Ancient Whispers

As Knud stumbled home from the local mead, he heard a mysterious voice call out his name from the darkness at the old boat pier. Drunk and curious, Knud followed the voice into the darkness. The moonlight was his only guide across the old rickety wooden planks of the pier. Knud came across an old wooden longboat. The round shields that clung to the boat's sides carried the marks of battles fought long ago. Two large black ravens circled above the mast, grabbing Knud’s attention for a moment. He then noticed an old man with a wide-brimmed hat and cloak sitting at the bow with an ornate spear in his right hand. The tip of the spear glinted in the moonlight. Upon closer inspection, the old man’s face was heavily weathered from years of sun exposure and the salty spray of seawater. The old man’s right eye was hidden behind a tattered cloth bandage.

Suddenly, ancient memories of the past forced their way into Knud’s mind and locked his consciousness out of reality. Images of broken shields and weapons littering a battlefield, resting alongside their fallen owners. Moonlight danced off of pools of blood as it ran down a hillside in small streams. Runestones of old whispered their secrets to Knud, but he couldn’t decipher their message. Armies stood before each other. The warriors’ faces remained stoic; their eyes and bodies showed no fear as they braced themselves for battle. Knud’s vision snapped back to reality as if a film had been removed from in front of his eyes. Still intoxicated and now confused, Knud breathed heavily as his senses returned to him. The wooden boat creaked underneath the old man’s weight as he leaned towards Knud.

His voice was deep and gruff. He said, "Get in. I have a story to tell you."

“Odin? All-father? Is that really you?”

A slight smirk spread across the old man’s face as his one eye focused on Knud.

Knud’s heart was beating wildly in his chest with fear and excitement. He clutched the silver necklace his father gave him when he was young. Knud found the necklace comforting now more than ever. The mead that was still coursing through his veins kept the cold at bay. The air was carrying the sounds of the sea and the groans of the wooden boat. Trying his best not to make a fool of himself in front of Odin, Knud carefully placed his foot into the boat but failed miserably. His footing slipped off the wet wood and Knud fell into the stern of the boat, knocking over a pile of old glass bottles and trinkets. Knud landed hard on his back. He quickly sat up. Dust covered everything Knud could see. He turned around to look at the All Father with embarrassment.

Odin’s face was emotionless, and his eye unwavering as he stared down at Knud. Knud stared back nervously, “Ok, now what?”

Odin spoke plainly. “Row.”

Knud noticed there was a set of rowing oars at the front of the boat. Without hesitation, Knud scrambled to his feet and picked up the oars. He hoped to redeem himself by rowing harder and faster than he ever had before in his life. The boat separated from the dock, gaining speed. Knud continued to row as hard as he possibly could. He did not dare speak or complain. It was not long before Knud not could no longer see land at all.

Odin pushed himself to his feet and reached his arm up to the sky. One of his large black ravens landed on his hand. The All Father leaned into the bird with his ear to its beak.

“Stop here.” Odin called out.

As if Knud hit a massive boulder the boat came to a jarring halt, making Knud fly backward out of his seat and onto a pile of dusty rags. Knud picked himself up, again, as quickly as he could. He peered over the stern and across the glass-like water. The dark murky ocean was reflecting the moonlight allowing Knud to see into the night. Knud noticed a thick fog rolling towards the boat from all sides.

“What is that?”

“Patience, boy, and fear not.”

Soon the fog engulfed the boat and its two-man crew.

Panic set in and caused Knud to call out to the All Father. “Odin! What’s happening?”

To be continued...