Norse Valor by Constantine De Bohon Page B

and huts were
burning. Everywhere Svana looked, people were falling to the ground. It was
horrifying. An intruding warrior was yelling they didn’t want their women and
children, just their food. But there was no food to give them. The raiders
refused to believe the pleading women and some were slain in a crazed rage. The
village men who had remained behind were battling for their lives and were
outnumbered. Sparks flew when swords collided.
    Svana yelled at her brother when he grabbed a sword and went
after two men who were battling Koli. David screamed his god-awful wail at the
top of his lungs and one of the warriors cried out in surprised fear. Koli ran
him through while he was distracted. Koli grinned at David.
    “Perhaps we won’t change your battle cry after all.” Koli
laughed.
    A huge war cry rent the air and suddenly more warriors
joined the slaughter. Vakr had returned and Svana shivered at the look on his
face. She had never seen Vakr battle. Svana had been told he was a formidable
opponent, but witnessing it was something entirely different. Vakr looked like
someone she didn’t recognize. His face was a death mask. She felt frozen to the
spot. Every rise and fall of his powerful arms sent a man to his demise. He was
merciless. Four, five, six men he downed and still his blade rose and slashed.
It was the village warriors who now far outnumbered the raiders and they were
healthier and better fed. They made short work of the invading men and soon
only a few of the intruders remained, on their knees begging for their lives.
    “We only wanted food,” one man said desolately.
    Another bloodied man was crying pitifully. “We have gone
weeks with almost nothing. Most of our women and children have starved to
death. Please, I beg you, kill me but do not let my family die alone and
suffering.”
    “Where is your village?” Vakr asked, his sword at the man’s
throat.
    “They have suffered enough,” the man said warily.
    “I will not slaughter women and children,” Vakr replied. The
words were spit out in disgust as he gave a quick glance around and saw that
the men had killed and wounded some of Vakr’s women and teenaged boys who had
tried to aid.
    “Vakr,” Hakon snapped. “We have no room or food for strays.
Look around at our own who have fallen this day. What mercy were they shown?
Will your kindness once more place us in danger?”
    “When has his kindness placed you in danger?” Svana snapped.
“Once more, Vakr has returned in time to save your life.”
    Hakon turned red, having once more been reminded of his past
failure.
    Svana knew the man hated being challenged by a woman.
    “You should learn your place,” Hakon said, glaring at her.
    “Her place is at my side and she has every right to ask you
a question,” Vakr said.
    “We cannot feed our own anymore! How will we feed others?”
Hakon shouted.
    “Farther up the coast five of our warriors have stayed
behind!” Vakr bellowed into the crowd. “There is a beached whale and plenty for
everyone.”
    The village cheered. Vakr’s attention was once more on the
man before him. Svana was angry the raiders had attacked, but she also
understood why. The remaining men looked gaunt and thin. Starvation was a
terrible way to watch a loved one die. Svana looked over at Baldr who also held
a sword to a man’s throat.
    “Baldr, it was not long ago your daughter almost died of
starvation,” Svana reminded him. “You were torn with despair over her
suffering. Does the man before you have a daughter who is also dying?”
    Baldr eyed the man coldly. “He would have killed my little
Joka for a crust of moldy bread.”
    “Wouldn’t you do the same?” Svana asked him. “No one should
ever have to watch their child suffer.”
    Baldr took a deep breath. “How many women and children are
left in your village?”
    “Four women, one is my wife, three with no husbands—they
have fallen to your weapons. Six children without parents. Four boys,