The Northmen

Ray groaned into consciousness, a painful thumping in his head was the first feeling that came to him. Before his vision returned his hearing did, the first sounds that registered were that of waves lapping and the sound of men rowing. When his vision returned he almost had a panic attack all around him were Northmen rowing, he was in the middle of one of their longboats.

He sat up breathing heavily, this attracted the attention of some of the men but they quickly went back to rowing seemingly disinterested. Ray looked down at himself and the only part of him they had tied up were his wings, he couldn't understand it. Looking up he saw the sky was slightly over cast with the sun poking through in some places.

"Finally awake huh?" His head shot towards the bow of the ship where the accented voice came from and standing there was a Northman that seemed shorter than the others, he had curly blonde hair with two braids on his left side and a beard that was short compared to the other men.

"Did- did you just?"

"Yes I can speak your language bird." Ray was taken back by this.

"How?"

"Long story," he waved it off," Now what you really want to know is what's going on am I right?" The man grinned heartily when Ray nodded yes.

"Good, now move over," Ray scooted over and the man sat next to him,"For starters what's you name little bird?"

"Ray and yours?"

"Herger is mine now do you remember the battle in the village?"

"All the way until the tall red haired man knocked me out."

Herger laughed softly,"Sorry about that, he didn't want to go through the trouble of dragging you here against your will," he took a moment to crack his neck and continued,"When Shemuel, our leader offered you his hand he was giving you a choice, join us or die honorably, and you chose join us."

"But I didn't know that!" Ray yelled distressed, a couple of men looked his way but ultimately paid him no mind.

"Hey keep it down." Hedged said in annoyance,"Anyway thats why he knocked you out, you see he's smarter than he looks and he figured you might not understand what was going on if we were to drag you out here."

Sighing heavily Ray looked down at the wooden deck,"I... I understand."

"Good, now he also knew I could speak your language so he put you in the boat with me so I could explain this all."

"Okay but why did you attack us in the first place?" Ray asked looking up at Herger.

"Why did you attack us?" When Ray looked at him in confusion Herger began to explain,"The other village we destroyed wasn't for no reason in fact it was for good reason."

"What was that reason then?" Ray asked growing more confused by the moment.

Herger sighed and looked over the rail of the boat,"We didn't come here to raid, we came here to explore and trade with your people but when we docked in their village the first thing they did was attack us." Ray gulped as he started piecing it together himself,"They caught us off guard and many of our brothers died in the battle, so we vowed to avenge them by any means necessary."

Ray now understood why they had attacked,"Okay but what about my other men did you take them prisoner?"

Herger's demeanor grew serious,"I am very sorry to tell you that most of your soldiers dishonered you."

"What do you mean?"

"When they saw us they started running, they were cowards unlike you," Herger sighed,"There were a few others that stayed and fought, they died honorably and we burned them on pyres with their weapons." He nodded at Ray.

Ray saw this meant a lot to these people, what they'd done for his brave men was a show of respect,"You were the only one we could capture,"Herger continued," You also showed your bravery and prowess as a warrior,Shemual saw that so he took you in, it is a great show of honor to offer someone to join." Standing up Herger stretched his back,"Now you still have a choice, join us and map out the coast while raiding villages along the way, or don't and die, don't worry we'll bury you with honor but you'll still be dead." Herger laughed and looked down at Ray,"What'll it be?"

Ray ran it all over in his head. He could join them and see what happens or die,"Join you, fairly easy choice honestly." He gave a slight smile and stood up,"Of course you'll need to teach me your language

Herger smiled back,"Good choice now before I teach you anything Shemuel wanted to meet you once you woke up." Ray nodded," follow me he's on the other side of the ship." Ray couldn't help but get the feeling this was going to be an adventure he'd never forget.