Vali walked around the Mead Hall. This structure- just like most of the other structures- were here long before Skaal arrived. At first Vali doubted that this place existed, finding it made living in Fiore so much easier. It saved them the duty of building homes from scratch. It had been nearly eight months since the vikings had arrived to Fiore and nearly seven since they had revived this abandoned  Icebergan settlement. The titan couldn't believe that he was the one fated to lead such a big village. He spent his entire life trailing behind his older brother, standing in his shadow as everyone praised him. If his sibling was alive, there was no doubt in his mind that he'd be the one to be Jarl. His elder brothers death was the worst and the best thing that happened to him. It forced him to grow up, to take on responsibilities that other men his age couldn't handle and meant that he was next in line to be Jarl of Skaal. On the other hand it also secured Val's feeling of loneliness.

The Fairy Tail mage took a deep breath. It felt like years since he stood in the the mead hall. The building was as big as it could be, and at the moment it was as empty and quiet as ever. Val looked toward the empty throne, slowly making his way towards it. One day soon he would be sitting there- not that it really mattered. Although he wasn't the Jarl yet, he was still the one making things happen... a title meant nothing in this case. Suddenly a blue flash of light zoomed behind the Jarls throne. There was a space a bit darker than the other spaces and corners in the hall. This corner seemed to call to him. This strange pool of darkness made it especially hard for him to see the wall behind the throne.

The half-elf squinted his eyes, slowly putting his left foot in front of the right until he could finally see something within the darkness. In seconds his own eyes witnessed Icy blue eyes glaring at him, watching as he moved continued to move forward. Quickly the Lord moved with haste trying to approach the mysterious being but also trying not to frighten it? "If that is you Alfather, reveal yourself..." he whispered in his native language. This mysterious being continued to visit him yet he had no idea who or what it was. While he felt that it was Odin or another one of the Satri gods but it could have very well been something else. Maybe Illumin had a take in his fate since now the dark skinned Icebergan knew that Illumin existed as well.

"M'lord." A voice interrupted as the doors to the hall angrily opened revealing Vali only a few feet away from the throne. For a split moment Val turned to face the viking who called out to him but when his eyes returned to the shadowy area behind the chair, he could no longer see the icy blue eyes. "What is it?" he sighed as he faced the viking once more. He was equipped with an axe on his waist, a shield on his back and leather armor across his body.

"There is a woman here to see you..." Nothing important. Another villager perhaps wondering if Vali could lend her more supplies or food. With a slight twitch the elven lord nodded lightly. "Please, send her in." He replied in Icebergan as he awaited the mysterious woman with his arms behind his back. When the woman entered she would be followed by two guards. To his surprise it was not one of the villagers who wanted anything from him, It was someone he had allowed to join him on his quest to a better life. It was none other than Priscilla; the woman who had sworn loyalty and promised to aid Vali for land in return. "Priscilla, you did not forget about me after all!" He chuckled from the other side of the hall. His arms raised in happiness as he stood before the Jarls home. He wondered what Priscilla thought now that she had been in one of Vali's villages. "I was beginning to worry that you would not follow through." his voice was smooth, cool, slightly raspy and light to the ears.

Priscilla was bruised and battered, bandaged here and there. She looked like she really had been through a lot for Vali, who was rightfully her lord. Val nodded with a smirk, almost devilish s he listened to her short venture. She hunted down people for personal reasons, but she also met a Lich and turned up before coming here. "A Lich..." he whispered. Could she have seen the same Lich Judith saw? Hopefully this creature of darkness didn't become a problem. The bags around her body were filled with papers and information.

Just like Vali had asked it seemed like Priscilla had successfully gathered information regarding every Rune Knight official. These were essential because these papers would reveal the one who murdered his brother. The purple haired mercenary was curious as to what she'd be given for her work. "Unfortunately I cannot offer you land as big as mine but what I will offer you is still good land." He ensured as he quickly moved towards her. Behind her, directly in front of the door guards stood awaiting a command from their leader. "Bring me a medic." He told them.  

"Yes M'lord." one of the guards nodded before exiting to fetch a healer. "After you are tended to I will take you to see your land, it is close to the water...close to Njord." He admitted. The piece of land was manageable, beautiful really. It was at the end of this village but separated by homes in front of it. There Priscilla could have a sense of privacy. If she wanted she could even start her own guild or something- that's how big the land was. Truthfully it was only Val's to give because nobody else had claimed it yet. Once the viking reached Priscilla, he'd gently take the bags from off her body before directing her to the bench right in front of her. "Please sit." If she had done so, Vali would beside her not he saw bench, giving her a space of about 3 feet.

