The inside of the hall was warm and well-furnished in fact for it's otherwise rundown state. Attempts at rebuilding had been made, seemingly given up halfway through the effort here and there. Uxinn was standing near a fire, sneezing fiercely while snot kept running from his mashed nose.. a white-ish stream that he wiped on his sleeve over and over. Trophies hung on the wall, antlers, boartusks, a warg's head.. there were also curios that hinted of raids in the east.. A curved sword or two, a rolled up carpet was put against the wall.. a dried hand still clutching at a tattered banner with a great eye drawn on it.
Snekkur returned and with him came another large man, easily the same size as Forstrang if skinnier, his eyes were a bright green, his brown hair running down his back in a thick braid.., "Who are you lot?", he asked straight, the tone in his voice gave away he was not going to brook with any nonsense. Styrk stepped forward and a short introduction followed of their names and their wish to go raid with the good jarl of which's hunting exploits and such they had heard. Hierulf seemed suspicious, he looked over his shoulder at the trophies, "I suppose any man could come up with such fancy tales. However I can well believe you lot are desperate to be taken on for a handful of coin the way you look, hah!" Snekkur smiled a little, then Hierulf continued, "Thing is, we actually could use some men even if you're too late for the raid. So late that Osberg should be back in a few weeks tops." The obvious question hung in the air. "You lot are not afraid of a fight, I can tell, you may even know your way around a weapon. Any of you good with numbers?" "We know how to count.", Styrk said. "Good. Give me a headcount of Isenwald's men." Then silence was in the room.
Styrk rubbed his chin ponderously, "And what would that serve?" Hierulf made no pretences, "Osberg wants this harbour, rebuild it into something worthwhile. He can not do that when it is filled with robberbands and ganglords. Not that it is any of your business. You help him achieve that goal by following my ... suggestions. There'll be gold in it for you. Maybe even some property here." This seemed to intrigue Behemund and Frar in particular.. Styrk himself smiled, "What if Isenwald pays us more for knowing about that goal?" Hierulf then rose a hand and wagged his finger, "Your word against Osberg's? Even if Isenwald agreed, even he can not afford the losses we would deliver him. Not right now. And the chaos would scare off other adventurers anyways. He would have you all kicked out of town or drowned in the sea for bringing up that lie. Hahah!" Styrk nodded, "But how many of Osberg's crew would live either?" The laughter died. For a moment both men were staring eachother in the eye, it took a while for either to give way.. Then Hierulf blinked, "Hrm.. so what are you after Styrk?" "My portion in the recent raid in the east by Isenwald, a ship and pay from Osberg on top for the subterfuge. We can discuss the terms later on the payment when there is time for it, but I expect a good share. Agreed for now?", Styrk held out his meaty hand. "Seems you enjoy a bargain as much as the jarl, you two may yet get along enough for that to end well. Aye, for now it is agreed." They shook hands and soon after Styrk's crew left the place.
"Snekkur..", Hierulf said. "Yeh?" "Remember when some men came in Isenwald's throneroom and spoke about getting their share of the spoils?" "That's them!", Snekkur remembered suddenly, "Fools must've not recognized us from the crowd." "I think our little cutthroats are looking for less outright means to get their share." "So what is that to us?" "Well obviously we got a scapegoat that is going to pull our cart for us, haha! Finally we got someone unrelated to us to do the spywork for us. The jarl shall be pleased!" Snekkur nodded, but deep down though he knew that this Styrk managed to intimidate him for some reason even if Hierulf wasn't going to admit to it..
Styrk's crew was marching rapidly through the streets, Bjorstein looked at him, "You know they are using us for their own little games ja?" Styrk nodded, mischievously he smiled. "I know the sort.. bootlicking their jarl's heels, doing everything his jarl wants him to so he can keep getting his little wishes.", it made Styrk spit, "Yet when such men meet those who are not afraid to take on their big boss they crumble like a sverting's shield does under Forstrang's headbutts."
"Bwueheheheheheheh...!"
"Besides, there's a reason he isn't on that raid and I doubt it's because he's so brilliant at protecting those women." Bjorstein curled his lips inward a moment, "Still, even if he is a fool craven thinking he is smarter than he is.. how are we going to profit from this? He'll break his deal first chance it looks like we're going to be caught or a threat." Styrk smiled , "Huheh..that is why I did not make a deal with him." Bjorstein was silent and listened. "Sure we give the man some small things. A headcount tsh.. , but Osberg will have to directly approach me now or we will get the opportunity to speak to him directly over this deal. And this can lead to other circumstantial advantages." "Could also get us killed by one or the other.", Bjorstein added. "Since when does that risk prevented us from doing anything?" "True."
They returned to their hideout at the harbor and Styrk decided to toss a look at the ramshackle place. "So what now? Find more of these 'ganglords'?", Frar asked. Styrk pulled a face as he recalled the better conditions in the other hall, "Forstrang, Ox!" The two of them looked at Styrk, "Hrmgr..?" "Joah?" "Go on a walk with Frar. Show off your brawn, but do not fight if you do not have to. Frar, keep those two and yourself alive and go see where we can find some dealers and tradesmen." Frar looked confused, "We've got not a coin to spare, barely have anything left from those disguised bandits..What for would we..?"
"Behemund, Bjorstein you go with me." Behemund ran a hairy hand through his ginger hair, "What are you planning on?"; then Styrk replied to all, "We'll just go have a look and see where and how we may earn some short-term coin or services. And be nice about it." "And we separate why exactly?", Behemund insisted.. "Because those three will stay in town, WE go look along the roads." ..
