Through deserts of Sand and Snow.

[Magnus Ragnarsson]

A small light provided by a campfire illuminated the middle of the cave as Delrani lay underneath her thick cloak. Outside, there was a relentless blizzard and an army of snow rushed past the mouth of the cave. To go outside would mean certain death. Above, the stars floated lazily in the sky without a care in the world for the predicament of the noble and her hired entourage. Sat atop a rock at the mouth of the cave was a man, fairly tall in height and muscular in build, sharpening his blade more out of boredom than a need to maintain its’ quality.

Delrani was not used to these conditions. At home, she had been pampered by her father, protected, and was soon to have an arranged marriage to seal the bond between her house and that of another in Bern. But first they would have to traverse the deserts of sand and snow that lay between Ilia and Bern, through the savages that wandered Sacae...

Delrani put aside such thoughts, for they made the journey even more stomach-churning and less appealing. “Does it look like the Blizzard will be clearing up any time soon?!” She called out to the man sat atop the rock. The man turned around and shrugged. “Nah.” He replied, turning back around. “Jus’ try an’ get some sleep, yer’ ‘ighness. Migh’ aswell not worry ‘til it clears up.”
“You are aware we have a schedule to work on, Ragnarsson.”
“Aye. But a schedule’ll mean nothin’ if we get swept off th’ mountainside eh?” Magnus replied with a slight snort, taking a breath and sharpening his blade again.

Ontgar murmured in his sleep, apparently undisturbed by the racket caused by the buffeting of the blizzard to the cave that he was in. Sigvald, too, lay undeterred, as if they were both used to this environment. Delrani shrugged - The blue-haired mercenary was right. She should just try and sleep, and make up the distance lost by this storm some other time...

Magnus cleared his throat and threw his cloak over his shoulders, fastening his armour and standing as close as he could at the edge of the cave mouth. The snow began to build up on his nose and he closed his eyes... Refreshing. Soon he would leave this place for the first time in his life, and he wanted to savour the cold whilst he could, before they reached the dunes of Sacae.

[Magnus Ragnarsson]

Magnus opened his eyes. Morning came, and he lay still for a few moments to see if any of the others were awake. Sigvald was sat on the same rock as he was perched upon the previous night, stringing his bow. “Mornin’.” He said, looking up to see Magnus awake. Magnus nodded in acknowledgement and rubbed his eyes. Ontgar, too, was awake and making what appeared to be breakfast. Magnus snorted to try and get a whiff of the smell and to try and figure out what he was making, but his nose was numb from the cold of the night before. He woke and looked around the cave – Delrani appeared to be asleep. Magnus moved to touch her shoulder to wake her up, but was instead met with Ontgars’ hand on his own shoulder. Magnus looked up, and Ontgar shook his head. “She had a rough night last night. Woke up screaming... She must have been having a nightmare or something.”
Magnus raised an eyebrow, but then shrugged, replying back quietly “Th’ storm seems t’have subsided. We should move when we can, ‘cause---“
“I’m captain here, Magnus. And I say that we rest... We could all do with it.”
Magnus frowned and then shook his head. “She even said herself tha’ we got a schedule t’work to.”
“From what I heard last night, you don’t really care.” Ontgar said with a smirk. Magnus maintained his frown, grunting.
“I don’ want t’mess this up, Cap'n. I want t’be on time as much as she does, bu’ we won’ get killed goin’ out now.”
Ontgar chuckled. “Relax, Magnus.” He said softly, placing a hand on his friends’ shoulder. “We’ll be on time. What’s the worst that could happen, eh? We’re a day or two late. It’s not going to be the end of the world.”
Magnus shook his head, turning his back to Ontgar. “I can’t relax. Not in a mountain that could kill us at any poin’ it decides it don’ want us here anymore.”

