then he headed to the city gates . What he was looking for wasnt in Tilia . As he left town , he could have sworn he saw a shiny elf coming up the road behind him , but when he turned to look , it was empty
Aelfgar walked along the road as day turned to nighgt . as the moon rose higher he heard the sound of hooves and his hair riaeed on the bakc of his neck. Snesing something was wrong he lept behind some trees . just as he got hidden seven wraiths came riding up the road , the fire from the hooves of their infernal steeds illuminating their black robes . As they passed one slowed and looked round . It seemed to be sniffing the air . Aelfgar waited until its companions were out of sight , then he lept from the trees . Celestial fire erupted from the hammer as it screamed towards its target, taking the Nightmares head clean off . burning blood sprayed over the wraith as the fells teed fell and disapated back to the neatherworld that spawned it .The wraith rolled across the road , and came up in a crouching position, its deadly poisoned sword in hand. But Aelfgar didnt give it a chance to rise and screaming abuse he threw his hammer , celestial fire leaving a bright trail in the air behind it. The hammer struck the wraith with a thunderouse boom and smashed it to the ground . The wraith tried to rise but its body was shattered by the blessed hammer and celestial fire had cought its robes . Aelfgar grabbed his hammer and swung again at the burning wriath , bringing his hammer down in a overhead swing . the Wraith crumpled under the blow as its head was smashed into its chest . the wraith disapated with a scream , its foul essence destroyed . Aelfgar blessed the remains and smiled as its pure spirit rose into the air and vanished, finally passing on. Aelfgar waited but after ten minutes the wariths companions failed to return so he continuedo n his way .
Dawn Broke over Essex and Aelfgar rose from his bed beneath the anceint oak tree. He smothered the fire that had kept him warm and gathered is belongings . Soon he was on his way again . Helmsford was his destination . Perhaps what he was searching for was there
Aelfgar had been in Essex for two years now . He never did find what had brought him here but he had found plenty of scum to bring the light of the gods too. he was back in braintree now , in a small village miles from the city . Bandits had been raiding these last few weeks and although the Counts men had managed to fight them off , so far none had been captured or killed .
Alfgar Saewulf watched the men marching towards the village. They were not Vaagan, he wasn't even sure they were men. Deformity and mutation was rampant amongst their ranks. But deformed or not, each one carried a blade and the look in their eyes told Alfgar this would not end well. As they approached the heavens opened. Lightning struck the ground and the rumble of thunder filled the air. Aefgar looked up at the sky and nodded.
He stepped out from the gate and stood in front of them. "I am Aelfgar Saewulf This Village is under my protection and I ask what your business here is". A huge man stepped forward, his skin leathery and scaled. In his hand he carried a sword that seemed to sing with a rasping, sickening melody
"Vaagan filth, I am Gransurg Foulguard of the lost Kinsmen and I claim this village as mine". Aelfgar raised his hammer. He had heard of the lost Kinsmen. They were a Brohn family that had made pacts with foul entities in a bid for power. They had been cast out of Brohn society and lost to legend. Aelfgar smiled. "I am a priest of the Thunderer and by the Honour of my family and my lord; I will stop you or die trying you honourless son of a diseased cow". Gransurg screamed and swung his sword. Aelfgar parried with his hammer and struck back, his great hammer slamming into the mutant's stomach. Gransurg staggered back but quickly recovered, forcing the battle priest back towards the gate with a flurry of quick strikes. Aelfgar parried each blow but was aware he was losing ground. The mutant was quick for his size and strength, quicker than Aelfgar and slowly he was gaining the upper hand. Suddenly Aelfgar dropped to the ground as Gransurg surged forward. The big Mutant fell forward over Aelfgar and desperately trying not to fall failed to parry the Vaagans blow. He screamed in agony as Aelfgars hammer smacked into his groin. Gransurg fell over, dropping his sword and clutching at his crushed manhood. Aelfgar got up and before the other stunned lost kin could stop him, he slammed his hammer into Gransurgs head. Again and again he struck, pulping the bigger mans skull. Then he turned to the other lost kinsmen. "Ok which of you donkey raping bastards is next?
Aelfgars hammer began to glow and the head crackled with electricity . The lost kinsmen looked at the corpse of their leader and rage filled them. They moved slowly towards the Battle priest , eager to avenge their leader but not so eager to be the first to die . Then a horn blew and black clad horseman came over the crest of the hill. Lowering their lances , they charged at the Lost kindsmen who broke ranks and tried to flee . the riders tore into them , lances peicing flesh and hooves crushing bones . in the Chaos and disaray Aelfgar charged , his great hammer slamming into the head of his enemy , discharging the lighnting stored within. The Horseman had now dropped their broken lances and switched to swords and axe while their warhorses kicked and stamped . As Aelfgar slammed his hammer into another lost kinsman , a bolt of purple energy shot over his head and slammed into the mutant who was about to stab him in the back. Aelfgar looked round and saw Count merryfellow on his Horse , His staff glowing in the rain as a bolt of purple magic burst fourth and struck another Lost kinsman .
Within ten minutes the lost kindman were dead , slaughtered to the last man. The guards of Count Merryfellow had shown no mercy and killed every one of them. Aelfgar Looked at the count with contempt . Some of the kinsmen had dropped their weapons and surrendered but the count ordered them exacuted anyway . Count Merryfellow turned to the battle priest and smiled . " They were scum who have murdered and raped my people . They showed no mercy and so neither did i " . Then he turned his horse and was gone . Aelfgar knew that the count was right . They were dishonourless dogs . But killing a man who had surrendered went against his sesne of Honour . Perhaps that was why he was a priest and not a noble . But then he smiled . the village was saved . no more would die becouse of the lost kinsmen. Better to think of that he told himslef as he set about blessing the bodies iof the fallen . There was enough undead in essex already .