Hi, I am back again! Thanks for all the lovely reviews. They made my busy weeks go by quickly! ^_^ And thanks for actually reading my stories. Not just this one, but my other ones too.
A/N: I didn't mean to make this one so..
Skwisgaar arose before the sun. Which was his usual routine, he got up, washed his face, dress and leave for whatever activity he had planned. He looked down at Toki's sleeping body, the young Viking had a tendency to role out of the blankets while he slept, so much to his master feigned annoyance, The blonde would recover him every morning. As Skwisgaar reached for the blanket, something caught his eye. Small red stains bunched around Toki's lower half. With a sigh, Skwisgaar acted as if he did not see it. He recovered his sleeping slave, grabbed his sword and was out the door.
Now the rules to an Einvigi are simple. Fight. When fought between to free men, or Vikings, the would fight until one was is unconscious or surrenders. No killings are allowed unless you want to hand over a hefty sum to the loser's family. Now if you have this duel with lets, say a slave, the last rule is not needed. But sense this duel is not a formal one, a master could stand in if wanted. And this is exactly what Skwisgaar planned to do. On the top of the high hill, he stood. He waited for the crack of dawn, for the audience and his opponent to arrive. He looked at the parting clods, it would be dawn any minute.
As promised Banki arrived to the hill, he was no coward after all. And as expected a huge party followed the short fat man. Men brought their families, and whores to see this man kill a slave. Skwisgaar sneered in disgust. They were going to be sadly disappointed.
"What is this? Where is the salve?" Banki asked smiling to crowed. He was sure Toki had forfeited.
"He is at home. I beat him so hard he could not walk. Hardly fair for the duel" Skwisgaar's face was unmoving.
Banki's face drooped into a mocking pout. " Oh well, I guess we will have to wait until his rear is better. Now don't we." He turned to his party, who all laughed and cheered. Skwisgaar's frown deepened. This was not meant to be a duel, it was meant to be an execution.
"No. I am here in his place. You will fight me." Skwisgaar interrupted the loud party. He threw his sword down, and took off his shirt.
"W-what? But I have a dispute with your SLAVE! Not you!" Banki begins to stutter, but walks closer to the other man to reason with him. Surly he did not wish to fight the great Skwisgaar Skwigelf! The man who saved the life of their chieftain and had taken the lives of so many others, if not injuring severely.
"You have a dispute with MY property, due to the fact that there are no real rules, your opponent can switch upon the Master's request. . You have a dispute with me. Now if you wish to for-"
"NO!" Banki looked to crowd, which was getting even more riled with the promise of a far more interesting fight. "I-we will fight"
Skwisgaar let a smirk slip, he was going to show this cocky man to not pick fight with him or his property. Banki through his own sword down as well and removed his own shirt. The two men stood faced to face, a short troll to golden God. The cheering crowd had all but quieted. The moved creating a human wall around the two men, with enough space to not hinder either fighter but close enough to see all the bloody action.
"shall we start?" Skwisgaar asked getting into a balanced fighting stance. He put the majority of his weight into his feet, predicting Banki to rush at him like a lunatic. And like a puppet Banki did.
"YAAAAAAAEEEEEEEEEEERRRRGH!" he ran arms waving in the air like he was mad. But Skwisgaar held strong. The two men collided but the blonde did not falter. He shoved back just as hard. Once Banki realized he was not going to knock the man down he backed slightly and brought his massive fist back readying a punch. Banki was slower than most the men Skwisgaar had fought in the past, He could see every move and dodge all the footwork. It was more of a dance rather than a brawl. He ducked once the fist went flying in the air. And tackled the fatter man. Unlike Skwisgaar Banki was unbalanced and he fell with ease.
Now with man pinned underneath him Skwisgaar decided to make this fight a little more interesting. He reeled his fist back and began pounding them into Banki's face. He ignored the pain from the fight with Toki the previous night, and really let Banki have it.
He saw it before he let it process. Some one kicked a hammer into the circle, he watched it land right by Banki's chubby hand, he watched that chubby hand grab it, and he watched the bloody face before him smile
"SHIT SHIT SHIT SHIT" Skwisgaar jumped off the man right before the hammer was swung.
"What in the name of-" He panted. His eyes wide wit bewilderment stared at the fat man across from him, who was now smiling wildly.
"What are you done fighting me now?" Banki spit some blood in the wet grass and slowly walked over to the blonde.
"Fuck you" Skwisgaar stood up straight once more and regained his balance. "You think you have enough skill to even touch me with that hammer, then lets go" He looked down at Banki, which angered the shorter man.
How dare he looked down on me as an opponent. Banki charged once again, this time with hammer in hand. Instead of matching his strength Skwisgaar backed up, and dodged every existing blow the hammer would have had. He kept his hand firmly at his side, careful not to harm himself or be in the path of the hammer. The crowd watched in awe as he moved as languidly as water.
Banki bent over in exhaustion. Not once did his hammer touch the Skwisgaar, witch angered him.
"That's can't be all you got." The tall Viking laughed.
