The Long Way

[Franconicus]

THE LONG WAY

Chapter 1 - The Origin

It happened two weeks after Litha – the Midsummer festival. It was the day of the thunder god and Thor appeared himself. He was riding through the heavens on his chariot pulled by the goats Tanngrisni ("gap-tooth") and Tanngnost ("tooth grinder"). He was right above our hamlet - accompanied by thunder and lightning. It was the worst thunderstorm I had seen in my life. Evil spirits chased howling around the nave while big drops pound on the roof scaring the inhabitants of the hamlet. From time to time a flurry hit the walls and made the columns sigh. Then the clan members, who had taken shelter in the nave of Baldegg, our chief, moved together even tighter.

Baldegg sat on his chair, his famous sword lying across his knees. As legend had it the sword was a wedding present from Odin himself to his great-great-grandfather when he married a valkyrie. This union founded the fame of our clan. Since then we were known for being a family of heroes and magi, of sorceresses and seeresses. His head was hidden beneath his hands; I could not tell whether he fell asleep. Baldegg had already seen a lot of years and many thought that it was time that one of his sons became patriarch. Some said that even in his younger days peoples followed him because he had that magic sword, not because he had leadership skills.

At his side there were his two oldest sons, Glen and Glum. Although twins they had different appearance and different characters. Glen was a hand smaller than his father, but he had broad shoulders with strong arms and hands like shovels. He liked to work hard on the fields and was a gifted farmer. His brother Glum was tall, even taller than his father. Though he was strong, too, he was also very lissome. He never bothered with a plough; he was an excellent hunter and had the spirit of a warrior. Glum was always faster than his brother, in thinking and acting. However, he missed the staying power of his brother.

The three men were surrounded by the other members of the house, Baldegg’s wife Beyla, his nine daughters, and me, Gunnar, his youngest son. Both side aisles were filled with the occupants of the other naves. In the back room there were Baldegg’s animals.

Outside evil spirits were crying, inside women were whining and praying. The men sat and stared into space. Finally Glum stood up and said: “Bragi, our poet. Tell us the chronicle of our nation!”

At once everyone was quiet. Even the howling from outside seemed to soften. Bragi stood up and started his narrative:

”Listen to the story of our nation, as it has been given from generation to generation:
After Odin and his two brothers Ve and Vili had created the universe and the nine worlds, they walked on the beach where they came upon two logs of wood which were washed ashore. They picked the logs up and give them a humanoid shape. Odin breathed into them the spirit of live, Vili gave them sharp wits and feeling hearts; and Ve bestowed upon them the senses, expressive features and speech. Furthermore, the brothers provided them with names and clothes. The male they named Ask ("ash") and the female the named Embla ("elm"). Ask and Embla became the progenitors of the human race and Midgard was given to them as their residence.

When Loki heard the news he tried to imitate the three gods. All his attempts to create human beings were in vain. He finally tried to build men out of animals. He created the wild sow men, the cow men and the wolf men. Although they looked like human beings they lacked the godsend wits, the feeling heart and the fine senses.

In the beginning the human nation lived in the eastern part of Midgard. One day Odin decided to give them a new homeland. So the One-eyed called his people and guided them to the new place. On the way the humans said: ‘Look, this is a good place to live. Let’s stay here and build our houses!’ But Alfadir kept on marching, using his spear as a walking stick and the human nation followed. When they finally reached the Land between the Oceans Alfadir climbed on the hill Cimbaro and rammed Gungnir, his spear into ground. The spear stroke roots and became an enormous oak. This was the sign for the human race to settle down. The oak is the center of our homeland Cimbriheim.”

Bragi stopped and looked around. Everybody was attentive. Baldegg called: “Go on, Bragi! Tell us about the golden age!”

Bragi nodded: “After the human nation had settled they started to build acres. They found the ground fertile. Freyr, ‘God of the World’, ordered sun and rain to cultivate the plants and gave the human nation bountiful harvests.The sea gave them plenty of fish. Each clan built a hamlet.

Odin taught his people how to use metal; bronze, silver and gold. Now the humans could make tools, weapons and artworks. The population grew and we became rich. We had trade across the ocean with the lands of the north and even with the Western Island, where they swapped horses and honey for tin.

There was still much ground and Odin decided to bring another tribe of the human beings to the Land between the Oceans. The Teutons arrived and settled at the northern shore. After a while another tribe came from the south, the Ambrones. Although they were no human beings – their great mother was a wild sow – the humans had pity with them. They gave them a place to build their naves, taught them how to plant corn and how to appease gods. The Ambrones settled south of the humans.”

Glum shouted: “What about the cow men? Tell us about the cow men!”

“Yes, of cause there were other people, too. They are called cow men because their great mother was a cow. They were not a tribe ours. They had no villages, not even solid houses. They moved from place to place with their droves. They had no friends, no shelter and no god took care about them. They sneaked around our hamlets trying to scrounge or steal something. But when they saw a human being they ran away.
Those were the happy days. The human nation ruled Cimbriheim from shore to shore. We were rich, we lived in harmony with our gods; there was no hunger or pain.”

“Were there any other men on earth?”

“Yes, we know that there were another people. Once there was a trader, who came from far away. After his ship had stranded he came to us and stayed the whole winter. Obviously he was no human being, because he was terrible deformed. He was small, at least one instep smaller than a human being. He also had small hands and small feet, hands and feet of a child. He had dark hair and dark eyes. And he had the face of a child too, without a beard. Many believed that he was not grown up but he declared that he was 34 years old and that in his homeland all men looked like he did. Although he was abhorrent and ugly the humans treated him kind. When he talked about his country his story was unbelievable. He said that his nation was in the south, between two oceans just like Cimbriheim. At the northern side the country is limited by big mountains. The people there were small and they descend from wolves. Although they are tiny he told us that they were very powerful. They occupied 50 hamlets and ruled over the complete southern world. They were rich; they ruled the sea, too. They sent their traders all across the world.

The humans did not believe him. But a magus said that he knew this nation. Usually they were called dwarfs, their king was Alberich. They lived in the mountains - under ground. Although they were small and ugly they were magical creatures. They were fiendishly clever, very strong and they could anvil better than any other race. He strongly recommended to treat the dwarf right. Dwarfs are under Thor’s protection!

The magus probably was right; when the dwarf showed his sword everybody could see that it was made from an unknown material. Although it was not as shiny as bronze it was much stronger. When summer returned the dwarf repaired his ship and sailed away. He was never seen again.”

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Hi!
This is my first shot. I will be thankful for any feedback; even telling me that I should end it immediately-

[Ludens]

Welcome to the Mead Hall, Franconicus. I like your story. I think it could do with a bit more suspense, but most histories tend not to be very exciting.

Please continue .

[Franconicus]

Thank you, Ludens! A bit more suspense I could add misery and some alcohol.

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Chapter 2 - The Dark Age

The poet looked around.

“And then the Dark Age began!”

Another blast hit the house. This time it tore a hole in the roof, over the left aisle. A small waterfall was running down to the people sitting there.

“Our guardian spirits did not care any longer and Hod, the blind god of darkness and winter, began to rule over Cimbriheim. The weather began to change. Winters became longer and colder; the summers were filled with rain. Our fields turned into swamps. The seeresses had seen it coming but there was nothing the humans could do. The magi and sorceresses tried to find out what was going on. They made sacrifices to appease the gods and to regain their protection. They sacrificed things as well as animals; finally we even sacrificed men; all in vane. The weather did not change, the corn did not grow and a dearth afflicted Cimbriheim. Many humans died in those years. Our neighbors, the Teutons and the Ambrones suffered the same. Finally, when all our splendid fields had turned into swamps and meadows we had to leave them and build new ones on the stony hills, where the rainwater could run off. Here we harvested enough to survive. But the times were still hard.”

An old broad whispered: “Ragnarok, the Doom of the Gods!”

“Shut up, old witch!” Magni, the strongest man of our clan flew into her face. “Bragi, go on. Do not care about those hags!”

“I tell you, this is the end! This is Fimbulvetr, the winter of winters. As been told: Three such winters will follow each other with no summers in between. Conflicts and feuds will break out, even between families, and all morality will disappear. This is the beginning of the end.

The wolf Skoll will finally devour the sun, and his brother Hati will eat the moon, plunging the earth into darkness. The stars will vanish from the sky. The cock Fjalar will crow to the giants and the golden cock Gullinkambi will crow to the gods. A third cock will raise the dead.

