The Saga of The Birnings: Book One: The Saga of the Birnings, #1

By Rick Harbor

Based on ancient Viking legends, it tells of ill-fated deeds of tragedy and strife in the land of men. Combines mythical tales and gritty human drama with extraordinary events, strange creatures, and fierce battles.

 

It starts with a love triangle of chieftain Bjarki,  a man of insatiable desires, who falls in love with Ingrid, a swain-maiden, and the despised queen Ylva, and that was kept concealed. Because of her unrequited love, Ylva plotted the destruction of both lovers. After being victorious, she frightens the land with her 'wolf-warriors,' and she slaughters her foes with her lycanthropic magic. But a mighty shield-maiden, Bera vows to stop the queen's endeavor and thus honor the death of her kinsman and brother, Bjarki. 

 

This book is the first novelette in a set of three books. If you like Vikings and Norse mythology, swords, and shapeshifting magic, you will enjoy this unforgettable story of never-ending revenge.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Rick Harbor
• Release date: May 3, 2021
• ISBN: 9798201971595

Rick Harbor

Rick Harbor spends evenings writing tales about anti-heroes, warrior maidens, and werewolf sorcerers.  A fantasy novel and Norse sagas fanatic for years, Harbor began writing his first book to appease his creative spirit. As well as writing, Harbor enjoys outdoor activities, for he is a nature lover and anywhere within the trees is his happy place. Lives a tranquil life in his home with his sidekick and stubborn cat.

Book preview

The Saga of The Birnings

Book One

Rick Harbor

Copyright © 2021 by Rick Harbor

All rights reserved.

No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods, without the prior written permission of the publisher, except as permitted by U.S. copyright law.

The story, all names, characters, and incidents portrayed in this production are fictitious. No identification with actual persons (living or deceased), places, buildings, and products is intended or should be inferred.

Fourth edition 2023

Cattle die, kinsmen die, one day you die yourself, but the words of praise will not perish when a man wins fair fame. – Hávámál

Chapter 1

image-placeholder

Concerning the wedding of Bera

Here begin the telling of two families, the Hrafnungs and the Birnings who, according to skalds in days of old, the Birnings and Hrafnungs were both renowned and highly honored in the tales that were told. And so, in a bid to unite their people, they made a bargain to join their families through marriage. The Birnings offered their best woman, Bera, the daughter of Bjorn, who had been a widow for many years. She was a fair woman and tall, with auburn hair, and was known for her strength, which was unusual among women. She was also known to dress as a warrior and had gained great renown among her kin as a shield maiden. Though Bera was not pleased with this arrangement, she accepted the deal out of duty. For her first husband, whom she had loved deeply, had died while they were working on their homestead, and ever since, she had grieved for her loss.

In turn, the Hrafnungs offered their finest man, skilled in war and renowned as the most vigorous and tallest among them. His name was Hrafenskald, and for many generations, his family had been known for their raven-colored hair, of which he too was a proud bearer.

Following the wedding ceremony, all families prepared for the celebration using the best provisions. In the mead-hall of the Hrafnungs, all guests were grouped. And everyone was feeling merry, drinking and feasting. Everything in the hall unfolded well and looks ordinary except for what came to be after the flyting game contest. Hrafenskald and a skald are exchanging insults carried out in rhyme, and the groom was losing the contest.

In the far corners of the hall, a stranger went unnoticed by all. He was an old man, with a single eye and a long beard, and he used the shadows to conceal himself as he whispered inaudible words, his gaze fixed upon the skald. It seemed as though he was attempting to influence the skald through some magical means, using his hushed words to bend the course of the contest.

Bera found the competition amusing, but her husband suddenly became agitated and, in a fit of anger, slapped her with a glove. She was taken aback, unsure of how she had offended him with her laughter. Fortunately, none of her brothers or relatives witnessed the incident, as she was in the presence of her husband’s family and not her own. But even so, Bera found it difficult to shake off the feelings of anger and resentment that had settled within her heart after being treated in such a disrespectful manner. Despite her best efforts, she could not overcome the hurt and indignation that had taken root within her.

Did you find this amusing? he spoke.

