Elfi separated from the group of women standing at her side and strode across the grassy meadow, while Njörd withdrew from hisÚlfhéðnarpack and the Danish warriors kneeling before the ceremonial fire. As they met Úlvhild in front of the reverent throng, thevölvajoined their hands together, dipping her fingers in the sacrificial blood and marking the runeAlgiz—symbol of divine protection—on each of their foreheads. “With this blood, I mark you both, bound by sea and wind, blessed by Rán and Njörd. May your union be as unbreakable as the waves, as enduring as the winds. May this rune etched in sacred blood bless your voyage, your marriage, and your fate.”
As sleek as a swan gliding upon still water, Úlvhild floated among theLjósálfar, then theÚlfhéðnar,,cradling the silver bowl of sacrificial blood against her breast, anointing each with the sameAlgizrune of protection marked upon their foreheads. "By the blood of the sea, I bless you, warriors of light and wolves of Odin. May this rune be your shield, the sea your strength. May Rán and Njörd guide your ships to victory and a triumphant return upon these shores."
Úlvhildgestured to Ylva, who returned her catskin gloves, which thevölvadonned with fluid grace. She then nodded to Vivi, who brought forth the small wooden brush made from the twig of an ash tree. With a reverent bow of her head, Úlvhild accepted the brush, dipped the tip into the sacred bowl, and ceremoniously splattered blood across the Danish warriors kneeling before the fire. Her resonant voice resounded across the hushed glen. “From the ash of the sacred grove, where the souls of valiant Vikings rest, I bring the strength of their spirits to bless you on this historic voyage.” Circulating among the Danes who had removed their helmets—their rapt, bearded faces upturned to receive her divine blessing—she marked each man with droplets of sacred sacrificial blood. “By the gods of the sea and the wind, I bless all who sail upon these ships. May Njörd's winds carry you swiftly across the waves, and may Rán’s savage sea infuse you with her fury as you sail into battle. May the sea godsgrant you victory, and may your names live on in skaldic legend and epic song."
The divine invocation and blood ritual complete, Úlvhild announced it was time to embark. "The winds and tide are ready. The sea gods have blessed our voyage. Let us board thedrakkarships and sail to our fates. The journey to Ísland awaits."
A saline breeze blew across the hallowed glen as the Danish warriors arose and flocked to the shore. The clang of metal armor echoed across the Narrow Sea as they boarded the three ships lined up like waiting wolves, the sculpted dragons of their prows gleaming in the morning sun. Amidst the creaking of ropes, the rhythmic thud of shields being placed along the sides of the ships, and the low murmur of men, Úlvhild carried the silver bowl to Sif’s side. She dipped the ash twig in the blood and painted theAlgizrune on Sif’s bowed forehead. “May Rán and Njörd bless you, faithful servant of the bride, on this crucial wedding voyage to Ísland. And bring you safely home to the Land of the White Chalk Cliffs.”
Njörd distributed theLjósálfarandÚlfhéðnarevenlyamong the three ships. Elfi noted that Bodo lingered at Sif’s side and Njáll remained with Luna. They would sail on theDrakkúlfrship with Njörd and Elfi,along withLugh and Ildris. And Stig, Njörd’s personal skald, who would sing their wedding song in Ísland and compose an epic ballad of the battle to entertain Thorfinn’s guests when—gods willing—they returned triumphant to Étretat.
Úlf, having fully recovered from his heinous wound, would serve as commander of theHrafnvarglongship. He boarded hisdrakkarwith thetwoLjósálfarnamed Olvir and Áryndor. And Hrólf Redbeard, leader of the third ship,Sköllrökr,embarked with hisÚlfhédinnbrotherFlóki and twoLjósálfar—Runar and Veldar. In this way, eachdrakkarwarship had at least one wolf warrior and two Light Elves, in addition to thirty armored Danes.
Úlvhildstrode to the water’s edge and poured the remainder of the blood from the silver bowl as a final offering to the sea. She rinsed out thecontainer and returned to join Elfi, Luna, Ylva, and Vivi. Thevölvahanded the gem-studded silver bowl to Ylva, and the ash twig brush to Vivi. "Guard these well, daughters of the hearth. Protect them until my return."
Vivi gazed up at her mother, honor and pride shining in her bright blue eyes.
Ylva beamed at Elfi as Oda approached to say goodbye, with Vilde at her side.
“May the gods guide you and Njörd to fulfill the prophecy… and bless yourLjósálfarwedding in Ísland.” Oda kissed Elfi’s cheeks, her voice quavering with emotion. “Ylva and I shall ensure a proper feast to celebrate yourfaðir’sreturn with Jarl Rikard.”She squeezed Elfi’s hands, tears filling her crinkled eyes. “We’ll also plan a splendid celebration to welcome you home, and a glorious tribute for Dag’s burial withGaladirin the sacred grove. We’ll decorate the castle for your Yuletide wedding—when you and Njörd marry a second time inChâteau Blanc.Beforeall the Norman nobles and Danish warriors of the VikingPays de Caux.”
While Elfi hugged herammaand friendsgoodbye, Njörd returned to her side, the thrill of the impending sea voyage gleaming in his fierce lupine gaze. “The ships are ready. The tide is right. Let’s board.”
