[center] [h2] [color=0054a6][b][i]LOCATION LOCATION LOCATION [/i][/b][/color][/h2][/center]

Reidun awoke and slipped out early to take a quick bath in the waters before they had to head out to their next stop. Since the boats were gone they had a lot less supplies and now they would have to hunt or steal food as well so she was taking advantage of the water. She walked out into the cool waves and her hair floated out around her as she disappeared under the water. She came out of the water with her eyes closed and she shook her head and ended up laughing as her long tresses stuck to her as she walked out of the chilly water a few minutes later. 

She was in a good mood despite the events of the previous night. Slipping back into her dress she wrung her hair out and ran her comb through it as best as she could. Often times she’d had help with her hair, if not one of her female friends then Aksel would often be seen helping her with the tangles. When she had asked him why he helped he’d answered that he liked how it looked when it was combed and she needed much longer arms to get it right on her own. This was the memory she was thinking of as she struggled with her locks.

Aksel had packed his stuff and looked around the camp as the others were just getting up and moving. The sun was beginning it’s ascent and he saw Reidun making her way back from the ocean. Her hair was wet and she was struggling with it as usual. He grinned and turned to one of the men nearest him and kicked his boots to wake him. [color=gray]“Wake your arses! We shall be leaving for the inland soon!”[/color] After that announcement he saw some of the others come to talk to him about their next destination.

Conall could hear yelling and the sounds of movement back at the campsite.  He had assumed that they would be getting ready to leave soon considering the boats being burned and how there was nothing left to really raid.  Groaning Conall stood up from his position against a tree.  He had already packed all his gears since he had not been able to sleep well the night before.  

Conall had begun to wander around the campsite laughing at the sight of men rushing and scrambling to pack everything at the sound of aksel yelling.  Most of them couldn't even keep proper balance from the previous nights drinking and partying.      

Reidun gave up on her knotted hair and grabbed out a knife and she was getting ready to start hacking it off when Aksel grabbed the knife from her hand. 

[color=gray]“Oh now that’s a horrible thing to do to your beautiful hair. I’ll not allow it. You shall not desecrate it because it frustrates you.”[/color]

Reidun’s irritation with him was fierce and disappeared just as quickly. [color=f49ac2]“Just like men? You all irritate me but I’ll not give up on you. If you don’t want me to cut it then you’d better help me with it. I can’t get the knots out and my head can’t take it anymore.”[/color]  She handed him the comb and turned around so he could work on it. 

Chuckling deeply he watched a bunch of drunken vikings stir and work on packing things as he combed knots out of her hair.

Reidun asked Aksel a question that had burning in her mind since she had awakened. [color=f49ac2]“Where are we going next? Do you have a location in mind?”[/color]

[color=gray]“Aye, I do.”[/color] He answered, purposely not saying anything else.

Getting frustrated with him she pulled her knife out again. [color=f49ac2]“Are you going to tell me or do I have to cut off your manhood?” [/color]She asked with a menacing grin.

Putting his hands up he feigned fear and laughed playfully. [color=gray]“We go to Guthram. I’m thinking London. It’s a big city and we should definitely be able to take a grand haul on the road there. I want to get the lay of the land from there and see where the rulers stand.” [/color] Reidun nodded in agreement. 

Conall had been wandering around the campsite looking for Reidun.  He hoped that she would understand why he had left last night and had not returned. [i] I'm really not in the mood for an ear full.[/i]  he thought to himself.  Finally turning the corner he saw her sitting on a log with Aksel helping her with her hair.  For some reason when he saw her sitting with him he felt something. Almost something like an anger or almost a jealousy.  [color=00a651]“Glad i found you before i left.”[/color]  Conall said with a smile hoping it would somehow make her less mad with him.    

Reidun looked up at Conall. She hadn’t looked for him. She was upset that he had hit her in his sleep then pushed her away and went off on his own. She had realized thanks to Aksel reminding her, that she and Conall had a connection but that they had only been together for a couple of weeks.

Aksel looked at Conall then at Reidun’s expression and he stepped back and leaned against the tree behind him. He wanted to see what she was going to do next. Reidun spoke up.[color=f49ac2] “What excuse do you have? Normally I’d kill a man that hit me. I know you were asleep but you could have said something about it. Then you just walk off as if I mean nothing.”[/color] The look of anger in her eyes was cold like steel when she cocked her fist back and punched him square in the face. Then she turned around and kissed Aksel to punish him further. Aksel was surprised and started to return the kiss when she broke off and handed him the comb. 

Conall could feel feel the anger in her voice.  He had felt bad that he had just left her but he honestly didn't know what to do after he had done it.  Part way through thinking this however he felt a heavy punch square on his nose.  Conall took a step back nearly falling over from the impact. Bringing his hands up to his face as he bent over in pain swearing something in a language neither Aksel or Reidun could understand.  But none of that compared to what he had felt when he saw her kiss Aksel.  What's worse was that bastard seemed to enjoy it.  Looking Aksel dead in the eyes with a stare that could freeze over hell [color=00a651]“you bastard!”[/color] he yelled as he charged at the man.  Grabbing Aksel he spun the unsuspecting man around slamming him into a tree.  [color=00a651]“You caused this didn't you!”[/color]  as soon as the words came out of his mouth he threw Aksel to the side yet again.  [color=00a651]“there will be a lesson learned today.”[/color]  he said with anger dripping in every word as he raised his fist into his fighting stance.     

