PRP FROM HOWRSE: Cchilelli & Admin: The Viking Call

Cchilelli

A bit disappointed the wolf had run off so quickly, Vaaka shrugged a bit and sighed. Now reassured she was alone, she waded a little ways into the water, pulled off her dress, and then dipped herself into the cool water fully. For a while, she let herself simply soak, then submerged herself under it fully. All the while, she kept a careful eye on the surroundings, for this was the only time she was without a knife or weapon. Yet, bathing was always an excuse to get away from Strula, and all his annoying, irritating habits.

As he entered the camp Fenrir headed to the main cabin where the leader of the clan stayed with his wife. On the way there he passed the war table and instead found his clan leader there. "Barrahas!" he called out, a grin breaking out on his lips as he pulled his long-time old friend in for a huge. "How have you been brother?"

Barrahas laughed, his voice deep and hearty. "Not bad not bad," he said. "Look Fen, I'm glad you're here. I need to go for a business meeting in Strula and I was wondering if you would be willing to go along with me. You've always handled this sort of thing better than I do."

Fenrir hesitated. "Are you sure your wife would be alright leaving for so long?" he asked. "Strula is not a close colony."

Barrahas nodded solemnly. "We need the trade connections. Crops have not been doing so well for us," he said. "So? Will you join me on this journey brother? I would much appreciate the company and you could take Storm."

Fenrir thought of the black stallion he had grown close to in his time in the clan. Storm was a pitch black, lean stallion and the only horse that tolerated his wolfy smell. "Alright alright," Fen said, laughter in his voice. "I will come. Are we leaving now?" At Barrahas nod Fen followed him into his cabin to where they said goodbye to his wife before saddling up the horses and starting the three day journey to the Strula colony.

Cchilelli

The days past slowly, each day staring with Strula making some request of her, often to see his future or tell him of some victory. Essentially, Vaaka was used by him as a means of stroking his ego, which she had no interest in doing. He wanted her as his woman too, but she had thus denied him, finding no reason to become his. He was boring, tasteless, and thoughtless. So, she continued her work, casting runes and consulting with the gods, waiting for a clear path to be directed to her.
She was, however, permitted to attend a meeting with a nearby clan leader. Her advice was trusted above all others, for she could see the strengths and weaknesses of such bonds.

Three days in the saddle later, Fenrir and Barrahas rode to the gate of the Strula colony. He was a arrogant fool but the gate was one thing he had so far refused to budge on. At least around the roads. Fenrir ran his hand down Storm's neck, who was looking around curiously. While they were waiting to be let in, Barrahas put a hand on Fenrir's arm. "Now Fen," he said. "I must warn you. Strula is bringing his pet seer and she is more than a bit unsettling but he is more protective of her than anything else so proceed cautiously." After Fenrir nodded he pulled his hand from his arm and they rode into camp.

Cchilelli

Hearing the news of the arrival, Vaaka came out from her dimly lit tent, having been bent over her runes all morning. She met Strula at the gate, and he attempted to put an arm around her, only to be met with a fierce glance and a skillful aversion. The gate was opened, slowly, and she stepped through it with her usual grace and confidence, only a mere half-step behind Strula. Her icy eyes searched the two men, her mouth slightly agape.
Strula greeted them, raising his arm towards them: "I was told you would come, though I cannot say I fully believed it. So tell me, do you wish to come in for some ale and women, or do you prefer to speak out here?"

Fenrir froze for a split second before falling into his confidence. "Both would be much appreciated for myself in other circumstances Strula but Barrahas I'm afraid has a very strong willed wife that is likely to storm your gates if she heard of any ill-doings," he said, laughing as his eyes lit up, the golden flecks sparkling. In his human form the colors changed, the main color being a brilliant electric blue with strands of darker blue with golden flecks within. Barrahas rolled his eyes but shrugged good-naturedly before they both stepped out of their saddles.

"Just the ale I believe," Barrahas said.

Fenrir loosened the strap on Storm's saddle and ran a hand over his neck, giving him slight pat. Storm nuzzled him affectionately in response.

Cchilelli

Strula shook his head and scoffed a little. "As you wish, though I cannot imagine a wife who has a strong enough hold on a man, a clan leader for that matter, that he cannot enjoy the company of a wh0re behind her back," he mocked, gesturing for a few of his lesser to take the horses.

