Operation: Arctic Temperance [Iron Empire Dominion of Olstyn feat. Dawnguard]

[Zeradias Mant]

It appeared things would not be able to be resolved peacefully. Theodred had given him the impression that much of the Valkyri were levelheaded and reasonable, but it was clear that Grond and his party were an exception to the policy. While Zeradias would have liked to make an impression on the local leadership, it appeared any such efforts would be moot. The Oberjarl was already focused on the Midvinter Valkyri. Zeradias had half a mind to stay and lay waste to the Oberjarl and be done with it, but at the urging of Thyrian, he simply placed his hand upon Aster's shoulders before notioning her out of the great hall. While Zeradias was one who sought to maintain control, he was pragmatic enough to allow others to fight his battles for him - though this battle seemed to be more theirs than his at the moment.

"Come, princess.", he said, his eyes glancing between the two rival parties. The marine security detail began filing out as well, at their point and rear. As Zeradias walked past the High King, he paused before continuing his exit.

"Do not forget why we are here."

[member="Thyrian Hearthfire"] | [member="Coci Heavenshield"] | [member="Aster Rose Baelor"]​

 

[Aster Rose Baelor]

Aster curtsied, silently greeting Oberjarl with a polite smile at [member="Zeradias Mant"]'s introduction and watched in silenced as the Valkyri exchanged words. She was sure they had much to discuss - or so she thought. Surprised by Oberjarl's animosity towards the Valkyri of Midvinter, the teenager fought back her desire to frown at the uncouth man's rudeness towards his guests who had taken the trouble of traveling from the other side of the galaxy to meet with him.

A young woman of good pedigree, she knew it was not her place to interrupt. She watched the exchange in silence until all words were exhausted and a fight between the [member="Thyrian Hearthfire"] and Oberjarl Grond was unavoidable. Feeling Zera's hand on her shoulder, Aster followed the Grand Admiral out of the Great Hall so the two could speak with their swords.

Once outside Aster sighed and shook her head then shot a glance at Zera wondering what he made of the situation.

[member="Coci Heavenshield"]

Spoiler

Sorry, I've been worn out by uni these past few weeks and am only beginning to recover.

 

[Coci Heavenshield]

I hereby invoke tveikamp.

Somehow she knew it would come to this. This is the way of the Valkyri, this is their way of diplomatic talks, the standard that most of the galaxy employs would never have bearing here. Being called witch did nothing to phase Coci in the situation, the Gods know she had been called worse and by much more dangerous foe than this grunt of a man before them.

However, she took stance, her hand holding her saber hilt but did not ignite the purple blade but she would watch Thyrian’s back for the men in this room are not loyal to him and when the fight turns to Thyrian’s advantage they will not stand idly by.

Coci kept silent, centered her focus to the surroundings, the force informing her of everyone in the room, their position, their thoughts and emotions and if one was to gain courage and step in, she would know it before they even moved.

But there was a surprise in store .. Grond is force attuned, whether he is aware was uncertain, but she knows well enough that many use the force without knowledge, but how ironic that he would call others names that possess the same ability.

Maybe he does know? Maybe this was all done out of fear of the unknown, of himself. Or maybe he is trained? How else had he hidden this from them until now.

To her brother, Thyrian be mindful. He would sense it too. In the masters workshop of Midvinter, more had been forged that day that the sword came to life, a connection between the three that had stood and formed a union of bond and force and now Thyrian would feel it again as power of the force was pulled around them both.

[member="Thyrian Hearthfire"]​

 

[Thyrian Hearthfire]

Coci's thoughts were made known to him as she brought them to mind, and Thyrian offered her a subtle nod of confirming her words of warning. The silent tension in the room was broken by the clanging sound of steel striking the floor, and upon turning he laid eyes upon the hulking form of Oberjarl Grond, now clad from head to toe in imposing black armour, effectively doubling his already impressive size. Even Thyrian felt dwarfed by him, and in the brute's hands rested a massive two-handed battle axe which he tapped against the floor where he stood. "You hear that, boy? That's the sound of your impending doom, the song of steel versus steel." His tone had shifted from the raving lunatic to someone far more in control, toying with his prey.

But Thyrian showed no fear and reached at his side for his sword. "Come then," he beckoned as his blade was bathed in flames. "Brimestone awaits."

Seeming unphased by the flaming sword his opponent wielded, Grond charged headlong with greataxe raised high, its weight alone more than enough to split him in half. Thyrian easily side-stepped the lunging attack, but Grond was faster than he looked and was able to halt his chopping blow in favour of a side-swipe, taking him unawares. First blood was drawn as the sharp edge of Grond's greataxe grazed the King's abdomen, cutting through the light leather protecting him. Thyrian barely reacted or made a sound in spite of the line of red across his lower torso, robbing his opponent of gloating over his initial victory.

"My turn."

Going on the offensive, Thyrian unleashed a barrage of blows against the Oberjarl, who managed to parry but a few of them with the rather clumsy defensive capabilities of his weapon. Brimstone carved its way through the man's armour easily enough, but never seemed able to actually cause any real injuries save for cuts and slices, and the Oberjarl was a beast of unlimited strength and stamina. Bleeding him to death would not be an option.

Parrying Thyrian's attacks, Grond retaliated with a skull-splitting headbutt to his forehead, forcing him to cease his assault as Grond took charge once more. Forced to defend himself without being given the chance to gather himself, Thyrian was backed into a corner to helplessly weather the unyielding blows from Grond's greataxe. He was brought to his knees as he desperately held Brimstone over his head to shield against the ever-swinging Oberjarl set on pounding him into the ground.

"Stand up, son," a familiar voice suddenly echoed through his head, clearing his head and focusing his gaze. "Stand up and fight!"

With a powerful roar Thyrian was engulfed in flames, the searing heat alone forcing Grond to back off as the ground where Thyrian stood began to melt and turn to ash. With the Force aiding him, he brought Brimstone down on his enemy, splitting his greataxe clean in half while the Oberjarl could do little but watch in complete fear at the man-made-fire before his eyes. "Wha--What are you?!" Showing no mercy, Thyrian cut him down where he stood with a slash across his chest. Now Grond was the one on his knees, and as his flames died away the High King stood victorious. His foe defeated, Thyrian held out his sword and stared him down.

"Your High King," he snarled through gritted teeth just as the blade came down, severing Grond's head from his body in one clean blow with barely any blood to show for it as the flesh cauterised upon impact. Watching the head roll on the floor, Thyrian let out a deep breath as the heat of battle calmed itself. "In the name of Thrand, first of his name, High King of Midvinter and Lord of Sunlight," he offered a small prayer before looking over at Coci. His eyes then turned to the people surrounding him, noting that not one had taken to their weapons. They knew the sanctity of what had just unfolded before their eyes. "The tveikamp is over."

Now clutching his wounded abdomen with one hand, Thyrian addressed them all. "In the eyes of our gods, your lives are now your own. You are free to stay here on Olstyn under the new leadership of the Iron Empire and make a new life for yourselves, or you may pack your belongings and come with me. Midvinter beckons," he repeated his earlier words to the masses.

[member="Coci Heavenshield"] | [member="Zeradias Mant"] | [member="Aster Rose Baelor"]​