Link to part 3: http://sturgisstormwatch.blogspot.com/2012/03/head-of-dragon-part-iii.html#!/2012/03/head-of-dragon-part-iii.html
by Cooper Heilmann, staff reporter
Eric stood outside his hut, watching the first bright rays of sunlight sweep over the frozen landscape. He had barely slept at all last night. After the wolves attacked, Eric’s uncle Bjorn told him to go back home while he searched the village for casualties. Eric had been still in a daze as he walked back home with the smithy hammer in his hand. Behind him he had seen the torches of half a dozen men running throughout the village. He had not heard the news yet, but he didn’t think anyone else had been attacked. He couldn’t shake away the notion that those were no ordinary wolves.
That day was the monthly village gathering. The people of the village would gather around Odin’s Totem in the village square. Anyone who owned a sheep or a goat or something of the sort would sacrifice it to Odin or sometimes other gods. Eric waited outside for his mother to be ready. “There you are, Eric!” said his mother, emerging from the house. “I thought you were still in bed.” Eric’s mother Hilde was a middle-aged woman whose blond hair was already showing streaks of gray. She was usually solemn, but she tried to be somewhat cheerful when she was around Eric. “No, I couldn’t sleep,” Eric replied. Behind her, Bjorn emerged from the house with his sword at his belt. “Are we ready?” he asked. He seemed barely flustered from last night’s battle. “Yes,” said Eric’s mother. They walked to Odin’s Totem together.
When they arrived, they found the normal gathering of about thirty people. The chief of the village, Edgar the Old, sat in a wooden chair that was brought to the village square. Eric noticed his friends Egil and Heidi standing across the ring of villagers. He had known them since he was little. Egil was a fine sword fighter, but a little clumsy and lacked common sense. Heidi was very smart and she had a hidden talent for two things: spear-throwing, and getting into trouble. He waved to them, thinking he would see them later. The villagers were chattering with one another when the chief shouted, “Silence!” Everyone fell quiet. He continued to speak.
“Today, we gather here to praise our gods and welcome the coming of a new month. I know most of you have prepared sacrifices for Odin the All-Father, but today is a special case. Last night, the village was attacked by a pack of rabid wolves. Our great warriors, lead by Bjorn, were able to drive them out. They were not alone, however. Our young Eric, Bjorn’s own nephew fought off three of the wolves single-handedly. This is an act of bravery and courage as has not been seen for a long time. As some of you may know, today is Eric’s coming-of-age. He will have this ceremony with his fellow young men Egil and Nilfein. But that is later. Now bring up your sacrifices and offerings, and pray to Our Fathers!”
The villagers brought up their offerings and took turns praying to their gods. Eric’s Uncle Bjorn offered one of the dead wolves with gratitude to Tyr, the god of war. When it was Eric’s turn, he kneeled down and placed three gold coins on the table in front of the totem. Then he looked up to the sky and prayed. I don’t know how I killed those wolves last night, but I do know that I didn’t do it alone. I thank you, Thor, Lord of Thunder, for aiding me. Afterwards, Eric didn’t know why he had prayed to Thor. It just seemed right. Next was the coming-of-age ceremony. Eric stepped up to the totem with his friends Egil and Heidi and waited to be presented his first weapon. Heidi and Eric’s mother watched them from the crowd. He knew the blacksmith had prepared something for him.
“Ready?” Egil asked him. Eric smiled. “Ready,” he said. The young men’s guardians came forward and presented them their first weapons. Egil was given a sturdy iron sword, while the other boy Nilfein was given an axe, which he almost dropped at first. Bjorn came up to Eric and unwrapped a beautiful sword. The pommel was wrapped in leather, and the blade had been folded in on itself with dark iron and steel, giving it the look of storm clouds. Eric tried to contain his excitement. Then the chief spoke. “Congratulations, young men. Now, according to Bjorn and his fellow soldiers, the wolf attack last night was not a normal one. The wolves were stronger and more agile than anything we’ve encountered before. Bjorn thinks he knows the source of this wolf attack, and he suspects there will be another. Strange things have been happening lately that are putting Bjorn and I on edge. Therefore, he and I have chosen you two young men, Eric and Egil, to go with him to find these wolves’ hiding place. If you have any more questions, Bjorn will explain everything to you tonight.” The villagers muttered amongst themselves. “All right, enough said. Enjoy the rest of this day, everyone! And Megi goðin vera með þér! May the gods be with you.“
Everyone left, and Eric was left wondering what this was all about.