Bera’s gray eyes seemed to burn with wrath, but she kept it hidden, her fists clenched tightly as she plotted her revenge in her mind. She remained alert and remembered the advice her father had given her. Later, as a gesture of peace, she offered her husband a drinking horn filled with ale. He welcomed the offering but hesitated before drinking it, suspecting that it might be poisoned. Bera took a drink from the horn to show that it was safe, and Hrafenskald, realizing his mistake, smiled and accepted a drink of his own. Throughout the night, Bera continued to offer him mead and ale, and he drank it heartily, laughing and joking with his comrades. But Bera did not smile or join in the festivities, her thoughts still consumed by her feelings of anger and betrayal.

Bera, ever cunning, waited until the wedding celebration had ended before taking her revenge. As her newlywed husband slept, drunken and snoring, she strangled him in his sleep. The man was found dead the following day by his kinsmen, and Bera claimed that he had died peacefully in his sleep.

The Hrafnungs were suspicious of this explanation, however, and sought to punish Bera for her actions. But the Birnings family protected her and refused to hand her over to them. The Hrafnungs raised their weapons, and the Birnings were forced to defend themselves. And so, a bloody fray began, with the leader of the Hrafnungs urging his warriors to fight and kill Lady Bera.

The Birnings fiercely defended themselves against the Hrafnungs’ attack. Lady Bera clashed swords with one of the men, ultimately slitting his throat with a swift slash. However, Hrok, a skilled fighter, and cousin of Hrafenskald struck her with his shield and knocked her to the ground. But Bera’s brother Bjarki rushed to her aid, striking Hrok’s shield twice with his sword and ax. Despite Hrok’s defenses, Bera managed to pierce his feet with the point of a broken spear, causing him to cry out in agony. Taking advantage of this moment of weakness, Bjarki plunged his sword through Hrok’s left shoulder and into his heart, ending Hrok’s life.

There wasn’t any time to show gratitude to her brother because the battle went on, and both of them had more foes to fight with. One of their kinsmen, Vald, died when an ax crushed his head, shattering his skull and deforming his face. But soon after, his brother Grimnir was stuck in the back of his brother’s slayer, and when the man fell, he smashed his neck twice with wrath, severing the man’s head from his torso. There was no time to mourn, for the assault was still overwhelming.

The Birnings dispersed and decided to return to their ships while still fighting their attackers. The Birnings and their comrades are falling one by one. And the surviving warriors decide to battle their adversary on the coast where their boat is anchored. That shore, the people had named Svartstrand because the sand was black.

Both Bjarki and his kin stood fighting side by side.

This is the end!

Nay! Not so. Not today.

So they slaughtered men to and fro, perhaps with the aid of the Aesir, or by their hamingja, the fortune of their forefathers, that enhance their battle frenzy. This frightens the remaining Hrafnungs and forces them to flee the rage of the siblings.

image-placeholder

AFTER THE FIGHT CONCLUDED, both sides had foreseen a significant loss as a result of the encounter. Dead warriors and their weapons were strewn about on the ground. The battlefield stretched over a sloping green field that ended in a narrow shore flanked by two cliffs, and between them, the water is calm.

Chieftain Bjarki, son of Bjorn, was drained after the battle. His shield had been split and he had discarded it, but still held his battered blade. Although he had survived, it had been a sorrowful day for him, as many of his bravest warriors lay dead. He rose slowly, wincing at the pain that shot through his limbs. Upon examination, he discovered that he was bleeding - one of his enemies had left a gash on his leg. Bjarki was not the only one to emerge victorious from the battle - his cousin Grimnir had also triumphed. And despite his agony, he looked out at the battlefield and saw that Grimnir and Bera still stood and were tending to their wounds. Bera bore witness to the loss of her fair earlobe, rent asunder by the merciless blade of her hateful foe. And Grimnir, stalwart defender, was not spared the cruel fate of the battle, his eye forever marred by the spiteful strike of an enemy’s sword pommel. So Bjarki determined to reach them, took slow, steady steps forward, but stumbled and fell. Bera, grateful to her brother and kin for keeping her alive, rushed to assist him and helped him back to his feet. However, their joy was tempered by the loss of Grimnir’s elder brothers, who had bravely fought and slain many foes. As Bjarki and his companions departed from