Eivor:And what of Vili? I was happy to get his message.
Trygve:I stand in Vili's place today. He and his father have gone to Ulkerthorpe to stave off an invasion of Picts. We've laid a long siege, and Hemming Jarl looks to finish the job.
Eivor:I have not fought besides Vili and his father since we were young. They have my blade if they need it.
Eivor:I would have come with warriors at my back if I knew Vili was at war.
Eivor:Off looking for a fight. I should have known.
Trygve:Yes, Vili's sword always finds its way into trouble, sooner or later.
Eivor:Not a bad way to live.
Trygve:In spite of these war-cries, you should know that Vili's father is more frail than you last saw him.
Trygve:So he is. And he'll be pleased as Skoll with the moon in his jaws at the sight of you. Come. The swiftest path is by river, but these waters are hostile to Norsemen. You bring good luck with you. We could guide the sail-steeds downstream.
(Yes - Let us go)
Eivor:I'm ready for whatever danger awaits. Prepare your convoy and we'll be off.
Trygve nodded and started to ready his people.
Trygve:Our jarl has waited long enough. We follow the Wolf-Kissed to the encampment.
Eivor following Trygve to the docks
Eivor followed Trygve's lead the way to Vili and Hemming Jarl. Both warriors chatted along the way.
Trygve:Eivor, the RavenClan's Wolf-Kissed... you'll soon have more names than the All-Father himself.
Eivor:I've traveled far, spilling the dew of slaughter. A reputation is the price of victory.
Trygve:Indeed.
Trygve led Eivor to the docks of Snotingham. Trygve talked with his warriors.
Eivor:Ready the sea-beasts. Eivor Wolf-Kissed is here to escort us up river.
Eivor may had escorted Trygve and his warriors to find Vili and Hemming Jarl on her longship, the Sea-Chariot, or by horseback.
Eivor:I remember when Vili and I were small children, you spun many epic yarns for us over the hearth-fire. But I do not remember you telling us how you came to serve Hemming Jarl. Is it a tale worth telling?
Trygve:It is, but a sad one... I suppose I was the age you are now. Skadi had sent us a harsh winter and much of our clan was starving. To feed us, my family incurred a large-work debt. But my youth rendered me too proud to pay it off. I wanted to raid, not toil. For my failure, Hemming Jarl could've taken what he wanted from my family. Including our lives. But his heart is kind. He spared us, and I pledged myself to him. Gladly so. So it has even been.
Eivor:A story of quiet honor. If we had more tales of that kind, the world might be a more forgiving place.
On their brief river voyage, the Vikings were attacked by the Picts.
Eivor:Picts ashore! Protect the convoy!
Eivor's longship fending off the Pictish attacks
Eivor, along with her allies and warriors, defeated the Picts' ambushers.
Eivor:That's all of them. But stay on guard.
After a brief sail, the Vikings were attacked once again by the Picts.
Eivor:Picts on the ridge! Guard the convoy!
After defeating the second ambush, Trygve talked with Eivor.
Trygve:Careful, Eivor! These supplies bring fire to the Ulkerthorpe siege.
The Picts ambushed again, but Eivor and her crew proved victorious.
Trygve:The convoy remains, Wolf-Kissed!
Eivor:Oars, back us around. The convoy is laid bare.
Trygve:The convoy is unscathed. Hemming Jarl will be pleased.
Eivor may have left the convoy unprotected if she distanced herself too far.
Eivor:Your son sent for me, Hemming Jarl. One of the happier messages I have had in England.
Hemming:I wish I could expand on this happiness with good news. But we are in the center of a storm. And yet my old heart sings great songs at the sight of you. You look good, Eivor. Strong. Healthy.
Eivor:My heart sings as well. It is good to see you again.
Hemming:Yours is a poet's heart, I am told. What a mix of spirits you have.
Eivor:I was told you were ill, Hemming. I hope these stories are bigger than the truth.
Hemming started to cough.
Eivor:Of course, of course. You know how rumors grow. A fish the size of a hand at catching is the size of a man the next morning.
Eivor:It warmed me to hear Vili's name again. In coming to England, I thought I had left the best of Norway behind.
Hemming:He often thinks on the old country as well. Seems to think his life was simpler then. It may be he is right.
Norse Man 2:Movement on the walls!
Eivor and Hemming looking towards the Pictish stronghold
Eivor and Hemming look towards .
Hemming:We must end this soon. Before the weather changes.
Eivor:The whole of my clan would be here if you called them.
Hemming:No need. These men are flies for swatting. Even now, Trygve rides for Stoneburgh, should any Picts escape. It will all be ended by this time tomorrow.
Eivor and Hemming walked towards his warriors as Hemming spoke to them.
Hemming:You have known me as your jarl for an age. And I have known and loved you all since you were babes. An easy burden to bear.
Vili walked in, besides Eivor.
Vili:Let's hope you fight better than you age, old friend.
Eivor:You're not slurring, Vili. Have you mislaid your ale?
