{"id":4080,"date":"2025-05-07T20:19:11","date_gmt":"2025-05-08T00:19:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/anthurian.com\/staging\/?p=4080"},"modified":"2025-05-07T23:41:25","modified_gmt":"2025-05-08T03:41:25","slug":"saga-of-the-rhenusware-part-1","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/anthurian.com\/staging\/4080\/saga-of-the-rhenusware-part-1\/","title":{"rendered":"Saga of the Rhenusware, Part 1"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

1.<\/strong> Sing, oh magnificent muse, Mnemosyne<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

of the tragic triumph terrific and true.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Move my mind to make me mutter<\/p>\n\n\n\n

in this terse text the terrific tale<\/p>\n\n\n\n

of the mythic monarchs methinks misadvised,<\/p>\n\n\n\n

were tempted and tried.  Tire not<\/p>\n\n\n\n

and maintain my memory misty<\/p>\n\n\n\n

for I sing to His grace, stupendous and sublime.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I talk to tame the tattered truth<\/p>\n\n\n\n

of His Son whose sins brought Salvation<\/p>\n\n\n\n

to the tattered tribes of the teacher Tacitus,<\/p>\n\n\n\n

so in Your sovereign safety they shall survive.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2.<\/strong> From Asgard arose the ancient Odin<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

to bring forth a babe both brave and bright.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Of auspicious order ought such a child <\/p>\n\n\n\n

be born into the burdens and blessings of<\/p>\n\n\n\n

such aristocratic askings, that are<\/p>\n\n\n\n

brought on because of one’s noble breeding.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This offspring of Odin arose, an atheling<\/p>\n\n\n\n

labeled Rhenus, a leader and lord<\/p>\n\n\n\n

both brutal and benevolent.  Beckoned<\/p>\n\n\n\n

to his laudable lot in life:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

both a battle-friend and bequeather of<\/p>\n\n\n\n

largess, all lords should liberally lavish.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

3.<\/strong> In the happy mead-hall heroes, hardy,\u00a0<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

courageous and combative came to partake<\/p>\n\n\n\n

of the hearty feast their hefty chieftain<\/p>\n\n\n\n

would bequeath. A banquet for a bunch<\/p>\n\n\n\n

who’s honorable heroes, harmed, hand to hand<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Foes. Encrusted and close knit, these kinsmen<\/p>\n\n\n\n

held up the honor of the high held<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Rhenus. Scops sang songs of strength,<\/p>\n\n\n\n

while naked the swords were kept by the company;<\/p>\n\n\n\n

whose blades were bathed in the blood of the beaten.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But crushing craft was kept for the Valkyries cries,<\/p>\n\n\n\n

as the sweet hops satiated the soldiers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

4.<\/strong> But alas, as often occurs<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

good times give way to great grief.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

An honorless offspring from horrible<\/p>\n\n\n\n

rage begotten–a giant Gottkind<\/p>\n\n\n\n

drew blood and lay low those who<\/p>\n\n\n\n

guarded the glory of Rhenus’s great<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Nation. So with loud howls and moans<\/p>\n\n\n\n

the ruined and ravaged sought to relate<\/p>\n\n\n\n

how gruesome was Gottkind who<\/p>\n\n\n\n

plundered and ravaged, robbing the warriors<\/p>\n\n\n\n

of their gold and grand glory.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For the ravens had reaped a great reward.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

5.<\/strong> So the courageous and conquering king,<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

assumed his aureate armor and arms<\/p>\n\n\n\n

to kill that cowardly creature.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

And from the hall on an awesome horse<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The heroic king came to attack<\/p>\n\n\n\n

the awful origins of the agony.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

His countenance was quite terrific in scale,<\/p>\n\n\n\n

the sun shuddered so strong did he stand,<\/p>\n\n\n\n

and on the atheling advanced to<\/p>\n\n\n\n

his task.  So seeking out the slayer<\/p>\n\n\n\n

he found his awful adversary<\/p>\n\n\n\n

sleeping by the stolen riches he had seized.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

