The Judgement of Elise Haraldr

[Fehu Isa]

Elise Haraldr: ::she looks out the holding cell window at the unusually warm weather, her body fairly itching to get outside in it, she moves from the window to sit on the bunk bed, then stands and moves back to the window, anxious for *something* to happen, punishment, a blizzard, fire, anything to relieve the boredom. She hears the yipping of a tracking sleen, and has heard the cheering of crowds at the contests, standing on her tiptoes she tries to see outside. She moves back to the bunk and lays on it, twiddling her fingers, this doesn't last long before she is up once more and pacing. she tries humming and singing, but her mood is low and singing just doesn't help::

Acheron Sinis: Papo had returned and was now walking into the Jail house and relieving the man who was on duty to guard the prisoner.. "Tal, lady..." he spoke as the guard walked out and he stood before her cell door.

Elise Haraldr: ::her ears perk up at the sound of another man coming, she's hoping it's her rescuer, assassin though he may be, to her he's the one who saved her, she smiles at him:: Tal Sir, how are you today?

Acheron Sinis: "I am quite well...And you..?" He had the slaves provide meals, clothing...albeit plain clothing. And she was allowed to wash with a basin, pitcher and soap.

Elise Haraldr: ::she stands in the middle of her cell with her hands clasped in front of her, with a nod of her head:: I'm well, Sir, but bored, and the other Sir, how is he?

Elise Haraldr: ::a quick nod of her head:: I'm pleased to hear that Sir, will he be up and about soon?

Acheron Sinis: "No...Not for a few moons."

Elise Haraldr: ::another slow nod:: yes Sir ::she turns away and sighs, she had hoped he wasn't hurt so badly. She smoothes down the front of her plain, but *clean* kirtle:: Do you know when I will be released from here Sir?

Acheron Sinis: "When word is sent to me.." he spoke calmly..."Then you will know its time."

Elise Haraldr: ::a tiny sigh:: yes Sir I heard cheering yesterday, was something exciting happening?

Acheron Sinis: "Yes...There was an archery contest.."

Elise Haraldr: ::a bright smile since she knows her brothers enjoy such a contest:: how did it go Sir?

IvanBondrider: ::Ivan came into the Cell and hurried over to the Killer he still didn't quite trust them and avoided stepping on any shadows as he approached::

Acheron Sinis: "It went very well...Though.,..It was rather windy for the men.." He then looked to Ivan.

IvanBondrider: The Jarl wants you to bring the woman outside::he spoke to him respectfully though::

Elise Haraldr: ::she turns to see Ivan and smiles at him, oh boy, two people to talk to, this is a real treat for her:: Tal Sir. ::blinks and gulps, perhaps she shouldn't have been too anxious for something to happen::

IvanBondrider: :Ivan flashed those blues over in her direction and nodded:: Tal..Lady

Acheron Sinis: He nodded..."Send a slave in on your way out.."He looked to Ivan..."With two full buckets of cold water."

Elise Haraldr: ::another gulp ... "cold water"? Another quick glance out the cell window, at least it was unusually mild out today::

Acheron Sinis: Papo then turned and looked to Elise as he inserted the key to the barred door and unlocked it.. "Remove your footwear...And socks if you have them on."

IvanBondrider: ::Ivan would hurry off and order Comfort to bring in two buckets of water::she would walk in with them slung over her shoulders and lower them down by the Assassin::

Elise Haraldr: ::she comes to stand at the door of the cell, thankful to at least be getting out, even if it was for "the buckets", she stoops to remove her sandals and wool stockings before once more standing before him with her hands clasped in front of her::

Acheron Sinis: His gloved hand reached out for her footwear.