The earth will shudder with earthquakes, and every bond and fetter will burst, freeing the terrible wolf Fenrir. The sea will rear up because Jormungand, the Midgard Serpent, is twisting and writhing in fury as he makes his way toward the land. With every breath, Jormungand will stain the soil and the sky with his poison. The waves caused by the serpent's emerging will set free the ship Naglfar, and with the giant Hymir as their commander, the giants will sail towards the battlefield. From the realm of the dead, a second ship will set sail, and this ship carries the inhabitants of hell, with Loki as their helmsman. The fire giants, led by the giant Surt, will leave Muspell in the south to join against the gods. Surt, carrying a sword that blazes like the sun itself, will scorch the earth. “

“Keep the old wife’s tale to yourself, virago. No one wants to listen! Go on Bragi!”

Another woman said: “Magni, you cannot talk to Gullveig like this! You know she is a seeress; she is the pet of the goddess Nott.”

Magni: “Pet of the goddess? Is this the reason why her words always stink? If she is a seeress, why didn’t she see this storm coming?”

Gullveig: “I can only see what the goddess shows.”

Magni: “You can only see what dementia shows! Bragi, go on!”

“As I said, hard times. However, the Norns decided to make them even harder. I told you about the cowmen. When the times began to turn harder, they drove their cattle on the marsh areas. During winter, they went south and returned only during summer. While the humans suffered from hunger the cowmen became stronger and numerous.

During their migrations, they mingled with southern tribes. They traded with acquired salt, new customs and new tools. One summer when they returned from their winter camps, the cowmen were even more numerous. They behaved like kings, not like tramps. When they started to cheek, the humans wanted to chase them away, as they had done many times before. However, the cowmen did not retread. They stayed on their horses and unsheathed the swords. They were from a different material. Not shining like the bronze swords of the humans. They shimmered a bit like silver. While the humans still marveled at the swords, the cowmen attacked. The swords were longer than any sword before, so they could use them from the backs of their horses. Although the humans fought bravely, they could not resist the new metal swords. The cowmen were able to beat the bronze swords and helmets into pieces. Therefore, the new metal swords beat the humans. The cowmen seized power in the Land between the Oceans. The humans had to give them a part of the harvest. They claimed the best acres for their cattle and they built a castle at the top of the hill right on the other side of Cimbaro. And there they live today and worship their Barbarian gods.”

“Why were they able to defeat us?”

Gullveig: “It was an ordeal. We have to pray and repent.”

Magni: “No, it was because of iron swords. We have to arm and fight.”

Gullveig: “No one can fight against the anger of the gods.”

Magni: “No one can fight against the gutlessness of crones. We have iron swords too!”

Baldegg raised his head: “Magni, you know very well that we cannot mess with them. We were able to buy iron artifacts; we know how to form simple objects like spearheads or arrowheads. However, we do not know how to make a good iron sword. We can buy them, but they are more expensive than gold. Look around you. We have maybe a dozen iron swords. Do you think that is enough to fight the cowmen? Each of them has a sword of his own; best quality. They even brought some armourers – magical dwarfs - from the south. They are now working on the castle. They all have horses and can use them as weapon too. No, Magni, we cannot fight the cowmen!”

After this disputation the clan was silent again. So everyone could hear the rain turning into hail: the gods had decided to ruin the corn on the fields. The humans would have to face another long winter.

Gullveig mumbled: “This is the beginning of the end!”

Baldegg: “Maids, bring beer!”

[Franconicus]

Not enough? Maybe I could add some crime

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Chapter 3 – Baldegg’s End

It was three weeks before Haustblot, the day when Mani and Sol have an equal share of the day. This is also the day for the human beings to thank their gods for the harvest. This year, however, the joy at the harbor was not gushy; the hailstorm had ruined the corn almost completely. Although the harvest was nearly over the magazines at Baldegg’s hamlet were still only half-full.

Something had to happen or many human beings would die of hunger this winter. Therefore, Glen and Glum were looking for food. Glen took some men and women and went into the forest to collect acorns, roots, berries and fungi. Glum gathered the young men and went for fish. Due to the rough sea, this was not innocuous. Glum swore not to return before he caught as many fishes as they could carry.

While they were gone, the cowmen came. Before someone saw them, they were already between the houses. The cowmen occupied the hamlet and their chief Eligor turned straight to Baldegg’s nave. Sitting on his horse, he demanded to get his toll. Baldegg tried to explain that the harvest was much smaller than usually and that therefore the human beings were not able to pay anything. Eligor gave a shrug and ordered his men to search the village. They cornered the human beings in front of their chief’s house and started then to depredate the settlement. When Baldegg saw this, he cried aloud and pulled out his sword. Later his following said that they never had seen him braver before. When he rushed, forward Eligor made his horse jump. It knocked over Baldegg. When he was laying on the ground Eligor took his lance and pinned the shoulder of his enemy to the ground. Then the cowmen drove all the cattle together and cleared the magazines. They even snaped up the children between 5 and ten year.

When they began to enter the naves, too, Gullveig stepped outside, supported by her 17 year old daughter Velleda. The seeress shot a bane in the face of the intruders: “Cowmen, in the name of Nott, goddess of the night, I execrate you!”

The cowman who was next to her lifted his sword. However, he hesitated to beat her. He looked around and saw that his comrades had stopped too. Eligor gave a signal and the cowmen turned away and disappeared. Before they moved away with their haul, they threw torches to the magazines.

When the Glen and Glum returned to the hamlet, the fire was out. Due to Gullveig’s intervention, the naves were almost undamaged, but the magazines were burned off. Baldegg lay in his house. Pain and fever agitated him.
When Glum heard the news he wanted to chase the cow men. However, his mother stopped him: “Glum, there is nothing you can do. They are far too strong. Your place is here, at the side of your father.” Glum replied: “I cannot help him now. However, we have to do something! Summer is almost gone and we have no food left for the winter. Who is willing to follow me and call the cow men to account?” Some of the younger men came forward, but the rest kept pulled back.

Glen: “We can do nothing about it. You know very well that the cow men are stronger than we are.”
Glum: “We only know if we try.”
Glen: “Don’t you see that the god’s are not on our side? Besides that, we have to think how we can survive this winter – without supply. I do not see any good in wasting time and spending more lives. Let us send messengers to the other naves. Maybe they will help us.”
Glum: “The god’s are always on the sides of the strong ones! What about the abducted children?”
Some women started crying. The men looked sheepish. Then Glen murmeled: “Maybe they are better off than we are. They will have something to eat this winter.” Glum turned round and went into his father’s house.

This night Baldegg died. Before he did, he opened his eyes and looked at his wife and his oldest sons who were sittting at the side of his bed. Then he looked at Odin’s sword, which was lying at his side. Beyla took the sword and laid it on the blanket. Baldegg slowly raised his head, and then he said with a low voice: “Glum, my son!” Glum bent forward to hear the words of his father. “Glum, I am leaving. I died in war; tomorrow Odin will greet me. Glum, I want you to take the Odin’s sword.” Glum took the weapon, with a proud expression on his face. Then his father spoke again: “Glen, my son, come closer.” Glen did as hs father had told him. Baldegg laid his hand on the hand of his son. “Glen, I want you to care about the clan. Hard times will come. They need a strong leader.”

After these words, he laid back and closed his eyes. Glum sallied out. Two hours later Baldegg was dead.

[Ludens]

Nice. I like the element of Norman mythology. But the switch from history to present tale came a bit abruptly.

[Franconicus]

Nice. I like the element of Norman mythology. But the switch from history to present tale came a bit abruptly.

I wanted to have the story teller as an introduction for the story. I chosed the situation with the thunderstorm to have an appropriate frame. I hoped this would induce the story, obviously it was too abrupt.

I plan to keep the act associated with the German myth.

[Franconicus]

Chapter 4 – The Ting


Misery had taken possession of Baldegg’s hamlet. Without its chief and without food for the winter the clan expected heavy seas ahead.

The messengers came back. They reported that the other clans did give a share of the harvest to the cowmen; then those left without doing more damage. Now the cowmen were on their annual journey to the winter camps. Among their stoves, there were the cattle and children of Baldegg’s clan. Only their families guarded by several hundreds of warriors stayed in their castle.

