nightlss

[nightlss]

being a hersir gave him such pride. it gave him a sense of purpose, something that was his own. he will forever be angry at their parents for selling them away like they were a used blade, but he was grateful that the clan forced them to become part of it. they still struggled at first but at least it wasn't as bad as it used to. "as hersir i'm whatever i need to be. if i did not care, our people would die and then who would i command?" he chuckled. but they both knew that axsel wasn't unfamiliar with feeling anger or lacked the ability to truly command their warriors and shieldmaidens. during training he would watch them, teach even if it meant knocking them down over and over again. to keep their people alive.

"and i you, sister." axsel planted a kiss on her forehead. he cared for his clan, yes. but people he saw as family? it was fewer and fewer. even if freydis wasn't his blood, he was sure that he would've cared for her still. but she was his blood, and thus he will not lose her too. axsel chuckled at her story of waking him up using the bucket. "i always hate waking up this way." axsel groaned but still smiled. he knew that if there was true danger he would be up within moments but, he always tests it when everything is calm.

axsel's look became soft, he fought the chance to offer freydis an out of her role as a shieldmaiden. "it's not." he pulled her in for a hug. it was selfish of him, wanting to keep his sister safe but stay in the role that gave him happiness, being in harm's way was inevitable. "it'll take more than harm for you to lose me, freydis." but he was sure the sentiment gave neither of them peace, given what they've already lost. "as you said, whatever comes we will face it and grow stronger." he pulled away from the hug to look his sister's eyes.

anytime her brother laughed, freydis felt her heart swell — his unbridled, uninhibited happiness was the reason the sun rose every morning. a carefree laugh from axsel was infectious, causing her to giggle and rest against him as his arm wrapped around her shoulder. “exactly,” she said matter-of-factly with a grin, “i would cause a ruckus for any other hersir.” she paused for a moment before looking at him earnestly, “plus, you truly care for all of us and shape us into the best warriors and shielmaiden…you don’t treat everyone with kindness.” she paused before teasing, “even when you’re giving demands.” it was true, axsel never treated the warriors and shieldmaidens and beneath him and he didn’t treat them as disposable numbers, he treated them all with respect and care for their livelihood. she pondered his next words before nodding in agreement, “maybe i can sneak his name into the jarl conversations the elders are having — they’d love to add another name to their repertoire of gossip.” freydis couldn’t help but smile as she reflected on the elders she spent time with. despite how much they liked to pry and spread rumors, she loved her time with them.

“i’ll say it every day until the gods decide it’s my time to go to valhalla,” she smiled softly. “though, my compliments do pose the risk of getting to your head,” she teased, leaning into his hug and reaching up to gently poke his forehead. “i love you, brother,” she hummed, breathing in the cold air and thanking the gods for axsel. freydis knew this much — whoever her mother and father were, they paled in comparison to the man that axsel was. growing up, as long as she had axsel and sylvi’s love, that’s all she needed. and axsel’s love was her saving grace. and nothing made her more proud than following his lead in battle.

“precisely — it’s my little sister duty to ensure you’re safe in bed after drinking like a fish all night,” she replied with a giggle, “and i take my job very seriously.” her eyes widened in amusement, “you think you can handle your ale well? wasn’t it you that i had to pour a barrel of water on just last week just to wake you up?” a playful smile graced her lips before she stopped in her tracks and glanced at axsel. a look of worry filled her eyes and she sighed softly, “i just wish this could all be peaceful. i’ve had enough turmoil.” she knew axsel could relate with her sentiment. quickly though, axsel wiped the worry from her face — his positivity and grit was a constant reminder that though they faced battles in life — physical and emotional — they had one another and theirs was a bond that couldn’t be broken. “no matter what we’ll face it headfirst and together,” she nodded before taking a sip of her own ale. she knew she could be honest with her brother, but she didn’t want her fear to make her seem weak so she shifted for a moment and glanced around to ensure that no one could hear them. “i’m worried…i’m scared. especially with all these tensions amongst the clans. i don’t want bloodshed — isn’t that ridiculous for a shieldmaiden to say? plus, i don’t want you in harm’s way.”

