Reaver of the South was a virtual representation of one of Eivor Varinsdottir's genetic memories, relived by Layla Hassan in 2020 through the Portable Animus HR-8.5.
Description[]
Eivor met with Basim, Jarl Guthrum, and her allies to attack Portcestre.
Dialogue[]
Eivor talked to Randvi about pledging to Suthsexe.
- Eivor: My mind is fixed on Suthsexe. Basim and I have a chance to save Sigurd. But we will need an army.
- Randvi: That is for you to decide. The more alliances you have, the better your chances at victory.
Eivor pledged to Suthsexe.
- Eivor: I will go now. And I will bring Sigurd back with me. That is a promise.
- Randvi: Good. I will send word to our allies at once. Meet with Basim when you can. He should be in Croindene by now.
Eivor ventured into the southern shires of England once again, and crossed the border into Suthsexe.
- Eivor: The breadbasket of Wessex. Land of plenty.
Eivor made her way to the longhouse in Croindene, where she overheard the voices of some familiar friends and a mutual ally, Guthrum of the Great Summer Army.
- Broder: Is Lunden as dark and grubby as they say?
- Erke: Not since it almost burned to the ground. All those charred roof timbers really let in the light.
- Brothir: I heard about that. The whole waterfront up in flames.
- Stowe: With all that aside, we are making great strides to improve the lives of its people.
Eivor spoke to Brothir and Broder.
- Brothir: Eivor, you giant steaming bowl of elk piss! King Oswald sends his regards.
- Eivor: Brothir, Broder. Or is it the other way around?
- Broder: Gods, you're a sight to stir a weary heart.
- Brothir: It is not his heart that's stirring...
- If Lunden was completed, Eivor could speak with Stowe and Erke.
- Stowe: Eivor! My second favorite Norse!
- Eivor: Must we always drift together on such violent tides?
- Stowe: That is the way of things. Yet the meeting of friends is a glimmer of light in these dark days.
- Eivor: Ever the optimist, Stowe. It is good to see you both.
- Erke: I brought no pleasant words, only my blade. Let's see which proves more useful.
- If Jorvik was completed, Eivor could speak to Ljufvina.
- Eivor: Ljufvina! Once again we will battle side-by-side!
- Ljufvina: Greeting from the North, old friend.
- Eivor: And how is Hjorr?
- Ljufvina: Still griping about the mess we made of Jorvik's council. But grateful for the help. To be honest, I think he's upset he didn't see the problem sooner. His pride is slow to heal.
- Eivor: Thank you for heeding my call, friend. Sigurd will be grateful when he hears you have come.
- Ljufvina: For your brother, I would upturn every rock in England.
Eivor approached the head of the longhouse where Guthrum was talking to a Norse soldier while Basim stood nearby.
- Guthrum: You wouldn't be the first man to fall asleep on watch. But you would be the loudest.
- Norse Warrior: I did not mean to fail you, Guthrum Jarl. It was only for a moment. I was so tired.
- Guthrum: As are we all boy. We marched hard to get here.
The warrior looked at Guthrum with relief in his eyes, when Guthrum grabbed him by the throat.
- Guthrum: Still, let's not disappoint me again. You hear?
The man nodded in fear, choking.
- Norse Warrior: My jarl! I'm...sorry...
Guthrum pushed him back and the man walked away, shoulders slumped. Guthrum noticed Eivor.
- Guthrum: You must be Eivor. I've heard much of you, young one. They say you're something. We'll see.
- Eivor: Guthrum Jarl, Saxon-bane and reaver of the south. I'm honored to meet you at last.
- Guthrum: Respect where it is due. I like that. Here's hoping you fight as smoothly as you talk.
Basim approached.
- Basim: Eivor hopes to rescue Sigurd from the madwoman Fulke, now ensconced in Portcestre fortress. If you wish to crown yourself King of Wessex, Portcestre must fall. An alliance here serves us both.
- Guthrum You promised a great army, but you couldn't breach a crone's garden with what you have assembled here.
- Eivor: This is not the sum of my forces. Where are the rest?
- Basim: Your allies are on their way. We must be patient.
- Eivor: We cannot wait for them. We march as soon as we are able.
- Guthrum: With these numbers? Are you keen to see Valhalla today?
- Eivor: I will not sit on my heels while Sigurd rots in that she-dog's care!