"I have worked hard to have all of this." He raised his hands the the air as he was referring to the village and everything in it. "The files that you have brought me will have the details I need to avenge my brother without harming any other innocents." He smirked, twitching his fingers a bit. His voice was calm, his mind was at ease- or at least more at ease than it usual. "My people are eager to raid this country but I know that will be a failed attempt." The silver titan scooted closer towards her. "I have grown to love this country, just as I love my own country. Is avenging my brothers death is worth everything that I've worked for?" He asked almost rhetorically. He knew the answer he wanted to hear, he just hoped that Priscilla would give it to him.

Still, It was a serious question. He wanted to avenge his brother but in doing so he felt like he would ruin everything he worked so hard for. Icebergans were heavy on loyalty and pride. The Jarl himself was set on avenging his brother, it was the only reason he sent his son here. Val took it upon himself to settle for this long. Vikings didn't care about any of that so long as they died a glorious death to secure their spot in Valhalla. Val though...he was much different then his people. He was not eager to enter Valhalla, he was eager to obtain a sustainable life, a good life for his people and their children's children's.

Suddenly, before Priscilla could respond the door would swing open again, revealing two women with long ragged dresses carrying a handful of herbs, bandages, and special ointments for Priscilla. "my friend is injured, can you help her?" He asked the medic women in Icebergan. "I believe we can." She replied in the common tongue. Her hair was blonde and long. She was not a warrior women, her phsyque and occupation made that obvious but her tone of voice could fool one into thinking she was. Slowly she moved towards Priscilla. "I am Borga. You are in good hands for some believe that I have the power of an Eir. What is your name?" She smiled. The other medic was a smaller woman with shorter black hair. She set a cloth on the floor beside the bench for Priscilla to lay down on. Borga would extend her hand towards the cloth directing Priscilla there.

Vali awaited his friends answer to his question though, hoping that this would not distract her or cause her to forget.

One thing the half-elven Viking lord could say was that Priscilla was humble. Usually women where he was from also sought out a simple life. They were grateful for any opportunity, where he was from, just as long as it benefited them. This purple haired woman reminded him of an Icebergan woman. Oddly enough though, many of the people he met were stubborn and tough like him. With a smirk he nodded. Even if Priscilla didn't desire a flashy life-style, she deserved that much. Vali absorbed everything the women before him was saying. While he was very intelligent and wise he still had much to learn. Priscillas words struck his heart like Thors lightning. His eyes were focused on the wooden ground beneath her feet but his ears awaited more of her words.

She asked him things that forced his mind to push further than it usually did. However, Vali always thought of these questions. He was prepared to answer every single one of them. Truth was; he did exhaust every option. There really wasn't any other option at this point either. He was in too deep. Fiore was his home now he couldn't go back even if he wanted to. If he attacked Fiore, then he would have nowhere to run...nowhere to retreat. This was Fiore's land by right. The mysterious and wise purple haired woman presented other methods such as kidnapping which would also benefit him. Even then the risks were great.

"Revenge was too relieving to take yourself" The strength of those words seemed almost unreal. Never in all his years of living had he taken a life for vengeance. Could Priscilla mean that payback was an unpredictable flame? Perhaps it could burn Vali in other ways...perhaps it could completely break him and cause him to thirst for more. "Mmm..." he let out as Priscilla finished her last words. The viking would have a lot to think about- even more than what before this moment. He was comfortable with how Priscilla thought. He liked her.  "I have much to think about, aye. I fear I already have too much in my head." he snickered with a slight twitch. Lately his minds been a lot looser.

Borga and her assistant began working on Priscilla, wiping her bruises with moss covered in the liquid of various herbs. They rewrapped her, and the whole time they remained quiet as the two spoke. "The things that we speak of can never leave this room." He whispered to Priscilla with a smirk. He meant every word. He would have to kill her if they did. Loyalty was everything. The fact that he had someone around who was probably a true thinker excited him. Conversations with far more meaning would come...dangerous conversations. The fire in the middle of the hall burned, creating cracking sounds and releasing sparks of heat.

Suddenly the door swung open. This was the third time it had happened. The large wooden building rung with the slam of the pushed door. "Lord, Chief Leonus is here with the Nekomata Rebels." The Desiertan Viking raised an eyebrow. He was surprised that Leonus was here so soon. Chief Leonus was the leader of the the Nekomata Tree Village, but Vali Onfroy was his superior. "So soon, aye?" He nodded with a sigh. The young lord clenched his jaws before glancing over at Priscilla, then Borga. He really wasn't ready for what was to come in the following moments... he wondered if Priscilla was ready. It was all so sudden.

