[quote=@Odin]
[i]“Saina?”[/i] he said, following her intonation. He mimicked how she spoke the name, though he did not do so perfectly, it was closer than many Broacienian man had hoped to get. Years in Coedwin had accustomed him somewhat to the strange sounds the Sawarim people made when speaking at times. She said she was from the Sultanate, and he merely nodded. Though he withheld some of his judgement, he appreciated the honesty at least. Many, many Sawarim prisoners would've lied if they had been given the chance. When she studied his response in the face, or rather, studied his marks and scars, he noticed but did not speak about it. It seemed natural to him - a captured woman would be wary of a new master, of course, and especially so if she was a Sawarim woman. 

[i]“You are either brave,”[/i] he spoke as he continued to pack his bags, putting a dirty white linen shirt into one of the linen sacks before pulling the cords and tightening it, closing it shut. [i]“Or very stupid to tell me that you are from the Sultanate. Admittedly, your countrymen all seem more brave than stupid, as proven by my scars, so I'd be inclined to believe it's [b]misplaced[/b] bravery.”[/i] He stopped packing momentarily and seemed to be having a moment of clarity, or perhaps a moment of thought. Finally, he veered upright and turned around, grabbed the linen sack he'd just filled with clothes and lightly threw it in the direction of Saina.

[i]“Let us not play the fool, then,”[/i] he said, looking her directly in the eyes as far as he could, given she had a tendency to turn her gaze away. He turned immediately after, continuing to speak to her while he grabbed the two heaviest bags, leaving only a few of the clothes-filled sacks for Saina. Not that he didn't want to take those too, but his hands were full with the heavy leather bags. He wasn't sure on how to treat this woman, but just because he now had a servant of his own, didn't mean he could rest on his laurels and make her do everything. 

He headed out the door immediately, keeping up his rather harsh pace. He was a man that wanted things to do - at the very least something on his hands, as simple as cutting a stick, or carving wood, bone, or even sharpening a sword. Anything was better than doing nothing. Meanwhile Saina looked like she had not seen hard, laborious work for years. It made sense, since she was a woman, and a slave kept in the house. But had she had less luck, and was captured by a farmer, she'd likely look much stronger. 

No matter. 

He continued on his way through the castle, not even checking if Saina was behind him. When he stepped outside the keep, he motioned for a stableboy to bring his horse, and when his horse was there, he slung the heavy leather bags onto hooks on the saddle. When Saina would approach, he'd simply motion for the bags and hang them from similar hooks. It was easier to ride that way.

Ketill glanced at the horse and then at Saina, before leading the horse closer to her. He held out his hand, though not with the common 'noble-like' courtesy of a gesture. It was rather manly in appearance, and seemed more like he wanted her to just listen than that he was offering her a hand. [i]“You ride,”[/i] he merely ordered, grabbing a hold of her hand when she gave it to him, or if she did not, forcefully grabbing it. He'd then hold her hand as she got on the horse, likely seated sideways. It would be slightly uncomfortable since the saddle was meant for a male, but ultimately preferable over walking. He thought so, anyway.

And with that done he walked out of the castle, across the sturdy wooden bridge. The drawbridge was almost always down, since none dared attack the keep, and the northern tribes were barely a threat nowadays. When they passed the heads on the pikes, Ketill looked upon them with a gritty look on his face. It seemed cruelty and death did not phase him anymore. Right outside the keep was the camp of the expedition - a few hundred tents, though this was nothing compared to the army of Broacien. 

A short, ten minute walk led them across the grassy hills to the camp. They were greeted by- well, nobody in particular. It was late in the afternoon, but most of the men already seemed to be resting, laying in their tents, talking to their fellows. Ketill led the horse through the camp, and admittedly the pair did get quite a few strange looks, some staring at them.

Ketill looked around, staring right back at the people, and that was often enough to force the men, and sometimes the women, to look away and busy themselves with other things. It was.. unsure, whether the looks were because of the fact that he was a Servant, whether it was because of the fact that there was a clearly Sawarim woman with him, or perhaps it was because of the duo together? Whichever it was, Ketill did not particularly enjoy the attention they gave him. He upped the pace even more, the horse following suit. They approached the center of the camp, where a center circular tent was set up. It was obviously the commander tent, where the five commanders, and soon Ketill, would meet for the discussions about the way to go about this expedition.

