A Follower Of The Old Ways
( Formerly An Independent Asatru )         
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Upcoming Stories : 57, 58, and 59

8/31/2016

 

Upcoming Stories Numbers 57, 58, 59 : 



__________________________
​September 
​
57. The Queen Of War © Copyright, 2016. 
Queen Birsla returns as the Queen of Rogaland. To save her kingdom she must do something she does not want to do.... or does she ! ? Can the once timid queen prove that she is a wise and strong leader ! ? Find out here in September !  

__________________________
​October
​

58. Gullveig : Friend Of Wicked Women © Copyright, 2016. 

Gullveig, who was killed three times by Odin, and resurrected three times by her own magic, is outraged by her fellow Vanir Gods, who after they won the war against the Aesir, took an oath of alliance with their defeated enemy to be peaceful friends. When Freyja teaches Odin their powerful Seidr it is too much for Gullveig to accept. Knowing that she cannot take on the Aesir and Vanir Gods who are now allies, she decides to hurt Odin by going after his Midgardian children. Her evil plan is simple, but it is that simplicity that may bring down the human race. Can Freyja and her brother Freyr stop Gullveig before her madness destroys what Odin and his brothers have created ! ?  The tale unravels here in October !         

__________________________
​November
​
59. Blenda : Sweden's Greatest Heroine ! © Copyright, 2016

When the men are away the Danes will play ! Can a simple Swedish woman named Blenda rally the womenfolk of Smaland and defeat an entire army of attacking Danes ! Well,  with all of the menfolk away fighting in Norway it seems she has no choice but to try ! Coming in November ! 


- Glenn Bergen, ( Ravensheart )

' The Úlfhéðnar ' : Chapter 12 : ( Alt. Ending ) : My Friend, My Honored Enemy

8/28/2016

 

The Úlfhéðnar



Chapter 12 

( Ravensheart's Alternate Ending ) 


My Friend, My Honored Enemy 

When the two opposing armies met in the middle of the valley it was as though two avalanches had crashed head long into each other. The warriors ferocious shouts for glory quickly turned into grunts of desperation, and screams of horror and pain. In some cases the strongest ran away out of fear, while the timid stood and fought with a fervor no one could have expected. Such is the reality of war !

The ground soon ran red with the slick sacrificial blood of the battle's dead and dying. This made the already treacherous footing in ankle deep grass even more hazardous. With smashed skulls, opened bellies, and missing limbs, warriors fell like leaves from an autumn tree. All too soon the orderly straight shield walls became disorganized, bent back, and broken on both sides of the line. It was as though a great madness had taken over the battlefield. Neither army seemed to be in control, and chaos ruled the moment.

The fiercest fighting took place in the middle of the valley where the Berserker and the Úlfhéðnar went at each other like wild animals. And neither side was willing to give the other an inch of their position. Here in this small section of the battlefield an epic struggle was taking place between the best warriors in all of Southern Norway. This was a battle for pride ! This was a struggle for honor !! This was a fight to the death !!!

Most individual battles in war take but a few moments to reach their conclusion. But these were not normal warriors ! Their skills were such that each trick they used was blocked or countered by an equal ability of their opponent. They were so well matched as fighters that it almost seemed as if it were a dance that had been perfectly choreographed. This, however, was a dance of death !     

____________________________________________________________________________________________________


It is said that Odin knew that this epic battle would take place, and that he invited his Asgardian children to Hlidskjalf to watch as it played out on the green fields of Midgard. The Gods were so intrigued by the fighting skills, and tenacity of the Berserker, and Úlfhéðnar warriors that bets were placed on individual battles, and on which of these forces would still be standing when it was finally over. Only Odin refused to wager on the matches playing out below them. 

____________________________________________________________________________________________________

Alrekr and Bjarnlaugr led their warriors into battle with a ferocity that out - shined all the other warriors on this now hallowed field. Bjarnlaugr was especially maniacal in his fighting style. If he could not stab, he sliced. If he could not slice, he bashed his opponent to death. One opposing warrior angered the commander of the Berserker so much that he hit him in the mouth with the boss of his shield, and when his dazed opponent dropped his weapon Bjarnlaugr picked him up, and broke his back over his knee.

Alrekr was not quite as strong as his counterpart, but he more than made up for it with his skill, and speed. The commander of the Úlfhéðnar had learned much from the wolves over the years. Although he maintained an acute focus on the warrior he was fighting against at the moment, he constantly used his peripheral vision to scan his surroundings. If an opportunity arose he would slash or jab an enemy to his left or right to help a comrade with his opponent. This is the fighting technique that Alrekr had taught his Wolf - hides and it seemed to be a worthy strategy in this battle.

At first Alrekr and Bjarnlaugr were pushed apart by the ebb and flow of the battle, but as warriors fell, and the ranks thinned it became inevitable that these two great warriors should meet head to head in single combat. Bjarnlaugr had just beheaded a warrior when he saw out of the corner of his eye a blurry figure coming at him at a rapid pace. The Berserker commander turned just in time to raise his shield to block a vicious sword stroke from this new opponent. Then he used his shield to push the warrior away to gain some fighting room. For a moment Bjarnlaugr stood staring at his foe. Then a grin slowly rose up on one corner of his mouth.

" Hello, old friend ! It is time to die ! " he said without any emotion.

Alrekr smiled . 

" I am ready ! Are you ? " Alrekr asked. 

____________________________________________________________________________________________________

Back in Asgard the Gods immediately began to place their bets. Tyr, Balder, Syn and Gna, all put their money on Bjarnlaugr. Thor of course, bet against Odin's favorite son Balder, and put his gold coins on Alrekr. Ullr, Skadhi, and Heimdall also joined the God of Thunder and placed their bets in support of Alrekr.

____________________________________________________________________________________________________
​      
Bjarnlaugr did not answer his old friend with words. Instead he immediately went on the offensive. The angry Berserkr swung his sword back and forth like a scythe cutting grass with great force and accuracy. He also used his shield as a secondary weapon, pushing and jabbing at Alrekr with its pointed metal boss. To his surprise his childhood friend blocked every strike with little difficulty, and he soon realized that this was not the boy he had once practiced with in the woods back in Vestfold all those years ago. His friend, now his enemy, had become a skilled warrior. Bjarnlaugr also realized that killing Alrekr would be a great honor, and he began to fight with even more tenacity than before.

Alrekr was using every trick he had learned over the years, but he could not seem to penetrate Bjarnlaugr's defenses. One of the reasons was that the commander of the Berserker, because of his great size, was using a much larger shield than most warriors carried into battle. So large in fact it was almost impossible to get his weapon passed it. It was then that Alrekr remembered the reindeer that was attacked by the wolves in the valley below his cave dwelling all those years ago. The reindeer had a large multi - pointed rack, which much like Bjarnlaugr's shield prevented an attack from the front. But the great beast could not defend both its front and rear at the same time. Alrekr would wait for an opportunity to nip at the heels of his opponent the way the wolves had bitten at the reindeer's rear legs on that day.

When Bjarnlaugr tried to push him away with his shield again, Alrekr pretended to fall forward, but instead did a complete roll on the ground, and quickly popped up behind the large Berserker. He only had time for one quick stroke before Bjarnlaugr moved to defend, but it was enough to change the course of the battle. Alrekr's carefully aimed stroke sliced through Bjarnlaugr's calf all the way to the bone.

Bjarnlaugr screamed like a wild animal, but ignored the pain, and though hobbled by his injury, he moved forward to attack again. The commander of the Berserker was furious, and was not about to allow this Wolf - hide to defeat him.

As Alrekr prepared for a renewed assault from Bjarnlaugr he saw Jarpr out of the corner of his eye finish off his opponent. Jarpr then moved forward ready for his next challenge. As he approached Bjarnlaugr he quickly slashed at him with his sword before moving on. The act was not meant to kill the Berserker, but merely to injure him so that Alrekr would gain an advantage over his opponent. Jarpr's blade, however, was perfectly placed and sliced through the Berserker's knee cap sending him hard to the ground.

Once again Bjarnlaugr screamed in pain. This time, however, he could not dismiss the injury and move on. With his left calf muscle deeply wounded and his right kneecap gone, he no longer could get up to fight Alrekr . But the great warrior was not finished yet ! He raised his sword high and began to slash back and forth frantically with it at Alrekr, while at the same time using his shield to balance himself so that he would not fall over.

Alrekr pitied his old friend only for a moment and then went in for the kill. He pummeled Bjarnlaugr from the front striking hard with his sword. But none of his sword strokes could get by the Berserker's sword which seemed to be everywhere, and anywhere he tried to strike. Then to Alrekr's complete surprise Bjarnlaugr lunged forward and landed a vicious counter strike that ripped through his wolf hide, and penetrated his shoulder, causing the commander of the Úlfhéðnar to involuntarily wince in pain.