[nightlss]

axsel stared at the ale in his cup and chuckled slowly at the possibility of what sylvi would've done if she were here with them. "both of my sisters are wiser than us." he took the silence between them to think, and the truth? she would've been restless. "impatient. she might have wanted to find out what was going on behind closed doors." would have considered doing a careless thing just like her older brother. "knowing her? she would have found something out."

turning his head to look at finn with a soft smile. "or maybe she would have done we always did, trying to keep each other out of trouble." he chuckled, but there was clear sadness to it. axsel missed her dearly, but all he could do now is honor her memory and try to be there for freydis.

axsel's need to avenge sylvi did not dissipate but the sadness of losing her wasn't as strong as it once was, it didn't hold control over him as it used to. "i'm grateful for your company." without the man next to him, he would've still been consumed by sadness. "but now, let the ale lift our spirits." he grinned as he drank some more.

finn would not complain that axsel wanted more to drink since it had been a pastime of theirs for many years, but he did watch axsel more closely since sylvi's untimely death. his hersir had found comfort in the bottom of a barrel and fistfights, the latter of which had thankfully started to ease off, but finn always kept his guard up. just in case axsel needed him. finn knew that the loyalty expressed between them was not just words; there was a bond that neither of them could break, fates intertwined.

his eyes softened as he mentioned her, and he did not need to say her name for finn to know immediately that he spoke of sylvi. his smile eased slightly too, but the warmth on his face grew. it was strange to talk about her as if she was not there, but then he had to remind himself of the truth of the matter. he missed her dearly, he could only imagine how axsel felt.

"she would." he agreed, taking a long swig before filling his cup again. "i imagine she would have stood upon this table to announce to everyone in his hall just how unfit you would be as high jarl." he chuckled at the thought of it. a heavy moment passed between them. "i am sorry she is not here, axsel. not a moment has passed where i haven't wished she was." he sighed softly. "what do you suppose she would make of it all? she was always far wiser than you and i."

[nightlss]

leila dropped her head, trying very badly to hide her smile and fight the chuckle that wanted to be let out. fools, all of them. they had no regards to their lives, thought themselves invisible and it made them blind, sometimes it's what it shadows that should scare one, not the battlefield. maybe it's a lesson that the warrior should learn, in due time. "i'll keep it to heart, warrior."

once again the man caught her off guard. "no, not from a lover." this time she didn't go through the notion of trying to hide her smile. "i- uh, i do not have one." she knew how blessed she was to have such beauty and was more than okay to use it to her advantage if she truly needed it. "it does make me curious as to what kind of gifts do lovers give in your clan, blades and scars?" she tilted her head with a smile.

finn couldn't help but laugh at her concern, whether it was real or not it still entertained him. "worried?" he grinned, a cocky smile that often appeared, and raised an eyebrow. "worried for an ironblood warrior. what do they tell you of us in the silvershore clan? that our blades are wooden and our shields are crafted by children?" he shook his head as he chuckled. "worry for a warrior is wasted, leila."

as she continued and explained to him why she had asked to meet, his hands met his hips as he tilted his head back slightly to asses her further, his brow furrowed. "huh." he exhaled, mulling it over. "a ring?" he truly did not care for her materialistic mishap, so he toyed with her for his own amusement. "not from a lover, i hope?" shameless flirting. it wasn't like he wasn't well known for it.

[nightlss]

leila has known the finest things in life since she was born and yet even now that shes' a woman, there's nothing that could quench her thirst for more. her high prestress and her share that thirst which brought them together. "there are many who want the seat, fools who dream of something they do not deserve, their words do not even reach the gods. finding the ones that will take action among this sea will be through guidance." she nodded, through the gods and through magic. leila has always been careful and so she had not yet the time to sit down and practice the ways her mother taught her since she was a babe. "of course, high priestess. as soon as i know something worth telling." leila smiled, her wish of riches and power a slight step closer than what it was. "shall the gods favor us, silvershore will have the seat."

their  goal.  the  words  rang  true,  for  they  do  have  a  mutual  goal.  however,  as  soon  as  it  was  achieved  the  serpentine  wanted  more.  she  knew  she  was  greedy  to  want  more  than  what  she  could  hold  in  her  palm,  but  if  she  squeezed  more  could  fit.  she  wanted  it  all  as  much  as  she  could  possibly  get.  she  was  born  of  nothing,  but  she  would  become  everything.  "  have  you  set  your  eyes  upon  those  wanting  the  seat  ?  there  are  those  who  speak  out  amongst  the  darkness  and  the  gods  guide  me  towards  those  who  can  be  tamed  into  submission.  "  hazelnut  hues  watch  the  palm  of  her  hand,  fingertips  gliding  together  as  the  world  becomes  clearer  and  yet  so  uncertain.  she  needed  leila  as  much  as  leila  needed  her  ⸻  of  course,  need  can  be  quenched.  "  you  will  tell  me  what  you  know,  will  you  not  ?  as  I  will  share  what  I  learn  and  what  fools  can  be  swayed  to  our  end.  "

[nightlss]

in his foolishness, the possibility of anybody else other than someone from their clan to be high jarl wasn't something axsel considered "i did not think of that, i always assumed whoever would be chosen would be of ironblood, likely our jarl or someone else that was fitting." he admitted, maybe this is why he wasn't fit for such a role as he only had the brains for battle. "a silvershore high jarl?" axsel couldn't help but laugh. "i swallow my words, a silvershore will lead only to bad outcomes, their people do not have my trust nor respect." the only people he could truly trust were his own people, being a hersir he knew of everyone in the clan and trained most of them. looking around them, axsel had to admit there was only one solution to this problem. "it has to be one of ours."