When a clan leader dies there had to be a Ting. It began two days after Baldegg’s end. All free men were present; the nobles from the other clans joined the meeting, too.

According to old custom, the first day of the Ting was intented for drinking and talking. We arranged benches under the lime trees. They were reserved for the nobles of our clan and the guests. My mother, the widow of the chief, was permitted to sit there too. At her side were my two brothers and me. The rest of the clan sat in front of the benches on the ground.

Every free man could make his statements; everybody could to talk openly; even women, as long they did not meddle with any legal affair, of cause. Women’s evidences were not reliable. Fortunately, the guests from the other hamlets had brought enough beer and mead for a well-founded discussion. Everybody was talking about the events of the past days and their effects on the future. There were contradictory concepts of what had to be done. While some said that the clans should stand together and fight against the cowmen most humans beings held the view that the most urgent problem was to get enough food before winter comes. Some even were the opinion that the nation should leave their homeland. Obviously, they said, the ground was accurst. Others countered that they did not have enough food to start a migration. Furthermore, Odin had given them this land and so it would not be good to leave it. In addition, of cause there was the issue of electing a new chief. There was a lot of talk about the fact that Baldegg gave Odin’s sword to Glum while he wanted to have Glen as his successor:

“Glen cannot be chief. Our chief is the one who has Odin’s sword, Glum.”
“But Baldegg wanted to make Glen chief.”
“We have to elect a chief. Glen is the right person to help us overcome the bad times. He knows everything about farming. He used to work hard and he is a religious person. In his brother’s mind, there is only room for dreaming. He wants to play war while the clan is suffering.”
“Glen may be able to get the food we need; but only Glum will be able to defend it against the cowmen.”
“We could make Glen our chief and give him the sword of Odin.”
“No, Baldegg gave it to Glum. It belongs to him!”
“No! It belongs to our leader, the one we elect!”

Obviously, most of the younger men preferred Glum; they wished he would lead them into war. Most of the older men and of the women preferred Glen.

Suddenly Gullveig stood in front of the bench. Her young daughter Velleda supported her. She looked to the crowd with misty eyes. Apparently she did not notize anything around. Her mind was to be absent. When she spoke her words came from somewhere else: “Listen, God’s people, sons of Odin, to the goddess of the night! This is her warning! Here sits Glum. Follow him and he will lead you to death. And here is his brother Glen. Follow him and he will lead you to slavery. Make your choice!”
Her words caused a big affray. So far the discussion had been peaceful but now the supporters of the two candidates were having a go at each others. Glun looked very angry. He jumped up and tried to lunge out Gullveign.
Then a horn sounded. Everybody turned to the the bench where Glen stood with a horn in his hand. “Men and women of the human nation! What are you doing? Baldegg, our father, lies dead in his nave and all you can do is to brawl. Did you forget that there is cease during the Ting? And you, brother, why do you overwhelm Gullveign. Even the cowmen did not dare to threaten her! She may be deranged, but at least she did stop the cowmen. We all owe her thank and respect.”

The men looked embarrassed. Quietly they left the place. The first day of the Ting was over.
However, the discussion went on. Most of the men were impressed of the manner Glen had shown. Most of the women, however, thought about the words of Gullveign.

The second day of the Ting was much quieter. It was time for acclamation and no women were permitted to participate. The majority of the free men elected Glen. He promised to protect the clan and to lead it to better times.

At the third day, Baldegg was buried. Then the Ting was over and the guests left the hamlet again.

Glen began to rule during the next days. First, he collected all articles of values. Then he asked his brother Glum to take a couple of warriors and make a trip to the southern neighbors – tribes of wild sow men. He sould exchange for food. Glum refused to do it. He had decided to leave the clan for a while. He wanted to live in the woods and be an anchorite of Thor. Glen had to respect his decision. Many men said that it was a good that Glum left for a while.

Therefore, Glen sent me, his youngest brother. He gave me a guard of 20 men. We traveled at the southern border of Cimbriheim and canvassed about 20 naves of the wild sows. We had to find out that they did not have much food they could give us. We explained them our distress, but that only made the price increase. Nevertheless, after two weeks we returned to our nave and could at least add some food to our magazines.

In the meantime, Glen had devided the rest of the men into two groups, one of them had to rebuild the magazines, and the other one was fishing in the sea. When the fishers came back, they reported that they had had no luck at all. Although the sacrificed the seagod, Aegir called five of them to his wet kingdom.

Winter closed in on us. Although Glen’s and the rest of the clan’s efforts had increased the stock, it was not enough to overcome the dark season. Many members of the clan would not see the sun return at spring.

[Franconicus]

Chapter 5 – Velleda

The beginning of Glen’s government was star-crossed. Winter came early and strong this year. Snow covered the land and it became very cold. Hunger drove the wolf packs out of the woods and closer to our settlement. Soon food was getting rare and hunger was guest in our naves.

Betimes I visited Glum in the woods. While his brother Glen lived as chief in the big nave, he lived in a small cabin made of earth and wood, spending his days in meditation and ascetics. Each time I met him I noticed that many people came to see him. Most of them were young men. They talked about fighting the cowmen. They found it hard to accept their dominance any longer. If I remember right, my brother never took part in these conversations. He just sat there in meditation. He was quasi a catalyst. People who were dissatisfied could go to him and talk about their wishes. I do not if Glen knew about these go-togethers; if he did, he preferred to ignore them.

Sometimes women joined the meetings in the wood, too. One day I saw Velleda. I was surprised, because I remembered what her mother had said about Glum. She sat at the fire and listened silently to the conversation of the others. I just sat and watched her. In the shine of the fire I realized for the first time how beautiful she was.

When it was late in the afternoon, she stood up and declared that she would go home now. When she turned to leave, I stood up, took my lance and offered her my company. She turned her faces and looked in my eyes with a slightly surprised expression. Something in her look muddled me. I replied: “Because of the wolves, you know?” She smiled and turned away. I did not know what to make of it. I decided to take her smile as assent and hurried to catch her.

We walked for a while silently side by side. I should have said something but I did not have a clue what to say. From time to time, I stole a peep at her. Snowflakes were twinkling on her long red hair.

After we had entered a glade, three wolves were standing right in front of us. One of them, a huge black one, bared his teeth. I pushed Velleda back: “Do not worry! I attend to it!” I raised my lance and made the tip oscillate in front of the wolves. All of a sudden, Velleda started to sing with a low but calm voice. A strange ditty unlike anything I had ever heard before. Although I thought, it was mistimed and I wanted to tell her that I had to concentrate on the wolves I did not want her to stop. When I directed my attention back to the wolves the situation had changed. The wolves had receded and their attitude was no longer hostile. Suddenly I heard breaking wood all around us. Five, six other wolves were coming out of the brushwood. They run to the other three and then the whole pack disappeared.

Velleda stopped singing: “Thank you for your protection, brother of our chief!”
“How did you do that?”
“The wolves? They went with us for a while. Certainly you have seen them?”
“Sure!” I was an experienced hunter. I better did not try to explain her that I had not had the faintest idea that there were more wolves around. Actually, I could not even explain it to myself. “I just wondered how you managed …”
“To banish the wolves? I am the daughter of a seeress, did you forget?
“I see.” I had the strange feeling that she made me look rather dumb.
“Your mother, why did she say these things about my brothers?”
“She only tells what the goddess shows her.”
“So you believe that Glen will lead the clan to slavery, do you?”
“Well, my mother only tells what the goddess shows her. This is always the truth. However, the messages of the gods add up. Their meanings are abstruse sometimes. Only in the end you know the real meaning.”
“Do you have inherited her gift?”
“Call it gift or burden! Yes, I inherited it. And my mother helped me to understand and to come along with it.”
Then she started to tell about things that happened in her youth, about their education and about her contact with the spirits and gods. We walked side by side, her talking and me listening.
“Do you know what, Gunnar? You are the only young man I have ever seen who listens. All the others are always busy talking about their heroic deeds.”

For a moment, I wondered whether I could tell her that I was more than happy just to listen to her. I was so glad that I did not have to make conversation with this beautiful and yet scaring creature. In fact, I was so happy just walking beside her and enjoying her presence that I only listened very ineffectual. I decided that our relationship was not ready for the whole truth. So I said: “Maybe the reason is that I haven’t done any.”

“None of them has. Many are talking about what they will do to the cowmen these days. But none of them has really done something special.”