Alrekr quickly saw that much like the reindeer in the valley it was futile to attack the immobile warrior from the front. Slowly Alrekr worked his way to his left and then to his right to probe the Berserker for a weakness. He quickly realized that Bjarnlaugr could still move a little to his left, but with his knee cap sliced off he could not move at all to his right. Alrekr feigned an attack on Bjarnlaugr's left, and then quickly spun around and attacked the Berserker on his right side. 

Bjarnlaugr tried to move his legs to defend himself, but his body would not do what his mind asked it to do. The Berserker was only able to turn his torso a short distance by the time Alrekr drove the point of his sword into his side and through his bowels.

​" I am sorry my old friend ! " Alrekr whispered as he withdrew his sword.  

There was no time to remain and watch his friend die, nor was there time to mourn the friendship that as a child he had cherished so very much. As soon as Alrekr pulled his sword out of Bjarnlaugr's body another Berserker attacked him. The older warrior never had a chance.  Alrekr was furious !  He was angry with himself for having to kill Bjarnlaugr, and even angrier that he, as a warrior, had allowed himself to care. With several quick sword strokes he broke the Berserker's shield, and with a quick jab he plunged his sword deep into the belly of his opponent.

Alrekr took no pity upon the injured Vestfold warrior, as he knelt on the battlefield trying to hold in his entrails. The commander of the Úlfhéðnar raised his sword, and cut the shocked man's head off at the neck. He then spit on the man's severed head before moving on to his next victim.

The fighting lasted for hours, as did the carnage, and it became a painfully slow battle of attrition. Only when the last of his Berserker fell , and all three of his commanders were killed, did it become obvious to King Sigmarr that all would be lost if he did not order a retreat.  Finally, and with a sick heart, the king ordered his men to begin to leave the battlefield.

Retreats are seldom orderly, however, and only those Vestfold warriors who were able to disengage with the enemy quickly were able to escape with King Sigmarr. The rest were hunted down one by one and killed without mercy. Their heads were lopped off, and placed on sticks all around the battlefield as a warning to the Vestfold army not to return. They needn't have bothered though, for King Sigmarr had no fight left in him. The king of Vestfold rode back to his great hall as fast as he could, set up defensive positions around his village, and hid in his great hall drinking copious amounts of ale. Not even his wife Ragnhildr could calm down her husband, who seemed as if he were going quite mad !

King Agmund, dismissed his royal guard and rode through the battlefield alone to survey the devastation that lay all around him. The valley was covered with so many of the dead and dying from both armies that it seemed to Agmund that he could walk from one end to the other without his feet ever having to touch the ground. The king was very proud of those who had given the ultimate sacrifice for his kingdom, but he also felt great sorrow at their loss. 

As King Agmund continued his ride among the dead he spotted Alrekr, the commander of the Úlfhéðnar, off in the distance. The king reined his horse around and trotted over to Alrekr, who was now kneeling over a fallen Vestfold warrior. Alrekr seemed oblivious to his presence as he rode up, and the king waited for a moment before speaking : 

​" Did you know that warrior ? " the king asked.                       

Alrekr looked up at the king with a sad expression. 

" He was my friend ! " he replied. 

The king nodded.

" Then I will leave you to bury your friend. " King Agmund told Alrekr.

Before Agmund could leave Alrekr got up off of the ground, and approached the king. 

" I would like to bring him back to Vingulmork and give him a proper warrior's burial in a mound. " Alrekr explained.

The king sighed and took a long breath before replying. 

" This is highly unusual. We do not honor our enemy. " he told Alrekr bluntly. 

Alrekr stood perfectly still as he looked at the king, but he did not say a word. The weight of his stare told King Sigmarr all he needed to know. 

Finally the king nodded. 

​" You and your Úlfhéðnar helped my army greatly to win this battle. Therefore I will  grant such a request in your honor ! " he told his commander. 

Alrekr bowed slightly. 

" Thank You my Lord ! " Alrekr answered proudly. 

Alrekr stayed with Bjarnlaugr's body throughout the night to keep away scavenging animals. While the other survivors of the Vingulmork army slept comfortably along the eastern perimeter of the battlefield Alrekr would not leave his friend's side, despite the conditions. Tired to the point of exhaustion Alrekr quickly fell asleep. In his dream state he never saw or heard the Valkyries as they arrived on the hallowed grounds of the battlefield to begin retrieving the dead. If he had been awake he might have seen a rare sight indeed. For Odin had decided to lead his Valkyries to this battle personally !

After dismounting Brynhildr walked over to Odin and bowed. 

" My Lord will you tell us which of the honored dead you have chosen ? " she asked.

With a gleam in his eye, and a smile on his face he answered his Valkyrie. 

" Why, ...... all of them of course ! " 

Then Odin pointed to Bjarnlaugr's remains.

" Except that one ! I will take him to Valhalla myself ! " he explained with a great sense of pride.  

​The next morning Alrekr awoke to find himself surrounded by his Úlfhéðnar warriors, who stood over him staring down at their commander. Alrekr was surprised, and very delighted, to see that so many were still alive as he looked at them one by one : Yngvarr, Baldrekr, Njall, Ulfrekr, Grundi, Rambi, Almarr, Utlagi, Rekki, Lofarr, Hialti, Patrekr, Kulgaldi, Dvergr, Skarpi, Hamundr, Vigr, Tosti, and Jarpr, all looked down at him with confused smiles upon their faces.

Alrekr tried to hide his emotions, but it was impossible. How could so many of his little band of warriors have survived, when so many others in the ranks perished, including all of the enemy's Berserker.

" It is very good to see all of you ! " he blurted out unable to hide his feelings. 

Kulgaldi bent down and looked his commander in the eyes. 

" We are alive because Domaldi taught us how to fight like warriors,.... and because you, Alrekr, showed us how to attack our enemy like the wolves that we are. By watching each other's backs, and attacking where and when we could, we saved each other, and defeated our enemy ! " he proudly told his commander.

Lofarr then stepped forward and announced : 

" The king wishes for us to pull back across the border and set up a defensive position there ! " Lofarr told his commander. 

Alrekr nodded and pointed to Bjarnlaugr's body. 

" I wish to bring this man back to Vingulmork for a proper burial. " he told his men. 

Then Alrekr looked over at Jarpr. 

" Will you help me Jarpr ? " he asked more than commanded. 

Alrekr expected at least one of his men to protest, but no one questioned the man any longer who had taught them how to fight and survive on the battlefield. 

As Alrekr and Jarpr were carrying Bjarnlaugr's body to the edge of the battlefield, and a waiting cart, Jarpr had a question for his leader.

" I am curious commander. Why did you pick me to help you move this warrior's body ? " he asked . 

Alrekr stopped for a moment.

" Because you are the one who helped me kill my friend . "  he stated without emotion. 

Jarpr did not quite know what to make of what Alrekr had told him, and for the rest of the trip back to Vingulmork he remained very quiet. 


____________________________________________________________________________________________________


Alrekr inspected the stone very carefully. Oraldr, the stone cutter, had chiseled the runic letters deep into the rune stone, and the commander of the Úlfhéðnar thanked him for his fine work. After helping Alrekr to set the stone in place upon the edge of the burial mound, Oraldr collected his fee and left.

Alrekr sat on the edge of the mound, under which the earthly remains of Bjarnlaugr lay, with a huge arsenal of weapons for his friend to use for an eternity, and relived his childhood memories of Bjarnlaugr.  Then as the day began to wane Alrekr got up and read the stone one more time before mounting his horse and rejoining his Wolf - hides.


' This Stone Was Erected By Alrekr
Commander Of The Úlfhéðnar
For His Friend And Honored Enemy
Bjarnlaugr Of Vestfold
Son Of Ramundr And Dalla
Never Has A Braver Warrior
Walked The Nine Worlds
Or Graced A Battlefield
With His Fighting Skills
 His Body Lies Here
​ But His Soul Fights On In Valhalla '        



- The End


- Next : Story 57 : The Queen Of War !



- Glenn Bergen, ( Ravensheart ), © Copyright, 2016. 


-  

   
   
     

      



         

Poem  406 : ' The New Dictators '

8/26/2016

 

406. The New Dictators
​

There is no place in our glorious religion for your hate, 
And our many faithful will not listen to those who dictate,
The use of our symbols to dishonor is not open for debate,
And your prejudicial sectarian views with us holds no weight !

Do you think that Odin can't see your deceit with only one eye ?
And that All - Father does not know what you say is a bold lie ? 
Is your conceit so great that with wicked words our Gods you defy ? 
Maybe it is time for you to look in a mirror and ask yourself why !

It matters not how many times you shout and pound your fist,
Those who are Tru to the Old Gods you will never hope to enlist, 
You are wasting our time, when you shout down, harass, and insist,
For to those who truly believe in the Norse Gods you do not exist.

