The Last Marigold

Truth Be Told

"I accept your terms, Ravn. See it done. Kill her now," No sooner had the words left Svalfi's lips, a dagger whisked across the room, piercing his throat. Svalfi gasped and gagged awkwardly before sliding limply down the landing of the throne. Dark blood pooled in his throat, dripping down the front of his arraignments; bubbled forth from his wide-open mouth, as he drew his last breaths. His eyes were wide and doll-like, stilled by the cold hand of death. 

No one moved. Struck motionless by the suddenness of the action. Bodil let out a shrill, blood-curdling scream piercing through the silence. She rushed to her father's side pressing her fingers around the dagger.  Trying in vain to staunch the bleeding. 

"Did you think such words would go unanswered? That I would let any of you touch her?" Wolfgard snared, then the corners of his mouth pulled into a murderous grin.

How and when he threw that dagger, Su'a would never know. She'd witnessed his anger before. Explosive as it might be, it always ended with quick resolution. This dark brooding figure appeared more menacing than she'd ever seen. If she didn't know better she would think him to be a completely different person.

"You killed my father!" Bodil's tear-stained angry eyes turned on Wolfgard, "Kill him! Kill him now! And his whore!" Bodil screamed at her men. Within moments they circled Wolfgard and his group, deadly intent written on their faces. Ravn's shieldmaidens joined them. But, Ravn, instead made her way slowly to Su'a. Her dagger, drawn, and a smile stretched across her lips as she stalked her prey.

Bodil's men were the first to press their attack. But they were answered with quick and deadly response. Alrik, Eirik, Somerhild, and Wolfgard made tidy work of them. Cutting down with precision every foe in their path.

As Wolfgard put down the last shieldmaiden, his eyes found his sister, dagger in hand approaching Marigold with sinister intent. Words would no longer suffice, Ravn had every intention of taking Su'a's life. She was already halfway across the hall. Only steps from her intended target. He would never make it in time to stop her. None of them would. He searched frantically for a bow and arrow, hell-bent on stopping her before she reached her mark.

Su'a recoiled in fear. Her bound hands raised, in an act pleading for mercy but there was no to be found.

"No, Ravn!" Somerhild cried, "She is with child!" But her calls fell on deaf ears.

Wolfgard's brain stuttered for a moment. He went white as chalk. His eyes and mouth were frozen wide in an expression of stunned surprise. Every part of him went numb while his thoughts tried to catch up. Although he was staring directly at Su'a, he didn't appear to see her at all.

Ravn's eyes lit with an ominous gleam at the revelation. She smiled murderously. Ravn reared back and the dagger came down with the intent to pierce Su'a's heart. The guttural sound of blade rending flesh drew a gasp from Somerhild. Wolfgard, Alrik, and Eirik remained frozen waiting to see the outcome of Ravn's actions. 

Ravn looked up, snarling, "You! What are you doing?" 

Souad stumbled blindly in agonizing pain. A dagger protruded from her abdomen, blood seeped around the wound at her side. She stepped reactively between Ravn's dagger and her daughter. And at the very last moment,  saving Su'a from what would have surely been her death. 

Enraged, Ravn pulled another blade from her boot. Her face twisted and distorted in anger as she charged Su'a once again. This time Souad did not act passively but pulled the dagger from her side and plunged it into Ravn's chest. Ravn gasped as the dagger found its mark. She dropped to her knees, falling limply to her side. Her bloodshot eyes focused on Su'a as she grasped and clutched for her. Her movements slowing as death came for her. And even in her last moments, she whispered words of hatred for Su'a.

"Aloumme (Mother)" Su'a mumbled through her tears, as she crawled on hands and knees toward Souad. Shortly after Ravn, Souad's wounds overcame her, and she collapsed. 

"Please, help her!" Su'a begged, pressing her hand flat against the open gushing wound at Souad's side. 

Somerhild rushed forward, tearing a piece of her tunic before stuffing it in the wound. "Heat your blade, Alrik. We must stop the bleeding." 

Alrik moved with purpose, shoving his sword into the flame, waiting until the blade glowed red before handing to his wife. 

"Hold her down!" Somerhild demanded. Wolfgard and Eirik finally stirred to action, moving forward rapidly to clamp Souad's limbs in place. Somerhild pressed the white-hot blade against her open flesh. The sizzling noise was followed by a brief silence. Then a scream from Souad so profound, it was like she did it with her whole body. She wretched and struggled against her restraints. Despite their strength, Wolfgard and Eirik were having a devil of a time keeping her in place. 

With the heated blade removed and the last of energy spent, Souad gave into the cool embrace of unconsciousness. Her body went limp. Su'a let her hand gently wipe the sweat from her brow. She looked up just in time to see a blade swing over her head. A narrow miss. Su'a dove toward the floor. Her hand clutched protectively over her stomach, desperate to shield her child from harm. 

Bodil gripped the sword with both hands heaving the blade over her head. She sounded shrill as if a demon was unleashed within her. Its cries echoing from her mouth. She lunged again for Su'a but with a swing of his blade, Wolfgard parted her head from her shoulders. It plopped to the ground bouncing and rolling near the fire. Somerhild kicked it in the flames and spit on what remained of her body. 

Every eye in the room turned then to Orm. He stood brandishing an ax. Fear clearly etched in his features. He was outnumbered, outmatched my even the least talented of them in the room. 

In a desperate act, he called out, "I challenge you to Holmgang, Wolfgard, to the death. If I am victorious, your lands and people are mine. If you win, you will become king of Daneland and king of Svalfi's land in Kattegat."

Wolfgard smiled but his eyes did not reflect his mirth. He let out a low chuckle, "I accept your challenge. You go to meet your woman and her father this day. I give you until dusk. Prepare yourself for glorious death," He turned to Su'a, his hard gaze sent a flutter through her chest.

"Somerhild, see to her needs. I do not wish to see her. Keep her from my sight," He ordered before turning and stomping away.