The Cleansing Of The Northlands

[Altiak 1648]

The Cleansing of the Northlands

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0J2QdDbelmY&index

 

And I will purge out from among you the rebels, and them that transgress against me: I will bring them forth out of the country where they sojourn, and they shall not enter into the Heartland: and you shall know that I am the Lord.

 

7th of Sun’s Smile, 1522

The frothy waves came crashing over the bow of the oaken galleon as it skimmed over the azure waters skirting Felsen’s coastline, the fair winds pulling it quickly across the sea as it neared the port. Sailors scrambled across the deck of the boat haphazardly,  it gliding across the waves gracefully under the crew’s navigation. Atop the mast of the galley flew a single banner - the sea serpent of Vanir.

 

Emerging upon the crest of a sea surf behind the warship, a score of perhaps twenty similar ships -  all flying the same striking, fearsome banner - followed closely behind, each of their decks abuzz with midshipmen who steered the fleet closer to land and further from the fearsome sea that blew spittle and buffeting winds across their decks. Barely a dozen men were present upon the first ship - none visibly armed as it coasted gently to a stop alongside the harbor’s bulkhead.

 

 

Guy de Bar stood upon the docks expectantly, flanked by his similarly rigid kinsmen - Adrian, Denis, and Sergius. As the prized fleet of Vanaheim came into view, all present conceded an expression of mirth - all except for the Lord Chancellor and his brother, whose visages remained steely and sobersided as was characteristic for them both.

 

The wearied and fatigued figure leading the first ship stepped off the formidable craft’s deck and onto dry land, extending a rough and worn hand to the Regent.

“Jace Bracchus - always a pleasure.”

 

The warm and amicable tones were matched by a firm handshake between the two men, as Bracchus gestured to the band of newly-converted loyalists at his back. The assemblage of rough-hewn men aboard the warships watched Guy in unspeaking anticipation, a chance moment of quiet evoking the sound of the wooden boats creaking as the sea lapped at their hulls gently.

 

“Welcome home, soldiers. Your loyalty to the crown shall not go unforgotten,” came the Regent’s courteous response, and the band of former turncloaks relaxed visibly.

 

Guy de Bar slung an arm around his newfound ally, the rest of the sailors mingling with the Savoyard men that had previously surrounded their Grand Master and now paced behind him.

 

 

  “We make for Peremont, yes? To assemble the army and make for Vanaheim,” Bracchus inquired, his wary eyes scanning the face of the grizzled Lord Chancellor as the two men sidled onward, their brisk stride matched by the soldiers at their heels.

 

Only then did the elusive, raven-haired man let slip a wry, calculating smirk, and he turned to his brother to exchange a brief glimpse of ambivalence, “The legions of Oren have been dispatched already. They march for the Vanirs’ holdfast as we speak. Come; let us not keep them waiting.”

 

The haggard man’s expression slackens into one of abject surprise, and he shook his head briefly in incredulity, “You’ve set our pace already, it seems. To the Northlands, then - there is work to be done."

 

The men of Bar and Bracchus clambered onto their steeds while the soldiers filed in around them, spears and polearms resting on their ironclad shoulders as they fall to command. Soon after, the cohort set out to regroup with the main force up north.

 

The fiefdom of Vanir was a place wrought with sinners, condemned men seeking no absolution for their misdeeds - but they had no need to set out and find it. This day, the forces of Oren marched on Vanaheim, to absolve them of their sins.

 

The Cleansing of the Northlands had begun.

Edited October 1, 2015 by Altiak

[Norman 492]

It is time to shut it off.

[_Stigwig 1510]

"A glorious day."

[InfamousGerman 1553]

"Hmph. I wonder if Skippy Irongut would like 2 large ships."

[Lark 2227]

Dain sits on the shores of Nordwen with a basketful of roasted corn.

[Ludulo 75]

Jace stands along the outskirts of Vanaheim as he watches the renmants of Port Vydrik be burned to the ground. With hands clasped behind his back, he gives a firm nod.

 

"It had to be done. All so very necessary. Now true progress may be made."

 

From there, he would turn back to the sea, smiling as he notes the empty harbor.

[mmat 7460]

 

Ser Drake trots northwards alongside the retinue of nobles and generals on his horse, casually taking in the forests and fields of the North. He glances to his left across the water and to his home, then north to Vanaheim. He frowns for a moment as doubt passes his mind. Was it right to treat Vanir like this? The question momentarily pops into the knight's head and he gives it a nonchalant thought. Yes. A betrayers of traitors is no traitor at all.

[Endovelicus 614]

"I hope zhat zhe north is as cold as old valdenia..." Jürgen would remember his days as a child in the frosty winters of waldenia, as he cleans his armour and readies his sword.

[Vege 4804]

Percival would nod as he stands with his brother and a band of their men, watching old Vydrik go up in flames.

"A new beginning."

[Mj. 697]

Ser Drake trots northwards alongside the retinue of nobles and generals on his horse, casually taking in the forests and fields of the North. He glances to his left across the water and to his home, then north to Vanaheim. He frowns for a moment as doubt passes his mind. Was it right to treat Vanir like this? The question momentarily pops into the knight's head and he gives it a nonchalant thought. Yes. A betrayers of traitors is no traitor at all.

"What a grody guy" states Wem, hearing of Drake's return to his homeland

[tilly 5115]

Moved to the Archive. It shall be sorted into the appropriate category shortly.