Disaster At Tollense
The sun rose upon a misty land, golden fingers of light piercing through grey curtain that covered the ground. Birds twittered unseen in the branches of the trees along the Tollense River as the morning began to dawn.
In the large city set along the river, signs of life began to appear as thin tendrils of smoke rose upward and the cries of young children and animals shattered the peaceful silence. Among the smells of woodsmoke and the crispness of early autumn was the hearty scent of cooking food. Over two thousand persons dwelt in this city. Their livestock lived with them, usually in the same building. The lands surrounding were covered with well-tended fields or dense forests which provided the immense amount of food needed to sustain those living in this place.
Young Sigmund left at daybreak, a wooden staff in his hand and the satchel at his side filled with food for his midday meal. His was an important task: to guard and watch over the grazing cattle and sheep and bring them home safely in the evening. Despite its importance, however, it was not a very exciting job and he found it very dull at times.
Setting off across the river, he led his family's flocks, along with those of his neighbors, to the other side. Once seeing them safely foraging, Sigmund sat himself down on a flat rock and pulled out his panpipes, setting them to his mouth and amusing himself with one song after another until the sun shone directly overhead.
After breaking his fast, he found it difficult to stay awake. Spring was high in the air and the warm sunshine and full belly made it hard to keep his eyes open.
Blinking hard every few minutes, Sigmund forced his mind to stay alert.
About an hour later, his sharp ears heard a sound not made by any animal. Jumping to his feet, he stared hard in all directions until his eyes detected the source of the strange, unexpected noise.
In the distance was a colossal group of men marching steadily towards him. It could only mean one thing: the successful city on Tollense was under threat of attack.
Completely forgetting about the livestock around him, Sigmund plunged through the thin woods and on across the river, bursting in through the wooden gates and racing towards the Chieftain's hall.
Without bothering to knock, he ran into the midst of some sort of meeting. Whatever it was--he didn't pause to find out.
"Chieftain Vollrath!" Sigmund cried. "Tollense is under attack!"
"What proof dost thou have of this?" the chieftain replied dully, thinking this to be some child's chance at fame.
"I didst see a large group of men marching this way when I was guarding the flocks. I swear by all the gods that this is true!"
Vollrath shook his head. "I wilt send Otto and Undmund with thee, but I doubt thy word. Away with thee." He waved his hand and Sigmund left, feeling hurt.
The two guards, grim and imposing, followed him out of the city and across the river and through the woods until Sigmund showed them where he had seen the approaching army.
Otto uttered a curse at the sight of them and Undmund immediately turned and ran back to alert the city.
"I didst swear to the chieftain that it was true!" the boy nearly smirked in triumph.
"Aye, well, best thou hurry back and warn thy family. Few of us may survive this attack; 'tis best to be prepared."
Sigmund did not waste another minute. Turning, he ran for his life for the second time that day, not stopping 'til he had reached his family and told them the news.
By twilight, the entire city had prepared its defenses for war. The gates were sealed and all waited in tense anxiety for the enemy to arrive. The ground trembled with their approach, but all one could do was wait.
Sigmund was with his father, watching through a peep-hole through the gate. The enemy, which the boy supposed was rival tribes fighting for more land and the riches that could be obtained from Tollense, stood just on the other side of the river, their screams rending the air and the flickering lights of torches in their hands dancing as they moved their arms up and down in a frenzied chant.
"What are they waiting for, Father?" his voice sounded like a whisper in comparison to the din beyond the gates.
He did not answer, but shook his head. "Sigmund, I want thee to return to thy family and watch over them until I return."
"Nay, Father! I wish to fight!"
"Return--at once," was the stern, unchanging reply.
The lad did not answer, but returned to his home with anger in his heart. As if I was a little boy who has not been training for three years! I can fight; Father just thinks I am too young.
He nearly turned around and rejoined his parent when he heard the enemy charge. But he had been given orders and, if he had learned anything in three years of military training, it was to obey a command despite the consequences.
Swallowing his pride, he entered his family's home and closed the door, shutting out the noises beyond.
None of them saw the light of the next morning.
Bạn đang đọc truyện trên: AzTruyen.Top