The Adventures of Cat Skard

by Hart, Joan

  Together the girls fashioned the basic catapult. Five minutes later they were finished.

  “There, that’s that sorted... well as best as we can” she added. “Next problem.”

  “The next problem is magic,” said Kiert.

  “Mmmm,” said Sharon sobering up. “How can we trick Hel? After all she probably knows all the tricks in the book.”

  “But not our 21st Century ones,” said Amanda. “I’ve seen a programme about psychology on telly, it isn’t a magic trick but it sure looks like one. Leave the magic to me. But no matter what we manage here, how will you manage Fenrir?”

  The three children became very quiet. Kiert glanced through the window.

  “Too late,” he said quietly, “Dawn’s here.”

  No sooner than he had said this the door opened and Hel stood framed in the doorway.

  “You,” she said, her finger pointing at Kiert, “Come with me.” Hel turned and ushered Kiert out, closing the door behind her. Gasps of dismay came from both girls. They had thought they would all leave together. They ran to the door ready to follow but were pulled up short as guards of ghostly warriors blocked their way. Dejectedly they returned to the room and sat in silence waiting.

  Kiert followed Hel out to the courtyard. The mists of dawn were slowly rising. In the far corner Kiert could just make out the statue like figure of the Frost Giant. As he got nearer the air became colder, making the boy shiver involuntarily. A hand on his shoulder made him jump.

  “Your quest lies around his neck.”

  Slowly Kiert gazed upwards towards the hoar frosted beard and there sparkling in the dawn light lay the blue icicle necklace.

  “Begin.”

  Hel’s voice rang out clearly in the now frosty air. The Frost Giant lumbered towards Kiert, arms outstretched, and in one massive hand an icicle dagger. Kiert dogged this way and that, just outside the Frost Giant’s reach. He could hear the Giant becoming more and more breathless. In the interval before the Frost Giant began his stabbing again Kiert pulled out a round shiny stone from his pocket and sat it in a small piece of material. He placed it carefully in the elastic. He waited until the Frost Giant was almost on him then dived through his legs. With a roar of frustration the Giant turned. As he did so Kiert pulled back the elastic as far as his strength would let him then let the stone fly. It flew towards the Giant with great speed and sank into the Giant’s temple with a ‘thwack’. The Giant’s eyes crossed briefly then rolled upwards. His hand raised to his head then with a thud the Giant fell lifeless to the floor. Kiert climbed up the Giants huge belly and with the icicle knife cut the necklace free. He slid down the belly and strutted up to Hel, thrusting the necklace into her hands.

  “Here. Task one completed. Remember your promise.” With that Kiert turned and made his way back to the imprisoned girls. He strode past the guards and into the hugs that awaited him.

  Hel appeared in the doorway.

  “You. Red haired one. You will do magic. Here, now.”

  Amanda rose, taking off her cloak and reassuring Kiert and Sharon she walked towards Hel.

  “Sit here,” said Amanda, indicating a bench in front of a table. Hel did so. “Now, relax and I will read your mind.”

  A genuine laugh erupted from Hel.

  “You child? You say you can read the mind of Hel? That surely will be magical.”

  “Before I do,” said Amanda, “I will draw what you will be thinking of in the dust I will draw it away from my friends so they cannot interfere. Do you agree?”

  Hel nodded and watched Amanda as she scratched a picture in the dust and covered it with her cloak Amanda then sat down. Rested her elbows on the table and leaning her fingers on her temples she looked deeply into the eyes of Hel.

  “Close your eyes. This will be difficult but I want you to try and clear your mind. Try not to think of anything at all. I know it’s hard but nothing must come into your mind not even thoughts of your brother. If you do this magic will not work.”

  Amanda waited in silence for a few moments.

  “Are you ready?”

  Hel nodded.

  “Don’t forget you must keep your mind blank Now I will now read your mind.” Silence settled over the room like a duvet over the bed, clinging to everyone there.