6.<\/strong> “I shall lay you low, you lecherous vandal!”<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

cried out the king to the creature who<\/p>\n\n\n\n

looked and laughed at the laudable lord,<\/p>\n\n\n\n

courageous and kind, “Come and condemn<\/p>\n\n\n\n

yourself to the ravens and wolves!”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

“You come to kill me, but can’t you see<\/p>\n\n\n\n

the lifeless multitudes who lay at my feet?”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

mocked the malevolent monster.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

“Your time has come to be killed<\/p>\n\n\n\n

so I may restore the merriment and mirth<\/p>\n\n\n\n

you have taken away by cowardly<\/p>\n\n\n\n

murdering my men!”\u00a0 proclaimed the king.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

7.<\/strong> Naked flashed the king’s terrific sword<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

and forward he struck, onward<\/p>\n\n\n\n

to kill the coward, Gottkind who<\/p>\n\n\n\n

was awful and unmanly.  Towards<\/p>\n\n\n\n

the courageous king  the creature came.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Much blood was strewn across the meadow<\/p>\n\n\n\n

and the swords clashed with clanging until<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Rhenus’s mighty strength struck<\/p>\n\n\n\n

the ogre’s throat.  Off flew that<\/p>\n\n\n\n

malevolent head, vomiting a serum<\/p>\n\n\n\n

that obscured the lord’s armor,<\/p>\n\n\n\n

in a mean maroon blemish.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

8.<\/strong> Gathering up the gold and gear<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

of the dead the destroyer Rhenus did<\/p>\n\n\n\n

also get the great dagger of Gottkind.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

All to distribute to the descendants of<\/p>\n\n\n\n

the distinguished who gained glory<\/p>\n\n\n\n

defending the descendant of Odin<\/p>\n\n\n\n

who gave to them gifts good and great.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Upon his horse he mounted<\/p>\n\n\n\n

and galloped glorious through grassy glen<\/p>\n\n\n\n

to hall now secure from dastardly<\/p>\n\n\n\n

and destructive dealings of the dead<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Gottkind, now the food of wolves.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

9.<\/strong> There in restored merriment of the court<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Rhenus gave to the kin great gifts<\/p>\n\n\n\n

rich and well-wrought.  And the beer<\/p>\n\n\n\n

was imbibed to the kinsmen’s bliss,<\/p>\n\n\n\n

while poets caroled to the courage<\/p>\n\n\n\n

of the king, who sat in dais on high.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Raucous rejoicing and reverie<\/p>\n\n\n\n

was had that day, that I can say!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hind and mutton did revive<\/p>\n\n\n\n

a clamorous company who cowered <\/p>\n\n\n\n

in awe of their dignified king,<\/p>\n\n\n\n

grand Rhenus, glorious and gracious!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

10.<\/strong> So the hall was appropriately restored<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

where hale heroes, hefty and hardy<\/p>\n\n\n\n

honored their lord.  The court<\/p>\n\n\n\n

did rejoice for Rhenus had<\/p>\n\n\n\n

brought them wealth and they were prosperous.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The heroes all honorable and <\/p>\n\n\n\n

strong, brought glory to their lord<\/p>\n\n\n\n

and in his honor fought hand to hand<\/p>\n\n\n\n

the foes who stood to harm.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But Schlingdasgeu had no heir to hold<\/p>\n\n\n\n

his lordly lands. So of noble blood<\/p>\n\n\n\n

he took a wife honest and true.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

11.<\/strong> Soon it was found\u00a0 a son would be sent<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

to bear the battle-friend and become<\/p>\n\n\n\n

a sovereign receiver of the scop’s songs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Growing big and broad the bold<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Schlingdasgeu’s strong wife carried the son<\/p>\n\n\n\n

until born in  a bath of blood<\/p>\n\n\n\n

the child, strong and smart, with spear in hand<\/p>\n\n\n\n

came forth  into Middangeard<\/p>\n\n\n\n

and for his bravery he would bear<\/p>\n\n\n\n

the honor and  the name:  Higelaf.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Born on Odin’s day he was to be<\/p>\n\n\n\n

a noble child, honest and true!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

