14728/Lets Ride

Lets Ride
Date of Scene:	20 April 2023
Location:	Palace - Asgard
Synopsis:	Thor, Sif, Kelda and Brunnhilde ride towards Amora's Tower to retrieve Dragonfang. What they encounter isn't what they expected.
Cast of Characters:	Brunnhilde, Thor, Sif, Kelda Stormrider

---

Brunnhilde has posed:
Spending time at Asgard can only go on for so long where Brunnhilde is concerned. So after a few days of milling about it seemed Hilde had convinced (or maybe even threatened) Heimdall to open up a portal back to Midgard. And she hadn't even said goodbyes. Or given reasons to leave. Maybe it had just been time for it, back to a life of drinking and debauchery perhaps?

The answer comes a couple of days later when Hilde returns, storming into the palace and to where Sif and Thor have been at. "I bear news." she announces, a touch of a self-satisfied smug to her expression.

"But first, off to the stables. I have arranged horses for us to depart at once. I will explain it on the way but for now..."

And there's a dramatic little pause before the next part.

"Lets ride."

Thor has posed:
    Flagon of mead in hand, Thor had been about to pour a bit more into Sif's goblet when the door had boomed open and a smug Valkyrie had appeared. His eyebrow had quirked and he seemed a touch taken aback at the sudden statement and then the following imperative. A small look was shared between the two, then Thor had straightened up to his rather tall and proper posture. He set the drink down and spread his hands.
    "Well then what more is there to say?" A glance is given sidelong toward Sif, then he turns and murmurs, "We ride."
    With that said they begin their descent down the steps of the palace, Brunnhilde's steps likely all the more animated. Once they are out into the open in the courtyard area, the morning sunlight brisk against their skin, Thor raises his eyebrows and murmurs, "You have given this much thought." For it was clear that indeed they had supplies and equipment packed upon the steeds that had been chosen. Another glance at Sif, then Thor lifts a hand to the side...
    Distantly there is a whirring /WHOM/ and a whisper of slicing blade through the air. Around the parapet of one of the Golden Palace's towers swirls the silvered axe Stormbreaker, that slices across the distance and into the Thunderer's hand, soon joined by the lower _whum_ of Mjolnir smacking into his other palm. He sets the hammer upon his hip, then the larger axe is slung to the side of his chosen mount.
    "So is it too early for you to tell us what is set before us on this task, or do you wish to hold those words close and share them at a more opportune time?"

Sif has posed:
The exit of Brunnhilde has been unexpected. Sif was used to them getting together for their sparring sessions. When her brother notified her of the rapid departure, Sif had merely accepted it and hoped her old friend well on her journeys, at least mentally. Not like she had telepathic abilities.

She fell into a routine for those couple of days, sparring with old friends or soldiers. All weakness was gone and she had recovered fully from her injuries. Illness? Whatever was the proper term. Perhaps curse.

The arrival and instruction was met with a lifting of brows. She simply nodded to the words from Brunnhilde, not questioning as she swigged down the last few drops of mead from her cup and put it aside.

Only she did take a slight detour since her weapons didn't just fly to her hands. But it wasn't long before she joined them in the courtyard, dressed for battle with her fur-trimmed cloak over her shoulders. There was the javelin which was placed in the sport for it attached the saddle. Her sword was at her side and the small shield was tucked into a saddlebag for now.

At that question, she peeked over the whithers of her horse toward Hilde then placed her left foot in the strirrup and mounted, settling in comfortably.

Brunnhilde has posed:
Hilde's own weapons were already stashed with the horse. Her long iron spear. A shield on the other side along with a short blade. Food. And of course a large jug which was most likely to the brim with mead. It was undeniably the best protected part of her travelling suppplies, all tied up neatly so as to not fall by chance. Yes, she meant business. But business could only go so far without proper nourishment.

"I think he keeps them purposefully far so he can show off like that all the time." Yes, Hilde is stage-whispering at Sif while they get up on the horses.

Maybe she's just jealous she can't do the same.