  “Yes,” murmured Amanda softly, “Yes I am certain that the picture I drew is correct. Hel I am ready.”

  Amanda stood then moved towards the drawing. She held out her hand indicating Hel to join her. Amanda bent down and grasped the edge of her coat.

  “You were thinking of ... ” The coat was whisked away... “Jormungander your brother!”

  Astonishment flashed across Hel’s face as she gazed down at the rough drawing on the floor and absorbed the words.

  “I’m right aren’t I?”

  Hel remained dumbstruck as she gazed at the picture on the floor.

  Amanda nodded “I am right! In that case that’s two tasks.”

  Hel turned, a look of fury on her face. She pointed at Sharon. White light forked from her fingers and in a flash Sharon had disappeared.

  “We wait,” announced Hel indicating the children to do the same.

  The flash made Sharon blink several times. Then as the light faded she found herself in a wild uncultivated wood. Trees crowded round her, each one straining towards the light. Brambles six foot high with vicious thorns linked the trees together at their base. Narrow pathways crossed this wilderness showing where the animals had made their way from one side of the wood to the other. All this was taken in within a moment. Then Sharon heard a sound which made her whole body go cold. A howl... a wolf cry sounded suddenly very near. Sharon turned and ran as fast as she could in the opposite direction. Sounds of pounding feet on the path told Sharon that the wolf was gaining. She saw a small opening in the bramble hedge and took her chance. She dived through scratching arms and legs as she went. Picking herself up she found another smaller path and ran for her life. She heard crashing sounds as the huge wolf followed her trail; then a high pitched scream of pain. She stopped running trying desperately to calm her noisy breathing as she listened for her pursuer. She waited, listening intently. A weird noise reached her ears. It sounded like a cross between a child crying and a whine. Slowly she retraced her steps down the path towards the inhuman noise. What she saw made her stand stock still. The huge wolf sat awkwardly, one paw raised, a huge thorn sticking through both sides of its pad, blood dripping down onto the ground and lying in a growing puddle round its other leg. Sharon stood, confidently now watching the wolf trying to pull the jagged bramble out. Blood dripped from its damaged mouth as he tried to bite the offending bramble. From the noise emanating from its throat she new it was in tremendous pain. She was shocked when the wolf turned its face towards her. Briefly a pain filled human face appeared before fading into the wolf face again, its eyes filled with agony; and she knew that even though he was her enemy, she could not leave him like that. Slowly she walked towards the wolf. She stopped feet away from him and looked into the pained eyes.

  “I will try to help you Fenrir. I will try to take that bramble out of your pad. In return you will keep those jaws of yours closed. Agreed?”

  The huge wolf hung his head in obvious pain but Sharon heard his answer in her mind.

  “Agreed.”

  Sharon knelt in front of the huge animal. She carefully lifted the damaged paw across her lap, turning the paw gently so that it rested with both ends of the bramble showing. Drops of blood fell onto her neck. She glanced up. As if in understanding the wolf turned his head, allowing the drips to fall behind Sharon’s shoulder.

  “This will hurt but try not to move.”

  Sharon carefully broke the bramble either side of his paw. She broke off a smaller piece holding the huge thorn like a knife. She pressed the top of the paw down ex
posing the thorn edge then cut the bramble flush with the skin. Turning the paw in her now blooded hand she exposed the other side and cut away the wicked barb leaving a small stem sticking up just above the hair. She raised her head to look at the animal.

  “I shall count to three then pull. Ready?”

  Briefly the human face re-appeared. It acknowledged its understanding before returning to the pained face of the wolf. His head dropped once more.

  Sharon hooked her ‘knife’ barb into the remaining stem.

  “One,” (she quickly pulled the bramble through the paw on the count of two), “and three.” Blood welled up in the hole Sharon began pressing leaves and moss into the hole and tied them round with grasses.

  “There!”

