The Hsaarik Elegy, Book One

The Hsaarik Elegy

by Goderlog the Song-Maiden

Book One

First of the Companions to die was OYVIND

As the Harakk danced in tortured throes upon the shore

Cast from the deck in that calamitous moment

A simple rock spilled all that he was into the waves

His knowing had been

JORN

The skalds would call his name a curse

Unwitting bearer of death

Orkey did not hesitate to snatch away GEIR

Who had seen the reef from atop the mast

But the wind had stolen his alarum

And smashed him onto Harakk's unyielding boards

His was the knowing

OLOGIR

He would never reclaim his honor

Only the sea now knew his worth

[...]

Eleventh death that groaning day was VIGDIS

Her two children had starved in the last winter

Though she fought at first the water's intrusion

At last she chose to breathe it, and died at peace

Her knowing had been

SNAED

Though it meant little now

Pulled down by weight of mail

None could be spared for next was YNGOL

Greatest smith, whose father had wept a god's blood

Wept himself, with black metal hauling his face below

Its sharp rivulets tearing at his eyes

His father had bestowed the knowing

JOFNLAV

But now his name brought only pain

His memory haunted every joy

[...]