"We'll not be sailing with a witch!" said a dozen men.
"You'll do what you're told or I'll fertilize the whale-road with your smelly hides!" said Eirk Thrallsfriend. Eirk was a wiry fellow. His hands were hard as boards and shaped to fit an oar. He wore no boots, preferring the feel of the ship. His fine black beard was braided with gold wire.
"Have you more stomach than a Welkin to fight witch?" asked Eirk.
"If I am needed in battle you will be glad for my skills." said Hildagunn.
"If you cross me witch I'll make a meal for the Midgard Serpent outta your bones."
"Pray you never feel the need to threaten me again. Today is a fine day to sail and I am in a good mood." She whispered.
Eirk gave her a hard stare but moved on to bark orders at a dozen other green sailors.
Hildagunn sat next to Olaf and helped with the oars. All of the kin who had rescued her from the Fluesom dungeon were on board the Thor's Fury. The ship was named thus because of its uncanny knack at getting Thor angry. The longship had been tossed by maelstroms in almost every journey it had made in the last ten years but had always come back with most of its crew. Eirk had been captain for all of those years.
The ship lines were all released from the wharfs of Norgard and the oar beat was given. The ships left shore. Some of the knarr vessels pushed ahead to serve as scouts for the fleet. It would be hard work until the ships left the shelter of the fjords but the winds were favorable on the open sea. With luck the northman would be raiding the Welkins in three weeks. There were plenty of Thorsen villages and towns to trade with before then.
Jarl Gunnar Bluetooth had given instructions to trade if the fleet was out numbered or raid if they feel that would be more profitable. He repeated often his desire to see the holds filled with thralls. Pukje attacks and harsh winters had taken a toll on the number of available slaves to work the land. Thralls were always needed.
Olaf remembered fondly that Bergar had made a special request before he left. "Ah my boy, I remember well my first raid. There are treasures finer than the finest gold or the most beautiful thrall girl. Seek stories, songs and poems Olaf. Those are the things that bring joy to the gods and to old men who no longer raid." he had said.
Olaf was shaken from his revere as the vessel made open sea.
"Get those oars out of the water you worthless Welkin lovers. Hoist those sails Aesa. Get my ship pointing south damn you all!" said Eirk.
Three days of perfect weather had put the crews of the small Norgardian raider fleet in high spirits. Many were singing songs in praise of the gods or telling stories of their exploits. A few gambled away their wealth. The captains would make them row several times a day to relieve boredom and to provide exercise to the crews.
On the fourth day the weather turned. The waters had calmed and all captains had ordered oars out. The sky had darkened mid-day to a charcoal-green hue and the sea birds had vanished. Eirk had seen this many times. "We're an hour's rowing outside of Trodheim lads. Show the gods you are worth saving and row for your worthless lives!"
The dragonship, two longships and several knarrs continued South. Eirk tried to flag them to turn toward land but they either didn't see the signals or felt the danger was not immanent.
"Fools! Do not spit in the face of Thor or Aegir! Valhalla is not for drowning victims! Head to Trodheim! Head to Trodheim you Welkin lovers! Bah!"
"Okay men, lead those who want to live. When that storm hits we don't want to be the ones pissing on the Norns' golden threads. Heave those oars!"
The storm was upon them before they could see land. The wind picked up and lashed their faces with dark rain. The other ships could no longer be seen. Soon the sea swelled. The Thor's Fury rose to the top of its water-hill looking like a tiny twig and then rolled rapidly down the side into an ominous valley of still water.
"Turn the ship! Get our nose facing that wave or we have seen our last raid!"
Magnus and the others leaned into the oars hard. Some of the oars began to crack under the pressure. Isgerd and Hildagunn began to chant. "I'll beg the gods to push us into shore, you try to shield us from those waves washing over the deck Hildagunn!" shouted Isgerd.
Hildagunn nodded and both she and Isgerd did their best to keep their balance as the ship lurched in the waves.
