As Aesa remembered the details of the founding of the hall, she noted a skald was busy retelling the origin of the Hrutiwulf while playing a cither. The skald's name was Hagal of Hekja and he was the best at historical poems. Aesa dragged Magnus to a bench and motioned for a thrall to bring them drinks. When the thrall came back with tankards of mead, she motioned to Magnus to pay. Magnus flipped the thrall some red-gold coins to cover the tab. The crowd became silent as Hagal weaved his tale.
Mischief-maker, Asgard-ruin
Seeker of giantess-bosom
I speak of his bairn, his children
the Lokispawn.
We ken his first born,
Fenris wolf, Jormungand and Hel
but Loki is always seeking mistresses
These he bore himself, mother of his own sons
His lesser children bring no glory to him
Byornskordur bone-breaker, thrall of Vislakopper
Vislakopper Loki-cunning, ruler of Welkins
Hrutiwulf, Frost-breather, speaker of lies
All practice seid, dark-magic, breaker of men
Lokispawn are one of the three
Bringers of Ragnarok
Pukje and Trolls also feast for Midgard's fall
Their tale to be told after Thrain's speech.
"Ah, Thrain will soon announce the prize. I hope he has no more daughters or Sigurd may flee." said Magnus.
"Magnus! Do not dishonor Thrain. His daughter Sif has already produced two sons for Soti, winner of the last Aegir." said Aesa.
"Let us make a sacrifice to Frigga that his children look like him if they live." said Magnus.
Before Aesa could retort, Thrain and Gunnar Bluetooth entered the main hall from the Jarl's chamber with prizes. The crowd hushed again.
"Aegir was pleased with our ceremony today. Fine youths have been hammered by her waves into men and women. For each of you who survived the challenge I give a silver bracelet and a bag of red gold. You will also be granted an oar on my longship during the Spring raids of the Welkin lands." Said Thrain.
A great cheer rose from the crowd followed by the swilling of much mead. Chants of Thrain's name echoed through Ulfgard. Thrain was hard pressed to gain control of the group again, but eventually they focused on the prize he held aloft.
"I hold in my arms a fine noble's cloak dyed with a rare blue pigment and woven with gold thread. I won it in battle from Sigmund of Freydane who lost his spear in my thigh. Sigurd Grim's son, Aegir's favorite, I am not a speaker of fine words. Let me give you this cloak for your deeds today and also Egilstad, a farm near the coast. It is attended by four thralls who will do as you ask of them." said Thrain.
Sigurd approached Thrain, head bowed, but with a refined gait. He accepted Thrain's prizes with grace.
"Jarl Thrain, You have lead us with wisdom during the Troll Wars. With peace, you have increased our wergild with many fine raids on the Welkin lands. If my sword does not fail me, I hope to gain glory for you this summer." said Sigurd.
"Well spoken, son of Grim. Let's not hold up the celebration any longer." said Gunnar Bluetooth.
Singing, drinking and feasting began again with a new fervor. Scantily clad thralls, both men and women, from Welkin lands were led into the hall to bring warmth to the Norse revelers' beds. Most lay on the floors or benches as proper furniture was seldom seen this far north. A whole hart roasted slow over the hearth fire. Slices were served to those with hunger. Many hours passed thus.
Several ladies combed Olaf's fine red-gold locks as he sang lays of love to them. Olaf was sometimes called the peacock. It was thought that he sired his first son when only twelve. The girl's father had hoped to kill Olaf during a legal challenge, but Olaf was so fine a speaker the father agreed to foster the child as his own. Now that Olaf was a man, the most beautiful women were eager to court his favor.
Aesa was bored. Magnus was also busy entertaining some lass from Trodheim. Their grunting was getting on Aesa's nerves. She decided to head outside for some fresh air. She began twirling the dagger Magnus gave her up in the air to relieve the boredom.
"Hey tiny one. Why don't you pay Smid a visit. I can teach you what it means to be with a man." said Smid the Swimmer.
Aesa walked over to Smid and thrust the dagger inches below his crotch. The dagger had him pinned against the meadhall wall unable to move without inflicting damage from the blade.
"You have nothing of quality and even less of substance to offer me. Next time you feel like poking something with your little blade make sure your aim is true for my kinsman is a generous host and will make certain you do not leave without a fine gift." said Aesa.
