Northland: Tyr and Friends

Table of Contents

List of Characters

Chapter One

The medallion

Chapter two

The Idea

Chapter Three

Testings

Chapter Four

Preparations

Chapter FIVE

Beginnings

Chapter Six

Whoops!

Chapter Seven

Garr Land

Chapter Eight

Hope

Chapter Nine

Frying Pan?

Chapter Ten

FEELINGS

Chapter Eleven

Wrap Rap

Chapter Twelve

Interruptions

Chapter Thirteen

Fish fry

Chapter Fourteen

OFF AGAIN

Chapter Fifteen

Turn around

Chapter Sixteen

SOFTENING

Chapter Seventeen

TYR’S WALK

Chapter Eighteen

Baud’s Return

Chapter Nineteen

A new Launch

Chapter Twenty

Vili Returns

Chapter Twenty One

Onward and Upward

Chapter Twenty Two

Baud’s Bad Business

Chapter Twenty Three

Pensive Progress

Chapter Twenty Four

One Down

Chapter Twenty Five

Hunter-Gatherers

Chapter Twenty Six

Surprise! Surprise!

Chapter Twenty Seven

Plan B

Chapter Twenty Eight

Some Captives

Chapter Twenty Nine

Plan your work, work your plan.

Chapter Thirty

Lead on Lani!

Chapter Thirty One

Light Splash

Chapter Thirty Two

Blood, Sweat, and News

Chapter Thirty Three

Cold Outcome

Chapter Thirty Four

Lani Listening and Lumbering

Chapter Thirty Five

Launch Out

Chapter Thirty Six

A stroke of Baud Luck

Chapter Thirty Seven

A Scattering

Chapter Thirty Eight

Baud Tracking

Chapter Thirty Nine

The Wisp

Chapter Forty

Foiled by Fallacy

Chapter Forty One

Bearing up And Slavers

Chapter Forty Two

Baud’s Come Up Stance

Chapter Forty Three

A surprise??

Chapter Forty Four

Six Sad Strategists

Chapter Forty Five

Kindred Kinetics

Chapter Forty Six

Empty hands, Empty heads?

Chapter Forty Seven

Finally!

Chapter Forty Eight

Garr’s Errand

Chapter Forty Nine

Great Water

Epilogue

List of Characters

Agni-Fire Master of Sutar, young suitor of Loki

Loki-Daughter of Rand and Luni

Balder-An Elder of Sutar and Uncle of Agni

Sali-Agni’s Aunt

Sutar-Village Tribe of Agni and Loki

Vili--Miscreant tribe of Ugg and Baud and others

Yasir Bowl-A small golden bowel used by Sutar for special offerings

Fire Master-Young Agni, the one to find natural fire from time to time.

Tyr-A great Dog of Agni’s that is smart and obedient.

Lani-Brother of Loki

Gramps and Granny-Grandparents of Loki and Lani

Garr-A gnome living in the great canyon

Noma, Ugg’s mother-in-law - Raised grandson-Baud with Ugg

Ugg-The Vili Chief getting old

Baud-Son of Ugg wanting to assume Chief of Vili before appropriate time.

Rippem-Bosom friend of Baud

Cuth- Dimwitted friend of Baud and Rippem

Hirtem-Uncle to Baud (Mother’s brother)

Rand-Loki’s father

Luni-Loki’s mother

Chapter One

The medallion

It was very cold and icy with the wind cutting like sharpened knives. Raindrops slowly fell from his nose to his mouth and finally to the refuge of his well-groomed beard. Some of the moisture was perspiration resulting from a night of running and excitedly moving through the damp high forest throughout the night. The deep-throated sound of thunder could still be heard in the distant hills rumbling and rolling, imitating the giant gods of the North’s anger. The storm was abating. The man kept looking diligently into the woods and moving with the agility of a deer and the determination of a bear. He carried close to his body an amphora made of fire-glazed clay that hung from strands of deer gut about his neck. Agni was on a quest of great importance. The Vili tribe from the east had again swooped down on his village in the northlands and had taken all their provisions, burned their homes, scattered the great sacred fire in the long house and even had killed some of those that did not run fast enough and hide. The life giving royal fire had again been taken away, and then the remainder defiled by the invaders, killing it with seawater and body fluids, the lowest form of degradation for a Northland people! The Vili came every 3 or 4 years to remind the villagers that they had successfully seized the village’s most priceless possessions, the community fire and the Yasir Bowl, repeatedly. The beautiful metallic bowl was used in all of the celebrations of the Sutar tribe. It was the receptacle of offerings of thanksgiving to the power that kept the tribe in good graces with all its surroundings.