blacksmith  knows  his  friend  means  well  with  his  words.  it  is  every  warrior's  wish  to  be  recognized  as  a  fighter,  as  someone  who  can  wield  an  axe  and  sword  with  pride  and  with  the  gods  blessing.  he  did  not  believe  the  gods  blessed  him,  at  least  not  odin.  parts  of  him  felt  that  darker  gods  wished  to  place  him  upon  the  battlefield  again,  to  cleave  his  axe  between  eyes  and  leave  the  world  darker  and  covered  in  crimson.  "  I  was  a  fighter,  I  do  not  fight  anymore.  "  fingers  tremble,  not  because  of  horrors  of  the  past  or  the  fight  ⸻  but  for  they  ached  to  once  more  do  harm.  a  chuckle  escapes  his  lips  and  azurite  hues  find  companion.  he  appreciates  their  friendship  beyond  words  and  to  have  him  by  his  side  is  perhaps  all  he  needs  to  continue  to  fight  the  ever  hungry  darkness  within.  "  if  the  one  chosen  as  high  jarl  is  someone  outside  of  the  ironblood  clan  I  do  not  know  if  I  can  respect  it.  respect  is  given  through  actions  and  trust  ⸻  what  if  a  silvershore  lord  shows  and  takes  it  ?  will  you  then  become  a  mercenary  instead  of  a  warrior  ?  "

[nightlss]

axsel only shrugged at her accusation, not bothering to disprove it. and quietly looked upon her work as a parent. he remember when the little one wanted to fight like him, in his young age children should be playing, not fighting. and despite the teasing he gave dangy at first; he agreed that a child shouldn't be thinking about raising a sword. maybe when the little ones were older and could make their own decisions about their future.

"i always knew you thought me strong." axsel smirked, on purpose that's all he took from what dagny said. all the things that she said did not make them less true, but he did enjoy getting a reaction out of her. "i always try to handle your creations with most care, though my blade is in need of a sharpening when you get the chance." he winked and moved out of the way so they could both walk towards the longhall.

once reaching the longhall, axsel poured them both cups of ale. "have you thoughts about the high jarl?" he asked out of curiosity. everyone had an opinion one way or another about who should be next, either that or they simply waited for the results.

A faint smile touched her lips as she watched the warrior, his hands battle-scarred, ruffle the hair of one of her little boys. Sune, ever eager for a hero, had taken to idolizing the rugged hersir after his father vanished into the shadows of death. And though the warrior was a hundred times more honorable than her late husband had ever been, she could not ignore the reckless fire that burned in him—reckless, fearless, and seemingly without any brain. She could not bear the thought of her son following in those wild footsteps, not if she wanted him to live beyond his first fighting years. Not from malice, but from fear, she kept Axsel at a distance. Yet today, as they watched their father’s blade go up in flames, she softened. The gesture of comfort, the fleeting touch of affection, was allowed.

“Ah, of course. You men are nothing without your ale, are you?” she teased, her voice light, but her eyes still sharp. When her eldest son returned to her side, she pressed a kiss to his brow, gentle as a sigh, and spoke in that soft, mother’s tone she reserved for moments like this. “Take your brothers to the tent,” she said. “The journey has been long, and the crowds have been much. A little rest will do them good—and you too.” But she did not think of rest. She could hardly quite find sleep these days, not with the weight of her thoughts pressing against her eyelids, not with the ghosts that haunted her dreams. She turned to the warrior, her gaze flicking to his face, and rolled her eyes—an exaggerated gesture.

“I have three sons to care for,” she said, her voice cool with the practiced ease of a woman who had long since given up on softness. “I have neither the patience nor the nerve to waste on a strong, armored fool who has no brain in that thick skull. I only worry about the work you’ll bring to my forge when you manage, once again, to destroy one of my finest creations.” Her sigh was rough and theatrical, a release of the tension she had not even realized she was holding. “Shall we make for the longhall, then? So I can bare witness to one of your even less tolerable sides?”

[nightlss]

"there would be no need to call for you, because you will already be there." axsel chuckled, a knowing smile on his face. could their seer truly turn away from an injured ironblood? he didn't think so, despite her having to deal with harden warriors and shieldmaidens. but after moons and moons of being forced to take care of himself and others, it was hard letting the someone else do it for him, unless he didn't have a choice.

the sting of pain was familiar and yet he knew that it wasn't that deep nor serious. he could feel the blood dripping slowly across his hip but he ignored it. it was oddly comforting, or maybe he was just a stubborn fool. the sting reminded him that yes, their seer was probably right, he would fall in battle one day. "looking to get rid of me? or are you truly worried?" he joked and tilted his head to the side.

but at the look on her face axsel sighed and took a step closer. "you will find someone else who is worthy of the title, i already have a few in mind should you need it." he said calmly, not that he was planning on stepping on the doors to valhalla soon. yes, he misses his sister, but he still had a life here and if someone wanted to take it from him, they'll have to fight as if they were the gods themselves.