- Basim: We might muster for an attack in the woods east of Portcestre, but there are scouts between there and here.
- Eivor: Scouts I can manage. Point me at them and I will blind Fulke's eyes.
- Basim: One walks the road between Briggworth and Cicestre, another on the river bank north of Crawleah. A third keeps watch on the hills south of Croindene. But I warn you, these are all we know of. There may be more.
- Eivor: A risk we must take. I will find the scouts. You move the men into position near Portcestre.
- Guthrum: That is a rash gamble, Raven-Feeder. If we are spotted, we will be vulnerable.
- Eivor: If you want victory, come now or not at all. Every hour we waste could be Sigurd's last.
Eivor angrily walked away.
- Guthrum: You had better be all they promised.
Before leaving, she could talk to Basim and Guthrum individually.
- Eivor: Basim, good to find you here. What news do you have?
- Basim: Fulke remains at Portcestre, just as we suspected. And as of three days ago, Sigurd was with her, alive.
- Eivor: That is the best news we could hope for. And how are you?
- Basim: I am well. And keen to see my old friend again.
- Eivor: He will be glad to see you, I am sure.
She spoke to Guthrum.
- Eivor: Guthrum Jarl. Your second, Soma, talked often of you and your conquests.
- Guthrum: They are all of one in my memory. A single great battle that stretches from my first breath to the end of this sentence.
- Eivor: That sounds glorious. A living Valhalla.
- Guthrum: Perhaps it does. But what happens when all the dead wear the same face and their pleas become a senseless blare? Where did Torsten die? On a field or in a marsh? We were close as brothers once, yet I don't recall where or when.
- Eivor: You wear the scars of battle, and not only on your skin.
- Guthrum: The needle of loss becomes blunt when you have been pierced enough. But enough of that.
Eivor could hear a conversation as she left.
- Erke: Eivor has brought many allies together from all over the land.
- Stow: Like these two fine fellows! Brothir and Broder, was it?
- Broder: Careful, Saxon. We're here for the killing, not to make friends.
Eivor exited the longhouse and made her way to the scout on top of the hill.
- Eivor: They said there would be a scout on this hill.
Eivor began up the hill.
- Eivor: I smell blood on the air. Death is close. Did someone find the scout before me?
Eivor reached the top of the hill and was attacked by a pack of wolves. After killing them, Eivor confirmed the scout was dead.
- Eivor: Slain by wolves. My work has been done for me.
Next Eivor made her way to the second scout on the riverbank.
- Eivor: A scout patrols the riverbank north of Crawleah.
Eivor found the scout.
- Eivor: Fulke's scout. Right where Basim said he would be.
Eivor could here a soldier talking.
- Anglo-Saxon Soldier: No sign of the Danes. Not sure what Fulke is worried about.
Upon killing the scout, Eivor found orders on the body.
- Eivor: Orders from Fulke. I should show this to Basim, once I've dealt with the others.
Eivor made her way to the final scout near Cicestre Abbey.
- Eivor: There, a scout.
Eivor killed the final scout.
- Eivor: I have seen to the scouts. Basim and Guthrum will be waiting in the woods east of Portcestre.
Eivor made her way to the basecamp in the woods. As she arrived she could overhear Basim and Guthrum talking.
- Basim: Your fellow Norse look forward to Valhalla but not you. Why is that?
- Guthrum: When you have stared into as many dead eyes as I have, it is hard to see anything but emptiness. In the end, we are meat for the butcher's blade, sure as hogs. That is all there is. Nothing more.
Eivor approached the two.
- Guthrum: Ah, here's the Raven-Feeder now.
- Eivor: The scouts are dead and you are safely encamped. I told you this would work.
- Guthrum: Time will tell.
- Eivor: Any eye that saw you has been dimmed by death.
- Guthrum: You are not short on confidence. That much is clear.
- Eivor: A leader should not second-guess themselves. Nobody respects a tremble-heart.
- Guthrum: I have known plenty as brash as you. Not many are left in this world.
- Eivor: I have a method, Guthrum. And though you may not see it, it has served me well.
- Guthrum: If your method is to risk hundreds for the sake of one, then you are right. I don't.
Eivor brushed off his remarks.
- Eivor: I found something of interest on one of the scouts. Fulke has news of Croindene's fall. She is gathering men and supplies. Perhaps to weather a siege?