[Magnus Ragnarsson]

An hour had passed, and Delrani finally awoke, her pink hair more akin to a shrub on her head rather than the sleek sheets it normally was styled in. She rubbed her eyes and took a moment to adjust, seeing the three mercenaries eating their breakfast. She looked startled at their readiness.
“And why exactly was I not awoken?”
Magnus snorted and looked to Ontgar, raising his eyebrow as if to tell him to explain, grinning somewhat cheekily. Ontgar frowned and then turned to the noble with a false smile.
“We...”
Magnus coughed.
“... I... figured it would be best if you got some extra sleep. You had a rough night.”
“I know that. But... Thank you. It was thoughtful – But we should get a move on whilst we can. Sigvald?”
“Aye?” Sigvald, the smallest of the three and a man with a bandana and an earring, responded quietly.
“How far until we get off this mountain?”
“I’d say we should get moving and find another shelter right away. There’s no predicting when the next storm comes." The man replied. Delrani nodded slightly, in agreement with him. "Now, gentlemen...” She grinned a little. “I’m going to have my breakfast. Would one of you care to scout out for another shelter? It should not be too long.”
Sigvald nodded, knowing this was his que as the mountaineer expert of the three. He sat up and walked to the cave mouth, looking outside, before stepping outside. Magnus raised his hand and placed it on Sigvald’s shoulder, nodding to his companion. “I’ll come with ye’, fella.” He said quietly, looking back. “We’ll be back in a bit. Don’ go anywhere.”
“We won’t.” Ontgar replied with a nod. With that, Sigvald and Magnus both headed out of the cave and onto the mountainside, where the sun was shining brightly, and the clear blue sky made the landscape look almost warm, if it wasn’t for the snow beneath their feet and their visible breath, that came out like a small stream of mist from their noses.

[Magnus Ragnarsson]

Magnus and Sigvald carefully traversed the mountainside, using small sticks for keeping their balance, as well as to test some of the "ice" for solidity. Or whether it was a bank of snow that waited like a trapdoor. They were quite high, and if they fell it would surely be their doom. They could see the forest at the bottom, and the snow was thick. Magnus was unwilling to test whether the snow would really be enough to cushion their fall, however. He cleared his throat and turned to his companion. “’s migh’y cold up ‘ere, don’ ye’ think fella?”
“Aye.” Sigvald replied, looking ahead. “It’s mountains. What d’ye’ expect?”
“It don’ look so cold. Prob’ly ‘cause the air up ‘ere’s so thin.” Magnus said with a shrug. Sigvald nodded.
“Aye. Yer’ righ’.”
They continued hiking for a few more minutes. The storm looked like it would brew again soon - Clouds had quickly built up again.
“Does it look like there’s any shelters ‘round ‘ere anywhere then?”
Sigvald placed his hand on his forehead as a shield against the sunlight, and looked out.
“No’ tha’ I can see. Let’s go a little further.”
Magnus nodded, and followed his companion further up the path. After about a half hour of trekking, Sigvald raised his hand to stop Magnus.
“Aye, I can see ‘un. Just over there.”
“Grea’. Let’s get back an’ inform the cap’n an’ her ‘ighness, aye?”
“Mhm.”
Magnus and Sigvald headed backwards to the cave. They had been longer than expected, and already it seemed to be afternoon... Had they really been out that long? What if Ontgar and Delrani had gone out looking for them?
Suddenly, a brisk wind brought Magnus back to the present. The storm was brewing again. He cursed the foolishness of the group for not going when he’d suggested, but he stayed quiet. “Let’s get a move on, fella. Storm’s comin’ back.”
Sigvald nodded and moved a little quicker, almost slipping on the ice but managing to catch himself. Magnus, too, almost slipped but maintained his balance. Finally, after a dangerous trek, they reached the cave. Sigvald was the first to see the cave mouth, and he raise his eyebrows in surprise.
“Cap’n... the ‘eck are ye’ doin’?!”