The fire crackled, a beast gnawing at the bones of the night, casting flickering shadows that danced across his bloodstained skin. He smirked, ever defiant, ever reckless, and for once—just this once—Yrsa let the fight go before it even began. Her gaze swept over him, assessing, calculating. The wound was shallow, a gash that would scar but not fester, provided he didn’t let it. Nothing that would steal his life, nothing that would justify the battle she would have to wage to make him sit still.

❝Very well,❞ she murmured at last, slipping the vial back into her belt. There was no exasperation in her tone, no sharp-edged argument ready to meet his stubbornness. Just quiet acceptance. Yrsa was not blind to the truth—she could not force a man to value his own flesh, nor did she have the patience to lecture one who had already decided he was unbreakable.

❝But if you rot from infection, do not call for me.❞ Her words were light, laced with the faintest trace of amusement, but the warning beneath them was real enough. If the gods had yet to take him, it was not for lack of trying. He would push the limits of his body until one day, they did. Still, she made no move to leave. Not yet. Yrsa tilted her head, watching him as though searching for something beyond flesh and blood.

❝One day, Axsel, you will fall in battle, and it will not be from a scratch.❞ A pause, her voice quieter now, softer—not a threat, but a certainty. ❝What will you do then?❞ It was not a question she expected him to answer. Some men feared death. Others welcomed it. But there were those, like him, who carried it beside them, waiting for the day it finally reached out and touched them. Her head inclined, just slightly, silvered gaze steady.❝What would our clan do without its fearsome Hearsir?❞

[nightlss]

axsel delightfully laughed, wrapping his arm around his sister's shoulders. "then i must remain to my title, we do not want you misbehaving." and it's truly what he wanted, the thought of being anything else than hersir made him ill. he knew nothing and wanted nothing else but to oversee his warriors and shieldmaidens, who have become an incredible sight to behold, though some could still use training. "maybe they should gossip about our jarl instead, wouldn't they be a better fit for the position? and it'll adventitious to us." he shrugged his shoulder, knowing that the jarl would be the most logical step to becoming a high one.

as his sister spoke, he smiled. "thank you, it means everything to hear you say it." axsel pulled her into a one armed hug. how could a fool like him manage to raise someone like freydis? it had to be sylvi's magic. the love and protection that he felt towards her could not be explained and it was even more so now that they lost sylvi. somewhere in the dark pits of his mind he wanted her to stop being a shieldmaiden, just so she would be safe. but he could never take what freydis worked so very hard on away from her. all axsel could do is train her better, train her that nobody could harm her.

axsel tilted his head from side to side, smiling. "if not you then who else? but i'm sure i can find my own way to bed if you wish to leave me. i can handle my ale quite well." then the question she proposed made him pause and think. "i do not know." it was the truth. "unfortunately i do not think so." he grabbed the cup of ale handed to him with a small smile and drank. "whatever might come towards us, we will handle it, are you worried?"

the blonde bit down on her lip sharply as she thought about the youth axsel lost by watching over freydis, caring for her when she couldn’t care for herself. she was a liability as a little girl, no doubt holding axsel and sylvi back. she had glimpses of memories of her brother carrying her as a toddler when she was too sleepy to keep going. when she couldn’t understand what was happening, he was her guiding light. no one should have to carry the burden axsel had to carry and she blamed herself for the fact that he never had a carefree childhood. she owed it all to him.

she gasped playfully, placing a hand over her chest in mock surprise, “i can’t believe you’d throw such accusations my way!” her blue eyes lit up as she laughed, “well, you know i’d never take orders from anyone else so maybe it’s best you remain hersir or else you’re replacement will have trouble on their hands.” axsel was the only person she truly trusted and his wit and talent were the reason why she was a shieldmaiden. no one was more intelligent on the battlefield than axsel. she smiled widely, “you know how the elders get — they’re restless and busy themselves with gossip. and who better to gossip about than axsel van blair?” freydis looked up at her brother in admiration. very few would turn down the glory and power that came with the title of high jarl. “you have no idea how much it pleases me that you’re happy as hersir. your happiness is so important to me…and the fact that you love what you do is truly special, axsel,” she looked in his eyes as she gently squeezed his arm.

freydis could imagine it now — axsel ten years older as high jarl. there would be peace and prosperity, no doubt. and maybe he’d even have his soulmate by his side? — the girl could hope. “oh, am i going to have to drag you from the longhall to your bed come sunrise for all to see?” she raised a playful eyebrow. “oh, so now you’re the gossip!” she thought for a moment before tilting her head to the side curiously, her voice laced with worry, “do you think we’ll have a smooth transition to a new high jarl?” as they entered the hall, she swiftly grabbed a cup of ale and handed it to axsel with a laugh, “we might as well get you started, then.”

