The army followed the river as it wound it's way lazily through the valley. The warriors kept close to the wagons and their hands stayed upon the hilts of their swords. I slumped in the saddle with exhaustion. The grandeur of war abating as fatigue set in. "Father?" I questioned.

"Yes son?" Came his gruff reply.

"When will the battle begin? I asked.

"A day, perhaps more. Their forces have been encamped upon the fenland for some days now. We will push them into the river and rid ourselves of their scourge." He growled. "They will trouble us no longer. I vow it."

"Why did they come?" I pressed.

"Germania has many people, food, animals, riches. The Norse come to plunder our treasures. Take our women. We will drive them back into the sea."

I glanced skeptically at the gently flowing river. But held my tongue. "Father, what's that?" I pointed at the darkening sky as an eerie whistling spooked the horses.

"Shields!" My father roared! Pulling his heavy wooden shield up over his head.

I copied him clumsily. As my horse screamed in pain and went down. Three arrows buried in his neck. I drew my sword and shielded my head as the whistling sound came again. "They fire arrows at us!"

But father didn't answer. His war hardened body lay upon the ground pierced by arrows and unmoving. His large black warhorse stood nearby snorting with alarm. All around me men and horses lay dying. Some floated in the river as the water ran red. From the trees the enemies emerged swords drawn and faces twisted with malice.

Shakily I drew my sword and took up my father's reins. The great horse danced as I mounted and wheeled from the approaching terror. Now facing the rear of our meager army my eyes fell upon our wagons. "Mother!" I cried!

I spurred the horse forward, uncaring of who I may have trampled. The bodies caused the great beast to shy and leap, but I held fast.

I reined him in sharply and flung myself from the saddle. My mother lay curled around my sister, she had used her body as a shield. Arrows had pierced her back and neck. With tears streaming down my cheeks I turned her over. I had to know.

My sister smiled her toothless grin at me and cooed softly as she saw me. I grabbed her and tucked her little body into my tunic. Then I mounted the horse again and kicked him forward.

Away from the approaching death.

"I'll keep you safe mine liebling " I choked out as unbeknownst to me, one of her golden bracelets fell upon the ground soaked in our mothers blood.