[center][h1][color=yellow] LAND AHOY[/color][/h1][/center]

Reidun was done rowing for the evening. After relinquishing the oars she leaned against the side of the boat and inhaled the sea air deeply. Paying no mind to the ache in her back or the calluses starting on her hands from the oars she turned and looked ahead. It was dark but not so dark that they couldn’t still see by the moonlight. There were still at least ten ships that she could see and the other five were likely just out of her vision.  Reaching over to her side she put her hand on Conall’s hand.

[color=f49ac2]“How are you doing?”[/color] She reached inside the nearest crate and grabbed out some cheese and bread for them. [color=f49ac2]“Hungry?”[/color]

[color=green]“Fine”[/color] Conall said looking to his side to see Reidun holding his hand while offering him food. [color=green] “Thanks”[/color] he said as he grabbed the food from her[color=green] “I’ll be better though when we get on solid land again.”  

Conall looked out towards the sea, staring off into the horizon. [color=green] “What about you?” [/color]he asked not turning away from the sea [color=green]“how are you doing on this fine night?”[/color]

Reidun noticed his mood and ate quietly for a moment before answering in a lower voice.[color=f49ac2] “I’m glad the sea is calm. I’d rather not have to test my swimming skills so far out.”[/color] Looking at the others she noticed several were leaned up against the sides sleeping now that the air was cooler. Aksel was at the front of the boat just a few feet away trying to see into the distance. 

[color=f49ac2]“Conall? Where do you call home? Did you leave a family behind or are you on your own?”[/color] She blushed at the realization that she should have known that one before taking him to her bed. Luckily he couldn’t see that she was blushing in the limited light.

Conall had smile that was weighed down by sadness.  [color=green]“I come from an island not far from our travels end.  My people called it Eire.”[/color]  as the word came out he felt a pang of guilt. [color=green] “And I had a family before I met Harek, though that was a long time ago.” [/color] He never really liked talking about his past but for some reason when he talked to Reidun he felt he could trust her.

[color=green]“What about you and your family? I dont suppose that Aksel is your father is he?”[/color]

Reidun chuckled softly. [color=f49ac2]“No, he is only three or four years older than I am. When I was five, there was a raid in my village and my parents and older brother were killed. Aksel’s family took me in and raised me. He has protected me all of these years from some of the less honorable men in the village. He more than deserves my loyalty.” [/color]

Glancing up at Aksel she still felt guilt after all of these years and she turned back to Conall. She could see his heartache in his eyes. [color=f49ac2]“When you say family...parents? Or wife and children?”[/color]

[color=green]“I had parents and some siblings back in my home village.”[/color]  he kind of chuckled  [color=green]“never had a wife nor children.”[/color]  Conall thought about what she had said about her past.  Placing a comforting hand on her shoulder he said in low comforting voice [color=green]“I'm sorry to hear about your family I know what you went through.  And don't worry I’ll make sure nothing harms you.”[/color]  Conall had hoped that he could hide his emotions from Reidun.  He didn't want to burden her with the sadness and depression he carried with him.  But deep down he new that his eyes always gave him up to people.

Reidun nodded at his words of empathy. [color=f49ac2]“Thank you. Truth be told I only remember flashes of them. Mine and Aksel’s fathers grew up together that is why he took me in. I remember an old song my mother used to sing and her face. I remember Papa’s beard used to scratch me when he kissed me goodnight and that my brother called me his little imp. He was twelve or thirteen.” [/color]

Her voice quivered just slightly and she smiled trying to steady it. She wiped a tear from her eye and pushed it and the sadness away. She automatically pushed her armband higher on her arm making certain it was good and tight. She leaned into his side and whispered with a smile. [color=f49ac2] “I probably should have made certain you were free before I hijacked you into my bed.”[/color]

Conall chuckled a little at the last bit. [color=green] “Well I guess I can't blame you for that.”[/color]  He Smirked wickedly [color=green]“After all, I know it's hard to resist looks such as mine.”[/color]  He was barely able to get the words out without laughing.  For some reason he found himself going back to their last topic of families. [color=green] “I still remember a lot about my family which at times makes it hard to bare.  I often wonder if it is a gift or a curse i can still remember them so vividly.  I remember some of our old songs we used to sing every night with the rest of the tribe.  The faces of most my village members.  I can still see me and my brothers fighting and training around the village along with causing trouble the only way boys can.”[/color]  He chuckled lowly at the way he and his brothers used to act. [color=green] “The things I hold most dear now are all of our old traditions and customs that I don't see much of in places like these.”[/color]  Conall could feel a tear rolling down his cheek from all his memories coming up again.  He could feel the floodgates that would lead to him breaking down, which he desperately tried to stop, were starting to open.