Although she said that to console, it was probably not, what I wanted to hear.

“Anyway! Regardless what my mother said, I am sure that your brother Glum will be a great leader one day!”
That was definitely not, what I wanted to hear. Again, I had that dumb feeling, although I did not know why.

Finally, we reached our hamlet. “Gunnar, next time you will go to your brother you could go along with me – if you like to.” She had to have seen the surprised look in my eyes.
“Because of the wolves, you know?” she smiled and disappeared in her nave.

We met each other quite frequently this winter. We became familiar with each other. Moreover, she kept on making me feel dumb.

[Kagemusha]

Very good Franc i enjoyed it very much,please continue. One stupid question as a history buff i have somewhat located these people to be the core Germans,but are the cowmen Celts?I remember vaguely that the Celts had iron before the basic Germans.Altough they could be also Scythians that had also trade connections to mediterrain.

[Franconicus]

Not stupid at all.

The story happens in a time we know very little about, especially about these northern areas. This gives room for speculations and poetic liscence That is one reason why I decided not to make an interactive.

The human being are Germanians; although we can assume that there is no real Germanian identity at this time. The Teutons are another Germanian tribe. The Ambrones are a celtic tribe, which is highly assimilated with the Germanian.

In my story the Germanians are at the edge of iron time. And they are at the edge between farmers and nomades. The human beings and the Teutons are farmers. The cowmen, though Germanians too, are still nomades.

When the climate changes and the weather becomes more wet the cowmen get upperhand. The cowmen also have the advantage that they move south in summer and get in contact with other Celtic tribes and even Romans. So they have access to iron long before the human nation.

So although both are Germanians their culture is different and they are grimly enemies.

Can you give me some advices? How is the balance between history and story, myth and reality. Is there enough suspense now. Enough sex and crime?

How did you like the romantic chapter?
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Chapter 6 – Jul

Until Jul, I spent as much time in the wood as I could. Although my mother had shown me magical places and had told me stories of magical creatures, I had never realized that magic filled the whole world. Velleda was the queen of magic and I willingly followed her into her spiritually realm. While we lived beneath trolls, spirits, elves and sprites, we forget our hunger and finally I fell in love. I immersed in her world; I hardly recognized what was going on around us. I realized it when Velleda spent more and more time with the sick persons.

Many people suffered from hunger. The family of the chief had still enough food. However, other families had to dilute their meals with roots and barks. Several humans were sick; children in particular were vulnerable. Velleda and her mother spent a lot of time to help the sufferers. When I asked her if she could banish the evil spirits, she looked at me with a sad and tired expression: “It is not simple, Gunnar. Goddess Eir has taught us many means to fight diseases. In addition, many guarding spirits can help. However, there are also many evil spirits. You have to find out which one you have to deal with. Then you have to find the right therapy, call the right guarding spirits and support them in their fight. However, the most important force is the spirit that lies within the person. Its will and ability to fight the bad spirits is decisive. That is the reason why the children suffer most. Sometimes I think it would help more to give the food to the sufferers than to sacrifice.”

The days before Jul were always days of misfortune and accidents. People always feared that Sol would disappear forever, leaving the world in darkness. However, finally, it was the day of Jul. In the late afternoon, the clans pilgrimaged to Cimbaro.

I was together with my family at the top of our column. I had tried to catch a glimpse of Velleda, but she and her mother were at the rear. We passed the big wood. Everything seemed to be quiet and lonesome; after my lessons from Velleda, I knew that there were woodland sprites everywhere.

Finally, we reached Cimbaro. There was a big glade on his top, encased from three sides by the wood. The third side was open. If it there had been daylight, one could have seen the castle of the cowmen on a hill on the other side of the valley. In the middle of the place was Odin’s oak.

When all clans were present, the worship began. Several thousands of God’s people had gathered to praise their Lords. Glum was there too. It was the first time he joined the clan after the Ting. Everybody was praying silently to Odin, Baldur and Sol. These three were the gods of Jul. After a while, people began to pray loud. An old magus led the prayers now. He began with conjuration of Sol. He said the incantation: “Sol, shining god, we depend on you. You make the plants grow. You feed the animals and the humans. Your servants ask you to return and to enlighten Cimbrihall. Please give us a sign and send us your light.” Then individuals could add their personal wishes. Some asked Odin for food, others asked Baldur for convalescence. Glen asked Odin for more food.

Then Glum stepped under Odin’s oak, raised his hands and started to pray: “Odin, Alfadir, please look at your children. You once led us to this place and promised to feed us and to shelter us. Look at us now. Your children are starving. The cowmen suppress us and steal our food. Alvis, please feed your children and give them shelter us. Avenge Baldegg, my father. Odin, god of war and death, please give us a sign.”
Then everybody looked quietly at the magus. This one looked strained into the sky. All over sudden he said: “Jubilate! Sol sends us a sign. He returns. The world will not remain in darkness. The world is saved.”

Everybody was screaming. A big fire was set on fire and the whole glade was enlightened. People started to bring meat of butchered oxen. They were a gift for Odin, who lordly gives the meat to his children. Many poor people would have meat for the first time since long ago.
Suddenly someone cried: “Look out there!” Everybody looked and saw another light on the other side of the valley. “The sign! This is Odin’s sign!”

The light was there, without any doubt. People moved closer and then the first decided to go there and look what it meant. As they advanced, they could see that the fire was on the hill of the cowmen. When they were close, they could see that the wooden wall were on fire. Soon the whole nations stood staring at the burning walls. The fire was sparkling and crackling. Than with a loud bang, the wall next to the main gate collapsed.

“The sign! This is Odin’s sign.” The word worked a circuit. Then a cowman stood in front of the crowed. It was Eligor’s son: “Cimbri, what are you doing here? Go to hell!” He raised his sword. However, before he could do any harm my brother Glum pressed forward, grabbed him by the scruff of the neck, uplifted him and threw him against the gate. When the cowman dashed at the gate, it shattered and the burning wreckage buried his corpus.

For a moment, there was silence. Then the crowed began screaming and assaulting the castle. The people acted like in a flush. One moment we were celebrating the return of the sun, the next we were in the middle of a war against the hated cowmen. The bulk trapped me and tore ma away. Every cowman who thwarted them was slayed. The cowmen, busy with erasure and recovery, did not have a chance. They were subdued and thrown into the fire.

Soon the humans were sacking the castle. The crowed plundered the magazines and the mews. Fortunately, the fire had not reached them. Then the crowed moved back to Cimbaro, packed with food and accompanied by several hundreds of captured cowmen. Actually, most of the prisoners were women and children.

The feast was continued and I think even the gods could not celebrate a finer feast. In the end, everybody was filled ad nauseam. The clans returned to their homes. Many said that this was the best Jul within living memory. Others said that it was good to know that Odin was on our side again and that he reacts on our lamentations the way he did. Of course, we did not forget to show Odin our thankfulness. The corpi of the cowmen and their wives and children were hanging in the limbs of his oak, together with the captured weapons.

[Franconicus]

Chapter 7 – The Magic Sword

The looting of the cowmen’s castle fed the stomachs of the human beings and raised their moral. Everyone was sanguine and full. Moreover, the days became longer, too.

Only two people in our hamlet did not share good mood: Gullveign and Glen.

Compared to the happiness of the rest of the clan Gullveign sentiment was getting worse day by day. Her auguries became even more direful and ominous. However, the people were much too satisfied to care about her. Bragi, the poet, made some mocking lines about her pessimism:

“I see the bad moon arising.
I see trouble on the way.
I see earthquakes and lightnin.
I see bad times today.

Don't go around tonight, Well, it's bound to take your life,
There's a bad moon on the rise.

I hear hurricanes ablowing.
I know the end is coming soon.
I fear rivers over flowing.
I hear the voice of rage and ruin.

Don't go around tonight, Well, it's bound to take your life,
There's a bad moon on the rise.

Hope you got your things together.
Hope you are quite prepared to die.
Looks like we're in for nasty weather.
One eye is taken for an eye.

Don't go around tonight, Well, it's bound to take your life,
There's a bad moon on the rise.”

This song became very popular. Everybody sung it, at least when the seeress was not around. The song was well known all over Cimbriheim.

