Thorvald’s Wyrd

He wondered if a tiny bubble of warmth assailed by the full force of winter prayed harder, and cursed as each fresh gust rattled the walls. Grinding his teeth, Thorvald focused his faith in Sunna’s return, and in lengthening days.

3

The longest night speaks to every living thing under moon or sun, each responding according to its nature to the deep rhythms at the bottom of the year. With the wind screaming and the snow trying to force its way through wild fur, the wolves must run.

To hunt, to live, to be, the wolves must run. Across fields, through forests, along hilltops and riverbanks and the shores of lakes and ponds, leaving great puffs of breath and smeared prints in the snow, the wolves must run. The depth of winter is no shelter for prey.

The wolves must run.

4

In that darkness between moments, lost in the long night, Thorvald hovered on the edge of sleep as he stared into the fire. His mind began to wander. How long until dawn finally arrived?

Somewhere in the distance, a wolf howled, its long, keening cry piercing the wind enough to widen Thorvald’s eyes a little, pulling him back to the Vigil and his duty to the gods and the heavens. Deep in his heart, he truly believed that Sunna might not return at the end of the long night. A child’s fear, for men knew better.

But men still prayed.

5

Far behind the wolves, other things ran. Huge furred horses ploughed through the snow with great bearded warriors on their backs. Other strong men ran at their sides, breathing great puffs of steam with the effort.

At the host’s head, a grey-bearded man with one wild eye and one puckered socket hefted a spear nearly his own height and flung it into the dark with a strength far beyond human. It sliced through the air like an arrow, passing beyond sight in a heartbeat.

“Call us forth, my son.” He breathed deep to reach above the wind. “Follow the spear!”

6

Thorvald jerked alert at the distant call of a horn. The deep note rode over the wind to shake his ears. Two more fell on its heels to crease his brow. Who would be abroad on Mother Night and in such a storm? Whether hunter or wanderer, they must be far from hearth and home.

Three more blasts, blown close together, pulled Thorvald from his stool by the fire, craning his neck to turn his ears. When the next three notes came, they seemed closer but still directionless.

But as the ninth call faded, something slammed into his cabin door.

7

The door wouldn’t open wide enough for a good look outside. A full hand-span of bronze penetrated the solid wood, the weapon’s shaft jamming against the doorframe to resist his strength. Thorvald marvelled at the force behind the cast and that no splinters had struck him by the fire.

Like an idiot, angry and impatient, he pulled on heavy furs, emptied his lungs, and squeezed out through the slim opening to stand in the wind and snow, seeking the man owing him a new door. Night and the failing storm obscured his view.

Only then did Thorvald remember the wolves.

8

One howl. Then two more.

The axe in his hand felt good, a comforting old friend, but would it be enough? Even one bite, clean of infection, might ruin the rest of his winter. Retreat would be best, let the pack pass him by, but the wolves sounded close, so close. The time to squeeze back through the door might cost him a leg.

Thorvald grabbed for the spear, intent on bending the bronze head enough to ease his passage back inside. He wrapped his hand around the haft and the weapon came free of the door at his touch.

9

A fire burst in the one-eyed man’s belly and his knees clenched of their own accord. The great steed beneath him took the action as a demand for more speed. It leapt ahead of the Hunt, legs churning so hard and so fast an observer could not have witnessed only four.

One-Eye heard several horses behind him chuff, felt them surge forward, hoof beats muffled just a little less by the snow. A glimpse over his shoulder showed the horn rising again to his son’s lips and three long notes shot through the storm’s dregs.

Their quarry lay close now.

10

The spear weighed too little to be so long, a hand-span more than he stood tall, at least. Light, straight, and balanced so he might throw farther than he’d ever cast a weapon before. Moonlight fell on the spearhead as the clouds tore apart to free Mani. The snow stopped falling in the next moment, but Thorvald didn’t notice, his eyes locked on the gleaming runes etched into the bronze.

His fist clenched around the shaft, fingers surely whitening under the fur gloves, as something stirred deep in his guts. Tracing each rune with his eyes, Thorvald began to tremble.