It was an off-putting but not innocuous feeling to suddenly be able to understand the Vuldrok. Orion wasn't a hard man, at least when it came to his allies. But he was wondering just how many powers Annika would pluck out of the sky. He turned to the woman, ignoring the barbarian for now. "He is at my mercy?" He echoed, and turned back to the Vuldrok. "That goes without saying." 

"Fell Huscarl," The Vuldrok said, clearing this throat and shifting in his bonds gently. The effort brought forth his breathy odor and it grated on Orion's nerves. "Let me serve you. You have spared my life, and therefore I am under your dominion until you see fit to release me. My Gods demand that I-" 

"No," Orion said, grim of face. "I haven't decided not to kill you yet, and you think I'll take you as a bloody squire?" Even without her gifts, Annika would be able to see his anger and disgust mounting. "A heathen as you, with foreign Gods and the blood of innocents on your hands? Who comes to my homeworld and threatens it with slavery and death?" The Knight grabbed the Vuldrok suddenly by the hair on his scalp and looked as if he was about to cut his throat then and there. 

"No! Orion, hold!" Sister Annika cried, and she placed a hand on his arm to soothe him. He felt her presence entering his mind, for it caught his attention in a more calm manner. Still, she spoke aloud. "He can get us past his kin," she reminded him. "And if he serves you he may be able to repent for his sins. All who seek the Pancreator's light may gain salvation. You should know that with more clarity than most Knights, I can gather." 

For a long, tense second, his arm quivered as he was at an impasse, until he reluctantly pulled his sword away. "Very well," The Knight remarked. "You may join us. But do not over announce yourself when we meet others of my world. They will not take kindly to you, and less of me for keeping you. You will do as I say when I say it, and if you pull your weight, you'll be rewarded with what bounty the Pancreator awards me. But if you displease me, I'll release your soul from your body." 

The Vuldrok seemed elated, unintimidated by the Knight. Perhaps it was because most Barbarians had very little self-preservation, or perhaps he was very confident in his skills. Either way, when his bonds were cut he merely rubbed his wrists. "Thank you, master. I will serve you well. But we must hurry, before night falls. Tomorrow morning there will be an attack, and this night we-...er they gather to ready themselves. The forest will be thick of them." 

"Lead the way then, just know if you lead us to any patrols, you will die first." 

Two hours passed as the three slunk around the tufts of ancient grass and gnarled trees that dotted the end of the woods. Thrice they hid from patrols, keeping themselves low and quiet. Each time Orion looked at Sister Annika to see if she was well and hidden, only to see she was looking at him and they would both turn away. True to his word, Ragnar kept his oath and kept the group out of danger until the sun had nearly been swallowed by the horizon, and they waded out of the treeline onto pastureland, where a family of serfs were herding a drove of cattle peacefully. 

"Father! Father there are people!" One of the small boys cried. It looked as if there were four young children out there to help shepard the animals or till the fields. Another boy's grip slackened on the hoe he carried, and grown man looked perplexed. Orion Pentecost could not blame him. 
[@Penny]