The other worried person was my brother Glen. Everybody thought that the defeat of the cowmen was Odin’s answer to Glum’s prayer. More people than ever surged in the woods. Odin had destroyed the walls of the cowmen’s castle and had given the enemies into the hand of his people. Now everything seemed to be possible. The younger men formed a gang who exercised with their weapons. They called themselves “the wolves”. All these people would have been happy to follow Glum. However, my brother was quiet and kept on praying to Thor.

Glen did not want to rely on that. He realized that he had to do something to conserve his position. Only two men survived the burning and the pillage of the castle, the smith and his assistant. Glen had decided to take them to our nave. Since then they stuck together. One day Glum called a meeting. He presented his vision of the future: “My brothers and sisters! Odin donated the victory over the cowmen. He also gave us the supply to help us through winter. However, Odin’s gift is much bigger than that. Look at these two men. They were picked up at the castle. They are no cowmen. They were born in the south and were hired by the cowmen because they know how to manufacture iron. Yes, brothers and sisters, they know the miracle how to make weapons and tools. They agreed to work for us. We will set up a smithy and they can start right away.”

The people nodded in agreement.

“They will provide us with tools, unlike those of wood we were used to. I talked to them and they agreed to make spades. Then we will be able to make drains and regain our old, rank acres. They will also make ploughs, so we can get deeper into the earth. This will cause a lot of work but in the end it will yield a large crop.”

Again, the audience showed its agreement.

“Of course the smiths will also make weapons, better than the ones we know. First and foremost they will make a magic sword for me, the leader of the clan.”

The people cheered. Glen had stricken the right note.

Some weeks later the smiths had started to work. The sound of the hammering and the smoke of the hearth filled the hamlet. Many peole came to watch them work. Glen himself spent most of his time at the smithy. Their first piece was the ‘magic sword’. They hammered many times on an annealing piece of iron until it looked like a sword. I was standing close to them and I could see that the smith looked concerned. He said something to my brother, but Glen only shook his head. Then Geln ordered to butcher an ox and to collect the blood in a tub. A boy was told to stir it to keep it liquid. Then the smith began to glow the sword once again. Glen called the clan to watch the magical ceremony that should follow. When the iron was redhot, the smith took it out of the hearth, murmured a magic spell and then dipped it into the blood. The blood began to boil and to steam.

Glen explained: “This is the magic moment. The blood gives its soul to the sword. It makes it tough and hard. Of course, human blood would be much better. It is a pity that we did not preserve a cowman.”

When the smith took the sword out of the tub, Glen grabbed it and raised it high over his head to show it to the crowed. Then he stroke against the anvil. At the moment, the sword burst and broke into pieces and the tip fell on the ground. Everyone was staring bewildered at the sword. Then Glen threw the rest of the sword to the ground, turned round and hurried to our nave. The rest of the day, he spent there discussing with the smiths.

[Ludens]

Can you give me some advices? How is the balance between history and story, myth and reality. Is there enough suspense now. Enough sex and crime?

How did you like the romantic chapter?

I still like it. I initially thought you had not decided on the kind of story you wanted it to be, as it started as a history, then switched to an ordinary story, and then a sort of eye-witness account, but now you seem to have settled it. Pace is good so far, and there is indeed a suspense about what may happen. Not much, as the main character seems somewhat distant to the tale, but enough. As for the balance, I think it is fine, though the sex and crime part could be extended a little bit.

[Franconicus]

Chapter 7 – The Vision

The sword affair was a complete disaster for Glen. For weeks, he did not leave the nave, hoping that people would forget. Of course, they did not. Everybody was talking about the occurrence. Everybody was sure that this was another sign of Odin. Glum did have his holy sword; Odin did not want Glen to have a sword, too.

All this time Glum was in the woods. After Jul, he had returned and had not come to the hamlet. He was not even at his cabin. However, the more he was missing the more people were looking for him. Although his cabin was uninhabited, more and more people came there. Although he did actually nothing and although he was not present at all, the clan’s members accepted him as their leader.

Velleda and I spend a lot of time in the wood, together. However, we were rarely at Glum’s cabin.

One day, one and a half moon after Jul, Glum was back. Soon it was rumored that he was not the same as he used to be. He had seen Thor himself, received orders from him. Soon the talk was all over the hamlet.

That evening Glen took me aside: “Gunnar, I know that there is something going on in the wood. People think I do not, but I do. Nobody wants to tell me. Would you do me a favor? Go to our brother and talk to him. Find out what is really going on. If it is true, what they say, if he has seen Thor and if Thor talked to him, I do not want to be chief any longer. But I have to be sure.” He looked so pathetic I could not help. I promised to go. “Then hurry. Go right now!” He pushed me through the door.

Therefore, I had to walk through the wood at night. A couple of months ago that would have been something I had not liked very much. Now I knew there were guarding spirits everywhere and I believed that a very special person recommended me warmly to them. Nevertheless, I would have been glad if Velleda was at my side.

When I reached Glum’s cabin it was almost midnight. Despite the heavy snowfall, he was sitting at the fireplace in front of his cabin. When I lay down beside him, he looked at me and said: “Gunnar, it is good to see you. Many thinks are crossing my mind. I asked the gods to send me someone I can talk to and they sent me you.” For a couple of minutes he stared into the flames.
“Glum, although you live as hermit there are always many people around you can talk to.”
“No! They all come to talk about their fears, their dreams - their claims.”
“They want you to lead them, aren’t they?”
“I never encouraged them, god knows. I do not know what they think I should do. I do not know if I can fulfill their claims.”
“People are saying that you met Thor.”
“Well, in a spiritual way, yes. You know that I left the clan to find some answers. After our father Baldegg had died I wanted to find myself, wanted to ask Thor to give me a vision for my life. You know, brother, I always had had the feeling that Thor was close to me, watching, you know. More than Odin and the rest.”
He stared into the flames again. I waited. When he did not go on, I asked: “And did the thunder god tell you?”
“Even here in my cabin there were too many people to meet Thor. You know, Gunnar, gods do not talk to you when there are others around. Therefore, I decided to disappear. I went into the deepest forest, were I was all alone. I did not drink or eat for days, for weeks. And then Thor sent me a vision.”
Glum fell silent again. Although I was waiting impatiently how he would continue, I did not push him this time.
“I saw a big crowd of human beings on migration. I saw them go south, to a land where the sun always shines, where the harvests were always good; to a place where no one had to suffer; a place where the human beings could live safe. I saw them go to Alberich’s realm.”
After a long break, he said with a deep-drawn sigh: “And I saw me in the fore.”
“Wow! What do you intend to do?”
“I do not know, honestly I do not know. I do not know if I can trust this vision. You know, I never experienced anything like that. I do not know why I was chosen. I do not know if I can carry the burden. I do not know if I want to.”
“I do not think that it is up to you. If Thor called you, you have to follow!”
“How could I dare to lead the human nation away from Cimbriheim? On the other hand, how could I dare to resist Thor? Maybe the whole vision was more a dream, or a will-o'-the-wisp to make me do foolish things.”
He remained in silence again. We sat there side by side for about an hour, doing nothing but staring into the flames. Then Glum said: “Gunnar, thank you for your visit. You helped me more than you may know. However, please leave me alone now. I have to think. There is too much in my mind.”
Without another word, he stood up and went into his cabin.

I returned to the hamlet. Although it was far beyong midnight, Glen was waiting. I told him what I heard in the wood. Glen looked unsecure and confused, but he did not say a word.

In the next days, more people went to Glum. When they returned they all talked about his vision. The news was soon spred all over Cumbrihall and even the Teutons and Ambrones came to visit my brother Glum.


Ludens: Thank you for your friendly words. I will try to add more sex and crime asap.. What are the guidlines of the org for sex and crime?

[Kagemusha]

I think its just getting better and better. I like how you are creating this plot.

[Avicenna]

They're not just German though are they? I thought they were the myths of the whole of Central Europe which was not Roman-occupied territory (ie Germany, Denmark, Finland and all)

[Franconicus]

Chapter 8 – The Decision

Freya sent the first heralds to tell us that winter was finished. The air was getting warmer and I could suddenly smell spring in the air. When Velleda and I were walking through the forests, we could see new life breaking through everywhere. It was as if Mother Nature just waited for the first sign of spring to surprise us with her brimful richness. Moreover, for the first time in my life I realized why Freya was the goddess of fertility and love. Velleda and I did our best to show the goddess our faithfulness.