[nightlss]

axsel only nodded as he silently watched the fire with the small family. though he felt eyes on him and looked down at the one of the small twins, he smiled at him and ruffled their hair. "little one." he greeted. axsel's parental touch was forced upon him when he was a child taking care of his sisters, but now it was given out of kindness of his heart. maybe the gods will see him as a father to his own child one day, but it won't be today.

tired. now that she said those words, it's light a weight on his shoulder was even heavier now. was he tired? yes, yes he was. grief causes so much out of him and until that is resolved he will have no rest. "i haven't had ale yet." he pointed out with a smile. but he nodded at dagny, because overall, despite it all, his heart felt well. maybe it was years of combat that was shown on his face that caused him to appear so tired. "i'm well, is it worry i hear?" he smirked at the weapon maker.

Dagny answered him with a silent nod, her eyes fixed on the flames as they licked the metal, their scorching tongues curling and dancing in the firelight. She was mesmerized by the sight, lost in it, as was one of her youngest beside her, both of them watching their eldest brother, whose gaze never wavered from the steel. The other twin, the one who had been blessed with the restless spirit, had no eyes for the fire. He only watched the warrior who had come to stand beside them. 

Grief was something each person carried in their own way, but was it truly grief when the man to mourn was nothing more than a tyrant? A man who had given her youngest as little affection as possible, while punishing the eldest for daring to care for them, for protecting them, instead of bending to his will and training endlessly to become the shadow of his own image. As the stee lwas offered to the flames, she whispered a silent prayer to the Gods —begging them to erase the memories of him and to send his soul to the cold, unyielding depths of Niflheim.

“They are well indeed. Thank you for your concern,” she murmured, her voice soft, the words like a quiet wind. Her calloused hands gently squeezed her twins’ shoulders, drawing them closer to her, a shield against the world. She turned her bright eyes away from her eldest, still lost in the fire’s dance, and let them fall upon the Ironblood warrior. She studied him then, his battle-worn face with expressive features. And she returned his question.“How are you yourself, van Blair?” she asked. “You look…” Her words faltered for a moment, and she tilted her head slightly, her gaze searching. “You look… tired.”

[nightlss]

axsel's face turned soft at his sister's words. he never saw his actions as sacrifices, he was simply taking care of his sisters at the absent of their parents, freydis was but a babe when they were sold but sylvi and him were always honest on where they came from, of their survival story, the three of them.

"or maybe you wish your brother to stop giving you commands as hersir." he teased with a laugh. freydis has become a great shieldmaiden, he was always proud seeing her in training and in battle, how far she has become from the young woman she used to be. axsel shook his head fondly, "the elders need to mind their own. being the high jarl is not my future, i'm happy where i am, there are other people who are much better for the title."

somewhere in him he didn't want to tell her that he doubts he'll reach such an old age to be able to become anything else, his life started at the battlefield of childhood and it'll end in the battlefield of men. maybe his joke of her becoming the high jarl isn't a joke, maybe it's a possibility, shall the gods wish for it. "i have not drank enough, that's for sure. i will see to it that my belly will be full of ale by the end of day." he grinned. "and maybe i'll start whispering of my own regarding high jarl." he winked at his younger sister.

her brother was daring, bold, and seemingly not afraid of anything and freydis knew all too well that it was his destiny to be the greatest hersir myrkvjord would ever see. but despite his bravery and skill, she couldn't help but worry about him. she closed her eyes and smiled contently as their foreheads rested against one another's. "thank you," she hummed, "that's all i ask."

"you've done so much for me, axsel. you've taken care of me and given me a life...you sacrificed so much for sylvi and me." she blinked back tears as she thought of the memories the three of them had shared, but one tear betrayed her and feel down her cheek. quickly wiping her face, freydis glanced back at the pyre and tried to imagine syvli enjoying food, drinks, and laughter in valhalla -- the very thought brought a small smile to her lips, "our reunion will be one for the ages." hearing that she made her older brother proud made freydis' heart swell with happiness. "i'm proud of you, too," she grinned, "there's not a better warrior than you this side of valhalla."

a giggle slipped through her lips as she heard axsel groan. "oh, don't be so modest," she teased. he certainly had been the name on everyone's tongue lately. "you're more than qualified for the role. but, we can reconsider maybe in ten years' time when you're ancient and grey and can't hold up a sword anymore. you're correct -- right now we need that brain of yours in battle," she laughed before gently shoving axsel back. "who's filling my head with this nonsense? oh, everyone is. all the shieldmaidens who swoon over you have been talking about it. plus, i was helping some of the elders with their chores yesterday and they kept going on and on about how you'd make the perfect jarl." she shook her head quickly, her eyes widening as an amused grin played on her lips, "me? a high jarl? absolutely not! you must be out of your mind -- how much have you had to drink?"