"I am not afraid of you Norgardian hicks. When I strike, you will all weep like babies." Said Smid.
Aesa feigned a big yawn and walked away, leaving Smid pinned to the wall. When she got to the meadhall door she considered going back to insult Smid again but something kept nagging her to go outside. Shrugging, she walked into the snowy night.
There were two sets of footprints in the snow heading toward the latrine. It was not unusual this time of night for those still sober enough to make their way outside. Aesa noted only one set of footprints went back inside. Curious, she bent down to get a better look at the tracks. Both belonged to men. Based on the snowfall an hour had passed since the tracks were made. The tracks did lead to the latrine. A man lie face down near the steps to the latrine. Perhaps he passed out. The second pair of tracks turned back from the man toward the meadhall. Why hadn't he aided the drunk man? When Aesa got closer she noted that the man had been stripped of his belongings and left to die. A series of smaller tracks led away from the man back toward the woods. Aesa's eyes grew wide. The smaller tracks were pukje. How she hated those hideous monsters! Though they looked somewhat like men all they knew was evil and destruction.
Quickly she turned the man over. It was Thrain!! He was dead. A bluish foam lined his mouth and his nose had bled. Aesa smelled around Thrain's mouth. Why didn't the Pukje take the drinking horn? She smelled the wine inside his drinking horn as well. Poison! This was not some cheap herbal concoction given by a local witch, but a chemical poison that could only be purchased in a larger town at high cost. Aesa ran back to the Meadhall as fast as possible. In seconds she thrust the door open.
"Thrain is dead! Thrain is dead!! Pukje are near! Fetch Gunnar Bluetooth, summon the able warriors." said Aesa.
Gunnar was summoned from the Jarl's chamber. Those who were still sober enough to walk grabbed weapons and torches and headed outside. Gunnar motioned for some of the warriors to search the perimeter to make sure the pukje had left. When the warriors came back signaling all was clear, Gunnar shouted to the crowd,
"Stand back so we can examine Thrain!" said Gunnar.
Gunnar motioned for Aesa and two of his best trackers.
"What do you think? Did Pukje kill Thrain?" Said Gunnar.
"The tracks are already disturbed, but it appears that one man did this and then returned to Ulfgard. There are no signs of pukje weapons on his body and we all know he could have killed a hundred pukje in his sleep." said one of the trackers.
"The pukje looted Thrain and returned to the woods. Perhaps a group can be summoned in the morning to pursue them." said the other tracker.
"I swear an oath to retrieve Thrain's Jarl's cloak and return it to Ulfgard!" said Magnus Thorsen.
Others also wished to join Magnus in the hunt. Soon a small number of young Norgardians were making plans for revenge and seeing to the necessary supplies.
Aesa noticed that the blue foam had vanished from Thrain's mouth and she could detect no sign of it on him or in his drink. It was worse than she feared. Someone had hired an assassin skilled in seid magic. This was no random act. Someone wanted Thrain dead.
"Well girl, you've been studying Thrain's corpse like it was going to get up and talk to you. What do you know." said Gunnar.
"I'm am not giving him the evil-eye sir, I am just grief-struck to see him this way." said Aesa.
"So are we all." We will have a magnificent funeral for him in the morning." said Gunnar.
Thrain's flagship "Troll-Stomper" was loaded with goods. Gunnar made certain the ship was filled with food, drink, and much treasure and weapons. Thrain's body had been cleaned and dressed by Isgerd the Godi and her assistants in his finest clothing. His famed troll-spear Hrimdur rested in his arm. His shield had been freshly painted with the Thorsen family symbol the key to Thor's tomb, a small green orb, on the boss. Isgerd was busy preparing the thralls for sacrifice.
"What is that symbol on Thrain's shield?" Sigurd asked.
"As you know, we are descended from Thor. Magnus and Kara claim the closest kinship to him. As Jarl, it was Thrain's responsibility to pass on the map to the resting place for the key." Isgerd said.
"Thor is a god, why would he have a tomb or a key?" Sigurd asked.
"There are some things concerning the gods even a Godi does not understand." said Isgerd.
