You reach a hand forward, and clasp it around the wrist of your long time friend.

“You know I can’t tell you that, Knut. No one can,” you say, looking sadly into his eyes. “But the moment we can get our hands on a ship, we’ll fill it with other people’s gold, and we’ll be back in our familiar fjords. This I promise you.”

He nods with a sigh as he accepts your help out of the boat. “That’s good enough for me,” he says, embracing you. He releases you, and turns inland with you. The two of you walk away from the shore, into the fading evening light.

You wake in your own bed, to the smell of smoke and the sound of crackling fat. You dress yourself into something half presentable and exit into the kitchen. Danica is there, egg shells scattered around her and the smell of pork wafting through the air. That makes sense. If it was up to Sven, the two of you would never eat anything but salted beef and dried beets. Maybe taking the thrall wasn’t a bad idea.

She hears you enter, and turns to you. “Bird rocks!” she says, beaming. You have a little work to do on the language front, but she’s enthusiastic. That counts for something.

Your father also stumbles out of his bedroom, likely smelling the food being cooked. He grunts towards the fire, and sits at the table with his head in his hands, beginning his slow process of waking up.

>Would you like to speak to your father or Danica?
>If not, is there anything you would like to do?

>>1030608
>Speak to our father about how he is adjusting to extra hands, and whether he needs anyone else.

>>1030608
Who Danica

>>1030608
Talk to dad about how the farm's coming along, then work on Danica's Norse.

Also, did we get anything to help her learn from the store?

>>1030651
Our new thrall.

>>1030608
Tell father about our the deal we made with that trader

>>1030669
Can I vote on smacking her ass?

>>1030848
yes

>>1030608
Speak to father

>>1030848
I'm still holding out on red-haired tiddy monsters.

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>>1030854

>>1030608
Talk to father.

>>1030848
Smack thralls ass

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>>1030869

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>>1030864
We can fuck more than one woman you git

>>1030864
and yet no one will rape...

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“Eggs, Danica,” you say, slowly, enunciating the words as you point to the cracked shells.

“Eggs,” she replies quickly, smiling even wider when you nod in approval. She’s still grinning when she sets down a plate in front of you and your father. She fixes one for herself, and eats it standing a few feet from the table.

When your old man is a few bites in and his eyes are a little less cloudy, you speak.

“Have Olaf or Goti gotten a chance to speak with you,” you ask of him. He shakes his head, so you continue. “I traded that spice barrel to Olaf. In return, he’s giving us seed for two of our fields next spring, and he’s arranging for Goti to repair or replace our tools. I expect the blacksmith will be by in the next few days to discuss it with you.”

“You did good, boy,” he says, setting down his fork to look you in the eye. “A few more deals like that, and this farm will be something to be proud of again.”

“How’s Danica doing,” you ask of him, motioning towards the girl with your head. “Think the place will be better off with her?”

“Hard to be sure so early,” he replies as he turns to face her. “But if we can get her speaking a real language unlike that gibberish, I think she’ll be a huge addition.”

“Anything or anyone else I should be on the lookout for next time I’m out,” you inquire, wondering what else the farm might need. Your father is much more in tune with that than you are.

“A few strong backs are never unwelcome,” he answers after a few moments of thought. “But I think a top priority should be animals. Sheep, pigs, and goats to start. They’ll be the easiest to get back if you get them young, or the cheapest to trade for. From there, we can build herds and trade for larger livestock like horses or cattle.”

“I’ll be sure to keep an eye out,” your say as you finish the last of your breakfast. The thrall takes your plate, and you sit back in your chair, considering your options for the day.

>Keep talking to your dad
>Go somewhere (Where?)
>Find someone (Who?)
>Write-in

>>1031049
Let's see about getting some sheep, pigs, or goats from someone who's looking to sell. Bring Danica along to practice her Norse.

>>1031049

YOU DON"T NEED TO ANSWER
BUT EAT ALL THE EGGS

>>1031049
>Go somewhere (Where?)
Talk to Olaf, see if he knows anyone with animals for barter or coin.
A couple of cows and a bull would really get us going again, but probably out of our reach. Try for goats, they're always useful, wool, milk and light work, good animals, so long as we have someone to watch them. Sneaky buggers.
Also ask Olaf if he knows any hands that may be looking for work, paid in coin or part of the harvest.

>>1031049
If you ain't smackin dat ass then you best hit on her!
>>1031069
And this afterwards

>>1031167
this

>>1031084
ALSO THIS

>>1030864
one of these days we'll get there

>>1031167

Sounds good.