[nightlss]

axsel chuckled. "good, let it be forgotten then so this fool can continue drinking his ale." he wasn't going to feed this rumor more than it should and if it reached the wrong ears, he will shut what it down. he wasn't the man to be the next high jarl and there are enough people who truly knew it. "even freydis asked me of it, i do not understand how it started. surely the people would know better."

finn's words took hold in axsel's heart and squeezed it. fondness couldn't even begin to describe what he felt to hear it, despite already knowing it with his whole being. "and you mine." he smiled, if only they were in the comfort of their clan's halls rather than here. "but we will not be exiled, we have yet to drink enough for that." axsel grinned and emptied the rest of his cup before filling some more.

as he looked at his cup, axsel couldn't help but sigh. "she would've laughed at the idea, laugh so hard she would be hard of breath." he chuckled at the image of slyvi laughing.

axsel's grin as he discussed battle drew finn's gaze and it warmed his heart. finn observed that his hersir was at ease in the company of others with a drink in hand, and certainly alone with him, but finn had never met another warrior who took to battle so much like a child to its mother's breast. battle seemed to nurture axsel, and finn knew he was right. if it came to the clashing of swords, axsel would emerge the victor.

he leaned into the touch of axsel's head upon his shoulder, the edge of his lips just catching his forehead in a quick kiss before he knocked back a significant amount of mead from his cup. "i did not say that i have suggested your name, if anything i have dissuaded anyone from considering it. i have assured them you are a pig-headed fool and even the title of jarl is too high for you." he teased, laughing as he winked at axsel.

his eyes softened even as his smile remained. "but no matter the outcome, you know i will be with you. high jarl, hersir, exiled for all i care, you will always have my axe." as well as his heart, but with prying eyes and ears around them finn did not want to reveal any of their weaknesses, especially if axsel had attention on him.

[nightlss]

"it is already forgiven, i apologize in return for assuming such a thing, i'm so used to people knowing who i am due to my title." she smiled softly and bowed her head, almost appearing shameful when in fact she was already thinking that this might have helped to melt whatever ice could've been between them, a banter she didn't anticipate.

there was a knife hidden within her dress but she wouldn't be foolish enough to try anything, she knew that between them finn would win and being dead would give her nothing but disadvantage. "i'm not here to kill you, i was just worried about your wellbeing. in my line of work, there are shadows." she took a deep breath, playing it as if she was nervous to ask for his help, looking around as if someone could've followed her to this meeting.

"i do not expect you to say yes, as i said i thought you knew who i was. last time i was within the walls of ironblood, a ring has been taken for me and i would like it back." she cleared her throat. "it is dear to me and i'm willing to pay anything to get it back. name your price and you shall have it."

finn watched as she floundered for words, offering her a lopsided, cocky grin. "well, leila, it is my jarl and hersir's business to remember those who they have dealings with, and it is mine to remember who to kill. forgive me for my ignorance."

finn laughed, bemused by what seemed to be her silvershore customs. in the ironblood clan, warriors didn't lie to each other over something like this. they were direct with their feelings, pointed with their accusations and dislikes. it seemed the silvershore diplomat had some sort of issue with trust that she extended to him if she was worried that he hadn't considered betrayal from her. he glanced around to check the tree line, turning back to her with raised brows and a grin. "try to kill me if you wish, leila. i will take my chances against a small silvershore diplomat." he meant no offence, though he was hardly trained in etiquette. "now, what is it you need my help with?"

[nightlss]

with a belly full of ale, he needed something to do with all the energy he had and fighting was the logical step for an ironblood such as him. they did not fight to death or first blood, simply until one yields. this wasn't a war, this was simply sport, a sport that axsel lived for.

one after one they came, still his energy would not let him pause. a grin was on his face, taunting whatever opponent was in front of him. they both fought to win but axsel was having fun on top of that. maybe it was way he was still standing when he finally paused and went to drink some water from his flask.

and there she was, as if after the smell of blood or by the gods themselves, the seer. "that i am." axsel grinned and greeted her. he wasn't the most pleasant of patient, he knew that. but this was hardly the type of wound that would need the care of a seer.

axsel shook his head. "i do not think myself immortal, nor am i fragile." he still smiled when he said it, how many scars did his body have? he never counted but he also knew many of them were treated by his seer, who only wanted his wellbeing and yet he also knew that he was stubborn, a warrior. he knew what he could and couldn't take and this wound was nothing, he'll live.

he bled so much for the gods that they noticed by taking someone else that had his blood, but there was no point in mentioning his grief nor did he wish to speak of it. "if the gods haven't taken notice yet, you always do." he chuckled and shook his head, pointing at her remedies. "there's no need, seer. i will not be sent to valhalla today because of a scratch." the smile on his face turned to a smirk.