We can't change a heart which has turned hard and cold as stone, 
And dishonorable words are not forgiven, no way for you to atone,
We turn our backs on those who build themselves a hateful throne,
And we leave these new dictators behind and walk the path alone !



- Glenn Bergen, ( Ravensheart ), © Copyright, 2016.

Picture

' The Úlfhéðnar ' : Chapter 12 : Only Odin Wins At War ( Odin's Ending )

8/21/2016

 

The Úlfhéðnar 




Chapter 12 


Only Odin Wins At War

( Odin's Ending )


When the two opposing armies met in the middle of the valley it was as though two avalanches had crashed head long into one another. The warriors ferocious shouts of glory quickly turned into grunts of desperation, and screams of horror and pain. In some cases the strongest ran away out of fear, while the timid stood and fought with a fervor no one could have expected. Such is the reality of war !

The ground soon ran red with the slick sacrificial blood of the battle's dead and dying. This made the already treacherous footing in ankle deep grass even more hazardous. With smashed skulls, opened bellies, and missing limbs, warriors fell like leaves from an autumn tree. All too soon the orderly straight shield walls became disorganized, bent back, and then broken on both sides of the line. It was as though a great madness had taken over the battlefield. Neither army seemed to be in control, and chaos ruled the moment.

The fiercest fighting took place in the middle of the valley where the Berserker and the Úlfhéðnar went at each other like wild animals. And neither side was willing to gave the other an inch of their position. Here, in this small section of the battlefield, an epic struggle was taking place between the best warriors in all of Southern Norway. This was a battle for pride ! This was a struggle for honor !! This was a fight to the death !!!

Most individual battles in war take but a few short moments to reach their conclusion. But these were not normal warriors ! Their skills were such that each trick they used was blocked, or countered, by an equal ability of their opponent. They were so well matched as fighters that it almost seemed as if it were a dance that had been perfectly choreographed. This, however, was a dance of death !     

____________________________________________________________________________________________________


It is said that Odin knew that this epic battle would take place, and that he invited his Asgardian children to Hlidskjalf to watch as it played out on the green fields of Midgard. The Gods were so intrigued by the fighting skills, and tenacity, of the Berserker, and Úlfhéðnar warriors, that bets were placed on individual battles, and on which of these two forces would still be standing when it was finally over. Only Odin refused to wager on the matches playing out below them. 

____________________________________________________________________________________________________

Alrekr and Bjarnlaugr led their warriors into battle with a ferocity that out - shined all the other warriors on this now hallowed field. Bjarnlaugr was especially maniacal in his fighting style. If he could not stab, he sliced. If he could not slice, then he bashed his opponent to death. One opposing warrior angered the commander of the Berserker so much that he hit him in the mouth with the boss of his shield, and when his dazed opponent dropped his weapon Bjarnlaugr picked him up, and broke his back over his knee.

Alrekr was not quite as strong as his counterpart, but he more than made up for it with his great skill, and speed. The commander of the Úlfhéðnar had learned much from the wolves over the years. Although he maintained an acute focus on the warrior he was fighting against at the moment, he constantly used his peripheral vision to scan his surroundings, and if an opportunity arose he would slash of jab an enemy to his left or right to help a comrade against his opponent. This is the fighting technique that Alrekr had taught his Wolf - hides and it seemed to be a worthy strategy in this battle.

At first Alrekr and Bjarnlaugr were pushed apart by the ebb and flow of the battle, but as warriors fell, and the ranks thinned, it became inevitable that these two great warriors should meet head to head in single combat. Bjarnlaugr had just beheaded a warrior when he saw out of the corner of his eye a blurry figure coming at him at a rapid pace. The Berserker commander turned just in time to raise his shield to block a vicious sword stroke from this new opponent. Then he used his shield to push the warrior away to gain some fighting room. For a moment Bjarnlaugr stood staring at his foe. Then a grin slowly rose up on one corner of his mouth.

" Hello, old friend ! It is time for you to die ! " he said without any emotion.

Alrekr smiled . 

" I am ready ! Are you ? " Alrekr asked. 

____________________________________________________________________________________________________

Back in Asgard the Gods immediately began to place their bets. Tyr, Balder, Syn and Gna, all put their money on Bjarnlaugr. Thor of course, bet against Odin's favorite son Balder, and put his gold coins on Alrekr. Ullr, Skadhi, and Heimdall also joined the God of Thunder and placed their bets in support of Alrekr.

____________________________________________________________________________________________________
​      
Bjarnlaugr did not answer his old friend with words. Instead he immediately went on the offensive. The angry Berserkr swung his sword back and forth like a scythe cutting grass with great force and accuracy. He also used his shield as a secondary weapon, pushing and jabbing at Alrekr with its pointed metal boss. To his surprise his childhood friend blocked every strike with little difficulty, and he soon realized that this was not the boy he had once practiced with in the woods back in Vestfold all those years ago. His friend, now his enemy, had become a skilled warrior. Bjarnlaugr also realized that killing Alrekr would be a great honor, and he began to fight with even more tenacity than before.

Alrekr was using every trick he had learned over the years, but he could not seem to penetrate Bjarnlaugr's defenses. One of the reasons was that the commander of the Berserker, because of his great size, was using a much larger shield than most warriors carried into battle. So large in fact it was almost impossible to get his weapon passed it. It was then that Alrekr remembered the reindeer that was attacked by the wolves in the valley below his cave dwelling all those years ago. The reindeer had a large multi - pointed rack, which much like Bjarnlaugr's shield, prevented an attack from the front. But the great beast could not defend both its front and rear at the same time. Alrekr decided that he would wait for an opportunity to nip at the heels of his opponent the way the wolves had bitten at the reindeer's rear legs that day.

When Bjarnlaugr tried to push him away with his shield again, Alrekr pretended to fall forward, but instead did a complete roll on the ground, and quickly popped up behind the large Berserker. He had only time for one quick stroke before Bjarnlaugr moved to defend, but it was enough to change the course of the battle. Alrekr's carefully aimed stroke sliced through Bjarnlaugr's calf all the way to the bone.

Bjarnlaugr screamed like a wild animal, but ignored the pain, and though hobbled, he turned and moved forward to attack once again. With a maniacal look in his eyes the commander of the Berserker slashed at Alrekr with his sword with such force that Alrekr was forced to retreat from the blows that fell like large hail upon his shield. Both combatants were focused so intently on one another in their death struggle that neither Alrekr, nor Bjarnlaugr saw the danger that lay just behind Alrekr on the ground. As the leader of the Úlfhéðnar stepped back to avoid an especially vicious attack, Alfrekr stepped on the leg of a dead warrior, and quickly felt himself losing his balance.

Bjarnlaugr had him ! The commander of the Berserker hobbled forward for the kill, and jabbed his sword at his falling opponent. As he did his good leg hit the arm of another dead warrior, and he too began to fall. Bjarnlaugr tried to compensate with his injured leg, but it would not respond, and he fell forward as well. Both Alrekr and Bjarnlaugr could see what was about to happen, but neither could move quickly enough to avoid each other's swords.

Bjarnlaugr's blade penetrated Alrekr's stomach and severed his spine before burying itself in the ground beyond. Alrekr's sword went through the middle of Bjarnlaugr's chest, and pierced his heart killing him instantly. Because of Bjarnlaugr's great size and weight, Alrekr's sword continued through his body, and exited his back as he fell on top of Alrekr. The reddened point sticking upward like a beacon to the heavens.  

Despite being paralyzed, and feeling little or no pain, Alrekr knew full well that he was dying. As the slaughter continued all around him he looked up at his boyhood friend, who know lay draped over him, and whispered with a smile.

" If we could not fight together, at least we were allowed to die together ! " Alrekr told his already dead friend with his last breath.    

The battle raged on for hours until dusk began to fall over the battlefield like a black funeral cloth, and it slowly became apparent that Vestfold's army was beginning to falter under the pressure that the Vingulmork warriors were asserting on them. King Sigmarr, after the last of his Berserker fell, tried one last desperate cavalry charge. When that failed, and King Agmund counterattacked with his horsemen against the ends of the his line, the Vestfold army folded, and exposed King Sigmarr's rear to the enemy. Sigmarr immediately ordered a retreat, and his warriors, who had clearly had enough, backed off their fighting and began to run for the rear. The battle was soon over, and all that was left for the living to do was observe the remnants of the slaughter, and count the dead.

King Agmund rode around the battlefield with his royal guard staying closely behind. Everywhere he looked he saw the broken bodies of warriors, both his, and those of the enemy. He swallowed hard when he thought how he would soon see his wife Halldis, but that none of these brave warriors would ever meet with their loved ones again. With tears welling up in his eyes he whispered bitterly :

" Only Odin wins in war ! " 

____________________________________________________________________________________________________


Odin rose up off of his high - seat at Hlidskjalf and faced his fellow Asgardians, all of whom had become totally silent.