Wrapping a wolf-fur cloak around her shoulders Hilde then gestures for them to go. Off past the gates and towards the countryside surrounding the palace, "I went to speak with one of the Earth wizards. Strange." she announces. "And he was able to discern where Amora's tower is." she says, "At least where it will be for the next few days." it's known her Tower is never on the same spot for long. "But more importantly, he believes he knows where Jane Foster's soul is." she looks between them a moment, "And it may be in Helheim."

Thor has posed:
    Thor is the last to mount as fate would have it, his boot sliding into the stirrup as he pulls himself up into the saddle. One leg swung over and settled, he draws rein and take a deep breath, looking up toward the high towers of the palace. A glance is then given back to the others, his lips twisting into a half-smirk as he is given a touch of grief by his compatriots.
    "It is more convenient, aye. Though more I am still becoming used to... them." A nod is given.
    Then when Brunnhilde offers her insight his eyebrows lift in a slight hint of curiousity at the tale of Amora's tower. But then the mention of Jane... and his attention is fully upon her.
    "Indeed? Because of the tumult with Hela perchance. Then we should seek her there. If naught else but to let her have the rest she deserves." He lightly goads his horse forward with a slight cluck of his tongue, setting the horse into motion as they begin their trek with that first clip-clop of shod hooves.

Sif has posed:
"I have no doubt you are correct," Sif agrees with the stage whisper, smirking over in Thor's direction as she took the reins of her mount and gave a little squeeze of her legs to urge the beast into motion.

As they got away from the palace, she didn't press. Didn't push for more. She knew Hilde would let them know in her own time. But at mention of Amora's tower, that got a frown from Sif. It disappeared a moment later at mention of Jane Foster.

"Helheim? Then why are we seeking Amora still? We should just go and retrieve Jane Foster. And those who fight for that realm would be wise to step aside in our quest."

Brunnhilde has posed:
"Apparently her soul was pulled down, along with Malekith's, during the final moments of the battle." When Thor smashed the dark elf's brain in. "Due to her not having a real body. I did not understand that part fully, but then again who fully understands wizards? And yes, he mentioned about Hela not being the ruler in Hel anymore. Which is something he wants to fix. But for that he needs a way into Helheim, and that's where we come in." Hilde starts pushing the horses harder as they continue their trip, long blonde hair flowing in the wind.

"As we have ways into Helheim."

"He will join us when we go there." She then says, then eventually looking Sif's way. "We can't just go barging into Helheim without knowing more." Look at that, Hilde being cautious. Or maybe she just has a chip on her shoulder with Amora, "And that's what Strange is doing. We need to wait until he's ready or her soul may be in jeopardy."

Thor has posed:
    The trio set hoof to stone and ride toward the gates, their mounts moving at a walk as the three heroes speak. He sits up in the seat and frowns with a slight twist to his lips, not quite a scowl but something akin to one.
    "That may be wise, though my instinct is to simply go there and take matters into our own hands... yet I know that there are things that are best waited upon for wiser souls and more temperate dispositions." The blond man with the one eye frowns, shaking his head. "Though if she is bound in Malekith's presence, I fear that these times will weigh heavy upon her soul." His expression darkens marginally.
    "But why are we seeking Amora now?" Indeed she may have told him at one point, but Thor's expression seems a touch distant, the realization of what has befallen Jane likely harrying his thoughts.

Sif has posed:
"If Strange has said for us to await him, then this is for the best. He has the foresight from what I have been told. We follow his advice for the best possible result." Not that she had a lot of details but she had heard that much. Or maybe that had been a movie she'd watched. Something with a wizard. Right time. Something something.

She glanced to Thor, noting his expression but not really able to offer him comfort as they are a distance apart. Then back to Brunnhilde, she continues. "Amora may have information on the goings-on in Helheim?" Since that seemed the most likely. But Sif couldn't leave well enough alone. "Since she was likely sired from the spawn of Hel?"

Brunnhilde has posed:
The distant look on the Prince doesn't go unnoticed by Hilde but she makes no comment. Sometimes it's just better to leave those thoughts be. Or bury them in plenty of mead. Like she usually does. Though Sif's last words bring a smirk out of the Valkyrie, "Likely? I think it's a certainty by now." oh yes, there was no love lost there.

