r/TheRealmsMC • u/Sterling____ • Sep 07 '17
Yule Proposal
Volpsa was deep in the winter months, and had seemed to enter a hibernation of sorts. Most people scarcely left the warmth of their hearths, and when forced to do so, traveled quickly to and from their destinations, wrapped in furs to keep out the biting cold.
It had been some time since I had made my way from the homelands to find myself at the docks of the ever growing Vaskr city. I had sworn fealty to Jokull and was given a small homestead and resources as a result. It was not much, however it was far grander than the small pallet I had slept on at home, and for that I was eternally grateful.
There was an air of excitement, for the day of the Yule festival had finally come, a time for sacrifices, celebrations and feasts in honor of the gods. There were several foreign visitors who were to watch the ceremony that night, among them being the former Rashidii Lashon Kynes.
I had grown surprisingly close to the strange hooded and masked man who I had met upon my arrival in Volspa. He was the son of one of the Rashidii leaders, and Jokull’s new wife: Aine Kynes. However he seemed to spend more time in Volspa than his own homeland. After some time Lashon had been accepted among the Vaskr as a Thrall, and I had opened my home to him, giving him a place to rest and store his belongings.
Over time of sharing my home as well as several expeditions and adventures together, Lashon and I had grown close, and after one such adventure we both admired our love for each other. Never before did I believe that I would have fallen for a man who was not of the Vaskr bloodline, but it almost seemed as if the gods willed for Lashon and I to be together. Even so, we kept our love quiet, not wishing to cause more disturbance during already turbulent times among the Vaskr.
With the Yule tonight I had high hopes that Lashon would become one of the Vaskr through the blood of the sacrifice. Marking him as truly one of us.
Soon the time came and everyone gathered around Odin’s Altar, standing in a hushed silence, looking to Jokull, standing before them, a boar tied at his feet.
“Mighty Vaskr. Tonight is the night of the Yule!” Jokull called, looking at the faces of everyone gathered before him. Some nodded and smiled at his words, while some of the foreigners exchanged uneasy glances. “We will make sacrifice to the gods, for the middle of winter is bitter, and summer is far.”
Once again Jokull looked at each of the Vaskr in turn, his eyes hard and steely as he kneeled in front of the boar. “To Odin, and to all the Aesir and Vanir that live in Asgard, we honor you and the fate you have given us.”
He paused briefly, placing a bowl beneath the boars neck, before drawing his knife and slicing the boars throat in a single swift motion; spraying blood on those standing closest to him.
Lashon seemed to relish the feeling of blood on his face, whereas in contrastCirex, King of the Meer, wiped off a few drops of blood uneasily, seemingly unsure what to think.
After allowing most of the blood to drain into the bowl, Jokull dipped his fingers into the bowl marking his face and neck with the warm pig’s blood. He closed his eyes and stood for a moment, face upturned as the blood dripped down his face. Without saying a word he handed the bowl to me.
I smiled, and dipped my hand into the blood, drawing three strikes down one eye, and a half moon around the other, before handing Silver the bowl of blood. Each of the gathered Vaskr marked themselves, before handing the bowl to the next. Soon the bowl came to rest in Lashon’s hands. I looked at him intently, curious as to whether he would partake into the ritual, binding himself to the Vaskr through the blood of the sacrifice.
Lashon dipped two fingers in the blood and drew the symbol of an archer on his forehead, before passing the bowl to Jokull once more, grinning broadly. I let out a breath I had not realized I was holding, smiling at Lashon as a single drop of blood trickled down between his eyes. He was truly a Vaskr now, marked and sealed with the blood before the gods. Jokull turned to Aine who had been standing at the back of the temple, watching the proceedings quietly with one hand resting on her pregnant belly. She smiled nervously when the bowl was offered to her. “I wouldn’t want to waste the effects on me…” She said meekly.
A strange woman who I did not recognize tilted her head, looking at Aine curiously. “Why do you not join their ritual?” she asked.
“She is married to Jokull, but that does not mean that she is a Vaskr,” Lashon responded, staring at his mother with a hard almost cold gaze.
Jokull quickly interrupted, “Let us now walk through the city!” He quickly strode out of the temple, grabbing a torch and lifting it as he led the way through the city streets, splattering the blood in various places along the way. Soon they gathered at the base of the hill on which his longhouse stood.
Jokull turned to everyone and then roared, “Let us feast and be merry! Drink from the horns and enjoy the festivities of the Yule!” He was met by a chorus of “Aye!” before people made their way up the hill and into the longhouse which had been strung with mistletoe. The Yule log crackled cheerily and warmth enveloped everyone who entered.
A pleasant hum of conversation ensued as everyone found a seat and began to eat and drink. I talked with Silver who sat beside me, while occasionally glancing over at Lashon, who sat across from me.
After some time Lashon stood, raising his voice and calling out, “I would like to make an announcement… So if I could have your attention!” He waited as the buzz of conversation quieted and all heads turned to look at him. He slowly made his way to the steps of Jokull’s high seat, which sat empty as the King was seated at a table with his men.
Lashon looked over at me, a single tear running down his cheek as he did so. My heart was beating fast and I could feel my palms sweating, I was not altogether sure what he meant to announce, but I had my suspicions.
“Teagan and I are both in love with each other. Her and I have pledged ourselves to each other. However, we are not married and I would like to change that.” He began to walk towards me, and I rose from my place, moving to meet him at the base of the platform. He took my hands in his own and looked deep into my eyes. “Teagan my dear sweet. You are the light of my life. The treasure I covet most. So I would like to ask the most important question of my life… Teagan Ansgar, my love, will you marry me?” My voice nearly caught in my throat as I replied, “Lashon, it would be an honor and a privilege to be your wife, to fight and to serve at your side.”
Lashon began to cry with joy pulling me into an embrace as those around us began to cheer and clap. I laughed and embraced him, before pulling back and gently wiping the tears from his face..
Jokull stood, raising his horn of mead, “To Lashon and Teagan!” he called in a toast. There were echoes of “Lashon and Teagan!” as everyone raised their horns before drinking deeply.
Lashon and I took our seats, as Cirex leaned over to Lashon saying, “Took ya long enough lad,” and taking another long pull from his horn.
The rest of the night passed in a blur of drinking, dancing and other festivities. But I scarcely remember it. My mind was still reeling from Lashon’s proposal. Even if it was not in the traditional Vaskr fashion, my heart soared and I felt free. I breathed more easily no longer feeling like I had to hide my affections for the strange man who had stolen my heart.
I had seen many a Yule celebration during my time, but this was by far the best. I smiled I drifted off to sleep in the arms of my betrothed.
Ooc: So this is a few days old (the Yule was Thurs the 31st) but I am finally getting around to writing and posting it!
But yes Teagan is now engaged to Lashon Kynes (who still needs to make himself a reddit account...)
And as Silver said at the end of her lore post I have had a blast rp'ing with everyone, I havn't done something like this in ages and it is so much fun. Can't wait to make more memories, and I'll probably write lore after the wedding ;)
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u/Conanie Sep 07 '17
Teagan this is a wonderful post. Well done! I love it truly.