[Magnus Ragnarsson]

Magnus inched next to Sigvald, and raised his eyebrows also. “Th’ bloody heck are ye’ doin’, ye’ madman?!”
Ontgar sat down sharpening his lance. Opposite him was Delrani, tied up and gagged, with tears streaming down her face. She was very pale. Ontgar, on the other hand, looked relatively calm, though his hands were shaking as he sharpened the lance.
“Lads, we’ve a change of plan. Turns out the girl’s father’s quite rich. We could make quite a fine bit of gold ransoming her. I’ve already taken the money she owes us. We could get enough to buy our own castle at this rate.” He said with a small smirk. Magnus hesitated. The prospect of riches was appealing – After all, that’s one of the reasons he was here. On the other hand, what Ontgar was doing was utterly reprehensible in his view. He took a moment to collect his thoughts. Would he side with the snooty, snide and pampered noble girl, or his brother-in-arms and captain? He had sworn an oath of loyalty to his captain. But he had also sworn an oath to see the girl safe to Bern.
He turned to Sigvald. “Wha’ d’ye’ think, fella?”
Sigvald took a moment, standing still, before shaking his head. “I think ye’ve lost it, Cap’n.”
“If you aren’t with me... Then I’m afraid I can’t let you tell anyone.” Ontgar said, standing. Sigvald recoiled, surprised at the reaction. Ontgar thrust his spear forward before Magnus or Sigvald could question his actions and turn him from his course, and pierced it through Sigvald’s chest, causing the man to fall back and out of the cave mouth. He took his hand from his chest and it was covered with blood, and he looked to Magnus and to Ontgar before falling backwards off the edge of the mountain.
Ontgar turned to Magnus. “Are you with me or against me, Magnus?” He said, realising what he had done and that he was unable to now go back. Magnus stayed silent, looking to the girl and then behind him, drawing his blade.
Ontgar nodded solemnly. “I understand.” He said softly, before thrusting his spear forward. Magnus parried the blow, and moved further into the cave to engage Ontgar, who was bigger, stronger and better-armoured than him. Magnus remained on the defensive, parrying the lance aside or using his better agility to dodge Ontgar’s thrusts. They continued for a few more moments, making attacks and dodging before Magnus felt a pain in his shoulder, and looked as the Lance pierced his flesh, and blood streamed out.

Magnus got down to one knee as Ontgar loomed above him. He looked up and glared darkly at Ontgar, who shook his head in disappointment. “To think, Magnus... You could have been so rich. I’ll at least make sure you have a funeral – You died a warriors’ death.”
He put his lance on the ground and drew his blade, raising it above his head. Using the last of his strength, Magnus got to his feet and let out a sharp, powerful kick at Ontgar in his clumsy, heavy armour, using the weight of the warrior against him on the slippery surface. Ontgar’s eyes widened as he kept stumbling back, and he fell off the edge of the mountain like Sigvald had a few minutes before. Magnus stood in horror for a few moments before blacking out, overwhelmed by pain as well as grief for his comrades.

[Magnus Ragnarsson]

Delrani’s heart raced as Magnus and Ontgar fought each other. She had never anticipated this act of betrayal from the mercenaries, but on reflection felt that she should have seen it coming. All these men were quite a bit older than her, and could have easily overpowered her to do waht they wanted her to do. How could she have been so foolish?

When Magnus defeated Ontgar (albeit after quite the struggle) and collapsed, she realised quickly that she didn’t have much time – Magnus was bleeding out fast, and she needed to do something. She managed, with some struggle, to eventually get to her feet despite being tied up, and used the still-burning campfire to burn off her retraints, burning her arm in the process. She almost screamed in pain, but restrained from doing so, quickly taking the gag from her mouth and making her way over to their supplies – Which were now too big for the two of them to carry. She sighed heavily and another tear ran down her face as she quickly searched for a bandage – for something that would stop the bleeding. After what seemed to be the longest minute of her life, she found some bandages and fastened them quickly onto Magnus’ shoulder, knowing that it would not be enough and that he had to see a proper healer. She sat by his side and shook him to wake him up, weakly whispering his name amidst choked-back tears.