The next wave hit Thor's Fury like a punch from a Frost Giant. Several oars were sheered and the vessel was spun in the opposite direction. The ship was taking on water. Isgerd prayed to the gods and touched the deck. The water poured out of the boat like a living thing. Hildagunn pointed to the sky and shouted. A shield of white energy turned the next wave, most of the water and wind away from the ship but the strain on Hildagunn's face was evident.
"I can hold off a few more waves, but we need to get out of this storm soon!" she exclaimed.
Isgerd nodded and attacked the waves with her staff while chanting. The ship seemed to move faster as a result. A knarr cargo vessel came out of the rain and fog and was on a collision course with Thor's Fury. Isgerd chanted a fervor of pleas to the gods. Thor's Fury turned away from the knarr, but the lurch of the waves tossed Isgerd overboard. Aesa reacted fast, tossing a rope to Isgerd and attempted to tie it off to the deck plank. Isgerd grabbed hold of the rope, but the ship lurched violently again and Aesa was tossed overboard. Black rain made it impossible for other crew to see them in the water. When lightning struck the knarr could be seen headed toward shore but Aesa and Isgerd were gone.
"Land! Get us turned toward that knarr. There boys, you're doing it." barked Eirk.
Thor's Fury was blind-sided by an ash-gray wave. Hildagunn's energy shield wavered, then was gone. She passed out as the foamy sea enveloped the ship. The shouting and thunder were drowned out by the roar of water. A terrible cracking sound roused her from her peaceful dream as her body was launched onto the rocky beach.
********
When Isgerd saw that Aesa was unable to secure the rope to the ship she tied the rope around her waist and turned into a large seal. Aesa fell overboard and landed on the seal's back. Aesa secured her end of the rope to her own waist and held on tight. Isgerd dove under the waves just as the rudder from Thor's Fury swept past where they had been. A moment later they surfaced but the ship was out of site. Isgerd considered trying to find the other ships and lead them to shore, but a whirlpool had formed and it was all she could do to keep ahead of the lip of it. "Get us to shore!" said Aesa. Isgerd swiveled her neck backward to give Aesa a dark scowl. The whirlpool weakened and Isgerd used powerful strokes from her tail and body to break free of its grip. The waves were fierce, but were no problem for a seal. Aesa had learned to grab a breath of air just before each wave pushed them under the water. When the storm finally eased Isgerd could tell that they were far from shore. "I don't think this is Trodheim." said Aesa. Isgerd barked in response. Isgerd knew she would not be able to maintain this form for much longer so began swimming very fast in the direction she believed Trodheim was in. When they were less than a mile from land, Isgerd reverted back to her human form and Aesa rolled off into the water. The two remained connected by the rope and swam as best they could. Exhausted they reached shore near Thor's Fury. Everyone was gone.
"Next time we go raiding by land." said Aesa.
"Agreed!" gasped Isgerd.
********
The storm still raged. Heavy black clouds dumped their cargo on the crew of Thor's Fury. Both longships and three knarrs had grounded on the rocky beach. Magnus pushed the broken mast over the side of the ship. "We are going to need to buy a new mast. We have more oars, but replacing our broken oars should be done before we leave." he said.
"Any serious hull breaches?" asked Eirk.
"We are fortunate captain. Nothing that can't be repaired or patched with pitch." said Sigurd.
"How many dead?" asked Eirk.
"Aesa and Isgerd are missing. Hildagunn has a nasty bump on her head. Everyone else is here and breathing, thank Thor!" said Olaf.
"Nothing more can be done until Thor stops throwing lightning bolts. Gather up your weapons. Let us visit Jarl Ljot and see if he will aid us." said Eirk.
Trodheim was larger than Norgard. The land was greener and supported more farms. There were many markets here and a grand path led from the town wharves to the longhouses of the nobles at the North end of the town. Most people were not out in this weather, but the few who were noted the hundred men from Norgard with suspicion. Some hurried their children inside or moved their sheep away from the Norgardian's path. Others slowly reached for their weapons. Magnus' broad smile did little to belay their concerns.
"Must you do that?" asked Sigurd.
"I am being friendly." said Magnus.
"When you smile people reach for their swords."
