Home » Reading & Literature » Mythology » Part II - FIMBULWINTER

Part II - FIMBULWINTER

© Paul Christy

Snorri eyed the approaching Trolls. "Beware, Engakai. They are stronger than they look, fearless, and they eat humans. Our first challenge. My guess is it tests our fighting prowess."

"Then let us show the gods how true warriors do battle." The tall Maasai howled his clan war cry and leaped forward, spear flashing. Snorri gave a quick tug to a tie that secured his fur cloak and then charged after Engakai, his heavy axe swinging, gaining momentum.

Engakai met the advancing Trolls with the point of his spear, swiftly stabbing two before the rest crowded around him, moving in too close for the mighty fighter to effectively stab with his spear. Engakai immediately changed his grip and swung the long spear like a quarterstaff, crushing bones and breaking necks. The Trolls retreated under the ferocious attack allowing Engakai to bring the lethal spearhead back into play.

As the Trolls clustered around the tall Maasai, Snorri fell upon them like an avalanche. He swung left and right with the crescent shaped battleaxe, the sharp blade cleaving through skin and bone without slowing.

The two warriors found themselves on opposites sides of the mass of Trolls, surrounded by bleeding and dead bodies. Moving almost dance-like, they worked their way closer together, hewing and slashing and stabbing their way through the Trolls. The beasts were strong and fearless and fought to the very last, but the two mighty fighters slaughtered them like a pair of wolves in a flock of sheep. When they finally stood side by side both men were panting, covered in black Troll blood, their furs rent and torn by the sharp claws of the monsters, claws that failed to penetrate the stiff leather armour that both men wore under their warm furs.

Snorri surveyed the mass of dead and dismembered Trolls, leaning on the haft of his axe. "First test passed." He cocked an eye at the dark, roiling clouds covering the sky. "Hard to tell, but it's getting late. We must reach the Altar before night falls, else it will be too late."

"On to the next challenge," agreed Engakai. "These Trolls were many and fearsome, but I believe the gods themselves support our quest, and even now cheer our first victory."

Snorri quirked a shaggy eyebrow at the tall Maasai. "Are you suggesting the gods were behind our meeting in Alexandria?"

Engakai nodded. "Indeed. Two warriors from entirely different parts of the world yet on the same quest, meeting in the middle of the greatest city in the world? Luck rules our lives, but luck is merely the gods' way of applying their will to the world."

The copyright of the article Part II - FIMBULWINTER in Mythology is owned by Paul Christy. Permission to republish Part II - FIMBULWINTER in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.