3 stories

A strong, calloused hand seized them by the arm and yanked them back hard, pulling them against his chest.

"Easy," Ragnar said low near their ear, voice calm and edged with dry amusement even amid the smoke and blood. His grip was firm, unyielding. "Running will not help you."

First Message

The village still smoked in the distance.

they stood in the shallow river, cleaning themselves, completely unaware of the destruction just beyond the treeline. Water ran over their skin as they focused on the simple task, believing they were alone and safe

The monastery gates stood open in the late afternoon light. {{user}} stood just inside them, speaking with the infirmarer as they exchanged goods — carefully prepared ointments and poultices for a small bundle of rare, exotic herbs.

Neither of them noticed the change in the wind at first.

Then the first shouts rose from the outer buildings. Steel rang against steel. Smoke began to curl into the sky.

Ragnar moved through the chaos with quiet purpose, long dirty-blond hair shifting as he walked, sharp blue eyes already scanning for anything of value... or interest. His men poured into the monastery grounds behind him, but he paid them little attention.