Scene Three - The ley of Thorvald's Bane -

The fire burned high and the light flickered across the faces of those stood and squatting around the heat. Tyng was over and the Lord General and his high staff had moved from the fire leaving his people gazing into the flames...
"Give us a tale of heroes Bard" called one of the warband.
"Aye, a tale for a cold evening" echoed another.
"Here's mead.. give us a tale" said a third thrusting a horn into Wulf's Hand....

"I will give you a tale" said Wulf and stood up, letting his multicoloured cloak shimmering of Autumn Leaves fall to the floor. He stood against the fire and looked hard at his listeners.. then his eyes seemed to glaze slightly as he looked into the far distance, and his voice took on a new form, more urgent, deeper as he started his tale......

"I will tell you the Ley of Thorvald's Bane -
Or
"the tale of a Man who spurned Magic – but died for chasing it"

Thorvald was one of the “Old Style” Norscan men… a hero who walked the lands as the Gods stride the skies… They say he stood full seven feet tall without his wolfskin boots, and could cleave a hammer and axe by left and right hand – like a Giant Windmill – striking all within his reach… some say that the Hammer was Mjollnir itself and I have no reason to believe that such a Norscan Hero would not be blessed by the Gods - particular Thor!!

A leader of men he plagued the Albion coast – finding the weak, timid men of that land unworthy of their women – who it must be said – he found comely (and often), in his raids… and parts of Albion land are still known to have many who favour the thick shock of red hair so distinct in Thorvald’s line…
“Hero Mighty – Hear his Name
Scorning Magic, died in Vain
Norsca Triumph Law Disdain
By Odinsheim – Thorvald’s Bane”
Many tales are recited by the Bards
Of the Night of the Blood Moon – deep October when approaching the shores of Albion – a Storm such as none had seen rocked his drakkar the “Skuldelev” (the Skull digger)– three men struggled to hold the wheel as the boat floundered towards the cruel rocks….. Thorvald strode to the wheel and put his axe and hammer down – braced himself and took the strain – sent the three to reef the sails as he – alone – held the boat – straight and true …the unique Norscan sail allowing it to beat against the wind… strong and true…
30 Souls were rescued from Rann that Stormy night… held by the strength of Thorvald …
“Hero Mighty – Hear his Name
Scorning Magic, died in Vain
Norsca Triumph Law Disdain
By Odinsheim – Thorvald’s Bane”
“I have the strength of Men “ Thorvald would cry.. “ I have no need for Magic things”
“The Gods will strengthen the hearts of man – Courage and hope !! That’s all men need … and a comely wench and a tankard of Mead …”
And yet – in all his raiding of the Albion shores – he heard of something special – an item revered by the fops of Albion, something that gave them hope and strength – that rallied them in time of battle … under the Gods of Law…
“These Gods of the Weak are no comparison to the Gods of Norsca “ Thorvald would say around the campfires… “ There is no need for powers of the spirit – when a Wolf is strong and True … No need of the elements when he has an axe and hammer, no need of a fountain of life – when he is supported by Yggdrasill – which has the very sap and pulse of life running through her …””
And yet – he wondered about this treasure of the Gods of Law.. hidden deep in Albion….
“Hero Mighty – Hear his Name
Scorning Magic, died in Vain
Norsca Triumph Law Disdain
By Odinsheim – Thorvald’s Bane”
At last – unable to stop his impatience – he took the Skulldigger across the waters to Albion shores – 30 strong Norscan Fighters by his side – chosen of Thorvald…. Each a warrior – each disdaining Magic and Occult arts …
Many were the trials and tribulations as they fought their way deeper in to Albion Lands until at last they stood before the triple rings of the Keep – wherein he had heard – the Treasure of the Gods of Law was hidden – protected by Three Guardians.. each with powers from the spheres of magic… each sworn through life and death to protect their charge..
Thorvald Came to the first ramparts and there he faced the first Guardian…
Terrible was the Guardian to behold… Lifting his arms above him he spoke with a voice that passed through the bones and rattled the sinews….
“The Gods of Law forbid you to pass.
I Shamar – am sworn to protect – though life and death -
Leave now – and never return “
Thorvald could feel the power of Spirits building in the air as the Guardian drew on his skills to cast… but Thorvald disdained magic and knew that to a true heart – his strength of mind could withstand the onslaught…“
“The Gods of Norsca are greater than your petty Gods of Law!!!
I am Thorvald and I scorn your magics….
A Wave struck Throvald and his men and as Thorvald struggled to keep upright – he saw his men turning white with fear – screaming and struggling not to run – “I am Thorvald and I Scorn your Magics” yelled Thorvald and took his mighty axe in his right hand and threw with all his might – cleaving Shamar’s Skull and the wave of terror ceased … “
But as Thorvald looked around – he saw Shamar with hands raised in a particular way – right over left – each with fingers split in the middle – crossed as if making the letter “W” the Warding Sign of Law…… a last call to the Gods of Law.. but Thorvald saw that of his followers – a third lay gibbering on the ground.. he moved onwards…
“Hero Mighty – Hear his Name
Scorning Magic, died in Vain
Norsca Triumph Law Disdain
By Odinsheim – Thorvald’s Bane”