Glum was gathering his following or better said they were gathering themselves. He finally had decided to accept Thor’s order and to lead the humans to the new Promised Land. The people heard his call and flocked to his cabin, people not only from our hamlet but also from everywhere, human beings, Teutons and Ambrones. Even some clans showed up from the edges of Cimbriheim I had never seen before. They promised to follow him.

Glum returned to our hamlet to prepare the migration. He built a small house at the edge. It was like a fair, people coming and going, tents with visitors and so on.

Glen immured himself. Seldom he left the nave. He could not accept his loss of authority. Gullveig in contrast did everything to warn the people from their decision.

I spent as much time as possible with Velleda. I had not made up my mind and I tried to retard my decision as long as possible. I did not want to think about warfare or god’s orders. I wanted to enjoy the first signs of spring and I wanted to enjoy being together with this divine creature, Velleda. Everything about her was different, extraordinary, and superior. I had always thought that I was an impressing person, strong, canny, son of the chief, an excellent hunter. At the side of Velleda, I always felt small, although she was only a woman, one heads smaller than me, and maybe only half my weight.

So while I spent my time with her I knew I had to think about something else; more important and urgent, and yet so far away. One day we were running through the fields. I took her aside and pulled her under a beech near a font.
“Velleda, I have to tell you something!”
“Yes?” She sneered to me. She confounded me.
“Yes! Something important!”
“Oh, something important!”
“Yes, you know that my brother Glum had this vision of Thor, the god of thunder.”
“Oh yes, I know, everybody knows.”
“Err, that Thor told him to go south?”
She nodded, still having this irritating smile on her face.
“Most of the clan will follow him. Most of the human nation will and I guess even a lot of Teutons and Ambrones.”
“I guess you are guessing right, Gunnar.”
In the meantime, I felt that she was driving me mad. I wanted to tell her something important, something very important, and she was sniff.
“Err, I had been thinking about this for a while. I do not think you will like my decision, but I guess I am right. Moreover, I do not think I have a choice. Velleda, you know I love you! However, sometimes a man has to do what he has to do. I hope you do not mind. I hope you understand.” I looked at her almost fearfully, because I expected her to get angry.
Instead, she just laughed and said: “What exactly did you decide to do, Gunnar?”
“That is what I am telling you all the time. I am going with Glum. I will join the trail. I am going south to Alberich’s realm. Moreover I probably will never return.”
“Oh!” I waited for moment. However, she did not look like she would add anything.
“Oh? What do you mean by that?”
“Well, you have to do what you have to do!”
“Come on, that is what I said. What do you say?”
“Well, if you have to go south …”
“Yes?”
“… I will go along with you!”
“You will what?”
“I will go along with you, Gunnar”
“Don’t be kidding! This is a dangerous adventure. Hardly the right thing for a – woman.”
“So you think I will be the only one. Don’t you know that there are many families who are determined to leave? Women of all kinds, young ones and old ones?
“What about your mother? She would not like it!”
“No she won’t. She thinks that it will end in disaster. However, I am old enough to make my own decisions.”
“Come on, Velleda, don’t you see that this is not the right thing for a girl like you? You would be alone, without your family.”
”No, Gunnar, you will be my family.”
“Me?” So here, we were again. I tried to tell her something important and then she twisted everything and in the end, I was the fool, again.
“Err; do you know what you are saying? I mean, can you darn and cook?”
Today I know that this was a very stupid reply but then I did not know what to say.
“Do not worry, Gunnar! I can cook and darn, at least as well as you can protect me from wolves.”
“I cannot guarantee that I will always be there to protect you!”
”I know, Gunnar. Do not worry. I can take care of myself. And I will always be there to protect you.”
Our discussion went on for a while. Finally, I had to realize that it does not benefit to argue with her when she had made up her mind. I had to give in. Well, I got used to the thought of being married with Velleda and after a while, it did not look that bad at all.

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I think its just getting better and better. I like how you are creating this plot.

Kagemusha San, once more you are more polite than honest

They're not just German though are they? I thought they were the myths of the whole of Central Europe which was not Roman-occupied territory (ie Germany, Denmark, Finland and all)

Hello Tiberius, you are already the third reader!
The stories plays in a very early state. The Romans did advance far north. Southern Germany is still occupied by Celtics. Only at the Northern and Eastern Sea there are some tribes which will become what we know as Germanians. They have no unique identy so far.

[Kagemusha]

And the love has entered the scene.Altough knowing history it can turn out be tragig love.But im big old bag of pessimism anyway. Franconicus sama believe it or not.I have really taken intrest on this story.

[Ludens]

Ludens: Thank you for your friendly words. I will try to add more sex and crime asap.. What are the guidlines of the org for sex and crime?

Sexually-oriented or otherwise objectional posts are not allowed by the forum rules, and these rules also apply here. In practice, however, we are a little more lenient in the Mead Hall. I guess that as long as you do not post an explicit sex scene or go overboard using obscenities there won't be a problem.

[Franconicus]

Chapter 9 – Breakup

Winter returned with loads of snow and trapped the clan inside the hamlet without contact to the outside. Then spring reverted, with strong, warm sunbeams and winter was defeated; at least for this year.

Glum gave the sign and people from all over Cimbriheim responded his call. Then on a warm spring morning, the columns bestirred. Not the complete human nation, of course. My brother Glen stayed in, Gullveig and several hundred human beings. Before we left, Glen and Glum hugged themselves, advising each other to be careful. Velleda went to her mother to say goodbye, but Gullveig did not care. She stood at the gate and prophesied bad things to those who were passing by. Just when the first began to doubt and regret, Magni began to sing Bragi’s song: “I see a bad moon rising …”
The people began to laugh – Magni’s way to sing was funny – and joined the song.

The caravan was in high spirits when they passed me. I was standing at the gate and saw the people passing by. Glum had ordered me to the rear to make sure that no one fell behind. Velleda was at my side. The first were the Cimbri, a mixture of all kind of people, warriors, formers old men and young men. And women and children. The men were all armed. The poor ones, and those were the majority, had the equipment of hunters, a bow and a knife. Then those who had a little more, they were equipped with the ‘Ger’, a lance with an iron head, and a shield, made of wood with a layer of leather. Most of these men had a kind of helmet made of leather. Only few men had batons. There were some iron swords, some bronze swords and some axes with heads of bronze or stone. The richer ones were mounted. Some had helmets made of bronze, some had even shirts with bronze plates.

The Cimbri were divided in families and clans. Therefore, there were no separate groups of archers, equestrians or lance men. They were all combined under the lead of the clan leader.

The Teutons were following the Cimbri. Then the Ambrones came. Although the Ambrones had been living for many years side by side with the human beings they still looked wild and strange to me.

Many years later people used to ask me how big the caravan was, how many men and how many people in total started the migration. To our shame, I have to admit that nobody remembered to count the people. All I can say is that the caravan took several hours to pass the gate. The Cimbri were the biggest faction. The Teutons and the Ambrones were together as strong as the Cimbri, and the Teutons were twice as many as the Ambrones. Now that I am used to the Latin numbers I estimate that the caravan had LXXX times CCCCC people. The warriors were XXVI times M.

The first day we only marched to our holy hill, Cimbaro. There, under Odin’s oak, Glum ordered us to camp. The tents were arranged and then the men gathered around their new leader while the women prepared food.

“Comrades! Brothers of the noble human nation, brothers of the Teutons and the Ambrones. We received Thor’s call and will leave our homeland now. No longer will we wait and suffer. From now on, we will take our fate into our own hands. With the help of Odin, our father, and Thor, our mentor, we will go south to the land of Alberich to gain a new home and a better future.”
Glum made a break and all the men jubilated loud.
“This migration will be full of suffering and pain. However, if we stand together we will force our fortune. Now that we stand together, share together pain and victory, now that we are the sovereigns of our fate, I rule that every man, who is willing to follow us and who will swear the oath shall be free. There will be no more slaves, no more menials, only free man who follow their dream!”
Then he called on the men to swear the oath. The first were Teutobuches, the leader of the Teutons, and Boiorix, the chief of the Ambrones. They kneeled and swore: “We will follow our leader Glum to Alberich’s realm. We will hold together with the rest of the following. We will rather die than to give up and become slaves!”
All the others followed.
The Glum made his oath: “I swear to lead the following, to do my best to hold off misery. I swear to treat everyone equal and to never hurt anyone’s rights.”
Now the pact between the following and their leader was made. Later they were often called the ‘following’ or the ‘volk’.
“Now that we swore to stand together, we should celebrate this with beer and roast. However, before we start, I have another thing to announce. You all know my youngest brother Gunnar. I am happy to tell you that he will marry this beautiful vestal at his side, Velleda.”
Everyone was looking at us and then everyone was cheering. Everyone was tapping on our shoulders. Then the party began and Velleda and I were sitting right beside Glum and the other chiefs. We received so many presents that I wondered how we could carry them. Glum gave me a big iron axe; Teutobuches gave us a cart and Boiorix gave Velleda a beautiful necklace.
We feted all night long and drunk and ate until we almost toppled down. Then Velleda and I went into our tent. When we were alone, she turned to me and said: “Gunnar, you brutish man. How could you do that without telling me a word? If you this to me once more I will leave you.” However, the happy glow in her eyes told me she was lieing. I kissed her and kept her quiet for the rest of the night.