"I noticed that. Do you think these people are not friendly? I had not planned on feeding my blade today." said Magnus frowning.
"Perhaps when you smiled you could attempt more sincerity." said Sigurd.
"I am sincere. Think how happy I will be if they attack us. Think how happy they will be meeting Odin's shield maidens. I have many reasons to feel blessed by the gods. Why shouldn't I share that bliss with other people?" said Magnus.
Sigurd sighed.
They reached the meadhall of Jarl Ljot. It was a large structure covered in intricate rune-art and painted brightly.
"I am looking forward to an evening with a warm hearth, and hopefully a fine maiden." said Olaf.
"Halt. Who approaches Jarl Ljot's war-home?" The voice came from a tall man in heavy chain armor. Six other men guarded the front door to the meadhall.
"I am Eirk Thrallsfriend, Captain of Thor's Fury. We were on our way to raid Welkin lands when our ship decided to visit Trodheim rather than sink beneath the waves. What could we do but request the Jarl's hospitality."
"You should have drowned. You will find no welcome here. There is a tavern in town that can accommodate your men if you have money to pay." said the guard.
"If Jarl Ljot were in similar need in Norgard, Jarl Gunnar Bluetooth would open his hall to your Jarl and his men at once." said Eirk.
"Your Jarl is a fool then. Your hall is a cesspool in the eyes of Jarl Ljot. His son Smid the Swimmer visited your hall and was met only with insults."
"So this is about Smid? Why does some lackey speak for the mighty Smid the Swimmer and his doting father?" asked Sigurd.
"I do not speak for Smid. We all feel this way. The men of Norgard hung up their manhood with the dried fish and let their women order them around. Now go piss on your own boots. We do not offer hospitality to thugs and barbarians."
Eirk's face turned red. Every vessel on his face bulged. Finally a vessel in his nose burst and blood flowed out in a torrent striking the guard in the face. Eirk's hand gripped his sword by the blade and blood from his clenched fist ran down his leg.
The guard stood there speechless as the blood ran down his face while Eirk and the other Norgardians turned without uttering more words and walked at a slow march back to the lower settlement of Trodheim.
Eirk was able to negotiate lodging at the tavern in town at twice the going rate. The ale was watered down while the prices were higher for them than for the locals. The normal laughter, song and boasts found in a Thorsen drinking establishment was subdued. No one would sell them a mast or additional oars. Eirk had tried, even willing to offer double the value on the items. Eirk gripped his pewter tankard with an iron grip. Someone referenced Norgardians in the same sentence as pigs. Eirk's beverage spilled in the dirt, his tankard a crumpled mass.
"We are leaving!" said Eirk.
The men got up as one and walked out of the tavern.
Magnus defecated on the threshold before leaving, daring anyone inside to challenge him while maintaining his warm smile. "One day I will return and burn Trodheim's meadhall to the ground." said Magnus. No one answered his boast.
The Norgardians arrived at the beachhead to find Isgerd and Aesa raising the broken mast.
"We were bored so we thought we'd fix the mast." said Aesa.
"How?" asked Magnus.
"Magic!" said Isgerd.
"We fixed many of the oars and patched the ships." said Aesa
"Since you did not wait to see if our bodies would wash up on shore, we felt it was the least we could do." Said Isgerd.
"How was your visit to Trodheim?" asked Aesa.
"We may have overstayed our welcome." said Magnus.
"What did you do Magnus?" asked Aesa.
"Me? I left only a gift and smiles. I received nothing in exchange but dark glances." he said.
"Your gifts were an even trade." said Olaf.
"Stop your barking and get on board the ships. We leave this Norns' cursed land at once." said Eirk.
"Goodbye Trollheim, your hospitality is only rivaled by your stench." said Olaf.
"Since you are so fond of the place, perhaps I should leave you here...or would you rather get back to your oar?" asked Eirk.
"I love rowing." said Olaf.
"To shore!" shouted Eirk.
The command woke Olaf from his thoughts as the pace of the oar beat sped up and the rudder turned them toward land.
