It was time. The day of the raider was upon Boreas. Valkyrie was ready. She had neither age nor experience on her side, but what she did have gave her confidence. While she couldn't count on the favor of the fates to be with her always, what she'd gained since leaving home had prepared her for the hard days ahead. She had loyal friends, she had ambition and she had the humility to pray for wisdom.

The nerves that caused her skin to prickle as she strode through the battlefield were a welcome companion. Fearlessness was the mark of the idiot and it would be foolish to start the band without recognizing that she was creating something bigger than herself; that her actions would have consequences; that she was inviting injury and loss.

Valkyrie stopped once she reached the heart of the battlefield. She'd found followers in the north and the east and this place was the closest thing to a halfway point she could find. It was also a fitting birthplace for the band she hoped to create as fighting would be the bedrock upon which they built.

In a strong voice she called together all who had pledged to join her. Today they would bind themselves to Hjarrandi.

The call that rang out over the lands was neither unfamilliar nor unexpected. Even with the first distant notes, Aesir knew what was being proclaimed. Valkyrie had done as she was planning, and Aesir grinned. The brute changed his course until he was angled her way, and picked up the pace until he was loping with an easy stride. It felt good to stretch out his muscles, and it was a convenient outlet for the sudden burst of excitement he felt. It was the start of something. While he could not claim to trust in Valkyrie's leadership abilities, or even speak much about the grown wolf she was becoming, he knew enough of the young female to feel confident. At least, confident enough to see where this potential opportunity led. It was not long after her call that the earthen woman came into view, standing and awaiting for other arrivals. Aesir was eager to see what motley crew she would end up sticking him with, or even if his brothers might show up merely on chance. He grinned to Valkyrie as he approached. "I suppose this means you're good for your word. Off to a good start." He sat and grinned. Aesir felt a bit more relaxed around her after their initial meeting. The reunion had reassured him of several facets of the young wolf's personality. The open ease he carried would likely clam up with the arrival of others, but he could enjoy it while it lasted. "I won't even tell the others you've already picked favorites." He winked. It seemed more than likely that she had brought several allies from home, closer to her and more trustworthy than their own relationship, but flattery would get you everywhere. Aesir would argue that self-flattery absolutely did still count. And besides, it still stood to be seen whether other wolves would even show up to this shindig. Aesir privately preened at the idea of the jokes waiting for him if they did not. Maybe he could maybe the younger wolf hunt him a meal or two as an I-told-you-so prize. Of course, if they did show it would hopefully lead to equally entertaining exploits, if for other reasons. It seemed like a win-win either way, so Aesir was content to look out over the lands and wait. "Aesir Speaks" "Aesir Listens" Aesir Thinks

dark mists are cloaking what the eyes can see

Winter had borne down on Boreas the night before. Snow covered the ground and the chill in the wind was biting. Éldi refused to start such a cold day without a nice warm breakfast and so when the call rang out he was eating his way through a rabbit with the help of Askr who was just as much a breakfast enthusiast. His tongue ran over his lips and he attempted to clean himself up a bit. Valkyrie's call was strong and self-assured. It was serious but not the kind of serious that required him to dive right into battle. Once he was satisfied he took to his feet and began working his way south. Askr patrolled the skies above him, the birds keen eyes quick to pick out the pair of wolves.

The bird called and Éldi answered. As they arrived, Askr swooped down to perch on Éldi's back his talons looping into the man's thick coat. Éldi grinned and dipped his head in greeting to both Valkyrie and Aesir. "Is it time to begin, Valkyrie?" He knew she'd been recruiting and with news that some of her old friends were making the journey into Boreas he felt fairly certain they'd have a good raiding band put together. He hoped, anyway. It was hard to tell what sort of mix they'd have until everyone got there.

