Author's Note

Big shout out to Centurion Pike-Wall for his character Gaius and help with this chapter. Sorry, it took a cool minute or two, but when you work 50 hours a week it's hard to get writing done.

Also still looking for a few characters to add to the story if anyone is interested see here: https://www.fimfiction.net/group/214627/casting-call-foe-blood-and-honor/thread/419545/casting-call-for-fanfic-foe-blood-and-honor

P. S. Bit of a gore warning here.

Old enemies, new friends, and a monster?

Cold.

That was what Ivor knew.

Cold air, cold water, and cold seasons.

So feeling the spray of the water hit his face he didn't flinch he kept his eyes forward as the fleet entered the cove. Ivor looked into the cove his eyes caught movement on a large rock that jutted out from the land its peak easily ten feet above the water surface. Atop it, he spotted a winged warrior standing there, he was clad in regal-looking armor that looked to heavily detailed and five medallions on the chest, his face covered by a mask and helmet but any could tell he was watching as the ships slowly coming in. Ivor held up his hand signaling all the ships to come to a stop.

"Hail warrior!" Ivor called out looking up at knight.

"Keep your words and turn back caribou, go home!" The warrior called back. "Your people have already done enough to this land just go home and never come back!"

"We have no home, " Ivor yelled. "If we turn back now we'll only find snow and death."

"A fitting fate for such beasts as yourselves, but I'll offer an alternative." The warrior said before giving a quick motion with his hand. Seconds later an arrow from out of nowhere embedded itself into the headpiece of the ship next to where Ivor stood. "Move one inch closer to the shore and you won't find snow but you'll find death." Ivor looked at him for a moment then his people on the boats then back.

"Then can I persuade you to let our women and children ashore?" Ivor asked. The warrior was silent for a moment which began to worry Ivor. "As payment, we'll send every bit of gold we have." The warrior suddenly let out a laugh.

"You know as a griffin that seems appealing to me, " The warrior laughed. "But, after what I've seen your people do the things you do, your gold is worth less than crap to me." With another quick motion of his hand arrows began to fill the sky.

"SHIELDS UP!" Ivor yelled and all ships covered their heads as arrows began to pelt the ship and shields. "ROW!" He yelled as the ships began to move quickly. The arrows kept hitting them till the ship Ivor was on shook and groaned as it hit the shore. "TO BATTLE!" Ivor yelled once again jumping off the ship keeping his shield high as arrows continue to rain down. Many of the Warborn rushed onto the beach several being hit by arrows, but a small group had made it to the tree line where the arrows were being fired from and were able to it a more manageable fight. Ivor drew his sword and broke the arrows that had stuck into his shield with a clean slash before stepping out and being joined by a Raider, a Valkyrie, and Applejack who wielded a sword and shield. "TAKE THEM!" He yelled charging forward as a group of knights ran from the tree line but Ivor had his sights set on the leader.

The clash on the beach was vicious the knights attempting to push the Warborn back but the caribou wouldn't budge and neither would the knights. Many were dying but either side kept pushing. In the midst of battle, the warrior who called Ivor out walked toward the middle of it where Ivor was currently battling a Warden and a Peacekeeper. He saw the movements of the young chief he was experienced for sure but still fought to end the battle as quickly as possible, Ivor hit the Peacekeeper off her feet and grabbed the Warden by his head and delivering a loud headbutt making the knight fall as Ivor just shook it off ready to face the next opponent who stepped forward. That opponent was the warrior whom he spoke with.

"Do you have a name?" Ivor asked as he and the warrior circled each other.

"Gaius, I'll make sure to carve it into your chest," Gaius answered as he drew his blade.

"Come and try it." Ivor taunted.

In a flash, the two clashed swords sending sparks. Ivor had size and strength while Gaius had mobility and technique both seemed at a stalemate. Sword met shield as blade scraped armor and fist made contact with body. Ivor saw he'd have to end this quickly while he could and so with a mighty bellow he charged. Gaius was quickly knocked on his back with Ivor on top of him his shield pressed into the griffon's throat.

