The children played close to camp as the morning was cold yet still a hint of spring was in the air.
The children laughed and drifted towards the woods chasing one another lost in the bliss and innocence only children know.
The little girl paused as she caught a glimpse of something at the tree line. It nestled down and like anyone unsure of what they were witnessing she edged closer.
Her friends viewed as she edged towards the woods, it was the one place they were told strictly to avoid.
And she was at the treeline when she finally saw what had made the noise.
It appeared to be a man and then she realized it was a group of many all scattered through the woods.
Her heart beat faster as these were like no men she had ever viewed before.
There were many, but one held her attention for his eyes were that of one who was not there.
He smiled bearing fangs more so than teeth. There was some form of black paint around his eyes but it was the smile that terrified as he simply held his finger to his lips.
The arrow was swift that went through her eye piercing the brain.
From the camp the natives heard the screams of the children.
And it was then the horn of hell echoed, that sound that would haunt the few that would survive to their dying day.
They charged an army of giants, as the braves ran to meet them and their certain death. Biskane got to his horse quickly no matter the outcome these devils would not go unpunished.
As the men naturally fell in behind him.
“What are they!”
Niimi yelled, as always his loyal friend without question joined his side.
“They are enemies and nothing more!”
Biskane shouted as he brought the horse to full gallop towards the center of the invading force.
The men all halted at the approaching braves.
“Shield Wall! Ready the three!”
As the braves approached they slowed as these strange invaders seemed to vanish behind painted rounded planks of wood.
The braves all halted, some of them even laughed.
“Look Biskane, the giants hide like turtles, they are cowards!”
“No there is something wrong with this do not be fooled Niimi.”
It was then that horn sounded again as the shields opened up.
And men who seemed more like demons emerged.
Their flesh was mired in scars; they began to charge the braves.
Atop one's head was a bear's skull, the two others who seemed just as massive, followed without word to one another although under command of some sort of strange sorcery.
Biskane screamed as his men followed him, he had no idea where these invaders had come from; he only knew where he planned to send them.
Niimi’s arrow flew straight into one’s shoulder yet it didn't slow the man in the least, who only laughed as finally they collided.
Biskane’s horse screamed as the axe swung by the largest one plunged into its chest.
Biskane hit the ground with a huge impact, as he felt the air leave his lungs as he lay powerless as the horses screams filled the air as this monster tore into him ignoring Biskane all together.
These were not men; they were animals void of soul and savage in nature; they acted more as possessed beings.
The man swung the axe again and again as Biskane viewed in horror at his savagery as the blood flew and the legs of his stead kicked fiercely until they kicked no more.
Biskane could hear a battle going on but was lost in the scene that unfolded before his eyes.
As he struggled to draw air into his lungs and somehow get to his feet.
This force or whatever it was finally noticed him as he moved toward Biskane.
He raised his axe above his head as Biskane did everything in his power to simply stand.
Niimi leapt upon this beast's back driving his knife into his side, riding his back like some sort of strange grizzly.
The axe fell to the ground as the man fought to get Niimi from his back.
He finally grasped the brave’s hair and flipped him over his shoulder.
The monster straddled Niimi using his own skull to bash in Niimi's face as his friend's nose shattered and the blood exploded and only seemed to anger this monster more as he strangled his friend.
Biskane knew he had to kill this evil or die trying. He plunged his knife into the man's back and again he plunged it deeper.
He yelled out in pain no matter his stature he was a man and all men feel pain.
The man stood up swinging his arm trying to strike his attacker and Biskane ducked under the massive arm.
Slicing him yet again speed was key, for a mountain loomed, but a bird could fly and he had to be the bird in this encounter.
Biskane kept dodging the beast's attacks, slicing his forearms and his face as this possessed monster kept pursuing.
Biskane was lost in the battle, too lost to realize one of the three was taking aim.
The arrow flew fiercely into the gut and the pain was instant.
The mountain had finally buried the bird.
As Biskane felt a strength like none other grasp his throat with one hand.
As he was lifted off the ground.
Those that had terrified a small child now cast fear in this warrior.
As the monster smiled as he felt his own blade slice his belly open.
And the hands of his reaper enter his body.
Biskane would know a death few would likely never have to endure and death is what all that would encounter the three would pray would come.