After a few moments, he stirred and grumbled, taking a moment to take his surroundings in. Delrani stood up and stepped back, suspicious of the mercenary and whether he would still decide to hold her to ransom like his captain had suggested. Magnus put a hand on his shoulder and noticed the bandage, looking to the girl with an almost confused look in his eyes, and then shaking his head and getting to his feet.
“We have... We have to get you to a healer.” Delrani said softly, keeping a hand on her dagger in case he grew hostile. Suddenly, it was as if she didn’t know him at all.
“Buh. don’ worry ‘bout me, lass. I’ll live.” He replied, looking out of the cave mouth. “We just need t’get out of here.”
“But...”
“... I told ye’ no’ t’worry, yer ‘ighness.” He said, more firmly. “Let’s just get our things ‘n go. I want t’get out of ‘ere as soon as possible. I just saw both my child’ood friends killed.” He said, biting his lip but little emotion escaping from him.
Delrani only nodded. “Alright, Ragnarsson. Let’s just take what we can, and leave. Perhaps even... go through the storm tonight. You know the route, yes?”
Magnus nodded, and used his good arm to sling a sack over his shoulder. Delrani followed suit and gathered some food and a weapon, which Magnus reached out to collect.
“But... you’re wounded.” Delrani said, raising her eyebrow and brushing some hair from her face.
“Mm. But you’re the boss ‘round ‘ere, and besides...”
“... Let me pull my... Pull my own weight, Ragnarsson.”
“If ye’ say so, yer ‘ighness...”
“Stop calling me that, aswell. Just call me Delrani.”
"Alrigh', yer 'ighn--- ... Delrani."

[Magnus Ragnarsson]

Magnus and Delrani both headed out of the cave and into the night. There was a light storm, but it was not enough to pose a serious danger to the noble and the last of her entourage. Magnus lead the way, slowly making his way across the mountainside with Delrani treading slowly, carefully and lightly behind him, trying her best to keep up despite having to carry her own bags. Magnus kept his hand in front of his face to keep the snow from his eyes and grunted, shivering, despite the fur lining in his armour covering most of the gaps made by the joints. His nose was red, and his goatee was almost white.

The wind began to pick up after an hour, and the snow began to buffet Magnus and Delrani, who were slowed significantly by the storm. They trudged on, eventually finding a rather large rock to take shelter behind. Magnus raised his hand.
“Yer ‘ighne--- Delrani!” He shouted above the harsh winds. “We can take shelter behin’ this rock ‘til the storm dies down!”
Delrani nodded. “Alright, you’re the guide!” She shouted back, and they sat down behind the rock. The storm was now blowing past them, and they were sheltered – But it was still extremely cold, and Delrani began to shiver.
“Ragnarsson!”
“Aye?!”
“Would you mind... sharing some of that fur?!”
“’course, yer ‘ighness!”
Magnus took off his fur glove, and Delrani put her hand on his arm. She said, quietly “I mean... could you hold me?”
Magnus raised his eyebrows.
“... Just to share body heat, of course.” She said, blushing a little. Magnus nodded, and placed his arm around her, and his other hand on her arm to keep her as warm as possible through the storm. She smiled very slightly, and then looked up to him. “This is... I hope you will remain professional about this, Ragnarsson.”
“Mm.” Magnus muttered back, looking rather tired and half-listening. Delrani shrugged and kept a light touch on him, warmed by the fur in his armour.

It was an hour before the fickle wind decided to change her mind enough to avert the storm, and Magnus was asleep, having decided to nap whilst he could. Delrani touched his cheek to wake him, and he woke with a start, almost knocking the young noblewoman off the mountainside. Delrani frowned at him.
“Sorry, lass.” Magnus said, almost in a whisper. “Jus’ decided t’take forty winks. Let’s keep goin’. We’re almost off, now.”

[Magnus Ragnarsson]

The sun had sunk behind the hills as Magnus and Delrani finally managed to find a small, winding path that led down the mountainside. All that was left was some hills, and then the rolling dunes of Sacae. Magnus let out a long breath as they made their way down the slippery dirt path, and as snow turned to rain. Delrani put up her hood to keep her hair dry, but Magnus just walked on, getting soaked in the process with his sack hauled over his good shoulder.