"Why are we heading to shore captain?" asked Sigurd.
"I saw signs of smoke. Perhaps there is a village to offer fresh food, or perhaps it's an outlaw camp we can loot." said Eirk.
The men were eager to sate their curiosity and rowed hard. Boredom makes one eager for anything new. As they landed on shore, they noticed circular stone huts on a hillside centered by a strange, twenty foot high, green and red statue. The men jumped ship and rushed onto shore, thankful to be on land.
Eirk said, "That statue...this is no outlaw camp! That's a Troll god!" Look out for..."
Six of Eirk's men fell to the ground unconscious from no obvious source. A dozen spears launched in the air from the tall grass on higher ground, their bitter points ending the lives of the sleeping men.
"Get to higher ground!" yelled Eirk.
Norgardians rushed from the shore to higher ground. Twenty huge pukje, as large as Slig from the Fluesome dungeon met the northmen in battle. The pukje were wearing chain armor and fought with spears and clubs. Four men were killed instantly from set spears, their charge ending in glorious deaths. Some men made it past the pukje and were attempting to flank them. These men began choking on a green gas that crept out of the tall grass and surrounded them. Within seconds their lungs turned to liquid, their tongues and eyes swollen and they died. Still more men charged up the hillside. This is where they met the troll.
He was seven foot tall and well over four hundred pounds. He was armed with a black-bladed battleaxe and massive spear. He wore chain armor. His green hair was kept in a long ponytail and his eyes burned fiery red. Two men rushed the troll. Two fast swings of the ax and two heads flew from their shoulders and bounced before rolling down the hill.
"Troll! He's got a manblade! Focus on the troll!" yelled Eirk.
Magnus wanted to focus on the troll, but he was in a life-struggle with two enormous pukje. Kara was fighting to his left, Sigurd was on this right. He thought he had seen Aesa but had lost focus on her location as he parried blows from the creatures' massive clubs. The blows made his arms numb. The pukje raised his club to pummel Magnus again but howled out in pain falling forward. Magnus took advantage of the slip striking the pukje with a powerful uppercut from his ax that shaved off half the pukje's face. When the pukje hit the dirt, Sigurd buried his sword into the creature's back, killing it. Magnus noticed the creature was hamstrung and standing in the gap where it had been was Aesa. She had a broad smile and was cleaning her blade. She motioned for Magnus to follow. With a quick look of apology to Sigurd and Kara he rushed through the pukje's defensive gap, but struck quick blows to the ribs of the pukje next to him as he went through.
"Why would you have me abandon my kin?" Magnus asked.
"See that troll? He's killed a dozen men so far, and somewhere out here is a wizard. If we don't kill them, our raiding party could be lost." said Aesa.
"Then let's kill a troll and a wizard!" Magnus said with glee.
They headed to the center of the village where the huge troll statue stood and noticed something very odd. A huge troll flew overhead but was being harassed by an eagle. The eagle clawed at his face. There were two trolls! The troll with the manblade was mowing down men near one of the stone huts, and the other troll was flying above them.
"I have never seen a troll before." said Magnus.
"I have never seen a flying troll. This must be a special day." said Aesa.
"Magnus, you have a better chance to kill the troll on the ground. Be glorious! I will do my best to clip the wings of the troll in the sky." said Aesa.
"That troll does not have wings." he said.
"Which makes solving the problem, all the more interesting." she said.
Magnus watched the troll near the stone hut strike a man with his spear. The man turned to stone instantly. The sight of his friends dying turned his vision red. He uttered a blood-curling scream and rushed into battle with the troll. Before he could wet his ax with troll blood, the troll pointed a wand at him and a bolt of energy struck Magnus. Magnus' armor and clothing vanished. His ax remained though, and it would taste troll flesh today.
Eirk was fighting the troll as Magnus rushed in. He had struck the troll many times, but his hide was tough, and whenever he appeared to weaken, he drank from a bottle and was strong again. This troll was formidable. His manblade struck off arms, legs and heads. His wand left men without armor or clothing. His spear turned men to stone. He wondered how men ever defeated them in the Troll Wars.
