- Eivor: We both fight for the same end, do we not? Let us put our differences behind us, Brother.
- Sigurd: My difference is what is at stake here. My difference is all that matters.
- Eivor: You don't believe that. I know you don't.
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| date = c. 873 | | date = c. 873 | ||
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'''The Saga Stone''' was a virtual representation of one of [[Eivor Varinsdottir]]'s [[Genetic memory|genetic memories]], relived by [[Layla Hassan]] through the [[Animus|Portable Animus HR-8.5]]. | '''The Saga Stone''' was a virtual representation of one of [[Eivor Varinsdottir]]'s [[Genetic memory|genetic memories]], relived by [[Layla Hassan]] in 2020 through the [[Animus|Portable Animus HR-8.5]]. | ||
==Description== | ==Description== | ||
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*'''Eivor:''' ''I'm here to speak with Geadric.'' | *'''Eivor:''' ''I'm here to speak with Geadric.'' | ||
*'''Sigurd:''' ''Go on then. Your master awaits.'' | *'''Sigurd:''' ''Go on then. Your master awaits.'' | ||
*'''Eivor:''' ''Still dreaming of your precious stone?'' | *'''Eivor:''' ''Still dreaming of your precious [[Saga Stone|stone]]?'' | ||
*'''Sigurd:''' ''It's not dreams that led me here, Eivor. I've had visions. Prophecies from the [[Norse mythology|gods]].'' | *'''Sigurd:''' ''It's [[Yggdrasil|not dreams]] that led me here, Eivor. I've had [[Sage|visions]]. Prophecies from the [[Norse mythology|gods]].'' | ||
*'''Eivor:''' ''Visions?'' | *'''Eivor:''' ''Visions?'' | ||
*'''Sigurd:''' ''I'll sacrifice to [[ | *'''Sigurd:''' ''I'll sacrifice to [[Týr]] this day. The Lord of Justice. The harbinger of flawless victory.'' | ||
Sigurd walked away and [[Basim Ibn Ishaq|Basim]] followed him. | Sigurd walked away and [[Basim Ibn Ishaq|Basim]] followed him. | ||
*'''Eivor:''' ''Sigurd, what prophecies?'' | *'''Eivor:''' ''Sigurd, what prophecies?'' | ||
*'''Geadric:''' ''Are we ready to assault the castle, Eivor? The signs and portents read well.'' | *'''Geadric:''' ''Are we ready to assault the castle, Eivor? The signs and portents read well.'' | ||
(If [[Chipping Away]] incomplete; "I have not weakened [[Eadwyn]] enough.") | :(If [[Chipping Away]] incomplete; "I have not weakened [[Eadwyn]] enough.") | ||
*'''Eivor:''' ''I'll return when I've destroyed enough of Eadwyn's men and supplies.'' | :*'''Eivor:''' ''I'll return when I've destroyed enough of Eadwyn's men and supplies.'' | ||
*'''Geadric:''' ''We'll be ready.'' | :*'''Geadric:''' ''We'll be ready.'' | ||
Eivor went around the ruins to where Sigurd knelt over the body of a sacrificed bird, Basim standing beside him. Eivor spoke to Sigurd once more. | Eivor went around the ruins to where Sigurd knelt over the body of a sacrificed bird, Basim standing beside him. Eivor spoke to Sigurd once more. | ||
*'''Eivor:''' ''Brother.'' | *'''Eivor:''' ''Brother.'' | ||
| Line 63: | Line 59: | ||
*'''Eivor:''' ''We are ready. Give the command.'' | *'''Eivor:''' ''We are ready. Give the command.'' | ||
*'''Geadric:''' ''Good. An' let's be quick about it. My scouts tell me a force of King [[Alfred the Great|Aelfred]]'s men is on the march. Let's end this before that flap-mouthed pudding has a chance to hit back.'' | *'''Geadric:''' ''Good. An' let's be quick about it. My scouts tell me a force of King [[Alfred the Great|Aelfred]]'s men is on the march. Let's end this before that flap-mouthed pudding has a chance to hit back.'' | ||
Eivor and her allies fought through the camp in front of Cyne Belle Castle, but the bridge into the keep had been raised. | Eivor and her allies fought through the camp in front of Cyne Belle Castle, but the bridge into the keep had been raised. | ||