12.<\/strong> Higelaf was raised as it was<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

in those days of honor and courage<\/p>\n\n\n\n

learning the art of arms and armor<\/p>\n\n\n\n

often encrusted in the blood<\/p>\n\n\n\n

of slain foes and cowardly men.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He carried himself as a future king ought<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While his father cared for affairs of state<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Soon the noble and strong queen<\/p>\n\n\n\n

was again great with child,<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A daughter was born of most worthy blood<\/p>\n\n\n\n

fair and strong she was a true<\/p>\n\n\n\n

child of the Rhenusware, daughter of Schlingdasgeu!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

13.<\/strong> Nearby there lived another noble<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

king of honorable stature<\/p>\n\n\n\n

the heroic Heretheow, son of <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Guthgisli, the great good and grand<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Heretheow had led the Heathensware<\/p>\n\n\n\n

to many a glorious and great victory.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Happy was their mead-hall!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Heretheow was fabled for his gifts<\/p>\n\n\n\n

and his spears were well-encrusted.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But the Heretheow needed an heir<\/p>\n\n\n\n

to carry on his noble name<\/p>\n\n\n\n

so that the Heathensware should survive.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

14.<\/strong> Now Schlingdasgeu honoring the lord<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

of the Heathensware strove to seal<\/p>\n\n\n\n

a peace in blood between the two clans.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

So Helwine, the daughter<\/p>\n\n\n\n

of Schlingdasgeu was wed with the<\/p>\n\n\n\n

warrior and watchman. A great feast was fed<\/p>\n\n\n\n

and much mirth was made.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But the happiness was hollow<\/p>\n\n\n\n

for the seers foresaw<\/p>\n\n\n\n

the fall of a forceful and courageous<\/p>\n\n\n\n

king who would be betrayed by<\/p>\n\n\n\n

his own blood and breed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

15.<\/strong> Heretheow stayed with the Rhenusware<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

and during this time the death<\/p>\n\n\n\n

of the honest and honorable<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Schlingdasgeu. There was much lamenting<\/p>\n\n\n\n

So the courageous champion, Higelaf<\/p>\n\n\n\n

took the throne and the truth reigned.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Now unto Higelaf was born<\/p>\n\n\n\n

a son, strong and smart,<\/p>\n\n\n\n

his father sprinkled his head with water<\/p>\n\n\n\n

and named him Barbaros.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Higelaf’s wife, honest and true,<\/p>\n\n\n\n

left to show the child to her parents.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

16.<\/strong> In the happy hall of the Heathensware<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

there was much amiss! Alas<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Helwine was unhappy with her state<\/p>\n\n\n\n

her mind moved to do deeds<\/p>\n\n\n\n

both wrong and wrathful to her kin<\/p>\n\n\n\n

So as her husband lay lost in slumber<\/p>\n\n\n\n

She whispered words into his ear,<\/p>\n\n\n\n

and being unawares his mind did move<\/p>\n\n\n\n

to listen. She longed to live<\/p>\n\n\n\n

in the hall of her honorable father,<\/p>\n\n\n\n

tempting Heretheow with the riches<\/p>\n\n\n\n

of Gottkind and great glory.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

17. <\/strong>Thus with evil thoughts did<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Heretheow conspired to kill<\/p>\n\n\n\n

the courageous and cunning<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Higelaf, that great king.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

So sneaking into his chambers<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Heretheow struck while the other slept.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

With crushing strength his head was severed<\/p>\n\n\n\n

on his rule thus ended Heretheow<\/p>\n\n\n\n

assumed the throne. But there was little joy<\/p>\n\n\n\n

for the Rhenusware were wronged.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But Heretheow granted<\/p>\n\n\n\n

many stolen gifts to the great warriors.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