>>1031167

this, I prefer to go alone, we can find a book for her while in tonw

Have some thread music! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RdvnJZsCzzY

>>1031167
Second
Also less talking, more raiding!
Sorry too much mount and blade

>>1033523
>Sorry too much mount and blade
NO SUCH THING

Can we get a roll call? I'm gonna start writing after supper

>>1036343
I am here. Companion stats when? And did we already get additional skillpoints for the fight?

>>1031049
seconding:
>>1031167

Here

>>1036343

>>1036343

Here

>>1036374
Eventually and no. I'll do the stat points now, and I'll stat working on the companion stats... soon.

Writing

>>1036343
yo

You stand from the table, stretching as you rise. “I’ll head over Olaf’s, then,” you say, sticking your seax into your belt sheath. “It may end up being easier to trade for them here than trying to bring them back on a longship.”

“That it may,” your father says as he stands along with you. “I’ll go make sure all the fences and pens are in order. They’ve sort of fallen into disrepair with nothing to keep in.”

“That’s not true,” you reply, smiling. “We have a plow horse.”

“That thing is so slow and dumb,” your father responds, waving his hand. “It couldn’t get away if it wanted. And it doesn’t.”

“That’s fair,” you retort as you head out the door. “I’ll be back later with news one way or the other.”

With that, you walk to the woods north of town to Olaf’s trading post. You note that Astrid’s garden is beginning to sprout. She’ll be happy about that, with the size it is, it must take a lot of work.

You head into the warehouse and make your way through stacks of furs, books, dried foods,and other assorted trade goods. If Olaf would unload this stuff, he would easily be the richest man in town. However, he seems much more interested in having the things themselves than the coin that would they would bring.

“Olaf!”, you shout as you make your way to the back where he keeps his desk. “Are you in here?!”

You hear a muffled shout as a stack of something falls over, and a collection of low swears. You chuckle softly and continue the journey back.

“Haskell, uh,” he begins as he’s trying to rearrange papers that he knocked off the ornate desk. “How can I help you?”

“I was wondering what it would take to get a small starter herd of small livestock,” you say, crouching to behind handing him sheets. “Goats, sheep, pigs. Something like that.”

“I don’t have any on hand,” he says, scratching his chin. “I don’t typically deal in farm animals. Or any animals, really.”

“I’m willing to use you as a go-between,” you say quickly, cutting him off before he can begin to trail off and lose focus. “If you can find someone looking to sell off a herd, I’d be interested.”

“I’m not aware of any in Norvegr,” he begins. “But I can ask around neighboring villages. Did you want to pay for them in coin, in goods, or in services?”

>I’ll pay in gold
>I can bring back trade goods
>I’ll offer my services
>Write-in

>Also, would you like to speak to Olaf about anything else? If not, where would you like to go?

>>1036649
>>I’ll pay in gold
but I'd swallow a quest hook, er, offer services, too

Bringing back trade goods would probably not be easy since we would have to be lucky to find the desired goods in the places the raidleaders send us to.

>>1036649
>I can bring back trade goods

>>1036649
>I’ll pay in gold
>I can bring back trade goods
Either one.

>>1036686
>>1036649
Oh, yeah, that journal for Danica. Ask him how much one of those would cost, along with some writing stuff.

>>1036649
>I’ll pay in gold
>I can bring back trade goods
>I’ll offer my services

Caveat on the last one, "As long as it doesn't take me away from the farm or keeps me from raiding for too long"

>>1036649
>I’ll pay in gold
>I can bring back trade goods
>I’ll offer my services
Whichever they're willing to take, especially if we can get a bull and one or two cows.
Also, see if he knows any hands we can bring on as a sharecropper, widows or landless boys.

Looks like we're sort of down for just about anything that makes us end up with animals?

Also, asking about the journal. Writing.

>>1036980

The animals are certainly worth it

“I’d prefer some mixture of gold and spoils,” you say after a few moments of thought. “But I wouldn’t be opposed to a sort of task or mission. Just depends on what it is, and what they’re offering.”

“I’ll be sure to mention that,” Olaf replies as he pens something down. “Anything else?

“Actually, I picked up a thrall while we were on the raid.” Olaf raises an eyebrow as he sets down his writing instrument. “I was hoping to use her to keep record of the farm as it gets larger and more successful.”

“But…” he says, waiting for you to finish.

“She doesn’t speak norse very well,” you admit. “Dad can’t read or write, and I’m afraid I’ll be gone too much to teach her fast enough.”