"Yield damn you!" Ivor yelled as Gaius struggled under the caribou's weight before rolling over and reaching for a dagger on his belt, raising it up to drive it into Ivor but was quickly stopped by a pair of hands gripping his wrist. Turning his head in confusion he saw a pink mare holding him back with all her might.

"What are you doing?" Gaius spat sounding a bit slurred.

"Please don't…" She said holding back a sob. "He saved me, he's a good person I promise."

"Yeah, the only good caribou is a dead one," Gaius said going back to drive the knife in but was suddenly thrown off by Ivor and the two were back on their feet in seconds.

"Your death isn't on my list right now, " Ivor started pointing his sword at Gaius. "But stand between me and ripping Dainn's head off and it will be." Gaius tilted his head, curious, he moved and grabbed his sword from where it fell. With a quick motion of his hand, his knights stopped any fight and Ivor did the same with his Vikings.

"If you are telling the truth, how can I believe you?" Gaius asked his sword held at his side but still ready.

"That pink mare and the blonde one there, " Ivor gestures to Pinkie and Applejack. "They are elements of harmony are they not? Now, why would a Stonehoof let two of those elements, symbols of hope, run around out of chains?" Ivor asked stabbing his sword into the ground leaning on it. Gaius stood silent before sheathing his dagger but kept his sword out stepping up to Ivor the tip against his throat.

"He's either mad or has one hell of a plan," Gaius answered.

"Well I'm both the key difference is I'm Warborn, not Stonehoof." Ivor smiled as Gaius lowered his sword slowly. "Now if I may? Greetings I am Ivor leader of the Warborn clan and you are." Ivor said extending his hand to shake.

"Gaius Gabinus leader of the Iron Talon." He answered shaking his hand quickly. "And as I recall you said if I didn't kill you you'd pay a hefty bit." Ivor nodded and sent a few soldiers onto one of the boats who quickly returned with a small chest. Ivor opened the chest revealing it fill with gold bars. "That it?" Gaius asked his voice gargled for a moment.

"We have at least ten more and as a bonus, if you join us on our campaign you may have every ounce of gold we find." Ivor offered.

"Won't your people need it?" Applejack spoke up having been quiet through the conversation.

"Gold is nearly useless as armor and weapons we use it for jewelry what we value is trade and bartering," Ivor explained. "So do we have an accord, great leader?" He asked the griffin who looked at him than the gold then back.

"Males and females sleep separately," Gaius informed him putting his sword away.

"We can abide by that," Ivor said sheathing his own blade. "But I suggest we find camp soon and I spy a perfect spot just up the hill." Ivor gestures making everyone look up the large hill to see a fortress surrounded by a small forest.

Gaius looked at him like he was stupid. "Oh yeah, great idea cock for brains, let's just storm a fort and get ourselves killed," Gaius yelled coughing a bit. "That place is called Gravethwaite It's run by some caribou raider named Ragnar."

"Ragnar huh?" Ivor said looking at the fort. "I know him and last I checked he was a coward and scared of a real fight." He picked up his sword and shield beginning to walk towards the fort a few Warborn following and even Applejack but she was quickly stopped by Ivor putting an arm out.

"Hey!" Applejack yelled. "Ah aim ta fight and you can't stop me!" She got in Ivor's face with the last syllable which was hard considering he was a foot or so taller than the farm mare. Ivor kept a stoic face for a second before bellowing out a laugh and motioned a warrior to come over.

"You're not meant for a sword, " Ivor told her taking two axes from the warrior. "You don't have the upper body for it, but you've got the legs to move quick so let the weight of these do the work," Ivor explained handing her the weapons which she took looking a little surprised. "What? Thought I'd deny you a chance at retribution?" He smiled turning to continue his march on the fort.

"HEY!" Gaius yelled catching up with Ivor. "You better not even think of making us stay here while you take on a whole fort asshole!"

"Figured you wouldn't listen to order from me so I didn't bother," Ivor told him. "But if you were curious on how to take on this fort it has two ways in and two ways out, I and my people will take the main entrance if yours will advance on the other."