Reidun felt his melancholy and decided to derail it if possible. [color=f49ac2]“I think time has a way of making things easier to live with.” She pulled out a small cask and a mug and poured a drink for him. He would have expected it to be water but it was ale. Her grin was mischievous when she handed it to him. They usually took some ale with them but never touched it on the water. Mostly because on the water they were working but now it was night and most were asleep. Reidun kissed his neck softly. Aksel watched her pour the ale and smirked and closed his eyes.

[color=f49ac2]“Relax and think good thoughts. We all need some good from these raids. And...I don’t need your protection. I can take care of myself.” [/color]She grinned at him temptingly.

He grinned at the taste of ale in the mug. [color=green] “I am sure you can take good care of yourself… But you never know when you will need the help of a strong fearless giant such as myself”[/color] He said with a sly grin, flexing with his free arm.  [color=green]“not to mention, one with devilishly good looks.”[/color]  After finishing the last bit he placed a kiss on her cheek.       

Reidun outright laughed at his playfulness.[color=f49ac2] “Oh so you are the brawn and the beauty in the relationship? I guess that must leave me as the brains and the cook.”[/color] She gave a slightly annoyed look.[color=f49ac2] “Well at least I have that!”  [/color]

Aksel snorted with laughter and turned away from them at that. Reidun reached over and hit him in the arm laughingly. [color=f49ac2]“Go to sleep Aksel!”[/color] His chuckles slowed after a few moments. She couldn’t tell if he was asleep or listening.  She sat back down and shook her head grinning as her attention diverted back to Conall.

Conall looked at her playfully[color=green] “well I never said you weren't beautiful.”[/color]  Leaning in a bit closer to make sure only she could hear [color=green]“I’d say you're even the most beautiful woman i've ever set my eyes on.”[/color]  He held his smile while leaning back trying to see how she would react to that.  [color=green]“Not to mention I am a sucker for a strong woman with red hair.”   [/color]

Reidun blushed at his comment.[color=f49ac2] “Ah, Sure you say that now. How could I possibly compete with your handsomeness?” [/color]Her smile was contagious and she put her hand on his cheek as she kissed him soundly. 

She scooted over so she was leaning against him with one of his arms over her. She wondered if she did that partly in case the boat capsized or if it was solely emotion driven.[color=f49ac2] “If all goes as planned we should reach land tomorrow or the next day at the latest.”[/color] She reached over with her foot and kicked Aksel’s leg and he just moved it over and snored a little. Worried only slightly about the upcoming fights she pulled herself tighter into Conall’s arms.[color=f49ac2] “I don’t need protection but I want you there anyway.”[/color] She looked up at him in the darkness hoping he understood what she was saying.

Conall Smiled a little at her.  [color=green]“Sure i'll make sure to stay near you.”[/color]  Looking back out towards the sea he felt an odd sense of both peace and excitement.  He rested his head on hers so she could lean into his shoulder.  [color=green]“Tonight has been good Reidun.”[/color] he said wrapping his arm around her protectively. [color=green] “I wonder how Harek and that seer are doing?”[/color]

Glancing to her left she saw the seer asleep with her head on her arms on a bench and she knew Harek was on his ship. [color=f49ac2]“I’m sure he is fine and she is asleep.” [/color]She glanced at the seer again and thought to herself that Harek might find the seer to be useful on his trip.  Yawning she let her head rest against Conall’s chest. Closing her eyes she felt safe and protected. 

[color=gray]“LAND AHEAD!”[/color] Reidun was jerked awake by the sudden flurry of people awakening and all of the yelling about land. She sat up and looked ahead and although it was still several miles away they were going to make landfall by noon. Aksel was so excited he was lucky he hadn’t fallen overboard yet. Reidun grabbed the oars and started rowing with the others. She couldn’t wait to get on land.


Conall shot up at the sound of yelling and movement.  Seeing that land was only several miles away Conall could feel his blood pumping with excitement.  Noticing that there wasn't any oars left to row, he instead moved to the front of the boat stepping on to its rim.  He let out a loud roar as he looked to the other ships seeing others doing the same thing.  Letting his gaze settle on the the approaching coastline he became antsy for a fight. [i] ‘Please watch over me father and mother.  May you guide my axes and my anger letting me carve a path through the enemies that stand in my way.’[/i]  He prayed to himself.