Brynhildr’s heart thudded as themark of the dragonblazed against her skin, pulsing in rhythm with Sigurd’s breath. Through theseiðrwhich joined her soul to his, she sensed the strength and speed of the wolf, but also the berserker brawn of the bear…and the blood oath which bound the two brothers.
Her pulse hiked when Sigurd feinted left, a flash of chainmail and wolf fur. Agnar shifted to counter, muscles coiled, fierce eyes glinting with suppressed fury.
When the wind snapped herfaðir’sraven banner, steel clashed against steel.
Sparks flew as their swords collided, the deafening clang ringing through the salty air and into Brynhildr’s quavering limbs.Sigurd’s sword,Úlfblóðr,crashed against Agnar’s blade, the grinding of steel reverberating into the ground.
Sigurd twisted his sinewy body, using the momentum of the clash to spin, drivingÚlfblóðrthrough Agnar’s defensive guard. But Agnar roared, hisBjarnrökrblade grinding with a high-pitched screech as he blocked and deflected Sigurd’s sword.
Agnar lunged, and Sigurd sidestepped, letting the blade slide past. Amber flashed in Agnar’s feral eyes, like molten coals smoldering beneath the simmering surface.
The shieldmaiden in Brynhildr felt each blow as if she were engaged in the fierce dance of battle. Theouroborosblazed above her breast as thewolfbloodof Odin surged through Sigurd, lending him strength, precision, and cunning.Seiðrpulsing into her soul, she was one with the wildness of the SeaWolf. He lunged with a sudden flurry of strikes which pushed Agnar back to the boundary of the square.
With a deafening, decisive blow, Sigurd struckÚlfblóðragainst Agnar’s wooden shield.
It shattered like frozen timber, scattering splinters of oak, shards of iron, and sparks of amber across the grassy field.
The crowd erupted in riotous cheers.
TheSjórúlfarroared in raucous howls.
Warriors thumped axes and swords upon shields.
Brynhildr shot to her feet, legs shaking violently under her blue silk gown. When her eyes met Sigurd’s, the thrill of his victory surged through her veins, theouroborosaflame above her hammering heart.
While Agnar gripped Sigurd’s forearms and butted his wolfskin forehead with bearskin, Ulric Ironshield bellowed above the clamorous din. “Sigurd the Sea Wolf of Sjóborg is the champion of the Sólhjarta Tournament!”
The two ravens shrieked and took to the skies, sending a ripple ofseiðrdown Brynhildr’s spine.
And into themark of the dragonthat seared her skin with the flames of Sigurd’s triumph.
Chapter 10
Beyond Fate and the Gods
While the summer sun blazed overhead and wind whipped banners in the salty breeze, Budli rose majestically from hisöndvegi, the roar of the crowd subsiding into a reverent hush. Herfaðirhollered over the expectant throng.
“Agnar, Bear of Bjarkhölm,” he boomed, his deep voice echoing across the sparkling fjord. “For your valor and prowess in the championship trial of the Sólhjarta Tournament, I present these tokens of glory!”
At Budli’s gesture, a trio of royalhúskarlaremerged from the pavilion behind the elevated dais. Two armored guards bore forth a gleaming chainmailbrynja, stretched between them upon a pole. At the heart of the mail was fastened a hammered bronze sun disc, its radiant rays etched in gold with a triad of runes—Sowilofor the sun,Tiwazfor valor, andUruzfor brute strength. Around the outer rim of the disc, amber beads set in bronze glowed like captured fire.
In the hands of the third royal guard rested a matching shield, its solid oak face marked with the same sunburst and runes, the iron boss polished bright, the rim bound in bronze and studded with amber.
Budli’s roar rippled across the field as the pair of guards carrying thebrynjaformally presented it to Agnar. “Sólvörn,” the Raven King proclaimed. “The sun guard of the Sólhjarta Tournament— to honor the Bear of Bjarkhölm.”
Brown bearskin rippling in the wind off the cliff, Agnar laid a bare hand reverently upon the sunburst heart of the armor and nodded in solemn gratitude. He motioned to two of his nearby attendants, who came forth to receive thebrynjaand carry it reverently to Prince Agnar’s royal pavilion.
When the third guard presented the magnificent shield, Budli’s voice rang out from the royal dais. “A sunburst shield, wrought in honor and valor, to defend you with the sun’s glory in battle.”
Agnar accepted the shield with solemn respect. Amber gems in his thick brown beard glowed golden like the rim of his shield as he flashed a fierce grin at the Raven King and struck his swordBjarnrökragainst the gleaming metal boss.
Pushing the head of his bearskin back, he inclined his bare head to Budli. “Your gifts honor me, Raven King.” He proudly clutched the burnished shield, the amber beads and etched runes radiant as the summer sun. “MaySólvörn—and this sunburst shield—guard me in battle, as you valiantly defend Hrafnfjall.”
Crimson cloak shimmering in the midday sun, Budli shouted above the clamorous din. “All hail Agnar, Bear of Bjarkhölm!” The jubilant guests roared in approval, clapping hands, stomping feet, and striking shields in respect for the Bear who had battled the Sea Wolf.
Agnar dipped his dark head to the cheering crowd, gratitude blazing in his ursine eyes. He strode across the field to stand among his men, his fierce gaze fixed on Sigurd as the throng eagerly awaited the Raven King’s next regal gift.
Brynhildr’s pulse thrummed as Sigurd’s eyes held hers. Herfaðirwould now present the champion’s royal prize.