Gaius looked at him then nodded. "Make ready, we take the fort!" Gaius called to his troops who began to make ready for battle. "And for the record, I wouldn't take orders from you." Gaius spat.

Gravethwaite

To Equestrians, before the fall it was just a clearing on a hill.

Now, it was a place of pain and agony.

In the great hall, dozens of Vikings and knights ate and drank as scared mares and cows shuffled around in chains each wearing collars most black and a few reds. At a throne sat a large caribou laughing and downing a drink as a blue mare stood near him holding a tray her eyes looking hollow of any feeling.

Meanwhile, at the main gate of the fort, several Vikings and knights kept guard making small talk. "Winter will be rough this year." A raider told a warden who agreed not really listening. Their conversation suddenly stopped when they heard a twig snap. Both of them turned towards the sound only to be greeted by a couple of hatchets to the face of each of them.

"Nice throw." A Valkyrie said as she, Applejack, and Ivor stepped out of the surrounding forest. Ivor nodded as he retrieved his hatchet as did Applejack.

"This place… it's a storage fort." Ivor said before giving an almost manic chuckle before charging the tall wooden gate knocking it open. On the other side, he came face to face with 30 or more soldiers all a little shocked to see the Warlord sword and shield ready. "So who dies first?" He asked before the soldiers charged at him. As he fought killing soldier after soldier he was joined by the rest of the warborn began to flood in quick to overrun the occupying warriors.

"Fall back!" A soldier yelled as what was left of them began to run towards another gate but we're cut off by Gaius and a few knights blocking their path.

"Now this is a choice die by Warborn or die by Iron Talon?" Gaius said giving his sword a spin in his hand. The group of soldiers looked between the two options before one screamed. "VALHALLA!" He charged at Gaius but was quickly run through by a halberd and pushed off. "Now everyone should take note of that one's bravery." Gaius chuckled.

With the two forces attacking from both sides they soon met in the middle. Ivor still had a huge smile on his face, albeit covered in blood. He didn't even bother addressing Gaius or anyone instead, he bolted towards a small building with a few crates and barrels outside of it. "What's got him all riled up?" Applejack asked the two groups. Both shrugged as she and Gaius followed him watching as he stood over a barrel. "What's in there?" Applejack asked.

"Something that makes all our gold look like dirt," Ivor answered taking the pommel of his sword and smashing the barrel open.

"More valuable than gold?" Gaius as moving to get a look. "This I gotta- really?" Gaius asked looking at the caribou.

"Of course," Ivor said pulling out...a potato. "These things are exactly what we came for!" Ivor cheered looking back to his clan. "WE HAVE FOOD! SEARCH THE REST OF THE BUILDING!" He yelled turning to look at the main hall and walking towards its front door. With Applejack and Gaius behind him, Ivor raised his hoof and kicked the doors in making everyone in the hall look to the intruders. "Knock, knock Ragnar!" Ivor called to the large caribou who had stood up from his seat.

"Warborn? What finally decided to come down from your little mountain?" Ranger mocked him moving to a large Dane ax.

"I'll give you one chance to surrender now Ragnar," Ivor told him as they both reached the open area in the middle of the room.

"Ha ignorant little shit." Ragnar laughed and in a quick motion swung his ax at the young warlord. Ivor raised his shield in an instant blocking the attack and retaliating with a sword slash Ragnar barely avoided.

"Gaius, Applejack, Ragnar is mine you both can have the rest," Ivor said returning to his own battle.

Gaius looked to one side of the room filled with caribou and stallions picking up weapons to fight. "All of you try not to die before I have my fun." He said with a snicker.

Soon the hall was filled with the sounds of blades meeting blades, warriors dropping dead, and war cries. Applejack took to the twin axes like a fish to water able to deal with her half of the hall while Gaius had no trouble what so ever aside from the sheer number of warriors he had to fight but that only slowed him down by a fraction. While they fought Ivor and Ragnar had their own dance of death each giving and receiving blows, nothing too deadly but enough to wound, Ivor charged with his shield pinning Ragnar to a large beam. Ivor was quickly shoved off but went back for strike only to be met with a blow to his nose from the pommel of Ragnar's ax making a sickening crunch.