“You were hoping for a way for her to learn on her own,” the spindly trader answers. You nod once, affirming his assumption. “Paper and ink are yours, for just a favor to be asked later. I also have a book you may find useful. Used by rich Jarls to teach their children to read. Not terribly large or well done, but still difficult to make. I’d be willing to part with it for sixty coins. Interested?”

>I’ll take the paper. Just let me know when you need something.
>I’ll take the book. Coins are easy to come by, but I don’t like being in debt
>I’ll take both
>I don’t want either. Thanks anyway.
>Write-in

>Also, along with your vote, tell me if you want to talk to Olaf about anything else, or leave and do something else

>>1037079

>>I’ll take both

Leave afterwards

>>1037079
>I’ll take both
"We're good for it."

>>1037079
>I’ll take both

>>1037079
>I’ll take both

>>1037079
>I’ll take both

>>1037079
>I’ll take both

Okay, what do you guys want to do after?

Sorry for the wait. I thought I hit post, but it turns out that I'm retarded instead.

>>1037562
Give book, pen, and paper to Danica, then help Dad out with the farming.

>>1037562
Training? Visit the squad? Ask what the next raid target is?

>>1037562
This
>>1037590

“Both will be fine,” you say as you pull out your coin purse, counting out the sixty coins you owe him. “Just let me know when you want to cash that favor in.”

“Of course,” he answers as he picks the book out of a shelf not far from his desk, handing it to you with several sheets of paper and an inkwell. “Don’t worry about me screwing you over, I know what this stuff is worth. I’ll get in touch when something comes up.”

You thank the aging bookworm and weave your way out of the maze that is his storehouse back outside, headed back to the farm with your newly purchased goods.

You hear your father pounding on the fences with a hammer as you make your way inside, finding Danica cleaning the interior of the house. You didn’t expect her to take a life of servitude this well. She notices you enter, and you hand her the book.

“Can you read this,” you ask her slowly, opening the book to the first page. She nods as she looks across it, mouthing the words as her eyes cross them. You slid the ink and the paper to her as well. You aren’t positive what you want her to do with it, but if she’s as bright as you think she is, she’ll figure it out. You fetch a quill and place it across from them, and motion that you’ll be outside in the fields. She nods once again, and returns to the book in earnest, her previous task completely forgotten about.

You wordlessly pick up a hammer and a handful of nails, and begin helping your father repair the small animal pastures for several minutes before Sven stands to speak.

“So, how was it bow,” he asks, wiping sweat from his brow. “How did you like your first time out on a raid?”

>Reply to your father

>>1037701
"It was better and worse than I thought it would be. I hope the next isn't as troublesome."

>>1037701
>>1037726
Yeah, something about both good and bad. Thrilling fight, but also death and gore.

>>1037701
Pretty much what >>1037726 says, but also telling him about the vampire den to amuse him.

"Fought some vampires in their den so they wouldn't go after the camp, and came back with a neat spiked shield boss. Goti's working on putting it on a shield. Missed the first raid target because of having to watch over the camp, though."

>>1037701
>>Reply to your father

"felt natural"

>>1037726
>>1037769

These two are good, maybe something about "Was supposed to be a straight forward raid, didn't expect to have to assault a fortified position."

Was gonna throw some updates at you guys this morning, but my internet isn't cooperating. I'll try to get you some tomorrow, but it depends on my service provider

>>1038548

Fair enough, thanks for the run Handler

>>1038548
We have to check on anders and erik after, make sure the guys from last night didn't try anything funny

Hey, who's around? I'll pick up the thread after I do a few things around the house. If we don't get enough, I'll just let the thread die without archiving, then start Tuesday's thread with all the story posts form this one so I don't archive a 60 post thread

>>1049417
I am here!

>>1049417
Here

>>1049417

>>1049417
reporting in

>>1049417
Aye, Captain!

Ayyyy, finally done with everything. Took longer than expected. Sorry about that. Looks like we want to tell ol' dad about the vampires and that it wasn't all peaches and cream. Writing.

“I don’t know that killing men will ever be easy,” you say as you stand up straight, away from the fence. “But it felt… natural. Like it was something I’d been meant to do for a long time. Always meant for.”

“That’s a good feeling, Haskell,” your father says as he looks you in the eye. “There’s nothing wrong with enjoying combat, but finding joy in dealing death…” He trails off, staring into the dirt at his feet.

“That’s a dark path, father,” you reply softly. “One I have no interest in going down.” You think back to Anders rage, and the thrill he finds in death. You shudder involuntarily. “We did deal with a vampire den, however. I may have found some joy in that,” you say, sheepishly.