" All bets are off ! Take your money and leave ! I will not have this glorious moment dishonored by your greed ! " Odin told them angrily.

Feeling the sting of Odin's anger each God and Goddess in turn picked up the gold coins that they had bet, and slowly and silently filed out of the great hall. Thor, who was the last to leave, turned to Odin and with a smile spoke to his father :

" It was wonderful wasn't it ! " he told his father boldly. 

Odin reluctantly nodded. 

" That it was my son ! That it was !! " he replied. 

After Thor left, Odin summoned Brynhildr and her Valkyries to the Valhalla courtyard. 

"  Let us ride to Vestfold. For there is much for us to do there ! " he told Brynhildr.

" Us ? " Brynhildr asked. 

" Are you coming to Midgard with us as well, my Lord ? " Brynhildr asked fairly surprised.

" Yes ! " was all that Valfather said as he mounted Sleipnir. 

Over the Rainbow Bridge, and through the skies of Midgard, Odin led his Valkyries to the now hallowed battlefield in Vestfold. They arrived just as Sunna's chariot was coming up over the horizon, and with her light Valfather saw the ravens and other scavenger birds flying high overhead. To Odin it seemed that they formed a rotating monument to the brave fallen warriors who lay below. As they too circled over the valley of death Odin smiled. The honor and glory of all those dead warriors was a testament to how great his children had become. And as he landed Odin was never prouder of anyone or anything in his entire life !

Odin dismounted and walked over to the center of the battlefield where the dead were piled two or three deep in places. He stood there contemplating the honorable deeds that each warrior had earned for himself. Then suddenly Odin was interrupted from his deep thoughts by Brynhildr. 

" Forgive me my Lord, but which warriors have you chosen for us to take back to Valhalla ? " she asked. 

Odin's eye sparkled as he proudly looked out at the honored dead who lay all over the blood soaked and hallowed ground. 

Odin slowly turned to Brynhildr, nodded, and with a grin replied : 

" Why .... all of them of course ! They have earned a place in my hall with their glorious deeds ! " 

Odin himself placed the souls of Alrekr and Bjarnlaugr on Sleipnir, and flew them back to Valhalla. 

It is said that the feast that night in Valhalla was one of the greatest ever held in the Golden Hall. Alrekr and Bjarnlaugr, toasted each other that night as they drank their fill on the golden benches across from one another. But no one had a better time that night than Domaldi and Valdarr who sat proudly next to their students ! 


- The End 


Next : Chapter 12 ( Alternate Ending ) My Friend, My Honored Enemy ! 


​Next Month : Queen Birsla returns in ........ ' The Queen Of War ! ' © 2016.  



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- Glenn Bergen, ( Ravensheart ),  © Copyright, 2016.     

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' The Úlfhéðnar ' : Chapter 11 : A Battle For The Ages

8/20/2016

 

The Úlfhéðnar




Chapter 11


A Battle For The Ages



King Agmund kissed his wife Halldis goodbye before mounting his great grey horse. He and his wife had grown apart, as do most couples who have been together for a number of years, but you would not have guessed it from the passionate kiss they shared. Both the king and queen were well aware that this may be the last time they ever saw each other, and acted as though this would be their last moment together. As Agmund rode his horse to the front of his army, to lead them to the Vestfold border, and into war, he waved to his wife of thirty years one last time. Queen Halldis tried to keep herself composed as she returned his goodbye, but her mind could not hold back the tears that came from her heart.

As the army began to move out, and Alrekr led his Úlfhéðnar forward, he felt an exhilaration that he had never known before. The Wolf - hides always proudly marched directly behind the king's guard, for their creed was, " First in battle, last to die ! " Alrekr turned and then smiled as he watched his little band of highly trained warriors following faithfully behind him. When Alrekr's eyes met Jarpr's they both grinned. They had gone through many trials and tribulations since they had both won entrance into the Úlfhéðnar, and now they were marching off to war and glory against their hated enemy the Kingdom of Vestfold.

Jarpr was no longer the raw recruit he had been when he sparred against Alrekr all those years ago. What he lacked in size and strength he more than made up for with his skill and cunning. Some of the older Úlfhéðnar, liked to call him, " Their little shield maiden " , but almost no one wanted to be chosen as his sparring partner for the afternoon. Alrekr had lost count of how many times the smaller, " shield maiden ", had embarrassed the bigger, and much stronger warriors with his quickness and agility in combat. Alrekr also was fond of this warrior because he was one of the first to embrace his new method of fighting as a wolf pack.

Alrekr was proud of his warriors, but in his heart he knew that these men would always be Domaldi's warriors. Their fallen leader had handpicked them, including himself, trained them, and it was Domaldi's imprint that had been forever stamped on the lives of these men. And yet Alrekr was proud to stand in the long shadow of his former teacher. As Alrekr moved forward he remembered Domaldi as a great warrior, mentor, and friend to all who knew him. And today his warriors would make their old teacher proud. Alrekr was sure of it !      


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Bjarnlaugr cursed the army for their slowness ! And he did not hide his anger even from King Sigmarr. Despite knowing that the Vingulmork army had a head start on their army, the Vestfold warriors showed no great desire to hurry into battle, and in some cases were literally dragging their feet as they slowly marched off towards the border between the two warring kingdoms.   

King Sigmarr grimaced every time that Bjarnlaugr complained about the pace of the army. Unlike the leader of the Berserker, the king fully understood that the Bear - skins were a professional group of warriors, who lived for battle, and for nothing else. The men who made up the regular army, however, were simple farmers, craftsmen, and sailors, who worked at their trade, or tilled and harvested the land for most of the year. These men only picked up their weapons in a time of war such as this. These  common  warriors did not have the fervor for battle that the Berserker had, and many, if not most the king was sure, would rather be home tending to their fields than marching off to war.

King Sigmarr did agree with Bjarnlaugr that the army was moving to slow, however, for he was sure that the Vingulmork army would reach the border first, and be able to take the initiative and position themselves on high ground that was advantageous to them, and possibly disastrous for his own army. 

Reluctantly, because it made Bjarnlaugr seem to be right in this matter, the king rode back to admonish Gandolfr, Nesbjorn, and Ufeigr for the way their divisions were straggling along. But it was hard to push men who's hearts are not truly into what they are doing. The pace picked up a little, but still remained too slow for the king's liking. Sigmarr now knew they would not reach the border before the Vingulmork army did, and it worried him to no end.


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King Agmund halted his army at the Vestfold border. The king of Vingulmork had a very tough decision to make. Should he remain on his side of the border, on terrain that he knew well, or move his warriors forward into Vestfold, and set up a defensive line there where he could stop the Vestfold army from entering his kingdom. The decision may have been a hard one to make, but the king wasted little time in making it. He moved his army into Vestfold without much hesitation, explaining to his commanders that it would be good for the morale of the army to fight as an invading force on their enemy's territory.      

Alrekr for one did not care whether they fought on the Vingulmork side of the border, or on Vestfold land. He was simply tired of marching and wanted to strike up a battle wherever the enemy could be found. He was soon to get his wish !


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The Vingulmork army came down out of the mountains from the northwest , while the Vestfold forces marched through a mountain pass up from the southeast. The two armies stopped a mile from each other in one of the narrowest valleys in all of southern Norway. 

Both kings quickly assessed their positions. The valley floor was fairly flat with little or no natural obstacles to act as boundaries on their front, or flanks. Here, in what both leaders recognized as a valley of death, there was no advantageous ground, no room to maneuver, and no place to hide. This valley was soon to become a killing field, and there was little or nothing they could do about it.

King Sigmarr placed his three Vestfold divisions in the middle of the valley, with his Berserkers out in front.  He positioned what little horsemen he had to his left and right to protect his flanks from being turned, and to use in a counterattack if the opportunity arose. Behind his foot soldiers and protected by the shield wall that they formed, he placed his archers, who he hoped would rain death down upon their enemy when the time was right, and the command given.

King Agmund of Vingulmork could do little else but mirror what his opponent had already done. The only difference in the way he arranged his forces was that he angled his shield wall slightly back upon itself on the ends to add greater protection to his flanks. Agmund, seeing that the Vestfold king had placed his Berserkers in the middle of the battlefield, followed that move by ordering Alrekr, and his Úlfhéðnar, to place themselves directly across from them to meet the threat that they posed to the center of his line. As Agmund looked around he shook his head dejectedly, for he knew that this was not going to be a battle, so much as a human slaughter pen. Whichever side had the most warriors still standing at the end of the carnage would be the victor !    

