THE VIKING

THE VIKING

V

Wessex, Sussex

Prince Canute, had become the ruler of England after the death of his father, King Alfred, the great. Who died in battle during the seige of London against the barbaric Vikings who came far west, they came in ships, they came in numbers and there goal was to pillage all of New England hording its treasures like a gollum. Village after village, the tyranny of the Vikings spread like a virus. Homes were burnt down, women and children slaughtered or worse taken as slaves. The world had come to an end for the Britons.

After the death of his father, the residents lamented and mourned in any way they could. Churches were flooded with sermons of ressurection and how the likeness of the death of the great King resembled that of Jesus Christ the saviour. The citizens bereaved of their King wore all black with no shoes, covering their faces with dirt and ash to mourn their great King.

The roads were filled with people wailing and crying in cacophony so much so God himself heard their plea. Candles were seen glowing from the setting sun that illuminated their way to the churches for a bountiful sermon. The sky was gray and dull with precipitation from the heavens.

Prince Canute, was held up in the Winchester castle, directions from Sir Thomas Wolf the commander in charge of all armies and head of the King's army. He was also the newly appointed Hand of the King by the late King Alfred. King Alfred's dying wish was for the Knight to protect his first born son, prince Canute at all cost. Protect my son Wolf as I did you when you were young, my son...Those were his last words that rang on Wolf's head day and night.

Sir Thomas Wolf was a tall monolith of a man and was of Greek descnet. It is said that his great grandfather was King Leonidas the, King of Sparta, hundred of years ago and it was evident that he was his off spring. His large body was that likened of a bear and his sword a gift from the barbaian King of Persia for his duty of brokering peace among the two nations.

And now a new threat has arised. The Vikings of Norway, they were stronger than any other opponent Wolf had ever come across. They were blood thirsty savages and driven by blood lust with no inclination to democracy. They were intelligent with great strategies of war that shocked the saxons.

There skills with the use of axes and swordsmanship were too powerful and their bodies were rigid and weather beaten due to the ravaging winds of the sea making their skin almost impenetratable. They say that the one Viking man had the force and power of twenty to one. An exaggeration thought Wolf but like all rumours there is a truth behind it.

His body was scarred from years of battle. Despite his age he was as strong as any ordinary man, with immense knowledge of the realm. He was an exceptional military startegist and devious swordsmanship. He was trained young by his father Odysseus who came to England in search of refuge and greener pastures. He was a former captain and general but sought after life beyond the battlefield as violence begets more violence he always said to his son.

He left the world of war behind him, only for his son to carry on his mantle. Wolf was trained at a young age as it was the norm of every Greek boy, he learnt: strategies of war, astronomy of the night sky, anatomy of the man and the philosophies of man from his father. Until one day as King Alfred the great was passing by a small village known as BludHaven, he saw a young man get into a brawl with two other huge men over an argument. 

It is said the two older men dishonoured his father Odysseus by not paying their wages from swords Odyssesus crafted with his own hands. Wolf approached the two men and demanded payment for his father's work of which they neigh repayed. Wolf used a pick axe from nearby and charged at the men, but they were no match for his swordsmanship.

The King at that time was passing by the village with his entourage only to witness the feud between these soldiers and the blacksmith's son. It was a glorious battle, Wolf subdued them in minutes. The Kings' eyes brightened at the potential and charisma of the young man and appointed him as a Knight of the Winchester castle. Decades later in quick succession Wolf became the Hand of the King and later one of the most feared men in the realm.

Days after the death of King Alfred the great, Prince Canute was to be crowned the King of England as the youngest King to be crowned, in all of History. There was wide spread celebration all across the nation. People in the streets rejoiced and drank mead. Beautiful petals of flowers were cast onto the air and descened onto the ground dreamily. The women sang ancient songs and missals of old to usher in their new young King.

It is said in the Irish Kingdom, a new young King shall arise from the ashes to deliver England from all its adversaries and the prophecy was slowly unraveling itself. The people were jovial in all of Winchester and England. But not Wolf he was ever by King Canute's side, watching over his shoulder in case he gets poisoned or a stray arrow met for his heart would follow. Wolf was ever cautious.

For he sworn his soul to the allegiance to the King of England.