Tangled webs - Elaine Cunningham [93]
"Aye, Dagmar told me. A great loss."
"More loss than you know," Wedigar said grimly. "He was to have been First Axe of Holgerstead after me." Hrolrs brows rose. "is that so? i knew Thorfinn as a fine fighter, but i hadn't heard he'd joined the ranks of the hamfariggen-the shapestrong," he translated for the benefit of, Liriel and Fyodor. "Holgerstead is a village to the north. Our berserkers live and train there. The mightiest among them can take on the form of beasts during a battle rage. A sight to behold, that is, though not so common now as in olden times."
"Thorfinn was the last, after me," Wedigar agreed somberly. "There are no more hamfariggen upon Ruathym, and therefore no one to lead when i have gone to the halls of Tempus. The old women who read omens believe the shaman's daughter is, of all our women, most likely to bear shape strong sons. Since Thorfinn is dead, i came to the village to court his pledged bride."
"You don't sound very happy about it," Liriel observed with more pleasure than the situation truly demanded.
"i have a wife," the man said shortly. "She has borne me only daughters, but i am content. There can be no peace with two women in one house."
"Precious little of that with just one woman," Hrolf agreed with a grin.
"What of you, Fyodor of Rashemen?" inquired Wedigar, clearly eager to change the subject. "Are your people also hamfariggen?"
"No, and may the ancient gods be praised," Fyodor said with such fervor in his voice and horror on his face that Wedigar fell back a step and regarded the young man with puzzlement.
Afraid he had insulted the ruler of Holgerstead, Fyodor hastened to explain. "You have heard me say that the rituals of Rashemen no longer control my battle frenzy. I would not like to think i could become a beast against my. will, like some wolf-bitten man at the coming of the full moon!"
Wedigar considered this. "Since the shapeshifting gift is not of Ruathym, it has no part of the magic that rages within you. But it might be that you could learn our rituals. You would then have a berserker power you could control."
"A good idea," Liriel agreed promptly, but Fyodor looked unconvinced.
"Think on it, and we will speak of these things again another time. But come, lad. Let's test your strength and skill," Wedigar invited with a good-natured smile as he drew his sword.
The Rashemi shook his head. "i dare not fight you," he said bluntly. "Even a friendly contest might bring the rage upon me."
"Hammers, then," the First Axe suggested, tucking his sword away and unhooking the hammer from his belt. "We throw for distance."
Since he had no excuse for this, Fyodor agreed. Wedigar handed him the weapon, and the young Rashemi hefted it experimentally. It was heavy, but much lighter than the hammers he himself had wielded at the forge. He tossed it high into the air and watched as it spun, considering its speed and balance. Although Liriel and Hrolf instinctively ducked out of the way of the falling weapon, Fyodor stood his ground and easily caught the polished handle.
Wedigar lifted a brow. "You have done this before."
"Seven years at the forge," the Rashemi agreed. "i was apprenticed to a swordsmith as soon as i could stoke a fire and hold tongs. Never have i used a hammer in battle, but we often threw for sport when the day's tasks were done." Fyodor hauled back the weapon for the throw. Sighting ~ down a tree at the edge of the clearing, he heaved for all he was worth. The hammer spun toward it, end over end. The clawed tip bit deep into the wood.
The First Axe nodded, visibly impressed. "You must come to Holgerstead. It is your place," he said simply.
"i would like to see more of Ruathym," Fyodor agreed. "Tomorrow we go to inthar, and i wish to see more of the surrounding hills and forests-perhaps to hunt. I have been too long away from the land," he said wistfully. "But in a few days, i will come."
"i will tell your warrior brothers to expect you," Wedigar said heartily, clapping him on the back. "But the moon rises high, and we must sleep. The unmarried men of the