Styrk woke before the sun had risen. He could hear the waves outside and he took in a deep breathe of the salty air that was brought in by the breeze through the countless holes in the wall. He hadn't much time to enjoy it however, for his sleep had been disturbed by the most horrendous singing he had ever heard. If a drunk cat had been stepped on it's tail and that tail would persist to be squeezed by a heavy boot and then a furball was stuck in that cat's throat it may approach the ear-tearing tune.
He bumped his boot into Forstrang's sleeping form and the snoring giant grumbled while rubbing his eyes, "Hgrn!! .. Why hit?!" "Trouble perhaps..", Styrk drew out his sword in a swift motion that cut the air. Behemund had risen up aswell, grabbing a broken chair while the haze of sleep wasn't yet from his mind.., "Urgh.. what's that gods' forsaken noise?" They went outside and looked around, their eyes wide as they saw Uxinn with two shapely ladies on his lap, the girls were laughing and laughing. Squeeling as the waves were so high they licked their feet. Bjorstein came out of the house too and stared at the scene... not too pleased he had been woken so and keen to shut Uxinn's mouth he marched on over. The ladies jumped away and with a solid push from his boot Uxinn was kicked straight into the sea.. Bjorstein didn't even look as he turned around, "I'm going to finish my rest.." Styrk grinned however and stuck out his sword before Bjorstein's throat, "No, .. we are going to take advantage of our early wakening." "Eh?", uttered Behemund, "Kill them in their sleep?" "Alluring thought to make them soil their beds, but no. These are no svertings, I shall not rob them of worthy deaths."
Styrk was leaning over the water and shouted with a hand against his mouth, "You're going to stay down there for long? We have work to do. But first introduce us to your ladyfriends here!" Uxinn suddenly popped out of the water letting out a jubulant, "WHOOW! Nothing like a cold bath to start the day!" He climbed out with apish skill as the water was pouring from his shoulders and rising out of his boots with each step. He shook the water out of his beard, splattering all of them! His ladies were pretty amazed it seemed and all the men were wondering what he had paid them with to keep him company. Then again, was that genuine adoration? Only Forstrang seemed honestly distracted, spitting the salty droplets that had landed on his mouth away with petulant disgust.
Styrk walked up to them, his tongue running over his lower lip and a filthy grin following after as he looked at them. They glanced at him with large glassy eyes, not sure wether to be bemused or afraid, "So .. who's protecting you fine ladies in this wonderful town? Have the gods decreed their magic to keep you both whole or is there a man that looks after you? They both looked at eachother, "Sort of.", they said in chorus. Styrk rose up a brow while Uxinn came to hold them, but they were a bit reluctant since he was completely drenched now. "Gisla and Felbe are here on hold till their pa is back from his journey. Till then some.. what is the name again?" "Herulf.", they said, "We told you five times already he'd come after you for taking us with you."
Styrk leaned his head to the side, "Who is Herulf?" "A swordbrother of jarl Osberg , looks after those that couldn't go on a journey with the jarl. "Odd. Isenwald tolerates this?" They both began blushing, "Jarl Isenwald says it's fine if he can get a docking tax or something.." "You both reaaaaally like jarl Isenwald do you not?" They looked at eachother and giggled. Styrk rubbed his jawline with his thumb for a bit, then smirked.., "So ladies, what has happened to the other men that Herulf disapproved of?" There was no doubt Uxinn wasn't the first fool to try this, likely not the last either. "Oh well.. he get's a bit violent perhaps.", Gisla balled a fist and swung it clumsily in the air.. Felbe interlocked her fingers and glanced skywards, "Uhmm, he has a jar filled with teeth from a few of the men in town. They still live though!", she said quickly.
Styrk added, "I take it he's not fond of visitors much either?" They shook their heads, "Part of the idea is.. keeping us locked in a room! We don't like that!"
Everyone of Styrk's crew then turned their heads and stared at Uxinn... Uxinn looked back obliviously, "What? Do I have something on my face again?" "Dear ladies, I believe you've had your fun. We will all escort you back. Uxinn, take their hands and escort them, hueheh." "Sure thing Styrk!!", he gently offered his arms and they gladly took them, "It was a fun time Uxinn.", Felbe said, Gisla then followed up, "We hope to see you again some day." The rest of the crew were aghast at what they must've missed last night. They kept their distance from the trio as they came unto a ramshackle hall that stood separate from all the houses. Ahead a giant man stood at the doorway, in his large hands rested on a rather large sword. His greying beard hung down to his belt and he was grimacing deeply.. then he noticed the merry ladies and Uxinn walking up.. The giant set his sword aside and rolled up a sleeve as he instantly caught on. With large steps he rushed towards Uxinn. The crew looked on, "He's going to get his head caved in..", Behemund said dryly.. Frar chuckled, "Ahah, that won't stop Uxinn. Although those arms he's so fond of may be pulled out of their sockets!"
Styrk shouted just loud enough for Uxinn to hear, "Get back here Ox, we need you!" Uxinn's ear twitched and instantly turned around with a filthy chuckle, "Coming!" The giant shouted out and came on running with the speed of a horse, "GET BACK HERE!!" The ladies stepped out of the pathway, whincing a little at the expected violence. It was then that Styrk rushed forward, with a mighty grapple Styrk wrapped his arms around Uxinn and had attempted to lift him from the ground. But that blockhead was too strong and for all his flaws an excellent wrestler.
Uxinn simply chuckled and grabbed Styrk by the back of the belt wrenching him up by his legs! "Damned Ox! Frar!" Frar ran in aswell, hooking an arm around Uxinn's throat, "Get down you idiot!" "Nebrrrr!!", Uxinn gurgled with the biggest of smiles on his face while the air was choked out of him! Bjorstein rushed in aswell and now it was taking three men to get Uxinn to go down. Behemund and Forstrang exchanged a glance.., "Hgrn.. why they fight?" Behemund shrugged, "When do we ever need a good reason?" "Bwhuehe!"
The giant of a man had slid on his heels and looked in surprise at the scene, "What is going on here?!"
Styrk needn't more of an opening, "This man here came after my wife! I just saw him from across the street with those girls and now I'm going to knock his fool head in half!" Uxinn blinked, "I did?!", managing to worm his way out of the grapple of Frar. "No!! No killing in front of jarl Osberg's hall!" Then the men finally managed to topple Uxinn.
For a moment they were laying there all in a mess, the ladies ran up to the man. "Don't fight them. These men are rivals of Isenwald, Snekkur!" Snekkur looked confused, "Why are they fighting eachother then?", the giant pointed their way. "Well erm.. urr.. for showing how good they would be with Osberg's men! Yes that is it.. they are gallant seafarers that have come to serve the jarl!" "Look more like broke raiders to me." "Gallant seafarers Snekkur.", Gisla insisted, as she glanced the large man in the eyes. He couldn't resist, "Fine! Fine! Let them in the hall, Hierulf will be here soon!"
The large man went inside, not forgetting his blade. Meanwhile the ladies appeared to help them up, "You could've asked.", Felbe laughed. Styrk rubbed his jaw with a grunt, "Hwuerh..", he then slapped Uxinn proudly on the chest. "Good work Uxinn, as ever you manage to impress with your martial prowess! We'll be making new friends now!"
Uxinn was pleased.