“That was mercy, son,” you father replies, walking towards you. “They weren’t men no more, regardless of what they may become some day. You gave them release, and stopped them from hurting anyone else.”

“Seems sort of ironic, you know,” you say, smirking. “Worrying about what happens to those people we raid and kill every year.”

“Falling in battle is an honorable way to go,” your father says, his eyes going to steel. “What those things do to people… There ain’t no honor in being ripped apart on the side of the road.”

“I suppose,” you say. “That’s a fate no one deserves.”

He only nods, his mind somewhere else as he picks his hammer up from the fencepost.

>Continue talking to your father? If so, write in
>If not, what would you like to do?

>>1050252
>If not, what would you like to do?
Go check up on the guys from yesterday as well as Knut and Anders.

>>1050252
>>Continue talking to your father? If so, write in
You never told me how you and Ma met.

>>1050271
this

>>1050252
Check on visitors and our friends, make sure nobody is killing each other

You help your father with the fences for a while longer, and when you finish with the paddock you’re working in, your father is prepared to call it a day. You bid him farewell, and walk into town, praying to Odin that you don’t find a blood bath starting over a few girls.

You start your search for either friends or signs of a battle at the mead hall. As you approach the door, you hear shouting from within. Nervously, you place your grip on the handle of your seax as you ease the door open.

Inside, you find a sight you didn’t exactly expect as your hand falls from the blade. Anders and Saxi are standing at one side of the table, shouting across it to Knut, Magnus and Atli. Leif sits in the corner, holding his hands over his ears, nursing a hangover and trying to block out the yelling.

“Because you aren’t good enough to just make them miss,” Anders is shouting to the three across from him, waving his arms madly in the air. “It’s a crutch, and you’re going to get killed relying on it!”

“You still almost died ‘being good enough to make them miss!” Knut shouts back, throwing himself back in his seat. “Which, by the way, you fucking weren’t!”

“It’s called practice, you spindly legged fuck,” Saxi responds, yelling himself hoarse. “What are you gonna do when you lose that pile of planks and your skill is all that’s between you and a sword in the gut!”

Well this is awkward.

>What are you shouting about?
>How about everyone just calm down?
>Pick a side, and start yelling about it. Who cares if you have no idea what’s happening.
>Write-in

>>1050665
>>1050665
>>Pick a side, and start yelling about it. Who cares if you have no idea what’s happening.

go with andres and saxi because they are at a disadvantage,
and you can't use a shield while holding the most deadly weapon there is, the 2 handed axe

>>1050665
>>Write-in
"WOULD ANYONE MIND TELLING ME WHAT THE HELL'S GOING ON?!"

Continue yelling throughout the conversation, but be polite about it.

>>1050665
Man, they're all amateurs. Clearly the best decision is to kill them before they know you are there, or from far away so you don't have to worry about being stabbed in the first place.

>>1051046
that's probably what erik would say

Taking a stance that amounts to 'kill them before they can swing'. Writing.

“You know,” you say as you slam the door open with a bit of flair. “If you kill them before the can take a swing, you don’t need to worry about any of that!”

“Fuck off, Haskell,” Anders says, pointing an accusatory finger in your direction. “Three weeks in raiding, and you have more scars than any of us! You don’t bother with either approach!”

“You’re just upset because you don’t have the strength to lift a weapon that takes two arms,” you say, flexing your biceps proudly with a grin.

“Might also help him to stay out of range,” Knut says, much more calmly, as he pantomimes jabbing with a spear. “That way, none of it’s ever an issue.”

“That’s not how men fight and you know,” Saxi snaps back, slapping his sword belt proudly. “In the thick of it is where the strong are separated from the weak!”

“It’s also where the head is separated from the shoulders,” Erik says as he saunters in through the door behind you. You must have just missed him on the road. “I’m fine with being far away, as long as my limbs are still close together.”

He clasps your wrist in a greeting, and the two of you walk over to the table, pulling up seats. It’s too early for Haki to be around, which means no drinks, but you have the place to yourself, which means there is little chance of interruption for your impromptu meeting.

>Continue the conversation (Write-in)
>Do something else (What?)

>>1051348
>>Continue the conversation (Write-in)
Admit that there's a bit of wisdom with fighting at a distance. Turn the conversation to what's the best ranged weapon, with us taking throwing axes. No matter what, though, throwing knives stink.

>>1051400

I like this

>>1051400
this works for me too, fuck trowing knives

Trowling knifes are great for masonry work but throwing I would have to agree