18.<\/strong> Now a loyal thrall neither cowardly<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

nor weak managed to elude<\/p>\n\n\n\n

the many soldiers of the new lord.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

With cunning and kind wit<\/p>\n\n\n\n

he brought the royal Ring of his true lord<\/p>\n\n\n\n

to the wife of Higelaf who was worried<\/p>\n\n\n\n

for she knew of her husband’s doom.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

So she stayed for fear of death<\/p>\n\n\n\n

and to avenge her husband’s slaughter.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Her son and her would be safe<\/p>\n\n\n\n

in the home of her birth<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For the people were noble and good.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

19.<\/strong> Unto Helwine were born<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

a pair of children, who<\/p>\n\n\n\n

were not as strong nor smart<\/p>\n\n\n\n

as the true blood of the Rhenusware.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A son named Hrothlac<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A daughter named Hausfrau<\/p>\n\n\n\n

did seem to be together as strong<\/p>\n\n\n\n

as the now dead Higelaf at birth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But they were to be raised<\/p>\n\n\n\n

one by the sword<\/p>\n\n\n\n

the other by the spindle<\/p>\n\n\n\n

in the once happy mead-hall.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

20.<\/strong> Now Barbaros was raised<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

to know of his task and duty.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

His mother had given to that great son<\/p>\n\n\n\n

the Ring of his once noble father.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

By the sword, bathed in blood<\/p>\n\n\n\n

did he learn, slaying many,<\/p>\n\n\n\n

his skills were tried and true.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

His courage and glory were known to all<\/p>\n\n\n\n

in his adopted land. Blessed by Odin<\/p>\n\n\n\n

he grew in strength until none<\/p>\n\n\n\n

could he not best. Broad and bold<\/p>\n\n\n\n

he was ready to seek revenge.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

21.<\/strong> Off Barbaros set leaving his mother behind<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

and journeyed to  either be joyous<\/p>\n\n\n\n

or join the heroes in Odin’s hall<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While traveling through a dark woods<\/p>\n\n\n\n

he came upon an old, cloaked man<\/p>\n\n\n\n

“You will be victorious but be advised<\/p>\n\n\n\n

you will not survive.” spoke the traveler.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Barbaros wondered and thought to ask<\/p>\n\n\n\n

but when he looked again the man had left.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

So on he went courageous and true<\/p>\n\n\n\n

to avenge his family and restore his name.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Planning carefully he would use his wit!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

22.<\/strong> Watching his father’s hall he studied\u00a0<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

the habits of the traitorous Heretheow.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Daily would he go hunting,<\/p>\n\n\n\n

so Barbaros slew a fine buck<\/p>\n\n\n\n

and kept the skin, thus disguising himself.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The next morn just after sunrise<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Heretheow went and saw this buck<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Barbaros acted swiftly and slew,<\/p>\n\n\n\n

bathing his sword in swaths of blood.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But Helwine and the young twins<\/p>\n\n\n\n

were in the same woods and she saw<\/p>\n\n\n\n

so away she ran to seek refuge.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

23.<\/strong> Thus was peace restored a great feast was made<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

to honor Barbaros’ fine victory<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The scops sang as before<\/p>\n\n\n\n

when sovereign Schlingdasgeu<\/p>\n\n\n\n

and the noble Higelaf did rule.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Both brutal and benevolent<\/p>\n\n\n\n

was the new lord. Happiness and mirth<\/p>\n\n\n\n

echoed through the hall, and heroes<\/p>\n\n\n\n

now swore to uphold the honor<\/p>\n\n\n\n

of their new king. Upon the wall<\/p>\n\n\n\n

was hung the head of Heretheow<\/p>\n\n\n\n

so all could remember and now rejoice.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