Bjarnlaugr and his warriors began to prepare themselves for battle as they moved into position. Many had already tasted the elixir that gave them hallucinations and transformed them into ferocious animals. For some of the Berserker it became difficult, if not altogether impossible, to stay still for very long. Most were already growling and biting at their shields, while others were doing a strange war dance, which included a high shrill scream from time to time. One Berserker, named Dyggvi, had clamped his sword in his teeth, and was swinging his long handled axes at an imaginary foe. Bjarnlaugr, for his part, just stood staring at his opponents across the battlefield. This was the moment he had waited for his whole life, and despite the effects of the mushroom tonic, a strange calmness fell over him.

Half a mile away from the Berserker the Úlfhéðnar were preparing themselves in a similar fashion. Alrekr and his Wolf - hides were brought pitchers filled with a mild form of the colorful mushroom, mixed with a strong ale. These pitchers were passed from one Wolf - hide to another. Before they drank from the pitcher, however they raised it to the heavens and praised Odin, Thor, Tyr, and even their fallen leader Domaldi. When this ritual ended the Úlfhéðnar began to howl and bite their shields in a frantic manner that had the entire army watching them. Then these " wolves " began to feed off of each other's energy by slamming their shields up against one another, howling madly all the while as they built up their anger.

The ritualistic antics of the Úlfhéðnar affected the whole Vingulmork army and soon there was a nervous energy running throughout the ranks. When King Agmund felt that this powerful energy had reached its peak, he commanded his army to move forward, led by Alrekr and his Wolf - hides.  As they moved out the archers pointed their bows at the sky, took aim and let loose a hail of arrows upon the Vestfold ranks .

The king sighed as he kicked his horse forward. 

" How can anything as horrific as war be so beautiful ! " he whispered to himself.

King Sigmarr waited until King Agmund made his move. Although he was fairly sure that the Vingulmork leader had no choice but to come straight at him, he wanted to wait and make absolutely sure that Agmund did not have any tricks up his sleeve before ordering his men into battle. 

King Sigmarr drew his sword, raised it high overhead, and yelled up and down the line :

" Attack ! Attack !! ATTACK !!! " 

As the Vestfold army moved forward Bjarnlaugr did not try to keep pace with the rest of the army. His men wore only bear skins, whereas the common foot soldiers, at least the one's who could afford it, wore mail, helmets, and many other types of armor to protect themselves, that both weighed them down, and thereby slowed them down as well. It did not take long for his Berserker to be thirty or forty feet in front of the main army.

Despite the Vingulmork army being spread out across the entire floor of the valley, Bjarnlaugr's vision was narrowed into a small area directly in front of him. It was the responsibility of the Berserker to punch a hole in the enemy's shield wall, and disrupt their defensive line. As his vision narrowed even further, like a horse wearing blinders, Bjarnlaugr saw standing in his way a force of equal size to his own of Vingulmork Wolf - hides. They had to be eliminated quickly if the Berserker were to accomplish their mission. And even if Bjarnlaugr had noticed that Alrekr was leading the Úlfhéðnar, it would not have mattered. They all had to die !

Alrekr could not help but see that his boyhood friend Bjarnlaugr led the Berserker across the field of battle. His heart sank for only a moment, and then his fury took over and eliminated any feelings of regret that remained. Whatever had led them both here to do battle against one another was much bigger than themselves. All that Alrekr could do now was to play out the game of fate that had been dealt out to him. For whatever was to be their destiny had already been weaved by the three Norns !         


- End Chapter 11


- Next : Chapter 12 : Only Odin Wins In War ! ( Story end number 1 )



- Glenn Bergen, ( Ravensheart ), © Copyright, 2016. 
  

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' The Úlfhéðnar ' : Chapter 10 : A Call For War

8/17/2016

 

The Úlfhéðnar




Chapter 10


A Call For War
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When Alrekr returned to Skiringssal he told King Agmund and Queen Halldis of the horrors that he, and his fellow Úlfhéðnar had witnessed first hand. They were both angered, and saddened, by what they heard. The queen became especially angry when she was told that the inhabitants, including children, were being herded together like animals, and tortured to death by the marauding Vestfold warriors.

Alrekr also brought with him the horrible news that Domaldi had been killed by a cowardly archer, who had been hiding in the woods. The king surprised Alrekr by not showing any emotion when he was told that Domaldi, with his dying command, had chosen him to become the new leader of the Úlfhéðnar. The king merely nodded before stating : 

" Domaldi was a wise and skilled warrior who never let me down in battle. I respect that he gave his life in battle for our people, and I will of course abide by his final decision to appoint you , Alrekr, as his replacement as the commander of the Wolf - hides. "

The king and queen of Vingulmork thanked Alrekr for defending the border with Vestfold against their enemy, and bringing those who had harmed their people to justice. They then invited him to stay while they convened a council of war with the army commanders. It did not take long for those who held the responsibility for the safety of the Vingulmork people, and the defense of their kingdom, to decide that they had been patient for far too long, and that now there was only one course of action left to take. It was unanimously agreed to call for an all - out war against those who had trespassed on their territory, and raped, tortured, and killed their folk.

Alrekr was very pleased by the decision to go to war with their long time enemy Vestfold, but he, and his fellow Wolf-hides had a much more pressing matter to attend to. For it was now time to send Domaldi off to Valhalla !

Near the great wolf totem pole a platform was built of logs lashed together with rope. Beneath the structure a great multitude of logs, dry brush, and other types of kindling, were stacked right up to the bottom of the platform. Two ladders were made and placed on either end of the funeral platform to reach the top, and a bed was brought up to the top for their fallen commander's body to lay upon.

Domaldi's body was carefully washed, along with his hair and beard, which were also braided. His fingernails and toenails were also cleaned and then clipped as far back as possible. This was done because it was believed that the uncut fingernails and toenails of the dead were used by evil doers to construct the ship Naglfar, which it is said will transport the forces of chaos at the time of Ragnarok. 

Alrekr, by himself, carried the cleaned and purified body of his leader up the ladder to the funeral platform. This was quite a difficult task, for even in death Domaldi was still a formidable size and weight. With tired arms, and an aching heart, Alrekr placed the body on top of the bed of dried leaves and flowers that had been soaked in whale oil to assist the fire in eliminating Domaldi's earthly remains, and allow his spirit to be taken by the Valkyries to Valhalla.

Domaldi's body was completely covered in wolf hides by Hildeborg, the old serving maiden, so that no part of his skin was showing. Before covering his face, however, she gave the former commander of the Úlfhéðnar one last kiss on the cheek. As she did so she remembered back to the night long ago when " she made him a man " and smiled. Hildeborg tried to be brave and hold back her tears, but they came anyway as she made her way down the ladder.

Yngvarr and Lofarr then brought two muzzled young wolves to the top of the platform where Alrekr sacrificed them so that they might join Domaldi in Valhalla. 

" Just as great Odin has Geri and Freki, you my old friend, will have two companions to take with you to the golden realm ! " he exclaimed as he slit their throats one by one, while his warriors held them.

After placing the wolves on either side of their fallen commander, Alrekr and his comrades climbed back down the ladders. They, along with the rest of the Wolf - hides then painted themselves up for war, dressed in their wolf skins, and waited for the howling hour to begin.

As Mani rose up high in the sky and looked down upon their fallen leader, the Úlfhéðnar stood around the base of the platform drinking a mixture of the Fly Agaric and mead. It was not long before a feeling of euphoria and invincibility took hold of the warriors, and they became restless.

When Mani settled in high overhead the Úlfhéðnar,  after a signal from Alrekr, began to dance at the base of the platform to the rhythm of beating drums. Soon they began to howl at the moon as they went round and round the funeral platform. It was almost as though it was their prey and they were trying to keep it contained within their circle.

Then, as if the Gods themselves had given some silent signal, the Úlfhéðnar stopped dancing and howling. Each grabbed a torch, lit it, and solemnly walked around the platform chanting. Alrekr was the first to stop and throw his torch into the kindling beneath the funeral platform.

" I honor you, my great teacher, with this torch to light your way to Valhalla. May you feast with Odin, and serve him along with the other Einherjar until chaos reigns, and the great ending known as Ragnarok takes hold of the nine worlds !  " he shouted up to his former commander and friend.

Each of the Úlfhéðnar in turn threw their torches onto the funeral pyre. A few praised their commander for his kindness and tenacity, but most , mainly those who had fought by his side for years, recounted a heroic deed performed by Domaldi while in battle. 

When the fire reached the commander's body the whale oil ignited, and the platform exploded into a ball of flame. The drums once again began to beat out a slow rhythm, and the Úlfhéðnar danced back and forth between the funeral pyre and the wolf totem. No one stopped until exhaustion and the first light of dawn appeared on the horizon. When nothing was left to see but ashes they were now assured that Domaldi's earthly body was gone, and that the Valkyries had taken his spirit to Valhalla. Having done their final duty to Domaldi, they retired to their beds for some well earned rest.  


