Call of the Wolf by Paul Perkins

Author:Paul Perkins [Perkins, Paul]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Novel
Publisher: Craving Something More Publishin
Published: 0101-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

Now awful it is to be without,

As blood-red rack races overhead;

Is the welkin gory with warriors' blood,

As we Valkyries war-songs chanted?

Your eyes have seen the wild Hunt

And gruesome cry of honored dead;

What lies ahead in warriors’ blood

That lies beneath your wounded head?

The Volur fell silent and stopped moving. Her breathing was so shallow that Magnus wasn’t sure whether she was alive or dead.

“What does this mean? Are you saying that I will die? Will it be in battle? Will the Valkyries come for me and take me to Valhalla? When will this battle take place?” Like the Earl had said, the riddle was difficult to understand, but Magnus knew the bottom line; he would die in battle from a head wound. He could take comfort that the winter months separated them from any battle. He would spend these next months with his family, preparing them for his impending departure.

The Earl met him outside, and Magnus’ face said it all.

“I am sure that it will not be as bad as she predicted. She has been wrong at times, though she usually twists it to fit her own purposes. Don’t fret over her words.”

“My lord.” Magnus became formal. “Everyone knows that seeing the Hunt is a bad omen and causes death, madness, or impending doom. I am neither dead nor mad; therefore the prophecy spells out my demise. I take comfort knowing that I will die in battle and will see my father again in Odin’s Hall.” He looked intently into the Earl’s eyes. “I have enough to leave Arne and Sigrunn provided for, but humbly ask that when my death comes the community will watch over them.”

The Earl slapped him on the back and assured him of their sworn duty to his unyielding loyalty.

When Magnus stepped through the door Sigrunn could see in his eyes the anguish of his soul. "What worries you, Magnus?"

“Sigrunn, I need you to sit down.” She didn’t like the sound of this. He told her of the hunt and going to see the Volur. He believed that telling her everything was the best way to prepare her for the future. “But we have the winter together. After that there is no guarantee. What I do know is that I will fall in battle, and that is honorable. You will be provided for and Arne is a man, capable of running the farm.”

They hadn’t noticed Arne standing at the door. When they turned and saw him, he was stoic, trying to understand and absorb what he had heard. His youthful misgivings taunted him to turn and run, but he was a man now and would not cry. Magnus held out his arm, instinctively drawing Arne in, and the three of them hugged.

“We will no longer speak of this. Life is precious and short. We will make the best of our time and prepare for the coming of our new child. We will celebrate, and pray that Odin will call me to battle at the right time and for the honor of our family.

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