The United States of Vinland by Colin Taber

Author:Colin Taber
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: alternate history, vikings, norse, historical fantasy, what if, alternative history, discovery, runestone, sagas
Publisher: Thought Stream Creative Services
Published: 2014-11-14T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter 26

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Under The Stars

Lakeland Village, Markland.

Under the night sky, the Gothi stood before the body of Torr.

The fallen son of Thoromr One-Eye and Aldis Lady of Wolves lay dressed and armed and finally at peace. Around his ruin, a large crowd of Ravens and Wolves stood to honour him. The clearing was lit by dozens of torches and a roaring bonfire, the light bright enough to catch the bark of birch trees at the clearing’s edge, as if another crowd, one of ghosts, ringed those who had come to mourn.

A ring of stone was already in place around the body, one that they would build up through the night, not only to protect, but also to please the dead. A helmet cupped his broken skull and hid the worst of his injuries, just as an axe and a sword lay across his chest to hide the gaping wound Dore had left there.

Torr may have fallen, but he would be ready for battle in the afterlife, just as he had been in this one.

If the Hall of Wolves had been crowded for the judgement of Dore, now even more gathered for the funeral of his half-brother. Torr was no villain, but a favoured son.

The Gothi spoke, his deep voice accompanied only by a swirling breeze, “Markland has seen few with as much promise as Torr, the son of Thoromr One-Eye and Aldis the Lady of Wolves. Yet, now he has left us for Valhalla. But he will not journey alone.”

Eight bodies lay within another stone ring. There, another barrow would rise to cover the bodies of Lakeland village’s other fallen warriors from the battle.

“He will lead the best of us to warm halls where he will be greeted with mead and plentiful food. There he will enjoy the company of the Gods as he awaits our own arrival...” The Gothi looked across the crowd, meeting solemn eyes, his voice strong, “...and Ragnarok.” He then let a heavy silence settle on the clearing.

Thoromr stood beside the Gothi and Aldis. After the quiet had settled, he cleared his throat and said, “Torr was the best of us. He would have made a great jarl.”

The Gothi nodded, as did many in the crowd.

But Thoromr was not done, almost spitting his next words. “His foe Dore will have no such adulation in the afterlife. I will see to it. While we go and feast to celebrate our fallen heroes and honour their memories, the carcass of Dore shall be fed to the pigs.”

The Gothi nodded in approval, as did many in the crowd.

Thoromr’s gaze went to his fallen son.

Torr was dressed and cleaned, adorned with weapons, and sided by offerings of food and drink, as well as a hunting bow and war horn. Satisfied, the Jarl of Wolves muttered in a breaking voice, “Let us finish this and send him on his away.”

The Gothi nodded and stepped forward into the ring of stones. He gestured to a man nearby, who led a goat, another followed with a sheep, and one last man with a pig.

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