The Jarl was a revered figure to young Rorik, who was raised well to respect and admire the males above him. He shadowed the Jarl as often as allowed, never getting the way but often observing. Learning. A young boy with grand ambitions, he thinks one day he could be Jarl too if he could just learn how to be strong like @Eulalia.

Very little has happened since his arrival. He had come to learn that the Rike was just laying around licking their wounds after some embarrassment at a place called "Vermeda." The atmosphere was charged and festering, and Rorik didn't need to ask to realize through his kin's actions that Sunniva was one of the parties that were blamed for their misfortune. Rorik made sure to cast her a glare whenever possible as a result.

Today though, something was happening. @Erna calls for the Jarl, and Rorik waits until he leaves to slink after him with burning curiosity. He sticks to the outskirts, attempting to hide downwind as to observe the exchange from the distance. A stranger is there with her, and Rorik waits to see what will come of the exchange with this. Alaric Starke. How would Eulalia react to his proposed alliance?

Rorik is attempting to hide

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Before Erna could so much as speak, the male spoke for her brazenly. It was just as well, and the jarl's interest was piqued that Erna cowed for the stranger to speak.

The name Alaric Starke was filed away quickly, the name not ringing any particular bells for the jarl. The pale beast's cold expression was as menacing and corrupt as any other beast Eulalia found himself agreeing with, and so he remained silent as the large male said his piece. Eulalia did not hide his roaming eye, as it traced every muscle of Alaric's frame with a critical assessment. The other is just as scarred as any of the Rike, physical proof that he'd done his time. He was also clearly older, only a couple years younger than Eulalia himself, a fact that gave him points in the jarl's eye. He had less patience for the brazen whims of young bucks.

I intend to secure a pride where the Rike can grow, these words caught Eulalia's attention, his eye snapping back up to meet Alaric's with a critical brow. Alaric's pause was well placed, as this bold statement had indeed sent up a red flag for the jarl.

“An alliance," Eulalia repeated softly, casting a glance at Erna with an indeterminable expression. He sighed. “Bold words for a man who knows nothing of the Rike," The jarl assumed a pace, slowly walking in a circle around the warrior to finish sizing him up. Instantly he was suspicious of a threat to his title. It was not unheard of for some rogue stray to think he was capable of wielding the title of jarl for some clan or another. It usually did not end well for the stray. “You know nothing of me." Eulalia rounded about to face him. And what I do to those who cross me.

“What's in it for you? Surely you can understand my...apprehension." he offered a joyless smile. For all he knew, Alaric could be some spy for the Sigrun. The jarl's claws were fully unsheathed.

""

He expected there to be questions. He expected to be grilled within an inch of his damn life if the Rike were anything like he believed, like Erna had told him. He would fight to prove it if he had to, and his claws similarly clutched at the ground, his muscles tended and ready.

“I know enough,” his voice was husky, his gaze unwavering. He did not balk as the Jarl circled him but held his head high, flexed and ready in case of a sneak attack. Alaric watched him from the corner of his eyes as he circled, keeping his head turned straight.

Soon enough they were face to face and the Starke gave a tip of his head in agreement. “i know nothing of you, but I expect our values are not so different.” from what he had heard they were a bloodthirsty and violet bunch, and the kinship rang in his bones.

But for Alaric? “Her,” he growled with a look to his lover, “and a future not lived beneath another kings thumb.” he liked Seneca but he was meant to rule. “I do not want your title,” he acquiesced, because let’s make that very clear.

@Eulalia_{BG — ART — CODE}

Vague answers. Not particularly interesting, but perhaps an attestment to a kindred no-bullshit attitude. Alaric didn't seem particularly poetic, and admittedly his drive was something Eulalia could appreciate. Something the Rike could certainly use.

It seemed that Alaric wanted in with the intent of securing a bride in Erna, which helped chip away at Eulalia's suspicions. Of course the idea that Erna had seduced a male with the hopes of him dismantling Eulalia to get back at him was there, but Eulalia was counting on Erna's hunger for the success of the clan to outweigh any possible treason.