"But I will be blunt. She stole my sword." Hilde tells them, "And I want to take it back and punch her face." beat, "Repeatedly." clearly more than just a chip on her shoulder!

"And yes, we may be able to shake some info out of her too." She adds with a hmph, "Since she isn't a half-bad wizard when she wants to."

----

The ride continues for most of the day yet the more they ride the more the land feels void of life. It starts with just a feeling down to the bone about something not being entirely right yet the more they ride the more that oppressive feeling becomes evident. They begin nearing a village. The hearths are lit and there's smoke coming from chimneys but the same feeling hasn't left them.

"We can rest here. And proceed in the morning." Hilde suggests.

Thor has posed:
    As they ride, Thor does listen, holding a place at the fore of their small group. Though his mount's canter is light, likely taking its cues from Brunnhilde's while they continue now out onto the streets of the grand city. It's when Brunnhilde casually maligns and yet offers a hint of praise that the Asgardian Prince lends his voice in support on some level.
    "Amora is not horrible at all times, though I trust her not. We all have been shaped by the paths we've walked." Which is as close to support as he comes. Yet his brow furrows as they ride off into the countryside for the rest of the day.
    The Thunderer is not staggeringly talkative while they ride. Though when he's engaged with a question or query he smiles slightly or brightens a bit, answering with some of the warmth he's been known to have. Yet his thoughts do wander and silence seems to be his natural state. They reach that village and he acknowledges Brunnhilde's suggestion. "I'll start a campfire, best we not disturb the folk here with our arrival." For he knows that at times the presence of one of the Princes of the realm can cause a certain... strain upon a settlement.

Sif has posed:
"I like it not."

Sif was looking at the village, the smoke rising to disappear into the darkening shy as the sun was falling below the horizon. She looked around, as though expecing a Svartalf to just leap out of the bushes at any moment. Her mount picked up her anxiety and took a few prancing steps to the side, having to be brought to rein by the woman atop it.

"Is it just because I know we are closer to Amora or is the air here heavy?" she asked the pair though she did follow the suggestion and moved to dismount from her horse. It wasn't anything specific just something felt ...off.

Brunnhilde has posed:
"Mmm, I felt something too.." The Valkyrie says in agreement to Sif's question, "This is not normal." she reins in her horse as it prances and shakes it's head, eventually coming to a stop when Thor speaks of making a campfire on the outskirts of village.

"Most likely wiser." If it was up to her they would had just rode into town, but she still deferred to the Prince's call ultimately. So she jumps down from her horse, stretching and tapping at her thighs. "Urgh, it's been too long since I rode." all those muscles burning. But she goes to help getting the camp up and running.

It isn't hard to get the fire going and soon enough they have the beginnings of an actual camp. She settles down by the campfire, weapons close by, "So, where does your dislike of Amora comes from?" she asks Sif. She had noticed the expressions!

It's then that a broken twig betrays someone approaching camp, dressed in some makeshift leather armor and holding a blade. Coming from the direction of the village. "Who are you? Identify yourselves!" he barks. The last few touches of sun are finally disappearing in the horizon.

Thor has posed:
    "Clearly you're getting old," Thor says in response to Brunnhilde's complaints, though his smile is mostly hidden as he starts to see to his mount, looping the reins around a suitable branch off of one of the broken trees. He steps around the horse, sliding a hand along its side so it knows where he is as he unslings one of the packs and rests it on his shoulder.
    A bit of time after that and they have the fire going. He sets down a small gathering of twigs by the flame and then drops into a seat on one of the large logs around the camp itself. The question of Amora's dislike is for Sif, but Thor answers. "There was some friction between Sif and Amora in the past..."
    Which might be terribly reductive though true.
    But then the challenge is uttered by the man emerging from the direction of the village, holding his blade in hand. Thor rises and meets the man's gaze, his one good eye narrowing. "Travelers, from Asgard. What foul misfortunate has fallen upon your home that you greet us with drawn steel?"

Sif has posed:
Sif's nose wrinkled up a bit as she too had settled in by the fire. She was about to answer then Thor gave his insight. "Friction." A hint of a snort as she shook her head. "This is like saying that the ocean is a puddle."

