To Find the One-Eyed Man (Einor and Ezekiel)

[Einor Oathsblood]

Einor traveled west in Angle-land, guided by the spirits until he chanced upon a wanted poster with a familiar face. Skarde One-eye, one of his father's cousins and allies to his uncle Floki, was in Angle-land, said to be last seen in the city of Sherborne. Einor would drink of Skarde's blood and trap his soul in his sword, Odin would be witness to all and know the Einor was worthy. Unfortunately, the thick-headed berserker had no idea where Sherborne was but wasn't so dumb to not ask for directions.

For a few gold trinkets from his last raid, Einor purchased a horse and directions from a traveling merchant in order to find his way to the city. The towering walls of Sherborne came into sight long before the gates of the city, even with such flat lands all around in this country. He quickly realized how large the city was and knew he was going to have to find some help. He hated asking for help, but he had to remind himself that strength was more than the might of his arm but the sharpness of his mind. Following his animal instincts was far easier, like a savage bear released into a pack of wolves, Don't think, just kill. 

The tan horse that he rode seemed small compared to his stature and he struck some kind of impression as he approached the city. The guards stopped him, "State your business here." they said in their own tongue, which Einor barely knew but managed to blurt out, "Rest from travel." in his hesitant, heavily accented rendition of their language. The guards nodded in understanding and waved him through as the gates opened to allow his passage inside the stone walls. He searched for a sign that would indicate a mead hall, a place where people gathered was always a place teeming with information.

As he wandered the city, many people stared out windows at him, a spectacle of some sort, was he, apparently. It's true that compared to the Angles, he was quite large but that was something normal where he was from. These people were small and puny, he ruminated how only a few days past, he was raiding an Angle village, crushing their bones with a single swing of his ax but now he was hunting his own kin, his cousins and uncle. He would likely have to tolerate some weakly Angle in order to guide him in this stone city so he had better swallow a little bit of his pride. 

The giant of a man came to just what he was looking for, a wooden sign hanging haphazardly above a door, a picture of a tankard emblazoned upon it beside some of the Angle's written word which he paid little heed to. He dismounted his tan little horse and tied it's reigns to the cross-post. He took the bearded ax that was slung through the saddle and slipped it handle first in his belt then ducked under the doorframe as he strode into the mead-hall. He scanned the patrons who turned to look at him for any indication of violence then the wall covered with wanted posters caught his eye. He strode between the tables, pushing a few heads out of the way with his elbow then scanned the wanted posters for the one he was looking for, a drawn image of Skarde One-eye and ripped it off the wall. He showed it to the crowd in the tavern and said in his terrible command of the local language, "This man. Where?"

[Ezekiel Neo]

✧ To Find the One-Eyed Man ✧

As the night closed and the sun drew in the morning sky, Ezekiel cast his gaze to the sky looking to the smoldering pit that the fire that had burned out in the night. He shifted back into his human form learning many years ago it was much easier to sleep in his wolf form.. Pulling on his clothes quickly hopping from one foot to another before letting out the steam of his breath meeting the cold morning air. Town wasn’t far from where he had camped, he was rather sure he could find some work there. His funds were slowly depleting on his search for answers for his wife. Tossing the small coin bag in his hand for a moment before tucking it against his chest picking up his bag before starting the short trek that was in front of him.

His hand came out to run along his horse's Hazel face slowly. She was the only horse that seemed to not fear him in his wolf form. Maybe it was the spirit of Honora in her, as Hazel was originally Honora horse and the last link he seems to have to her. He placed his belongings on her and moved to climb upon her taking off towards the town. As he came upon the gate and was stopped, “I am here to meet up with Quinton Augustin.” He spoke the name of his brother-in-law. The guards moved out of his way and let him pass with no more questions.

Once in the wall he slid off Hazel and gave her to the stable hand and made his way towards the Mead Hall, He was sure that is where Quinton would be. After all Alcohol was his vice since Honora’s death. As he came into the Mead Hall He looked towards the man that seemed to be demanding answers with a thick accent. Not giving him much mind he moved towards the table he saw Q sitting at with several bounty posters in front of him. “Come up with any answers?” Zeke asked Q.

Quinton gave a shake of his head as he looked up to the man that was demanding answers. He looked down to the matching wanted poster in front of him before looking back up to Einor. “Oi!” he called towards the crazed man.

“Q really?” Zeke sighed and looked towards the man.

“I think I have seen Skarde One-Eye.” Q said loudly as the Mead Hall grew quiet. He stood up picking up the posters and handing them to Zeke. “Zeke and I need the coin, if you are willing to split I will lead you to him. If not, well we have a stack of other jobs to do.”

“You really are just begging to lose your head one day Q.” Zeke muttered under his breath, folding the other posters up, sliding them into his coat. Zeke took a deep whiff of the air to see if this man was of the same kind that took Honora from them. No luck he was human.

[Einor Oathsblood]

Einor looked down towards the man who had called over his attention and after a moment, he puzzled through the words that he spoke. He claimed to have seen Skarde One-eye. The large Viking joined the two men at the table, leaning over and placing the crumpled wanted poster in his fists as he set them both upon the table, "I need no reward but to taste his blood." He left the wanted poster on the table, "Are you a hunter of men for coin?" he asked the man, trying to get a feel for him. He would travel with him but if he felt this man was leading him astray, he would have to kill him.

"My mission is very important. You swear you know where he is?" He questioned the man, "I am prepared to set out as soon as possible. Is this good?" It wasn't until a moment later that he noticed the other man, the quiet one was also taking stock of him. Einor furrowed his brows and sniffed the air in a similar manner, he had not forgotten the beast part of himself. This man had darker skin than any man he had seen and wondered if he was of Saxon blood, "Are you with this man?" he pointed a the first man who had spoken.

[Ezekiel Neo]

✧ To Find the One-Eyed Man ✧

Quinten gave an easy smirk, “See Zeke blood is all the man wants so we can collect the reward and you can continue to hunt for Honora.” He said, slapping Zeke's shoulder.

“We are bounty hunters currently. So yes you can say we are a hunter of men for coins.” Zeke said, picking up the bounties. “Yet I am searching for my wife who was taken from me. So hunting the men down to question first is very important also.” He looked to Q as he finished his drink and collected his bag. “Will you let us question him before you kill him?”

“Yes, I remember his trail well. We have his scent.” Q laughed, slapping Zeke's chest again and Zeke sighed as he helped Q collect his things.

“You are riding in the cart.” He said to the very intoxicated man. “Let's go.” He started to make his way towards the door. “You can say I am with him. He is my brother in law, and my boss, a weird time.” HE chuckled as he shook his head helping Q in the back of the cart he had tied to a horse and lay down. “Do we have a deal? You let us talk to him before you kill him? The Coin really is only needed to get answers of where my wife is.” He said with a sigh hating the fact he was having to do all the talking cause Q was down for the count.