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Bjarnlaugr was furious when he heard from one of the returning warriors, named Aldi, who had barely escaped the clutches of the Vingulmork warriors, that their marauding scouts had been all but wiped out. The new leader of the Berserker listened intently to each and every word Aldi had to say. When he was done telling his side of the story, Bjarnlaugr grabbed the warrior by the back of his head, and ran him through with his sword. As Aldi began to go limp in his arms Bjarnlaugr looked him in the eyes.

" An honorable warrior would have stayed behind and died with his comrades. You have dishonored them by running away, and therefore have forfeited your right to live ! " he told the coward before removing his sword, and allowing him to fall dead on the ground.

Bjarnlaugr then turned to Kolskeggr and pointed in the direction of the village. 

" I am going to see the king ! " he told the old warrior.

" Get the Bear - skins ready for war ! " he added with an angry look. 

If anyone other than Bjarnlaugr had burst into King Sigmarr's great hall unannounced they would have been thrown out on their ear. But not only was Bjarnlaugr one of the most feared of the Berserker, he commanded the Bear - skins, and had a reputation for a quick temper, and a no nonsense attitude. Few if any dared to confront this dangerous and unpredictable young man !

Bjarnlaugr pushed aside the king's guard with little effort, and then yelled to the king who sat upon his high - seat at the far end of the hall. 

" I have killed the coward who ran from the Vingulmork warriors like a scared little rabbit ! ! " Bjarnlaugr announced to everyone in the hall. 

The king, and his army commanders Gandolfr, Nesbjorn, and Ufeigr turned and stared angrily at the warrior who had interrupted their conversation. 

Bjarnlaugr pointed a finger in their direction.

" I believe he was one of your cowards Nesbjorn ! " Bjarnlaugr stated boldly. 

Nesbjorn drew his sword, and began to strut towards the door where the commander of the Berserker defiantly stood. 

" You have dishonored me for the last time Bjarnlaugr ! " Nesbjorn shouted back at the Berserker. 

" STOP !! " King Sigmarr bellowed loudly. 

Bjarnlaugr stepped forward. 

" Then when shall we spill blood ! These piecemeal attacks on Vingulmork are a waste of time, and are gaining us nothing ! " Bjarnlaugr shouted back at the king. 

Nesbjorn halted at his king's command, and put his sword back into its scabbard. 

" That is why the king has decided to attack Vingulmork with the entire army ! " Nesbjorn replied, speaking  for the king. 

Bjarnlaugr smiled. 

" Good ! I have already begun to mobilize my warriors. It will be convenient to have the army along with us ! " Bjarnlaugr remarked sarcastically before turning and leaving the hall.

" What a son of a bitch ! " Ufeigr said after Bjarnlaugr had left. 

Gandalfr chuckled . 

" Yes ! But his warriors will be the first to engage the enemy, and the first to die for Vestfold ! " Gandolfr announced with a tone of pride in his voice.

The king nodded in agreement. 

" The Berserkers are somewhat of a pain in the ass, but there are no better fighters in my realm ! " the king added. 

King Sigmarr took a deep breath, and then pointed to his commanders. 

" Get your divisions ready ! We move at first light ! " he told them trying to sound confident. 


- End Chapter 10


- Next : Chapter 11 : A Battle For The Ages



- Glenn Bergen, ( Ravensheart ), © Copyright, 2016.   



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' The Úlfhéðnar ' : Chapter 9 : The Chosen One

8/15/2016

 

The Úlfhéðnar




Chapter 9


​The Chosen One


Domaldi led the Úlfhéðnar cautiously along the Vingulmork border with Vestfold. The Wolf - hides had been sent by King Agmund and Queen Halldis here to find out what King Sigmarr of Vestfold was up to. King Agmund  knew that several towns and villages had been attacked near the disputed border between the two kingdoms of late, and the king wanted to know the extent of the damage, and just how far these Vestfolders had infiltrated into his kingdom.

What Domaldi and the Úlfhéðnar found was much worse than they could have ever have imagined. Village after village along the border, on the Vingulmork side, were burned to the ground. The inhabitants, at least the ones who had not fled, were easy enough to find. Their decapitated heads were impaled onto sticks and placed at the entrance to each village, and their mutilated bodies were hung up in the surrounding trees for the birds to feed on.

Alrekr wanted to leave behind a small contingent of warriors to take down the bodies, and bury them, but Domaldi's blood was up, and he was determined to kill all those intruders who had invaded their kingdom and killed his folk. The leader of the Úlfhéðnar ordered his Wolf - hides forward. All of them ! 

" We must kill these monsters or die in the attempt ! To not do so would be to dishonor those who suffered at our enemy's hands ! " he explained to his men.

The trail of the Vestfold marauders was easy enough to follow. Everywhere they went they left a path of devastation and death. Every house in each village was a new experience in horror. Not only were these warriors brutal, but they were sadistic as well. Men had their eyes gauged out, women their breasts cut off, and children were found missing arms and legs. Almost every body they found showed some signs of mutilation. Domaldi's anger grew to ever new heights with each devastated location they visited !

On the tenth day the Úlfhéðnar saw smoke off in the distance. Domaldi grinned from ear to ear as they approached the still burning village, for he knew that they were closing in on these demons, who he likened to Surtr, and his minions from Muspelheim. Domaldi, driven by his fury, and the urge for vengeance, pushed his men on night and day.

Three days later, as they were coming down a mountain pass into a valley, they heard screams in the distance, and could smell the smoke from another burning village. Domaldi angrily drew his sword, pointed it towards the rising smoke, and screamed : 

" Let us swarm down upon our enemy like a pack of wolves upon our prey and kill each and every one of these vile creatures ! Forward Úlfhéðnar ! " 

Some of the enemy warriors had begun to pull out of the village as the Wolf - hides moved in from all sides. Most of the buildings were on fire, or had already burned to the ground, by the time they entered the outskirts of the village. As Domaldi and his warriors closed in from every direction they saw those Vestfold warriors, who had remained behind in the center of the village torturing men, women, and children.

Domaldi took half of his wolf pack and went after the Vestfold warriors who were leaving the village. Yngvarr, Utlagi, Tosti, Rekkr, Regnvaldr, Njall, Lofarr, Karlsefni, Hialti, Grundi, and Almarr, did not need elixir, or a rousing speech, to motivate them, or to reach the wolves' ultimate fury. They had seen first hand the crimes that these inhuman creatures had perpetrated against their people, and quickly went into a state of Berserkergang.

Alrekr went into the village from the south, followed closely behind by Vigr, Ulfrekr, and Skarpi.  Rambi, Patrokr, Oski, and Kulgaldi came in from the east, while Jarpr led Hamundr, Dvergr and Baldrekr, into the village from the west. They all reached the village center at about the same time, and just as the Vestfold warriors were about to begin executing the inhabitants. As one of their warriors was lifting his sword high overhead to hack off a young woman's head, Alrekr reached down and pulled his throwing axe from his belt. With a level of rage he had never felt before he threw it with all of his might. The axe flew end over end until the heavy blade hit the enemy warrior in the middle of his forehead, splitting his skull in half, and making him drop his weapon. Before the warrior hit the ground dead two more axes found their mark, and felled two more of the enemy as well.

Alrekr and his Úlfhéðnar warband quickly routed the small contingent of Vestfold warriors in the village. They showed them no mercy, for they deserved none. Alrekr then left Skarpi, and Jarpr behind to untie the prisoners, and see to the injured, while he led the rest of his warriors forward to see if Domaldi needed help.

He needn't have bothered. Domaldi and his warriors had chased down each of the fleeing cowards, and killed most of them. However, two of the enemy were brought back alive. As Alrekr approached one of the prisoners was being interrogated by Domaldi about the Vestfold army's position, while the other was being skinned alive as an incentive for the first captive to tell all he knew.                    

Alrekr smiled when he saw that Domaldi had the situation well in hand. He was about to turn and comment to Kulgaldi on how efficient their commander was in retrieving information from the enemy when he saw something that his eyes simply could not make his mind believe. As Domaldi stood questioning his prisoner he suddenly grabbed his chest, and fell to his knees. When Alrekr looked closer he saw the feather's of an arrow sticking out from the middle of Domaldi's hand.

Alrekr's first order was to his men. 

" The woods ! There are archers in the woods !! " he told his men, who reacted immediately. 

As he ran towards Domaldi he screamed out to his men :

" I want at least one of them alive ! They will suffer dearly for this cowardly act ! " 

By the time Alrekr reached Domaldi he was lying on the ground surrounded by his warriors, who had formed a shield wall to protect their commander from further arrows. With the wild desperate eyes of a man who knew he was about to die, Domaldi looked up at Alrekr .

" You,....You,......Alrekr,..... will lead the Úlfhéðnar ! " he announced while choking on his own blood.

