Songs of the Reaver Clans, vI

Songs of the Ghost Sea Reaver Clans

Compiled by Johannes Silvanus,

Chairman of the Committee for the Transposition of Indigenous Oral Traditions, Imperial University

Volume One

Introduction

These volumes are intended to serve as a record of the song-myths particular to the Nordic reaving clans of the Sea of Ghosts. I have devoted much of my scholastic life to studying and cohabitating with these groups, who although literate do not devote much time to recording their own traditions. It is my hope that through these works, I will be able to disabuse the popular conception of these groups as savage raiders worthy only of extermination.

[Note from the author: This first song concerns the very first arrival of the gods in their new home, and is typical of the style. I have tried to retain the use of alliteration and repetition, which allows the skalds and rememberers to retain the same flow and wording between tellings. The strange metre and lack of rhyme, although harsh to more "civilised" ears, is consistent with the song's original form.]

'Fore the proud world-hall was filled with gods and men

There was but the crashing surf and sturdy rocks

The empty sea above and the extant land of 'neath

And e'er did they clash, as e'er they will, those two

It was to that battleground that staunch Shor

Father to all that is worthy

Did sail downwards, following the plumb line

Of clever Jhunal, clever-man of gods

And as the keel of Sovngarde beached on that sideways shore

Where the hot waves of never-above

Break on the frigid capes of always-below

Staunch Shor leapt from the prow and shouted:

"This place, somewhat-up and almost-down,

This seething shore of possibilities

This will be known to us as Sky

The posts of our hall shall enter it lovingly"

All his clan did love staunch Shor

And at his crafty words they followed

First crazed Kyne, War-Wife and warrior

Leapt screaming into Sky's shined surf

Next the Shield-Thanes, Stuhn and Tsun

Twins to test Men, came ashore

Follow'd Dibella, lustful Bed-Wife

[Frigging?] and teaching the children-to-come

And mournful Mara, Brood-Wife to Shor

Descended determined and dour

Lastly clever Jhunal, wide-eyed and wise

Came scratching his runes that are yet to be found