The midday sun burned its way through the forest canopy to see the Chief pouring with sweat, winded and barely able to stand. The Knight had to give the man credit for he never would have believed such stamina and stubbornness existed within the hairy foreigner. The Knight wanted to aid the Chief, but was bound by his wife’s warning to not help unless asked. Instead he’d given him his shield and water when asked, but nothing more. The Knight knew the Chief’s opponent all too well, but dared not give him any clue as to what he futilely fought against. This was the Chief’s ordeal alone and only he could overcome it.
The Warrioress’ twin blonde braids swung freely as she continued to batter her death’s head shield against the borrowed hammered iron one held by the Chief. It was obvious the contest was over and the man had little if anything left to throw at her. In an almost respectful tone the Warrioress’ said, “Come now Aesir, give it up. You fought well, quite well to be exact. Well enough to be worthy of a fine song. A heroic saga even. But it’s over. Give in to me, yield. I promise you when it ends, you’ll feel all the better for it.” Stumbling backwards the Chief breathlessly replied, “First..., hike up that fur skirt of yours. I can’t let the Knight be the only man in this land to have bedded a Goddess!” The absolute arrogance of the Aesir drew forth the ire of the Warrioress. “How dare you defy me! I am inevitable! You cannot beat me! Give it up. To continue is pointless!” Smiling, the Chief replied, “Oh, so you’re ready for me now? Good. You’ll have to get on top first while I catch my breath....” With an inhuman hiss, the Warrioress brought down her broadsword in a killing arc only to be stopped in a shower of sparks and the sound of hammer on anvil against the Great War Spear!
“YOU DARE INTERFERE?” roared the Warrioress’ her voice causing the ground to tremble. “Shhhhhh! Don’t wake the Mountain,” whispered the Priestess. The Warrioress slowly dragged her weapon away from the over long spear blade in a further shower of bright sparks. Angrily, the Warrioress suddenly sheathed her weapon and said in a flat tone, “I suppose you’re going to remind me of the ‘usual conditions’.” Still holding the spear between the Warrioress and the confused Chief the Priestess replied, “I am. He has not yielded to you has he?” The Warrioress’ blue eyes burned brightly for a moment and then she abruptly turned her back to them. “Fine! No matter, I retrieved part of my property. At least someone was ‘happy’ to see me.” Again the Warrioress abruptly turned back and looked to the Chief. In her haunting hollow voice she asked, “Aesir, do you still bear a wooden cockerel for me?” Smiling, she slowly started to raise her fur-trimmed skirt.
With an ear to ear grin the Chief started to his feet, but was suddenly stopped by the flat side of the Great War Spear’s blade laid across his chest. In a warning tone the Priestess retorted, “Not this one Chief of the Aesir. Maybe we’ll find a nice wood or river spirit to tickle your fancy. This one’s not worth the trouble. Besides, you’ll see her again all too soon.” Disappointed the Chief replied, “How about a wood and river nymph my Priestess?” Without looking the Priestess replied, “Don’t press your luck Chief. Well now that’s all settled, you’ll be on your way right old friend?” With a knowing smile the Warrioress replied, “Yes, I wish to be spared the teary good-byes as well. Now that I have your address, I’ll have to come by more often.” In a rippling of air like a desert mirage, the Warrioress disappeared. All who watched her depart could have sworn for a moment they saw the very Death’s Head within the shimmering air as was painted upon her shield.
The Knight went to his wife’s side and said, “You and your friends....” The Priestess gave a relieved sigh and said, “Well, not all my friends are complete pains in the ass.” Waving, the boy came running over to her and she put an arm around his shoulder. “Husband, meet my new assistant for the shrine.” The boy looked up at the fearsome Valley Knight with trepidation and the man said, “Ho, so you’ll be hanging around my house eh? Don’t get any ideas boy. I’ve still got ears from all the men who tried to steal my wife.” The boy’s eyes once more grew wide, but then the Knight winked at him. The Priestess leaned over and whispered to the boy, “They really stink up the house during the summer!”
The Chief worn out from his ordeal said, “Did I just miss something? Who in Midgard was that crazy bitch?” The Priestess looked to the boy as he held onto the fish scale and asked, “Do you understand who that was boy?” Fearfully, the boy nodded ‘yes’. Gesturing to the Chief the Priestess said, “Well you can tell him if you want to.” The boy emphatically shook his head ‘no.’ Shrugging her shoulders the Priestess said regrettably, “Well that’s that. See you at the evening meal Chief. Please don’t bring any of that horrible Mead with you!”
The Chief handed back the Knight’s shield and said, “Thanks for the loan friend. Hey, you know who that was don’t you?” The Knight nodded, gave the Chief a hard pat on the shoulder then joined his wife and the boy as they headed down the mountain path. The Chief threw up his hands and shouted, “Aw come on! You’re not going to just leave and not tell me who I was fighting all damn morning, are you?” Far down the path the Chief heard the Priestess’ yell, “Chief, don’t wake the Mountain!”
The End
© 2011 H. Wolfgang Porter. All Rights Reserved.
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