Eulalia's interest was piqued at Alaric's comment regarding living beneath kings. The Rike knew no king. The prides of this land meant very little to him, just being glorified and overcomplicated clans as far as he could tell. But what Alaric had just said attracted the jarl's attention. Alaric's bone to pick was with the kings of Amaryllis, not with the Rike.

Yet the Rike were forced to play the games of Amaryllis in order to accomplish their goals. A game that Eulalia was loathe to play on account of how pointless it seemed. Yet a game that he had to participate in. The Sigrun were, and so must the Rike. Without a stronghold and the ability to collect more members, the Rike were stuck as an outlying band of ragtag rogues.

“Interesting," the jarl remarked. “You wish to take one of my clan's women as a bride, and use our muscle to help you keep your crown. As it will most certainly be your crown when you secure kingship, no? We do not play by the rules of this country. I have never known a king and I'm not going to start anytime soon." He continued. “Explain how it benefits my clan to live under the rule of a stranger such as yourself." He said, more as a statement than a question.

Eulalia already knew the answer to this question, but he wanted to make sure Alaric was also aware that anything that they did was to bring them closer to their cause, which was the ultimate demise of the Sigrun.

""

He was smart, this Jarl, and driven. Alaric still not balk from the prying words, though; he had given this a lot of thought over the past week. Yes, he wanted their muscle, but it was not such a one sided relationship as it may seem.

“Your clan will not be under my rule,” he corrected, “but yours.” If this alliance is to work he knows that the family will operate separately of the pride, though — “I only ask we keep open communication between you and I.” It was a big ask, but if Alaric was to be the face of the pride it was his neck most at risk.

He flexed his claws again, the itch for ascension running thick through his veins. “I understand the Sigrun have a pride — if you want to destroy them you need a base. You need to be able to raise more Rike, future warriors to take the place of those that may fall.” Bold statements, perhaps, but he believed them.

“With a pride we can grow, become stronger, and see to it that every Sigrun out there is annihilated.” He practically salivated at the thought. “With Erna as my bride the children we bear will be strong, and will be raised with Rike values.” they were much the same, he believed, as the Starke.

@Eulalia_{BG — ART — CODE}

Eulalia studied Alaric as he spoke, digesting his explanations. The boldness of this stranger already referring to himself as "we" in conjunction with the Rike was unsettling. Eulalia was a territorial man, and while they desperately needed brawn he wasn't too sure how much they needed ambition. And this man was nothing if not ambitious.

Perhaps in small doses it would serve them well. Particularly if the ambitions had less to do with the Rike and more with playing a part in the puzzle to help them grow stronger.

Open communication? The jarl bristled. “No offense, Alaric," the jarl rasped with a glittering eye. “You are not yet in a position to be setting the terms of this so-called alliance. I have not decided if I like you or not, after all," canines glittered beneath curled lip. “This request of yours is particularly audacious, you understand. How am I to decide to trust my clan's fate in your unfamiliar claws?" He mused, more to himself than to Alaric, shooting a look at Erna. “Clearly Erna here has had no such qualms about doing so."

“I don't wish to waste any more time with this discussion, Alaric," Eulalia continued. “I do not trust you, frankly. I'm sure you can understand. That said," he paused, flashing an unhinged grin. “I'm sure you can guess what awaits you if you do not hold true to these brazen claims of loyalty. Rike do not take well to disappointments." A hard stare at Erna, before flicking back to Alaric. “And I'm not just speaking for myself."

""

Too bold.

He saw it in the way the man bristled, and it was all he could do to not rise to the challenge. Alaric was here offering his life for this clan, for Erna, and ambitious though he may be he was not spinning falsehoods.

“Fair,” he gritted from between his teeth, even if it rankled to be questioned, “I would not expect trust to be freely given. But if I am to put my neck out and ally with you publicly, some assurance that you won’t turn on me once the pride is secured would be…. Appreciated.” it was a dance, a weave in and out, and Alaric recognized he was one against many.