"You have desecrated our lands for the last time human. I am Reikov. You may flee now. If you are too stupid to recognize my name, perhaps you will learn your mistake when your head bounces back into the sea." he said.
"I am Eirk Thrallsfriend. I have sailed Thor's Fury for the glory of Norgard, Odin and Thor since I was old enough to walk. You attacked us before knowing if we were friends or enemies. Trolls are not that smart, but even you should see you will die today." he said.
"Welcome to my home Eirk. I shall teach your head who is right after I place it on a spike this evening, a war-prize for birds to crap on." said Reikov.
Magnus struck the trollspear from Reikov's hand. "I am Magnus. I did not know trolls could talk. I do not care. Today I will claim your manblade as my war-prize.
Reikov swung his manblade around, cutting a deep gash in Magnus' unprotected chest. Magnus watched the blood from his chest rain down on his feet with anger.
"You would not have accomplished so much without your witch-wand." he said.
"Magic is what separates civilized beings from filthy animals like you." said Reikov.
Magnus and Eirk fought Reikov with a fury of blows. Any lesser man who joined the fray was met with death at the hands of Reikov. Eventually no other man dared for glory, instead leaving to fight pukje or staying to watch the outcome.
Reikov struck Magnus with a flurry of blows from his manblade, while parrying Eirk's attacks with his trollspear. Magnus had struck the troll several times in the thigh and ribs with his ax, but the blows seemed not to bother Reikov. Reikov spun his trollspear around and struck Magnus in the arm. Magnus could see his arm becoming rigid, the color of stone. Anger welled up inside him. With a mighty yank, he pulled the trollspear from Reikov's grasp and then slammed the spear handle hard against a tree, dislodging it from his ashen arm but stunning himself momentarily. Eirk took advantage of the move and thrust his sword deep into Reikov's side. Reikov turned his attention back to Eirk and with one powerful stroke struck Eirk on the top of the head, splitting his skull down the center all the way to his upper jaw. Magnus thought he saw Eirk smile before he fell face-first into the dirt. Magnus grabbed the trollspear and thrust it with all his might at Reikov. The spear hit Reikov in the side. The troll tried to remove the trollspear, but instead turned to stone and fell before the statue of his god, no longer a killer of men. Magnus claimed the manblade, raising it to the sky. In shock he realized it was draining him of life. He and the manblade fell to the ground with an audible thump.
*********
"Hildagunn, we've got to kill that troll! He's killed a dozen men with his magic." said Isgerd.
Hildagunn was still very inexperienced in the use of magic. Sure she could make a few potions and could throw a few bolts of energy, or even create a shield to protect against spells, but to do something that could kill a troll...she was not sure.
Isgerd could see the indecision in Hildagunn's eyes.
"You will become more powerful with practice. Don't worry about killing it, just try to keep it from killing me. We need to keep it busy so it doesn't kill more of our men." said Isgerd.
"Okay, there are a few things I can do." said Hildagunn.
Together, the two women ran to face the troll. They arrived as the troll killed a man with a huge greatsword.
Isgerd faced the troll. "Surrender, and I will not harm you." she said
"Chi! Chi! Chi! Ooh! Chi! Chi! Mok dezi flugg cha mo!" it said.
"I'm pretty sure that is pukje and not troll he's speaking." said Hildagunn.
The troll rushed forth to attack Isgerd with his sword. Instantly she changed into a large bear and wrestled with him. Hildagunn struck the troll with a flurry of energy bolts. The troll pushed Isgerd away and came at Hildagunn. Four men came from behind to attack the troll. The troll lifted himself off the ground and began to fly above the men.
"Now that is just not fair!" said Hildagunn.
Isgerd change from bear form into a large eagle. Hildagunn chanted. The troll chanted. The four men threw spears. The troll pointed at one of the men and he drew his sword and began attacking one of the other men.
"Serk, I am your brother. Why do you attack me?"
"I...must...serve..." said Serk and swung his sword again.
