"By Hel's caress who is that?" said Thrain. Thrain was Jarl in Norgard. Norgard was the Northernmost village of Norsemen.
"That is Magnus Thorsen, a berserk. His parents were killed by trolls. He lives in the woods outside of the village." said Gunnar Bluetooth, Thrain's Spear-brother.
"Killed by trolls? He looks big enough to be a troll!" said Thrain.
"I do not think he would continue smiling if he heard you say that!" Gunnar said.
It was Aegir, the coming of age ceremony in honor of the sea-goddess of the same name. The festival takes place every two years on the first Thorsday in the month of Einmanudur. Young men and women aged thirteen to sixteen come great distances to take the challenge and become adults. Although still winter, a hint of warm air rises up from the sea. The challenge is simple. Leap from Norn's Drop about thirty feet above the sea's icy grip. Swim from there to the main dock in Norgard. Try not to die.
The youths were not listening to Jarl Thrain or Gunnar Bluetooth. They were too busy preparing for the ceremony. As soon as the sacrifice to Aegir was over there would be a mad dash to leap off Norn's Drop.
A nimble dark haired girl, almost to the height of Magnus' navel walks over to him.
"Magnus, it should be no trouble for you to win this contest. Still, I would wager with you if you trust the Norns, that I will be the victor." She said.
"HAHAHAHAHA! Aesa, though we are kin, if you try to challenge me for the glory, I will swallow you whole for your efforts." Said Magnus.
"Do we have a wager?" Aesa asked.
"I will be happy to take your silver. When I do, I will buy you a large tankard of mead so when you offer your tears to the Valkyries at least your throat will be soothed." Said Magnus.
Aesa smiled. She had the big fool right where she wanted him as usual. Sometimes she wondered if she should feel sorry for him, but the thought fades as Magnus asks her a question.
"Where's your bear fat or blubber?" he asked.
"Silly berserk, do I look like I need it? Blubber disagrees with my complexion." She said.
A tall man with blonde hair and fine clothes and a red haired man with a flute overheard Magnus and Aesa's banter.
"She's reckless. The Norns will take her." said the blonde named Sigurd.
"She's blessed by the Norns. She has taken our share of luck for herself. If you are wise you will not bet against her." said the red-hair Olaf Barrowgard.
"Hel's spit on all of you Norgardians. Everyone here knows the winner is going to be Smid the Swimmer of Trodheim!" Said Smid.
Before Magnus could pummel Smid into Lingonberry jam, a cow's horn blast let the group know the sacrifice to Aegir was beginning.
Isgerd the Godi was Norgard's priest and lawmaker. There were few Godar left...fewer who could do more than slaughter a sheep or sign nuptials. Isgerd was a beauty with metallic red hair. She didn't speak often. When she did it was often so soft others had to strain to hear, but when she spoke with the authority of her office as the voice of the gods, even Thrain obeyed her.
Isgerd's two assistants bore a miniature longship over their shoulders. Inside the ship was a seal draped in blue finery. The assistants set down the burden. Sensing something ill was about to happen, the seal became agitated, barking loud. Isgerd placed a hand on the seal and whispered in its ear, turning so the crowd could not see.
"I am sorry my friend. I do not wish you harm. You must be willing to give your life or the ceremony will fail and Aegir will be angry. If you do this, you will be honored in the halls of your ancestors and you will rejoice as your every whim shall be attended. Will you do this?" Isgerd asked.
The seal calmed and lay down in the boat. "Then sleep my friend." she said. Isgerd placed her hand on the seal in a manner to conceal her actions from the group. Her hand began to glow with blue light. The seal's eyes closed and it slept. Raising a dagger made of narwhal tusk, covered in runes, she faced the participants of the Aegir ceremony.
"Aegir, we offer you a sacrifice. If it pleases you, may you accept it rather than the lives of our young." She plunged the dagger into the seal with an expert hand. The Godi poured some of the blood into a clam shell and approached each participant.
"By the blood of Aegir's child may you find glory. In glory may the Norns aid you to shore. On shore may you come to Thrain's Meadhall...therein to bask in praise and gifts." When she finished she dabbed some blood on each participant's face. When all were attended with the prayer and anointing, the horn was sounded and the race began.
Sigurd and Olaf were already near the precipice of Norn's drop and leaped into the water as soon as the horn blew. The rest rushed to do the same. Mord and Magnus reached the narrow point at the same moment. Mord smiled at Magnus and then punched him hard in the jaw. Magnus returned the smile. Mord would attempt to achieve manhood in two years, when he was known as Mord Flatnose. Magnus then made the leap into the sea. Several others would have challenged Magnus, but Aesa, swift as wind, crouched low, her leg ending several dreams, as participants piled like bones near a smokehouse. Laughing, Aesa walked over them like stones in a brook and dove into Aegir's bosom.
When the rest of the youths who were able had entered the water, Isgerd followed, making sure no one had seen. Swift, she transformed into a sea hawk. Touching the sea with her talon, she screeched in glee. Olaf and Sif locked arms. They both disappeared beneath Aegir's blue fabric. Several moments later Sif swam away, not as fast as she had been. Olaf's form floated to the surface as a bleached corpse.
Isgerd landed on his back. She placed a talon on his shoulder and spoke. "Valkyries, today is not Olaf's time to be taken. Stand back for he still lives." With that her talon glowed blue and Olaf sputtered and gasped for breath. Changing into a dolphin, Isgerd vanished beneath the waves before Olaf knew what happened.
Others battled, some swam to avoid contact. Aesa vaulted from swimmer to swimmer, never touching the water. Aegir was not kind, hammering the youths with powerful waves. Riptides almost took the life of one man from Waymunding. The leaders in glory were Magnus, Aesa, Smid the Swimmer, Sigurd and Kara. Each could sense Thrain's prize would be their own.
Magnus, Sigurd and Smid were very close. Smid thrust a dagger deep into Magnus's shoulder. Magnus bit through his lip in frustration. He grabbed Smid's wrist and crushed it in his grip. Smid howled in fear, losing all hope for glory. Desperate, Smid kicked free and waded to shore, far behind the others. Aesa had made the leap to Magnus's back when Smid had stabbed him. Distracted for only moments, the struggle allowed Sigurd and Kara to pull too far away for Aesa to make another leap without getting wet. With a wry smile she decided to pull the dagger from Magnus's back.
"Here kinsman. You have earned this prize. I will sew your wound when you reach shore." Said Aesa.
"I have no need for toothpicks. You are welcome to it. Smid was too cheap for either of us to make profit from his choice of arms." Said Magnus.
They reached shore ahead of many, but on this day Sigurd was honored with the win. Everyone headed to the Meadhall. Tonight Thrain's larder would suffer. Mead and choice meats would be had. Stories would be told. Heroes would be remembered. Then those who were still alert enough would indulge in all manner of sex.
"I believe you owe me a silver bracelet. You did not win the contest." Said Magnus.
"You did not win either big man. I will save your honor and allow you to buy me a drink." Said Aesa.
"I could have let you drink from Aegir's deep well but I let you stay dry on my back. Still I will buy you a drink if you will find someone else to pester tonight." Said Magnus.
"We have an agreement." Said Aesa.
After a steep climb to the sacred hill. The weary youths bowed briefly in the direction of the Lawrock to the right of the hall, but entered the great wooden doors of the hall into a warm chamber where the rich smell of boar and spilled ale mingled with the laughter of the inhabitants. Yes, tonight would be memorable.