But before she could elaborate on the evil that was Amora, there was that sound. Immediately her hand started to move toward her sword but she waited, resisting actually touching it. There was no telling if the man had more people in the woods with bows or the like. She said nothing and remained still. Though ready.

Kelda Stormrider has posed:
If one listens one knows when Heimdal calls on the great powers of the Bifrost. The flux of energies are unmistakable. And, it has been something that Kelda was attuned to feeling.

After counting who was absent in court, the queen of blizzards made her way quickly to the Stables, leaving footprints of frost behind her in her hurry. Brunnhild had been notably agitated of late so it comes of no surprise when she arrives to find that not only Brunnhild but Prince Thor and Lady Sif had ridden out.

In a thrice her servants bring clothing, a saddle, saddlebags full of victuals and food.


........

The sound of a cantering horse thunders through the cover of trees, Kelda makes no effort to hide herself as she rides for the camp. Lifting an arm she hails the group and slows to a trot. Steadying her horse the mage slows to a halt, "You are not as good at sneaking away as you think."

Brunnhilde has posed:
"Well, join the Club.." Brunnhilde is saying back to Sif, because she has some stories too. And a grudge the size of the world.

But then there's that interruption from the newcomer. As the man comes closer to the light of the campfire it's visible he's not in his best condition. Tired eyes, unkempt beard and a linen bandage wrapped around the side of his head. And for all his posture it's very clear for seasoned warriors like the trio at camp that this is not a warrior facing them. Maybe a farmer at most. Or a former one. There's a darkness to his gaze, perhaps at what he may have been living through.

"Travelers?" He squints, suspicious. And indeed Sif can notice there's a couple of archers nearby though they don't seem to know how to hide that well. "I am Gardar, protector of Ost. There is nothing here for you. Leave." but for all his bravado he recognizes these are armored warriors. He shifts his stance a bit, his hold on the blade a touch more nervous. Specially when Kelda comes riding in!

"Are you a war party from the hag? I won't let you take any more of them!"

Kelda Stormrider has posed:
The word hag floats on the air like a bad wind. A swirl of snowflakes powders the camp, hissing into the campfire as Kelda dismounts with a flourish of her fur cape. Firelight glints off of her breastplate and the fine belt holding a heavy sword for she has left her courtly gowns behind.

"Prince Thor, Lady Sif, Lady Brunnhilde," she dips her head at each name, walking to join them at the fire. "Do you follow who I think?"

Thor has posed:
    The man's state brings Thor's attention fully to him, though he espies Kelda's arrival. He lifts a hand in greeting to her, and the recitation of their names might well give the haggard Gardar some insight into who is before them. If not that then the words the Thunderer speaks will likely shed some light.
    "Aye travelers, we come not from some hag but from the Golden City. No matter what land we walk, nor under what star we travel, wherever we stand _is_ Asgard." A short glance is given to the others, then he adds. "So there is something for us here."
    He starts to advance on the man, his hands empty and holds them out and up. "We mean you no ill. You speak of a hag. We seek Amora the Enchantress. Do you..."
    He clears his throat slightly, then quirks the eyebrow behind his eyepatch. "You speak of her, yes?"

Sif has posed:
"Hag."

They are being threatened by a man. They have archers in the woods ready to turn them into kabobs. Yet, Sif couldn't stop herself from smirking. "We must be in the right area for Amora." But she kept her voice low so that only her companions should be able to hear her.

She didn't try to rise, didn't make any threatening moves. Just waited there comfortably as she let the Prince do the talking. For now. Until he said something stupid. Though maybe he would surprise her and not!

Kelda Stormrider has posed:
It neither shocks or angers the Ice Mage. Long years of distrust has thickened her skin to the mistrust of others. Unearned, because she remains loyal to Asgard, using magic for its benefit and little for her own cause. She stands stock still at the edge of the encampment, her hood shadowing her face.

"Ignorance is a force of its own," she says, her voice ringing deeply like ice cracking in a winter bound lake.

Brunnhilde has posed:
Brunnhilde doesn't seem to be too worried about these so called protectors, even going as far as leaning forward to stoke the flames some more on the fire. It also means she is closer to Sif so she can whisper in a lower tone. "I got the left archer." it barely a murmur.