Three of the spears missed the troll, but one hit him in the thigh and a trail of blood rained on the ground. The troll pulled the spear out of his thigh and tossed it away. Before their eyes, the wound healed and an angry scar was all that remained. Isgerd swooped in and attacked the troll from behind. Her goal was not to do damage, but to prevent him from casting any more spells. Hildagunn got as close as she could and made a ball tossing motion. A globe of sticky web struck the troll in the face. He was blind.
At that moment Aesa arrived. "Need some help here?" she asked.
Hildagunn pointed to the troll. "I don't think it's a troll. It speaks pukje, heals fast and flies. My spell will not keep it blinded for long and Isgerd is outmatched. She is just trying to keep it from doing any more damage."
Aesa surveyed the field. There was a large tree nearby.
"I have an idea." she said.
Aesa left Hildagunn and climbed the tree faster than any bear or lynx. When she was near the top, she pulled out a short bow that she kept in her kit. The bow was no good for combat but might serve if she were lucky enough. She attached a specialized rock climbing piton to the end of a long arrow and then laced a strong fiber that attached to some silk rope she carried. All she needed to do now was line up the shot.
The troll flew around in wild lurching circles as it tried to get the glob of webbing off of its face. Hildagunn chanted. She directed the energy at Serk. Hildagunn smiled when the glazed look left Serk's eyes. "Brother," he said. "Why do you attack me, we are kin?"
"The troll bewitched you brother, let's not quarrel, we must slay him." said the brother.
Aesa knew she had one shot. It was not a very good chance, but she had to try. The troll was right at the edge of her range for this bow. Even if it hit there was a strong probability it would fall without catching flesh. She squinted her eyes and prayed. The piton went up high above the mark, but began to descend. It hit the troll in the neck and then slid harmlessly away. At the last second the troll lurched and the piton got hooked in his chain armor under the collar. Aesa wrapped some of the silk rope around her waist and pushed a button on her bow. She was instantly jerked from the tree and was being reeled at incredible speed right at the troll.
Isgerd glided for a moment, unsure what she just witnessed with her incredible eagle vision. Even her sharp hearing seemed to fail. She was certain she heard Aesa laughing. Aesa crashed into the back of the troll with incredible force, knocking the laughter from her body. The troll wiped the last of the web glob off of his face and chanted. The area around Isgerd went black. She was blind. She spread her wings and hoped the landing would not kill her.
Hildagunn saw what was happening. She ran fast. Without stopping she pointed at the black orb around Isgerd's head and drew on her magic powers. Nothing happened. Isgerd continued to descend far too fast.
Aesa stabbed the troll in the back with both of her knives. Carefully she carved.
The troll winced at her in pain. Aesa began to speak but never stopped stabbing the troll.
"Oh you will like it. This is some of my best work. Since you heal so fast, this will make a nice tattoo for you to show your kids. Mlobbidity Mlob Mlok you ask? Well since you asked so nicely in Pukje it says, AESA WAS HERE! That's my name. Since I gave you something nice, I am hoping you will return the favor. What you ask? I am hoping you will hold my needle for me."
Aesa spat the needle out of a tiny blowgun she held between her teeth. The needle struck the troll in the eye. The troll wailed in pain. Aesa smiled and continued to stab.
Hildagunn had one last spell she could try to save Isgerd. She thought of feathers and tapped the rainbow bridge for power. A multicolored beam flew from her hand and struck Isgerd. Isgerd decelerated. She began falling like a feather, very slow and deliberate. The decent was slow enough that the dark spell wore off and Isgerd was able to land under her own power.
"Thanks Hildagunn, I am in your debt." she said.
"You saved me when the others thought about letting me die. My life debt to you will never be paid." said Hildagunn.
The troll roared.
"Aesa!" they said.
Both women looked up. Aesa was striking the troll over and over with a rock on the back of the head. It finally sucumbed to the blows and passed out. The troll was now falling to the ground rapidly. Hildagun and Isgerd had just enough time to dive out of the way when the troll crashed to ground in a heap. At the last moment Aesa, cut her ties to the troll and somersaulted off its back. She hit the ground hard and rolled many times before leaping to her feet with a broad grin.