[Franconicus]

Chapter 10 – On the road

The morning after my wedding, we finally broke up. We bid farewell to Odin’s oak, where the corps of the cowmen still shuttled in the wind. At least what Odin’s birds had left.

We passed the meadows and woods of Cimbriheim. There were many familiar places and it made me sad to know that I would never see them again. There were many blessed places, where helpful spirits had always been to help us. What would await us away from home?

When I communicated this to my wife, Velleda smiled and said: “Do not worry, Gunnar! There will be guarding spirits everywhere we go.”

The column was many hours long. Glum had asked me to take care that it would not break apart. A nephew of me was steering our cart. The column toiled through the country. I had not foreseen that our traffic speed would be so low.

After three days, we crossed the edge of Cimbriheim and entered the country of the wild saw men. I knew this area from my last trip.

Most of the hamlets that were on our way were abandoned. We helped ourselves on their fields. Glum ordered small mounted units to screen our flanks and to spot foods. Food was always an issue. We tried to live from what the country could give, but from time to time, we got food from the hamlets we crossed. Unfortunately, most of the inhabitants rather left their homes than to give us food. It was then when our peaceful migration started to turn into a raid. It had never been our intention to steal from anyone, but hunger forced us to.

After several weeks, our equestrians spotted a village. It was larger than any we had crossed before. According to the numbers of hamlets, we assumed there had to be about 500 warriors.

Glum ordered Magni and me to assault it and to provide food. He gave us 2,000 warriors. Well, at least we thought we were worriers. Today I know that we had been farmers, hunters and fishermen. No warriors. We had no trained troops, only poor equipment and no clue about tactics and strategy.

Before we left Velleda asked me to be careful. She gave me an amulet: “Gunnar, this will guard you! Please, be careful! I need you! I will wait for you and I will pray for you. Freya shall protect you. My love will accompany you; it will surround you and keep all evils away from you.”

We approached the village during night. Magni and I conferred. The village was palisaded. We were sure to take it by surprise. Our plan was simple. I would lead a small team to open the gate. Then Magni would lead the rest of our army to penetrate and overcome the enemy.

This would be the first combat for all of us. Although we held all aces, we were nervous. Especially Magni. He was proud for being nominated to lead this operation and well aware of the accountability.

We waited until one hour before the break of dawn. Then I selected 10 men, all equipped with bows and weaseled to the gate. We were all experienced hunters, we could move invisible and inaudible. Near the gate, there were some big boulders. The men gathered there and waited for my signal. I looked at the gate. The moon was breaking through the clouds and I could see the contours of the guard. It was a strange feeling to sit in the dark and watch the enemy I intended to attack in a few minutes. My pulse was getting higher I waited for a moment and took a deep breath. Then I raised my arm. Three arrows whooshed through the air. Then events came thick and fast. The guard was not dead. Probably he had a strong guarding spirit. Or some spells protected the gate. Anyway, the guard started to holler. His cry was a mixture of pain and warnings. I did not know what to do. We had expected to take the gate without calling any attention. Obviously, we had failed and now we did not know what to do. We kept on firing as fast as possible but the crying did not stop.

Magni heard the cries and thought that the combat had started. He ordered his men to attack and soon 2,000 riders were standing in front of the closed gate. Then a volley of arrows came from inside the palisades and battered into the group of riders. Confusion spread among our men. Magni ordered them to dismount. Another volley hit them and we had the first wounded. Magni and some men tried to break through the gate. However, it was solid and resisted. I left my hiding place and hurried to Magni: “Magni, we have to do something. They shoot us like hares.”

Some men started to return the fire. However, as they could not see the enemy the fire had to be very inaccurate. The enemy sent another volley. Then we heard the noise of hooves n our back and soon raiders attacked us. Our assault threatened to become a complete mess.

I turned to Magni and I could see that he was pale and somewhat moony. He cried: “We have to do something!” turned to the place we I had been hiding before. He picked a huge boulder, raised it above his head, ran to the gate and dashed it against the gate. The door sprang open and our warriors attacked. They dragged me along. On the other side, there were several hundred enemies. They had just shot another volley. Most of them did not have a chance to reload or to grab their swords. We massacred them. Then they turned and our army regrouped. The swordsmen and germen stood in the first row. Behind them the bulk with bows. Soon the cavalry charge was repelled and our men started to clear the village. Here and there, there still was isolated resistance. We had to burn some houses to break it. Finally, we killed the last man and captured the women and children.

Therefore, my first battle was over. I felt as if I was drunk. The fear, the tension, the ease combined to a feeling I had never felt before. Euphoric! Moreover, the fact that I had killed, another man; for the first time in my life.

We cleaned up the city and lugged the crops of the enemies to the central place. There were far more than we had expected more than could have lived in this village. We asked a woman and she told us that the warriors knew we were coming. They had watched us for a week and called help from other settlements.

A crowd gathered at the broken gate. I went there to see what was going on. The men were standing around the boulder Magni had crashed against the gate. As I mentioned before it was huge. In the setting sun, it looked even bigger than at night. Three men tried to lift it, but they failed.

[Ludens]

Sex and crime levels are definitely improving.

[Kagemusha]

Me likes this story!

[Franconicus]

Thank you

[Franconicus]

Chapter 10 – The long way

This was our first battle. In retrospect, I say that our change began then.

We moved further south to reach Alberich’s realm. We were bent on going to the end of the world, if necessary. Then, we did not now how far the end was.

Magni was the hero of our volk. Magni knew about his new reputation and he took it very seriously. From now on Magni used every opportunity to exercise and to improve his strength and his fighting skills. Many young men gathered around Magni and tried to become as he was. They painted their faces black and red and called themselves ‘werewolves’.

Summer came, summer went, and still we did not reach our target. We pitched a camp at a river, close to several hamlets. We sacked them and had enough supply for winter. One moon after Jul, Velleta gave birth to our first daughter. We called her Idun.

Early next spring we decamped again and advanced south. One day we received the message that an army was waiting for us. Glum gave his orders and soon we were ready for combat. Glum had given our army a new organization. He divided the cavalry into two goups; one placed at our left, another one at our right side. The swordsmen and germen formed several units and gave our army stability. In the center there was Glum himself with our Cimbri. Behind the lines, there were our archers.

As soon as we reached the battleground, the enemy started to howl and scream. They had painted their faces in lurid colors. The battle began. Our centre was very strong. Magni and his werewolves attacked the enemy without thoughts. Glum brandished Odin’s sword and the enemy shay at him. No armor could stand this divine weapon. However, on our flanks the Ambrones and Teutons had to draw back from the furious attacks of the enemies. I was close to Glum and I called his attention to the thread on our left flank. Immediately he turned left and fought his way to our threatened flank. I tried hard to keep contact and to cover his back. A giant with a shining bronze helmet led the enemies on this side. Glum saw our comrades falling and headed for the bronze helmeted giant. After a short fight Glum’s sword split helmet and head. Glum had no time to rest. The giant was the son of the enemy’s chief. As soon as he had seen his son falling, he called his other three sons and together they impinged Glum. I placed myself at the side of my brother and called Magni to join us. Soon we three pit our strength against the four enemies. They were no smaller than the dead one and the thirst for revenge increased their strength. We needed all our sleight of hand and our experience to keep them at bay. Repeatedly they pressed us, each time with increased anger. We started getting tired and our line began to lose ground. Glum pressed on the chief. His sword blocked a flourish aimed at his head. Sparks stroke out of the steel. The enemy’s sword came apart and the next flourish cut off the chief’s head. His sons were shocked and wanted to take revenge. They bristled with anger. They were blind with rage and soon their blood-soaked bodies lay beside their father and their brother. The enemies were horrified by the fall of their chief and his sons. They turned and fled from our warriors.