Hemming:Today, you do not fight for me. Not for each other. Today, you fight for your children. Fight so that they may grow, so they may be good and just, as you are. For them, today, we take back Ulkerthorpe!
Vili spoke to the warriors next.
Vili giving his speech
Vili:Trygve and Eivor have brought us arrows and oil to bring fire-light to the Picts, to feed their traps! The first to signal from the top of the tower, their war chief's weapon in hand, drinks my mead for the month!
Vili:O, is it? Or have you come to snatch glory from my calloused hands?
Eivor:We can snatch glory together. Unles you're too frightened to fight beside me.
Vili:O, no! This is a contest now. To the top of that tower, and the Pict chief is the prize.
Eivor:You can have your glory, Vili. I am here to support you and your father.
Vili:Such humility. Where is the Eivor I once knew?
Eivor:It has been too long, Vili Hemmingson.
Vili:Yet here you are, back with the old clan. That is what matters most.
Eivor and Vili reunited
Eivor:For old times, then.
Vili:And new alike.
Eivor and Vili gained a start ahead as Hemming readied his troops.
Hemming:Fight, Hemmingsons! Bring victory today, for tommorow we feast!
Hemming's warriors cheered as they all started the siege. Vili led the charge while some let out war cries.
Norse Warrior 1:Light the arrows! May they burn with flame unbridled!
Norse Warrior 2:Glory to the Hemmingsons!
Norse Warrior 3:The Pict chief will fall by my hand!
Norse Warrior 4:Avenge our fallen! Show no mercy!
Vili:The Pict chief hides behind men like a coward. I have no doubt he will be well fortified. Look for him on high ground.
Eivor:I will have his head for Hemming Jarl.
Norse Warrior 5:Vili and the Wolf-Kissed fight by our sides again!
As the Vikings fought through Pict warriors, Eivor made her way through the fort.
Eivor:The chief will make his stand in the tower.
Eivor clashing against Gede, the Pictish Chief
Eivor fought her way through the Pict warriors to reach the tallest tower. Eivor made her way into the tower's base and climbed to the top. There, Eivor confronted the chief, Gede, guarded by his warriors.
Eivor:There, the chief.
Eivor started to fight the chief and his warriors.
Pict Warrior 1:They come for the chief! Stop them!
Eivor defeated the chief in combat.
Pict Warrior 2:The chief is dead! Run! Flee to the hills!
Eivor soon claimed his spear. After the siege, Eivor held the spear high in the presence of Hemming's cheering warriors. Behind Eivor, an injured Hemming came to congratulate Eivor, who turned to face him and was shocked at his injury.
Eivor:You're injured.
Hemming:No no, stop stop. I am fine. There is more blood here than injury.
Eivor tending to Hemming, who was injured during the fighting
However, Hemming stumbled forward and fell into Eivor's arms, who lifted him back up.
Eivor:Pride cannot heal you Hemming. Only care and bandages.
Hemming:My clan fought well, did they not? You saw it, the heart in these people. How they rallied behind their jarl.
Eivor:You have that effect on men. They trust you.
Hemming:And they love my son all the more. But he lacks the trust of our thegns. And I am running out of time to persuade them.
Eivor:You're sick.
Hemming:And you accept it. Unlike my son. He thinks me immortal... because he must. He does not want what I have to give him.
Eivor pieced together the information at hand and determined the true source of her summons from Ravensthorpe.
Eivor:Was it Vili who summoned me? Or you, Hemming?
Hemming paused, then conceded the truth.
Hemming:I thought you would come faster if it was Vili's name you heard first. I need your wisdom, Eivor. Your discretion.
Eivor:You have it, of course.
Hemming:There will be an Althing soon, in which the nobles must name a new jarl. And I am torn. I would have my son follow in my steps, but he is reluctant. He follows his warrior's heart. Others will name Trygve. A fine man with a mind for leadership, but his lineage is tattered, and he is less bold.
Eivor:I have known Vili since we were small. He is bold and courageous, and your warriors love the man. The nobles should choose him.
Eivor:Trygve is wise, and has a keen mind to lead. At the Althing, no one would doubt his succession if he was named.
Eivor:Both men are honorable, but they do not hold a bearded axe to Hemming Jarl. Let us not burden ourselves with the Althing-choice yet.
Hemming seeking Eivor's wisdom on choosing the successor between Vili and Trygve
Hemming stood up and walked to the edge of the tower as Eivor followed him.
Hemming:Your sight is clear and your mind is sharp. Let that guide your thinking in the days to come. Vili departs for Kinder Downfall soon. Ride with him. And talk, like old friends made new.
Eivor:If I see any Valkyries lurking nearby, I will send them away.
Hemming:I can fight them off a while longer.
Hemming began to leave Eivor as she descended to find Vili.
Eivor escorted a convoy, met with Hemming and Vili at the Tip of the Spear, and sieged Ulkerthorpe Fort. Eivor was given the task to find a suitable successor to Hemming, from either Vili or Trygve.