Skårde strode across the glen with Bjarke and Varg to bid the voyagers farewell. “We’ll defend the castle and Étretat until your return,” he promised Njörd and Elfi. “May the gods grant you swift victory and a safe voyage home.”
Njörd grasped Skårde’s forearms, respect and gratitude blazing across his dark, bearded face. He firmly shook hands with Bjarke, Varg, and Jorund—Áki’s replacement as commander of Njörd’s Danish army remaining atChâteau Blanc. “I am honored that theDragon of Denmarkand the valiant Vikings of Normandy shall defend us against the Frankish threat. Étretat—and all of thePays de Caux— shall be safe in your most capable hands.” He inclined his head in homage, then donned his chain mail coif, pulling the white wolfskin headpiece firmly into placeover the metal helmet. When Njörd offered Elfi the crook of his elbow, she linked her arm through his.
TheWolf of the Nordic Seasled the final group to board theDrakkúlfrlongship.
Njörd, Bodo, Lugh, and Njáll waited on the sand with Elfi, Sif, Úlvhild, and Luna while the crew lowered a thick, sturdy board made of solid oak from a gunwale on the side of thedrakkarfor them to board. Njörd escorted Elfi up the plank, followed by Njáll and Luna, Lugh and Úlvhild, and finally Bodo and Sif.
When all were safely aboard, the crew secured the plank and affixed their round, bossed shields to the gunwales on each side of the ship. Painted a deep blue like the ocean, the round oak shields were rimmed with a repeating pattern of three runes, the metal boss in each center engraved with the fierce image of a snarling wolf—the visual representation of the Danish jarl they served.
Njörd Ívarrsson, the indomitableWolf of the Nordic Seas.
As they prepared to depart, all threedrakkarships hoisted the heraldic banner of theWolf of the Nordic Seasto the top of their tall masts. Elfi gazed up at the fearsome face of a fierce white wolf embroidered on the background of deep green. Along the border of the banner, outlined in metallic silver thread, a trio of runes—Laguz,symbol of the sea,Uruz,the strength of the ox, andAnsuz,the divine protection of Odin— shimmered in the morning sun. While Njörd’s emblem flapped in the whipping winds, the sea wolves maneuvered theDrakkúlfrlongshipinto the lead position of their triangular formation, unfurled the dark blue square sails painted with the striking image of a white wolf, and headed out of the inlet toward the Narrow Sea.
Elfi stood with Njörd at the prow of his longship, behind the intimidating dark green dragon figurehead whose enormous scales, fangs, and striking sapphire eyes were intricately detailed with shiny silver.As thedrakkarsailed out the harbor of Étretat, Kjartan—one of Njörd’s Danish warriors on the deck—blew a massive elkhornengraved with Nordic runes. The deep, resonant blare echoed off the white chalk cliffs, announcing that the voyage had begun.
Together, she and Njörd would travel to Ísland, where they would meet his Light Elven mother and marry in aLjósálfarwedding.Elfi would wield the white wolf weapons crafted by Lugh and slay the shapeshifting troll. With his father Brökk’s Dwarven sword, Njörd would brandishÚlfsongrto fulfill the fateful prophecy.
Fates entwined by the Norns, ships blessed by the Nordic gods, Elfi and Njörd were at long last embarking on their momentous journey as future mates bound by the sea.
Chapter 35
Skugga
“You six, tend the horses. Egon, position your men. Gozo and Engilran, with me.” The Count of Soissons posted his two dozen Frankish knights as sentinels at the doorways, windows, and alleys around the Sapphire Chalice Tavern in Dorestad. As Alberic led his two most trusted armored guards into the waterfront establishment of the bustling Frisian port, apprehension gnawed at his gut like the sharp fangs of a rodent.
He'd been summoned by Zhúlgorr, theDökkálfarsilversmith whose scarlet-haired witch had enchanted theShadowbindring and amulet for the troll Narglok. The messenger had said it was urgent, and for him to come at once to the tavern in Frisia. Alberic and his men had ridden hard, covering the distance from Soissons to Dorestad in five days—half the usual time. Nevertheless, nearly a week had passed, and anxiety gripped Alberic in a choking vice as he maneuvered through the amiable barmaids clad in sapphire blue dresses and the raucous crowd enjoying the festive atmosphere of the thriving riverfront inn.
Alberic spotted the wiry black hair and murky skin of the Dark Elvensilversmith sitting at a private table in a shaded corner, carefully shielded from sunlight. Zhúlgorr, having replaced the slain proprietor Nithrak, was now one of the two owners of the lucrative Sapphire Chalice Tavern, along with Gúldur, theDökkálfarBlacksmith of Dorestad. Since the Franks controlled Frisia, and King Lothaire of West Francia was the royal patron of thelucrative tavern, both Gúldur and Zhúlgorr were eager to be of service to Alberic, the Frankish Count of Soissons.
Gúldur was en route to Ísland as planned. So why had Zhúlgorr summoned Alberic? Something must have gone dreadfully wrong. Apprehension throttled him like a noose.
Seated beside Zhúlgorr was Myrkkha, the exotic enchantress with eerie crimson eyes. She recognized Alberic and whispered into Zhúlgorr’s pointed ear.
With a terse nod of his head as he removed his bejeweled, feathered felt cap, Alberic silently commanded his two armored knights to stand guard along the nearby wall. They would remain alert and defend him if necessary. As would his two dozen men surrounding the inn.