*'''Sigurd:''' ''Bring down the drawbridge!'' | *'''Sigurd:''' ''Bring down the drawbridge!'' | ||
Eivor shot the links holding the drawbridge up and it fell, allowing the fyrd to enter the castle courtyard. | Eivor shot the links holding the drawbridge up and it fell, allowing the ''{{Wiki|fyrd}}'' to enter the castle courtyard. | ||
*'''Sigurd:''' ''It's open!'' | *'''Sigurd:''' ''It's open!'' | ||
*'''Eivor:''' ''Take the castle!'' | *'''Eivor:''' ''Take the castle!'' | ||
| Line 73: | Line 68: | ||
*'''Sigurd:''' ''She's through there!'' | *'''Sigurd:''' ''She's through there!'' | ||
*'''Basim:''' ''Eivor! Get to the portcullis!'' | *'''Basim:''' ''Eivor! Get to the portcullis!'' | ||
Eivor climbed the wall and fought through Eadwyn's | Eivor climbed the wall and fought through Eadwyn's [[soldier]]s to reach the crank for the portcullis. She opened it and broke the mechanism so it could not be closed again. | ||
*'''Eivor:''' ''It's open!'' | *'''Eivor:''' ''It's open!'' | ||
*'''Sigurd:''' ''Pour through, men!'' | *'''Sigurd:''' ''Pour through, men!'' | ||
| Line 82: | Line 77: | ||
*'''Sigurd:''' ''She has bodyguards.'' | *'''Sigurd:''' ''She has bodyguards.'' | ||
*'''Eivor:''' ''Eadwyn! You won't get away this time.'' | *'''Eivor:''' ''Eadwyn! You won't get away this time.'' | ||
*'''Eadwyn:''' ''Foolish Dane! I will send you to your sad supper in [[Valhalla (afterlife)|Valhalla]].'' | *'''Eadwyn:''' ''Foolish [[Vikings|Dane]]! I will send you to your sad supper in [[Valhalla (afterlife)|Valhalla]].'' | ||
As Eivor's allies and the fyrd fought the soldiers, Eivor faced off against Eadwyn. | As Eivor's allies and the fyrd fought the soldiers, Eivor faced off against Eadwyn. | ||
*'''Eadwyn:''' ''A reward in silver for each dead Dane!'' | *'''Eadwyn:''' ''A reward in silver for each dead Dane!'' | ||
*'''Eivor:''' ''There's your wages.'' | *'''Eivor:''' ''There's your wages.'' | ||
*'''Eadwyn:''' ''We will use your flesh as mulch for our crops!'' | *'''Eadwyn:''' ''We will use your flesh as mulch for our crops!'' | ||
*'''Eivor:''' ''Go to your god, wherever he hides.'' | *'''Eivor:''' ''Go to your [[Christianity|god]], wherever he hides.'' | ||
Eivor defeated Eadwyn and Geadric's army took the castle. In front of the keep, Eadwyn sat | Eivor defeated Eadwyn and Geadric's army took the castle. In front of the keep, Eadwyn sat wounded. While Eivor stayed to see judgement dealt, Sigurd gave her an approving nod and went inside with [[Fulke]] and Basim to find the stone. | ||
*'''Geadric:''' ''You've felled the lofty lady!'' | *'''Geadric:''' ''You've felled the lofty lady!'' | ||
Geadric came to stand over Eadwyn. | Geadric came to stand over Eadwyn. | ||
*'''Eadwyn:''' ''Do what you must, Thegn of Dungheaps. As one loyal to her shire and her people, I know which of us God favors.'' | *'''Eadwyn:''' ''Do what you must, ''[[Thegn]]'' of Dungheaps. As one loyal to her shire and her people, I know which of us God favors.'' | ||
*'''Geadric:''' ''Eivor bested you. It's for Eivor to decide your fate.'' | *'''Geadric:''' ''Eivor bested you. It's for Eivor to decide your fate.'' | ||
<tabber> | <tabber> | ||
| Line 109: | Line 104: | ||
*'''Geadric:''' ''I'd be quick about plundering. King Aelfred'll be on his way, and he won't be alone.'' | *'''Geadric:''' ''I'd be quick about plundering. King Aelfred'll be on his way, and he won't be alone.'' | ||
Geadric left and Eivor entered the keep to regroup with Sigurd and the others. On a table inside, she found a note. | Geadric left and Eivor entered the keep to regroup with Sigurd and the others. On a table inside, she found a note. | ||
