Shield Maiden by Richard Denning

Author:Richard Denning
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: fantasy, historical, children 8 and up
Publisher: Richard Denning

“Drive it away!” he ordered and Ellette, quick to pull out her sling, whirled it around her head and flung a stone at the bird. The stone clattered into the lintel between the raven’s feet. Startled, the creature screeched and launched itself into flight, swinging low over their heads and then wheeling away.

The dwarf grunted his approval and then stomped over to the doorway. He studied it for a moment then placed one hand on each of the upright stones that supported the lintel, one on either side of the doorway. His eyes now closed, he began to mutter an incantation - a spell.

Anna did not recognise the words; they were not English, nor Welsh, which she had heard occasionally from traders visiting the village, but some other language. Perhaps it was Dweorgar. The sound was like thunder rumbling towards you from a distant storm, or the hoofbeats of a horse galloping down a road. Hearing it, Anna felt as if the earth was moving beneath her feet, as if the words could force stone and soil to obey them. Yet, after a moment Gurthrunn stepped back and shook his head.

“Normally we dwarves can open Bifrost, for we helped to construct it with our blood and sweat. I thought therefore to give it a try, but it is no good, this gateway is firmly shut. I will need the horn to persuade it to yield to my command.” Turning to Anna, he held out is hand, “Anna, pl ....”

He was interrupted by a sudden shout of rage coming from the nearby woods. Anna thought at first it was the bird, but when she looked up she saw that gathered under the trees was the entire adult population of the village: thirty people, each armed with a weapon. Some carried spears and axes, some only a short sword - a seax like Anna’s own. Others clutched tools: the billhooks, picks and shovels they used around the village. Dotted amongst the villagers were the dark elves that had battled with Anna and her companions the previous day.

The elves and humans just stood there watching the children, then they moved apart and suddenly Kendra was standing in the midst of them.

The sorceress walked forward to confront Gurthrunn. “Dweorg, this is not your world,” she hissed.

“Neither is it yours, traitor, but I at least am here at the bidding of the gods.”

“The gods are weak and will fall. My master will rule and I will be his queen.”

Gurthrunn grunted. “Ah, so that is what he promised you to persuade you to betray them. I wonder how many others he has promised the same or similar. Loki, the trickster god: do you really trust him?”

“Give me the horn!” Kendra yelled, ignoring the question.

“Never!”

Kendra’s face twisted into a mask of rage. She nodded her head as if a decision had been made. “Very well, then. You shall die and these children along with you.” Pointing her long finger at Anna and her friends she shouted back to the villagers.

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