Chapter 17: The Viking

Of course, Prince Nathan was having all the excitement he could handle. Having escaped the cave lair of Snagglefang the dragon with the help of Flindee the jester, he found himself running for his life down Stormwatch Peak in the middle of a terrible storm and right into the open arms of an angry giant!

And Gart WAS angry! He had obviously been out searching for his beloved hawk for hours with no success, and Nathan guessed he was extremely frustrated by the situation; maybe even a bit worried. Whatever the case, the sudden pain in his leg, as the prince ran into him, didn’t help his attitude at all. And when he looked down to see that his prized prisoner was trying to escape, the giant gave a mighty roar of rage and scooped the prince up once again in his meaty hand.

“What you doin’ outside your new home, little pup?” he sneered. His face was so close, Nathan could smell his nasty breath. The stench of it added to the fear in his belly and made him feel sick.

“How could I have let myself get recaptured so soon?” he pouted. “Now it is truly over! I’ll never escape!”

There was another flash of lightning and an explosion of thunder as the rain began to pour down on them. Nathan’s head sank to his chest in defeat as the giant started to walk back up the path to the cave.

So lost in misery was the young prince that he barely noticed the song that had begun to rise above the echoing wind. In fact, it wasn’t until Gart stopped and turned around that Nathan realized someone was coming up the path behind them singing at the top of his lungs. The voice was a deep baritone and full of strength and grew louder by the moment. At the sound of it, hope sprang anew in Nathan’s chest for now he could hear the words of the song and they held promise of freedom and victory over darkness! This was the song he heard:

In the Frozen lands of Northreach

Where giants make their home

Live a mighty people strong at heart

Who are not afraid to roam

And when the blizzard of the monster’s wrath is raging all around

These joyous folk lift up this song and see their foes fall down!

So march on to the victory!

March on for the King!

March side by side together

And let this Anthem ring!

The song of Courage goes forth

rising from our heart!

As arm in arm we tramp the foe

and stand against the dark!

March On!

Gart got madder as the singing drew nearer and began to squeeze the prince in his armor again with the clenching of his fists. But Nathan noticed that he also began to move backwards up the path as if he were afraid of the approaching singer. His beady eyes were fixed on the path and he shook his head back and forth in irritation as if the song hurt his ears.

Then, in the flickering light of a thunderbolt, Nathan saw a dwarven rider appear around the corner of the mountain path! He was a viking with horned helm and a braided beard that flowed down his bare chest and over the top of his kilt. In his muscular arms, he carried a large battle-axe and round, studded shield for battle. His feet were covered in sheeps wool and wrapped with leather.

But the most impressive sight to Nathan was the viking’s steed, for he rode upon the back of a huge white bear from the snow country of the north. The beast was nearly the size of a small horse and had a fearless look in it’s black eyes.

As the viking approached the giant he ended his song and shouted over the storm.“I am Vonkar the Vocal of Clan Axtagrind. Release the warrior, foul giant, and I shall spare thy wretched hide!”
Though Gart was surprised by this sudden challenge, he threw back his head and gave a mocking guffaw!

“You gonna spare MY hide, little man? Now THAT’s funny! This I gotta see.”

“So be it, dragonspawn.” the viking returned. “Thou hast been warned! Now thou shalt be vanquished!”

With that, he gave a great war cry and the bear lumbered forward at full speed! The mountain path was narrow and there was no room for the giant to dodge, but then again, Gart was not accustomed to dodging. With a shout of his own, the giant swung one hammer-like fist at Vonkar to knock him off of his mount! The giant’s ape-like arms were so long that he could pound his courageous little enemy before the dwarf even got close enough to strike back. But what the viking lacked in strength and size, he made up for in speed and wits.

Tumbling off the bear’s back, Vonkar rolled forward under Gart’s swing and stopped at his feet! Missing his target, the giant overswung and his fist slammed into the mountainside. Rocks and dust showered Vonkar as he scrambled back to his feet. Then, taking advantage of his stunned opponent, he charged the giant, driving his helmet up into the nearest knee cap!

Gart let out another shout; this time in pain and stumbled back toward the rocky edge! The heal of one foot slipped off and he swung his arms wildly to regain his balance. For one breathtaking moment, Nathan was swung out over the side and looked straight down at the ground far, far below! His heart sank into his stomach with the butterflies as he remembered the dark dream and the feeling of falling down, down into darkness. For the first time, he found himself thankful for the giant’s strong grip.

Wisely, Vonkar backed up a few steps to let Gart regain his balance and began to taunt the slow witted collossus who was now blocking their escape down the mountain.

“Did I not tell you that you would be vanquished? Who is laughing now, O’ Lumpy Head?”

Vonkar’s words were having the desired effect. Gart’s head turned so red with rage, that raindrops fizzled to steam as they struck it and Nathan wondered if the viking really knew what he was doing after all. It was clear that if Gart were able to land a blow on the hearty dwarf even once, he would crush the life out of him and now the viking had gotten himself trapped with nowhere to run. Never-the-less, Vonkar railed on as if oblivious to the situation.

“Have at thee, you fat-footed beany brain! Can you not silence Vonkar the Vocal? Where is thy might, O’Boastful One? I thought you were strong. Perhaps I misjudged you, for me thinks you are nothing more than a blubbering bafoon!”

Another crash of thunder deafened them, drowning out the giant’s roar as he launched toward his hated enemy! Nathan could hardly bare to watch what was about to happen, but found he couldn’t close his eyes either, afraid he would miss another awesome move by his would-be rescuer. Between each jarring step Gart took, the prince watched as Vonkar took a few steps back to brace himself for the attack.

Suddenly Flindee appeared right behind the warrior! He was saying something, but could not be heard over the thunder and whistling winds. Unaware of the hapless jester, Vonkar backed into him and the two dwarves went down in a pile of flailing arms and legs! Now Nathan DID close his eyes. He had seen quite enough.