ComfortNPC: Sue her, if she liked anyone as much as Jarl Ivan, it was Jarl Papo and this way, she got to see them both. So she had dutifully trailed his steps, the water drug up from the well, now having two items hanging from the center of it. The bucket, and a large rock that went down first to break the ice that formed. The chilly water slopped over a bit as she moved, making her skin icy, but she was rather hopeful that she'd find someone willing to warm her

Franz Castellan: ::he had come in from the cold, passed the crowd outside and entered the holding cell:he had a serious look on his face now and would watch events unfold::

Elise Haraldr: ::her hands shaking a bit, she hands over her sandals and stockings to Papo::

ComfortNPC: back up. Setting it down by Papo, she smiled, her eyes ranging over him and then flicking toward Elise with a small sort of knowing 'I've been there' smile before she sauntered back outside the door, rubbing at her arms.

Acheron Sinis: He smiled to Comfort..."Go wait outside girl.." He took the sandels and stockings from Elise. "Comfort..?" He looked to the girl..."Take these for me first."He was handing her the sandals and stockings.

ComfortNPC: Tossing her hair, she complied, swaying hips bearing her back to take the stockings and shoes, her lip nibbled. "Thank you, Jarl." She knew he didn't mean 'take them and keep them' she was thanking him for finding use for her. Back ouside the door of the holding cell, she'd pause a bit to make sure he didn't need anything more before she obeyed his first order and went outside.

Elise Haraldr: ::she eyes the buckets nervously:: I'm ... ::clears her throat:: I'm hoping that's for bathing?

Acheron Sinis: He then looked to Elise. "Come forward...And take these buckets." He was sure Elise wasnt used to carrying such things really...Even peasants had men to do that kind of lifting.

Elise Haraldr: ::another gulp and nod of her head she moves to the pickets and picks them up, they are heavy, but she is a strong girl, she struggles to stand and look at Papo::

Franz Castellan: ::he stood there watching her with the most serious intent look on his face::he watched Elise and Papo::

Acheron Sinis: "If you spill the water...I will make you return to this jail house and start your journey again.."

Elise Haraldr: ::she cants her eyes to the Warden and back at Papo with a hard swallow:: aye Sir

Acheron Sinis: He looked to her calmly..."If you dare try to run...I will be the one to come after you...And I assure you...You will not be able to run again when I am done with you.."He said calmly.

Elise Haraldr: ::she swallows hard again, her eyes wide, she nods quickly:: aye Sir, I won't try to run.

Acheron Sinis: "Good girl."

Franz Castellan: ::he turned his head to Papo and nodded::it is time

Elise Haraldr: ::oh dear, those three words, the ones she's been waiting for and dreading all this time::

Acheron Sinis: A few of Papo's men came in and then held open the door...Papo inclined his head to the Jarl of Fehu Isa. He waited for The Jarl to lead the way. Papo would be right behind Elise. He...Would be her tormentor while she walked to the drawn circle to be judged.

Franz Castellan: ::he turned then and strode down the passage and the guards would open the door::outside he would step past the assembled crowd::the murmuring hushed to a quiet::

Elise Haraldr: ::carefully she inches her way out of the cell holding the buckets, looking down at them to make sure the water isn't sloshing about too much, she turns to follow the Warden, shoulders drooping from the weight of the buckets::

Franz Castellan: ::he would wait until the group had come outside::

ComfortNPC: Comfort joined the ranks of the other girls who had come out to watch, a good sized crowd it seemed had pulled themselves away from the festivities to watch. Nudging Fire, the chuckle that spilt between them was obvious. They had to do as they were commanded, even if it wasn't that hard a task. The hush was soft, but whispers still ran like the wind through the tur trees.

Acheron Sinis: "Start walking, Elise." he said calmly.

Elise Haraldr: ::she pauses as she leaves the building and takes a deep breath of clean fresh air before stepping carefully from the building toward the Jarl::

Acheron Sinis: The walk would be slow for her...No doubt... She was barefoot...The ground was icy cold..And rocky. She also had those full buckets to carry.

