Introducing stout-hearted Dag Gudmundsson. He was a slave but had a warrior's heart!

Page 10
of
Forced Blood The Norseman


     "Somebody pick it up! You two!" The senior stable -thrall and overseer, Dag Gudmundsson, ordered two small boys, one gagging trying not to puke, the other nudging the hand with the toe of his bare foot. "Get yourselves out of the way!" Dag nonstop shouted orders and threats. He shoved the gagging boy, and added, "Get you back to the tit, if you can't stand the sight!" A smirking, older boy slapped the pony's flank, bent when it started sideways and snatched up the hand, after Dag yelled at him. "For all the gods, get it! Get it before the hounds do!"
     Dag examined the severed hand, turning it slowly. Even if he had not been the one to aid the three light-hearted fellows, setting off on their hunting trip the day before, he would still have recognized this hand. He had worked years with the three young men. The puckered scar, a burn, on the back of Stole's hand was like no other. He could see in his mind's eye, the hand, holding taunt the rope with an unruly pony on the other end. Yea, it was Stole's hand. He had no doubt.
     Dag worked quickly. his nerves strained. His hands trembled. He set to rights anything that he could find that Tillhagensson might criticize or question. At the same time, he fought in himself a great sadness for the two missing men. He called on the gods that they not be dead, but if it were so, whatever the manner of their dying, Dag petitioned whole-souled that they fell under honorable ones, warrior's deaths, and in battle. 
     He supplicated the gods in great earnestness for them, his friends, to be enjoying themselves this very moment with rich food and strong drink in Valhalla, telling the glorious tale of their deaths and being regaled by Odin's beautiful Valkyries.
      Quick Glossary: valkyries
                                                   Handmaidens of Odin flying over battle, choosing from among the dead, those worthy of spiritual life in Valhalla (Odin's great feasting hall). Once chosen the valkyries were to escort the warrior spirits to Valhalla and minister to them thereafter. Some experts on valkyries believe that the valkyries chose those who were to die in battle.
     Visit our website for more information, and please do order your sighned copy of Forced Blood The Norseman from authorsden.
www.christopherperryandlindanewtonperry.com
Warmest regards,
Linda Newton-Perry