If things came to violence that is. Hilde doesn't suffer fools after all.

Though Gardar for all his foolish bravado doesn't threaten them further, eyes telling of his surprise when Kelda announces the name of these people. Or at least the supposed names! There is little mistaking the warrior menace present in the trio by the fire, or the powerful aura from Kelda.

"Prince Thor...?" The man visibly blinks and the weapon lowers, "I thought he'd be..." taller? With two eyes? Longer hair? But he wisely doesn't finish that sentence, "I ..., yes. It's been weeks of terror. Ever since that blasted tower came to be. They come and .., they take us. There aren't many of us left.." the man's shoulders sag. "We have tried send people to ask for help but ...."

There has been no news of any problem over at this area back at the palace so whatever their destiny was doesn't seem they ever left.

"Yes, that was her name."

Thor has posed:
    "This troubles me deeply." Thor says and rests a hand on the man's shoulder, just leaving it there as if to steady him before that which he tells them. He gives a single nod, then looks back at the others, his brow quirking silently as if to share with them this moment of revelation. So Amora preys upon these people. Or has had a hand in their ill fortune.
    His brow knits then he looks back to the man, "You do well by your people, take us to this tower and we will seek what foul magicks she has put into play." The axe upon his back is unslung as he pulls himself up onto the steed, putting his boots in the stirrups and resting Stormbreaker across his lap.
    "Or show us the way if you cannot come with us, yet one way or another we will find resolution and justice for your people."

Sif has posed:
Sif didn't nod at the words from Brunnhilde but her fellow warrior knew she was prepared should it come to that. But things seemed to be settling. She frowned a bit hearing that people were being taken by the Hag. Which was going to be her new pet term for Amora from this point forward. Especially to her face.

Sif may not have the greatest life-preserving strategy in mind there.

As Thor suddenly was ready to go, she gave a looke to Hilde, a look to Kelda, a look to the fire. A faint sigh and she rose--albeit slowly--to her feet. No threat here itchy archer fingers!

Then she moved toward her own steed, grabbing her pack in the process that she hadn't even had time to get her bedroll out of. "Do you what she is doing with your people?" she asked curiously.

Kelda Stormrider has posed:
The man's confusion at Thor's appearance is cause for a smile tightening Kelda's lips. The scars that mark the Prince bring him closer to the mortal realm and give him more character in her mind. She lowers her hood, her blonde hair reflecting the firelight, fire on ice, and advances slowly back toward the center of the camp.

"Restless as her ego, isolated from its surroundings, a predator that swoops in to satiate itself without regard to the land or people." She meets Thor's gaze and nods, her pale eyes sweeping Brunnhilde and Sif.
"It is why we have come, searching the source of the malaise lying on this land."

Brunnhilde has posed:
The hand resting on his shoulder makes Gardar shudder. For an experienced warrior it's visible the man is in great strains mentally, on the verge of exhaustion and taken by events that greatly go beyond his comprehension, and capacity. Eyes widen as he takes in the gigantic Thor in the light, "The Storm Prince has come to save us.." he murmurs, some hope renewed at the words.

"It is hours from here. I cannot take you or we will have no one protecting the village but ...."

A piercing cry sharp through the air announces something is wrong. Gardar looks over his shoulder. "Oh no ..."

The two archers that were nearby also look towards the village as well as Asgardian cries of pain mingle with clearly unnatural hisses that echo through the forest.

They have come..." Gardar says.

Brunnhilde, for her part, gets her spear. "Time to show the hag this won't stand anymore." her eyes burning with an intensity that goes beyond dislike, the hatred there.

