The blade had found it's mark. The familiar cold grey steel of his leafblade bit deep into the fleshy shoulder of his opponent. The young man's eyes fluttered and closed as the herald of death brought the sting of it's message quickly to the surprised warrior. Ragnar maintained a steady grip upon his sword as it's victim collapse to the ground.
So deep was the wound that the blade remained steadfast in it's victim's body until Ragnar was forced to apply a foot to the shoulder of his prey and tugged, pulling the blade free. Once it was free he turned to face the next of several valiant men that would hear the death's message.
Elsewhere, the night had turned cold and the wind brisk. The blonde haired maiden shuddered as she drew her fur lined cloak close to her. The pale snow glimmered under the light of the full moon and crunched under her feet as she led her mount from the stable to where the others were assembled outside of the hall. Her shapely figure cast an almost phantasmal like shadow upon the ground beneath her. The silver aura of moonlight made her appear from a distance like she was a shimmering star. The other maidens were already assembled and the air was electric with conversation and laughter. She took a position towards the rear of the pack, unsure of just what her role was in this gathering.
"It's your first ride, isn't it?" An older woman asked her.
"Yes" she nodded.
The older woman's gray highlights in her otherwise long blonde hair shown through her braids creating an almost checkered pattern in her locks and the younger one knew that the elder had seen her share of battles.

"Stay with me child and you will be fine." the older one said, nodding.
"It is a good night, Freyja will be happy." she added.
As the battle raged on, Ragnar began to feel tired. His sword and shield were still steady in his hands and he knew that if he were to survive this evening's ravenfeast, he would have to draw upon courage and strength deep within himself.
He uttered what would be his last prayer.
"Frost falls from winter sky,
as a silver crown upon your brow.
The glory of the pale moon,
the aura of your smile.
Freyja grant me courage this night!

Brisingamen does thee no justice
Come and stay with me a while.
Let me bask in your silver light.
Queen of the world, Frigga's bane
goddess of the winter's night.
Freyja grant me strength this night!
Sunlit splendor is her smile.
Distilled from morning sent dew.
Jewels set upon fresh fallen snow
Her eyes that shine with heaven's light.
Freyja be with me this night!
A pale full moon on a winter's night dare not in beauty compare
to the radiance of the autumn queen
that holds enslaved my heart!"
It began as a sharp pain in his stomach, that spread quickly throughout his body. Ragnar looked down to see the business end of a knife sticking up from his abdomen. The small blade gleamed in the moonlight as he stood there, almost dreamlike and watch the knife twist and descend back into the gaping wound from where it originated.
He closed his eyes and accepted his fate. Soon, he hoped, to be dining in Sessrumnir and if so honored by Freyja, to share her bed for one night as reward for his valiant deeds.

"SHIELDMAIDENS.... RIDE!" came the call, ringing across the vale. The group climbed aboard their chargers and with reins in hand brought the horses to the ready.

Fear and anticipation welled up inside the young girl. She had heard the many tales and longed for the time that was before her for many years. Would she be worthy of the call? She thought so, yet there was the nagging doubt that hides within the shadows of conscience, forever gnawing away at the confidence, until only fear remains.

"Daughters of the shield! Ride this night for the glory of the old gods! Stand strong and let not fear show upon your faces, for you are the elect and chosen of the father! You shall be have success this night!" Freyja's voice cried out at the head of the pack.

"For Odin, For Frejya and for the worlds ending!" the group answered

"Ride Valkyrie, RIDE!"

Over the hills they flew, their chargers racing across the sky. Behind them the aura of blues and greens and red filled the night sky. Far below them farmers would look out of their windows and see the night-lights, dancing in the sky and say "The hunt is afoot this night."

The young Valkyr stayed close to the elder woman. Still unsure of herself, she was not entirely aware of what lay ahead.

The Elder Valkyr smiled. " I am Brunhild.” she said.

"They call me Mist" replied the young girl.

"Well then, Mist, let us ride to the woods of harfelt; a midnight battle is brewing.there you shall have your first kiss!"

"Soon my child, soon." the elder said.

Anticipation grew with every heartbeat of the young maid's pounding heart. She looked over at her friend again and noticed that something was very different.
A fire burned within her friend's eyes and her appearance had changed. Gone where the graceful feminine features of a mature lady, replaced with the sleek outline of a wolf

All about her were wolves. Fiendishly gray and black shadows and shapes darting in and around the trees. Gone were the horses and shield maidens with glittering armor in the moonlit sky.

The young Valkyr screamed with terror but in place of her voice, a mournful howl filled the air. It was in that moment she realized that she was as much a wolf as the others all around her.

An old gray she wolf ran toward her. She sensed that she should follow her.

Soon they arrived at the scene of a terrible battle. The dead and wounded lie scattered about, hacked to pieces by the swords and axes of men. The wolves darted to and fro, from body to body biting and gnashing. Some were still alive when the beasts attacked. Their screams were quickly silenced by the vice of canine jaws.

The old she wolf led the younger to a far corner of the field. There they found the young Ragnar, a mortal blow to his abdomen. He was alive, but the young wolf could smell the stench of death upon him. She looked at him and then at the old she wolf.
The young warrior struggled to escape, reaching for his sword, but weakness was upon him. It was then the young Valkyrie knew what she had to do. She leapt for his throat...