Franz Castellan: ::eventually he would stop just short of his destination::

Elise Haraldr: ::her footsteps faltering over the rocky cold ground, she's used to going barefoot, but not in the snow, she inches forward, being very careful to move gracefully as to not spill the water::

Acheron Sinis: "Perhaps...You will be enslaved...And I would be the one to open you...Hmmm..?" he said low from behind her...At the same time...He slipped out a very sharp pointed dagger...And he poked to her rump lightly..

Elise Haraldr: ::she squeaks lightly at the poke in her rump. Staggering a little, she glances down at the buckets, thankful to see she didn't spill any of the water::

ComfortNPC: Curled up together under one blanket, the bondmaids of Tyr'Odal looked on, giggling when the girl squeaked. "He likes that! Keep it up." Comfort called before Fire hushed her, falling back to snickering

Acheron Sinis: Luckily for her...She did not spill any water...

Elise Haraldr: ::she takes a deep breath and keeps moving toward the Jarl. She can hear the bondsmaid sniggering and it stings her pride, but she's concentrating too hard on her walking and buckets to respond to them::

Acheron Sinis: It may as well had been many pasangs in distance to the rather awkward steps he saw her taking.

Franz Castellan: ::he turned to Elise now and held out his hand as they approached him:he motioned for them to stop::

Elise Haraldr: ::she stops at the Jarl's command and looks up at him::

Franz Castellan: ::but...then he motioned for them to carry on::

Acheron Sinis: His hand moved to her arse...Patting her along...~SLAP~ "move.."

Elise Haraldr: ::with another nod of her head she continues toward the circle drawn in the soil, with a little yelp, she flinches at his slap. She looks down again to see the buckets are still full, taking another deep breath, she continues on, her feet becoming a little torn from the icy rocks::

Acheron Sinis: How lucky! He would wait until she was almost three quarters to the way there...Almost there...

ComfortNPC: The crowd which had been so muted now laughed with the swat's coming and the girl's stumble

Acheron Sinis: Then he gave her another light poke from his dagger...

Franz Castellan: ::he looked at the buckets to watch the water to see if they would slop over the side::

Elise Haraldr: ::another little squeak as she flinches::

Acheron Sinis: He then gripped to her hair...That long braid.

Elise Haraldr: ::she freezes as the water sloshes over the side, she yelps as her hair is pulled::

Acheron Sinis: "Start again..." he dragged her back to the jail house using her braid like a leash..

Elise Haraldr: ::bare feet skittering over the ground as she is pulled back, she looks at him panting as she once more begins to inch her way toward the circle::

ComfortNPC: "Bondmaids don't wear braids, Jarl. Undo it!" She was suggesting, not commanding. But of the girls, she was perhaps the most spiteful and vicious.

Acheron Sinis: This time he would let her walk that icy trail back to the circle...Only taunting her with his words.

Elise Haraldr: ::now her feet are really sore from the pull back to the jail having cut one of them on a rock, she tries not to limp as she inches along::

Acheron Sinis: "I will be the first to open you...should you be enslaved.." he whispered behind her.

Franz Castellan: ::he turned to watch her drag those buckets towards him again::

Elise Haraldr: ::she shivers at his words, tears starting to form in the corners of her eyes, she blinks them away though, and with a hard swallow, she lifts her head to keep her eyes on the Jarl::

Marius Of Torv: Marius hurried his way to the circle and he stood to the perimeter with the other men.

Elise Haraldr: ::step by painful step she inches toward him, her head high though her shoulders are beginning to tremble from the weight of the buckets::

Acheron Sinis: His hand then went to the back of her neck...Gripping to her to as he moved her forcefully into the circle...And he TURNED her to face the Jarl of Fehu Isa..

ComfortNPC: The bondmaids scooted a little closer to Marius. Because they were female, Duh. He was a magnet and they were cheap metal. Not too close though, he was not .. cheery.

