Bardic Arts

Erickvida
by
Torvald Torgarson
March, 1999 (AS XXXIII)

The men of two-hawks take the hill
Look down upon their sundered swan kin
Logan turns his face to the wind
To search for William’s bright brand
Two they were on field of the dead
Two lost, not found by living men
Cold men from across the Blue-Land
None colder than Eric Blood Axe
High raise the wound-wolf in hunger
Never sated with swan’s-heart-rain
Two they were on field of the dead
Two lost, not found by living men
Forth in challenge he strides the first
Seeking for the dance-of-iron
Torvald, Skald of the Dark Claw’s Hall
Shoulders through to meet him in pain
Two they were on field of the dead
Two lost, not found by living men
Bold in its thirst the Torvald’s Bane
Striking with a snarl filled with rage
Turned aside by hilt-wand in its wrath
Torvald strikes the One-Eye’s-Fury
Two they were on field of the dead
Two lost, not found by living men
Seek not on the field for the Dane
Nor for the one who stood against him
Tonight they stand in Odin’s Hall
Drinking deep the Valkyries song
Two they were on field of the dead
Two lost, not found by living men

At the Mist/Cynagua war that was held at the Two Rocks Coast Guard Station. During the last open field battle before lunch, the two armies arrayed and began their advance. But far ahead of the Misty forces was Eric Johann Meyer armed with a norse ax. I was armed with my great sword and couldn’t resist moving through the Cynaguan lines to meet him. Shouting his name I charged with sword raised, and shouting my name in return Eric charged. The image of the two norsemen doing battle between the advancing armies so inspired me that I went to luch early and wrote this poem. I then returned to the field, and as soon as Eric had fallen in battle I called him over and with Princess Maren of the Mists to witness I performed and presented this poem to him.

This is one of my earlier skaldic works. I do make use of kennings, some original. And use an 8 syllable count used occasionally in the 12th century. I did not work the alliterative riming in to this piece, but was very happy with the result. By virtue of the stef this poem would be classified as a drapa, although it is a bit short. -- Torvald

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