Chapter 11—THE CRASHER

Once the two armbands were upon their new owners, the front doors to the Great Hall banged open. Causing all to look towards the reason. A man came running in; it was the Captain of the Guard, who was supposed to be at the gates.

The man came running towards the front and stood before the newlyweds. “Varg, my Lord.” The Captain gasped, trying to find his breath. “I am sorry, but there is a man at the gates.” He was trying to find his air to breathe. “He demands to see you.”

Varg glanced towards the doors with a glare upon his face. “Did he say what it was about?”

“Yes, my Lord.” The Captain bowed. “He spoke about gathering all the Vikings for a war that is to come.”

Varg sighed and darkly called out, “Bring the man in!”

Lyra saw that Varg was not happy about the man interrupting the wedding. But at least, they were married before the man had come and angered her husband. It had taken a moment, for the man from the front gates to walk into the Great Hall. The man looked to be about five foot eleven, with a body full of armor, from head to toe. His face was covered by a beard that came down to his chest and a mustache that blended into his beard. Even though the man may not be as tall, but he was wide, he looked like a seasoned warrior. He wanted to find more battles to attend to.

The man spoke with a deep thick voice as he walked closer to where Varg, Lyra, Carriage, and Thor were standing. “I speak on the behalf of my Lord, Kadir. He is working on getting our King Wiglaf, regaining back his throne over Mercia.” The man stood before them while the rest were upon the platform, looking down upon him. “Egbert of Wessex is taking more of our lands every day.”

Varg, with a dark glare upon his face, asked the man before him, “What is your name?”

“Rajmund,” stated the broad man.

Lyra saw that the man in question had glanced towards her; as he had stated his name, causing her to move behind Varg. She did not want to have Rajmund to have a free glance towards her. It was making her feel dirty about herself. Trying to fight the need to scratch at her arms from the look that he was giving her.

Varg felt the hairs stand on his neck. Seeing the unsettling effect that the man was causing his wife. He crossed his arms, over his chest, while Lyra had stepped behind him. Varg was making himself into a wall, to where Rajmund was not able to see Lyra.

“Well, Rajmund,” Varg started with a dark sounding voice, “do you know how many years we have been at war with Egbert of Wessex?” When was no answer given from the man, Varg went on to say, “I will tell you—it has been eleven years!” Varg was building steam and anger for the traveling warrior. “My father was the one who went to the war when it had started and never came BACK.”

Lyra wrapped her arms around him while she was still behind him, hoping that it would calm him enough down and praying that he would use his warrior's brains and not brawns. It seemed to work since she felt him take a breath. “I have told many of our leaders, as well as King Wiglaf, that I wouldn’t be a part of this war.” He spoke with heat behind his words.

Rajmund let out a great sigh. “You have until morning to follow our people to war, or King Wiglaf will be knocking at your door, Varg Drake.” He gave the warrior leader a heated glare of his own. He hated the man before him. “You are a great warrior, and you being a Wolf-Dragon will help us to win this war before winter. I am sorry that I have crashed into your wedding.” Despite his words, his look told the people before him that he was not sorry—not one bit. “But you have the night to enjoy your new bride before heading out at dawn.”

Varg growled at the man. He knew the double meaning behind the stranger’s words. Just as Varg was thinking about harming the man, Thor stepped forward and spoke to the man, “Do you know who I am?”

Rajmund moved his head towards the new voice in annoyance. He then gasped as he realized who was speaking with him. “How is this possible?” asked the man in wonder. Rajmund glanced over towards Varg with a glare of hate. “Why would the great Thor come to a man like Varg Drake?”

Thor did not like the looks that the little man was giving to his new son. With a forced smirk to show that Rajmund should fear him, he said, “I have come to my daughter’s wedding.” This caused a surprised look upon the man before him. “She is now married to Lord Varg Drake.” The God dragged out the name of the ruler upon his lips. “You have no right to barge into the wedding when you were told that no one shall enter until tomorrow.”

The wide man stuttered. He knew that he was in the wrong with the God glaring down at him. “I was told this at the gate, but I threatened to burn the gate if I was not allowed through,” Rajmund growled as he replied. “I was told by my Lord Kadir to come and get Lord Varg Drake. We need to start heading south to meet up with the rest of the armies.”

Carriage sighed deeply; he was getting tired of the wars and talks of wars. He wanted a real solid life without all that. Then, he glanced towards his Grandson. “You have no choice but to go to war with your people.” The Druid became sad.

Lyra stepped away from Varg and walked even further away, making her way towards the back wall and sat down upon one of the chairs, where she was able to watch what was going to happen before her. She knew not to say anything about the ordeal; it belonged to the men. They would not even hear what she would like to say unless one of them had asked her to do so.

Varg turned and faced his new wife and nodded for her to talk her mind. “Egbert, the King of Wessex defeated Beornwulf of Mercia, eleven years ago?” Varg nodded and allowed Lyra to go on. “Then he was defeated Wiglaf about seven years ago, right?”