Franz Castellan: ::he watched her approach and then he opened a scroll , turning to the crowd he would read and shout aloud for one and all to hear::

Elise Haraldr: ::her whole body trembling now as she stands before the Jarl, she looks up into his face::

Marius Of Torv: Marius looked on in silence. And true, he never smiled.

Franz Castellan: Elise Haraldr you are charged with the following.

Acheron Sinis: Papo, Elise's private jailer and tormentor, stood silently now behind her.

Franz Castellan: First, you wandered outside of the borders of Fehu Isa without either brother, father, companion or sufficient guards to protect you. You expressed no concern for your own safety for the loss of your aid to your family, and to the possible shame and financial hardship you placed upon them.

Elise Haraldr: ::takes another hard swallow, knowing she deserves this::

Marius Of Torv: Marius quietly listened as the charges were read.

Franz Castellan: Secondly, you thought only of your own amusement, an act which cost three men great physical injury and the possible loss of both life and skill.

Franz Castellan: ::he waited for the statements that he read to sink into the minds of the crowd before him:: Thirdly, no consideration was given to your honour and the pride of the Hall.

Elise Haraldr: ::at this she lowers her head in grief, *this* was the harshest of all::

Franz Castellan: ::the crowd murmered loudly then and jeered::

ComfortNPC: The crowd was grumbling, knowing that the charges were true, and wondering what would become of the girl. Good thing her parents had five strong sons and only one daughter to lose.

Acheron Sinis: He gripped to her braid, yanking her head up. "Eyes up."

Franz Castellan: ::he would fold the scroll back up then and hand it over to Marius for his records:

Marius Of Torv: Marius took the scroll with a nod.

Elise Haraldr: ::she opens her eyes immediately and looks at the Jarl, her head held high, even though her body trembles like a leaf in a hurricane::

ComfortNPC: "You're going in the ciiir-cle..." Sing-songed under her breath as she snuggled nearer to her sisters.

Elise Haraldr: ::she knows if she is to go into the circle, she will beg instead for death::

Franz Castellan: ::he would watch silently::and turn to Papo::douse her ::he was calm as he gave the order::strong, firm::

Acheron Sinis: He nodded...And then moved in front of her.."Place the buckets down."

Elise Haraldr: ::thankfully she lowers the buckets and stands straight, taking a deep breath and clasping her trembling hands together trying to soothe the ache in her palms::

Acheron Sinis: He then leaned and took one of the buckets and lifted it over her head. He slowly poured the water...Even on her. A slow pour made sure that she got soaked from the water.

Elise Haraldr: ::she sees what's coming and closes her eyes just in the nick of time, the chill of the water sends a severe chill through her her lips blue with cold and face pale she sputters as she opens her eyes and looks at the Jarl::

Franz Castellan: :he would turn to the crowd and point to the woman in the circle and shout to them::

ComfortNPC: Like the crowd, the bondmaids spurted into riotous laughter, knowing that the cold water was also rather.. helpful in making her clothes stick to her skin very prettily.

Acheron Sinis: He showed no mercy...As soon as he finished with that bucket...He set it down and lifted the other.

Franz Castellan: ::he urged the crowd on::

Acheron Sinis: He slowly poured that one too...

Elise Haraldr: :;again she closes her eyes, a heavy gasp as the cold water hits her already chilled skin, body trembling violently as she stands under the water, she makes no other sound::

Acheron Sinis: Papo had provided her with very plain attire...And yes...Her womanly figure did show..

ComfortNPC: From within the crowd, some men started a bidding war, though whether seirous or not, it wasn't very high.

Franz Castellan: If one of these men here would grant you freedom...Then you will remain free. But you will never leave the city without escort from a Jarl of Fehu Isa..

Franz Castellan: And you will learn that the freedom granted to you will be given by the kindness of the men of Gor.

Acheron Sinis: When he finished...He set the bucket down..And then firmly placed his hand to her throat...And he moved her along the circle...For all to see..

