Victory 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 returned to Melun to speak with her allies.
Dialogue[]
Eivor arrived in Melun and overheard commotion at the longhouse.
- Eivor: A crowd ... something is happening.
Eivor entered the longhouse to find Count Odo of France and Viking jarlskona Toka Sinricsdottir of the Elgring Clan arguing.
- Odo: Just know, Charles will never honor a bond with you Northerners. Unlike him, my word can be trusted.
- Toka: Ha! You are no more than a wounded dog at my table, looking for scraps.
- Odo: How dare you.
Toka readied her axe as Odo approached her. Both Norse warriors and Frankish soldiers unsheathed their swords, until Eivor halted the escalation.
- Eivor: Wait!
- Odo: Eivor, finally we can talk sense. What of Richardis? Did you encounter Charles?
- Eivor: Richardis survived a trial by fire. The flames never touched her.
- Odo: And the king? Did you do as I asked?
- Eivor: I fought Charles, but he still lives.
Odo turned away briefly.
- Odo: Merde! We had an agreement. Where is your honor?
- Eivor: Be careful, count. Things changed.
- Odo: Just the opposite. It is as it always has been with you Northerners. All lies and doublespeak.
Odo picked up a bottle of wine and served himself, Eivor, and Toka a goblet each. All joined together as Odo took the first drink. Eivor took the next drink as Toka took her time and decided to drink as well. Odo soon nodded to Eivor.
- Eivor: Let us go! We have work to do.
Odo and his men left the longhouse. Toka pondered of the next steps.
- Toka: What do you think he will do?
- Eivor: Odo will look for Charles. And if he can, he will kill him. But Odo's anger could be his undoing.
Toka walked to her chair.
- Toka: Can Richardis really keep Charles from returning to an active kingship?
- Eivor: That is the wager I have made. And the lives of my clan depend on it.
- Toka: They can depend on more than that. You still have me.
Eivor nodded and smiled.
- Toka: I will be sure to send word should Charles slither out of whatever pit Richardis has put him in.
Eivor nodded in agreement.
- Odo: That makes today a day for celebration!
Odo's men cheered as Odo prepared three goblets of wine for himself, Eivor, and Toka. Eivor and Odo picked up their drinks as Toka hesitated. Toka finally picked up her drink as Eivor shrugged happily towards Toka.
- Toka: Skal!
- Eivor: Skal!
- Odo: Santé! (Cheers!)
All three drank their wine.
- Odo: It has been curious to know you, Eivor. You are as enigmatic as any Northerner I have met. Here's hoping there are more like you.
Eivor nodded kindly.
- Odo: I must go now and attend the throne. I wish you a safe journey back to England.
Eivor held out her hand to Odo, who shook it gladly.
- Eivor: Your greatest challenges lie before you, Count Odo. I hope you have the strength.
- Odo: As do I.
Odo signaled his men and left alongside with his soldiers.
- Toka: Is it wise to put our trust in him?
- Eivor: You can bargain with him, Toka. I know it will be strange to ally with someone Sigfred hated so. But he will keep his word and—
- Toka: I know, I know. Leaders drink the wine and so on.
- Eivor: You were listening.
Eivor thought about her remark and smiled.
- Eivor: You sound more jarl-like all the time.
Eivor reminded herself about Ravensthorpe.
- Eivor: And now I must think of my own people, whom I have been away from for too long.
Toka went and hugged Eivor, who reciprocated the hug.
- Toka: Before you go, have this. It was my father, Sinric's. The second-best leader and teacher I have known.
Toka handed Eivor a token of alliance, owned by her past father.
- Eivor: It has been my honor.
- Toka: I hope to lead as well as you do, Eivor. If ever you hunger for more Frankish cheese, I will be happy to share.
- Eivor: Farewell, Toka.
Eivor grasped Toka's shoulder fondly and departed from the longhouse. Toka sat down at the high chair and looked at her goblet. Before she left, Eivor looked back at Toka. Both nodded to each other before Eivor completely left. Sýnin flew above Melun as it signified Eivor's adventure in Francia has ended.
Outcome[]
Eivor garnered alliances with both Toka and Count Odo as she left for home.