by M. K. Hume
POSTSCRIPT
The message came by ship as the Dene fleet was loading the last of the survivors from the battle of the Vagus River. Hoel’s scouts had already reported that the north had settled once more, while the Geat forces that had massed along the borders had disappeared like smoke in a gale and returned to their own encampments.
Forty-seven ships were at rest in the cove when a very small vessel hove into view, its captain waving a scrap of woad-dyed cloth to indicate he was delivering an important message.
“Lord Stormbringer,” the captain yelled, as his boat nosed towards the beach where the Sae Dene commander awaited the arrival of the courier. The boat’s master was little more than fifteen, a boy in the eyes of most men, but this young man could sail a small ship without assistance, and he was blessed with a huge heart. His father and his brothers were dead, slain by their Geat enemies, and he would willingly risk his life to strike a blow against the men who had made his mother weep her heart out for the murder of her beloved kin.
Stormbringer stood four-square on the pebbled foreshore, holding a torch high above his head to light the twilight world of bustle as his men loaded the ships, including the string of horses, which were regular sailors in these northern lands.
“Who calls my name?”
The small, elegant craft slowed and beached itself on a shoal of sand some fifty feet out from the sandy beach, requiring the young man to leap down into the waist-deep waters. Half swimming and half wading, he approached the Sae Dene and then shook himself vigorously to dislodge the worst of the water in his hair, just like a shaggy dog.
“Forgive me for the lateness of the hour, Lord Stormbringer, but I feared you would have departed before I could deliver my message.”
“Your name, young man?” Stormbringer asked.
“I am Erikk, son of Sven, son of Halvar, the Jarl of Halland. I am the last of my line, Lord Stormbringer, for my lands are taken back by the Geats and the land runs red with our blood.”
“You have my sympathy, Erikk. What is your message?”
“I was taken captive two weeks ago and expected to die. But I was plucked from my cage four days ago and taken to the hall where my father once delivered justice to our people. King Heardred of the Geats was there. He gave me this craft and a message for you. Dishonorable as it seems, I agreed to deliver his dispatch because I’m free now, and able to kill Geats at will.”
“Tell me your message first, Erikk. Then, once I’m satisfied, I’ll want to know everything you can tell me about the Geat king.”
Stormbringer stood easily on the pebbles as power radiated from every muscle in his body. Behind him, Erikk saw the looming form of a tall warrior with untamed amber hair that curled wildly. The eyes of the second warrior kept dragging him back to that huge form that made even Stormbringer seem insignificant. Who was he?
“Lord, please don’t punish me for what I’m forced to say to you.” Erikk smiled nervously, so Stormbringer expected that the words from Heardred would be very insulting.
“Speak out without fear, Erikk.”
“King Heardred instructed me to tell you that he will kill the whole population of Blekinge, the province that lies on the southeastern coast beside the great sea. It is the area that the Romans called Mare Suevicum. He hopes you will come to save the population and be trapped there but, if not, he will still do as he has vowed. The deaths of his warriors at Lake Wener demand his retribution.”
Before Stormbringer could respond, Erikk delivered one more message from Heardred.
“The king also instructed me to speak with a man whom he called the Last Dragon. For this man’s impudence, Heardred says he will enslave those young children of Blekinge who aren’t killed. He will then name them as beasts and inhuman, so that any and all crimes may be permitted on their bodies with impunity. They will henceforth be called the Dragon’s Brood and will be regarded as monsters, beyond the help of men or the gods. They will be sold in the south to the Franks and the Saxons, where there is always a market for lost children. And so the Last Dragon will rue the day he chose to insult Heardred, son of Hygelac, and the King of the Geats, by killing his general.”
The silence that followed Erikk’s speech was pregnant with menace. The threat from Heardred was appalling in its depravity. For his part, the Last Dragon, who had been standing behind Lord Stormbringer, turned away before his feral eyes could freeze the blood in Erikk’s veins.
“I swear to you that we’ll save Blekinge, Erikk. Meanwhile, you may sleep in my camp and join my crew.” Warm and strong, Stormbringer’s hands cupped the boy’s face and offered comfort and understanding. Yet Erikk’s eyes continued to follow the tall figure of the Briton as he strode up the beach towards the camp and the torchlight.