𝐂𝐋𝐎𝐒𝐄𝐃 𝐒𝐓𝐀𝐑𝐓𝐄𝐑 ⸻ @nightlss + Axsel 𝐋𝐎𝐂𝐀𝐓𝐈𝐎𝐍 ⸻ The Dueling Grounds, Thingstead.

The scent of blood still clung to the air, thick and metallic, mingling with the earth beneath their feet. The river beyond whispered in the dark, a silent witness to yet another night of foolish, stubborn men offering themselves to its depths. The Thingstead had always demanded sacrifice—whether in steel, in gold, or in blood—and tonight had been no different.

And yet, he was still standing.

The fire from the great pyre cast long shadows across the trampled earth, licking at the night sky like a beast unsatisfied with its latest meal. Warriors gathered in clusters, some still flushed with the high of battle, others nursing wounds they would either carry home or be buried with. She paid them no mind. Her concern lay with the man too foolish to know when to fall. Yrsa stepped forward, the weight of her presence sharp as a blade sliding free of its sheath.

❝You’re bleeding.❞ The words were not gentle, nor did they need to be. They were fact, as plain as the crimson seeping through torn fabric, as obvious as the way he held himself—not in triumph, but in defiance of the pain he refused to acknowledge.

The firelight flickered over him, carving his silhouette from the darkness, all stubborn jaw and reckless pride. He would not come willingly. He never did. A slow exhale left her lips, pale eyes catching the glow of the embers as she took another step.

❝You think yourself immortal?❞ Yrsa’s voice was quieter this time, a sharp contrast to the cheers and boasts echoing across the dueling grounds. She reached for the pouch at her belt, fingers brushing over vials of crushed herbs, of remedies she had prepared long before this inevitable moment. ❝Or do you simply hope that if you bleed enough, the gods will finally take notice?❞

[nightlss]

axsel looked at his younger sister and understood her plea, a hard ask he didn't know if he could keep. it was in his nature, to be careless and reckless, but couldn't he at least try? for freydis? as they hugged, he closed his eyes for a moment and sighed. "i will try." he leaned his forehead against hers and smiled.

"i will do everything in my power to protect you, always." he couldn't do it for sylvi and his heart twisted, anger bubbling once again but he fought against it. there will be a time for anger again, just not now. watching the neckless being surrounded by fire made his eyes burn, why did the gods take sylvi from them he would never understand. "yes, she is and she'll wait for us until we're reunited." axsel smiled, though there was sadness in it. "you've always made her proud, just as i am proud of you now."

as they walked towards the longhall, axsel groaned, tired of the rumor being spread faster than he could control it. "i do not know, but it is not true. i'm unfit for the role, nor do i want it, where i belong is on the battlefield." he insisted. "who filled your head with that nonsense? if anything maybe you should be the next high jarl." he grinned and shoved freydis slight, chuckling.

a sigh of relief slipped through freydis' lips. she was scared her admission made her a bad person and a terrible shieldmaiden, but axsel's words eased her. she smiled softly as he kissed her forehead and she wrapped her arms around him, giving him a tight hug. "promise me you'll always be careful," she pleaded softly. she knew it was a lot to ask, but couldn't imagine losing axsel -- her whole world would shatter.

freydis squeezed her brother's hand and a small smile tugged at her lips before she mused, "my protective brother." as they tossed sylvi's necklace into the fire, freydis wanted to collapse onto the ground. it felt like she was truly gone -- something freydis had avoided accepting since her passing. "i'm sure she's having fun in valhalla," freydis managed a grin. "i hope to make her proud." she quickly nodded and intertwined her arm with axsel's before exclaiming, "to the longhall!" she smirked at her brother, "ah, yes. i've been hearing your name amongst the list of potential new jarls. care to share where all of this came from?"

