Highlander: The Monster of Ashfeld (story in Description:Part 4)

The salt flavoured air of the ocean was heavy on the Longboat, Hjalmer had barely slept for the first few nights away from Rokfelheim but once they landed on Ashfeld soil he was out like a light, while Aidar had been watching over his brother, sword and shield ready to protect him.
When Hjalmer finally awoke Aidar stood to assure him he wasn't alone "Hjalmer you sleep like the dead even all these years and battles later...." said Aidar with a grin and chuckle, the look on his face akin to when they were younger "Aye brother and you are too energetic for your own good, maybe sleep would make you wiser" said Hjalmer in quick response before rising from the fur covered floor of the abandoned dwelling they had found themselves in, Hjalmer looked to the hills and pointed with his large hand "we need to get to the top of the fifth incline, about ten kilometres away I'd say....and across every single one of those hills is a set of Guard towers, abandoned towns filled with bandits or former Blackstone legion, and at the end will be a castle fortified for the Warden and her battalion" Aidar whistled at the sound of the monumental task ahead of them before replying "So is the Warden Blackstone? Is it her men we're killing?"
Hjalmer scoffed "No, she was Iron legion, one of the very few remaining, if anything we'd be doing her a favour by killing Blackstone remainers and bandits"
"And how do you know this Hjalmer?"
"Aidar I can tell the difference between the fucking symbols they wear on their chests"
The pair both erupted in laughter before standing and Aidar saying softly "it's going to be a long few days isn't It?"
"It is......."

2km in, 3 hours later they encountered heavy resistance, but the pair were nigh unstoppable, Hjalmer with brute strength punched a hole through the many troops before them, Aidar held The flanks killing whoever got close to Hjalmer, calm precision meeting berserk skill, they left the first Blackstone encampment devastated.

5km in, 7 hours later they came upon a large patrol of Blackstone forces, they were chased into the keep of an abandoned fortress where for a time they were separated, Hjalmer was backed into a room with one entrance, no way out with dozens of men flooding in, his eyes were almost glowing with rage and bloodlust, his roar was not of man but some unholy creature as the blood of many dozens stained his claymore and his armor and very skin, it ran like water down his sleeves, he was cut across a his back but he was unbreakable and unyielding. Hjalmer emerged from that pit of the dead to see Aidar in the centre of the square shaped keep with tens of dead Blackstone soldiers surrounding him, they stared each other in the eyes and said with a somber tone simultaneously "not today"

For the rest of that day they took rest, and cleaned their wounds.

Day 2, 7 km in, 14 hours later, they came upon a small group of bandits, they set fire to the small encampment and Aidar picked off those that retreated.

Day 2, 10km in, 2 hours later, they came to the castle battered and tired, and the Warden peered over the gate to see what the commotion was at her fortress and the face she had made when she saw The highlander was that of simultaneous confusion and surprise as she spoke "What is your purpose here giant?"
Hjalmer looked into her eye and put down his claymore and said In her native tongue "Warden, my name is Hjalmer and I am here to ask for your time and more importantly, your alliance, I came to you because you are a noble and skilled warrior that was one if the very few that survived me those many years ago, and as a token of peace between us we have destroyed Blackstone encampments and bandits patrols to help relieve some pressure from your people....open the gate and we'll surrender our weapons...in exchange for negotiations"
The Warden paused before disappearing back behind the wall, the locks of the gate clanking before swinging Open as she walked out to and towards Hjalmer "My name is Elize, and you are permitted to enter my fort...Hjalmer." she held out her hand and with a smile Hjalmer shook it while Aidar sighed in relief.

After several hours of talks they arrived to the summary of their agreement, the air cool and easy as it rested on Aidar and Hjalmers shoulders. As Elize spoke firmly yet gently, like a tiger when passive. "So one last time, should we ally ourselves with you means we no longer raid or attack Rokfelheim and any viking forces within Eastern Ashfeld, return you bolster our defenses here and ensure we have secure supply lines, and we are at your beck and call should you require our help?"
Hjalmer nodded "Yes that is a more than fair deal for both of us I believe"
She smiled "and the best way to seal this deal to ensure that this sticks is through a marriage between myself, you and then Aidar to one of my villagers?" Hjalmer nodded with a chuckle "It is the best way as it solves most political questions and gives us both personal stakes in the other"
Deal