After this battle, we set off again. We still crossed the country of the wild saw men. However, they were not one strong nation. They were split in many tribes. Moreover, many smaller tribes did not belong to the wild saw men. While we marched through the countries, many men and women joined our volk. Men and women from repressed tribes, men and women that lived in hunger or fear. Or adventurers. In fact our number became bigger and bigger and our volk became more and more inhomogeneous. The vision of a new land, were everyone would live as free man stuck us together. However, I have to admit that there was a growing contingent of men who were only looking for easy pray.

We further we came the more difficulties we had to face. We came into the countries of the Boii. They were very martial and our march became an ordeal. Their army was strong and Glum decided to avoid them. Nevertheless, we had to fight to get through their countries. Finally, we came to the Scordii, a tribe of Celtic, Illyrian and Thracian origin. They were allies of a Celtic tribe called Eraviscii. Both tribes combined their armies and made a stand against us. The Teutons attacked them without waiting for the rest of our volk. However, the enemy was stronger than expected. They put the Teutons to flight.

Glum conferred with the other chiefs. He said that they were not able to go on this way. Everywhere they had turned had been enemies. Nowhere was good and empty land to settle. No sight of the dwarf people. Therefore, he assumed that they had lost their path. He had decided to turn around and move west. There should be big mountains and therefore this would be the realm of Alberich.

The others agreed and we changed our direction. We left the country of the Scordii and looked for another camp for winter.

[Franconicus]

Chapter 10 – The maidens

Winter was long and hard. Our volk was already very big and we had problems to get enough supply. Moreover there was a lot of snow, more snow than I had ever seen before. Many fell ill, especially the children and many died. Therefore, we were very glad to see the sun return. When the snow was gone, we were ready to continue our march.

During winter, we had picked up a trader who called himself Vindelicus. He told us that the big mountains were near. He did not know about dwarfs living in the earth, but we would find out.

After a couple of days, we had to cross a big river. Glum sent me to find a passage. Therefore, I rode along the river. However, there was no sign of a bridge or ford. As I went on searching, I saw three swans coming down. I hid in the woods. The swans landed and saw that they were three swan maidens. They took off their feather clothes and swam in the river. Silently I crawled closer and took possession of their magic clothes. When they ended to swim and returned to the bank, they found me there instead of their clothes. They were shy and wanted to run away, but of course, they could not without their feather clothes. Finally, the tallest one turned to me and said: “Gunnar, son of Baldegg, why do you steal our clothes? Give them back!”
I smiled and said: “I will, noble maiden, if you do me a favor. I know that you are wise and that you can see the future. So please tell me the fate of my people!”
She turned around and discussed my request with her friends. Then she turned to me again: “Gunnar, it is a case of Hobson’s choice. All right! I can tell you your future. You and your people are looking for new land. You hope to find it in Alberich’s realm. Do not worry, son of Baldegg. You will find what you are looking for, soon. Alberich will welcome you and he will lead you to a place were the son will always shine, where the harvests are rich and where your people will live in peace.”
“Thank you, swan maiden! Thank you very much! However, there is another request I would ask you. Tell me how we can cross the river.”
“That is easy. You have to ride 15 minutes upstream. There you will find a ferryboat. The ferryman is Honir. He has the order guard the frontier to Noricum. If you want to get across the river, you have to call him. Tell him that you are a Scordi and that you bring news about the hordes to his king. Then he will bring you to the other side.”
I thanked once again and gave the maidens their feather clothes. They dressed it hasty. While the other two took off the third one turned around and said: “Listen, son of Baldegg! All I told you about your future was a lie. I told you because I wanted you to give us back our feather clothes. Here is the truth: You will never find a place were you can live in peace. Your way is pain and struggle and at the end, there is dead. Not one of you will survive.” Having said these words, she turned around and followed her friends.

[Ludens]

I think the latest part a bit weak. You spend very little time on the troubles and a lot on the propecy, which I suspected to be false even before it was revealed so. However, I still enjoy the story and like the direction it is going.

[Franconicus]

Ludens,

You are right, although I think the Chapter before was even weaker.

When I started the story I wanted to work out why they started their migration. That is done and it is o.k.. I also have a clear concept about the end. However, now I stuck in the middle. I do not want to describe every battle in detail and I guess I have lost the characters somewhere. Last chapter was my attempt to get back to the roots. I wanted to get Gunnar acting again and I wanted to connect to the Germanian myths. Of course most of it is stolen from the Nibelungen. The last chapter is small. In fact it should be the introduction of a bigger one, the invasion of Noricum. Maybe things get better once I cross the Danuba.

[Ludens]

You are right, although I think the Chapter before was even weaker.

Perhaps, but at least something important is happening there. I tend to flounder as well when my stories reach their midpoint. I know where I am, and I know where I want to end, but what do I do in between? This area seems to be a problem for most writers. I guess you could fill it up with a few subplots. I was thinking of Gunnar's daughter, but no doubt you have your own ideas. Also, I would like to see a bit more details of Gunnar's life. The story was very much a personal account when it began, but that seems to be less so (though maybe it is just the second latest chapter that gives that impression).

[Franconicus]

Chapter 11 – The ferryman

I followed the advice of the swan maiden and went upstream. I found the ferryman at the other side of the river together with four menials.
I called him “Ferryman, come and take me cross the river!”
He replied: “Get along with you!”
“Is everyone in Noricum as friendly as you are?”
“I have order from the King of Noreia not to let any vagabonds pass our border!”
“Vagabonds? I am really looking forward to see if all Noricii are as cordial as you are.”
“You will not find out! You will never come into our realm!”
“That is a pitty! Then your king will never receive a warning about the hodes coming from the north.”
“The hordes? What do you know?”
“A lot! Even more than I’d like to! After all, they tried to invade my homecountry. However, we Scordii are watchfull; and we are not so bigheaded that we do not listen to a warning.”
I turned around.
“Stop! Wait a moment! You’re a Scordi? Why didn’t you say that at first? You have news about the Northmen?”
“I do, more than you may guess! And I will take them home again!”
“No, wait! I come and come for you.”
He jumped on the ferry and grabbed the helm. He was a giant; when he pushed the helm, the ferry made a leap. I placed my self near a bush so that the boughs covered most of me. When he almost reached the bank, I stepped out.
“Honir, thank you for your kindness!”
He looked at me. Something in my clothes made him realize that I was not the one I pretended to be.
“You damned liar. You’re not a Scordi. You are a cursed Barbarian yourself!”
“A liar? Didn’t I promise to give you news from the Barbarians? Here it is!”
I took my axe and jumped on the ferry. Honir was faster than giants usually are. Before I had a solid stand, he lifted the helm and punched my left side. I felt like hit by Thor’s hammer. I was sure that all bones on my left side were broken. I became unbalanced. I went on my knees and my axe fell into the water. I waited for his next strike, unable to do anything against it. Fortunatelly my guarding spirits helped me. In the few minites Honir got distracted the ferry had been drifted and was now in a small chute. It turned and rocked. Honir had to control it again; this gave me the opportunity to get on my feet again. As soon as the giant noticed me, he tried to beat me again. I bowed and he missed me. The momentum drove him forward, at my side. I gave him a kick and he fell into the water. When he went up again I had already taken the other helm and pushed him under the water again. For some neverending seconds we wrestled. Finally, his strength exhausted; he was dead.

I was at the end of my tether, too. I was sitting on the ferry with my aching side and my shivering muscels. His men at the other bank were shouting and waving, but I did not care. The stream carried me away from them.

After a while, I began to be active again. I paddled the ferry to the bank were I expected my people to come. After mooring, I sifted through the ferry. I found the belongings of the ferryman in one corner. Besides some worthless clothes, there was a sword. This sword attracted my attention. It was an armourer’s masterpiece. It had rich ornamentation and the blade was better than anyone I had ever seen before. I buckled it up and wondered how a ferryman could have such a noble weapon.

[Kommodus]

Hey Franc! Any plans to continue your intriguing story?