24.<\/strong> So the hall was thus restored<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

and the heroes, hefty and hardy<\/p>\n\n\n\n

honored their lord. The court<\/p>\n\n\n\n

was happy for Barbaros had<\/p>\n\n\n\n

brought them wealth and they were prosperous.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The heroes all honorable and <\/p>\n\n\n\n

strong, brought glory to their lord<\/p>\n\n\n\n

and in his honor fought hand to hand<\/p>\n\n\n\n

the foes who stood to harm.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But Barbaros had no heir to hold<\/p>\n\n\n\n

his lordly lands. So of noble blood<\/p>\n\n\n\n

he married the noble Hygelac.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

25. <\/strong>One night as Hygelac lay lost in slumber<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

she dreamt of a great hawk<\/p>\n\n\n\n

floating over a gruesome field<\/p>\n\n\n\n

filled with the fallen bodies of the slain.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The hawk was armored in gold and silver<\/p>\n\n\n\n

and his feathers were wildly radiant<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The hawk landed to survey<\/p>\n\n\n\n

the field, but alas! A wolf leapt<\/p>\n\n\n\n

upon him from behind.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The hawk fought valiantly with strength<\/p>\n\n\n\n

and courage but it she knew<\/p>\n\n\n\n

he was doomed and died.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

26.<\/strong> Now it is said that Hygelac bore two sons<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

who grew to be strong and courageous<\/p>\n\n\n\n

being both of noble birth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The third child was unlike the first<\/p>\n\n\n\n

for he was born and struck by<\/p>\n\n\n\n

the hammer of Thor  turning his<\/p>\n\n\n\n

dark hair to a radiant gold<\/p>\n\n\n\n

which shone bright as the sun.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He was named Anaxtheow<\/p>\n\n\n\n

being both strong and honorable.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He and his brothers grew and learned<\/p>\n\n\n\n

as it was in those days, by the sword.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

27.<\/strong> Hygelac was proud of her three sons<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

for she knew they were of good blood.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

She taught and raised them well,<\/p>\n\n\n\n

but her affection was lavished upon<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Anaxtheow, who excelled in all<\/p>\n\n\n\n

his endeavors and who grew<\/p>\n\n\n\n

quickly in strength and mind.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He stood above his brothers<\/p>\n\n\n\n

at least a head and he could carry<\/p>\n\n\n\n

the sword before he was weaned.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

His golden hair grew long and flowing<\/p>\n\n\n\n

and his deeds were all noble and worthy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

28.<\/strong> Now having been banished from the<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

happy hall their father had stolen<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Helwine wandered until her death<\/p>\n\n\n\n

when her children were strong<\/p>\n\n\n\n

came to a pair of hills, and Hausfrau<\/p>\n\n\n\n

having lain with Hrothlac gave birth<\/p>\n\n\n\n

to a son who brought together the blood<\/p>\n\n\n\n

of his parentage. Tacitucyn<\/p>\n\n\n\n

was he named and at birth<\/p>\n\n\n\n

he was bitten by a mad wolf.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

After this birth, Hrothlac set off to avenge<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Heretheow’s death and regain honor.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

29.<\/strong> One day as Anaxtheow and Hygelac<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

were enjoying the forest’s beauty,<\/p>\n\n\n\n

their lord, Barbaros was out hunting<\/p>\n\n\n\n

unaware of the danger that lurked<\/p>\n\n\n\n

around the corner. Hrothlac leapt<\/p>\n\n\n\n

from a tree with naked sword<\/p>\n\n\n\n

and smote that great king  and his two sons<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A deed of cowardice done<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hrothlac wrongly assumed the throne<\/p>\n\n\n\n

and took the gold and riches <\/p>\n\n\n\n

of that once noble king<\/p>\n\n\n\n

who’s still young son had been saved.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