"To Hel with this," Ranger said pushing past a few soldiers and running out a side door.

"Oh like Hel, not in this lifetime!" Ivor roared with anger giving chase. Once outside he saw Ragnar running towards the woods but Ivor was right behind him quickly grabbing a spear from the ground and lobbing it at Ragnar. It hit dead on...right into his spine above the waist. Ragnar fell to the ground screaming in pain the spear still there the tip sticking out the front of his stomach. Ivor approached the downed raider who was spitting up blood and trying to stand up but falling back to the light snow and mud on the ground. "Well, that's a pity, looks like I hit just the right spot," Ivor said darkly grabbing the spear handle making Ragnar's movements come to a hard stop with a shallow gasp.

"You crippled him." Ivor heard a voice turning to see Gaius walking up covered in blood spatter and wiping off his sword. "Now that's dark."

"Oh we're just getting started, my fine feathered friend," Ivor smirked driving the spear further until the head was deep in the ground. "We have a fort now and next we'll need information, and who better than the fort thane himself?" He gestured to the half-alive caribou still on the ground.

"Torture for information? I like your style branch head." Gaius smiled but before they could do anything a loud war cry made them look to see Applejack cutting down at least a dozen Stonehoof soldiers in seconds her hair and eyes looking wild as she went to one of the corpses and began hacking wildly at it.

"Girl's got a fire in her belly." Ivor chuckled calling a few Warborn over telling them to carry Ragnar back to the middle of the fort. Ivor himself approached the berserk farm mare who turned on a dime to meet him swinging her axes at him but was caught by the young chief who quickly wrapped in his arms as she thrashed about trying to get free. "Hey, hey calm down there killer you got 'em, you got 'em." He chuckled as she continued to try and break free but he wild movements began to slow until she seemed calm enough and dropped the axes. "There ya go," Ivor said softly and was about to let go when he felt her arms wrap around him in a tight hug. The caribou smiled adjusting his arms to put a hand on her upper back and the other gently pressing her head to his chest. He knew what came after a rage like that sorrow, regret, and realization. "Just let it out Applejack the first raid is always the hardest." He assured as soft sobs came from the farm mare.

After the groups had secured the fort and dealt with any loyalists they began taking stock and find suitable clothes for the slave. Ivor was helping with the food, Gaius was taking count of the gold and riches of the fort, while Pinkie and Applejack were passing out soup to the now-former slaves when Pinkie bumped into another mare passing out soup. "Oh sorry about- Cadance?" Pinkie yelled turning to see the former Princess dressed in simple leather pants and a blue tunic barring the Iron Talon symbol.

"Pinkie?" Cadance said the two quickly embraced in a tight hug. "It's so good to see you, are you okay, is anyone else with you?" The alicorn asked.

"Yeah, Applejack, the Warborn saved us about a week back." Pinkie answered as the two broke the hug. "What about you, anyone with you?"

"Uh yeah...an old enemy now made an ally," Cadance said a little sheepish.

"Oh, Cadance you wound me so." A voice spoke making them turn to see Chrysalis dressed similarly. "Though I suppose I deserve it." Chrysalis chuckled giving a blanket to a few mares.

"Wait she's here?!" Pinkie screamed grabbing a nearby knife and pointing at the changeling.

"Pinkie it's okay, she doesn't care for the caribou ether, she's on our side," Cadance said getting Pinkie to lower the blade.

"For the time we share an enemy so technically we're…" Chrysalis grumbled. "Friends." The word almost like poison to her. Hearing that made Pinkie relax before running up trying to hug her but quickly stopped by the former queen's hand. "No hugs though."

-lower levels-

In the dungeon of Gravethwaite, the two leaders of the attack had found something the could bond over...even if the activity was a bit morbid. Gaius and Ivor were currently interrogating the now crippled Ragnar, chained by his hands to a hook attached to the ceiling. The former holder of the fort was covered in gashes, cuts, and letting out little gargled sounds of pain.