Then in a clearer voice he added. 

" Wolf - hides ! You will honor, obey, and follow Alrekr as you have faithfully followed me all these years. He we lead you to victory...... ! " he exclaimed with his last breath.


- End Chapter 9


- Next : A Call For War !



- Glenn Bergen, ( Ravensheart ), © Copyright, 2016. 


     
                   

' The Úlfhéðnar ' : Chapter 8 : Ascending To The Top

8/15/2016

 

The Úlfhéðnar




Chapter 8


Ascending To The Top
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Kolskeggr led the Berserker for a short time after the death of Valdarr, but the old warrior was no fool. He knew that the future of the Berserker lay in the hands of Bjarnlaugr. The youth had now become a strapping young man, and his size and great strength rivaled that of their former leader. Bjarnlaugr possessed one trait that not even the great Valdarr could lay claim to. He was simply the meanest, and angriest of all the Berserker.    

One of the first things that both Kolskeggr and Bjarnlaugr looked into, after Valdarr's death, was the way that the mind altering elixir was made from the mushroom known as the Bug Agaric. Though few had ever become sick from the potion made from this mushroom, despite the fact that they knew it was mildly poisonous, Valdarr's death was a reminder of just how dangerous it could be.

Women from the village were enlisted to try making the potion in different forms. Then each of these experimental versions was fed to a captured Vingulmork prisoner. After months of trial and error, and a fair number of deaths, it was found that parboiling the mushrooms for a short period of time weakened the mushroom's toxicity, but still allowed the mixture to have a mind altering effect on the individual, which made it possible for a warrior to reach a level of fury that matched that of their animal counterparts, the bears, and berserkergang.    

When Bjarnlaugr tried the new mixture himself he was impressed with the effect it had, not only on his mental state, but also on his strength, and the perception of invincibility that it gave him. Satisfied that their women had perfected the potion Kolskeggr and Bjarnlaugr placed a woman named Gillaug in charge of brewing the elixir.

Bjarnlaugr, however, also gave her fair warning :

" You will always be the first to drink the potion ! " he had told her. 

Although Kolskeggr and Bjarnlaugr led the Berserker they were only one small part of the overall Vestfold army that was commanded by King Sigmarr. The king rarely, if ever, came to see the Berserker. Sigmarr considered them a valuable part of his army, but he feared them as much as he valued them. When a dispute over territory with their neighbor Vingulmork developed, however, King Sigmarr made his rounds to each division of his army to inspect their fighting readiness.

When he arrived at the Berserker camp King Sigmarr was impressed by the wisdom of the old Berserk Kolskeggr, and very much intrigued by the youth, who was less than half his age, but commanded the respect of the other Berserker with his mere presence.  The king had not planned to stay in the Berserker camp after the inspection, but after Kolskeggr invited him to stay for a feast, Bjarnlaugr placed his huge hand on the king's shoulder, and nodded that he should stay. King Sigmarr stared at the youth's hand, which was easily as big as his head, and felt compelled to remain. Quite frankly the young warrior scared him !

By the time Mani began his ride across the night sky King Sigmarr was glad that he had stayed for the Berserker feast. The roasted boar was delicious, and the camp " maidens " kept his horn constantly filled with ale. One serving maiden in particular was being especially nice to the king. Every time she came over to fill his horn she sat on his lap, and gave him a little friendly kiss on the cheek. Sigmarr enjoyed the special attention, and it made him glad that he did not bring his wife Ragnhildr along on this inspection tour. 

As the night wore on King Sigmarr noticed that the Berserker were beginning to gather around a totem pole in the center of the compound. Four small bonfires were lit each facing a different point on the compass. Intrigued, the king rose up off of his bench and attempted to enter the circle to better see what was taking place.  A young warrior named Porsi stopped the king immediately. 

" Only Berserker may enter the den of the bear ! Not even a king can break the circle of fire ! " he informed the king sternly.

The king's guards came running to his side the moment Porsi stopped Sigmarr, and they were about to push the lone Berserker aside when the king raised his hand to stop them.

" No ! I will respect their sacred ritual and watch from here ! " he commanded his guards.      

The king looked on in fascination as the Berserker removed all of their clothing and covered themselves in bear skins. A woman stood at the edge of the circle of fire with a pitcher and passed out horns to each of the Berserker. She poured each warrior a generous amount from her pitcher before leaving the circle. The Bear - hides then donned grotesque bear masks, and began to growl as they shook with anger. From outside of the circle men began to bang on drums, to which the Berserker danced in time to their rhythm.

As the Berserker circled around the bear totem pole they became more and more animated, and their growls turned into screams of fury. Then they began to do something that King Sigmarr found to be incredible ! One by one the Berserker jumped through the low bonfires as they circled around the bear - pole.

King Sigmarr had heard of such rituals that could prove, among other things, that weapons and fire could not hurt these great warriors, but to see it for himself was quite a thrill, and a rare honor. The fire ritual lasted for quite some time, and King Sigmarr was beginning to think it would never end, when suddenly the drummers stopped beating their drums. Unsure if he should clap or cheer for their remarkable performance, King Sigmarr did nothing. He simply stood transfixed there waiting to see what would happen next.

Another maiden then appeared out of the shadows, caused by the flickering light of the bonfires, and handed a sword to Kolskeggr. The old warrior took the weapon and slowly walked over to Bjarnlaugr. Kolskeggr knelt in front of the young co - leader of the Berserker, and raised the sword up above his head with both hands.

" What is it old man ? " Bjarnlaugr demanded to know.

Kolskeggr looked up and smiled at the warrior who was proudly dressed in his hard won bear skin. 

" This is Valdarr's sword. " he explained.

" I am, as you have remarked, ' an old man '.  The Berserker need a young ferocious warrior to lead them into battle . Therefore, and after careful consideration,  you have been selected as our new leader ! May Valdarr's sword cut through your opponents like a bear's claws through human flesh ! " he told the young warrior proudly.

A great roar rose up from the Berserker, which seemed to indicate that the decision had been a unanimous one. Bjarnlaugr took the hilt of the sword in his right hand , and placed his left hand on the sharp blade. Slowly he ran his hand over the blade until it ran red with his blood.

" With my blood I take here an oath before my brother Berserker to lead you to victory, .... to honor,.... and to Valhalla !! " he screamed into the night sky.

King Sigmarr shivered a little as he watched this momentous occasion. Not because of the chilled night air, or the strange things that he had seen on this night. He quivered because he realized that he had witnessed the passing of a sacred symbol from one generation to another !


- End Chapter 8 


Next : Chapter 9 : The Chosen One



- Glenn Bergen, ( Ravensheart ), © Copyright, 2016.     

                             

Poem 405 : Blenda's Song

8/14/2016

 

405 : Blenda's Song
​

Picture
The Girls of Smaland by Hugo Hamilton ( 1830 )



​Alle, The king of the Geats, marched all of our brave husbands off to war, 
With the West Geats, and South Geats, they left for the Norwegian shore,
They marched off for glory, but would have stayed had they only known, 
For the Danes discovered that our women and children were left all alone.

My sisters throughout Småland let us rise up with weapon and shield,
We shall show the Danish men that Smålandish women will not yield,
Rally together my friends for it is time for the Danes to hear our war cry,
We shall defend our sacred land, show our enemy we are not afraid to die ! 

I, Blenda, sent out the war stick, asked the maidens to assemble in Värend, 
For we women of Småland, shield maidens one and all, do not fear to defend,
From Konga, Albo, Kinnevald, Norrvidinge, and Uppvidinge our women came,
They arrived to defend their homes, and their families, not for honor or fame.

My sisters throughout Småland let us rise up with weapon and shield,
We shall show the Danish men that Smålandish women will not yield,
Rally together my friends for it is time for the Danes to hear our war cry,
We shall defend our sacred land, show our enemy we are not afraid to die ! 

At Brávellir the women gathered by the hundreds on the overlooking height,
With sharp weapons we readied ourselves to rid our land of the Danish blight,
The invaders were very strong, and though we were willing, we had to refrain,
We needed a wise plan of action if we were to destroy the Army of the Dane.

My sisters throughout Småland let us rise up with weapon and shield,
We shall show the Danish men that Smålandish women will not yield,
Rally together my friends for it is time for the Danes to hear our war cry,
We shall defend our sacred land, show our enemy we are not afraid to die ! 

If we could not beat the Danes in battle, we would defeat them with our charm,
I led a few of our women into the village, showed the Danes we meant no harm,
We set up for them a banquet, provided them with much good food and drink,
Relaxed their wary warriors with our soft flattery, and an occasional eye wink.  

My sisters throughout Småland let us rise up with weapon and shield,
We shall show the Danish men that Smålandish women will not yield,
Rally together my friends for it is time for the Danes to hear our war cry,
We shall defend our sacred land, show our enemy we are not afraid to die ! 