Thor has posed:
    "Well. Then. It seems the battle comes to us."
    Thor says simply, even as he looks to the archers, as they quail against the cries from the village. A hand pats upon the neck of his mount as he says quietly, "Thank you, girl. Another time we shall ride." And as those last words leave his lips there's a sizzle of lightning that dances over his eye, igniting the metal studs in the strapless eyepatch.
    "Come then, warriors true. Come then men of the Ost. Come then battle and blood and death." His lips curve upward as he swings his leg off the saddle and sets down with a heavy thud. A soft pat to his mount's flank sending her off and out of the way. "We have much to show those who would prey upon the Aesir. That there are still warriors valiant that trod these paths."
    There's a steady whum-whum-whum-whir as Stormbreaker slices through the air, slashing lightning sizzling across the ground, then gathering to lift outwards, upwards, and then suddenly bring Thor into the air, thrusting him up toward the clouds even as the skies darken and those few clouds that can be seen seem to trail after him like stallions riding upon the wake of a storm.

Sif has posed:
The sounds have Sif tensing, her change in mood and posture causing her steed to dance a bit in place, picking up on that anxiety. Then Thor is dismounting which has Sif looking confused for a moment. Until he takes to the sky.

"He still cheats." A glance to the other ladies. "I'll bet a bottle of Asgardian mead that I get there before you both."

Then her knees tightened and her heels nudge her steed's sides, sending the beast charging in the direction of the sounds from the nearby village. She draws her sword and hooks her shield onto her left arm. Her knees will guide her mount if needed once the battle is met.

Kelda Stormrider has posed:
The cape sweeps around Stormrider as she rises in Thor's wake. Ice crystals glitter, catching vagrant light as she races after him, borne on a cold wind. A white spear appears in her hand, its length crackling with magic.

"Beware, there is the stench of her foul magic in the air,"she calls to Sif and Brunnhilde. Pale brows knit in puzzlement - the quality of Amora's spells is somehow different, but her comrades know the evil they will face from the Hag.

Brunnhilde has posed:
To Battle!

Hilde laughs at the challenge from Sif, gigantic spear placed against her shoulder, the shield in the other "You are on."

Riding though? Hilde will RUN instead. Maybe that's why she will lose the race but nothing like a good challenge and Hilde does just that, starting to run towards battle along with the rest of them that go by either horse or flight or run. The three men of Ost can't hope to catch up of course but their cries of battle, bolstered by Thor's words are still heard behind them as they come closer to the village.

A rather quaint village if only it wasn't for the creatures assailing the place. Gigantic snake like creatures with at least the size of three men, wings fashioned as if from a bat and grotesque smaller arms. Chimera-like joinings of various creatures. They hiss and hassle the villagers and two seem in the process of ripping apart the roof of one of the houses. Cries are heard from within.

Outside a straggler is visible running across the fields as one of the large serpents looks his way and spits some kind of green ichor. The man is hit, gasps, slowing until falling down..

A fire starts somewhere.

Thor has posed:
    For one of those creatures tearing apart the roof of the village house, their existence is one of rage and mayhem and carnage. It is in the middle of rending asunder the roof, hearing the pitiful cries within. It answers those cries with a cackle, looking sideways to its hideous comrade as they both nod emphatically toward each other. Such a joyful treat they are about to have as they unpackage this present for the meat and blood within.
    It's as they're nodding that one suddenly hears the whirling thubba-thubba-thubba sound of something slicing through the air. And suddenly the world seems to drop away as that one creature feels as if the ground had fallen free. It was flying in the air as well, twisting in a circle, end over end as its last thoughts are locked on a glimmer of silver that slices past it.
    Meanwhile its comrade looks on as it sees the magic axe slice its partners head clean off, causing it to fall backwards.
    Thor lands heavily in the fields, whipping Mjolnir forward in an underhanded throw that sends it straight SMACK into the side of the jaw of that serpent's face as if admonishing it for daring to raise fang and tooth to those of Asgard. And even as that hammer strikes, Stormbreaker whirls back into his hand with a loud /WHOM!/ as lightning CRASHES down from the sky.

Sif has posed:
As she reaches the village, Sif quickly scans to get an idea of what is happening. The creatures bring a frown to her face and she glances to her steed. A moment later, she lands on the ground. Her sword was sheathed and she drew her javelin from the saddle. A thump on the rear of the horse, sending it back the way they came. Against serpent like creatures, horses were a bad choice. A small snake could send one rearing up unexpectedly. These? She was sure she'd have been thrown pretty quickly. And thus she was not really ahead of Brunnhilde now as the woman had time to catch up. And Kelda, no doubt, would make it before her since Cheating with the whole flying thing! Thus, mead was owed. Later.