"Alright." He said after running his palms over his face as if he was rinsing it with water. Quickly and confidently Vali stood up. "Thank you Borga." He then looked at Priscilla. "You are here just in time for the execution, brace yourself." He breathed before tucking his lips and widening his eyes. "Here we go again" was all over his face as he began to walk out of the mead hall, expecting Borga, her assistant and Priscilla to follow. The ground was soft- sturdy, but soft. Vali's boots left barely visible marks as he trailed behind both of his guards who would lead him and Priscilla to chief Leonus.

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"I fight..." he whispered quickly with a devilish smirk. What else could he do when he needed to blow steam? Things were different now though. As much as he wanted to fight, he had no intention of "spending" lives. He needed his people just as much as they needed him. Now that he had nothing to occupy his thoughts, he was on the brink of what may be his insanity. Vali didn't trust many people anymore. He banished his closest friend, his mother went insane, and with his brother gone it felt like he had lost everyone. Oddly enough though, he felt like he could trust Priscilla. It was something about her that Vali could connect to.

The purple haired woman ensured that she'd be alright. After all, she was a killer- probably more of a killer than Vali himself. Though the difference in their strength was pretty obvious, Priscilla's wisdom and experience was probably a weapon in itself. "Very well." He sighed facing forward. Priscilla and the noble lord walked together as they were guided by two guards. Behind them four more guards trailed. As they began to walk through the village, the people outside would stop what they were doing, honoring their Lord. They were preparing themselves for the execution. The villagers would gaze upon Priscilla, some whispering to each other about her. She was a stranger after all.

The skies began to darken as the sky was being swallowed by the gray clouds. Thors clouds. Suddenly, . Thunder had boomed so loudly even the villagers who were used to stormy weather jumped. Vali, however did not. His eyes were set on the people up ahead. A block after the village gates, a few meters in front of him stood Chief Leonus of the Nekomata Tree tribe. He brought his two advisors and was accompanied by his warriors. Beside Leonus was Jarl Tristan Onfory; Vali's father and Bunda; Tristans most trusted friend.

"Chief Leonus." he forced a smile. "My lord." The Chief greeted with a slight bow. The guards in front and behind Vali and Priscilla would step aside. Leonus moved to the side, revealing a line of approximately 30 Nekomata warriors a few meters behind him. They were waiting to die in chains. The titan's false smile dropped into a very real frown. Meanwhile the ruler of Skaal seemed to have found someone important. "Is this your new friend, Vali?" Tristan asked as he stepped towards Priscilla. The Jarl smirked, just like his son. "You are a beauty like none I have ever seen." He would gently grab her hand and if she allowed, he would kiss it. "You resemble the Valkyrie Brunhilda... How did you find my son?" he said. Awaiting her reply.

Vali had been pre-occupied looking at the men, the few teenagers a bit younger than himself, and some women who were anxious about their new fate. How could anybody be ready to execute so many people though. Chief Leonus remained silent, he notice Vali's slight twitching. "That is Priscilla and yes, she is a friend of mine." He said, still looking at the traitors. "She is our biggest asset right now, so she should not feel uncomfortable." he added. Although Vali was pretty much running things, Tristan was still the Jarl at the moment- there was only so much he could say to him.

Quickly Vali would walk step back towards Chief Leonus. "My Lord, how is your health?" The Neko-man asked. "Very well, thank you. I see that you are healthy." Chief Leonus nodded. He half expected his leader to ask about his well being. The Fairy cared very little about how Chief Leonus was feeling- at least in this very moment. The people of Skaal were probably growing impatient. "Can you say for certain that you have captured all of the traitors?" "Yes My lord..." Chief Leonus said in a whisper. It was obvious that he felt bad for having to watch his people be executed but he swore loyalty to Vali. Vali was his leader and as such, this was necessary.

Meanwhile Tristan had been entertaining Priscilla. He was interested in how she came into the picture. He was more so interested in knowing if she had any feelings for his son. "You and my son...are you both...?"  The Jarl pointed at the one eyed woman then back at his son trying to figure out if they were an item.

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Jarl Tristan listened to Priscillas words. At first she didn't know who the Jarl referred to when he described her beauty. Still he accepted that I was probably a compliment and smiled with a light nod. The purple haired mistress then explained how Vali came to meet Priscilla. To the Jarl it sounded like nothing more than fate. Tristan noticed how she did not tell the Jarl too much information. Her explanation was broad. Tristan smirked, acknowledging her loyalty to his son. Vali had a way with winning the hearts of people over- he was a good person at heart and most people could see that. Even someone as daunting a this woman here must have saw that right?