A call sounded. One that sounded vaguely familiar, yet she was struggling to place the owner of the voice. She turned faces and encounters over in her mind, and after a few moments it clicked. The girl with the feline paws...Valkyrie, wasn't it? Okami had met her in the north a while back, and she remembered mention of a band. Okami had debated it with herself many times over on whether or not she would come when the time came. She had thought about staying with her family, but she wasn't even sure if her brother was still keen on recreating what had been lost. While she loved her family to death, she didn't want to live as a loner anymore. She craved social interaction outside of her family, and despite her shyness, she wanted more than what her family had to offer. She left the North lands, heading to the battlefield where Valkyrie waited. It didn't take too long. Her size helped, along with her stamina from chasing down northern prey. Long legs carried her swiftly across the lands until finally...she reached the battlefield. She was hesitant when the grounds shifted into the fields of war. Her heart beating fast and hard in her chest. She had never been to the battlefield before. At least, not this one. She had been to the boneyard in Auster once...when her brother had been challenged for his pack. She stared across the field, knowing that somewhere...Valk waited. Could she really do this? Could she really just step into a new life? Her heart hammered with uncertainty, until finally...she took that first step. She kept her gaze locked ahead while her paws carried her across the field. There was no turning back. Well...she probably could, but she wasn't sure if she wanted to now. Three figures came into view the further in she went, only one was familiar. Blue eyes scanned over the other two, promptly locking onto one with a set of small horns. Her eyes widened a bit as she approached. The world was so much stranger then she thought! First a wolf with cat like feet, and now a wolf with horns! Her gaze briefly found the other young male, curious to know if he too, had some strange and fascinating mutation. She turned to look at Valk then, though remained quiet as she gave a single nod of her head. This was it, she thought...this could be the start if a new chapter in her life. "Talk" "You" Think

pup table cause i can

Eisleif hadn’t let Valkyire move without following, though she didn’t remain too near. Her niece had gathered all she needed and today would mark the day they moved forward. The tabby marked woman felt a flutter in her gut as excitement went through her at the sound of the call. Dark ears perked and her charcoal paws carried her towards the younger woman. She hoped Thorne followed at her side, she had been remaining in the mahogany woman’s company since she had sought acceptance into the newly forming band. Leaving the snowy north to appear beside her relative in the lands of battle. Already they were gathering at her feet. She didn’t know two who had gathered, eyeing the horns on one of the males enviously as she realized she recognized the young male. Eldi. She smiled wide as she made her way to his side. She nodded swiftly at Valkyrie, her approval apparent in her expression as she nodded to the young male as well. She felt even more confident in their strife with the brave young warrior she had taken on a polar bear with. ""

Alfrun twitched one ear, waking instantly from sleep as a distant howl called out from the battlefield to the south. She lifted her head, twitched an ear again, and smiled dreamily. "The Finnvi rise, my darling," she cooed in a singsong voice, waking the young raven that perched with his head under his wing on rock nearby her. She had raised the raven and his clutchmate from not long after they'd hatched, when they were both still covered in black downy feathers. The female had flown off to parts unknown after they'd fledged, but this male, her little Tanken with the dark dark maroon eyes with the crimson highlights that flashed through them when the light hit them, had chosen to remain with her. Her Father's gift to his godi daughter, surely. The raven gave a harsh, croaking caw in reply, taking off in a riotous manner to circle overhead, while Alfrun stretched and made her own way out of their little cave and broke into a loose, meandering lope towards the howl.

It was Valkyrie, she knew, her young niece by Taufr. Though others may have chafed at it, she was pleased that the girl had not rushed into anything back when they'd met. She had wisely bided her time and surely gained in both experience and in resources. The call she was following now was Valkyrie's summons to those who would follow her, as once they'd followed her grandmother.

Greeted with the sight of her browncoated niece, Alfrun bestowed a misty smile upon her. "En lovende dag for Finnvi å stige," she mused, casting her eyes to the sky where Tanken flew among the swirls of color that marked the wind currents. "Min mor er sikkert stolt av å se dette øyeblikket, unge Valkyrie."

Her gaze traveled beamingly over those gathered, but faltered when it fell upon one strangely familiar form. Her head tilted to the side thoughtfully. Who did the woman so resemble? She watched glimmering stars swirl around the striped female, dribbling down her pale back and along her legs and falling from the bobbed tip of her tail - oh! Alfrun blinked as memory flickered up from the depths of her childhood. "Eisleif," she said with surprised breathiness. The last she had seen of her half-sister had been when they were still young pups. "Jeg hadde ikke tenkt å se deg igjen da du og din mor forsvant." She let her mind wander back, and could see Katja sitting there, her eyes cold fury as she set her pack to watching for the woman who had stolen a Finnvi child from them. She smiled to remember it.

