Arjeormas Black'd Bone

V

Amber embers followed him faithfully like pebbles to other men's paths. Fire whispered willingly near him like wind to other men's ears. Sable soot simply fell from him like dust to other men's antiques.

His storm marched with him, and always in like steps they marched together in sequence. And they marched the long-boat home across the waves. Returning in glory. He marched past horrified faces, faces tinted with awe. Every man would testify the bravery, glory, honor, and spirit of Abjorn the Later. His feast was the feast of the ages. As he ate, he held close to his side his battle-axe, and those who were feasting gasped and gagged when they saw how it had changed. The hilt had been replaced with three black bones from its wielder's lost arm. Thus, his weapon was referred to as "Abjorn's Arm," although Abjorn the Later never spoke of his axe himself. It was almost as though the axe was simply a mere extension of his body, as though it now took the place of his arm, almost as though that venture had now become a part of his very flesh.

The old chieftain of the community had been ill for years, and while the men were away, full with the berserk spirit, he passed on. Despite his decrepit, thin body, he had attempted to hunt a beast of the forest, and in his dying breath, he was named the Wulf Viking. It was said that he had been a descendant of Thor, himself orphaned by Germanic people, and that he surely had a reserved seat in Valhalla on the right side of the god of thunder, which had slew Abjorn the First near a score before.

After returning in glory, and after the celebration and feasting, Abjorn the Later was named the new chief. He had earned the respect of his people, and they did as he said. The first rule passed during his reign was that Abjorn the First's named be scratched from all stories, records, and memories. The second order was to begin building a new better long-ship for the ventures to come, the ventures that the young chieftain would lead. The ship would be the best any had seen, and it was. Abjorn the Later designed it himself, from the detailed carvings and thoughts in his mind.

The long-ship was truly the most beautiful of its kind. This, no man could deny. It had a fierce pulchritude, one which would always inspire its men, yet at the same time terrify those of whose coast it hit. It was almost twice as long as the old ship, but same in width. Its planks forever smelled of freshly copped timber. On the prow-post and sternpost there were carvings of goddesses, Hel of Helheim and Frigg of Asgard, made to appear as though they longed to fling themselves into the water. The mast was painted black like "Abjorn's Arm," but on one side was carved into Mjolnir, Thor's hammer, Abjorn the Later's savior. On the other side of this was Odin's spear, Gungnir. Along the side of the ship were more, such as Ull, Hermóðr, and Höðr, all meant to aid in battle and war. The sail had the mark of a sun, dripping blood instead of light, dark brown. Those who sailed on this ship longed to find a brightness, and in return, would always find darkness, a darkness that fed and fed and fed their unquenchable desire.