Agni and his tribe, the Sutar, most painfully missed the bowl. Agni had fueled the bowl every day using fresh fire embers from the great sacred fire that was pure, and burning in the village Valhalla. The villagers then could come with dried flowers and small fat offerings to be consumed by the fire in the offering bowl, found just outside the great Valhalla. It was large enough to receive the offerings. Some brought some sprinklings of grain or other costly objects to be consumed by the hot burning coals that Agni had carefully gathered from the pure fire in the Valhalla long house. He was the Fire Master. The bowl and fire were now gone at the hand of raiders, the Vili.

Agni had spent the night in a violent lightning storm with wind and rain and thunder to add to the cacophony that crowned him with success. He had found his prize. As the Fire Master of his village it was his responsibility to find, keep and guard the fire for his village. He was becoming weary; not only of finding new fire but to have the great fire in the long house stolen and then killed periodically. The stolen Bowl was the last straw. This time he had an idea that would prevent this fire stealing from happening again. Agni Knew that there were different ways to gain fire but he had been taught by Balder, the old Fire Master, that fire from the sky (lightening) was the purest and most blest of the various ways to secure fire. It was Royal Fire. Balder had been taught by his mentor and so on for as long as anyone could remember and so it was settled that when new fire was needed for the clan the Fire Master would get it the same way as their ancestors had done it. It was a rule.

Agni moved to the great fallen tree that had caught the light from the sky and paid for it by being felled to the ground. Now the bole of the tree was arched over like a stricken warrior. In the center of the exposed stump where the tree had been struck was the faintest hint of smoke that betrayed the violence that so recently assaulted the site. Agni quickly moved closer after checking around the area for intruders or unwelcome spirits. His hands and body moved like the professional he was, trained to be. Then he reached for some small dry moss and twigs and pulled them from his oiled waterproof pouch that he carried on these expeditions. The tinder was expertly and tenderly placed in strategic positions to give the smoldering wood a chance to burst forth in flame. Covering the area with his seal skin mantle to protect the area from some lingering raindrops he bent his head close and gently breathed into the woody, mossy mixture and watched as life came forward in the licking hungry flames of fire, his kin and keep. More birch bark and twigs were fed into the protected hungry smoking area until finally the flame could sustain itself. Agni went out to scout for Embla Wood that hung in the trees. Embla wood was small branches and limbs that had been broken at a distance from the living tree but were still entangled in the branches as it attempted to fall to the ground. This wood was in the air and dried quickly. Even after a rain, it began to dry out immediately in the wind that followed the storm. The woman of the tribe usually gathered Embla Wood or woman’s wood because it was much lighter and easier to carry. Agni needed it to form quick embers in a wet forest.

The glowing embers he would place into the fire glazed jug that he had brought with him so that the embers could be carried back to the village. He had made the jar with loving and caring hands to his own specifications. He fired it in one of his hottest fires to harden and glaze the outside with a special formula given to him by his Uncle Balder, the past Fire Master. The jug or amphora was a round receptacle with an opening on the top that Agni could close with moist moss. In the sides of the amphora were three holes to let in the wind to feed the embers while he traveled. Soon, he had enough large appropriate coals to transport the amphora or fire keeper and be off and on his way. He reverently poured fresh rainwater on the stump fire and asked for forgiveness for its death, he bowed and moved away to his home with conscientious speed.

The day had dawned fresh and sharp filled with the expectations of good things to come. Agni had an idea that needed to be tested. His most desired position in the tribe kept his mind busy thinking about how to do things better or different. He was often mocked and laughed at because of this as well as his less than tall stature. Too short to be a real warrior, some had said. Others thought that his asking questions and trying to do things another way was the sign of a twisted spirit in him, but he knew better. He was sure he knew things and had analyzed information that made him more aware of all that was happening around him. It was this awareness that made him taller than others in his own eyes. He was careful not to let it hinder his relationships.

There was no established path where he now trod but it was no hindrance to him because of the frequency that he had ventured forth in the birch and aspen forest on similar excursions. The landscape was rocky and uneven as he finally gained the advantage of a high ridge that overlooked much of the area that Agni called home. He was glad he was in good health and the force that kept his whole body vigorous was at work as he continued on his journey home. He was beginning to feel hungry.

Most of the village would have been put back in order after the raid. The place of fire as well as the leaders would be anxiously awaiting his successful return. With the fire keeper hot to the touch Agni was reassured as he accelerated his pace down the steep ridge and then lastly onto a plain that led to the seaside village of Agni and his clan.