Into the second ramparts … there stood the second Guardian ..
“The Gods of Law forbid you to pass.
I Eliazar – am sworn to protect – though life and death -
Leave now – and never return “
Thorvald could feel the power of the elements building in the air as the Guardian drew on his skills to cast… but Thorvald disdained magic and knew that to a true heart – his quickness of mind could withstand the onslaught…“
Stripping off his Chain he took his pelts and dipped them into a vat of water and took the soaking fur over his shoulders
“The Gods of Norsca are greater than your petty Gods of Law!!!
I am Thorvald and I scorn your magics….
Wave upon Wave of elemental force struck Throvald and his men and as Thorvald struggled to keep upright – he saw his men scream as their armour turned to molten metal – screaming and struggling not to run – as the Guardian took air into his hand and formed a ball of fire which struck Thorvald - but his soaking pelts steamed and he stood untouched..
“I am Thorvald and I Scorn your Magics” yelled Thorvald and took his mighty hammer In his left hand and threw with all his might – battering Eliazar’s Skull and the wave of heat and fire ceased … “
And as Thorvald looked around – he saw Eliazarr with hands raised in a particular way – right over left – each with fingers split in the middle – crossed as if making the letter “W” the Warding Sign of Law…… a last call to the Gods of Law..
but Thorvald saw that of his followers – another third lay charred upon the ground.. he moved onwards…
“Hero Mighty – Hear his Name
Scorning Magic, died in Vain
Norsca Triumph Law Disdain
By Odinsheim – Thorvald’s Bane”
Into the third ramparts … there stood the third Guardian ..
“The Gods of Law forbid you to pass.
I Aedino – am sworn to protect – though life and death -
Leave now – and never return “
Thorvald could feel the power of the very earth building in the air as the Guardian drew on his skills to cast… but Thorvald disdained magic and knew that to a true heart – he could withstand the onslaught…“
“The Gods of Norsca are greater than your petty Gods of Law!!!
I am Thorvald and I scorn your magics….
But as he approached – he suddenly was struck with a blindness as if the lights of the world were blown out like a candle.. Pain racked his body and about him he could hear his remaining men scream in pain and agony as if they were being opened up by blades. His hands were empty – hammer and axe thrown… but on he struggled in the darkness…
“I am Thorvald and I Scorn your Magics” yelled Thorvald and with his mighty hands he found the neck of Aedino and choked the guardian till the last struggles stopped…
But as Thorvald dropped the body and his sight cam eback to him – he saw Aedino with hands raised in a particular way – right over left – each with fingers split in the middle – crossed as if making the letter “W” the Warding Sign of Law…… a last call to the Gods of Law..
And Thorvald looked to his followers – and the last of them lay upon the ground – as if they had received the wounds of a thousand cuts and their eyes seared as if put out by burning rods..
Thorvald moved on to the centre chamber and so the bards say – he found his prize – he stole the treasure of the Gods of Law – but all of his men lay slain in the three ramparts ..
He passed the three Guardians – each with hands upraised wit the Warding sign as though they might rise from death to follow him … but he struggled back to the Skulldigger and made his way to Norsca..
Little is heard of the exploits of Thorvald after that time …
It is said that he could not get the treasure of the Gods of Law to Work – some say that it was magic in nature and would not bend to his will – but there are tails of a haunted man – being chased by three throughout the lands of Norsca - and rumours that to allow him rest and sleep at night –
Thorvald buried the treasure in a secret place….

Thorvald was a great hero – one who scorned the Magics – but Bards still hear tales of Thorvald’s Bane …
“Hero Mighty – Hear his Name
Scorning Magic, died in Vain
Norsca Triumph Law Disdain
By Odinsheim – Thorvald’s Bane”

The fire had grown low as Wulf finished his tale and sat. He quaffed from the Horn of mead he held and passed it to his left....   "Aye.. Odinheim" he said quietly - but only to himself - that was his own tale which would not be told around the firepit - at least not by him....