:'''Informant Note'''<br | :'''Informant Note'''<br>''My Lady,<br><br>We have followed your wishes and kept a sharp eye on the Dane blackguards that darken our lands. I send this horseman to tell you, honored Dame, that those same Danes have been seen in the company of that damned heretic Fulke! She has somehow escaped, it appears. As I write, they are headed toward the abandoned tower where her cunning friend (no longer a thorn to us) was lying low.<br><br>Your humble servant'' | ||
Up the first flight of stairs, she found another table with a letter. | Up the first flight of stairs, she found another table with a letter. | ||
:'''Letter to Lady Eadwyn from Aelfred of Wessex'''<br | :'''Letter to Lady Eadwyn from Aelfred of Wessex'''<br>''Lady,<br><br>I remain prepared to support you with soldiers and supplies, should the need arise.<br><br>–Aelfred Rex'' | ||
As Eivor continued to ascend the stairs, she could hear Fulke and Sigurd speaking. | As Eivor continued to ascend the stairs, she could hear Fulke and Sigurd speaking. | ||
*'''Fulke:''' ''It's here somewhere. I know it. It must be.'' | *'''Fulke:''' ''It's here somewhere. I know it. It must be.'' | ||
*'''Sigurd:''' ''My mind is ariot with hope.'' | *'''Sigurd:''' ''My mind is ariot with hope.'' | ||
At the top of the stairs, Eivor found Sigurd, Fulke, and Basim in a room full of artifacts, studying a large stone on a table. | At the top of the stairs, Eivor found Sigurd, Fulke, and Basim in a room full of artifacts, studying a large stone on a table. | ||
*'''Fulke:''' ''You see? The markings of the Ancient Ones. The [[Isu]], the gods begat of gods.'' | *'''Fulke:''' ''You see? The [[Isu script|markings]] of the Ancient Ones. The [[Isu]], the gods begat of gods.'' | ||
*'''Sigurd:''' ''I... I have seen this somewhere. I know these words. I...'' | *'''Sigurd:''' ''I... I have seen this somewhere. I know these words. I...'' | ||
Eivor looked past Sigurd at the | Eivor looked past Sigurd at the Saga Stone, engraved with an image of Yggdrasil and Isu writing. The world around Eivor darkened as [[Odin]] stepped up behind her. | ||
*'''Odin:''' ''One who stands at a threshold should take great care to look around...'' | *'''Odin:''' ''One who stands at a threshold should take great care to look around...'' | ||
Eivor turn to face him, and between them stood a tall stone doorway. | Eivor turn to face him, and between them stood a tall stone doorway. | ||
| Line 126: | Line 121: | ||
*'''Odin:''' ''Not once. A thousand times.'' | *'''Odin:''' ''Not once. A thousand times.'' | ||
*'''Eivor:''' ''A thousand?'' | *'''Eivor:''' ''A thousand?'' | ||
Eivor looked up to the stone set in the doorway, then turned back to where it now sat on the table as the | Eivor looked up to the stone set in the doorway, then turned back to where it now sat on the table as the vision faded away. She stared at the stone for a moment, then shook her head, trying to clear it. Unknown to her, Basim saw her reaction and smirked to himself. As Eivor approached them, Basim spoke to Sigurd. | ||
*'''Basim:''' ''What does it say, Sigurd? Does it speak to you?'' | *'''Basim:''' ''What does it say, Sigurd? Does it speak to you?'' | ||
*'''Sigurd:''' ''Yes, but the words are... fogged. Shadowed, and yet I... I feel their meaning. And the ash tree! I see the great Tree of Life. Her boughs reaching... skyward... opening the way.'' | *'''Sigurd:''' ''Yes, but the words are... fogged. Shadowed, and yet I... I feel their meaning. And the ash tree! I see the great Tree of Life. Her boughs reaching... skyward... opening the way.'' | ||
