It was a clear afternoon, the waves were gently leaving kisses of foam on the black beach.. A crab had just come out of hiding, slipping from underneath it's blanket of sand now that the storm had eased.. It made a sideways walk, intending to go into the water for a swim.. further and further. Then suddenly a gust of hot air.. a gruesome noise and bile spilled on top of the crab. Instantly freezing in place and raising its claws in defense.
Then nothing.. a few unsure steps went on until it bumped into a large lump.. Odd on this beach, it was flat as a pancake or it should be. No matter, the water wasn't far and with nimble steps the crab found purchase , starting it's climb.. then the surface it was upon shifted and wrinkled before tilting .. the crab had but one option left and closed its claw down on where it was standing.. "WRaargrh!!"
Styrk startled and woke from his cold slumber.. he opened up his tired eyes. It was a testament to the strength in his arms that in spite of the weary tremble of his muscle he managed to get upright.. he was covered head to foot in the sand. One could've assumed he was charred. Yet he wasn't. He dug a finger in his mouth and he puked out the disgusting salty liquid that had filled his stomach..
A bit further near the dunes Bjorstein stood naked next to a fire. He looked pale like stone, it somehow befitted his grim expression. Frozen and bitter. Waiting for his clothes to dry, hanging from remnants of their wyrmship. He made no effort to help anyone else that he had seen on the beach. It was as if he were waiting to see who had the strength to survive the debacle at sea. Even as the others finally started moving he made no sign or gave no sound.
Forstrang got up after a moment. The crab making it's escape letting go of his nose.. The brute looked left of him seeing the mast that he had held and something else. With a grunt turning to look around before moving over sluggishly towards Styrk, "Hé!", he said, poking the man in the shoulder with has hand. The bald man looked up at the brute, raising his hand over his eyes to shield them from the sun. "What.. hgrn.. now?"
Styrk pointed at the fire..
Several others had appeared as the hours passed.., Behemund and Thorkel among them. They both shared a glance and looked at Styrk with quiet contempt. No energy left to fight at all, but enough to talk. "Wonder who will find us first.. the king's men or the fleet?", Thorkel asked.. "The fleet would've found us already if they bothered to find us. For all they know or care we're dead men just as we may well have been impaled on a svertling's javelin. Bah! Swimming in riches and what do we have to show for our efforts!? My half-brother died in that burning tray of sand!" Behemund booted through a plank as a burst of adrenaline coursed through him. He regretted it instantly though and sunk to a knee.. "Atleast we have fire.. hgrn..", Forstrang muttered as he rubbed his chest, an old trick to keep warm as one's arms would take care of themselves by doing so. "All I care for now is to return home.. that is.. before it gets auctioned off.", one of the crewmen uttered miserably. "Cheer up! I found us some amusement! Here girl, dance!", Uxinn had come out of nowhere, on his shoulder Styrk's slave. They all looked on quietly.. "Ox you cursed imbecile..", a balding man named Frar said as he pointed.. Uxinn placed the girl on her feet, "Come on, you need to get those cold rags off..", he uttered with a filthy chuckle.. She fell like a sack. "Now that is not the way..", Uxinn said as he was about to lift her up.. "Ox .. svertling is dead...", Forstrang said. Uxinn looked at Frar's finger and followed it, indeed he now noticed that from her hair a piece of wood was sticking and as he lifted her strands away her skull had been pierced .. "Won't have much fun out of that one anymore..", Frar jested darkly. "No.", Uxinn retorted, "Bjorstein likes them dead. Hahah!" Bjorstein tossed his clothes back on, glaring at Uxinn.
After a while the local jarl's men made their appearance. They were on horseback. "Hail!", their officer shouted. Behemund rose up a hand in greeting, ignoring Styrk now even if the man made no effort to respond. "Greetings!", Behemund replied, .. all others were glancing half-wary.. most were criminals in their past lives of one kind or the other. "I understand that you men served under Isenwald?" "We are!", Behemund replied, "Did they send for you men to come look for us?" The officer leaned to one side and one of his men whispered in his ear before continuing to speak, "We are here for that indeed. Hand over your weapons if you have any left.", the officer led his men on and they came closer. Their hauberks looked torn and dents were in their otherwise fine helmets. Bjorstein flinched as a man reached out to accept his sword.. Forstrang sniffed deeply and growled. Uxinn then quirked a brow, "Hard to take my weapons..", he said before flexing his arms, the boulders of muscle within bulging. "Quit fooling.", the soldier replied humorlessly. Styrk suddenly rose up his face, as if he barely had realized these soldiers of the king had appeared, "You want the treasure too?" The officer's jaw locked a moment and he fought to keep a smile off his face, "We can see to your spoils being taken back. Where are they?" Styrk smiled darkly and pointed at the sea.. The officer was not amused and came closer, "Give us those damn weapons of yours already!", he shouted coming very close. "Why so hasty?", Styrk asked, pulling his sword out and slicing across the horse its flank. In its panic it reared and hurled the officer out of the saddle..instantly his crew reacting alike.
The man climbed on the officer, holding his blade under the man's throat while his braided beard dangled over his face.., "Usually the king's men show their seals when they confiscate things." The man tried to get out of the grip and seeing his men eventually next to him, "Alright! You got us! We-uuuaarghll.. Gflg.." Styrk ran his sword across his throat, leaving a deep gash. The others befalling the same fate instantly. "Kill the weakest horse. Keep the others.", Styrk said reasserting his role as leader. The others glanced on at their deeds and the dead men. "Why kill..?", asked Fors. Bjorstein placed a boot on his foe's chest to pull his sword out easier, "Jah, how did you know they were disguised bandits so quickly?" Styrk looked at them with a grin, "I did not, but they have horses and I am hungry."
They all laughed as their usual viciousness reared before carving out large chunks of meat to bake..