30.<\/strong> Now without a happy mead-hall<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Hygelac, being kind and wise<\/p>\n\n\n\n

raised her son to avenge<\/p>\n\n\n\n

his father’s death, but Loki<\/p>\n\n\n\n

the trickster  plays cruel jokes<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hrothlac died leaving Tacitucyn to rule<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The death of his son would be a hollow<\/p>\n\n\n\n

victory, but honor would be restored.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Anaxtheow grew to be<\/p>\n\n\n\n

both strong and brave.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

for he was born into the burdens<\/p>\n\n\n\n

and blessings of his noble stature.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

31.<\/strong> Thus with an evil hand<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Tacitucyn attempted to rule,<\/p>\n\n\n\n

but neither courageous nor cunning<\/p>\n\n\n\n

like Barbaros, that great king.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Now sneaking into their chambers<\/p>\n\n\n\n

he struck while the loyal slept.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

With crushing strength their heads were severed<\/p>\n\n\n\n

on Barbaros’ rule thus ended<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There was little joy<\/p>\n\n\n\n

for the Rhenusware were wronged.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

And Tacitucyn granted<\/p>\n\n\n\n

many stolen gifts to his great warriors.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

32. <\/strong>So seeking revenge Anaxtheow came<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

to his home after many days<\/p>\n\n\n\n

to find it run-down and decrepit<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Remembering his slain father<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He marched into that once happy hall<\/p>\n\n\n\n

and swung his sword about<\/p>\n\n\n\n

killing the defenders until<\/p>\n\n\n\n

only Tacitucyn remained<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Seeing the blood and slain all around<\/p>\n\n\n\n

the coward fell and begged mercy<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Anaxtheow cut out his heart<\/p>\n\n\n\n

and watched as it quaked in his hand.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

33.<\/strong> Again in the happy mead-hall heroes, hardy,\u00a0<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

courageous and combative came to partake<\/p>\n\n\n\n

of the hearty feast their hefty chieftain<\/p>\n\n\n\n

would bequeath. A banquet honoring<\/p>\n\n\n\n

the faithful heroes, killed by cowardice.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Encrusted and  close knit, these kinsmen<\/p>\n\n\n\n

held up the honor of the honorable<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Anaxtheow. Once again scops sang<\/p>\n\n\n\n

while naked the swords were kept by the company;<\/p>\n\n\n\n

blades steeped in the blood of the slain.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Crushing strength was kept for the Valkyries,<\/p>\n\n\n\n

as soldiers rejoiced and beer was savored.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

34.<\/strong> Thus was peace restored a great feast was made<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

to honor Anaxtheow’s fine victory<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Happiness and mirth echoed through the hall, <\/p>\n\n\n\n

and heroes now swore to uphold<\/p>\n\n\n\n

the honor of their new king.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Into this hall came a king<\/p>\n\n\n\n

of overwhelming wealth and glory.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

“How are you called, courageous friend?”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

inquired the brave Anaxtheow.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The stranger lay down his sword<\/p>\n\n\n\n

and set down his brazen helmet<\/p>\n\n\n\n

“I am Icthus, son of Iam.”<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

1. Sing, oh magnificent muse, Mnemosyne of the tragic triumph terrific and true. Move my mind to make me mutter in this terse text the terrific tale of the mythic monarchs methinks misadvised, were tempted and tried.  Tire not and maintain my memory misty for I sing to His grace, stupendous and sublime. I talk […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[8,4,59],"tags":[58,38,57,37,39,56],"class_list":["post-4080","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-diversions","category-history","category-poetry-and-prose","tag-christ","tag-culture","tag-epic","tag-fun","tag-history","tag-poem"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/anthurian.com\/staging\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4080","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/anthurian.com\/staging\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/anthurian.com\/staging\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/anthurian.com\/staging\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/anthurian.com\/staging\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=4080"}],"version-history":[{"count":9,"href":"https:\/\/anthurian.com\/staging\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4080\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":4089,"href":"https:\/\/anthurian.com\/staging\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4080\/revisions\/4089"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/anthurian.com\/staging\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=4080"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/anthurian.com\/staging\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=4080"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/anthurian.com\/staging\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=4080"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}