"Foul beasts, go back to your Mistress and leave these good people alone!" she yelled toward the creatures. She spun the javeline, wanting that extra reach, then charged for the nearest creature while keeping her shield ready should it spit it's venom.

Kelda Stormrider has posed:
Some beings thrive on inflicting pain. On hearing the villagers' screams, Kelda imagines the Hag's teeth red and dripping with the blood of her victims and the pleasure she takes in their suffering.

Lightning plays along the spear in her hand. Its long leaf-shaped head glows with power as she hefts the shaft parallel with her ear, taking swift, measured aim at the nearest winged snake. It strikes with the force of lightning.

Another forms in her hands as she twists in a vortex of frigid air and races to interpose herself between a mother fleeing in clumsy panic with a child in her arms and another of Amora's foul creations.

Brunnhilde has posed:
The creatures seem to exist to foment terror, their appearance jarring, serpentine yellow eyes with an hidden intelligence underneath. They cry out in challenge as these new warriors come to take them from their prey.

As Kelda intercepts to save the fleeing mother the creature turns it's eyes on her, weaving as if trying to go past the sorceress yet as she doesn't seem to relent it strikes, fangs bared, fast as lightning as it tries to take a good chunk out of Kelda!

Sif's own opponent is the one Thor had shaken with the hammer toss, the creature having come to be on the ground with it's small legs and arms, shaking it's head until it spots Sif. The shield is a good idea because the next moment there's a sizzling sound on it as the creature spits venom her way.

With Thor cleaving through one of the serpents up there the other is turning to follow after Thor but a long iron spear juts out one eye after a long throw from Hilde, the woman coming out of the forest with a war cry and throwing her spear mightily! Of course that it leaves her unarmed now. But she still has her shield.

Gardar and his friends start coming out of the forest as well a bit later and he points, "Arnheid..!" over yonder one of the serpents is taking flight, a struggling woman in it's arms as the creature starts flying off.

Thor has posed:
    The cry of the taken Arnheid is enough to take Thor's attention as well. He sets Stormbreaker spinning and uses that power to lift him off the ground in a rush of movement as a shockwave of power explodes around him when he rises upwards. There's a blur across the sky as he hurtles in the direction of the serpent as it carries its prey away only to have the Thunderer fast on its tail.
    Mjolnir catches up, hurtling through the sky toward Thor from behind, and the Asgardian prince spins in the air, catching it as he twists like a gyre and then snaps an arm outward sending the silver axe swirling across the distance toward the monstrosity with its prisoner, the weapon seeking to embed into its back, arresting its flight by damaging the wings even as Mjolnir then takes control of Thor's flight...
    And brings him unerringly to crash toward that monster.

Sif has posed:
Hearing the cry as the woman is being taken away, Sif finds herself not really able to pursue. She doesn't have one of the winged horses here at the moment, thus flight is beyond her. Hopefully Thor and Kelda will have things well in hand.

The shield was brought up, sending the spray splattering off it and around Sif without touching the woman. But she could hear a faint sizzling sound coming from the shield and she turned it to glance at the corrosive liquid starting to eat away at it.

That had her frowning. Time to end this quickly before it got another chance. She closed the distance to it, leaping into the air as she flung her shield at it's face, to keep it from getting off another clear shot of venom. Even as she did so, she used that momentum to draw her sword. Which was sent flying off in the direction of Brunnhilde. She was not leaving her fellow warrior sans weapons in this mess.

And she brought her lance up in a two handed swing as she got to the top of the arc, doing her best to split the beast open from neck to belly.

Kelda Stormrider has posed:
A flutter of pale blue fabric floats languidly in the air, part of the silk lining the Stormrider's fur mantle, a witness to the creature's strength and quickness. Swifter than the eye, Kelda dodges the strike in a tunnel of ice crystals sharp as razors. A new spear glitters in her hand as she lands in the snake's path. Teeth bared, she screams challenge at the attacker and throws the javelin at its open maw.