Franz Castellan: ::he shouted this again to the crowd, and also to the woman known as Elise. he would turn then and let the crowd judge her, he himself would turn and stride off to his Hall, his duty done:

ComfortNPC: There was a roar of dissent at the idea of freeing her. The cold water was very.. helpful in making her nearly naked.

Marius Of Torv: Marius heard the bidding...And he took pity as he looked on...He stepped forward.

Elise Haraldr: ::hands still clasping each other in front of her, drenched to the bone, lips blue and teeth chattering as she is turned in the circle::

Marius Of Torv: He looked to Papo. Then he offered out his hand to the lady Elise.

Acheron Sinis: Papo paused and looked to Marius. This surprised him, but he said nothing. He let go of Elise.

Elise Haraldr: ::she looks up at Marius with eyes huge and green in her pale face, tentatively she reaches for his hand::

Marius Of Torv: He nodded and he walked her out of that circle.

ComfortNPC: A general groan of disappointment when the Magistrate had to get all noble. Hoping maybe he wanted to just throw her in himself. That was possible, wasn't it?

Marius Of Torv: He then escorted her to the lady's Hall.

ComfortNPC: No. Damnit! The crowd moved back to getting ready for tonight's huddling within their homes until dawn and the procession of torches.

Elise Haraldr: ::her legs nearly give out on her as she stumbles on her sore feet, but she keeps her eyes on Marius, gratitude and appreciation clearly evident, she murmurs low with her teeth chattering:: th .. thank y .. you S .. Sir

Marius Of Torv: He gave a nod.

Acheron Sinis: Papo looked in the crowd for Comfort..

ComfortNPC: Comfort slid out of the blanket and moved over toward Papo. "Your hands must be so cold, Jarl. Come and let us warm them up for you." Sinking to take his hand between hers and blow hot breath into the captured skin.

Elise Haraldr: ::she turns toward him and grasps his hand with both of her chilled ones, lifting it to her cheek with eyes closed, again she whispers:: thank you Sir

Acheron Sinis: He smiled to her..."The footwear...Give it to me...And you may follow me to the lady's hall."

Marius Of Torv: Marius removed his cloak and placed it around her...Then lifted her off her feet and carried her the rest of the way. Her feet looked to be in tough shape already.

ComfortNPC: She went back and got the footwear and stockings, bearing them back and handing them over, she smiled. "Thank you, Jarl." Her wickedness was really because she was told to be that way. To torment the Lady Elise because, if she really were being taken to the circle, that was much what it would be like. She moved to follow him with a little sway

Acheron Sinis: Papo had been duty bound to doing that tormenting. He did not do so to his pleasure. He took the sandals and stockings and smiled to Comfort with a nod.

[Fehu Isa]

KyrstenErikdotir: ::waits, somewhat impatiently, in the hall, seated by the fire. She had not wanted to be at the hearing because she did not want her daughter to see her and think it was not real::

Marius Of Torv: Marius carried her inside, and he set her to the furs by the fire.

Acheron Sinis: Papo had followed in and walked over to where Elise had been set down. He offered out her footwear to her.

Elise Haraldr: ::her arms clasped around the Jarl's neck as she is carried at first she doesn't see her mother, her body trembling uncontrollably, her face buried in his shoulder, as he sets her on the furs, she looks up at him with wide eyes. Then she sees her mother:: MA! ::she dives to her, burying her face in her mother's lap and sobbing. Her feet are bloody from the numerous small cuts, she hadn't realized she had cut them so concentrated on the buckets::

Acheron Sinis: He watched as she moved to her mother. He set her things down by the furs.

KyrstenErikdotir: Foolish girl. You're soaked and you're soaking me. ::picks up a fur and wraps it around her daughter as well::

Marius Of Torv: Marius looked to Papo. Then he silently looked away to the mother and daughter.

