Daughter of the Sea

As Thyre came to learn from the runes carved on the saddle, the black mare was called Helheist and she was doing very well, despite the small limp in her leg. Otherwise, she was perfectly able to be ridden in a few days time. For now, she would be of good use to carry the two bags Thyre had with her and she would ride her other horse.

The hooded man came a little earlier than expected and, fortunately, the stable master didn't hold a grudge with him, so he got his Kabardin stallion back in one piece, fully fed and ready to go.

The man said his real name was Sadko of Novgorod. He came somewhere from the southern lands by boat and the reason why so many people hated him was because he hitched a ride with some sailors to play for the Tsar of the Sea and all the men had gone crazy when the boat stood still on the raging sea, without moving an inch for days. The waves washed them away because of a great storm and the boat sank. Sadko survived because the Tsar returned him to his home in Novgorod, but the same cannot be said for the sailors.

Now, why did everyone in the town hate him? Because this was the sailor's hometown and news had reached them of the misfortune. Sadko came to apologise and offer his condolences, but the townspeople were too angry and the wound was too fresh. Instead, they banished him and cursed him.

Thyre was unsure whether to trust this man's tale or not, but she'd heard worse and certainly seen more unbelievable things.

"So, let me get this straight... you could've married any one of the Tsar's daughters or the one that fancied you... and you chose not to? How come?" Thyre asked, the question lingering on her mind ever since he mentioned the opportunity.

"All the songs in the world wouldn't do justice to describe her beauty and elegance, but unfortunately, I had already found my beloved and he was waiting for me at home..." he replied, with sad look.

"If it is important for you that you get home, I know someone who can take you there safely, without the Tsar even noticing you. I dare call him a friend," Thyre replied, remembering the old favour she had never used. Once, a long time ago, when she was a child, she had found an apple made of silver which fell from the pocket of a merchant. She was playing by the sea and threw the apple in when she discovered it wasn't edible. Then, a mist appeared and from it came a boat with just one man on it. He introduced himself as Manannán and thanked her for returning the apple to him and promised her if she ever needed safe passage, he'd give her a ride on his boat Scuabtuinne, the wave sweeper. She only needed to throw his silver coin in the sea and he would come.

"You have offered me so much and yet I don't know if there is any way I could repay your kindness. I have only some gold and my thanks to offer" he replied, taking the silver coin and observing it.

"You're a musician, are you not? Mention me in a song once and that would be more precious than any gold you could offer me. As for your thanks, I am glad I could help" she smiled.

Now that all was going well, as Thyre followed Sadko to the nearest shore, trouble seemed to meet them in a most gruesome way. On the shore, not that far away, there seemed to be a number of boats bearing unfamiliar sigils and night time was nearing, making it harder to see without being seen. It was important that they got to the water unnoticed because after that a great mist would fall over and Thyre could escape effortlessly. What they didn't know was that they were spotted by one of the scouts a few hours back and their still unknown enemy was actually surrounding them as their horses trotted along the sand. It was a group of malevolent raiders who strayed too far for their own good and saw them as a threat.

As Sadko was taking the coin from his pocket and listening to Thyre's instructions, the enemy appeared behind them. Thyre heard the swish of an arrow flying just next to her ear - it cut off her braid. She ducked in an instant and got behind her frightened horses. Then she pulled Sadko to the ground and took out her own bow, aiming in the general direction of the raider. She hit... some part of him, that was for sure. There was loud groaning and some swearing and then more men appeared.

"Throw the coin in, fast! Lead your horse to the water, I'll take care of this" she said, aiming for another one and piercing his thigh.

"There's too many of them" Sadko yelled, the mist beginning to surround them. Thyre ignored his pleas and continued aiming at the raiders. There were five of them surrounding her and, no doubt, even more by the boats. Even if she took down the last three, the others would come. It didn't stop her though. As soon as one of them appeared within hitting range, she took out her dagger and disarmed him, hitting his knee and stabbing him through the neck.

Sadko and his horse found a small boat carried by the waves, with just enough space. It was connected with a magical glittering rope to the real boat, which was taller and wider than any boat he'd ever seen. Sadko yelled for Thyre to come with him, to save herself, but she told him to go otherwise the others would come and attack him too. Then, all would be for nothing. Sadko pulled at the rope and the waves led him away from her slowly. He took out his bow and tried aiming the man who started to run to the others.

Thyre began fighting another one, when she felt a sting in her chest. An arrow pierced her from an enemy she hadn't seen and it gave the man she was fighting enough momentum to strike the killing blow. Sadko saw it happen and started to cry and yell. He got to the boat and told Manannán what had happened. He could not bring her back from the dead, but he could avenge her. He unsheathed his sword and summoned his horse, Énbarr. It goes little to say their death was that of suffering. They cried in great pain before they died.

Thyre closed her eyes as Manannán led her on her horse. When she got to the boat, she was already dead.

Manannán laid her to rest in the sea, among the waves and under a stormy sky. Sadko did get home after all and the Tsar didn't notice him thanks to an invisibility cloak. Later he wrote an elegy for Thyre and called it Daughter of the Sea.