Ansuz clapped as Althunn finished reciting another of her poems. Dwarven poetry's style was different than what he was used to from Midgard, but beautiful in its own way. Like the dwarves themselves, the initial horror of their unusual shape hid great beauty.#futharkvillage
— Perseus Greenman (@futharkvillage) December 30, 2019
In all, Ansuz was finding Princess Allthunn's company very enjoyable. "You should meet our volva, Sowilo," Ansuz said. "I think you two would get along fabulously."
— Perseus Greenman (@futharkvillage) December 30, 2019
"If I hadn't been a princess, I likely would have followed the volva's path," Althunn replied.#futharkvillage
Ansuz rattled off the following verse, unprepared:
— Perseus Greenman (@futharkvillage) December 30, 2019
"Heiress to hair-givers
Harnessed to arts of ruling
Prevented from prophecy,
Prompts good from her public.
"Does this sound like your situation?"
"Yes, it quite does," Althunn laughed. #futharkvillage
As the carriage trundled along toward Dvallin's hut, the two shared poetry back and forth. Ansuz tried to stick to the Skaldic style, with its alliteration and internal rhyme. Althunn preferred the Dwarven style, with its dactyls and rhymes at beginning and end.#futharkvillage
— Perseus Greenman (@futharkvillage) December 30, 2019
"Whoa!" Raidho interrupted the poetry inside the carriage with a cry of surprise from the front, where he perched as driver. The horses came to a stop, but nickered nervously.
— Perseus Greenman (@futharkvillage) December 30, 2019
Ansuz lept out to see what was the matter, and was surprised to see a charred ruin.#futharkvillage
The three of them walked through the waste that remained of Dvallin's hut. The once-thatched roof was gone, and only three walls still stood.
— Perseus Greenman (@futharkvillage) December 30, 2019
"How long has it been since you have visited Dvallin?" Ansuz asked Althunn.
"About five years. Before Fimbulwinter."#futharkvillage
Ansuz gave this verse:
— Perseus Greenman (@futharkvillage) December 30, 2019
"Warm wave won poet's place
Washed away Dvallin
Stone facimilies stand
Statues unknown of dwarves."
"Can we leave now?" Raidho asked. This place, and Ansuz's poem, creeped him out.
"No," Althunn replied. "We need to know what happened."#futharkvillage
"Did he forget to pay?" Ansuz thought of how Fehu's anger when one of her debtors didn't pay her back. "And why would he have such expressions carved into their faces?"
— Perseus Greenman (@futharkvillage) December 30, 2019
"I don't know," Althunn replied, overwhelmed by the devastation.
"Can we go?" Raidho asked.#futharkvillage
Althunn recited another new poem as she looked down over one of the scorched walls, into the subterranean foundation of the hut.
— Perseus Greenman (@futharkvillage) December 30, 2019
"Dvallin the teacher of songs and of poetry
Called by the one that eats all things so totally."
"Ooh," Raidho said.#futharkvillage
Raidho the Traveler pointed over Althunn's shoulder into what had been the basement of the hut. "Do you think that hole leads anywhere?"
— Perseus Greenman (@futharkvillage) December 30, 2019
Ansuz and Althunn followed his gaze to a hole in the basement wall which appeared to descend into darkness. #futharkvillage
Raidho lept over the burned out wall of the house, his blue cape fluttering behind him as he descended into the basement. He stumbled forward a few paces as he landed, then righted himself and walked cautiously toward the hole in the wall.#futharkvillage
— Perseus Greenman (@futharkvillage) December 31, 2019
"Well. I'm not going to survive a jump like that," Ansuz said, looking around for an easier way down.
— Perseus Greenman (@futharkvillage) December 31, 2019
"Maybe we can push one of these beams down?" Althunn pondered. "We could shimmy down, if you don't mind getting ash on your clothes."
"That one looks good."#futharkvillage
The two poets pushed on the chosen vertical beam and began pushing it over. There was an audible CRACK and it fell into the hole.
— Perseus Greenman (@futharkvillage) December 31, 2019
"Hey!" Raidho called from the basement. "Watch where you're dropping those things! It almost hit me!"
They slid down the beam.#futharkvillage
"You're right!" Althunn said. "The moss is painted onto the walls in the shapes of runes."
— Perseus Greenman (@futharkvillage) December 31, 2019
Ansuz climbed into the hole and held his head closer to the runes, to try to read what they said. "Beware the statues?"
The sound of grinding stone echoed behind them.#futharkvillage
Raidho climbed the beam back up to the surface and stood to poke his head above the burned wall. Then he slid back down on his two feet and ran into the hole. "They're moving!"