The familiar voice of Aesir delivering a sly comment brought a smirk to Valkyrie's lips. She turned to watch him approach. "Well, hello to you too," she said dryly. "I won't even tell the others you've already picked favorites." She harrumphed - then having spied Eldi as he approached - decided to use his name to needle Aesir. "How generous." Her tone turned wry. "No doubt Eldi will appreciate your discretion too; can't have the others thinking he's getting special treatment."

"Indeed it is," she answered Eldi with an excited grin. "Today..." She caught herself and shook her head before smirking at him. "I better save that for after the others arrive." And there would be others. The future was full of uncertain things, but if there was one thing she was certain of it was the loyalty of her friends and family. She'd spent months recruiting and was confident many of those who had shown interest would join her, but she wasn't counting on their appearance today.

 

Then came Okami. They'd had a rocky first encounter but Valkyrie was pleased to see that she'd gotten the attention of the tall, pale woman. To her Valkyrie gave a solemn and approving nod.

After Okami came her aunts. The first, Eisleif, was without her companion. Thorne had shown interest in the band and Eisleif had vouched for her, so Valkyrie expected she would turn up eventually. "Eisleif, welcome."

Alfrun addressed her and though Valkyrie still had her reservations about the aunt with the distant gaze, they were family and she had no doubt she and her aunt had been brought together for a reason. While she wasn't one to discount luck, it seemed more likely to her that fate played a bigger role here. After all, she had been guided to Boreas for a reason. "You humble me, aunt," she said with a solemn dip of her head.

Valkyrie waited a bit longer to address the band but finally she couldn't take the anticipation any longer. She stood tall and proud before her those who had gathered and at last began to speak. "You all honor me with your presence."

"I'll be brief because most of what needs to be said has been said already and we have much to do." To get to this point, to have felt compelled to answer her call, most had heard her speak at length of her plans. "Some of you have already pledged to join me, some have just made your interest known. If you are the latter now is your chance to walk away if you aren't prepared to swear to me your loyalty." Valkyrie gave those words time to settle in before continuing. "Should you stay you will become part of something bigger than yourself. We will raid the packs of Boreas and make a business of trading the spoils. We will amass wealth and prestige," Or infamy, depending on who you asked, "And we won't be easily forgotten when our time here is over."

"Glory is not free. I expect every member of Hjarrandi to pull their weight. We will train regularly and I expect every fighter to answer the call to fight. If you do not fight or contribute in some way, then you will not reap the rewards of a successful raid." The spoils would be split among them equally either immediately after the raid or later after the items/persons were successful traded or ransomed. "While everyone is free to come and go as they please, there are laws I will expect you all to follow so that one doesn't dishonor all." ((OOC: read the rules HERE and pretend Valkyrie outlines them here in her speech.))

Valkyrie made a point to meet the eyes of each of the prospects before throwing out the challenge. "If you find our pursuit and my terms acceptable, now is the time to swear your loyalty to me and to Hjarrandi."