“But will the Last Dragon forgive me for the intelligence I’ve brought him and the revenge that Heardred has sworn to inflict on the children of Blekinge?”
Stormbringer grinned without humor. “You’re safe from my dragon, Erikk. But I don’t like the chances that the Geat king will be as blessed. For his vile threats, the Geat king tempts providence. To make war on children is despicable.”
Erikk thought hard on the matter and decided that, having met the Geat king and Stormbringer, he’d prefer to gamble on the Sea Dene’s ability.
As for the Last Dragon? Erikk decide that he would be best placed to avoid the Briton. The man was obviously dangerous, and one of Fortuna’s favorites.
But as Erikk would ultimately discover, fate never listens to frail humans. Nor does great suffering secure a future that is free of trouble and strife. The only way to reach absolute safety is through death, and Erikk wasn’t ready for the grave.
Not yet . . . and not alone!
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
THERE ARE MANY people who deserve thanks whenever authors complete a literary work. In many cases, those who are simply there at the times when the going is difficult and authors are lacking inspiration are the ones from whom we receive the greatest rewards. Others provide essential professional services.
My UK editor, Clare Foss, always offers positive and calm assistance, even when I’m puzzled and rushed off my feet over a myriad number of undone bits and pieces that remain outstanding. In fact, every staff member at Headline Review, as well as at Atria Books in the United States, has this same helpful and encouraging approach to publishing so that I consider myself fortunate to be part of their family.
My agent, Dorie Simmonds, is a genius at what she does. I will always picture her in a March wind, with her cheeks flushed from the cold as she frog-marched into one of those interminable Fifth Avenue department stores in New York City to buy an ever-so-essential lipstick. From trivialities like picking up lipstick to working so hard that my dreams came to life, Dorie has more than earned a lifetime of my thanks. She is the ultimate example of the axiom: The harder we work, the luckier we get! Does she ever sleep?
The cover designs for my books from the art departments at Headline and Atria are simply brilliant, and have been for all of my novels. My congratulations must go to those brilliant artists who understand exactly what my work needs to stand out on the booksellers’ shelves.
My thanks also must go to my friends and family who make my life much easier as I work away in my study at all times of the day and night. My husband, Michael, is very good at what he does, and without the pushiness that goes with his nature, I doubt that my dreams would ever have come true. My sons, Damian and Brendan, also give me unfailing support, and they make me so proud of them.
My final thanks should go to Rusty, my little rescue dog whom I love to distraction. He provides the complete love that enriches me and makes every day special. Unconditional love is what all humans yearn for, so Rusty provides my little view of heaven. I’ll repay you with the nicest of bones, sweet boy.
M. K. Hume
DRAMATIS PERSONAE
Aednetta Fridasdottar
The Witchwoman. She is the paramour of King Hrolf Kraki.
Alfridda
The sister of Stormbringer. She lives at The Holding with her husband, Raudi.
Arthur
The illegitimate son of King Artor and Lady Elayne.
Artor
High King of the Britons. The son of Uther Pendragon and Ygerne (the widow of King Gorlois of Cornwall).
Barr
The young son of Master Bedwyr and Lady Elayne.
Bedwyr
Known as the Arden Knife, Bedwyr is the Master of Arden Forest.
Beowulf
Subject of Beowulf, epic poem of a Geat warrior who helps King Hrogar, King of the Danes, against Grendel, a monster.
Bjornsen, Valdar
See Stormbringer.
Blaise
The youngest daughter of King Bors Minor of the Dumnonii tribe.
Bors Minor
King of Cornwall. Father of Eamonn and Blaise.
Bran
King of the Ordovice tribe.
Cealine
Stableboy in an inn in Dubris.
Deuteria
Concubine of King Theudebert of Austrasia.
Eamonn pen Bors
Son of King Bors Minor and Queen Valda of Cornwall.
Egbert of Wurms
Innkeeper in Soissons.
Elayne
Wife of Bedwyr, Master of Arden.
Erikk
Son of Halver, Jarl of Halland.
Eta
Widow innkeeper in Dubris.
Freya
The wisewoman at World’s End.
Frodhi
The influential cousin of King Hrolf Kraki in Heorot and Stormbringer.