Elise Haraldr: ::lifting her face from her Mother's lap, she grasps the fur around her, she continues studying her mother's face, she's missed her so, teeth chattering, she looks back at Marius:: the Jarl, both of them, they rescued me

KyrstenErikdotir: So I was told. And I thanked our Jarl for having you rescued from your own foolishness.

Acheron Sinis: Papo was standing next to Marius as he listened.

Elise Haraldr: ::she can take just about anything except disappointing her parents, she lowers her head and sobs into the furs, the tension finally getting to her::

Marius Of Torv: "I freed you from the circle on one condition, lady Elise." he spoke looking to Mother and Daughter.

Elise Haraldr: ::lifting her head, she looks at Marius, she's a mess::

Marius Of Torv: "You will not leave Fehu Isa without male escort."

Elise Haraldr: ::a series of quick nods:: aye .... aye Sir, of course. ::she looks back at her Mother:: how .. how is Olaf Ma?

Marius Of Torv: He nodded and then walked to the door. "I wish you well, ladies."

Elise Haraldr: ::looking back at Marius:: thank you Sir, may Odin bless you for what you've done

Marius Of Torv: He paused and looked to Papo. "Be well, sir."

Acheron Sinis: He looked to Marius. "Be well, Magistrate."

Marius Of Torv: He nodded to him and then nodded to the ladies and he left the Hall.

KyrstenErikdotir: Olaf is recovering.

Elise Haraldr: ::a heavy sigh:: thank Odin

KyrstenErikdotir: And hopefully you have learned a lesson about tarn riders.

Elise Haraldr: ::still shivering:: oh aye Ma, I've learned several lessons
KyrstenErikdotir: ::shakes her head:: I told your father he should beat you if we got you back. I do not know if he will, but that was what I felt you deserved. It is, naturally, his decision.

Acheron Sinis: He remained by the fire looking away from the women as he listened.

Elise Haraldr: ::again she nods, knowing a beating from her father is the least of her worries, she looks back at Papo:: and thank you Sir ::her voice lowers:: thank you Sir

Acheron Sinis: He looked to Elise.. "There is no need to thank me." There wasn't actually. He was paid to do his work. "Thank the Jarl of Fehu Isa."

Elise Haraldr: but there is, Sir, and please tell the other Sir, I will pray to Odin for his recovery

Acheron Sinis: He looked away.

Elise Haraldr: ::still trembling, the lure of a hot bath and cleaning the cuts on her feet is too strong, the furs wrapped around her she slowly makes her way to the bathing chamber of the Ladies' Hall::

KyrstenErikdotir: ::looks at Papo:: May I send her home now to the farm? Or need she stay here?

Acheron Sinis: "I would let her spend the night here...And take her tomorrow." He answered the lady respectfully.

KyrstenErikdotir: Thank you. ::looks to make sure the girl is out of earshot::She needed to be seriously frightened and I think that has been accomplished. I thank you and the others who helped to do it.

Acheron Sinis: He held his hands to the glow of the fire to warm them as he looked to the lady.. "Lady...These were serious charges. This was nothing staged." He looked to her to her eyes.."One of my best men...Was wounded severely in rescuing her."

KyrstenErikdotir: ::looks at him:: I know that it was not staged. I knew she might be collared and it would be real. I am grateful it did not go that way. I would have been grateful even if it had, since she would have been safe...as safe as any bond-maid at least.

Acheron Sinis: "As I said...Do not thank me. Take your gratitude to the Jarl of Fehu Isa. And thank the Magistrate for his kindness in freeing her from the bond circle." He was not trying to be disrespectful to the lady. He was being honest.

KyrstenErikdotir: ::smiles at him:: As you wish, Papo. And I will.
::rarely considers plain speaking to be disrespectful, not being a foolish southern flower::

Acheron Sinis: He nodded, then he slipped his gloves back on.. His dark eyes went to the lady..."I wish you well." He walked to the door...he still had many tasks to see to.