Aesir and Valkyrie were not alone for long. The horned male was unsurprised to find Eldi planning to join with them as well. Perhaps his old friend had done the leg work after all when it came to recruits. Aesir hadn't necessarily doubted her, but it was a good start all the same. Valk, as usual, had a ready rebuttal to his teasing too. "No doubt Eldi will appreciate your discretion too," she stated in a wry voice, and Aesir barked out a harsh, quick laugh. She would keep him on his toes, as always. The brute turned to Eldi and gave the young male a coy half-smile, mock whispering, "Your secret is safe with me." More wolves began to arrive, and while some appeared to be vaguely familiar he could not place their names, or even come to a conclusion about whether or not he had actually crossed paths with them before. Aesir wasn't moved by this, but rather realized that he would have to socialize politely with them... At least for a short while. First impressions were important, and all that. So he nodded to each as they arrived, aware that several paid his horns special attention. Aesir made sure to sit up straight and proud, hoping to project strength and confidence. Let them stare, if they wanted to. In total three others arrived after Eldi, and Valk seemed to be well acquainted with them all. Aesir did his best to listen for their names, but doubtless he would have to ask a second time whenever he got around to properly introducing himself. At last Valkyrie seemed pleased with the turn out and began to speak. It was a good speech, even if throughout its duration Aesir found himself biting his tongue around sarcastic comments. He'd never been much for hype, always preferring actions over words, but he did trust Valkyrie to lead them as well as she could. For now he held his tongue. Aesir wondered if she had tossed in the bit about insulting one another just for his benefit, and smiled. Whether it was true or not, he decided to feel flattered about it. Yes, admittedly it would probably take some genuine effort for him to get along with so many unfamiliar wolves, but he would try. Looking at the range of ages and statures of the wolves around him, it seemed like a promising group. He assessed them once more after listening to Valkyrie's speech, then cleared his throat. "I will pledge myself to both Hjarrandi and you," Aesir nodded his head in respect to Valk, voice uncharacteristically sincere. "You enemies are mine, as are your allies. I look forward to the seasons and battles to come." His solemnity was cracked by an eager grin. Being exiled certainly made wheedling ones way into battle much more difficult, and dangerous as well. A band such as this might be exactly what he had been hoping for. All that was left was to find his good-for-nothing brothers and drag them in too. Aesir felt wholly content as he waited for the other wolves to swear themselves in as well. It was time to get this party started. "Aesir Speaks" "Aesir Listens" Aesir Thinks

His meeting with the interesting young woman some time ago had not been forgotten. Even when he moved on his way and later tried to convince himself he wasn't really all that interested in bothering with trying to follow any new leaders at this point in his life, still he couldn't make himself forget entirely.

That was why when a call rang out from the battlefield on which they'd met he found himself wandering in that direction. For a few minutes Czernobog debated turning around and going the other way, but eventually his curiosity won out. It was entirely possible he was more inclined to make risky bets than he dared to admit. Hm. Oh well, what was life without risk? Trotting onto the scene as the greetings had only just finished, Czernobog stood a little away from the others and listened as Valkyrie spoke about this raiding band she was intending to start with those present.

Gaze drifting over the small group, he had to hand it to the newly rising young leader, she'd collected quite the interesting assortment of followers. So far everything she'd said appealed to him. The way of life she offered sounded better than what he'd encountered the last few times he tried to build a new life. Would this be the attempt that was fated to end well at last? Only one way to find out. Waiting until the large horned - or were those antlers? - male made his pledge, Czernobog would speak up, "I am convinced. I will also pledge myself to you and your band."

dark mists are cloaking what the eyes can see

Éldi cocked his head to the side and laughed as Val mentioned something about him getting special treatment. He'd missed Aesir's comment before and so he didn't quite know what she was going on about. His confusion only deepened when Aesir whispered that his secret was safe with him… what secret? He gazed at Valkyrie and back at Aesir before he scowed. "I don't know what secret you're talking about but that suits me fine. Special treatment is for pups!" He wanted to earn his honor and glory, not get respect simply because he was close friends with Valkyrie, soon to be leader of Hjarrandi.

Éldi was impressed as he watched more wolves arrive. Valkyrie really had been working hard to recruit members. He watched as faces both familiar and strange trickled into the meeting. Everything seemed to be shaping up to a good start. He settled down as Valkyrie began to speak, leaning forward as he listened with eager anticipation. He couldn't wait to begin making his mark on these new lands.

Éldi stood. "My answer will not surprise you. I swear myself to you and Hjarrandi and I eagerly await the chance to test myself in battle against the wolves of these lands as well as the predators." He added the last bit with a chuckle. He felt as though he'd battled half the wildlife in Boreas to get to this point.

Wandering Boreas wasn't all that amusing just yet. Kvasir needed a place to set his things, and something to work for. Being an aimless waif struggling to keep track of his siblings, who he was sure he needed to keep close contact with if he was every going to lift the curse the gods had put on them, well... It was impossible to get anything done. He griped and huffed, staring at the mess of found objects he'd strewn across the ground outside his makeshift den. There was no inspiration to be found when he felt so aimless, no spark sent to him that would help him to create. Such situations made him irritable.