  Sharon’s pleased look disappeared as she realized the predicament she was in. She rose, backing away from the wolf who had recovered enough to stand gingerly balanced on its bad paw, mouth open blood still dripping, teeth glinting. Sharon continued to back away until her back hit the bramble and tree hedge. Hairs rose on her arms as she watched Fenrir hobble towards her. A shudder ran down her back as warm breath heated her face. She closed her eyes and waited for the first bite.

  It never came. Cautiously she opened an eye. Fenrir had gone. Sharon let out a long sigh then uncontrollably began to shiver as her body reacted to the situation.

  Warm arms enfolded her... she was back with her friends.

  The voice of Hel broke into their relief.

  “What a touching scene. Enjoy, for in my kingdom few ever return to the land of the living.”

  “So some have succeeded then?” Sharon raised her head.

  “One or two. But they were exceptions. Not only were they warriors but Skards too. They were my insurance. In their poems and stories my name will live on.”

  “We can do that too,” interrupted Amanda. “Ensure your name lives on I mean. You see Kiert has brought Sharon and me from the future. We are here to see that all the evil and lies that have been allowed to creep into your sagas are destroyed. We are here so that the truth within your legends live on and is still told to our generations, so that we will come to know and love your heroic stories.”

  “You intrigue me child. But what do you know of sagas and poetry?”

  “We are learning quite a bit really. In our time we have places of learning where all children go to learn about stories and poetry. On our return we will be telling of our adventures with Sigurd.”

  “Prove it! Young girls do not interest themselves in such things. You do not have the experience. You do not travel widely like our Skards. Show me your Skard qualities.”

  “If we do.” Sharon walked confidently towards Hel. “If we do, you will allow us all including Kiert and Thor to return to the living to carry on with our quest?” Before Hel could answer the door burst open and Thor, Mjollnir in hand roared into the room.

  “I told you to stay put. I told you not to move. Before we began you promised to... ” Thor skidded to a halt. His raised arms fell by his side as his gaze alighted on Kiert.

  “Better late than never,” Amanda murmured to Kiert.

  Sharon turned back to Hel.

  “Do we have your word that if our story is approved of you will let us get on with our quest?”

  “I agree. You will tell it tonight to the warriors in the great hall.” Hel turned and walked away.

  “Would you mind explaining what all that was about?” Thor pushed Mjollnir back into his belt and sat heavily beside the fire. Briefly Sharon explained then went into a huddle with Kiert and Amanda, leaving Thor with his head in his hands.

  Persuasion

  Ordinarily both Sharon and Amanda hated presentations. Standing up in front of a lot of people was, according to their teacher Mrs Cosyner, a useful skill; but all the girls felt was embarrassment. But now the girls were looking forward to the challenge and they worked diligently together whilst Thor took Kiert outside and taught him sword play.

  Evening shadows cast long dark patches over the palace. Solid spirits, warriors all sat quietly waiting. Kiert and Thor sat with the girls, their faces showing concern. Manliness and muscle meant nothing now; a different kind of heroic bravery was needed here.

  All eyes turned towards the door as Hel appeared. She stood in front of the warriors.

  “The girls before you have been sent on a quest to return to their time taking with them the truth and heroic deeds found in our sagas, so that future generations may read about our bravery. They have asked that they might tell us a story of heroic deeds of their own. I have given my word that if they are successful, and you approve and enjoy their story, they may return to the living to continue their quest.”

  Hel turned, held out her arm indicating that the girls should take the floor and then sat waiting.

  Amanda and Sharon rose and walked to the front of their ‘audience’; Amanda began.

