Out to sea
Author: Amleth Yngling - Date: Sep 3, 2004 - 02:19

This story continues from Widsith's Meodoheall.

Wind fills the belly of the great sail and pushes our vessel out of the Groenasund and into the Elivagar, the great river separating worlds. The current is strong, the water is peaceful and the ship glides quickly through the blue vastness. With only slight manipulations of the rigging, I am able to steer the ship toward the grim, misty world ahead of us.

"Where are we going?" Boltram asks, slightly unnerved by being so far from land.

"To Niflheim, m'lord!" I shout over the gusts. "But worry not, my sea-fearing thane; my mother Gerutha dwells there and her incantations will prevent any mishap from befalling us."

I gently pat the hilt of the blade at my side, Mistilteinn. It was my uncle Weyland's "Sword of Victory", and it will certainly bring us that should we need it, on the way to my mother's grotto.


Mystery
Author: Hildibrands Amaligg - Date: Sep 7, 2004 - 09:18

The very air seems to shimmer and hum as we sail into the great river. I am leaving behing the world as I know it. I would like to say that fear is not what I feel. I almost feel younger, more alive. This place itself feels new as in the beginning of time. But no mortal man could face this trip for the first time with a steady heart.

Niflheim. There lies the realm of Hel. A new shiver runs through me. Many restless souls inhabit it that I have dispatched there with my own hands. But never unfairly, never treacherously, never without a reason. My conscience is clear. Now, what could have driven that logger-headed hasty-witted boy to such a place! But surely he could have landed there in search of adventures. Standing on firm land with a sword in his hand was not enough for him, oh no!

"Your mother, huh," I say noncommittally to Amleth. "Good." Why am I not reassured? Oh well. I turn towards the sea and smile in the face of the haunting mist. This will be Hildibrands' greatest adventure... if not the last...


Gloom
Author: Amleth Yngling - Date: Sep 17, 2004 - 18:45

The rich color wheel of the Nine Worlds fades to cold blues and grey as the Skidbladnir drifts into the thick mists of Niflheim. The bay water is black below the vessel, which glides, lighter than air, over frosty land. It is from this country that the Nibelungs originate. However did they get from Death's Wilderness to Burgundy? I wonder to myself.

I dash over the edge of the ship and climb down the rope ladder. My Gothic companion whole-heartedly follows, anxious to return to solid ground. I have hardly been a good host; Heimdall surely frowns at my hospitality today. My own yearning for adventure got the best of me. I only hope I haven't led this kindly Amelung and myself to our final resting place. As often as I have travelled through Niflheim, I can't help but feel coming here was a big mistake.

We are welcomed at the quay by no one. All that is there to greet us are a frosty vale of ruins, unfriendly mountains beyond, and a lament of the damned riding on the wind.


A sudden cold shiver
Author: Hildibrands Amaligg - Date: Sep 19, 2004 - 13:14

As I look around this dreary place, a horrible suspicion grips my heart. I am no strangers to desolate places and ruins of war. The dead frighten me not. And what there is of otherwordly here, I can learn to bear, but...

I turn to the young man who has led me to this place. "Tell me the truth," I begin, heavily. "You know more than I do. You have bonds in higher places. You said we were coming here to meet your mother... but Hel is nearby. I can feel its cold breath..."

I try to hide the icy fear that runs mercilessly through me. "I am not afraid for myself, but maybe you are leading me to the end of my quest. Tell me... do you know the truth?" I draw a difficult breath. "Is this the reason why you brought me here... is my son dead?"

This story continues at Helheim.