All of his friends and neighbors looked up and smiled as they saw Agni and his red amphora enter the village and head for the Valhalla or long house. They would have royal fire again and with it the ability to cook meat and heat water and to keep warm on cold nights. It was a wonder that Agni brought back from the great high woods of the north, and they were happy as dancing and song began to erupt through the settlement. Agni is back, Agni is back, now there is no lack, no more to cry, he has brought us the pure fire. The voices rose to a chant and then a song as the young Fire Master bent low to enter the Valhalla and present himself and his gift to the elders. They were all smiles as they ushered him to the fire ledge at the far end of the long house. Dry birch branches and logs gathered and piled close by for Agni’s special handling. He looked around and saw that all was in readiness but as usual asked them to leave so he could be alone as he arranged all the elements. It was a rule. This added respect and awe to his office, Balder had told him. They reverently began to move away and Agni held back the great bearskin that covered the doorway for their exit. He glanced at the gathering outside and noticed immediately his friend Loki

She was about Agni’s Age, in her early twenties, and very radiant with beauty and promise. She still wore the exaggerated pouty lips that signaled her displeasure because he did not take her on the fire-gathering journey. He wasn’t able to do so because it was a rule. He gave Loki a faint but pure smile and then returned to his work at the fire ledge when the room had emptied.

The first order of business was to see that the ledge was cleared of all debris and the small conduit he had built earlier was free and cleared, permitting the vapors of the outside to enter and nourish his creation. Only Balder knew of this innovation that was normally covered by the burning logs. As he moved the ashes left by the earlier fire, for they knew the intruders had debased the ashes, Agni noticed a shiny object in the residue. Kneeling to retrieve it, he was surprised to hold in his hand a costly looking medallion with some inscription on one side of the medal. Rubbing it across his deerskin trouser, he looked at it more closely. It appeared to be a diagram, showing trees, stream, mountain, cliffs etc. etched into its surface. It surely was carried by one of the Vili tribe that had desecrated the Royal Valhalla fire. Agni knew that the Vili were thought to be rich and possessors of treasures from many tribes and places they had plundered. With many dreamy thoughts, Agni placed the medallion into his personal pouch and turned to complete his task nearby.

Moving swiftly and without reluctance, he cleansed the area by using stream water and birch branches in a sweeping motion as he intoned peace and stability upon the area. Next, he obtained the gathered limbs near the fire ledge. Agni broke the branches causing the inner part of the limb to be exposed. He systematically placed the branches causing a pyramidal effect. The still hot embers were released from their vase-like chamber. Agni breathed upon the embers showing the ruby-like inner life, and then placed it under the stacked twigs. From the woody gatherings, Agni chose the driest of moss and gently placed it over the winking torrid coal. The steady breath of the Fire Master ignited the woody assemblage into a miniature conflagrant blaze of success. Quickly, Agni placed larger and larger limbs on the blaze until the long house was awash with light and heat. The others on the outside could sense his success and began to reenter the long house with shouts of praises and thanksgiving. With slaps on the back and words of cheer Agni knew his job was completed and he only wanted to return to his house, friends, rest and food.

After a brief but pleasant interlude with the elders and his acquaintances, he left the area and found himself seeking the company of Loki his friend. She had agreed to care for his dog, Tyr, while he was away. Loki was waiting for him near his house with Tyr wagging his tail in anticipation of a roughhouse welcome from his master. Loki smiled full into the face of Agni who brushed artfully past Loki’s neck leaving a friendly peck as he took the lead attached to Tyr’s collar and commenced to roll and rough with the big dog on the ground. Loki was beautiful and trim like a lively vine. Green and full of life and yet sinewy and durable, able to move quickly and do almost anything. More beautiful then Freya, the tribe’s old goddess of love and beauty, no longer venerated. Agni was more that just attracted to Loki.

As master and canine rolled on the turf, Agni’s personal pouch discharged the lanyard and its attached medallion onto the lawn and was spotted by Loki. She causally picked it up while the two wrestlers continued their frolic in the grass. Her intent deportment noticed by Agni, then quickly quieted the dog and rose to take his place beside his friend.

What do you see, he asked? I found it today in the Valhalla fire ledge and thought it might be valuable or of some import to the invaders. I attached a lanyard to it so one could put it around one’s neck if desired. Loki rubbed it with her small delicate hand and turned it over several times with nimble fingers. Agni thought how beautiful she was so that even her fingers seemed to have royal aplomb. When she had reached down for the medallion, Agni had a glimpse of her sun kissed golden, yellow hair as it cascaded down her extended creamy arm as she bent to retrieve the medallion with those tenuous fingers. Apparently, no matter what Agni was doing he had a vivid visual sense of her beauty.