Varg nodded; he was not surprised that she knew these things. “That would be correct, milady.” He closed his eyes for a moment. “My father died eleven years ago when Beornwulf had also died. I went to war seven years ago with Wiglaf and I barely came back to life.” Varg then glanced at his grandfather. “If I didn’t have a Druid like my Grandfather, I don’t think I would have come back to life like I have done.”

Lyra gave her husband a sad look, showing that she really did not want to say much. “Good news is that Wiglaf will win back the throne of Mercia.” She let out a sigh. “But I don’t know when. I do know that Egbert will die in three years, and I don’t know what will cause it.”

Rajmund smirked with glee, causing Lyra to believe that he had hit the jackpot somewhere. “What is she, a witch?” He looked like he was about to wet himself from his surprised look and the way he wanted to jump up and down with glee that was written within his eyes.

Thor thundered with his great voice, causing the building to shake. “Don’t you call my daughter a witch, you mortal MAN!” Lyra shivered from hearing her father using the word ‘mortal’ like it was the foulest word to ever use. “I would like to see you bow down to the woman that you have offended.”

It made her very uneasy to have the man before her bowing. He could do anything while being close to her and could hurt her while doing so. “Father, I don’t th…” started Lyra, who was interrupted by the man himself.

“DO you HEAR me, you LITTLE man?” Thor had a flare of red within his eyes. The look was causing the man to quiver from the effect that the god was causing, bringing out a smirk within his mind. “You WILL bow DOWN to HER or you WILL find yourself without an alley with the war that you are speaking about. I DON’T just mean about Varg either.”

The man gave a thoughtful glare towards the man. He had yelled at him. After a few moments of debating with himself had started making his way towards the woman. The man was sitting upon the throne. Lyra was worried about the man. She was afraid of what he would do, once he was closer to her and yet far enough away from Varg and Thor.

Rajmund had gotten down on one knee like a warrior would have done before his ruling leader. He raised up his head, to where he was able to see her face. He opened his mouth and spoke in a cold chilling voice that scared Lyra to bits. With a voice that he was trying to sound husky, but to Lyra. He sounded raspy and demented. “I don’t care that you are the daughter of a God or a wife to a great war leader, but you will never live long enough to be the Queen of the Vikings.”

Carriage had heard everything that Rajmund had told his new Granddaughter. He became fearful for her andm like a flash of light, he stood between her and the man before him.

He spoke with power and heat, something that no one has ever heard from his lips for many years. “How DARE you to say such things to her!” This caused Varg to come at their side, wanting to know what was going on. “All she has ever wanted is to live a happy life. She never asked to be a queen of anything—nor will she be, since Wiglaf is the King of Mercia.”

Rajmund stood upon his feet and faced the elder man with a glare upon his face. “That may be true, but he had no heir to ascend to his station. Who do you think will be next to rule all the Viking tribes?”

Lyra stood up from where she was sitting and walked around the Druid, who was blocking the man before her. “I suggest that you leave Lord Varg Drake’s land.” She then glanced towards her husband while she was still talking to the hateful man. “He will meet you outside the gate at dawn.” She then turned her head towards Rajmund. “You shall have your war.”

The man gave her a dark look upon his face. “Why would I believe you? He could always fly away and leave you here.” Rajmund then followed with his statement with a hungry look, the kind that terrified Lyra very much. “If he does such a thing, I can always come in and kill you upon the spot.” He licked his lips. “Wouldn’t you like that?” His eyes became cold and hard from the vision that he could only see. “My cold hard steel cutting into your pail neck, bringing forth the dark red substance of life.”

Varg was getting angry, but he must keep his composure if he wants the king of the tribes to grant his future wishes. He growled like the Wolf-Dragon that he was. “Do you really want to die on this night?” It did not mean that he could not threaten the man.

“You are nothing but a witch,” Rajmund stated towards the woman before him. He wanted to cause a ruckus within the village that Lord Varg keeps his watchful eye over. “Who thinks she knows the future? All because SHE is the DAUGHTER of one of the important GODS that we all know and respect.”

He turned towards the gathering of the people with his arms opened wide, “But you will not have it from me!” Rajmund turned back to the people that stood upon the platform once more. “I will see your husband in the morning, and I hope that I will never see you again.”

“Likewise,” growled out Lyra. She never wanted to see Rajmund ever again. Then, the man turned and walked out of the Great Hall while the men and women talked among themselves.

“QUIET,” yelled out Varg, causing all to stop with their moving lips. “I will NOT have any of you to speak of such things against my wife.” Most of the people had glanced down in shameful glances, hoping to grant favor with their lord again. “Now, I want all of you to go to your huts and get ready for war, most of you will be along with me.”

He then turned and faced his grandfather. Varg spoke in a low whispering voice that was only heard by four people. “I want you to take Lyra to your Island, to where none shall follow but the trusted few of our people.”

Carriage sighed with great pain. “I wished that you didn’t have to go to this war, Grandson.” He had a very sorrowful look within his eyes as he went on to say, “I fear that it would only lead to your death.”

Varg groaned. He was starting to get tired of the same argument with his grandfather. “It is something that I don’t want to do, but my hands are tied. I have to go.”