Mother and child stumble away. Fists clenched, Kelda opens them to blast the creature with icy magic. It freezes in place, a look of surprise in its yellow eyes as it turns to ice.

Brunnhilde has posed:
The axe through it's back has the creature wailing in pain, it's flight faltering briefly but it doesn't fall even if it's struggling to continue with the same pace as before. And almost as if by instinct it twists around as the Thunder Prince comes claiming his due. What follows next is a brutal exchange of blows, the creature attempting to snap at Thor even with the struggling Arnheid hanging precariously. The creature knows it's losing though and attempts one last desperate bite at Thor, letting go of the captured woman. Arnheid's scream is heard as she starts falling...

Sif's lunge is met by the creature's challenge. But as it tries to bite at Sif all it gets is a shield to the face. It's left stunned momentarily. Just enough that when the next swing comes it has no chance of moving out of the way. And it splits open in a shower of blood..

Hilde is no SteveRogers so she can't toss that shield offensively, relegated to a defensive posture as the creature she's facing lunges at it repeatedly. Hilde is looking for an opening and it comes when it overreaches... Right when that blade comes flying her way. She catches it in the air with a grin and brings it slicing down on the creature's neck with the momentum, cutting it right off. A nod is given Sif's way.

The creature Kelda impales with it's javelin is still coming but the ice shards that cover it next stop it in it's tracks, frozen for eternity.

The rest of the creatures, sensing defeat cry out and start to fly away, scattering even if most of them are going north. Supposedly the direction the Tower is at.

Thor has posed:
    In the air with the creature growling and snappnig now as it plummets downward ever downward, crashing toward the ground with the Thunderer now struggling with it. Three punches are slammed into the creature's maw even as it snaps at him while cradling its prize of the poor Arnheid in its grasp.
    They twist in mid-air, the serpentine neck of the creature trying to wrap around Thor's neck, only for him to get a great bicep around its throat and hold it tight under his arm. They twist as the ground hurtles up faster its wings still flailing...
    Only for Thor to reach past as its wing smacks him in the face, for him to grasp the bony ridge of one of the wings and abruptly tear it asunder, the aerodynamics abruptly ruined and changed form a falling air foil to that of a stone going straight to the ground. He manages to grasp Arnheid as the creature roars...
    And in the next instant the woman and the prince are carried away as the monster falls the last thirty feet to /SLAM/ into the ground, deprived of its captive and its life.

Sif has posed:
Battle is rarely pretty. Even less so when one opens up a beast in such a manner. She didn't manage to avoid all but Sif spun away after the strike, as soon as her feet touched the ground again. And put some distance so that she ended up with just a bit of ew on her boots instead of all over.

As the beast fell, writhing, she quickly spun to the other end of the lance, slicing off the head to put it out of it's misery. Even monsters such as these should not be made to suffer needlessly.

The sound of the other snakes making their escape has her turning to track them. "I think we found out which way to the tower," she said to no one in particular.

Kelda Stormrider has posed:
The ground shakes with the impact of the creature Thor wrestled out of the air and quiet reigns over the devastated village. The battle seems over easy to the Ice Mage, she watches their attackers retreat with a frown creasing her white brow.

Around them the village is a smoking ruin of broken roofs and spoiled gardens. Among the rows of early spring crops lie the dead. Nearby a man, burned by venom, lays between newly leafed vegetables, slain defending his family.

"She wants us to follow them," she declares. "Shall we give her the pleasure of our company?"

Brunnhilde has posed:
Poor Gardar. Can't really compete with the way Arnheid looks at her savior when Thor wrests her from certain death and kills that serpent, bit of a flush to her cheeks as they fly off, back to the village.

Hilde is breathing hard now, blood burning through her veins at the exertion. It's perhaps a good thing she spent the last month or more training with some of the best warriors in Asgard for some of her fitness to have returned. Blade is returned back to Sif, "You owe us that mead.." followed by a, "Thank you." Typical Hilde, putting the mead in front of the rest!

The killed Asgardian in the fields is a sign that not everyone can be saved, it's expression locked in a painful ending.

And as Kelda finishes saying those words one could almost swear there's a faint laughter in the air. Amora awaits.