Upon arrival, he led the horse to a secluded spot nearby the tent and offered his hand to Saina again. As much as she would likely believe so, he was not a brute. Not in every way and form of that word at any rate, because some might argue he had some characteristics of a brute. Never the less, he [i]did[/i] help her off the horse. Once she was off, he headed into the tent.

Inside the tent was a large table with a map on it. It was detailed, obviously expensive. It listed every major settlement, but also the small ones. Even the settlements across the border from the Sultanate were listed, though the map did not extend much further than the border region. There were markers placed here and there, but no concrete plan was visible as of yet. It seemed Ketill and Saina would walk in right in the middle of a discussion.

[i]“It's a mistake, I'm telling you. The men don't have the morale for that route, the camp followers can't follow us in that treacherous territory, and you know how important female company is for the men. Furthermore, we'd be completely cut off from our supply lines! It'd be an early doom for this expedition, sir Oliver, and I've invested too much good coin into this expedition to have it fail because you think [b]a shortcut[/b] is in order!”[/i] an older man with a greyish beard and thinning, equally grey hair yelled at a man in thin, leather armor. It was apparently the young nobleman that led this expedition. Or at least.. intended to.

[i]“Give the boy a break, he's merely trying to help. Meanwhile, our good friend the slave trader hasn't even shown up yet. Where is th- oh, we have a visitor. Ketill Grímhilðrson, I presume?”[/i] the old veteran, dressed in peculiar armor, spoke. His voice was rugged, as was his appearance. The eyes shifted, looking at Ketill first, before their eyes all fell upon Saina. [i]“And.. you've brought a Sawarim woman?”[/i] he continued. It was obvious from the tone that she was not appreciated that much. 

Ketill put his hand in the small of Saina's back, pushing her forwards slightly towards the table, before he stepped forwards too. [i]“Yes, I'm Ketill. And this is Saina, my servant. Courtesy of lord Jachsen.”[/i] Though Ketill was a few years junior to the veteran, and to the merchant, he was not so sure about sir Oliver, nor about the missing slavedriver or the other merchant. [i]“She'll serve me, hence I brought her here. Did you wish to object? I thought not. Now.. let's discuss the expedition.”[/i] His voice seemed to command respect, though it could be said that it was not his voice but the three dots on his forehead that did the trick. Regardless, Saina was for some reason allowed to stay during the talks, with nobody objecting. Perhaps the slavedriver or the other merchant might've objected, but they were not there.

[hr][center][img]http://pre15.deviantart.net/99c7/th/pre/f/2010/166/e/0/old_veteran_by_facezero.jpg[/img]
[sub]The veteran, leader of the militia[/sub][/center][hr]

An hour, maybe an hour and a half later, the talks were concluded. The issue was resolved - they decided on a shorter route that would not incur such a trouble to the traveling men or the camp followers. It saved time, and was less of a hassle. After that mess of a discussion, Ketill wanted to rest however, so he decided to retire to his tent. Saina of course, was meant to come with him.

As they arrived at the tent it became apparent that lord Jachsen had spared no money for him. The tent was large - though, not as large as the commanders' tent - and fitted two 'beds' comfortably, the beds consisting mostly of two piles of thick furs. One on each side, with a good meter between them. It was not as large as a room in the castle, nor as private, but it would be better than most other men, who slept on grass.

Without speaking much, Ketill went to his 'side' of the tent and sat down on the furs, which were stacked high enough to sit at least somewhat above the ground. He undid some of his light armor, putting it besides the stack of furs, while he looked at Saina. She must've feared what was to come - especially this night - and if he had been a different man she'd have been right to fear him. But instead, he looked at her with eyes that spelled indifference. 

[i]“Tell me, Saina,”[/i] he spoke, rubbing his wrists slightly before pulling off the leather vest, baring his chest which was covered in scars too. Small, mostly, but some larger. A sign of battle to be sure. [i]“Will you run? You have ample time, at midnight, none will be awake to alarm anyone, and you'll be gone when I awake and realize your escape. It seems smart, it's what I would do.”[/i]

Promptly he'd lay down and put his hands behind his head, staring up at the cloth of the tent. It was simple white linen. It reminded him of himself - simple. [i]“I hope you realize that there's a reason why you've never seen any Sawarim people here. People, not just Servants, don't like your people. You'd not survive long, or possibly be taken a slave again. I don't know why you are here, but you've crawled into the den of the bear, I suppose. I think you'd do best to stay. Think it over. If you are gone by tomorrow, I will not hunt for you. I know the others will do that for me.”[/i]
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