"I see..." he responded. Then Priscilla assured the Lord of Skaal that her and Vali were merely partners in work. Suddenly she began to move away more interested in what his son was doing. With an eyebrow raised Tristan was...even more interested in her. However she probably wasn't interested in the Jarl. No matter how much power he had there were always women out there who'd reject him. With a sigh The Jarl moved towards his son, trailing behind Priscilla. Just as Priscilla approached Vali he turned to walk to the center of the town, standing directly beside the lined up Nekomata traitors.

First the elf glanced at Priscilla, then towards his father, then at Chief Leonus who'd all be standing in front of the line of traitors while he stood on the other side- behind the line. The young Lord took a deep breath before looking around at the villagers. They were put at ease upon realizing the ceremony would begin. "People of Skaal, people of Treerin Village, friends..." he glanced at Priscilla again before turning his head back to the crowd. "These people here are Traitors to your Lord. I have sent a team of warriors to Treerin village in order to help Chief Leonus dig out the rebels who do not think that I am worthy of leading us."

Val spoke with a nonchalant expression, turning to face the other side of the crowd as the entire village remained quiet. "Let me remind you that it was my brother who risked his life to come here! Let me remind you that I had to execute my own mother for the sake of all of us. Do not forget that I... fought against demons, putting my life on the line to save everyone standing before me! I did! Nobody else, me!" The Desiertan Lord was slightly frustrated. Even through all of his kind gestures towards everyone, people had been betraying and hurting him left and right. The Titan walked around the line of chained traitors standing in front of them. His father, Chief Leonus and Priscilla would be behind him unless she moved. Vali's eyes scrolled to each of the traitors, meeting with young ones and women. He looked up quickly shaking his head as he sucked his teeth.

"I do not want to murder these people because these people are my people... But I cannot allow traitors to live without punishment under the Jarl's rule." He was referring to his father but almost everyone knew that he was really referring to himself. Everyone respected Vali as their leader at this point. Jarl Tristan would step down soon, he was just waiting for the right moment to do so- and everyone knew that too. "So I will warn all of you now..." he began with his lips tucked and his eyes widened. "Anyone who betrays me will see the same fate as all thirty of these people here." With that, he extended his hand as a warrior came from beside him with a sword. The warrior handed the sword over to his lord before stepping back.

Slowly Vali walked towards the end of the Line and of course he was first faced with a teenager. The Nekomata teen looked at him with sheer hate in his eyes. There was no sense of regret, his eyes revealed that he did not see Vali as his true leader. The silver Titan clenched his jaw. It didn't matter if this boy hated Vali, it'd hurt to execute him. The boy turned to Chief Leonus before spitting by the Chief's feet. With a deep breath the white haired viking raised the sword above his head, swinging it down with all of his strength and chopping the head of the boy clean off. The village suddenly went into a frenzy, cheering "Traitors! Traitors" and cheering Vali on to execute the rest of the chained Neko's. Vali continued to execute them and quickly too. Each kill resulted in splattered blood on his clothes and specks of red liquid on his face but he didn't stop.

Truthfully, he just wanted to get through this. This was the most people he's ever had to execute. Then again, this was only the second time he ever had to execute anybody. Finally the silver titan was faced with the last traitor. Val halted himself for a moment and following him the cheering halted as well. His eyes met with the Neko's face but his eyes were closed. The traitor's knees were planted in the ground and sweat dripped from his forehead. Suddenly before Val's very eyes he saw...someone in the crowd. Someone familiar? It was...sage? Vali's eyes widened immediately. A rush of excitement, happiness, and love flushed through his body.

"Sage..." he whispered. Then in another moment the boy disappeared. Just like that his body was gone. Vali knew what such a vision meant and the gods knew all too well that he wasn't ready for such a fact. Sage? No....I-it can't be....Sage? No no no not sage, not sage, please no. He thought. After Sage vanished his eyes met with the icy blue eyes of the mysterious phantom who had been in his life and that's when it was confirmed. Sage was dead. The blonde headed elf boy that Vali had grown to love like a brother...was gone? Despite them believing in different gods and having different morals, Sage was a light in his life that he could never ever replace. Sage was truly a kindred spirit, someone important to him... Why would his god take him so soon!?

Vali suddenly no longer had the will to kill the last traitor. He was brought back to reality with he booming sound of thunder in the sky. Trying his best to look unbothered he turned to Priscilla. His eyes began to water and his voice began to tremble but nobody would understand why. Nobody could see the ghost of Sage or the mysterious cloaked phantom. "Priscilla...will you Honor Skaal, Leonus,  the Jarl, and I by killing this traitor?" He asked. He was certain she wouldn't deny. If she agreed he'd move towards her to hand her the sword and step to the side, watching her as he held the tears in his eyes. Tristan would only glance over at his son, but would say nothing. Leonus would remain quiet for now as well.