"Once while visiting Uppsala I discovered a very old scroll in the library that spoke of a time before Midgard. There were older gods but a great evil plagued the land. Only a few powerful men held off the complete destruction of mankind. A powerful magic was unleashed and everything was altered. Midgard was born and with it our gods. I could read no more, the text was falling apart as I read." said Olaf.
"That sounds like a skald tale worthy of you Olaf! I don't believe it. Neither do I believe in Alfar, Dverge or Semblings." Said Sigurd.
"Legends are based on facts, Sigurd. Men are poor listeners. Often we forget what we knew. It is the role of the skald to insure we do not become ignorant barbarians!" said Olaf.
Isgerd motioned to her kin to be quiet. She sounded the great horn. Soon all had gathered near the longship.
"Thrain son of Sigmund son of Thorstein, bringer of Troll tears, terror to Welkins and Pukje, you gave many fine gifts to your clan. Today you rejoice for you are drinking mead with Odin and Thor. Today you prepare for Ragnarok for you are certain to be among the chosen warriors on that Norn-fated day. None can live one day more than the Norns allow. Your day has come. We offer sacrifices to your good health as your return among the chosen. May the gods be pleased." said Isgerd.
Once more Isgerd sounded the great horn. One by one she made the blood sacrifices of the thralls. She nodded and Magnus and the other strong men pushed the longship into the water. She spoke a word and raised her hands to the sky. Soon a coal-black cloud formed over the ship as it made its journey to sea. A bolt of lightning stuck Thrain and the ship caught fire. As the ship was consumed Thrain's spirit was taken by the Valkyries to the halls of the god as the Norgardians cheered.
"Now that Thrain is drinking mead with Thor, we must finish plans to kill the Pukje and rescue Thrain's cloak from their filthy hands. Who has volunteered for this task?" Said Sigurd.
"Myself, you, Aesa, Kara, Olaf, and Isgerd." said Magnus.
"Isgerd! Isn't she forbidden to go raiding? She is a Godi after all!" said Sigurd.
"Will you tell her she can't go?" asked Magnus.
"Of course she is welcome!" said Sigurd.
"We who go are all kin. I prefer to keep it this way. I do not trust the other men. Where did Smid the Swimmer scurry off to?" Asked Magnus.
"Smid? None have seen him since Aesa nearly castrated him last evening." said Olaf.
"No doubt licking his wounds. This is good news. I don't like the way he looks at Aesa. I might have to break his other arm." Said Magnus.
Aesa ran up to them as they approached the smokehouse for some supplies.
"Our supplies are ready. We will use skis to travel. We also each have a set of skates if needed, some snowshoes, food, drink, pitons and rope, torches and a change of clothing. There should be enough arrows for hunting. Gunnar wanted to pass a message on quietly. He could not find the sacred map that gives instructions to find the key to Thor's tomb. I do not think this is an accident. I believe that Smid is somehow involved. I think he killed Thrain and stole the map. " said Aesa.
"If what you say is true we should bring Smid up on charges at the lawrock this Spring. The council will no doubt find him guilty." said Sigurd.
"Until we find more proof, we can not hope to find enough support for our claim. We are young and have not earned the respect of the elders." said Olaf.
"If we cannot gain support at the lawrock, I will provide evidence with Smid's head." said Magnus.
Isgerd overheard the tone of Magnus's voice and knew he was about to become enraged. She approached him quick and placed a hand on his arm.
"Patience Magnus, the gods turn their backs on the ill-fated and Smid has no luck left to aid him. The Norns have shown me his fate and you will have your revenge. Today is not the day. We must remain focused on bringing honor to Thrain. Somewhere near those filthy Pujke are laughing at us. Don't you want to show them how well you throw the spear my kin?" said Isgerd.
"You have a fine argument as usual Godi. Those Pukje will lament the day they decided to loot our Jarl." said Magnus.
Gathering the last of the supplies the small band of kin headed northeast on skis toward the woods where the Pukje were last seen. Kara led the group as her keen vision and other senses were the best among them. Soon they found the trail and Norgard vanished in the distance behind them. For an instant, Isgerd thought she saw someone or something shiny peeking out from a large pine tree like a star in the night. She looked again and it was gone. Perhaps it was nothing.