"Errrrrgh" Was all Banki could muster in a reply. He was tired, sore and aching for this brawl to be over. He did not want to fight this man, but he did not wish to give up either. He grabbed his hammer and once again charged after the other man. Skwisgaar was all ready and prepared, but was tripped by a guest in the crowd. He hit the ground in all his golden glory. Banki saw this as an opening and slammed his hammer down.
"Fuck!" Skwisgaar rolled as fast as he could to avoid the path of the hammer. His hair was left in the path and was crushed into the ground. He tried to roll again, but the hammer pulled on his hair, causing a sharp pain to travel down his spine. Skwisgaar Skwigelf was pinned.
"Pfffffffffft. You are so much of a woman you result to hair pulling. Coward." He looked at the fat man standing above him. His sneer never left his delicate features.
"Shut your mouth!" shouted back. He was confused on what he should do next. Never had he planned on actually pinning the much taller man.
"Hah! What are you going to do? Look at my handsome face all day?" Skwisgaar smirked.
"I said Shut your mouth! Or I will- I will"
"You will what? Sit on me?" This time the blonde laughed. He laughed until his sides hurt and tears streamed down his face. Banki was not amused. Red in the face he grabbed for his hammer. Once the heavy weight was lifted of Skwisgaar's delicate hair, he used his long lays to his advantage and kicked Banki in his gut. The unbalanced fat man fell to the ground , Skwisgaar wasted no time to pin him once again. Keeping the hammer out of his reach he pounded his fist in Bank's face once again. But Banki did not just lay there, he grabbed a fist full of the blondes hair and pulled. Skwisgaar hissed in pain, and did the same to Bank's beard. The fatter man tried to punch the blonde, but Skwisgaar was quick. He grabbed the hand and bent it backwards. He slammed his elbow into the fore arm, breaking the bone. The fight was over.
Banki howled in pain, while the crowed cheered. Skwisgaar spat on the ground. He rose and grabbed his shirt and his clothes. He didn't want to break any bones, but he saw no other choice. Banki had a hammer, while he had his hands.
He stood, looking at the pathetic excuse that once was the cocky Banki rise. His arm was purpling. It would take about six months for his bone to be set in place. Good thing it was spring. Banki could have one of his own slaves to fish for him while he recovered.
"Skwisgaar!" Hearing that voice immediately gave him a headache.
"What is it Grubber?" he pinched the bridge of his nose as the gangly red head ran up to him.
"You were so strong!" Grubber waved his arms sporadically. Skwisgaar feigned interest as he turned away to travel to the town. He had to find Murderface. The sun was already high in the sky, though it did not feel the brawl lasted so long.
"If you wish to join me, you may" He signalled for Grubber to follow. Grubber readily accepted the invitation and ran to catch up to the blonde.
Skwisgaar felt eyes peering at him the whole walk down the hill, he smirked and continued on.
…...
The whole walk Grubber excitedly talk about the brawl, as if Skwisgaar was not fighting.
"Hey, skwis..."
"Hmm"
"Why, wasn't you slave fighting?" Grubber was curious. He was anticipating more blood and broken bones.
"That is, uh really, none of your business" Skwisgaar said with not emotion. It really wasn't Grubber's business. In fact it was rude for the man to ask.
"Oh, please tell me Skwis! Please Please..." Grubber begged. He was a nosey ferret, and wanted answers. Skwisgaar was already irritated, and this was not helping his attitude.
"Look Grubber." The blonde said in a strict and calm voice "There are people who just want to hurt you.. why? I don't know. And when they can't get t you, they try to harm things closest to you. Whether its family, your farm, even your pathetic slaves. As a man, it is your job to protect everything you have. That includes your slave."
Grubber stared in awe at the man before him. He remianed silent the rest of the walk. Once the arrived to the market the whole place was bustling and loud. Everton crowded the street, making it hard to view what was taking place. Skwisgaar had to rise on the tip of his toes to witness a group of men dressed in expensive garments walking through the street. Behind them stumbled a behemoth of a man. Not as tall as Skwisgaar but the build of a bull. He had striking long black hair which covered his face. He was chained by his hands and his bare feet, making it a little difficult to walk. But he carried on, not once making a sound of disapproval.
Skwisgaar leaned over to another spectre
"Hey what is going on?"
"The Danes are asking for an alliance with our Chieftain"
"But why did they carry, well, that I think I was a man"
The other man laughed "That is a wedding gift for our dear Chieftain. The Danes are known for their exotic taste in captures"
"AH... well. Thank you" Skwisgaar turned to find the Blacksmith with Grubber in toe"
…...
"Oi! Murderface!" Skwisgaar stepped into the blacksmith's work station. Grubber was right behind, peering at all the beautiful weapons and jewellery.
"Don't touch anything" Skwisgaar hissed at the man. Murderface walked out of his room smiling his gaped tooth smile.
"Whatsch thisch? A vischit from the marveschloushy famousch SCHKWISCHGAAR SCHKIWIGELF!?" He plopped down on his chair, smile completely wiped off. "What do You want?"
