ericviking69
Heart on his sleeve
- Joined
- Aug 24, 2002
- Posts
- 2,119
The wind is blowing briskly and the Red Dragon is moving North under sail as a brisk pace. Leif surveys the shore in the early morning light. Surprise is his most potent weapon. His crew is a mix of seasoned veterans and unblooded youth. He had earned this ship by leading a retreat for certain death in his last captains last raid. He choose not to dwell on that fateful day.
Leif and his crew were sword sworn. They were all destined to die in battle and go directly to Vahalla if you beleived the old ways. Leif was sword sworn because his father was the second son and his uncle was worried that Leif would depose him.
Leif watches the approach to the point. The helm is well manned. The long boat will just clear the rocks allow them to race to the shore. He looks back and gives the signal. The sail drops quickly and silently. Oars drop in the water and the ships moves forward a silent menacing threat.
Leif absently hefts the axe at his waste. It is the finest steel. A gift from his father. His father agreed that Leif should be sworn to the sword for the good of his clan but did not want him to die too young. Although Leif could not recognize them formally he had planted his seed in several of the more comely and sometimes willing servants at home. His father knew which ones and would recognize them if his cousin failed to meet the challenges of leading the clan.
Armed with the confidence of youth, Leif had prapred for this raid well. He had send two scouts and knew that there was a large stone church to the new god. Stone meant money. His first raid would be successful. His name would be feared.
As the shore approaches Leif shoulder his wooden shield. The iron rim may it to heavy for most men. Leif would be the first ashore. Drawing his axe, he turned and looked into each mans eyes.
The keel hit the sand and full speed riding a wave in. Leif leaped onto the wet sand. The sleepy viilage was silent. Surprise was complete. Dividing his men into three squads, they began working there way through the homes.
Leif's orders had been simple. Collect nothing until all the villagers and the church were secured. Kill men who resist. Subdue the women and children. There would be time enough to collect and enjoy the spoils of war.
Leif moved his squad toward the stone church. The door was not even locked; so trusting these Irish. Charging in, Leif found a small group worshipping the new god. A man in black started to raise an alarm but it never left his throat. His throat was pierced by an arrow.
Leif grinned at the archer. His crew was well trained. Follwing the pattern of his father, Leif demanded obedience but he also demanded that his crew anticipate his wants. The archer knew that he had anticpated well.
Leif began to survey the group of men and women cowering before him. He eyes glinted with battle rage. He dispatched a few men to secure the rest of the church. He did not expect any more resistance here.
Nodding to two of the remaining men, leaving three to stand watchful with him, they began to bind the hapless people. Fearing immediate death, some of them voided soiling themselves. Fear was in the air.
One particular woman began to resisted when Leif's man sqeezed her breasts. Leif was on him in a minute and send him flying across the floor with the back of his hand.
This was new crew man. He looked up from the floor his lip bleeding. He knew that he could have just as easily died. He had disobeyed Leif. Nothing would be savored till the village was secured. Leif glare prompted him to return to his task with greater care and speed.
Leif finished binding the woman as everone one watched. There was fire in her eyes. He made a mental note of her. Being the Chief and Captain had its privileges.
With reports that the church was secure, Leif led his crew and their captives to the village center where some eight score captives were already sitting in the mud. Here and there, there was some blood evidence that not all had surrendered meekly. His plan had worked perfectly. Soon the whole village would be subdued. With a crew of 30 men whe had taken a village of 250 men, women and children. If any of his men were killed he would use the entire village as a funeral pyre.
Leif and his crew were sword sworn. They were all destined to die in battle and go directly to Vahalla if you beleived the old ways. Leif was sword sworn because his father was the second son and his uncle was worried that Leif would depose him.
Leif watches the approach to the point. The helm is well manned. The long boat will just clear the rocks allow them to race to the shore. He looks back and gives the signal. The sail drops quickly and silently. Oars drop in the water and the ships moves forward a silent menacing threat.
Leif absently hefts the axe at his waste. It is the finest steel. A gift from his father. His father agreed that Leif should be sworn to the sword for the good of his clan but did not want him to die too young. Although Leif could not recognize them formally he had planted his seed in several of the more comely and sometimes willing servants at home. His father knew which ones and would recognize them if his cousin failed to meet the challenges of leading the clan.
Armed with the confidence of youth, Leif had prapred for this raid well. He had send two scouts and knew that there was a large stone church to the new god. Stone meant money. His first raid would be successful. His name would be feared.
As the shore approaches Leif shoulder his wooden shield. The iron rim may it to heavy for most men. Leif would be the first ashore. Drawing his axe, he turned and looked into each mans eyes.
The keel hit the sand and full speed riding a wave in. Leif leaped onto the wet sand. The sleepy viilage was silent. Surprise was complete. Dividing his men into three squads, they began working there way through the homes.
Leif's orders had been simple. Collect nothing until all the villagers and the church were secured. Kill men who resist. Subdue the women and children. There would be time enough to collect and enjoy the spoils of war.
Leif moved his squad toward the stone church. The door was not even locked; so trusting these Irish. Charging in, Leif found a small group worshipping the new god. A man in black started to raise an alarm but it never left his throat. His throat was pierced by an arrow.
Leif grinned at the archer. His crew was well trained. Follwing the pattern of his father, Leif demanded obedience but he also demanded that his crew anticipate his wants. The archer knew that he had anticpated well.
Leif began to survey the group of men and women cowering before him. He eyes glinted with battle rage. He dispatched a few men to secure the rest of the church. He did not expect any more resistance here.
Nodding to two of the remaining men, leaving three to stand watchful with him, they began to bind the hapless people. Fearing immediate death, some of them voided soiling themselves. Fear was in the air.
One particular woman began to resisted when Leif's man sqeezed her breasts. Leif was on him in a minute and send him flying across the floor with the back of his hand.
This was new crew man. He looked up from the floor his lip bleeding. He knew that he could have just as easily died. He had disobeyed Leif. Nothing would be savored till the village was secured. Leif glare prompted him to return to his task with greater care and speed.
Leif finished binding the woman as everone one watched. There was fire in her eyes. He made a mental note of her. Being the Chief and Captain had its privileges.
With reports that the church was secure, Leif led his crew and their captives to the village center where some eight score captives were already sitting in the mud. Here and there, there was some blood evidence that not all had surrendered meekly. His plan had worked perfectly. Soon the whole village would be subdued. With a crew of 30 men whe had taken a village of 250 men, women and children. If any of his men were killed he would use the entire village as a funeral pyre.