Asgard tales from the Golden Hall. Read online

The Kraken.

  The Kraken is a fearful beast that lives in the soundless gloom.

  Wake not the dreaded creature for it will surely seal your doom.

  With eyes as big as millstones and teeth that cuts through steel.

  It has a ravenous appetite and takes brave sailors for its meal.

  I faced it once off the rocky Northland coast when it rose up from the sea.

  It bellowed and roared like a thing from hell; hot breath blew from the lea.

  With ax in hand and a warrior’s cry I fell upon the beasty from the dark.

  Again and again I swung my arm and my sharp weapon found its mark.

  It roared in pain and as well did I when gaping jaws closed upon my leg.

  It ripped and tore and left me with a bloody stump and now I wear a peg.

  That day I swore to find the beast and slain him for all the gods to see.

  But he sleeps in the soundless depths and dark places beneath the sea.

  My leg is now a steel wrought thing with a sharp tip at its base.

  To drive into the creatures eye when we last fight face to face.

  The Kraken lives but not for long for I will find him soon.

  And together we will battle on under a darken moon.