Sigurd turned to Eivor. | Sigurd turned to Eivor. | ||
*'''Sigurd:''' ''Eivor. I am more than I appear to be. So much more.'' | *'''Sigurd:''' ''Eivor. I am more than I appear to be. So much more.'' | ||
*'''Eivor:''' ''This is wicked magic, Sigurd. Dark'' | *'''Eivor:''' ''This is wicked magic, Sigurd. Dark ''{{Wiki|seiðr}}'' (magic). Do not listen!'' | ||
*'''Sigurd:''' ''No. This is real. This is everything.'' | *'''Sigurd:''' ''No. This is real. This is everything.'' | ||
*'''Geadric:''' ''To the walls! To the walls!'' | *'''Geadric:''' ''To the walls! To the walls!'' | ||
Geadric ran into the room. | Geadric ran into the room. | ||
*'''Geadric:''' ''Aelfred's come! King Aelfred of Wessex! Marching up the rise with a mess of soldiers!'' | *'''Geadric:''' ''Aelfred's come! King Aelfred of [[Wessex]]! Marching up the rise with a mess of soldiers!'' | ||
*'''Eivor:''' ''Have we time to escape?'' | *'''Eivor:''' ''Have we time to escape?'' | ||
*'''Geadric:''' ''The men are spent. We've not a chance in blazing Hell.'' | *'''Geadric:''' ''The men are spent. We've not a chance in blazing Hell.'' | ||
*'''Sigurd:''' ''A parlay, then. We must call a parlay. I will speak... and the King of Wessex will listen.'' | *'''Sigurd:''' ''A parlay, then. We must call a parlay. I will speak... and the King of Wessex will listen.'' | ||
In a tent outside the castle walls, Sigurd, Eivor, Basim and Geadric met with King Aelfred, who sat casually upon a throne below a carving of the | In a tent outside the castle walls, Sigurd, Eivor, Basim and Geadric met with King Aelfred, who sat casually upon a throne below a carving of the [[crucifixion]] of [[Jesus of Nazareth|Christ]]. | ||
*'''Sigurd:''' ''As I understand, King Aelfred, your name is not spoken with affection here in Mercia.'' | *'''Sigurd:''' ''As I understand, King Aelfred, your name is not spoken with affection here in Mercia.'' | ||
*'''King Aelfred:''' ''Yet I am close enough to Wessex to hear myself praised from morn 'til twilight.'' | *'''King Aelfred:''' ''Yet I am close enough to Wessex to hear myself praised from morn 'til twilight.'' | ||
*'''Sigurd:''' ''Return to your singing subjects then! And leave the affairs of Mercia to the Danes.'' | *'''Sigurd:''' ''Return to your singing subjects then! And leave the affairs of Mercia to the Danes.'' | ||
*'''King Aelfred:''' ''Not 'til your pagan war songs are safely out of hearing.'' | *'''King Aelfred:''' ''Not 'til your {{Wiki|Saga|pagan war songs}} are safely out of hearing.'' | ||
Basim stepped up beside Sigurd to whisper in his ear. | Basim stepped up beside Sigurd to whisper in his ear. | ||
*'''Basim:''' ''Offer an exchange, lord... You can (unintelligible)'' | *'''Basim:''' ''Offer an exchange, lord... You can (unintelligible)'' | ||
| Line 149: | Line 144: | ||
*'''Sigurd:''' ''Let's end this here, my lord. Let's exchange men. My best warrior for yours, to prove peace.'' | *'''Sigurd:''' ''Let's end this here, my lord. Let's exchange men. My best warrior for yours, to prove peace.'' | ||
Eivor shifted in surprise, looking between Sigurd and Basim. | Eivor shifted in surprise, looking between Sigurd and Basim. | ||
*'''Sigurd:''' ''After which, you leave Mercia, and we fall back north of river Ouse.'' | *'''Sigurd:''' ''After which, you leave Mercia, and we fall back north of river [[Ouse River|Ouse]].'' | ||
*'''King Aelfred:''' ''These terms are fair. Wolfrich! My war thane, you will go with Geadric, brother.'' | *'''King Aelfred:''' ''These terms are fair. Wolfrich! My war thane, you will go with Geadric, brother.'' | ||