"I wanted to know how good you are with fixing instruments?"
"I am a blackschmith not a woodsman"
"We both know Netta is the blacksmith" He glanced behind Murderface and peered at the blind girl hiding behind a post.
"Eschatly! A blacksmith! Metal, gold, schilver, brassch bronzche, even pewter!" He was having enough of this cocky gorgeous Viking crowding his home. How dare he visit after several years, and not one hello, not one invitation to his home. But he comes to his work uninvited, and asks for a favour.
"You can leave" He waved his hand and looked away. The blonde was not happy. His faced twisted into a sour frown he turned to walk off.
"Skwisgaar..." Netta's voice was still soft even after the years of working with the flames and coal.
"Yes?"
"I may not be able to fix your instrument, but.." she walked over to him carefully. And grabbed his hand. Her hand was not as soft as the the other women's he has held. It was rough and calloused from years of working. And her grip was as strong as a young boy's. She led him over to a set of rings , where he first found the ring that Toki now holds dearly. She let go of his hand felt through the other jewellery pulling out tow arm silver arm bands. One was as black as night and the other as white as snow. The black had hares engraved onto it, they were running through the band , The white had Harriers flying in the opposite direction the hares were running.
"Your ring, you do not wear it now." she asked stated. Skwisgaar studied his hand, it did feel empty with his ring. But it looked far better on Toki.
"No, I gave it to some one special"
The young, well now she was a woman smiled. She held out the bands.
"How much?" He wanted them. They were gorgeous, in fact flawless. He could feel every strand of fur on the hare or every feather on the harrier. His heart sped up and his face warmed.
"Fr-"
"80 schilver pieschesch" Murderface was now beside his daughter and she dared not to speak against him.
"Here is 200. To make up for my long absence. I do hope the woman forgives me" He looked disgusted at Murderface. He handed him the money and kissed the palm of Netta's hand. Without another word he left.
…...
Grubber followed Skwisgaar all the way to the outside of his home.
"So.. I .. uh guess this is where we depart" He hinted at the other man.
"I guess it is." Grubber looked at his shoes
"Well. Goodnight. Skwisgaar walked into his home and closed the door. Leaving Grubber outside.
"Strange kid" He looked around his tiny house. The fire had been restarted so it was nice and warm.
"Skwisgaar?" Toki was in the corned with their wolf. She was getting a lot fatter these days. They must have been over feeding her or something because she won't even run outside that much any more.
"yeah Toki?" He couldn't look Toki in the eye. At least after what he did. He let his lustful urges get the better of him, he took more than blood from his slave. Maybe he was a whore.
"I went to the hill, but no one was really there. Well just a couple of people talking"
"Mhm"
"I wanted to know.. did you talk to Banki or something?"
"Eh, not really. But its done" He sat down at his table and drummed his fingers aggravatingly
"Skwisgaar.."
"Hm?"
"I wanted to apologize for last night. So i-"
"Its okay. We both got angry, mistakes happen"
Mistakes? Toki was wondering which part of last night was really the mistake. He did get punched in the nose a lot. And he did break the lyre.. The Lyre!
"Anyway. I went to a neighbour and borrowed some of this new wood, tools,and sticky stuff. I fixed your lyre"
Skwisgaar had stopped paying attention to Toki after a while. He just sat staring at the fire. Watching the flames dance, like his fingers used to.
"Skwisgaar?" Toki tried to regain the other's attention. But his voice alone wasn't working.
He grabbed the repaired lyre and strummed once. The sound was deeper, still beautiful, but more powerful. He began to play a song. A song about a warrior, fighting a battle and concurring lands. A song he wrote.
Skwisgaar was sure he was imagining music. It hadn't been a whole day and he was going crazy, thinking music was in the air. He glared at the fire harder, imagining them fighting rather than dancing. It was beautiful. He turned away from the flame and saw Toki playing, on his lyre.
"When did-?" He was confused. He was sure he would never here music from his instrument again. Toki stopped playing and smiled.
"I told you I fixed it. To apologize" He handed the instrument to its master and remained seated at his feat. Skwisgaar ran his fingers along the wood. There was a noticeable differences in the wood where one of Odin's raven once stood. In its place was sleeping rabbit.
"Where is your harp?" Skwisgaar's words were sharp and nearly scared Toki. The younger man looked down, not willing to answer.
"Toki, where is your harp?" Toki remained silent.
"Toki, I will not ask you again! You will sleep outside tonight if you don't tell me!"
"I used it, to fix your lyre. None of the of the other wood would fit. I am sorry." Toki would not meet his master's eyes. He didn't think the other man would be as angry as he was.
"Idiot" Skwisgaar stood and walked to his bed, leaving the lyre on the chair, he undressed and fell asleep. That night he did not feel the warmth of another body next to him. He didn't notice the change of blood free blankets. He ignored the sound of Toki's sniffles as he cried. He ignored the beautiful song Toki continued to play. He glanced at his fore arm and admired the white hawk, which carried him off to sleep.