What we fear may never be... [Gunnvor]

It was long past sun down, dark clouds had gathered together and spread over the sky as a long black blanket. A thunder rolled through them in the far distance and soft raindrops had already started to fall. Making the dirt on the road muddy and slippery, there sure would be some drunk bastards falling tonight. It had been going on for a while too, just before the sun set and even the torches who had been burning so strongly were starting to dim down and burn out. Only to leave a trail of dark smoke. There weren’t many people out either, most hidden away in the warmth of their comfortable home. Seeking shelter for the storm that was about to come. It pleased Asny in many ways. Not only the empty streets, but also the dark cover of night. The smell of the mud mixed with the smoke of the torches. Her grey blue eyes looked through the cracks of the doors, or through the holes in the roofs most on night like these. Listening to the stories that people were telling. Rumours that went around… While they all sat together having fun and unaware of her presents…. Some people might think it was sad, a lone wolf. And it was true that she shut herself out of these things. But she was perfectly comfortable with it being that way. She did not need anyone…

This time however she had a particular place to be, and in the cover of night she made her way to the manor. So many rumours had going around…. So many things were about to happen and she would watch and amuse herself with watching the scene’s unfold. But one rumour in particular had gotten her interest. Earl Rigas Fenarifksson hadn’t returned from his hunting trip. She had to admit that she investigated a bit after her little ears heard those words slip out of someone’s mouth. It was true that nobody has seen or heard from him in days. Now people were getting worried. For what did people really know? Nothing… Even she… She went back to the place where he had been hunting. Or at least where people thought he had been. She had followed a trail but… could not find a trace. What… Frustrated her, a lot. But this played out nicely. His disappearance would leave Skagerrak in a vulnerable position.

What actually played… perfectly for her. She had been thinking in doing something with her life. Making herself worth something. Instead of spending her time wandering around alone and ‘playing’ with people because she was bored. She actually could use the way she had eyes and ears everywhere and… She did want to serve some purpose in life. But she didn’t want to serve just anyone no, she did want something who was ‘worth’ serving for and who better than the earl and his wife. Though now it was just Gunnvor. A chuckle left her lips thinking of it. While in the mean time she had reached the manor and slipped in from the rood. Balancing herself on one of the pillars that held it all together. Her eyes looking over the place, being dead quite. Looking for that person she wanted to speak to. One drop of water slipped from the tip of her hair to the ground as she sat down on the pillar. Hidden in the dark of a corner, where she would be barely noticed. Her eyes traveling to the flames of the fire, before she closed them. Warming up slowly as she waited.

Her eyes however soon snapped open at the sound of footsteps. They travelled to the figure, following only with her eyes. A very smile smirk coming to her lips as she started to play with a coin between her fingers. Soon looking up at the ceiling and listening silently. Before she opened her mouth to speak. Her voice being calm and ‘cold’ as ever. No emotion as she asked the question.

”Do you miss your husband?”

Her eyes gazed upon the countess as her head jerked around the moment she had spoken. Looking for her. She knew the countess was a woman she shouldn’t take to lightly. But that didn’t mean she didn’t want to find out how Gunnvor really was. She kept silently playing with the coin as she waited for the woman to find her. Gunnvor’s steps were light and perfectly balanced, almost as if she was carefully threading towards something she wasn’t totally sure off if it could be trusted. At least in Asny her eyes it seemed that way. Though the countess did not look for long. Asny took a soft breath as her eyes moved back to the coin in her hand. As she had thought the dark was a safe place. After all she was threading on grounds she shouldn’t be and… Well her words didn’t show any friendly meaning towards the woman. She was careful and did not want to take any risks. Wanted to wait and see. Though… it seemed the countess was more promising then she thought. ‘I’m sure you would miss your tongue to.’ A very light satisfied smirk played on her lips after those words were spoken. She was sure she would miss her tongue, after all it was a fine tongue. And she would like to keep it. Though a tongue was not needed for killing.

Her eyes slowly moved back to Gunnvor as she stopped and seemed to look up for her again. A very light hum left her lips as she slowly slipped the coin back into her pocket and just moved a bit. Still being perfectly comfortable where she was as she listened to the next words spoken. ‘Why are you hiding so high up?’ She took a light breath, ah she was hiding indeed. But only because she wanted to make sure no one else was with the countess. After all she wanted to speak to her alone and if someone else had been here the chances of that happening would have been small. But it seemed she was in luck. But she also was comfortable being in the dark, sometimes it was better not to be seen, but to be heard but… the next words spoking did hit her. ‘Scared the wolf come in to tear you apart?’ Her eyes narrowed as she also smirked. Knowing very well what the Countess was playing for. And… She had to admit it was a good one. A challenge, and one she simply could not back down from.

She chuckled lightly as she moved a bit, her body slipping up as she moved away from the safe dark corner. Slipping further down the pillar towards the middle where the light of the fire hit her rather smile body. Her grey blue eyes stared straight in the green ones of Gunnvor. She smirk smiled as she sat down again. ”The wolf is already inside.” Was her reaction to the challenge she had been given. She was not afraid, not even of dying. Her eyes moved to the fire for a second, as if she had for one second already lost all interest in the countess. Before she looked back to the woman. ”You would do well to keep it as a friend.” And with it she meant the wolf, with the wolf she meant herself. Maybe a little thread, maybe one she shouldn’t have made. But again she was not afraid. But she was not here to make threads however but… it might be a good way to get Gunnvor’s attention.

She gave the countess a smile as her next words slipped carefully over her lips. ”After all, without your earl… You will have enough wolves baring their teeth towards you.” She took a small pose. ”Is that not so, my countess?” But it was so, because without an earl Skagerrak was so venerable and what Viking wouldn’t take advantage of that?