A large soldier stepped out from behind Aelfred's throne. | A large soldier stepped out from behind Aelfred's throne. | ||
*'''King Aelfred:''' ''Name your man.'' | *'''King Aelfred:''' ''Name your man.'' | ||
Sigurd looked at Eivor, but Basim stepped up again. | Sigurd looked at Eivor, but Basim stepped up again. | ||
*'''Basim:''' ''Sigurd Jarl. I offer myself...'' | *'''Basim:''' ''Sigurd ''[[Jarl]]''. I offer myself...'' | ||
*'''Sigurd:''' ''Thank you, Basim.'' | *'''Sigurd:''' ''Thank you, Basim.'' | ||
Eivor shifted again, opening her mouth to speak | Eivor shifted again, opening her mouth to speak, but before she could say anything, Fulke ran into the tent. | ||
*'''Fulke:''' ''King Aelfred! Wait.'' | *'''Fulke:''' ''King Aelfred! Wait.'' | ||
Fulke knelt before Aelfred. | Fulke knelt before Aelfred. | ||
*'''King Aelfred:''' ''Paladin Fulke? Are you with this company?'' | *'''King Aelfred:''' ''[[Palatinus|Paladin]] Fulke? Are you with this company?'' | ||
*'''Fulke:''' ''I was, my lord. To recover from Eadwyn what was mine by right.'' | *'''Fulke:''' ''I was, my lord. To recover from Eadwyn what was mine by right.'' | ||
Fulke stood and moved to stand beside Aelfred, looking back at Sigurd. | Fulke stood and moved to stand beside Aelfred, looking back at Sigurd. | ||
*'''Fulke:''' ''Sigurd is the only man you need. He's worth more than twenty other men. He is the son of a king.'' | *'''Fulke:''' ''Sigurd is the only man you need. He's worth more than twenty other men. He is the son of [[Styrbjorn Sigvaldisson|a king]].'' | ||
*'''Sigurd:''' ''Traitorous snake!'' | *'''Sigurd:''' ''Traitorous [[snake]]!'' | ||
*'''Fulke:''' ''And his heresies are profound, my lord. He claims to be a living god.'' | *'''Fulke:''' ''And his heresies are profound, my lord. He claims to be a living god.'' | ||
*'''Eivor:''' ''I'll gut you, troll-woman!'' | *'''Eivor:''' ''I'll gut you, troll-woman!'' | ||
Eivor moved as though to attack, drawing her axe, but Sigurd threw out an arm to hold her back. | Eivor moved as though to attack, drawing her [[Battleaxe|axe]], but Sigurd threw out an arm to hold her back. | ||
*'''Sigurd:''' ''Shush!'' | *'''Sigurd:''' ''Shush!'' | ||
Sigurd pushed Eivor back and stepped forward himself, walking toward Aelfred. | Sigurd pushed Eivor back and stepped forward himself, walking toward Aelfred. | ||
| Line 188: | Line 183: | ||
Eivor and her allies successfully took the castle and found the Saga Stone. King Aelfred of Wessex arrived with his army. Fulke revealed she was working with Aelfred and took Sigurd hostage in exchange for peace. | Eivor and her allies successfully took the castle and found the Saga Stone. King Aelfred of Wessex arrived with his army. Fulke revealed she was working with Aelfred and took Sigurd hostage in exchange for peace. | ||
==Behind the | ==Behind the scenes== | ||
During | During the fight with Eivor, Eadwyn offers a "''reward in silver for each dead Dane''," but as Geadric and his men are ostensibly Saxon, the only apparent "Danes" would be Eivor and Sigurd. | ||
Odin's words are a paraphrase of the first stanza of the ''Gestaþáttr'' (Guest's Chapter/Section) from the ''{{Wiki|Poetic Edda}}'' text {{wiki|Hávamál}} (Words of the High One), a collection of poems attributed to Odin that share his wisdom and guidance. | |||
Odin's words | |||
==References== | ==References== | ||
Revision as of 02:15, 9 November 2021
|
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The Saga Stone was a virtual representation of one of Eivor Varinsdottir's genetic memories, relived by Layla Hassan in 2020 through the Portable Animus HR-8.5.