Vaaka rolled her eyes slightly, though she did it as discreetly as she could. She turned away, annoyed by Strula already. She knew the lesser man from somewhere, but she did not know where. Once inside, she would have a bit more time to place him, but there was something eerily familiar about him.

Fenrir shook his head. “Wise men do not cage woman,” he said softly, barely heard by only those that listened. “For there is no fire greater than that of a woman scorned.”

Barrahas laughed it off and walked ahead with Strula while Fenrir got his horse settled. “Come now Fen, Storm will be perfectly alright on his own for a while,” he called. Fenrir sighed before handing off the stallion and trailing after the two men.

Cchilelli

Though she was a few steps ahead, she heard the comment made by Fenrir. It was a bit surprising, for that was certainly not a common thought about women, for she was surrounded by men who freely traded bed slaves. She frequently used her own whiles to her advantage, though she refused to be the woman of any man.
A few steps ahead, she entered the grand hall, dimly lit even in the light of day. Her tattered skirt flew up a little as she took a seat, throwing her arm up on the back of the chair and crossing her legs. She watched the visitors with a careful eye, still trying to place the man.

Fenrir scanned the hall, immediately looking for the vantage and potential danger areas as he kept an eye on Barrahas. Picking a spot on the wall he leaned it and crossed his arms. The soft leather molded to his body, highlighting the lines of lean muscle as he shifted in place. His black hair flopped slightly over his face as his eyes continuously snanned the room. For one moment his gaze landed on the woman he had met in his wolfskin, though she thankfully didn’t seem to recognize him.

Cchilelli

A woman began to serve ale, and Strula started his droning about trade in the background, but Vaaka focused on the man. Eventually, she rose from her seat and took one next to him, raising her chin as she looked him over. Her icy blue eyes were fixed on him, her lower lip caught between her teeth. Strula watched her carefully, but also had instructed her to extract information about the men as needed. Her tactics were always unethical, to say the least. One painted hand pushed a few strands behind her ear, watching him with careful consideration.

Fenrir brought the ale up to his lips and carefully smelled it before taking a small sip of it. His nose wrinkled in slight distaste so he put it down before withdrawing a small throwing knife from his boot and tossing it in the air in front of him. “You know,” Fenrir said without looking at her, his voice deep and mesmerizing. “If you want to ask whatever is stewing in that head of yours you might as well just ask or you’ll never know the answer. If I choose to give you one that is.”

Cchilelli

Vaaka raised a finger to her lips, just thinking as she looked at him with glassy eyes. Even as he played with his knife, her gaze remained focused on his face. It seemed as though he wanted to threaten her, but knives hardly scared her. "You do not know me," she said flatly, her voice quiet enough not to be heard by those sitting nearby, "Yet you decide to treat me as though you do. Unless, of course, you do know me," she added, taking her hand from her lips and digging it deep into his hair with a wicked smile. With Strula so near and trade so needed by them, she knew he could do little. She was a prize worth far more than a trade alliance, after all.

Fenrir froze, his grip tightening on the hilt of his knife, barely holding himself back from pinning her against the wall as his chest heaved with anger. Fury flashed in his lightning blue eyes. Tossing his knife was a bored habit that kept a weapon in his hand and oh how he wished he could use it now. “You are so lucky you are someone’s pet,” he hissed, his voice a deep rumbling warning. The golden flecks in his eyes shifted and stirred as his wolf reacted to his anger. Fenrir pulled his head away, the woman’s fingers sliding out of his hair as he glared at her sideways and clenched his jaw.

Cchilelli

Vaaka laughed, the sound cold and a bit distant. "You think I am his pet?" she asked with blatant amusement, "It would sooner be the reverse. I am no one's woman, nor am I anyone's pet. I am with him, for now, but I am getting tired of his...everything. The gods will soon enough direct me elsewhere, doubtless," she said, managing to get her hands on a few strands of his hair as he withdrew his head. Raising them to her lips, she closed her eyes, letting them run through her mouth. Instantly, her eyes shot open. "I knew I knew you, I simply could not place you."

Zack eyed her warily, his wolf pacing uneasily and causing the gold in his eyes to flash brighter.