That was why when he heard the howl, Kvasir froze, standing still as a boulder while he processed the sound he'd heard. Was it really Valkyrie? How ambitious she'd grown up to be. While the crafter might have ignored the call if left to his own devices in favor of doing his own thing, an idea had him quickly changing his tune. His brothers would almost certainly go to meet her. If they all joined then he would be able to keep tract of where they were too... Perfect! A cackling laugh left his lips as he bounded towards the call, arriving only a bit later than the rest.

Hearing enough of the important stuff, Kvasir seated himself beside Aesir before nodding and laughing once more. "I am yours as well, Valkyrie." he said simply. Maybe he should make a sacrifice to the gods in the hopes that they would bless this eager young woman's endeavors. More than they did him and his family at least.

Eisleif smiled as Valkyrie greeted her, and found her expression shifting to surprise as another wolf addressed her. Her eyes grew a bit wide, but odder things had happened. She hadn’t seen the woman’s form since she had been very young. Alfrun. Her grin grew wider as she lowered her head in greeting. She had left the clan before she had learned to be fluent in their mother tongue, but understood what was said. ”I didn’t believe I vould return either.” She answered as Valkyrie started to speak. Eisleif hadn’t seen her mother in years. Her tabby features were turned to her niece as she started to speak, she met Valkyrie’s gaze as she looked between all of the gathered wolves. Eis didn’t know but a couple of souls but they seemed eager to join in Valkyrie’s bid for glory. ”I pledge my loyalty to you, niece. Use me as you vill.” She smirked as she felt excitement run through her veins. Their time was now. ""

Across the battlefield she walks, the call still prominent within her mind. Each step brings her closer to the group she has sword to join, and even now, that promise rings true, thruming through her very veins. Thorne didn't break promises. She kept her word. And in a world ruled by anarchy and disloyalty, she valued her word above a vast majority of other things. As the gathering comes into view, she quickens her pace, regarding those in attendance, with a mixture of apprehension and curiosity. She arrives in time to hear Valkyrie's speech, but hangs back a heartbeat to listen while the others swear their loyalty. After a moment, the woman slids up beside Eisleif, aiming to brush her nose against the silver woman's ear in a gesture of affection. "Silver warrior" she murmurs softly against the fae's ear, then paces forward to be in full view of the assembled group. "I pledge my alligance to your cause" she announces, each word clear and deliberate. She has spoken such words to Valkyrie before, but now it is offical, to be witnessed by multiple pairs of eyes. "I am at your disposal". speech action

Alfrun dipped her head in acknowledgement of the woman who shared her relationship to Laufey, but otherwise remained silent. As much as she wished to know the truth of what had happened so long ago, she had no wish to interrupt her niece any further. She would track Eisleif down another time and ask the questions which longed to burst from her.

Her odd eyes focused back to Valkyrie as the young woman began to speak, and though others slipped in as the new leader talked Alfrun gave them not a glance, her attention focused instead of Valk's words and the way the lights seemed to weave around her. She had a halo of light around her, today, but the shadow of ravens seemed to pass through it. Runa spared a glance upward, but Tanken had glided away - it was not his shadow. She turned her attention back with some satisfaction. She felt nothing threatening in the raven-shadows she saw, but rather the spirits of carrion-eaters waiting for the feasts they would undoubtedly be given by this young warrior's exploits. What others may have viewed as madness, or myth, was as real to Alfrun as the air she breathed and the earth she trod upon.

She realized then that while she watched the spirit-ravens flit about the young Finnvi, Valk had stopped speaking, and others had spoken to offer their support for her cause, leaving a beat of silence as Alfrun remained quiet in her contemplation. She blinked, coming fully back to herself, and gave her niece a dreamy smile that tugged open the harelip she still bore to bare a twisted fang. "Drottin," she spoke solemnly, inclining her head deeply in a gesture of respect, "I pledge to you, my body and mind and magic, in whatever manner I may serve you and the Finnvi. My service to Hjarrandi, and to the gods." From his hover far above and behind her, Tanken added a harsh croaking caw of emphasis, and Alfrun's eyes half-closed as she nodded, clearly pleased by the circumstances.