The Greatest Evil 27

The great ship of Gunnbjörn the Slayer escorted those of Strom and his men the day before the invasion.  Quadri sounded the ceremonial horn to signal that they were ready.  Strom had his men exit their ships and get into canoes and they made their way to shore.  They were to camp on the rocky beach.  They all made it to the shore, it was an uneventful trip.  Strom and his men waved to Gunnbjörn—all was okay.  But it was not okay.  Gunnbjörn’s men got on Strom’s boats and the screams of his slaves were heard all the way on shore.  Strom and his men could only watch in horrible anxiety.  They were too far away to do anything.  Strom’s helplessness was well represented by his screaming, “Why Sven, why?” over and over, “You didn’t even get your treasure yet!”  Quadri answered Strom quietly with a wise tone, “It is not about the gold and jewels Strom.  I do not believe it to be Sven, it must be Gunnbjörn.”  Minutes later Gunnbjörn’s men left Strom’s boats for their own.  Strom’s fleet were nothing but a fiery conflagration that shouted burning crackles of pain to those watching in mortal anguish from the shore. 

                 Gunnbjörn was the last to leave the burning ships.  He walked right through the inferno.  He was in no particular hurry.  The Slayer had no fear for fire.  He looked at Strom on the beach and nodded his head in the affirmative.  They were too far apart to see his face but somehow Gunnbjörn’s crimson red eyes were suddenly made apparent as his head rocked up and down.  Then he turned and dashed onto his ship and they were off.  One of Strom’s men said loudly, “Never trust a pirate.”  Strom responded by coldly slicing the poor man’s head off with one quick, fluid motion.  They made camp and went to sleep.  Tomorrow would be the biggest day of their lives.

###

More Greatest Evil