Her movements and presence made him think of marriage. Nevertheless, he would have to go through the five phases before he could do this. The first was permissions. He would have to get Loki’s permission and her parents or guardians, his parents or guardians and then the elders of the village. When the permissions were secured and confirmed. The second phase was gifts. This was when all the involved parties exchanged gifts as such time as each party signified they were satisfied with the gifts. If all were satisfied before twelve moons then the time was shortened. The third phase was the cutting. The two fathers or male designates took the spouses to-be and with small cuts on their forearms joined them together and made the betrothals concerning the obligations of the initiates, families and tribe. After this and within one month the two were brought before the village and the elders to commit to personal vows and then the chief elder would declare them as one before the entire tribe. Public vows of love and commitment came next.

All that remained then was their Hanoe journey. The Hanoe journey came right after the vows and involved the two of them alone, going up into the high country near a snowfield or mountain stream. Once there, they would make a round, low Hanoe out of twigs, branches, and birch bark. It looked like a canoe but elongated and intermingled with surrounding shrubs. Under it and in the center a small pit was dug. All around the Hanoe was placed mistletoe. After several days of solitude, the village fire master would come and find the couple and he was tasked with building a fire in center of the pit under the Hanoe. (Agni remembered this hallowed task well. Balder had taught and initiated Agni into this rite, earlier. No fire master need come because Agni would be there.) This would continue until the pit was filled with glowing coals and lastly a few rocks were heaped on top of the fire. Then the fire master left, and the couple would be alone again and enter the Hanoe in the same condition as when they were born. They would stay and sprinkle water from a living stream on the fire and hot stones until they agreed that all the old undisciplined persons in them had been extracted by the heat and perspiration. They would then decorate each other with garlands of mistletoe. The boy with wreaths about his head and waist to represent leadership, manliness, and the girl with garlands about her neck and wrists and waist to represent her beauty and femininity. They would then go out and frolic in the snowfield or mountain stream to confirm all that had gone before. With shouts of glee and joy, only at the end of this last phase, were they to consider themselves to be completely joined. The marriage would always be remembered through the 5-phase process. Never to be broken in this life. It was a rule.

Shaking his head to clear it, Agni came back to the world nearby. What do you think it is? Agni asked Loki as they both examined the metallic disc. Agni remembered that Loki and her mother had been carried away years ago when the Vili had sacked the village. Agni’s Uncle Balder and Loki’s father and with others had made a pursuit to find the captives. Loki and a few others had escaped, but her mother and father never made it back home. Her parents were never heard from again. Thus, leaving Loki an Orphan. She now lived with her Grandparents.

I think it is a type of map, she replied. I saw one long ago around the neck of one of the leaders of the Vili. The metal, called gold comes from a mountainous place far away in an area called Golldveig. I told my grandparents all about the medallions and how they might be maps of treasures that the Vili had stolen when I returned from being a captive, but they thought that I was just inventing a story.

Loki finished with a deep sigh as she remembered those frightening days as a child captive in a strange place long ago. Agni held her hands as she shivered from those memories. He would soon ask her and others for permission to marry, but he had to refine his fire master skills first and be the best he could be.

The pestering questions about the medallion pulled on him like a magnet. He needed to find out more.

Chapter two

The Idea

At last, Agni was in his home. Balder, his uncle, and Sali, his Aunt, had been like parents to him since his own mother and father had died years ago when a plague had visited the village. Sali had a great pot of fish stew; with some bread, that Agni ate ravenously since his journey and venture called for fasting until successful. It was a rule. After satisfying his hunger, he sat back and began to tell the old Fire Master of his idea to preserve the fire even during time of danger and disaster. The old man with his big angular face, with a full reddish beard and deep blue piercing eyes looked at Agni with new respect and affection as the words and ideas tumbled from the younger man’s lips. Agni’s eyes widened, and Agni's voice pitched higher as he could see the interest forming on the old Master’s countenance. His sentences plunged forth like an avalanche of fresh snow on the old man’s ears. When Agni finished, he was standing up and out of breath, close to Balder waiting for his appraisal of the idea. Balder rubbed his nose and pulled on his beard as he always did when preparing to come forth with sage counsel. Sali stood over near the doorway with hands clasped and face radiant upon the boy she had raised to become a man, now full of ideas. The room filled with Balder's deep bass voice as it cut through the scene like a hot knife to butter.

"It is a good idea and needs to be tested. The sooner the better.