"Kill it now! Cut off its head!" said Aesa.
Serk rushed up and dropped his sword blade hard on the troll's neck. The head separated from its shoulders but required several swings of the blade. At the moment when the head separated, it rolled looking up at the group with wide yellow eyes and its face turned sky blue. The entire body of the beast became a couple of feet longer and a few hundred pounds heavier and entirely blue.
"Is this a Lokispawn?" asked Serk.
"Pukje." spat Aesa.
"Where did you get that rock Aesa? I never saw you pick it up." asked Isgerd.
"I keep it in my pack in case I run into a big nasty pukje, right next to a vial of acid for dealing with chain mail armor. I believe in being prepared. It keeps me alive." said Aesa.
Isgerd just stared at her. Aesa was very strange, even for a Norgardian.
Aesa, Hildagunn and Isgerd surveyed the battlefield. It was almost over. The Norgardians had slain all but a few of the pukje who now ran from the battle. Within moments the men filled their backs with arrows and spears and there was nothing left to fight. Bodies of men lie broken in many places. The field was wet with the blood of men and pukje. Kara, Sigurd and Olaf were already busy helping the men to dig a pit to bury the dead before the ravens and wolves got them.
"Where's Magnus?" asked Aesa.
When she saw him, she immediately ran to wear he was lying. Hildagunn and Isgerd followed close behind. Some of the men helped turn Magnus on his back. He was ghost-pale but breathing. He chest was ripped open from a wicked blade attack. His hand looked burned and was only inches from Reikov's battleaxe.
Aesa picked up the manblade. "Don't!" said both Hildagunn and Isgerd.
"How are we going to learn anything if we don't experiment?" Aesa asked.
Her face went pale and he knees buckled. She let go of the battleaxe.
"Perhaps this weapon is best studied by someone with thick gloves." Aesa said weakly.
While Aesa tested her luck, Isgerd prayed hard to heal Magnus' wounds. The effort reminded Aesa of her concern for her kinsman.
"Will he live? Aesa asked.
"Magnus? It will take more than a troll to kill him. He likes fighting in Midgard too much to just leave us for Valhalla." said Isgerd.
With Magnus out of danger, everyone focused on Eirk. Even Hildagunn shed a tear for the man. With great care, they built a gurney to carry him. When Magnus was alert, they brought Eirk's body and the other dead to a large pit they had dug out. The next two days were spent dragging a knarr into the pit and placing Eirk at the helm. The other dead were made crew. The treasure they found was buried with the dead and a mound of rocks and dirt were placed on top.
"Eirk died well. All the men did." said Magnus.
"Too many died, for too little treasure. Reikov's treasure will go to Valhalla with these men and what we have left is a magic trollspear we don't understand, a manblade we can't use and a wand that makes your enemy naked." said Isgerd.
"Can I have the wand?" said Olaf.
Everyone looked at Olaf.
"For study." he said.
"We must decide what to do. Eirk is the only man who has raided Welkin lands." said Sigurd.
"The men are looking to us for leadership." said Kara.
"Then let's lead them." said Aesa.
"What do you suggest?" said Sigurd.
"We head South until we hit Welkin lands then we take their stuff in honor of Eirk." said Aesa.
"I like it!" said Magnus.
"Of course you do!" said Olaf.
"Then we have a plan." said Sigurd.
"Aesa, why are your hands red? Did you kill someone while we weren't watching?" asked Olaf.
"Olaf, I am not a killer. I'm an artist. It's paint you dolt. Come see my work." she said.
They marched back to the troll home and looked at the troll god statue. In fresh red paint, written in the Thorsen runes it said AESA WAS HERE. It was a strange thing considering the respect given to Reikov's body. He had been placed on a bier facing the sea with a few grave goods. Magnus and many of the other warriors felt respect for his fighting ability. The pukje were dumped into the sea.
Aesa looked at her work with pride, but the others simply walked away without speaking. "I thought it was artistic." she said.
Sulking, she followed the others as they loaded up the remaining ships and prepared for the journey south.