[nightlss]

"or they'll send us to kill for them," axsel pointed out and took another gulp of his drink. he was not afraid of war not death, but he would rather raid than go to war over politics, alas that is the way of their lives and gods help him, axsel loves it. "and we will win." he grinned from ear to ear.

his name being thrown as high jarl has to be a joke by someone. he sighed and rested his head on finn's shoulder for a moment before looking at him "yes, because i will make a terrible high jarl, finn. we both know that." axsel shook his head, though he couldn't help but smile just because his companion was. "my name will stay as hersir, i do not wish to be anything else."

axsel looked around at the longhall, warriors, shieldmaidens and other clan members alike were drinking the night away, in anticipation to hear who will be crowned their high jarl. while all he wanted to do was drink and get to a warm bed. "you're not looking to get rid of your hersir, are you?" he smirked at finn. "i will not be so easily defeated." the smile never wavered from his face.

talking of sylvi had become easier as time had gone on, but the hole that her passing had left was still evident between them. her memory was very fond to finn, a sister in her own right, but his thoughts and concern were always with axsel on the matter. but still he grinned at how she used to chastise them with nothing but affection, how they could annoy her to no end and she would still love them effortlessly.

as axsel's forehead met finn's, his smile widened further and his hand found the back of axsel's head to press them all the more against each other. "if you drink enough you'll get to see three of me." he jested, laughing heartily as they ambled to the longhall. he took his seat beside axsel, holding his cup up to him as he toasted. "i will surely drink to that."

his gaze darted around the room as axsel muttered in his ear, falling upon all of the faces in the hall. how many of them had come to claim the place of the high jarl? how many of them would die for it? it was the ironblood way, to fight and die for what someone believed was owed. not finn's way, though. he hummed and leaned slightly closer to axsel, his gaze still wandering. "depends how you see it." he mused. "if everyone kills each other for it then it'll be less for us to handle." he cast his eyes to axsel, a smirk on his lips. "some people are even throwing your name around for it. high jarl axsel." he snorted. "we are all doomed."

[nightlss]

leila was at a lost of words and opened her mouth a few times to speak, but she would rather not admin it took her awhile to do so. "you do not? then why—" a fool, that had to be the explanation. she sighed deeply. "i am called leila," she took a step closer to him. "i'm a diplomat for clan silvershore, i've been to your clan many a times; have met and spoken to plenty of your people like your jarl, hersir and warriors alike."

she couldn't help but chuckle. "i should be offended at your memory, instead i find myself worried, why did you come here if you didn't know who i was? it could've been a trap, a ploy. surely you've told someone you're here with me, right?" that would complicate things but not too much, she thought. leila couldn't understand these ironblood, do they never think with their heads? if she was an assailant, this fool of a man would've had to fight for his life.

finn had to admit that receiving an informal summons, from a member of the silvershore clan no less, had piqued his curiosity. he wondered why axsel hadn't been called upon seeing as finn was no different to any other ironblood warrior, but he could only assume that his hersir was not interested. finn should have taken that as a warning, but his nature was too hard to ignore.

he met the gaze of the smaller woman, cautious footing about him in case this was an ambush. it would be foolish if it was, but he had to keep his wits about him. he pulled a face that was a mixture of confusion and an attempt to remain polite, since he was truly at a loss for who this woman was or how she knew his name. "afraid not." he answered frankly. "should i?" he eyed her curiously, suspicions high even if he had answered her call. she had asked for help, and finn had always found that difficult to ignore.

[nightlss]

axsel did not put to mind nor care towards who will become next high jarl, as his job will stay the same as it always been. training and leading his fellow warriors and shieldmaidens, that is what he was good at, that is what he was born to do. he wondered if bragi felt the same way with his role as a blacksmith. once the fighting stopped, axsel walked closer to his friend and catching his breath. "there's a fighter in you still." blacksmith or not, a warrior was always a warrior when they needed to be. "it is not me either," he sighed, the burn in his body after the fight felt good, it felt right. this is where he belongs. "you are not just a blacksmith, you are the finest one i know." axsel put his hand on bragi's shoulder. "whoever is chosen as high jarl will have our respect, as they always did."

the  words  leaving  the  hersir's  lips  were  what  the  blacksmith  had  thought.  he  did  not  want  it  ⸻  yet  the  world  would  look  upon  him  and  think  this  would  be  the  next  step  for  him.  a  chuckle  escapes  grinning  lips  of  man,  his  fingers  callused  and  broken  from  years  of  axe  wielding  and  smithy  tools.  the  question  returned  to  former  warrior  however,  makes  stomach  twist  and  curl.  did  he  want  it  ?  the  darkness  and  warrior  within  him  screamed  and  tossed  itself  against  it's  restraints,  wishing  to  claim  what  could've  been  his,  what  the  gods  wants  from  bragi  the  bloodthirsty.  but  bragi  steinsson,  the  blacksmith  wants  peace  and  quiet.  "  no.  "  his  answer  is  short  and  fighting  stops  as  he  walks  away  catching  his  breath  and  gazing  out  over  the  solemn  sky.  "  I  left  that  life  over  ten  years  ago,  it  is  not  me  who  should  take  up  high  jarl  strykars  legacy.  "  or  so  he  tells  himself,  while  the  shadows  whisper  for  more.  for  bloodshed  and  horrors.  "  I  am  nothing  but  a  blacksmith,  there  are  better  options.  "  he  tells  himself  yet  does  not  believe.