For hell they did not fear, for these were berserkers and norse men who chased the promise of death with great glee.
The horn sounded again and soon the native people would know a hell far beyond the stories of campfires and legends.
The vikings had landed and much blood was to be spilt.
Around the fire after the battle Einar sat with his brothers.
As screams filled the air as the men enjoyed the spoils of war.
Kare looked into the fire lost in the bliss of the visions as often he was never truly all there to begin with.
A woman in their company approached Colborn.
Looking at Einar slumped down by the fire she said.
“He needs the soup, his injuries are many we must know.”
Her words were cut off abruptly as she was slapped to the ground by Colborn.
“My brother needs mead and nothing more. He has been near death more than all of us and still he returns. For there is much more to kill and if you do doubt this. I will be sure to inform him so he can slice you from slit to gullet you bitch!”
Kare laughed madly as did Einar.
The sound of a young girl's screams drew Einar’s attention.
The men continued their celebration one at a time.
“Einar, why do you concern yourself with this?”
“Einar only has one weekness and being he bleeds like a woman he holds sympathy for them.”
Kare piped in causing Einar to shoot him a look of pure murder, but Kare only busted out laughing again.
Einar approached the men who at the site of the man parted knowing his wrath knew no limits.
The one man continued to rape the child her cries were all that could be heard.
The man looked to the three berserkers who loomed over him.
“You wait your turn, you animals go back to your fire and your drinks. I do not fear you defective fools.”
Einar kicked the man off the girl, he stood up to lunge at the wounded berserker, but was met by the speed and accuracy of Colborn’s arrow.
The men drew on the three, but Einar paid no attention as he knelt by the child.
He made no apologies; he simply slit her throat.
“What are you doing you fool!”
A man called out to Einar.
Einar looked at the men who now were ready for yet another battle.
“It is better to kill something outright, then leave it alive yet dead within.”
A man charged and was met by Kare who lifted him above his head and tossed him into the fire, his screams were even greater than the girl's as his flesh burned as the sweet smell filled the air.
He staggered from the coals only to meet Kare's axe as it sank into his skull.
Leaving him to fall in a heap burning upon the hot coals making that sickly hissing sound others approached Einar and Colborn prepared for the attack.
“Stop you fools!”
Ove yelled out as soon the rest of the men now all swarmed around the three.
The men loathed the berserkers, but Ove understood the ever so useful purpose.
“Why did you kill this girl Einar? She does not belong to you!”
The chieftain asked.
“Because her screams were interrupting my death and because I also do whatever I want!”
Ove laughed, looking to Einar with his usual disdain.
“Have you forgotten who commands these men Einar?”
“You command fools I command myself and if you choose to keep speaking to me as a snake. I will slice your tongue in half for all to know your true nature.”
Einar lunged at Ove, who abruptly leaped backwards.
The three all busted out laughing.
“Your mighty chieftain commands men, yet is not a man himself this most amusing.”
The men prepared for battle but Ove once again had them stand down.
“Ignore Einar and his band of fools, they are dogs of war and nothing else, remember it is I who commands the leash. Now let's enjoy our evening minus these fools.”
The men went off to their separate fires and their separate vices.
As the three brothers returned to their fire as the other men made sure to keep a wide berth around them.
“Sometimes I wish they would just try to kill us, least then we could be done with Ove.”
Colborn said as he stared into the fire.
“Our deaths will be soon enough my brother no need to hurry it, there is still much havoc to raise and drinks to be had.”
Kare said.
As Einar simply laid there on the verge of death as always coughing up blood and cursing the Gods and the pain.
This battle was over but the story of the three had only just begun.
Einar at times envied the dead for at least they understood peace.
He chased death with unbridled passion along with his brothers.
He had been at the gates of Vahalla often yet the Gods were cruel by design. It was only upon that battlefield did Einar as well as his brothers truly feel alive.
John Patrick Robbins, the editor in chief of the Rye Whiskey Review and Black Shamrock Magazine.
His work has been published in, Schlock Magazine, Punk Noir Magazine, 1870 Magazine, Heroin Love Songs, Piker Press, Sacred Chickens, Oddball Magazine, San Pedro River Review, San Antonio Review.
His work is always unfiltered.
