Lumikki of Iceberg

"Within the ice, time doth flow."

”Is that so…” Lumikki growled, her temper for the sort was rather fleeting. ”Yea, from what I gather my Revna. Seems to me that they are smuggling Talaz throwaway in your boarders again. Figured you’d appreciate to be in the know before it causes more problems.” Gunvald chimed, his words were merry with usefulness and know-how. Out of Lumikki’s flock, he was the best at being in the know when it came to scouting. And as such, he often extended his expertise where the other ravens fell short.

“Something the matter my Lady?” Alvis inquired as he was pouring her tea. They were in the new Guild Master office, sorting some matters of the move before one of Lumikki’s ravens flew in. Now Lumikki sat at her table with a snarl on her face, dampening the mood they held prior. ”Talaz Lagaar,”
was all she could bare to utter but it would enough for Alvis to understand. Even prompting him to hurry the cakes and sweets to the table so that it joined her tea. “I pity the fools then,” he’d sigh as he set down the plate. “How long until you set out?” He stepped back as he asked, waiting for her to settle into her snack before committing to an answer.

Lumikki sighed after a few bites into her strawberry cake, the cream was quite fluffy and the berries rather ripe. ”Where are they Gunvald…” The sweets helped to deflate her anger but not restore her patience. Alvis knew that the Demoness would surely take off the moment she finished. ”Far off in Groenvollr plains in a cavern tucked rather well in some mountain. Shame for them, they couldn’t keep out of a bird’s eye. My flock shared with me the location, so when you are ready, I’ll gladly lead you.”

With eyes showing her fatigue, Lumikki would simply nod. Accepting her bird’s service, she sought to leave as soon as she was done. “I shall look over the paperwork while you’re gone then. Anything you want me to prioritize first?” Alvis walked over to her desk with the stack of papers. Sifting through the assortment there. ”Sort the living quarters first and foremost, and the residential permits. I need the shops looked over and approved as soon as possible to get the folks settled in and open for business. There’s a lot there sadly, so have Erica help you.” Alvis nodded as he got to work, remaining silent from then on to focus on the task and leave Lumikki be.

She appreciated the silence and enjoyed the rest of her meal. Rising from her seat soon after and pulling a special key from her realm. Gunvald would glide from his spot to sit atop her shoulder, perched and ready for the crossing. And Lumikki would turn the key in her office door only to open the way to another place entirely.

”Shall we?” The High Jarl prompted. ”Oh we shall,” cooed Gunvald, who was giddy with the prospect of all the impending carnage.

 

"In stillness, sometimes we grow."

DSK-0vRI of Talaz Laagar

"Never stop searching..."

After a little bit of rest the two bandits were back at it, testing several different codes and getting locked out after too many ‘wrong’ tries. Truth be told they were closer with numbers than they were with anything else. It was amazingly annoying to the both of them. They had no idea that the crows had found them earlier, never had any idea that they were under scrutiny from upon high. They had figured themselves safe, even taking time to try to clean up after themselves.

They were being smart in every sense of the word; until magic was involved. Until her damn flock was involved. Paradise dawn moving into the reaches of Iceberg still wasn’t registering as a threat for many of them. Some of the smarter ones packed up and left, some outright refused and some were clueless about the danger they posed. Even more so the danger that was posed by none other than the Guildmaster and current high Jarl.

The boss huffed a little bit and hefted an axe, ready to try to smash the tablet looking screen and forcing open the device they had spent six bleeding hours on so far. The smaller younger bandit stepped infront of him hands raised. The older bandit scoffed…

”Step aside!”

”Look damagin the stuff inside is a bad idea, what if it’s a bomb or something?”

The boss paused, paled a bit and looked at his axe. Creating another explosion that took out talaz laagar was a bad bleeding idea. Tossing the axe to one side he’d huff. It’d land with a loud clang before the boss leaned down to read the ‘inscriptions’ on the device. He doubted something named ‘discovery’ was a bomb but… A whole stupid country put themselves out to pasture with their tech and this could be one of those things with a failsafe.

”I hate to admit it but yer probably right in the idea of hitting it with an axe being a bad bleedin idea. But okay mr “wizard saint” what do you think we should do huh?”

”Send a runner to your… spec… spec… Eh… that guy you said could open it?”

”Ah piss… I don’t want to give him twenty percent but… Tch. Blood thors hammer fine. We’ll send a runner after we try a few more codes. How’s that sound?”

”Sounds good to me boss. Should I get some more mead?”

”Yeah might as well. Tell the others get some themselves too. This is gonna be a long bleedin night…”

The man scratched his head and watched the kid run off. Frowning a bit he’d shake his head. They were barely twenty winters old and here he was being nearly twice that. The kid having all sorts of good ideas made the older bandit feel like he was losing out by being a bandit but here they were enjoying the finer things…

”Maybe our luck is turnin around and we can sell this thing to some rich bastard.”

He’d run his hands along the exterior of the pod, inspecting the silver material. He’d frown slightly as he could feel a bit of a tingling sensation along his fingers with that. When he had touched it with the bar or the other tools he didn’t get any sensation. What was he dealing with here…?