  “Arthur was the son of a Welsh King Uther Pendragon. When he was born Elves gave him long life, riches and virtues. As he grew up Arthur was given into the keeping of a wise tutor called ‘Merlin the Magician’, who taught him the noble ways of a warrior. When Arthur was fifteen his father died. Now Arthur couldn’t just take his father’s place as king just like that; he had to prove his right to the throne. One of the challenges was that he had to pull out a special sword from a great boulder. Many men had tried, for there were those who wished to be king, but no-one had managed to pull the sword from the great stone. When Arthur stepped up to take the challenge all the warriors laughed at him, for he was a slight boy and looked puny alongside them. Arthur sent up a prayer to the Gods and putting both hands around the hilt of the sword gave a mighty tug. The sword slid smoothly out of the boulder and Arthur delightedly held it high for all to see. The warriors were horrified and one slid the sword back into the stone. Again several warriors tried but the sword remained firmly stuck. Once more Arthur came forward. The sword smoothly left the stone to everyone’s amazement. Arthur called the sword ‘Excalibur’and he took the throne as King of Britain.”

  Sharon continued. “King Arthur married a beautiful lady called ‘Guinevere’ who came from a noble family. They held court in ‘Camelot’. King Arthur was a good king. He gathered around him many strong and brave warriors. He treated them all as equals. Whenever they met they sat around a great circular table so that no-one felt left out; they eventually became known as ‘The Knights of the Round Table’. One day, many years into his reign word reached him that his nephew with the help of a giant had seized part of his kingdom. Arthur went to do battle. He met with the giant at a place called ‘St. Michael’s Mount’ and after a great battle managed to behead the giant. Turning from the giant he then went to the aide of his warriors but was mortally wounded. But according to legend Arthur didn’t die, his body mysteriously disappeared, turning up again at the magical island of ‘Avalon’ to be healed. His sword ‘Excalibur’ disappeared too. But in legend a most brave and trusted warrior took it and threw it into a magical lake where the lady of the lake took it for safe keeping; for Arthur is expected to return in the future when Britain is in desperate need of a brave and courageous king, and he will resume his role as ‘King of Britain’.”

  Sharon left a moment of silence before she began again.

  “We don’t have the gift of story telling like your Skards but one of our group does. Our good friend ‘Cat’ is with Sigurd at this moment, helping to ensure that his heroic deeds are remembered and that all will be written down truthfully for people like us in the future to marvel and enjoy. Before we divided up we wrote a poem which tells of how we felt for the loss of our good friend Kiert. We have added extra bits since our stay here and we wish to read it to you.” Sharon looked towards Hel who nodded. Amanda joined Sharon and together they read:

  “Kiert is dead.

  He was the best friend we ever had
.

  Our life is empty now, nothing matters anymore.

  Everywhere we go we see him

  Which makes us cry,

  And the ache inside is huge.

  You Viking warriors know how thin is the thread which separates life from death,

  And how suddenly it can be taken away.

  All you here know that Kiert is surrounded by love.

  Persuade your hearts that Kiert

  Should not be parted from us.

  You warriors have found peace, it is your time but Kiert is not ready.

  Hel, you rule over your creation with tenderness. Break the ties of death,

  Reveal to Kiert the miracle of new birth

  So that he may live with us in love

  Until you meet again.”

  The two girls ended their poem cheeks glistening with tears. No one moved or spoke for some time. Then, a noise like thunder far away began in the hall and grew louder until the crescendo rattled the foundation of the room as spirit hands thumped the tables at which they sat. Thor and Kiert rose, and making their way to the two girls silently embraced them.

  The Dragon Slayer

  Cat was getting tired. Her bottom ached from spending many days in the saddle; and if she was honest she was getting a little fed up with the all male company.

  Sigurd stood in the stirrups and pointed ahead.

  “There is our quest, Grinta Heath. That is where Fafnir has made a lair for himself. That is where he lives brooding over the treasure.”

  Cat swallowed hard. Now they were here she wasn’t at all sure she wanted to be. She missed her friends terribly. Up to now she had managed well but that was because they were together. She found it very difficult to remain brave alone.

  They dismounted and made camp.

  “In the morning Cat and I will go to Grinta Heath alone. Keep careful watch.”

  Morning came much too quickly for Cat. Soon they were at the heath. They left their horses tethered and were now on foot. The strong tufts of grass gave way to blackened and singed scrubland.