- Basim: If she is allowed to dig in at Portcestre, it might be months before we can get Sigurd out.
- Eivor: Do you still say I am reckless in my haste, Guthrum?
Guthrum scowled at her.
- Norse Warrior 2: Saxons! Saxons from the west!
- Guthrum: I say your haste has put us squarely in the shit.
Everyone ran to push the attacking Saxons back.
- Basim: Fulke was forewarned! There must have been more scouts than we knew of.
- Eivor: What's done is done. Save your breath for the fight.
Eivor and the others fought.
- Guthrum: Eivor, this mess is of your making!
- Eivor: We kill them here, or behind the walls of Portcestre. Either way they die.
- Brothir: That's the way, Eivor! For glory, and for Odin!
The Saxons start to fall back.
- Eivor: They are giving ground! Push them back!
- Basim: The tide turns for us!
The fight continued.
- Eivor: The Saxons falter!
- Broder: Run them down! Trample them into the mud!
After killing most of the Saxons, a man blew a horn to retreat.
- Fulke's Champion: Fall back, you dogs! Back to Portcestre!
- Eivor: They flee like rabbits!
Brothir slit the throat of a downed Saxon.
- Broder: Then we chase them like hounds!
- Brothir: That ugly bastard's head is mine!
- Broder: Not if I get there first, slow-arse!
The two brothers chased after Fulke's champion. Eivor called after them.
- Eivor: Leave him! The day is already won!
Brothir and Broder fought the champion but the champion proved too much for them, injuring Broder and killing Brothir by impaling him through the chest.
- Eivor: No!
Eivor faced the champion, a circle of people surrounding them.
- Eivor: Death has found you, Saxon.
- Fulke's Champion: You'll join your friend soon enough. Is it for that withered bag of skin you fight? For Sigurd the sickly?
- Eivor: If Sigurd dies today, I will find your corpse and piss on it.
Eivor eventually bested the champion, leaving him on one knee.
- Fulke's Champion: You bear your false deities like a plague to this land. But you know nothing of those who truly decide our fate.
- Eivor: I decide your fate today, Saxon.
- Fulke's Champion: I am ready for my final journey. Let me see what lies beyond.
- Eivor: When you see your god, tell him I sent you.
- Eivor: I will not. Go and tell Fulke what you saw today. Tell her Eivor is coming to tear her heart from her chest.
- Fulke's Champion: I will tell Fulke her opponent is a weakling who does not have the stomach to finish what she started.
Eivor walked away as the champion retreated.
- Fulke's Champion: You will regret this mercy!
Eivor went to where Broder stood over his brother's body.
- Broder: He is dead. No breath within him. Gods, I've never seen the raucous bastard so quiet.
- Eivor: You are wounded, Broder. Let me bear your brother to the camp.
Eivor picked up Brothir's body.
- Broder: He was always quicker than me. Beat me out of the womb by mere moments. Now he has beat me to Valhalla. Even in death, he had to be first.
- Eivor: This crow-feast is my doing.
- Broder: No blame stains you, Eivor. He cut his own path. Always did. For him there is no more strife and pain. Only glorious battle, and the forever-feast.
Eivor carried Brothir's body up the hill and laid it at the base camp. Guthrum angrily approached Eivor with Basim following behind.
- Guthrum: Reckless stripling! I warned you the risk was too great!
- Basim: Peace, Guthrum. It is Fulke who merits your wrath, not Eivor.
- Guthrum: You have not seen the half of my wrath! How many of my men now lie dead on account of this glory-hoarder?
Broder kneeled over his brother's body.
- Eivor: Many have died, my friend here among them. The fault is mine. Knowing that is shame enough.
- Guthrum: Small comfort that is to the dead.
Ubba and Soma arrived.
- Ubba: What happened here?
Broder stood up.
- Broder: Ubba, Soma. You come at a black hour.
- Soma: And too late to bloody our blades, more's the pity.
- Guthrum: I hoped to take Portchestre with this one, but Fulke is forewarned now. I have no more appetite for this. I will go west.
- Eivor: Go, then. But know you leave me in a time of need.
- Guthrum: What you need is to swallow your pride, Raven-Feeder. Listen to wiser heads than yours.
Eivor took a step forward with Basim cautioning.
- Basim: Eivor...
