Free Adalwulf: The Two Swords (Tales of Germania Book 1) by Alaric Longward Page A

blacksmith said. “But he did.”
    She shrugged. “There is no doubt about that in anyone’s mind. They acquitted him in the Thing, but not in Bero’s mind. The two hated each other, Maroboodus and Maino. They left the north, travelled here after many adventures, and here, Hulderic finally sent Maroboodus away. The man disappeared with the family treasure, Draupnir’s Spawn, a ring of old, ancient, a miracle of golden glory. They say it is Woden’s own gift to the first men. It is famed enough to summon an army amongst the northern Suebi. It has influence with the Semnones, Goths, and other old Suebi tribes.
    “Maroboodus took it from Hulderic after his last visit home, when he sired Gernot, having already had Hraban, and begged Hulderic to topple Bero, to burn his hall, to slay their foe. Hulderic refused, gods know for how many times. They are an old family, but their past is full of bad blood and chaos.” She glanced at me. “This sword is part of their feud. As old as the ring, Bero carried it once, and their family has a history of kinslaying. He fears the blade. It makes sense he’d try to steal and send it away. He can’t wear it after pinching it, and he is too afraid of it to hide it for himself, so he wants it gone. He’s been plotting to be rid of it for a long time.”
    “I see, and so I should not mention Maroboodus,” I stated.
    “You can, if you wish to meet a sour warlord,” she laughed.
    We rode over rich barley fields, took small tracks through two small hills with a village on each, and I admired the land. It was a wonder Rome had not taken the place yet, but then, the Germani didn’t easily part with land, and few Roman men travelled over the river and saw the true riches nestled in valleys and hillsides. The Romans mostly thought the Germani lived in smoky halls and ate grass in midst of spirit-haunted woods. The Celts had to endure all of the Roman malice, losing millions of people, some poets sing, and even traitorous Germani tribes have taken their bits and pieces of Gaul with the blessings of the Romans.
    Then, when Sunna was being dragged beyond the horizon by the celestial horses, chased by the feral day-wolf, Sköll, we saw the hall of Teutorigos. It was a peaceful looking abode in the edge of a forest, and many rich fields and corralled horse-pastures could be seen.
    “The stables are open,” Bellows said, and probably the lords had left, since the day was nearly gone. No guards could be seen.
    The grand hall was guarded, though, surely , I thought, and then I saw it was indeed. Men got up from benches in the shadowy side of the hall as they saw us approaching, and some had colorful bracae pants in the Celtic style, others wore simple pants and tunics of the Germani. All were suddenly armed, their drinks and dice forgotten, and there were but seven of them. Gisil waved her hand as some of the men recognized her, and walked to see what the rush was all about. Some servants peeked out from an open doorway.
    “Is there trouble?’ a balding warrior asked, his moustaches drooping, and stepped aside as the wild woman vaulted down from her horse. A younger man with wild, golden hair and a long scar on his face scowled behind the man. He had a belt with golden hoops, rich as a fat king’s.
    “They here? Are they? Or did they leave?” she panted.
    “No, no, and yes,” the balding man chuckled. “And the holy völva would do better than rush around, her legs bared.” Indeed, the men stared at the woman whose dress had left her shapely legs visible, and blushing she fixed her attire.
    “Is the sword home?” she asked abrasively.
    “Sword?” asked the golden-haired man with the scar. “Why? Do you wish to bring her news? She might refuse to see you.” he asked, half serious, but saw she was in no mood for being made fun of. “All the swords are home,” he affirmed. “There are no weapons with the chiefs, only the guards and they’ll not get to go near Flowery Meadows. You