Once the sword was drawn there was no turning back; for blood called for blood, and vengeance followed swift on the heels of atrocity. - Robert E. Howard

By this axe I rule!

Like you, the Sagas of Norse Gods and heroes fascinate me. Their mythology seems more characteristically Nordic than any other-naturally, of course. I still feel deep resentment toward Charlemagne for his bloody conversion of the Nordic pagans – and while I do not consider that it was revenge for his ruthless crusade that sent the more remote Norsemen sweeping down to ravage the south – it was more likely a natural result of growth and expansion and press of population – still I can appreciate the feelings of those Odin-worshippers who destroyed shrine and monastery and burned priests in the ruins of their altars.

passed on by the hook-nosed herdsmen of the grasslands, from the dwellers in tents to the dwellers in the squat stone cities where kings with curled blueblack beards worshipped round-bellied gods with curious rites.