- Eivor: I will hear you, Guthrum Saxon-bane, if you wish to speak your piece.
- Eivor: I am no errant child to be talked down to by my elders!
Basim shook his head in disappointment.
- Guthrum: No. You are supposed to be a leader. So listen now.
Guthrum left.
- Basim: Guthrum spoke in anger, but there is wisdom in what he says.
- Eivor: I heard, and heeded. I am not too proud to admit my mistake.
- Basim: Then there is wisdom in you as well.
- Eivor: I do not need him to tell me when I have made a mistake. Brothir les dead on my account.
- Basim: I am glad to hear it. The unexamined life is not worth living.
Eivor laid out her battle plan.
- Eivor: We will wait for our allies before the final attack. Until then, we have work to do.
Eivor, Basim, Ubba and Soma walked over to a map on a table where their companions stood.
- Eivor: First, we need a new camp. The Saxons think we have retreated. But we will draw even close...here.
- Ubba: Arrive unexpected.
Eivor smiled.
- Eivor: Erke, Stowe, ride there ahead of me. Together we will bring them down.
- Stowe: It brings me no pleasure to fight my own people, but a debt is a debt. We leave immediately.
- Erke: Besides, they're men of Wessex, Aelfred's folk. No brothers of yours.
- Eivor: Erke, Stowe, Ljufvina, ride there ahead of me. Together we will bring them down.
- Stowe: It brings me no pleasure to fight my own people, but a debt is a debt.
- Erke: Besides, they're men of Wessex, Aelfred's folk. No brothers of yours.
- Ljufvina: We will set off immediately. Together we will fall upon them as Thor's hammer.
- Eivor: I will take care of the camp myself. Once I have cleared it out, we will move our warriors in. I'll risk no more losses.
The group dispersed. Eivor could hear Basim, Ubba and Soma talking to each other.
- Basim: Soma and Ubba, I apologize. I would have liked to offer better welcome after your long journey.
- Soma: I am only sorry we could not be here sooner.
- Ubba: We'll need a short while to organize the men, then we'll set off as soon as we're able.
Eivor talked to Ubba.
- Eivor: Ubba Ragnarsson, it puts me to ease to see you here. Welcome.
- Ubba: Eivor Wolf-Kissed tempts me with a swipe at Wessex... who am I to resist?
- Eivor: Here we might finish the work your father began, a decade back. Are you ready?
- Ubba: More than ready. I am hungry.
Eivor talked to Soma.
- Eivor: Now here is a welcome face. Soma, how fares Grantebridge?
- Soma: We thrive, just as we did our first year. And I have you to thank for that.
- Eivor: The risk I took was far less than you are taking now. I thank you for heeding my call.
- Soma: An oath is an oath, Eivor. Silver-gilded and ironclad.
Eivor talked to Broder.
- Broder: What I would give to be there when he appears in Odin's hall. Old One-Eye will have his hands full tonight. But I cannot let my brother lie forgotten in unknown soil. I must take him home, bury him with what finery I can muster.
- Eivor: I understand. May Freyja watch your way, Broder. Until we meet again.
- Broder: Aye. Until then.
Outcome[]
Eivor killed all enemy scouts and met with her allies east of Portcestre. They then defended themselves against an ambush, where Eivor defeated Fulke's Champion after he killed Brothir.
Gallery[]
Eivor arriving at the rendezvous point, Croindene
Broder, Brothir, Erke and Stowe in the longhouse
Broder and Brothir received by Eivor
Erke and Stowe greeting Eivor
Guthrum speaking to one of his warriors
Guthrum threatens the warrior not to fail again
Eivor's first meeting Guthrum
Basim, Eivor and Guthrum discussing Fulke's scouts
Eivor fighting a pack of wolves that kicked a group of Fulke's scouts
Eivor finding the scouts by the river point
Eivor discovering a group of scout by an oil cargo
Eivor reporting to Basim and Guthrum of the scouts' fates
Eivor and the Vikings defending against the Wessex ambush
Fulke's men calling for a retreat
Broder and Brothir overconfident on their victory
Fulke's champion killing Brothir
Fulke's champion defeated by Eivor
Broder and Eivor returning to the camp, with Eivor carrying Brothir's body
Eivor chastised by Guthrum for her overconfidence
Soma and Ubba arriving at the camp, learning of the ambush
Eivor and her allies planning for their next attack