The Hidden Annals was an altered representation of one of Eivor Varinsdottir's genetic memories.
Contents
Description
We have found an old path to the summit, leading to what looks like an old hunting lodge. Kjotve is finally cornered. He will give up the scrolls or his heart will adorn my sword point.
Odin willing, he will try to keep the scrolls...
Dialogue
Eivor and the three Raven Clan Vikings met outside the snowed-in hunting settlement.
- Eivor: We cannot allow Kjotve an exit. I will circle wide and try to get behind them. You keep pressing on. Odin guide you.
- Viking 1: And you, Eivor!
Eivor ran into the blizzard to flank Kjotve's forces. The three Vikings made their way through the village, eliminating any raiders they encountered until they came across a cluster of houses outside a great hall which had a damaged roof at the rear.
- Viking 2: Kjotve must be hiding in one of these houses.
The Vikings inspected the houses and removed the soldiers patrolling the area, but found no trace of Kjotve. Deducing that he could only be in the last building, the Vikings burst into the great hall and interrupted his meeting with his son, Gorm Kjotvesson.
- Viking 2: Kjotve! You have run out of mountain. The gods demand justice for your cruelty!
- Gorm: Speak you so to my father? Squawking birds fall to earth in the shadow of a king!
- Viking 2: I see no king!
- Kjotve: Enough, enough. Welcome to my temporary meadhall, Raven. Now, go back to the baubles left to you. These are beyond your ken.
Eivor suddenly dropped down into the hall from the hole in the roof behind Kjtove. She landed in the snow piled below her, then rushed to aid her clan's Viking.
- Eivor: It won't be so easy as that!
- Kjotve: Ah! Styrbjorn's little housecat! Come to claim a name, have you?
- Eivor: I am Eivor. Leave the scrolls and be gone. Or I could split your withered heart.
- Kjotve: I will have to kill you then. Gorm!
- Gorm: I have the other, father.
Kjotve and Eivor entered heated combat as Gorm fought the Raven Clan Viking. Eventually, the Viking struck Gorm a heavy blow to the face, wounding him, just as Kjotve incapacitated Eivor with a slash across the torso. The Viking had no time to savor victory, as Kjotve immediately ran over to Gorm's aid and stabbed his opponent between the ribs. With both assailants wounded, Kjotve gloated over his win.
- Kjotve: You're fast and strong, young Eivor, but you've much to learn.
Kjotve turned his attention to Gorm.
- Kjotve: Get the scrolls, son. We need to regroup and return North. Styrbjorn will be close behind these little birds.
Kjotve ran out the back entrance of the hall as Gorm retrieved the scrolls from a nearby table before following his father out. Finally alone, a furious Eivor limped to her companion.
- Eivor: Hel's breath! Curse you, Kjotve! I will collect weregild for this one day!
- Viking 2: Come lord, we can still catch them...
- Eivor: Pigs rushing the butcher's knife. No. We are beaten here. Savor the taste of defeat, then spit it out. In knowing we may never need eat of it again.
The Raven Clan Viking winced in pain.
- Viking 2: Ahh, Kjotve struck hard. Something's broken.
- Eivor: Has he slain you?
- Viking 2: Ha! No, lord. I'm afraid I'll have more rings of you yet.
- Eivor: Rest easy then. We come by failure honestly. Styrbjorn will see. And, when Sigurd returns, we will carve our debt from Kjotve's poisoned hide.
Outcome
Eivor and the Vikings tracked Kjotve to an abandoned hunting meadhall on the mountain summit, where they caught him in a meeting with his son Gorm. Hoping to recover the scrolls after killing both men, the Vikings attacked the pair but were soon overcome and heavily wounded, prompting Kjotve and Gorm to escape with the scrolls. Although incensed at their defeat, Eivor advised to wait for another chance to meet Kjotve.
