The Lay of Sædraca

The Lay of Sædraca
Written: 2006
Synopsis: A epic poem about a Norse warrior who encounters peril on the high seas
Note: I'm having trouble formatting the caesuras; sorry.
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Hark! The whole universe was formed in ages past
From Ymirs corpse so too did Hjorrheim rise from the blood
Of Darren Damirson whose death allied the three tribes of Jutland

But strife came in those glorious halls as Loki's hand was played
The Shield-peace was shattered and many were the fallen
Dvalin and Nori Orm and Vili
Thyam and Erik Sworthin the Spear Thrower
And many more whose names have beeen lost, though their deeds live on

As the green-meat failed to grow the Lord looked elsewhere
Oer the seas to the brighter land
And sent his Thane on a crossing
To seek food to feed his people's open mouths.

Melrakki launched a longship with thirteen mighty men
Calling it Sædraca a name of ill omen
He hastened to Hibernia for conquest and spoils.

On the shark-road they sailed for many days and nights
Until a cloud darkened Ymir's skull blotting out the sun as though the wolf earned his meal
The waves tossed up and hurled the ship about as a toy in the hand of a God

Undaunted Melrakki stood at the fore holding his ground as he was tossed about.
He shook his fist at the wind and invoked the Treehanger
For Odin, the One-Eye, the All-Wise might answer
And dampen the demons of the eternal sea.

And even as he spake the storm retreated to its astral home
And the angry water returned to its soothing rythym
The storm had vanished as completely as Haelend
After he saved the Sverdings from an untimely death
All those years past In the dread winter.

Peace was not to be had for they were not alone
A flying-sheet was on the horizon and moving ever closer
The sigil was of Vandbarr the Kinslayer of Jorgum
The water-horse drew nearer as the warriors readeid their Skjolds
Knowing that this fight may be their last until they joined with Odin in Valhall.

"Kinslayer!" called Melrakki his voice echoing across the water
As that of a Thor calling for a giant in Jotunheim's halls
"What business have you here? Leave us and begone!"
Vandbarr's reply was more biting A swarm of arrows from above
Fell upon the warriors Slaying two noble men who were Melrakki's kin
And then he boats met And Vandbarr's demons swarmed across

Melrakki slew the first And drove his Sverd into another.
Vandbarr bellowed as the Berserkgangr came upon him
Transforming him into a raging bear who barreled forth
Ripping out the hearts Of two warriors and devouring them

Melrakki stood with sverd in hand and took he first drive upon his skjold
Pushing back the demon with the boss
His sverd swung in the air but did not bite
Though Vandmarr's claws tore though his chain

The Thane swung low and the flat of his blade
Took the bear below the knees ssending him to the deck
And seizing his head between two hand Melrakki snapped his neck.

The battle done the enemy corpses
Were turned into the eternal depths
The swiftest route to Hel where they would work on the nail-boat.

The four of Melrakki's warriors who had fallen
Were placed on Vandmarr's boat with their sverds and skjolds.
Their hair was long their nails were trimmed
They lived their life as true warriors.
Then the teller of tales Grettir the Bard
Lifted his lute and began to play

Ragnorok's herald, Baldr Odin's son
Whose death would call the Ragnarok
Could not be allowed to languish in Hel
Hod's hand had shot but Loki had guided
The dart that dealt the final blow

Hermod rode for many leagues
On Slepinir Stallion of Odin
The Seer's Sevant asked for Baldr's release
And was refused by Hel herself
Unless all living things lamented the fair one's passing

So the pantheon passed throughout Asgard and Mitgard
And all the branches of great Yggdrasil
Even in Jotunheim did they lament the death of Baldr
But in one far-off cave slept Thokk the giantess
Whose eyes would shed no tears not even for one so fair
So Baldr languishes in the pi t until the First Day
When he rise and return to the fields of Asgard
With Magni and Modi and Hod his brother
And the world shall be replenished anew

And the torch was put to the boat as it was cast away
And the dead were sent away in the manner of kings

In the sun's last light the ship suddenly collapsed beneath the waves
Pulled down by an almighty arm into the depths.
"They have been taken up by the Valkyries"
said Valern the Young the next to die.
"No," said Melrakki "take up your skjolds
A fell presence is at work here.
They were dragged down not up to the heavenly hall."

For it was no mortal presence that assailed them
It was the Sædraca itself seeking vengeance for its name
The conquering kraken the tentacled horror
The fourth spawn of Loki devil of the gods
and the doom of Melrakki though doomed in itself

Even as skjolds were reborne A massive tentacle lashed from the deep
And grabbed Valern yanking him away
Towards some massive maw beneath the waves

Eight of the appendages latched to the boat
And no sverd nor spear Could unlatch them
With a thunderous crack Louder than Mjollnir
The boat was rent asunder and the water rushed in

Melrakki held on to his sverd and swam toward the monstrous head
A massive tentacle grabbed the viking holding him away from air
With fading breath he plunged his sword into a gigantic eye
Sending massive clouts of red dust into the dark blue

The kraken sunk but its irresitable grip
Dragged Melrakki down the depths
As the world turned back there was a flutter of wings
And an outstretched hand tore Melrakki from his foe's grasp
And pulled him up to Asgard where he fought until the Ragnarok.