Dark Before Dawn was a virtual representation of one of Eivor Varinsdottir's genetic memories, relived by Layla Hassan in 2020 through the Portable Animus HR-8.5.
Description[]
Eivor spoke with her allies during the final preparations for the siege.
Dialogue[]
Eivor arrived at Sigfred's Forward Camp to find her allies. Eivor overheard some warriors talk about the impending siege.
- Norse Man 1: We fight for the warrior besides us, nothing else. Not gold, not glory.
- Norse Warrior 1: True. Battle pours out its strong red wine, and we are drunkards.
- Norse Man 1: Bloodlust and battle-drunk. It is the only time I am alive.
Eivor noticed Goll and went to talk with her as she heard a brief pep talk nearby.
- Norse Man 2: Hush, do not fret, my faithful friend. It is a great honor to be sacrificed as Odin's stead. Today you die, but tomorrow you run free in the green fields of Asgard.
Eivor talked with Goll.
- Eivor: You. Where are Sigfred and Toka?
- Goll: Ah. Battle must be near. The crow has come for the feast.
- Eivor: You have a clever tongue, friend, but tomorrow we all speak in a language older than words.
- Goll: Fate already knows who lives and who dies.
- Eivor: Again I ask. Where are the others?
- Goll: Fetching more catapults for tomorrow's attack. You can wait.
- Eivor: I shall wait. Somewhere else.
Eivor waiting by herself
Eivor left and went to wait at a bench near a tree nearby. As she waited, Eivor talked to her raven, Sýnin.
- Eivor: Far from home, before another city of strangers. When did our lives become a saga, Sýnin? Yes. I know the day. The very day when Mother and Father died. Count Odo will not hear reason, Charles plays games. I cannot trust the lives of my people with such men. The queen now, she I could trust, but she lacks power. My place is here. With Sigfred and Toka, come what may.
Time passed as Eivor was alarmed by Toka.
Eivor joined by Toka at the campfire
- Toka: Eivor, you return. That means all is ready and we cannot turn back now.
- Eivor: Why do you worry? You'll collect more swords.
- Toka: I know how to fight other warriors on the field of battle. This is a city. There will be flames.
- Eivor: It matters not. Tomorrow we will fight as warriors, not ruthless killers. This I swear, upon my honor.
Sigfred walked into the conversation.
- Sigfred: Ah, Eivor the Talker. And to whom have you so freely given your word about how my battle goes?
Eivor walked towards Sigfred.
- Eivor: I said it, the gods heard it. That is enough.
- Sigfred: And if I say we burn this city to ashes and feed the crows with children, what say you?
- Eivor: If you truly would say such a thing, who am I to heed your words? But I thought you a better man than this.
Eivor left Toka to ponder. Eivor went back to camp to sleep as she heard a small conversation close by her tent.
- Norse Warrior 2: They say Halfdan Ragnarsson is the strongest of Ragnar's sons.
- Norse Warrior 3: Strong he is. Once, he took an arrow in the shoulder. He tore it out and shot it right back. He hit that Saxon through the eye of his helm at three hundred paces. A true tale.
Eivor slept through the night. Eivor woke up to Sigfred speaking towards his people.
Sigfred giving a speech to the Vikings
- Sigfred: Today, warriors, we shall take the city, and sack it, and burn it to the ground. And tonight, friends, we shall feast in Odo's palace, ... or in Odin's hall, with the choosers of the slain! Now is the time of honor. The hour of our glory.
Sigfred stopped as he saw the mystic elk from before.
- Sigfred: The day of vengeance!
As Sigfred's warriors roared, Sýnin flew above as the city of Paris was seen in the distance. The siege soon started as Sigfred's warriors attacked the Frankish soldiers at the front lines, as the siege took its first tolls on both sides. Below the Wooden Bridge, Sigfred's warriors killed the guards as Toka noticed the explosives. With a crossbow, Toka shot at the explosives and brought down the bridge.
Ebels and Gozlin leading the troops to confront the Vikings
With their advantage, Eivor and Sigfred, with their warriors, headed towards the entrance of the Île de la Cité. At the same time, Count Odo stood by the brother warriors, Gozlin and Ebels, for the impending fight. Odo gave Gozlin a nod as Gozlin prayed and crossed himself in the name of his Lord. Odo left as Gozlin and Ebels led their troops.
- Gozlin: Who is the King of Glory? The Lord is strong and mighty in battle.
Gozlin carried his grand, golden cross and placed it in front of him.
- Gozlin: He trains my hands for war, so that my arms may hold this cross of gold. I shall not yield.
Sigfred stepped forward, besides Eivor.
- Sigfred: Brave Sif, bring the gift of victory. Odin, lend me your helm of awe. Vidar, feed my need for vengeance. O Vanir, O Aesir, crush these walls!
Ebels stepping forward to fight
Ebels signaled Gozlin to leave as he stood forward.
- Ebels: I am the gates of Paris!
Sigfred signaled Eivor to fight as stood behind. As each side readied their people, Ebels and Eivor fought each other.
- Ebels: Die for me, heathen coward!
Ebels was weakened halfway through their encounter.
- Ebels: No, coward! Fight fair!
Ebels soon lost his fight as Eivor killed him. Soon after, a catapult broke through the gates as Toka and Sigfred joined Eivor.
- Sigfred: The gates! The gates have fallen! The city is ours! Spare no one!
- Toka: By Sif and Týr, the day is ours!
- Eivor: Fate favors the brave. Now what, Sigfred?
- Sigfred: Rush the palace gates! We will bring the whole place crashing down on Odo's skull.
Outcome[]
The siege began as Eivor fought and killed Ebels in front of the gates of Île de la Cité.
Gallery[]