These selfish and greedy Danish warriors ate and drank into the early morn,
Then, like babes, they fell asleep as peacefully as the day that they were born,
It was then that I signaled to my waiting sisters, and they came down from the hill,
To the village they swarmed, to avenge our land, and for the Danes blood to spill.

My sisters throughout Småland let us rise up with weapon and shield,
We shall show the Danish men that Smålandish women will not yield,
Rally together my friends for it is time for the Danes to hear our war cry,
We shall defend our sacred land, show our enemy we are not afraid to die ! 

Up to each of the sleeping Danes our brave shield maidens slowly crept,
With knives, axes, and staffs they killed every single one as they slept,
Not one of these brave warrior women left until the deed was finally done,
For without a complete victory, the war against the Danes could not be won. 

My sisters throughout Småland let us rise up with weapon and shield,
We shall show the Danish men that Smålandish women will not yield,
Rally together my friends for it is time for the Danes to hear our war cry,
We shall defend our sacred land, show our enemy we are not afraid to die ! 

When King Alle returned from Norway the skalds spoke of Blenda's story,
Alle praised my brave shield maidens, showered them in honor and glory,
The grateful king bestowed on to the Småland women many a new right,
And I Blenda became Sweden's first heroine for leading this famous fight. 

My sisters throughout Småland let us rise up with weapon and shield,
We shall show the Danish men that Smålandish women will not yield,
Rally together my friends for it is time for the Danes to hear our war cry,
We shall defend our sacred land, show our enemy we are not afraid to die ! 
​


- Glenn Bergen, ( Ravensheart ), © Copyright, 2016.  ​
Picture

' The Úlfhéðnar ' : Chapter 7 : The Death Of A Legend

8/11/2016

 

The Úlfhéðnar




Chapter 7


​The Death Of A Legend



Bjarnlaugr returned to the Berserker camp proudly wearing his hard earned bearskin. He was eager to show off his trophy, and his many scars, to his comrades and most especially Valdarr. When he walked into the camp Bjarnlaugr sensed that something was not quite right. It seemed different. He thought  for a moment and then realized that it was much too quiet for a Berserker camp ! 

As Bjarnlaugr slowly, and cautiously, made his way through the camp the old Berserker Kolskeggr rushed over to him and pulled him to the side. Bjarnlaugr became concerned immediately because the usually pleasant white bearded warrior met him with a long face.

" Valdarr is dead ! Rugga has assumed command of the Berserker, and we have reason to believe that their is evil at play here in the Berserker camp. Some of us think that Rugga poisoned our commander by giving him the untreated elixir from the mushroom that allows us to reach out with our minds to grab hold of our animal strength. " Kolskeggr told the stunned young man.

Bjarnlaugr stood frozen for a few moments trying to comprehend what he had just been told. His first thought was of a story that Valdarr had once told him about a Macedonian leader known as Alexander, who after conquering most of the known world, was poisoned, and his kingdom split up between his underlings. Valdarr had told him never to trust anybody, and now it seemed that he had been right.

His second thought was one of frustration and anger ! 

" Why has no one confronted Rugga and made him pay for his evil deed ?! " Bjarnlaugr asked forcefully.  

Kolskeggr shook his head. 

" Rugga is strong, and Heimkell is always by his side ! " Kolskeggr explained in a whisper. 

Bjarnlaugr let his bearskin fall to the ground, for it now seemed to have little meaning to him. He then placed his face right up against Kolskeggr's nose.

" Are we Berserker, or are we cowards ! " he shouted at the older warrior. 

Bjarnlaugr turned away from Kolskeggr and began to move toward the great hall. His face was distorted into an angry mask that reflected the fury in his soul ! 

" Rugga ! Rugga, you lying bastard !! " Bjarnlaugr cried out. 

Rugga heard the shouting and quickly came out of the hall. 

" Well ! Look who has returned. Look everybody, Valdarr's honored student has come back to us ! " Rugga shouted with a laugh. 

Some of the Berserker laughed along with Rugga, but many more stood with Kolskeggr behind Bjarnlaugr. Rugga sensed something was wrong, and suddenly stopped laughing. 

" What is it boy ?! " What do you want ?! " he asked angrily.

Bjarnlaugr drew his sword, and then turned and pulled one of Kolskeggr's axes out of the old warrior's belt.

" Revenge !! " he screamed like a madman. 

Rugga barely had time to draw his sword and duck before the first blow rained down upon him. Despite being surprised by the " boy " the self appointed commander of the Berserker began to strike back almost immediately with a ferocity that he had learned from years of fighting with the Bear - skins. At first Bjarnlaugr had the advantage of having two weapons to Rugga's one, but then Heimkell suddenly appeared and threw an axe to his friend.

" Now the fight is fair ! " Heimkell laughed.

The elder Berserker, in the beginning of the fight, was confident that he could easily defeat this angry boy, but it quickly became apparent to him that Valdarr had been working very closely with Bjarnlaugr. Many of the youngster's moves mirrored the fighting skills of the great Valdarr, and the youth seemed to have gained in strength three fold since that first day they met in mock battle. This time, however, Rugga was worried that Bjarnlaugr would break more than his shield !

Both combatants landed a few glancing blows that left the other in pain and weakened, but the youth had an endurance that the older Rugga could not keep up with. Bjarnlaugr also had the advantage of not caring whether he lived or died, for he had lost the only person who meant anything to him. Rugga, on the other hand, wanted to be careful not to lose what he had gained in his quest for power.

When the battle seemed to be turning in Bjarnlaugr's favor Heimkell drew his sword, and was about to attack the youth, when Kolskeggr ripped his axe out of his belt and flung it at him with all his might. The sharp edge of the blade made a sickening " thud " when it buried itself deep into Heimkell's skull. Rugga's only friend took one more step forward, dropped his sword, and then fell dead on the ground.

" Let's keep this fair, shall we ? " Kolskeggr asked Heimkell's corpse sarcastically. 

As both Bjarnlaugr and Rugga tired they stood toe to toe, hammering blow after blow upon each other, almost all of which were blocked by the other. Then, after stopping one of Bjarnlaugr's sword strokes, Rugga was slow in getting back into a defensive position. The young man took advantage of this brief opportunity by landing a glancing blow to Rugga's head with his axe.

Rugga stumbled backwards, and then stopped himself. His eyes revealed his disbelief and confusion, as the blood poured down his face. Bjarnlaugr's axe had sliced off Rugga's hair and skin, and cracked his skull open, exposing his brain to the air. Rugga stared at Bjarnlaugr in shock. He dropped his sword and reached up to touch the gaping wound. When he pulled his hand away and looked at it , his fingers dripped with blood, and brain tissue, intermixed with skull fragments.

The warrior knew he was going to die, and from that knowledge came the heightened anger and strength of hopelessness. With nothing left to lose Rugga switched his axe to his right hand, and went on the offensive. With a level of ferocity that few are ever able to reach Rugga attacked !

Valdarr had trained Bjarnlaugr well. The youth did not panic, nor did he retreat. The two warriors stood toe to toe again slashing and stabbing at each other for several moments. Despite being severely slashed several times Bjarnlaugr had the advantage of having multiple weapons. Rugga tried to block both Bjarnlaugr's sword and his axe blows, but with his strength waning it became an impossible task. A jab at Rugga's upper chest got through, and tore into the joint of his shoulder, immobilizing his arm. Before Rugga could switch his axe to the other hand Bjarnlaugr cut his arm off at the elbow with his sword. With nothing left to grab it with the axe fell to the ground, and stuck in the mud.

Barely able to stand, and bleeding profusely from multiple wounds, Rugga gave out one last defiant yell before Bjarnlaugr ran him through with his sword.

" You have killed me boy ! " were the last words Rugga spoke before he collapsed dead upon the ground.

Bjarnlaugr fell to his knees and cried out to the heavens : 

" Odin ! Do not take this treacherous bastard ! Though brave Valdarr did not die in battle take him to Valhalla instead ! " he screamed. 

He need not have asked. Odin's Valkyries had taken Valdarr to the great golden hall the night that he died.  

Bjarnlaugr was still shaking with rage when he felt a hand upon his shoulder. The young man looked up angrily at the one who dared to touch him. The moment and the anger quickly passed, however, when he saw the blue eyes, and smiling face of Kolskeggr.

The old warrior nodded, and helped the injured young man to his feet.

" Valdarr would have been very proud of you Bjarnlaugr. You have honored us all this day ! " he told the youth.

Kolskeggr then turned and yelled to the other Berserker :

" Bring a maiden here ! For one of our brave Berserker has been injured in battle ! " he ordered .                


- End Chapter 6 


- Next : Chapter 7 : Ascending To The Top



- Glenn Bergen, ( Ravensheart ), © Copyright, 2016.     

​                             
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