Thor spoke up while standing close to his daughter. “I will be there with you, Varg.” His words caused everyone to have a surprised look upon their faces. “I don’t want to see my new son go off to war without having me at your side.” He had a thoughtful look on his face as a thought came into his head. “Maybe Wiglaf will send you home, knowing that I am there for you.”

“No,” answered Varg darkly. “He would keep me there in order for you to stay by our side and win the war sooner than it was to be expected.” Varg sighed. He sometimes hated the fact that he knew the man better than his own family. He was going to have to talk to him, once the war was over. “I know Wiglaf, and he wants to be the King of Mercia again, and he will want his war against Egbert over and done with,” stated the young man with the world upon his shoulders.

Carriage gave his grandson a meaningful look. “You still want me to take Lyra to the Island of the Druids?” When he got a nod from Varg, he continued, “Do you know how dangerous that could be for her?” His words caused Lyra to wrap her arms around herself. “They may not allow her to be upon the land.”

Lyra got a feeling that the island may hold more than just Druids from what she was getting from Carriage’s meaning. She wondered if there were creatures upon the island. That the Druids are keeping safe, from the humans upon the Earth.

Varg sighed in defeat, “Do we really have a choice?” He growled out in frustration. “You have heard Rajmund, he wants to go and kill her when he has a chance. I’M NOT going to ALLOW that to happen.”

The Druid gave a thoughtful look, trying to figure out who or what was needed for the trip. “I am going to need Hai and Hahn on this journey.”

Varg thought about the two people that his grandfather had suggested. “Hai is a good warrior woman that we have and her husband, Hahn. He is also a fair person with his weapons.” Varg smiled a true smile. “I agree.” Lyra saw that he hated to rely on others from the look that he was showing. “You shall have those two upon your journey.” He glanced towards a wall. “I hope that things will go well for the four of you. I also know that Hai’s father was also a Druid, am I right?”

“That would be correct,” answered Carriage. “I need to go and start packing for the trip.” He had a thoughtful look before he told Varg his plan. “We shall leave sometime after you leave that way if one of Rajmund’s men comes back. They wouldn’t find Lyra here.”

Varg nodded. His grandfather was right. Lyra would need to leave as soon as possible after he had to leave for war. He really did not want to go, not after he had just married the one woman that fell into his life like she did. Even though she could get into trouble with monsters, but she was worth fighting them for her. Lyra is one of a kind, the only woman worth to fight any battle for.

He watched his grandfather making his way out of the Great Hall, probably towards his hut. Varg glanced around the Great Hall, noticing that it was getting empty. Once everyone was gone. Varg turned towards his wife, wrapping his arms around her waist. “No one will hurt you.” He led her into his chest, where he was able to hold onto her. “If it’s within my power, then nothing will get to you.”

Lyra wrapped her own arms around him as she smiled within his rock-hard chest. “I’m not all that worried about that.” She then held onto him tighter, much tighter than she had ever helped on anyone in her life. “I’m just worried about you.” She sighed after a moment. “I don’t know what will happen to you, Varg. History was not so kind to many people when it comes to war. Before coming here, I have never heard the name of Varg Drake before.”

Varg tightened his own hold upon her for a moment. He chuckled softly. “I’m a warrior, Lyra, and I’ll be alright.”

He leaned his head down and gave her a hungry kiss upon her lips, which grew tender under his rough treatment, causing the two to feel a burning that ran through their bodies, heating their blood. They felt a need for something more than just a simple thing as a kiss.

Varg pushed the two apart, the need to breathe growing more important. “You have never been touched, have you?”

Lyra was coming out of a fog, trying to understand what he was talking about. A blush dusted across her cheeks. She glanced away from him, saying, “No, I have not been touched.”

“I shall be gentle,” stated Varg with a dark husky voice. “Come.” He pulled himself further away from Lyra. “It’s time for bed.”

He laced his fingers with hers, leading her out of the Great Hall and starting towards his own hut. It happened to be a couple of yards away, further away from other huts. Varg really enjoyed the fact that he likes his privacy, but he wanted to share his life with Lyra. She would be living next to him for all time.

Once the two had entered the hut, they found a fire was alright lit and casting shadows throughout the hut’s walls. As they moved away from the doorway, the door shut behind them, blocking out the outside world and allowing the two newlyweds to be able to focus on each other.

Varg reached out and wrapped his arms around Lyra’s waist, bringing her closer to him as he towered over her. His warrior essence demanded dominance over her. His big hands show the protection that he was willing to give to her. Varg’s eyes show a hunger that would never be fulfilled. His lips; as they kissed her, were molding hers like a sculpture’s touch with a heated need for more.

Lyra was in shivers, caused by the unknown that has yet to happen. She knew that married couples do some things together. But she had not experienced those kinds of things in her life. Her body was shaking, as she waited for Varg to make the first move, for something more. Her knees became weak from the glance that she had seen within his eyes. Her skin became inflamed as Varg rubbed his hands upon her body.

Varg gave her another passionate kiss, before he whispered into his wife’s ear with a purr. “You’re now mine.” He became needy and demanding. “No other will ever have you.” He then tugged off his clothes, hard, along with Lyra’s before every capable thought was lost to the two of them.