Broken Tides.: A Tale of Two Brothers by Kenny R.J

Author:Kenny, R.J [Kenny, R.J]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: UNKNOWN
Published: 2016-12-13T00:00:00+00:00

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The oars soared into the white, wave-washed sea and glided out of it like the wings of a great sea bird. Droplets of water that orbited each stroke shone like stars in the afternoon sun. Rotting planks creaked underneath Frosti’s aching feet and the salt from the beautiful sea stung his eyes. He and Gudrod were the only ones not rowing whilst forty other men heaved and pulled against the enormous force of the water. Halfdan was at the steering oar at the back of the boat, his face red with effort and his arms bulging as he struggled to navigate the strong current.

“She is beautiful, isn’t she,” Gudrod said as he rested against the dragon’s head that fronted the boat. It was a wonderfully carved beast that warded away the demented, deformed sea spirits. “She is mine; Finlit owns most of the ships but Dreki, Dreki is mine.” Dreki meant dragon and Frosti was mesmerised by her. The forty oarsmen seemed to be moving with one heart and two joined arms. Dreki didn’t just sail, she flew. Frosti could see the fifteen other boats far behind them in the distance and all of them wore spectacular beast prows that made it seem like an army of creatures was heading to Osoyro. There was one with a swan’s head, which Frosti found out was Finlit’s ship, and he could also see one with a terribly long snake curling round, which was Eric Clawhand’s vessel. Finlit and Eric had both reluctantly followed Gudrod to Osoyro and as both of them were renowned northern warlords, they had their own men, ships and ambitions.

“Why doesn’t Halfdan steer his own bloody boat?” Frosti asked Gudrod, whose tattooed face seemed to crinkle at the question.

“We have always sailed together; our father said we were born on the seas,” Gudrod said.

“You two are brothers. Is he from Saxony as well then?”

“Saxony, what in Odin’s name are you talking about?” Gudrod snapped and headed down the boat to take the oar off his brother. Frosti was confused; he was certain Gudrod said he was born in Saxony where the Christians murdered thousands of pagans. There were at most five hundred men sailing to Solvi’s aid. A feeling of immense pride should have filled Frosti with confidence, but instead he was nervous, terribly nervous. Solvi had only asked for Gudrod and not his chieftains and certainly did not expect the sheer number of people to be heading to Osoyro. Also Gudrod the Hunter was meant to be a mercenary, paid in a small amount of gold to protect Hordaland whilst Solvi was off raiding but instead, Gudrod wanted to raid and so did his chieftains. Out of all the chieftains, it was Finlit that worried Frosti the most. He had stayed quiet during the discussions, never once saying a word to Frosti. Finlit owned the boats rather than Gudrod. This meant most of the captains were his men and that fact gave Frosti night terrors.

Unlike most boats

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