Uninvited Guests was a virtual representation of one of Eivor Varinsdottir's genetic memories, relived by Layla Hassan through the Portable Animus HR-8.5.
Description[]
The people of Ravensthorpe were rudely interrupted by trespassers.
Dialogue[]
Eivor, Randvi, Dag Nithisson, and the rest of the Raven Clan's fighters ran from the longhouse to fight the pack of invading Danes.
- Eivor: Does this stir your thirst for battle, Randvi?
- Randvi: It does!
- Eivor: There is nothing for you here but death!
- Dag: Go to your graves!
- Randvi: For Raven Clan!
They defeated the enemies closest to the longhouse and pushed on toward the river.
Ravensthorpe residents fighting against the Viking invaders
- Randvi: Their numbers are flagging! Press on!
- Norse Warrior: Kill any who stand in your way!
- Eivor: Who sent you to die here?
- Randvi: Only a few cowards left! Drive them off!
- Norse Warrior: No survivors! Burn them to the ground!!
- Eivor: You will meet only death here!
After a strenuous battle, the Raven Clan emerged victorious and took stock of the situation. Eivor stood over the maimed body of an enemy warrior, considering it, when Randvi returned with her report.
- Eivor: Is that the last of them?
- Randvi: The rivers are clear. If more were coming, they thought better of it.
- Eivor: By their colors and markings, I believe they come from Geatland. But with none left alive to spill their secrets, we may never know why.
- Dag: Here is one!
Dag bringing forward a prisoner
Dag led a warrior up the hill with a grip on his neck, shoving the man before Eivor and Randvi.
- Dag: This vermin was crawling to the river, hoping to float away!
The man spoke as though injured, breathing heavily.
- Norse Warrior: Have mercy, friend, and you may find an ally with us.
- Eivor: Mercy is earned by the quickness of your tongue. Where do you come from and what is your quarrel with us?
- Norse Warrior: We are settled... in East Anglia. Newly arrived... and hungry for silver.
- Eivor: You drifted off course. This is Mercia.
- Norse Warrior: As we were ordered.
- Eivor: By whom?
The man sighed and his voice got stronger.
- Norse Warrior: You bore me.
He spat at Eivor's feet and Dag made as though to hit him, causing the man to flinch.
- Dag: Useless hound, scratching your ass in search of silver. Put an end to this one.
- Eivor: Your silence earns you no kindness, Geat. So I will ask you once more. Who sent you?
- Norse Warrior: The wind sent us. And the rivers will take us home.
- Dag: He begs for death, Eivor! Give it to him.
- Randvi: Or send him home with a warning. Let him tell his people what death awaits them, should they sail this way again.
- Eivor: Go. And do not return.
Dag threw up his hands, grunting in frustration. He paced away.
- Norse Warrior: I thank you--
- Eivor: This is not mercy, it is death deferred. Whoever sent you, warn them of the slaughter that awaits should any return.
- Norse Warrior: O, what tales I will tell.
As the man walked away, Dag paced back and Eivor turned to Randvi.
- Eivor: Send one of your scouts to follow him. We will find--
Dag threw his axe, hitting the retreating warrior in the back, killing him.
- Eivor: Dag!
- Dag: To show mercy would endanger us! Soil our reputation as cowards! This was the only end possible!
- Eivor: We could have learned something by tracking him. Now we know nothing.
- Dag: Sigurd would have acted as I did. That is all the justification I need.
- Eivor: Sigurd is not here to make such a call. But I am. And if you cross me again, he will know about it.
- Dag: I see you, Eivor. And I know what you are.
Dag walked away, Eivor glaring at his back.
- Randvi: Put no stock in what Dag says. His bluster may be loud, but it blows softly.
Eivor gestured at the scattered bodies throughout the settlement.
- Eivor: Get this cleaned up. Then we will talk of next steps.
Eivor pulled her axe from her belt.
- Eivor: May there be one who mourns you at home, for we will not.
She swung the axe, cutting the man across the chest and neck, killing him.
- Randvi: Eivor, I could have sent my scouts to follow him home. We might have learned something.
- Eivor: The price of such disrespect is death, Randvi.
- Dag: Just as Sigurd would have done.
- Randvi: I cannot devise a strategy if my advice is ignored.
- Dag: To let that man live would announce to the world that we are soft and cowardly. Now these wayward Danes know to fear us.
- Eivor: Forgive my haste, Randvi. But Dag is right.
- Dag: For once you see clearly. I beg the gods that it continues.
- Randvi: We should clean this mess, and move the bodies from the camp.
- Eivor: Agreed. Then we talk of our next steps. Together.
When Eivor awoke the next day, she found she had received a new letter.
- Letter from Soma
Eivor,
You entered my mind today. I was thinking about how I felt when I lost Grantebridge. The anger. The doubt.
You helped me reclaim my city, but you did more than that. You helped me reclaim what I had lost in myself. Today, my people, my city-- they are stronger than they've ever been.
And I am a proud leader once more.
Soma
Before leaving the longhouse, she spoke to Ceolbert again.
- Eivor: Ceolbert? Are you well?
- Ceolbert: I am, but... I wish I could have risen to the challenge put before us. Instead of hiding here in the longhouse.
- Eivor: You were exactly where you needed to be. Defending the people. And yourself.
- Ceolbert: I know, I just...
- Eivor: Our forces outside were sufficient. And your father would have many unkind words for me if anything had happened to you.
Ceolbert gave a small chuckle.
- Ceolbert: I know, I only wish my father's long shadow didn't darken my prospects here. I want to learn from you, not watch you.
- Eivor: I have no doubt. Next time, then.
Outside the longhouse, all of the bodies had been cleared. Eivor checked in with some of the residents on her way toward the dock. She stopped in the Hidden Ones Bureau and spoke with Hytham.
- Hytham: Eivor, again your people impress me with your skill. The invaders barely stood a chance.
She continued on to the forge and spoke with Gunnar.
- Gunnar: Ha! Those invaders never stood a chance. Not when you are armed with Gunnar's handiwork.
Outcome[]
Eivor and the Raven Clan drove off the Viking invaders who had came from the east.
Gallery[]