 

"I'll save them all..."

Lumikki of Iceberg

"Within the ice, time doth flow."

A boisterous chuckle rumbled from his chest and boomed throughout the air. Bo Dahl, Jarl of the southern lands and protector of the Groenvollr plains, was now lumbering over to the petite Demoness. ”Fair winds and firm ground, High Jarl,” his voice bellowed as his clear-sky eyes fell upon her. He wore a warm grin that made his features more inviting despite the dirt on his chin. It was evident that he had returned from the fields, assisting the other farmers at their work. But he dropped all of that to greet Lumikki soundly, as he was a man of proper honor despite his lack of Jarl-like decorum.

Bo halted his stride for a moment, drawing the rune Algiz in the air with his thumb and slightly nodding in her direction. Both signs of respect and good faith, expected of a man so well beloved by the people of the south. ”Now what brings the good lass herself, all the way down to my yard? In truth, I didn’t think I’d be seeing you so soon. Then again, I know you’ve been hard at work sewing and reaping things in Iceberg.” His joyful face slowly hardened into a more serious one, ”so I can only wonder what brings you of all people down here in person, with no word prior about some visit.” Right to the point, Bo wanted to know if there was any dangers. Being the vanguard of the local farmers, he couldn’t afford being too relaxed.

Lumikki was actually eager to see him again, out of the other Jarls, he came off as the most wholesome. Traits she still found to be rather endearing, and so it sadden her a bit to see the smile sour. ”Relax Bo, nothing creeping in yer fields from what me flock says; but there are a few bandits just around the bend that I came to see for meself. They’re hauling junk I don’t particularly care for, and till I have warriors properly trained—or know the threat mind ye—I just felt I’d rather come meself is all. Course it never hurts to pay ye a visit if I got the chance either. Would it be too much to ask for a dinner tonight? Can’t top a meal from Groenvollr.” Lumikki leaned forward slightly with a grin on her face. Trying to soften the implications of her sudden appearance to sooth her friend of his worries.

It took a while for him to take it in, but he’d soon get it. With a small sigh, he’d return to his smile soon enough and giddy to accept her request. ”Sure thing Hrútr, I think I’ll fix the stew then myself. Make sure its nice and perfect for ya when you get back….but” He now looked a tad worried, his bright eyes somewhat dimming a bit. ”Are you really planing on walking in there alone? I mean, I can spare the men, or even just be the only one to join you.” A groan rumbled from his lips as he pulled his posture back and ran this hand through his hair. It was clear just how much this made him feel uncomfortable, especially with his role as a protector. Despite knowing Lumikki’s nature and strength, as he saw her, she simply looked like a small girl. And though he’d hate to offend her, he refused to be silent before his worries were.

Lumikki matched his sigh and took a step forward. Her hand gently patting his arm. ”Lend me yer most trusted if it calms ya Bo. But I like ye best here where ye could stay vigilant. Sides, I’m waiting on the stew ya’ve mentioned and this shouldn’t take long.” With an outstretched arm Lumi pointed toward the mountain that made their lair, disclosing the destination of her work. ”He could come back and settle out a team to help clean the contraband after the fact. After I’ve gotten a look around it all first to make sure it’s all safe to even move. But with me birds to watch over, we could save all of that for the ‘morrow couldn’t we. So don’t over stress it now.” It took a moment but it was enough to calm his fears. Bo’s head was nodding repeatedly as he took it all in. And sure enough his smile would return in full. ”The wisest as I expected, and I already know just the man for the job too.”

                             

The pair walked in utter silence with nothing but the man’s steps making sounds as he trudged the terrain. His feet disturbing loose stones as he hauled his burly body along the rock side, meanwhile, Lumikki with all her agile grace hardly made a mess as she walked the path. ”Ye know lad, yer permitted to speak to me if ye’d like. I don’t think me so removed that silence is the only thing befittin’ me company. If there men about, me ravens would now. Sparing us the aguish of an ambush. So then Eirik, as ye as good as Bo says?”

Eirik whose attention was both rather focused and elsewhere, tensed upon hearing the High Jarl’s voice. Being around Bo was one thing as he was quite the grounded man, but to encounter Lumikki was another. In truth, he didn’t know what to say but it seemed that wouldn’t slide in the Demoness’ company. At first he racked his brain to figure out how to answer, not yet knowing her temperament or nature. To him, she was an utter stranger. A foreign concept, another being; but he was no coward, and he didn’t loose his poise. So with enough thought, he finally eased himself into an answer. ”Forgive me High Jarl, your presence be somewhat imposing. As for Bo—hah—he doesn’t look it but he could big sometimes. Still, out of the lot, you are safest in my care High Jarl, I assure you.” His voice was a steady as his pace, the airs of a warrior. Though he was not dressed in fancy furs or armors, his scars painted a better picture of his merit. Even if Lumikki didn’t need him, she was content to have him along all the same.

A soft chuckle left the mages lips before she turned to look at him, her gaze veering high as he towered over her petite frame. ”Pleasure to have ye Eirik, but just call me Lumikki instead.”

"In stillness, sometimes we grow."