— Perseus Greenman (@futharkvillage) December 31, 2019
Ansuz and Althunn followed him. The hole was big enough for a dwarf to move freely.#futharkvillage
Raidho tucked his cape up under his arm to keep it from catching on the roots and stones of the tunnel as he ran forward, bent at the waist to avoid bumping his head.
— Perseus Greenman (@futharkvillage) December 31, 2019
Ansuz took up the rear, crawling on hands and knees.
Althunn ran impatiently behind Raidho.#futharkvillage
The sound of something behind them scrabbling against the dirt of the tunnel urged them on. The moss light was dim enough that they could only see a few feet ahead of them. They stumbled through the dark tunnel as fast as they could, tripping often.#futharkvillage
— Perseus Greenman (@futharkvillage) December 31, 2019
There was a crashing sound. Suddenly, a rush of air crashed toward them from behind in a wave of dust and small rocks.
— Perseus Greenman (@futharkvillage) December 31, 2019
"That sounded like a cave-in." Raidho looked back, worry on his face. "No way to go but forward. Let's just hope this tunnel leads somewhere."#futharkvillage
The scrabbling and scratching sounds of the statues had dissipated behind them, so they moved more slowly and cautiously through the tunnel. It felt like hours, but in the dim light of the moss runes, they had no way of knowing how long they walked. #futharkvillage
— Perseus Greenman (@futharkvillage) December 31, 2019
To Raidho's chagrin, Althunn resumed reciting poems to Ansuz again.
— Perseus Greenman (@futharkvillage) December 31, 2019
"Highest athrone in his hall of the battle deadNigh the enrage'ed companion of golden headMust take the work of the dwarven enchanted thingsJudging the makers of gungnir and golden rings."#futharkvillage
"Okay, I have a poem," Raidho said in frustration.
— Perseus Greenman (@futharkvillage) December 31, 2019
"Three lost people ran in the dark
They were trapped far away from their mark.
The statues attacked,
They were out of snacks,
So they tried to escape to the place they could hear larks."#futharkvillage
"That's, um, very good." Ansuz said politely. "Are you familiar with the concept of meter, Raidho?"
— Perseus Greenman (@futharkvillage) December 31, 2019
"I know that some people like to measure distances in furlongs or leagues. Is that what you mean?"
"No, not quite."
The three walked on in silence for a time.#futharkvillage
"We have a few poems about the gods' judging of the dwarven implements as well," Ansuz said to Althunn, carefully picking his way through the tunnel. "Would you care to hear one about the gifts given to the god Frey?"
— Perseus Greenman (@futharkvillage) January 1, 2020
"Very much so," the princess replied.#futharkvillage
Ansuz recited:
— Perseus Greenman (@futharkvillage) January 1, 2020
"For fair Frey of Vanir
Ivaldi's offspring gave
Fangs flaying, flying, gold
Bristled beast Gullenbor.
"But Brokk and Eitri gave
Elven acres' fine king
Transport through rough tides
Skidbladnir bent in sack."
"Lovely!" Althunn responded.#futharkvillage
"Thunderous Holder of Hamm–"
— Perseus Greenman (@futharkvillage) January 1, 2020
Althunn began to recite another poem, but Raidho cut her off.
"Light!" Raidho did a little dance, banging his head on the ceiling. Even through his turban, that hurt. He stopped to rub his head, but the others rushed past him.#futharkvillage
After lurching so long through the tunnel, illuminated only by the light of the glowing moss runes, the reddish brightness of Svartalfheim's lava light was a welcome sight. It streamed in through a hole in the ceiling, above what appeared to be another cave-in. #futharkvillage
— Perseus Greenman (@futharkvillage) January 1, 2020
"They are marching to the exchange of the hammer," Princess Althunn said. "This is Magni's army. See him in his chariot at the back? They are going to deliver the hammer to Modi for the next foray into Jotunheim."
— Perseus Greenman (@futharkvillage) January 1, 2020
"Is it safe to talk to them?" Ansuz asked.#futharkvillage
Before Althunn had fully gotten out her "yes," Raidho was moving, scrabbling down the rocky slope toward the army below. This "Exchange of the Hammer" was something he wanted to see! The brothers hated each other enough to start a war; this must be spectacular!#futharkvillage
— Perseus Greenman (@futharkvillage) January 1, 2020
Ansuz sang a rune of surefootedness over his boots, and began to follow Raidho, but Althunn stopped him. "Did you just enchant your boots? Please do the same for me!" He turned back to find her hand on his shoulder.
— Perseus Greenman (@futharkvillage) January 1, 2020
"You studied with Dvallin. I can teach you."#futharkvillage
"Hey!" Raidho called, his arms burning with the effort of climbing down the cliff face. "Wait for me! Ansuz!"