All eyes watched Priscilla. The one eyed stranger. Tristan's eyes landed on her as well, waiting to see her in some sort of action. It was easy to determine a person based on how they killed someone and the entire village was waiting to see the type of person this mysterious woman was.

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The Jarl was a very wise man. He was a man with experience who has dealt with even the strangest women. Val's own mother wasn't an ordinary woman thus he completely understood what Priscilla meant. Under her words though seemed to be something else. Either she did have some sort of feelings for his elven son and she preferred to keep those feelings at a distance for professional purposes or Tristan wasn't as wise as he thought he was. Usually Icebergan men had the tendency to think optimistically. It was no secret that Val was handsome. He was also very young with a bright future at the rate he was going. Needless to say that the heir to Skaal was a far better option than himself.

As all 3 noble men stood side by side, they watched as Priscilla took the blade. The villagers went quiet, waiting to see what the woman would do. They found comfort in her optimism. Tristan's face remained nonchalant as he scanned the surprisingly bold eyeless lady. The chief of the Treerin forced himself to watch. To look away was to disrespect his lord. Val however, watched with his eyes but his mind was elsewhere. The only way Sage could have visited him was if he was dead. It was simply his ghost after all. The only other explanation was his approaching insanity but the titan felt completely normal and aware. The mercenary patted her friend on the shoulder and told him not to worry. Suddenly her voice seemed to shift into a more...demonic(?) tone.

The noble Desiertan of Iceberg simply nodded with an obviously fake smile. Part of him had been itching to see how Priscilla handled these types of things. He wanted to know if she truly did appreciate the art of killing like his Brethren or if she simply had no problem with it. It didn't take long for him to see that it wasn't the latter. Priscilla truly was a blood driven woman. Time slowed as Priscilla moved towards the last being. It was a younger man. His eyes looked into Vali's one last time but the young lord was fixed on the woman. He noticed her smile slightly as she swung, chopping the boys head clean off. A moment later and the village cheered for the woman. They loved her... they didn't know her...but they loved her.

Tristan glanced over at his son. The two pairs of eyes met. The Jarl smiled with a shrug whilst Vali merely turned away. Chief Leonus gazed upon the woman with utter fear as if he could feel how dangerous she was. By now, Leonus probably knew that he was being ruled by a Barbarian with barbarian people. Animals, pure animals he thought as Ironic as it was. Val shook himself out of his thought and stepped towards Priscilla, putting his arm over her shoulder and faced the crowd. "Now, we feast in the Mead Hall!" He shouted as the villagers began to disperse. A second later and rain began to fall onto them.

"Thor is pleased!" a random villager shouted. The half Desiertan turned towards Priscilla. "Will you feast, or would you like me to bring you to your new land?" He said in a soft tone. He really wanted to break down and cry at this very moment. His heart ached and morned for Sage. Could he have really died?

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Vali's thoughts were clouded, but not to the point where he lost sight of his purpose. There was a purpose to all of this, everything that happened had a reason, however, he seemed to get the bad end of the stick. The gods were either testing him or trying to change him. The Viking Lord spaced out for a split moment after speaking to Priscilla. The Villagers walked towards the mead hall. Every so often a handful of them would glance over at Priscilla and Vali. It was obvious that none of them weren't used to her. Hell they were always wary when in the presence of a Fiorian. Even so, if the one eyed woman managed to catch the eyes of a random villager, she'd probably be greeted with a smile. They liked her.

Priscilla finally replied. It seemed she was interested in the feast after all. Unfortunately, Vali was not totally interested. Politeness was usually how he ended up in situations he didn't really want to be in. The Young Lord still didn't respond. He heard Priscilla yet he was still spaced out. The only thing on his mind was the well being of Sage although he was more than sure he was dead. The gods spoke to him often and never have they lied. When his murderous friend asked if he needed to rest, the Viking shook away from his thoughts. "Aye...actually I do." he began as his eyes rose to set on Priscilla's eye.

Vali almost couldn't hold his tears back as his eyes watered. The purple haired woman declared that she'd go to the feast for a while then want to see her land. Vali nodded, forcing a smile as he glanced around. "Alright." He finally faced her again. The silver titan placed his hand on her shoulder. "It will be good for you to familiarize yourself with my people- afterall, you are my people now too." He said coldly before turning around. "Ask the Jarl to bring you to my home after the celebration, I will take you to your new home then." He said before walking towards his home.

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