Gunnvor on her own was a strong woman. One who deserved respect, one many would probably fear. However Asny had long forgotten that word. She had put fear behind her… Or at least so she believed. So the woman before her she did not fear. Gunnvor strong on her own, strong as a woman. But unfortunally in a weak place as fate would have it so. And she could see in the woman her eyes. Even if it was hidden deep inside that the woman did realise that. She would be stupid if she did not. Not worthy of the name of countess. But at least the woman wasn’t that stupid. Though strong as she was she would not show, anything. She had to say she was impressed by the old lady. The rumours that went around were apparently true. Very promising. She couldn’t help but let out a light chuckle at her own thoughts. Though it was silent and only her lips moved in a slight grin for a moment. But soon enough her face grew neutral again as well. Her eyes cold as ever as she listened to the woman. Watching her movement. Watching how her gaze turned to the fire. Seemed the woman did not fear her at all. Though she would now have the opportunity to end it all. So many opportunities. Though then she would have to flee her home… Hide for a while like a rat underground and she did not feel like doing that. Not that she wasn’t hidden already. But just the fact that she would have to made her feel repelled of it. She also had nothing against Gunnvor. Only that it was clear that Skagerrak wasn’t her real home. Was it?

‘As the gods created the wolves and there laws there is always one pair leading the group.’ Gunnvor her words came towards her. Her eyes narrowing a bit as they locked with those of the countess. ‘I may have lost the male alpha of that pack but I still stand. We don't need men to be strong.’ And there it was, that one thing Asny needed to come to a realisation. That one thing she had been waiting for. So long to find and she was quite pleased she had found it here. This was something she would have fun with even if it was just for a little while. ’And I’m happy to devour every wolf trying to take my position up high the rank, so, Oh she was sure this countess would. There was a fire in her soul that seemed to burn strong. Burn and turn her enemy to ashes. ‘if you want to match teeth, I suggest you come down and see who is the real wolf in this room.’
Asny sat down completely after Gunnvor spoke those words. Looking quite amused actually as she started to swing her legs. Oh she would not mind a little match. In fact it was quite hard not to go in on the invitation she just had gotten. The challenge. Yes she wanted to see as well. But not for the reasons Gunnvor might think. ‘You really want to stand there, on the outside of a pack, killing your way in or do you want to be here, in the pack, respected and provided from food and a life?’ Her legs stopped moving after those words and she stared at the woman. She had been killing to survive so far. Not for the pack, neither to belong in it. In fact she cared little about the people here. There were not many she would fight for. But…

She let out a light laugh and let herself slip from the beam down to the ground. Landing perfectly on her two feet. Standing a few feet away from the countess as she moved her hands behind her back. Standing up straight with a certain shine in her eyes. Though it wasn’t really clear what emotion it was, or if it was just the reflection of the fire. ”I am not here to bare my teeth at you.” She said. As she soon kneeled on one knee. One of her arms resting on the one who was still up as she lowered her head. She realised that Gunnvor deserved her respect and… She wanted to at least be part of the woman’s pack even for a little while. ”I would rather bare my teeth towards your enemies.” She said, slowly looking back up and locking eyes with Gunnvor. ”And if you keep me by your side…” She continued and then slightly looked away. ”Then soon there won’t be any sheep left who can take over your thrown.” For she would make sure they all disappeared from this world and into Valhalla.

Her eyes were still fixated on the countess as the woman stood up from the fire. The eyes of the woman clearly fixated on her. She narrowed her eyes just slightly as she drew closer. Not sure if she could trust it or not and her muscles tensed up a bit as the countess reached her hand out. But to her surprise the woman only took her hand and helped her up. As she stood up straight Asny took a step back making some more space between the two of them. One because it was safer still, two because she wasn’t exactly to comfortable with close contact. She had no need for it. But her eyes did not let go of the woman standing in front of her. Especially not when she began to speak. Quoting the wolf again. A lone wolf could die, as long as the pack survives. Words with a deep meaning and also words that could be taken in many different ways. It could be that Gunnvor was saying she did not mind dying as long as the people her and maybe even the people from where shy came stayed safe and sound. But… To Asny… In her mind it also could be darker. Meaning that she didn’t mind sacrificing one little wolf if it meant she could survive and the rest of them. Which way it was… She wasn’t completely sure. But she had a feeling she would find out soon enough. But it was clear enough that Gunnvor had accepted her at the very least. Promising.

‘This house is built on trust and honesty for that I would never lie to you or anybody else, remember wisely that when I catch lies, I certainly start bite.’ She listened carefully to the words as a very sly confident smirk formed on her lips. Her brow going up slightly as she spoke and a more questioning look fell over her face. ”Oh really?” She asked questionably. She hardly believed that everyone here would speak the truth or was even trust worthy. But maybe that was because she trusted no one at all. And probably never would. She stood a bit straighter as she moved her hands behind her back. Being relaxed again all the same.

”I assure you that I do not lie.” At the very least that was one thing she did not do. Maybe the only thing. But even if she did not lie it did not mean she could be trusted. Who knew she might grow bored with this and find something else to keep herself busy with.
As the woman asked her name she turned on her heel and walked to the great hall walking to the food the countess gestured too. Walking slowly around the table and staying quiet for a while. Before she took an apple and looked over it. Her eyes soon snapping back to the countess. ”People call me the blood wolf.” She said before taking a bite of the apple and chewing on it quite loudly. Not even swallowing fully before she spoke again. ”Asny Asvardóttir.” She said next and taking a bite from the apple again, looking over the countess, before looking away to nothing in particular. It had been quite some time since she last had spoken her real name out loud.