Aksel was as surprised as Reidun was that Conall went after him. [color=gray]“Conall? What in Valhalla is wrong with you? She kissed me!”[/color] Aksel though smaller in size than Conall he refused to back down. He was the Earl after all and he got it by fighting, not backing down. 

[color=f49ac2]“Conall”[/color] Reidun said as she watched the two readying themselves to fight. [color=f49ac2]“Conall! Leave him alone before he has you arrested and imprisoned!”[/color]

[color=gray]“Be quiet woman!”[/color] Aksel said calmly with fierce determination in his voice. Raising her eyebrows in annoyance she walked over to her stuff, grabbed her bag and walked out of camp. [color=f49ac2]“You are both…...unbelievable!”[/color] She declared on her way out.

Conall has almost thought about stopping and chasing after Reidun until he heard the words fall out of Aksels mouth.  Hearing him refer to her in such a manner seemed to be the final straw.  [color=00a651]“You dare speak to her that way you bastard!”[/color]  He said mid swing right before his left hand made a loud impact on Aksels cheek.  Seeing Aksel was a little jared from the surprise punch Conall took the moment saying [color=00a651]“I may have made my mistakes with her but you will show her the respect she deserves or i will beat it out of you.”   
[/color]

Aksel moved his jaw back and forth making sure it was not broken. [color=gray]“Good shot, almost broke it.” [/color] Pacing back and forth for a moment he angrily shouted at him. [color=gray]“Funny thing Conall, in the five years we were together I never hit her!”[/color] Aksel punched Conall in the neck as hard as he could knowing it would keep him from hitting back. He had counted on it to take his breath away. He'd known it probably wouldn’t kill him because his neck muscles were so thick.

Conall in the one moment he had looked to see if Reidun had left, felt a massive pain in his neck.  Doubling over in pain it began to be hard to breathe.  Knowing it wasn't Broken Conall knew he would be fine but he didn't have much time.  He would start breathing again soon but in that time Aksel could jump on him.  Conall using all the strength he could stood up and planted his massive boot into the chest of Aksel.  The idea was that he would have the force to knock the wind out of Aksel and maybe break a rib or two.  

Finally being able to breath and talk again Conall shot back at Aksel [color=00a651]“you don't know me or what happened that night.  I would gladly face down death for her.” [/color] Taking a moment to get more air to his lungs since he had a slight hitch in his voice.  [color=00a651]“And who are you to lecture me?  You clearly did something to force her away from you so dont act high and mighty around me amadán gan sos!”[/color]
    
Harek quickly pulled Conall off Aksel and tripped him over his foot.  As Conall stumbled backwards Harek kicked the ground in Aksel’s direction, causing the man on the ground to be temporarily blinded.  He stepped heavily on Aksel’s knee and pulled his sword out and held it pointed at the chest of Conall.  [color=00aeef]“Can someone please explain this to me before I get angry?”[/color]

Aksel was almost up when dirt was kicked into his face. He reached over and knocked Harek’s foot off of his knee and stood up properly. Aksel glared at Harek and then at Conall. Heaving a little from the kick to the chest he yanked his shoulders out of the arms helping him up. [color=gray]“Keep your friend on a leash Harek. I won’t imprison him this time, for Reidun’s sake but if there is a next time….”[/color] Aksel stared straight into Conall’s eyes.[color=gray] “...or if you hurt her again, I’ll kill you. That is not a threat, it’s a promise.” [/color]Aksel stated and walked back to get his things.


Conall stood for a moment letting his hands drop by his sides as he relaxed his muscles.  Conall had almost said something along the lines of making sure next time Aksel wouldn’t  stand long enough to give the order for his death but thought it better to keep it to himself as Harek still had a sword to his chest.  Turning his attention to his best friend Conall became aggravated at his interference.  [color=00a651]“What was that about huh?  I had it under control.” [/color] after finishing this Conall pushed the end of the sword away from him.  

[color=00aeef]“Oh, so it was your plan to make a fool of yourself and then get executed?  I am so sorry for interfering, how could I not see the brilliance behind what you were doing.  How could threatening a Jarl, and not to mention your current raid captain, possibly be a bad idea?”[/color]

Harek sheathed his sword and shook his head at Conall.  [color=00aeef]“At least die to the English, not to your own allies.”[/color]

[color=00a651]“That man is no ally of mine.”[/color]  Conall spat.  Realizing that Reidun was nowhere to be found amongst the onlookers he turned away from Harek.  [color=00a651]“Whatever im going to find Reidun before we must leave.”  [/color]Conall began to walk off towards the last direction he had seen Reidun.  

Reidun had hollered at the men outside of the outpost that they were heading out and she had acquired a group following after her. [i] London huh?[/i]  She grinned as she thought about the trip. It was supposed to have been partially by boat from here but that had been altered by fate and the English. 
[@pandapolio][@sly13]