1425
Ragnar
redbaron
The wagon bounced and shuddered as it went down the dusty dirt road. The overhanging tree branches and thickets of bushes occasionally snagged on an unwary rider. It would still be a month or so before the leaves and green grass returned and there still a few patches of snow here and there. Ragnar Wulfgar rode along side the wagon on horseback with fiveand there still a few patches of snow here and there. Ragnar Wulfgar rode along side the wagon on horseback with five other mercenaries hired to guard some merchant as he traveled back to Kaldun in the southern region of Bandur. Ragnar had done it a few times when he first left the army and he had even began to know some of the merchants quite well. A few had even given him discounts on their wares. That had been quite some time ago, though, and this one he wasn't familiar with. It wasn't uncommon these days, however, since it seemed everyone was headed here or there for some reason or otherIt wasn't uncommon these days, however, since it seemed everyone was headed here or there for some reason or other, mostly just trying to scratch together an honest living. Thirteen years had passed since the great plague war with Maerkon the mostly just trying to scratch together an honest living. Thirteen years had passed since the great plague war with Maerkon the Black, a mighty necromancer, and so many had been forced in to war and battle that even now most of the displaced farmers and soldiers found it hard to settle while the northland tried to regain its sense of balance. Ragnar pulled his cloak tighter around him but the cold wind still seemed to bite through. It was a frosty morning but he was glad to be back in southern Nordnheim where the air was not quite as cold as it had been in the far reaches of the north. He was surprised that he felt so well after drinking so much the night before. He had just returned to the Rusty Axe last night to spend his reward but before he had even ordered his first drink, Balek, a local mercenary, had stumbled over to offer him a job. Balek was as broad as a horse and stood a head taller than even ordered his first drink, Balek, a local mercenary, had stumbled over to offer him a job. Balek was as broad as a horse and stood a head taller than Ragnar, who was of average height. He was an older warrior that also spent a great deal of his free time at the Rusty Axe in Hrothgar. He wore dark brown leather armor, the kind worn by soldiers, and adorned his shoulders with the fur of bear and wolves. A large scar crossed his left cheek and he had lost many of his teeth. He had also once served in King Bulvi Gunther's army, and had been at the battle of Skulgarad when the frost giants came down from the many of his teeth. He had also once served in King Bulvi Gunther's army, and had been at the battle of Skulgarad when the frost giants came down from the yes? frozen wastes in a ploy by Maerkon the Black and he attempted to surprise and overwhelm the king. However it was Maerkon who was surprised when his frost giants had been ambushed and destroyed. What a time it had been then. Now things had begun to change and there seemed to be less honor and virtue in the world. The lands of men anyway appeared to be getting more and more corrupt as those in power okay