Tora Auzoux (died 870) was a Viking and fellow clan-mate to Eivor Varinsdottir and Dag Nithisson during the 9th century.
Biography[]
Raid on Rygjafylke[]
In 870, Tora accompanied her clan-mates Eivor and Dag to the outskirts of Rygjafylke to watch as a village was raided by Kjotve the Cruel's men. Before they could formulate a proper plan, Eivor charged into battle, forcing Tora and Dag to follower her. While both Eivor and Dag sustained injuries, Tora managed to get through the battle unscathed.[1]
Gull, Dag, Tora and Eivor returning to Stavanger
After Eivor's attempt to sway the village leader to pledge allegiance to King Styrbjorn ended in his death, Eivor had Tora make sure Dag's wound was treated by the village healer. Afterwards, the trio traveled back to Stavanger with Eivor's captured slave, Gull, where Tora stood by and watched as Styrbjorn chastised Eivor for dooming them all.[1]
Keeping Eivor's secret and death[]
Some time later, Tora and Eivor trained while Gull watched, sat under the shade of a nearby tree. Tora urged her clan-mate to use her anger in the fight. Eivor did so, venting about how her father had humiliated her in front of the entire clan, thrown her tribute back in her face, never showed her the honor she was due, and never saw her for who she was. She managed to defeat Tora and as she helped her up, Gull spoke, telling the pair she could lead them "to bounty beyond the dreams of Njörðr himself". Tora did not believe the slave, but Eivor decided she would go, and asked Tora to keep the trip a secret from her father.[2]
Tora and Dag witnessing Styrbjorn be struck by arrows
A few days later, in the longhouse, Dag gave Tora a mug of beer and asked her why she had been so preoccupied lately, linking that to the fact that Eivor had been gone for days. Tora denied knowing anything about Eivor's whereabouts, but Dag knew she was lying and told her that it could be read on her face. Just then, King Strybjorn burst in, warning the clan-mates of a Wolf Clan attack on Stavanger. As they started the fight against the enemies sent by Kjotve, Styrbjorn was shot down with two arrows.[2]
While her clan-mates battled Kjotve's thugs, Tora pleaded with Styrbjorn to escape to safety, but the king decided to stay and fight the invaders, blaming his daughter for their predicament and asking where she was. When Styrbjorn was later knocked down by one of Kjotve's men, Tora rushed to his aid but it was in vain, as the Wolf Clan warrior turned around and promptly beheaded her with his axe. Moments later, Eivor returned to Stavanger and helped turn the tide of the battle, even if she was too late to save her friend.[3]
Behind the scenes[]
Tora Auzoux is a character appearing in the comic book miniseries Assassin's Creed: Valhalla – Song of Glory. Her name is derived from the Old Norse word þora meaning "to dare, have the courage to do a thing." Auzoux is a Scandinavian byname meaning "wolf, warrior".
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