— Perseus Greenman (@futharkvillage) January 1, 2020
Ansuz turned around, a few steps below Raidho, and said calmly, "Hurry up, my friend. We don't want to miss them." He turned back and kept walking down.#futharkvillage
Raidho tried to climb down faster, to keep up with the two poets who were simply walking down the cliff. A moment later, though, his right hand missed its grip and he nearly fell. "Help!" he shouted.
— Perseus Greenman (@futharkvillage) January 1, 2020
From below, one of the einherjar pointed up at them.#futharkvillage
Raidho was able to get his right hand back onto the wall of rock, keeping himself from falling, but Ansuz and Althunn stopped walking. Below, a half-dozen archers were arraying themselves toward the cliff wall, pointing arrows up at them. "They have noticed us."#futharkvillage
— Perseus Greenman (@futharkvillage) January 1, 2020
Thurisaz was sure that he would soon wake from this dream. Magni, son of Thor, had declared Thurisaz his favorite mortal, and given him every privilege. Now, Thurisaz was riding next to Magni in his chariot on the way to meet Modi, Thor's other son. #futharkvillage
— Perseus Greenman (@futharkvillage) January 2, 2020
The chariot was pulled by goats whose names Thurisaz hadn't learned; Tanngrisnir and Tanngnjostr were in Hel with Thor.
— Perseus Greenman (@futharkvillage) January 2, 2020
Arrayed in front of the chariot were einherjar, the greatest warriors in history, who had passed their allegiance to Magni at Odin's death.#futharkvillage
"Archers! Archers to the front!" a call came from an einherjar near the front.
— Perseus Greenman (@futharkvillage) January 2, 2020
Beside Thurisaz, Magni raised an eyebrow in surprise and curiosity.
A scout ran back from the front. "Strangers on the cliffside, sir. Probably spies."
"Spies?" Magni asked.#futharkvillage
Magni turned a disapproving look on the scout. "Who would have need of spies in this place? We move openly to give the hammer to my brother. We do not attack Jotunheim today, and we have no enemies here in Svartalfheim. What would be the use of spies?"#futharkvillage
— Perseus Greenman (@futharkvillage) January 2, 2020
While the chariot rumbled forward, Thurisaz strained his eyes to make out the so-called spies. They were nearing the archers whose bows were pointed at the men on the cliff.
— Perseus Greenman (@futharkvillage) January 2, 2020
Then the archers began lowering their bows slowly, but not due to any command. #futharkvillage
Thurisaz could hear mutterings of "Odin" and "Grimnir" among the Einherjar. Looking again at the cliff, he saw more clearly who was up there. "Ansuz! And Raidho! You've come to join me in Magni's retinue?"
— Perseus Greenman (@futharkvillage) January 2, 2020
The archers turned and stared at Thurisaz.#futharkvillage
One of the archers shouted at this upstart mortal who rode in Magni's chariot. "Show some respect. The man who gave me my magic bow when I was mortal is on that cliff face! See the hat and covered eye!"
— Perseus Greenman (@futharkvillage) January 2, 2020
Many other einherjar nodded, remembering their own stories.#futharkvillage
Now that the einherjars' bows were lowered, Raidho, Ansuz, and Althunn resumed climbing down the cliff face. Thurisaz ran to greet them, ignoring the disapproving stares of the einherjar around him.
— Perseus Greenman (@futharkvillage) January 2, 2020
Ansuz reached Thurisaz first, and they embraced. #futharkvillage
Raidho lost his grip and fell. Thurisaz shoved Althunn out of the way, causing her to fall to the ground, and lept to grab his friend.
— Perseus Greenman (@futharkvillage) January 2, 2020
"My arm!" Althunn cried. "I think it's broken."
Thurisaz turned around, Raidho caught safely in his arms.#futharkvillage
Guilt covered Thurisaz's face. "I didn't mean to…"
— Perseus Greenman (@futharkvillage) January 2, 2020
Thurisaz stopped as Magni approached. The god lowered himself to one knee next to the princess and examined the wound. "I can set the bone, and my hammer can provide you with some relief."#futharkvillage
Althunn cringed away from the god of strength. She didn't like the sound of "relief" from a hammer.
— Perseus Greenman (@futharkvillage) January 2, 2020
But Magni held her arm immobilized. "This will hurt. I'm sorry." Magni placed one of his gauntleted hands on either side of the break. And pulled.#futharkvillage
Althunn screamed and passed out. Magni drew forth Mjolnir and placed it upon the arm for a moment. Everyone nearby could feel the healing energies passing through it.
— Perseus Greenman (@futharkvillage) January 2, 2020
"Only time will heal this bone, but I have done what I can." Magni rose to his feet.#futharkvillage