Delrani looked up to him through the rain. “How is your shoulder, Ragnarsson?”
“Painful. But I don’ really care.”
“You know, you don’t have to be so tough all the time.”
“I’m no’ ‘ere t’impress ye’, princess.” Magnus snorted. “I haven’ complained so far. I’ll tell ye’ when it’s about to fall off, aye?”
“I’d rather you said something before then.” Delrani replied with a slight giggle. She found it suddenly fun to wind him up, and looked away with a small grin. Magnus shook his head and continued on just infront of her, keeping his eyes out.
“Keep yer’ eyes out ‘ere, princess. There’s a great many wolves ‘n bandits here jus’ waitin’ on their next prey. Don’ want t’be dinner or slaves now, do we?”
Delrani nodded, and suddenly her heartbeat began to increase in pace.
“D-Dinner? Slaves?”
“Mm. Not great, is it?”
“N-no...”
“Not scared, are we?”
“Of course not... I am a noblewoman of Ilia, a warrior. I’m not scared.”
Magnus smirked and pulled a face, saying in a mocking tone to make a bad impression of Delrani “You don’ have t’be so tough all the time.”
Delrani frowned.
“In all seriousness, lass... ‘s natural t’feel fear. Ye’ think I went across tha’ mountain withou’ bein’ scared? Only a fool or maniac don’ feel fear, lass. Ye’ jus’ got t’overcome it. Tha’s part of bein’ a warrior.”
“Where did you learn all this?”
“Picked it up as I went along.”

[Magnus Ragnarsson]

The sunk sank behind the hills, and soon Magnus couldn’t see even his own hand on front of him clearly. He took out a torch and some tinder, lighting it, the flame flickering brightly in the darkness.
“Stick close, lass. We’re gonna stick ou’ like a sore thumb ‘ere, but I don’ want t’camp ou’ here either.”
Delrani nodded.
They proceeded along the road for over an hour. Nothing seemed to come out in the night, although it was cold. Delrani walked as close to the torch as she could, and Magnus held it out in front of him with his blade drawn just in case. Delrani, too, took out a short spear.
“Where’d ye’ learn t’figh’ anyway?” Magnus asked.
“Uh?” Delrani said with her eyebrow raised, almost caught off-guard. “Oh. Nobles don’t just sit around and eat grapes all day... We have to learn to fight, too.”
Magnus nodded, but then shrugged. “I mean’ no offense. I was just curious.”
“I know. I’m just... not used to people asking. And especially when... I get to Bern, I imagine my days of fighting will be over before they’ve even begun.”
“Why’s tha’?”
“The man I’m to be betrothed to, Darius, is a fearsome warrior. I doubt he would let me fight alongside him.”
“I could vouch fer ye’.”
“Don’t be silly, Magnus. I... He doesn’t associate with commoners.”
“Such as myself. I understan’.”
“You do?”
“Aye. Though, 'tween you an' me he sounds like he's more of a pleb than myself already, an’ I ain’ even met the guy.”
Delrani let out a slight chuckle and brushed her hand against Magnus’, pulling back straight away and hoping he wouldn’t notice. Luckily for her, his glove numbed any movement.

[Magnus Ragnarsson]

They had been walking for a long time. By now, Delrani’s legs felt like rocks, and Magnus was obviously struggling, his shoulder wound beginning to feel heavier by the hour. Finally, the weight was too much, and Magnus almost collapsed.
“Sorry, lass. I don’ know how much further I can go with this wound.” Magnus said, panting from exhaustion. Delrani looked at him with a slightly sad look in her eye, and shook her head, offering him her hand.
“Here... hold my spear. I’ll take this sack.”
“Don’ be daf---“
“Do I look like I’m joking? I said give me the sack, Magnus.”
Magnus hesitated briefly then gave her his luggage. Delrani in turn gave him her spear, which was far lighter. He cleared his throat and they continued onward as the sun rose; Magnus threw down his torch. He and Delrani were both very tired from walking throughout the night, but in front of them was the desert. They had made a lot of progress, especially as they had lost two men earlier, but suddenly the desert seemed all the more daunting.
“Now remember... not all the nomads are friendly.” Magnus said softly, gripping his blade and the spear. “An’ don’ disrespect th’ ones that give us hospitality, either.”
Delrani nodded. “I wouldn’t have, anyway.”
“Jus’ makin’ sure.”
“I know. You’re a lot more careful than I’d anticipated, Magnus.”
“I don’ like t’think of myself as an idiot. Now... t’the desert. Maybe we can find a nice tree t’nap under.”

[Moved to Sacae]