Description
Eivor met with Geadric and launched the assault on Cyne Belle Castle.
Dialogue
Eivor went to speak to Geadric about the assault. Before she could reach him, Sigurd stepped in her way.
- Sigurd: Is it done?
- Eivor: It is.
- Sigurd: And have you laid poles of hazel and composed your poems for the coming victory?
- Eivor: I'm here to speak with Geadric.
- Sigurd: Go on then. Your master awaits.
- Eivor: Still dreaming of your precious stone?
- Sigurd: It's not dreams that led me here, Eivor. I've had visions. Prophecies from the gods.
- Eivor: Visions?
- Sigurd: I'll sacrifice to Týr this day. The Lord of Justice. The harbinger of flawless victory.
Sigurd walked away and Basim followed him.
- Eivor: Sigurd, what prophecies?
- Geadric: Are we ready to assault the castle, Eivor? The signs and portents read well.
- (If Chipping Away incomplete; "I have not weakened Eadwyn enough.")
- Eivor: I'll return when I've destroyed enough of Eadwyn's men and supplies.
- Geadric: We'll be ready.
Eivor went around the ruins to where Sigurd knelt over the body of a sacrificed bird, Basim standing beside him. Eivor spoke to Sigurd once more.
- Eivor: Brother.
- Sigurd: Hush, Eivor. Our sacrifice must find its way into the ears of the gods.
- Eivor: You've been foolish, Sigurd. Scampering about like a bewildered child.
- Sigurd: Don't wield your jaw-lightning over me. I asked for quiet.
- Eivor: And I refused it.
- Eivor: Time has passed and our blood has simmered. Will you talk with me?
- Sigurd: When the battle is won, we will speak at length. Not before.
Eivor left Sigurd to his sacrifice and returned to where Geadric and Fulke waited.
- Geadric: Eivor. Are you ready to begin the assault, now?
(Accept - Begin the assault)
- Eivor: We are ready. Give the command.
- Geadric: Good. An' let's be quick about it. My scouts tell me a force of King Aelfred's men is on the march. Let's end this before that flap-mouthed pudding has a chance to hit back.
Eivor and her allies fought through the camp in front of Cyne Belle Castle, but the bridge into the keep had been raised.
- Sigurd: Bring down the drawbridge!
Eivor shot the links holding the drawbridge up and it fell, allowing the fyrd to enter the castle courtyard.
- Sigurd: It's open!
- Eivor: Take the castle!
- Sigurd: Spare no one!
Eadwyn was in the inner area of the castle, but the entrance was blocked by a gate.
- Sigurd: She's through there!
- Basim: Eivor! Get to the portcullis!
Eivor climbed the wall and fought through Eadwyn's soldiers to reach the crank for the portcullis. She opened it and broke the mechanism so it could not be closed again.
- Eivor: It's open!
- Sigurd: Pour through, men!
- Eivor: Find Eadwyn!
Eadwyn waited near the castle keep along with several soldiers.
- Eadwyn: Fight me yourself, coward.
- Eivor: Lady Eadwyn!
- Sigurd: She has bodyguards.
- Eivor: Eadwyn! You won't get away this time.
- Eadwyn: Foolish Dane! I will send you to your sad supper in Valhalla.
As Eivor's allies and the fyrd fought the soldiers, Eivor faced off against Eadwyn.
- Eadwyn: A reward in silver for each dead Dane!
- Eivor: There's your wages.
- Eadwyn: We will use your flesh as mulch for our crops!
- Eivor: Go to your god, wherever he hides.
Eivor defeated Eadwyn and Geadric's army took the castle. In front of the keep, Eadwyn sat wounded. While Eivor stayed to see judgement dealt, Sigurd gave her an approving nod and went inside with Fulke and Basim to find the stone.