An unhinged grin was met with a similar twisted smile. “I have no intentions of disappointing either of you,” with a look to the woman who had him so enraptured, “but I can only prove that to with action.” His tail flicked against his hocks, determination settling over him like a familiar blanket.

“ Ich werde Sie nicht enttäuschen.” if they would have him.

* I will not let you down_{BG — ART — CODE}

Now both males' hackle were up, neither trusting the other further than they could throw them. Eulalia was satisfied with Alaric's reaction, hoping some of the stranger's confidence had been shaken ever so slightly. After all, he didn't want to set expectations too loftily. It seemed only fair that this man know that he was literally asking to ally with a bunch of psychopaths.

Eulalia eyed him as he spoke again. Alaric did not expect trust to be given freely, yet came to him with a rather unprecedented challenge. The male did not want to wait to become ingrained with the Rike, to understand their values and way of life, but he wished to adopt it on his way to kingship.

Alaric did not budge when challenged so, which was the response Eulalia had been looking for. He requested assurance that the Rike would not stab him in the back, and it occurred to Eulalia that Alaric must not have other allies to back him for this kind of event. He thought back to the challenge with Vermeda Brook, and it became more clear to him why so many Sigrun had been there. Allies. Clearly the Sigrun had made allies, too.

The jarl regarding Alaric with his one good eye for a moment longer, mildly surprised that the male shared the same native tongue, and offered a sharp nod. “We have no interest in ruling your pride or deposing you from this kingship that you desire so much." He shrugged. “We will support you in this endeavor, as you plan to support us. Just let us know when and where, and Rike claws shall follow." Eulalia added quietly, shifting his gaze back to Erna, and trusting that she would assist in primary communication between Alaric and him.

""

The entire conversation is in the common tongue. Rorik knows it of course, but not as well as his other kin do, having been raised around his native tongue most of his life. There are many words he doesn't quite understand, but it is enough for him to digest what is happening - for the most part.

This man wants Erna to be his wife. Badly enough that he is willing to give them a seat of power just to have her. What a stupid motive, but one that could be exploited. Erna and a meaningless crown was an easy prize to offer him, in Rorik's opinion. It was an offer handed to the Jarl on a silver platter, but even yearling Rorik knows that things too good to be true often were, and he thinks Eulalia is wise to be suspicious of his motives. He could have easily manipulated Erna into being here; women were so easily manipulated by a charming face.

He trusts that his Jarl will see through to the truth. After all, a place to call home - a real territory where they could grow and do more than fuss at the feet of Sigrun's ever-growing empire - was a sorely needed development.

When Alaric breaks to speak natively, Roriks ears thrust forward, surprised and weary. What would his Jarl do? He doesn't have to wait long - it seems Eulalia has decided to place his faith in this stranger. His curiosity satsfied, Rorik backs away from his spot, careful to stay silent. He's not sure how this intrusion would be viewed, but he suspects not well. He wants to be back right where he was when Eulalia left, as to not draw suspicion.

Attempted exit

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They were a few against many, he knew this. Alaric had little doubt that when the time came he would see many allies crawl from the woodwork, and he only hoped that he would have the strength to stand against them. He hoped they had the same code of honor as his homeland, and that if he can fell the King they will accept his rule.

He doubts it; this world does not seem much like his own. Still he makes a mental note to speak with Seneca before the blood-red day dawns, feeling it might not be bad to have a thread of support o his side.

The acceptance of his goal, here, has relief flooding his system, followed by a darker desire. He could practically taste the blood now, and he tensed as he offered a nod to the Rike leader. "Soon," he promised with a growl of anticipation, "very soon." He could see his future stretched before him, just out of reach, and he shivered with the anticipation of achieving it.

He expected that @Eulalia would leave, then, and Alaric shifted closer to his soon-to-be bride. Now that that was attended to he wanted to fall in to her, the bloodlust coursing through him and making him want to stake his claim again and again._{BG — ART — CODE}