Cchilelli

"Do not just sit there mute and look at me," Vaaka said shortly, "Say something in response to me. I do not appreciate silence," she added, her icy eyes locked onto his. "I know what you are, so show me some form of a reaction," she insisted. Even if he disbelieved her powers, she wanted to know. She wanted to hear something form him, however small. She knew of her holds over men, though he did not even seem attracted to her either, which was strange. All she wanted was something from him, anything at all.

Fenrir raised an eyebrow. ‘So she wants me to say something that bad huh?’ He thought to himself. He smirked then bit his lip slightly to hide a satisfied smile as he looked away, practically dismissing her as he looked towards Barrahas as if reengaging his attention to the trade talk.

Cchilelli

Vaaka scoffed, annoyed with his antics. "Look at me," she said sharply, nearly between her teeth. She would not be ignored by any, most certainly not a man who was looking for trade with Strula's clan. "Answer me," she said more softly, this time, a near whisper. Skirting her hold was not something she tolerated, nor would permit. She did not understand why he was so stubborn, so resistant to her

He kept his head turned toward Barrahas but his fingers started spinning his knife around offhandedly as he mused about this new development, actually tuning the woman out for a little though he remained hyper aware of her presence. 'Why does it matter so much to her that I submit?' he thought. 'Well she's not going to get it from me. She's no all-mighty hot shot loved by the gods. She's just a woman used to getting what she wants. Which it's easy to see why.' Fenrir inwardly groaned for going there during his mental debate as it turned his thoughts to how attractive she really was, despite her belief he should be praising her above anything else. He clenched his jaw and shoved the thought to the back of his head, tuning back into his surroundings.

Cchilelli

"I know who you are, do you need more proof then that I have already given you?" Vaaka questioned. He was so stubborn, but she could not place a reason behind it. "I do not appreciate being ignored by any man, but particularly not one who I know has more to share. There is more to you than meets the eye, so speak to me, wolf-man," she whispered, leaning in, close, but not so close as to make him uncomfortable.

Fenrir glanced over to where Barrahas and Strula sat talking. 'Yeah... so not happening,' he thought, sitting back and crossing his arms against his chest, making the lines of muscle stand out. 'Not when the walls have ears ready to report to the leaders that sit less than 10 feet away.' He shifted his gaze to the woman and took a subtle but long breath in and the gold in his eyes sparkled. She smelled like she acted, a bipolar conundrum of sweet, sultry herbs, and the sharp tang of blood and danger and courage. 'Why is she so interested in me?' he pondered. 'Most would have given up by now.' Fenrir didn't share his secrets and most women were content enough for the extreme pleasure of his company if he chose to give it. But this one seemed too focused on his wolf, refusing to back down from her targeted prey.

Cchilelli

Finally realizing she would get nothing from him this way, Vaaka rose from her seat, then leaned over and softly said: "When you grow tired of the company of men, come meet me by the river banks, where you met me once before, for I too grow tired of the company of these men," she invited, leaving her invitation up to him to interpret. With that, she started towards Strula, then bent and whispered something about casting runes and consulting the gods in his ear. If he was interested as she. It would be darkening outside by now, and the river would be peaceful if nothing else.

Fenrir's ears and inner wolf practically perked up as one. His skin fidgeted but he loathed to give her any sort of control over him. He held it for an hour before his wolf was practically scratching at his mind to be let out. He caught Barrahas' eye and at his nod Fenrir slipped out of cabin. Once in the treeline he released the anxious being inside him and shifted, his wolfskin slipping over him in a burst of fiery pain that came out as a snarl. Fenrir shook his coat out, feeling the breeze against his fur and the cool, clean wind in his lungs as he breathed in. He loped through the trees, slowly to a trot as he neared the river and finally halting on the edge of the treeline. It was a moment of pure deja-vu as he stood watching the woman as she crouched by the riverbank. 'I still don't even know her name' he thought.

Cchilelli

Seeing the wolf on the treeline, she smiled, knowing he would come. She knew he would, at least in some way, but he was so difficult. Seeing him as a wolf disappointed her a bit, for she wanted to consult with him in human form. "I thought you were to be in your human form, for it is more difficult to speak with a wolf than a human," she sighed, though her tone showed she was merely disappointed, for the chance to speak with him alone was far more interesting that him in wolf form. She would have thought her invitation alone would have given him incentive to stay in human form, but he was a bit thick-headed, it seemed.