The wall opened to reveal a rough hewn tunnel that was slightly sloped downward. The two began to race down the stone corridor, their heavy breathing and loud footsteps resounding off the walls. The tunnel began to twist and form a downward spiral.
Krenn and Mildryth came to a sudden stop as they rounded the last corner. The tunnel opened up to a cavern with a circle of torches on poles in the center of it. Inside the circle of torches was a sight that almost made Krenn’s heart stop. On top of a granite slab laid his beautiful daughter, her face glistening in the torchlight. Her wrists and ankles were bound at each of the four corners of the slab. Above her stood a Dane dressed in wolf skins. This renegade priest from the seas had a wild, unkempt mane of yellow hair that fell over his shoulders. Raised high in the air, his grimy fist held a jeweled dagger. The barbarian was dancing to the beat of the drums that were being beaten by a dwarf of a man.
The beating of the drums ceased as the drummer saw Krenn and Mildryth enter the cavern. The wolf-skinned priest ended his rhythmic dance and glared at the intruders as Branwen turned to see her father.
“Father!” she cried. She let loose a bloodcurdling scream that tore at Krenn’s heart. Krenn lunged toward the circle of torches to save his daughter, but the grimy hand with the jeweled dagger was quicker. With blinding speed, the dagger flew down to meet the heart of the writhing, screaming girl. Krenn yelled with the horror of the sight and jumped for the wild haired Northman. Mildryth pulled a dagger from her belt and threw it into the throat of the drummer as he sought to leave.
Krenn swung his sword at the Dane, but the man was fast and ducked under that passing blade, losing a lock of hair as he did. The jeweled dagger that dripped with his daughter’s blood found its way into Krenn’s gut. Fire exploded in his body as the murderous blade bit into his flesh.
The wolf-skinned killer rolled back out of Krenn’s reach. Mildryth began making her way to get behind the villainous man. Krenn stepped forward to close the distance and attacked again with his heavy sword, the rage in him making the weapon light in his grip.
The wild haired priest began to howl loudly and he began jumping around in a chaotic manner, making it more difficult for Krenn to land a blow. With a quick jump, and a wild howl, the priest grappled Krenn and forced him to the ground. The grimy hand that gripped the dagger flew up, readying itself for a death blow, but Krenn managed to grab the arm with his left hand and hold it up. With this wild beast on top of him, Krenn released his sword and felt for his own dagger, his sweaty hands trembling with fear and rage.
With a beast-like growl, and a gleam in his eye, the priest threw his face into Krenn’s and sunk his teeth into flesh. Pain shot through his skull as Krenn fought to keep his concentration, his dagger finally meeting the back of his assailant. The wild man threw his head back and yelled in pain as Krenn continued to thrust his dagger in and out, the hot blood of the priest making it difficult to hold on to the weapon.
The Dane dropped his jeweled dagger as Krenn rolled over to take position on top of the enemy and glared into the crazed eyes of the man. There was no fear, only a wild fire that made him seem like a beast. With a fire in his own eyes, Krenn reared back and fell forward, plunging his dagger into the heart of his daughter’s slayer. Rage flowed as Krenn stabbed over and over, yelling wildly as he did. Mildryth stood and watched the spectacle, a trickle of fear running down her spine again. The rhythmic thud of a hungry dagger eating away at the heart of a dead man blended with her lover’s heavy breathing as Mildryth approached the granite slab. The still figure of the young girl lay strapped to the altar, mocking the beauty that was once there. The Saxon woman fell to her knees and began to untie the lifeless form.
The cavern fell silent as Mildryth finished her task, the only sound being that of the crackling flame of the torches. The clink of armor and the crunch of stone underfoot signaled Krenn’s approach. Mildryth turned to see Krenn limping toward her, his left hand covering the bleeding wound in his gut. She looked to his bloodied face to stare into the dulled eyes that looked past her.
Krenn slumped down next to her and brushed the hair back from his daughter’s face, a tear falling from a bloodshot eye. Mildryth stood and made her way across the stone cavern floor to the mouth of the tunnel that led to this horror. She walked slowly, suddenly realizing that she was very cold. She wrapped her cloak tight around herself, walking lightly as to not disturb the somber surroundings. She paused and turned back to see Krenn slumped over his daughter’s body. Mildryth resumed her silent departure, leaving a proud man to his sorrows. She walked into the tunnel, the only sound behind her a soft sobbing that echoed in the giant cavern.
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