Gareth Minor
Son of Gareth Major. Raised at Aquae Sulis.
Germanus
A Frankish mercenary.
Gilchrist
The eldest grandson of King Gawayne and heir to the Otadini throne.
Gull
A young shepherd at World’s End.
Heardred
King of Geats.
Hnaefssen, Ivar
Jarl of a small village near The Sound in Denmark.
Hoel Ship-Singer
Shipwright from Halland.
Hrolf Kraki
Also called Storm Crow. He is the King of the Dene.
Hubert
Servant of King Theudebert.
Ingrid
Wife of the camp commander at Lake Wener. Mother of Sigrid.
Lasair
The eldest son of Bedwyr and Elayne.
Leif
The commander of the Dene forces trapped by Geat attackers at the mouth of the Vagus River.
Lorcan ap Lugald
A Hibernian priest.
Maeve
Sister of Prince Arthur.
Myrddion Merlinus
Also known as Myrddion Emrys, he is named after the Sun.
Nimue
The Lady of the Lake.
Olaffsen, Rufus
Hrolf Kraki’s champion who fights Eamonn.
Olaus Healfdene
Commander of the Geat army at Lake Wener.
Priscus
The innkeeper in Gesoriacum.
Rolf Sea-Shaper
The helmsman on Loki’s Eye, Stormbringer’s ship.
Sigrid
Daughter of Ingrid. She was captured at Lake Wener.
Sigurd
Headman of the village of World’s End.
Stormbringer
His full name is Valdar Bjornsen (also called the Stormbringer). A member of the Danish (Dene) aristocracy.
Taliesin
Son of Myrddion Merlinus and Nimue.
Theudebert
King of Austrasia.
Thorketil
The Hammer of Thor. He is Hrolf Kraki’s champion who fights Arthur.
Tominoe
Farmer in Austrasia.
Vermund Hnaefssen
The son of Ivar Hnaefssen. He fights at the battle of Vagus River.
Wisigard
First wife of King Theudebert.
THE DENE KINGS—THE SCYLDINGS
Note: The details that follow are a representation of Dene kings in the fifth and sixth centuries. The kings shown below are those considered important to this novel. Records are sketchy, so information on personages and dates are approximate.
Skiold (dates unknown)
First of the Scylding kings. He led the Dene people down from Opland to the coast of Sweden.
Frodi I (dates unknown)
Danish king. The son of Skiold.
Havar (dates unknown)
Danish king.
Vermund the Sage (dates unknown)
Danish king.
Dan Mikillati the Magnificent (dates unknown)
The legendary founder of a new Danish dynasty.
Frodi IV (dates unknown)
The last of the ancient Scyldings.
Frodi V (dates unknown)
The start of a new order in the dynasty.
Hoc Healfdene (dates unknown)
Born to mixed parentage, he was half Dene. He was a Scylding by marriage.
Hnaef Healfdene (c. 420–c. 448)
Probably the son of Hoc Healfdene. He was the sub-king of the Sae Dene. Hengist was his comrade-in-arms.
Healfdene Scylding (?–c. 495)
Nephew of Hnaef. First of the (new) Scylding kings.
Hrothgar Scylding (c. 495–c. 525)
Son of Halfdan II, he was married to Wealhtheow. He features in the Beowulf saga.
Sighere (dates unknown)
A king of the Sae Dene who is mentioned in the epic poem Widsith.
Halga (?–c. 530)
Son of Healfdene, he was also called Hundingsbane.
Snaer Frodhi (?–c. 530)
Son of Frosti. He was a brutal and oppressive king who dishonestly usurped the throne by trickery.
Hrolf Kraki (?–c. 530)
Son of Halga, he was called Storm Crow by his subjects. He was the Dene king during the period of Arthur’s captivity.
Frodi VII (c. 530–c. 548)
Danish king.
Halfdan III (c. 548–c. 580)
Danish king.
GLOSSARY OF PLACE NAMES
Arden (Forest of Arden)
Warwickshire, England
Caer Gai Llanuwchllyn
Gwynedd, Wales
Cymru
The Celtic name for Wales
Dean (Forest of Dene)
Gloucestershire, England