- Geadric: You've felled the lofty lady!
Geadric came to stand over Eadwyn.
- Eadwyn: Do what you must, Thegn of Dungheaps. As one loyal to her shire and her people, I know which of us God favors.
- Geadric: Eivor bested you. It's for Eivor to decide your fate.
- Eivor: Heal her wounds, dress her in rags, and send her out onto the heath in exile. You are banished from Mercia. Without family, without rank, without friends to comfort you.
- Eadwyn: I will walk the road until my feet are bloody, dreaming of cutting out your rotten lungs.
- Eivor: You fought with honor and purpose. For that I put you in Geadric's care. He will see you're treated well.
- Geadric: I will, so long as you recant your friendship with that pot of warm piss, King Aelfred.
- Eadwyn: Agreed.
- Geadric: Take her away.
A soldier helped Eadwyn up and led her off.
- Eivor: I fulfilled my promise to you, I trust you will do the same. An oath between our people?
- Geadric: Aye, you've done us well, Eivor. I thank ye. And if you ever need the like, I'll do what I can.
- Eivor: I will. Count on it.
- Geadric: I'd be quick about plundering. King Aelfred'll be on his way, and he won't be alone.
Geadric left and Eivor entered the keep to regroup with Sigurd and the others. On a table inside, she found a note.
- Informant Note
My Lady,
We have followed your wishes and kept a sharp eye on the Dane blackguards that darken our lands. I send this horseman to tell you, honored Dame, that those same Danes have been seen in the company of that damned heretic Fulke! She has somehow escaped, it appears. As I write, they are headed toward the abandoned tower where her cunning friend (no longer a thorn to us) was lying low.
Your humble servant
Up the first flight of stairs, she found another table with a letter.
- Letter to Lady Eadwyn from Aelfred of Wessex
Lady,
I remain prepared to support you with soldiers and supplies, should the need arise.
–Aelfred Rex
As Eivor continued to ascend the stairs, she could hear Fulke and Sigurd speaking.
- Fulke: It's here somewhere. I know it. It must be.
- Sigurd: My mind is ariot with hope.
At the top of the stairs, Eivor found Sigurd, Fulke, and Basim in a room full of artifacts, studying a large stone on a table.
- Fulke: You see? The markings of the Ancient Ones. The Isu, the gods begat of gods.
- Sigurd: I... I have seen this somewhere. I know these words. I...
Eivor looked past Sigurd at the Saga Stone, engraved with an image of Yggdrasil and Isu writing. The world around Eivor darkened as Odin stepped up behind her.
- Odin: One who stands at a threshold should take great care to look around...
Eivor turn to face him, and between them stood a tall stone doorway.
- Odin: ... For who knows what foes lie in wait, in the halls beyond.
Odin looked up to the top of the arch, where the Saga Stone was set.
- Eivor: I have passed through this doorway once before. With Sigurd. In a dream.
- Odin: Not once. A thousand times.
- Eivor: A thousand?
Eivor looked up to the stone set in the doorway, then turned back to where it now sat on the table as the vision faded away. She stared at the stone for a moment, then shook her head, trying to clear it. Unknown to her, Basim saw her reaction and smirked to himself. As Eivor approached them, Basim spoke to Sigurd.
- Basim: What does it say, Sigurd? Does it speak to you?
- Sigurd: Yes, but the words are... fogged. Shadowed, and yet I... I feel their meaning. And the ash tree! I see the great Tree of Life. Her boughs reaching... skyward... opening the way.
Sigurd turned to Eivor.
- Sigurd: Eivor. I am more than I appear to be. So much more.
- Eivor: This is wicked magic, Sigurd. Dark seiðr (magic). Do not listen!
- Sigurd: No. This is real. This is everything.
- Geadric: To the walls! To the walls!
Geadric ran into the room.
- Geadric: Aelfred's come! King Aelfred of Wessex! Marching up the rise with a mess of soldiers!
- Eivor: Have we time to escape?
- Geadric: The men are spent. We've not a chance in blazing Hell.