"I don't think we'll get anything else out of him," Ivor told Gaius as he cleaned off a large knife.

"Still though we should finish him off," Gaius said cleaning off his own blade. "I'll do that little honor." With no disagreement from Ivor, he grabbed a mace from the wall winding up to bash Ragnar's head in.

*BANG*

"The Hel?" Ivor said looking farther down the hallway of dungeon. He saw a large iron door with a lot of locks and reinforced parts.

Gaius grabbed one of Ragnar's antlers making him look at the griffin. "What's behind that door?" He asked with a growl. Instead of an answer, he got a weak chuckle from the broken Raider.

"Even in Hel, they lock up the monsters." Ragnar wheezed.

Ivor walked over to the door and took a few keys from a hook and began examining the door then the keys. "Where is the key to this door?" He asked before something hit him in the face from the little window of the door.

"Looks like whatever's in there had the key," Gaius said picking up the key and unlocking the door.

Inside was a prison cell far more fortified than the others. The walls were solid stone with iron reinforcements, the window was ten feet off the ground and had several layers of iron bars in it, but the piece de resistance was the chain large spiked chain that connected to the wall and less than four feet of length connected to the cell's occupant by a very heavy looking collar which looked to have large barbs on the inside. He looked to be a young caribou maybe just seeing his 20s he was covered in markings, large healed over scars, along with mud and other filth. What shocked Ivor was the young bull's horns on their side of the tightly braided row down his scalp which appeared to be snapped off at the base with some attempt to regrow. The two observed the caribou dressed in only a pair of very dark and rotting pants, he stared at them occasionally twitching or swatting at the air near his head.

"Why are you down here?" Ivor asked but got no answer.

"Why did they put you in this cell." Gaius tried to get an answer but only got heavy breathing from the chained caribou.

"Tell us your name," Ivor demanded and stepped into the cell pointing at him with the hand still holding the keys. Seeing the keys the chained up caribou rushed the warlord but was yanked back by the chain going taut. Ivor saw what he was after and smirked. "Give me your name and swear loyalty under me and I'll set you free."The young caribou quickly dropped to his knees bowing to Ivor but didn't say a word. "Still need a name," Ivor told him.

The young caribou looked up to him then turned his head. He began drawing in the dirt hitting the ground when he finished.

"What does it say?" Gaius asked trying to read the symbols on the ground.

"Huh weird...it's not Norse," Ivor said crouching to read the symbols. "It looks like Juton."

"Can you read it?" Gaius asked.

"Yeah...looks like Vidar, is that your name?" Ivor asked getting a nod from the prisoner. "Alright let's get you free," Ivor said looking for the proper key, after finding it he unlocked the collar.

The instant Vidar heard the click of the collar he pushed off the ground a shoved Gaius out of the way running for the steps out of the dungeon. But stopped just short seeing the cell Ragnar was currently strung up in.

"Well hello, little bastard." Ranger spat in an almost chuckle coughing up blood. Vidar walked into the cell closing the door behind him. What followed were screams of pain agony along with a pair of stomach-turning snaps then Ragnar blubbering. "You bastard...YOU FUCKING LITTLE BASTARD when your father-argh!" Ranger was suddenly cut off before Gaius and Ivor heard a heavy but quiet pop then...silence. The two warriors approached the door looking in the small window.

"By the All-father." Ivor breathed seeing the short work that Vidar had done to what was now left of Ragnar. The Raider's body was more of a bloody mess than what they left, organs hanging out of his abdomen, bones almost pulled completely out of his chest, his face frozen in fear from his death, and on either side of his hanging body, laid the large antlers that once ornamented Ragnar's head.

"He did that...in less than a minute." Gaius breathed seeing the young caribou sitting in a corner of the cell covered like he had taken a literal blood bath, panting out of breath. "What is he?" Gaius asked awestruck.

"I don't know," Ivor answers watching as the young caribou seemed to drift off into sleep. The caribou chief wondering what kind of beast he just let out of its cage.