- Sigurd: A parlay, then. We must call a parlay. I will speak... and the King of Wessex will listen.
In a tent outside the castle walls, Sigurd, Eivor, Basim and Geadric met with King Aelfred, who sat casually upon a throne below a carving of the crucifixion of Christ.
- Sigurd: As I understand, King Aelfred, your name is not spoken with affection here in Mercia.
- King Aelfred: Yet I am close enough to Wessex to hear myself praised from morn 'til twilight.
- Sigurd: Return to your singing subjects then! And leave the affairs of Mercia to the Danes.
- King Aelfred: Not 'til your pagan war songs are safely out of hearing.
Basim stepped up beside Sigurd to whisper in his ear.
- Basim: Offer an exchange, lord... You can (unintelligible)
- King Aelfred: Please. No secrets here.
- Sigurd: Let's end this here, my lord. Let's exchange men. My best warrior for yours, to prove peace.
Eivor shifted in surprise, looking between Sigurd and Basim.
- Sigurd: After which, you leave Mercia, and we fall back north of river Ouse.
- King Aelfred: These terms are fair. Wolfrich! My war thane, you will go with Geadric, brother.
A large soldier stepped out from behind Aelfred's throne.
- King Aelfred: Name your man.
Sigurd looked at Eivor, but Basim stepped up again.
- Basim: Sigurd Jarl. I offer myself...
- Sigurd: Thank you, Basim.
Eivor shifted again, opening her mouth to speak, but before she could say anything, Fulke ran into the tent.
- Fulke: King Aelfred! Wait.
Fulke knelt before Aelfred.
- King Aelfred: Paladin Fulke? Are you with this company?
- Fulke: I was, my lord. To recover from Eadwyn what was mine by right.
Fulke stood and moved to stand beside Aelfred, looking back at Sigurd.
- Fulke: Sigurd is the only man you need. He's worth more than twenty other men. He is the son of a king.
- Sigurd: Traitorous snake!
- Fulke: And his heresies are profound, my lord. He claims to be a living god.
- Eivor: I'll gut you, troll-woman!
Eivor moved as though to attack, drawing her axe, but Sigurd threw out an arm to hold her back.
- Sigurd: Shush!
Sigurd pushed Eivor back and stepped forward himself, walking toward Aelfred.
- Sigurd: I'll gift myself to you, King Aelfred, 'cause it is not my fate to die by your hand.
- Eivor: Brother!
Sigurd looked back at Eivor, gesturing for her to hold, and Aelfred stood.
- King Aelfred: Have faith that the Lord God watches over you all.
As Geadric and a couple of his men led Wolfrich out, Aelfred moved to leave the tent and Fulke hurried to his side, speaking softly.
- Fulke: This man is dangerous, my lord. Let me hold him.
- King Aelfred: Do what you must. But treat him with care.
Aelfred left, and Fulke and a couple soldiers escorted Sigurd from the tent. Eivor turned on Basim.
- Eivor: By all the gods, Basim, what was that?
- Basim: I will shadow them. They shall not get away.
Basim left the tent. Eivor holstered her axe and glanced after Sigurd once more before leaving as well, returning solemnly to Cyne Belle. She spoke to Geadric once more before leaving.
- Eivor: What do you make of all this, Geadric?
- Geadric: I'm no philosopher, but by my lights, a fellow who give himself o'er as hostage has as much sense as a pile of bear droppings.
- Eivor: You're a wise man.
Eivor left to bring the news to Ravensthorpe.
Outcome
Eivor and her allies successfully took the castle and found the Saga Stone. King Aelfred of Wessex arrived with his army. Fulke revealed she was working with Aelfred and took Sigurd hostage in exchange for peace.
Behind the scenes
During the fight with Eivor, Eadwyn offers a "reward in silver for each dead Dane," but as Geadric and his men are ostensibly Saxon, the only apparent "Danes" would be Eivor and Sigurd.
Odin's words are a paraphrase of the first stanza of the Gestaþáttr (Guest's Chapter/Section) from the Poetic Edda text Hávamál (Words of the High One), a collection of poems attributed to Odin that share his wisdom and guidance.