Beowulf - Curse of the Dreygurs - Chapter 11

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Chapter 11

“It seems you brought along Angle warriors as troublemakers,” he told him. “I have no hate for Angles, but I give you a warning. Invading this land will bring Brythonians warriors to help Morcant Bulc take back Bernicia. Right now, he is weak, but he has sympathy for villages in the area. While my flock doesn’t care which noble claims to hold sway over them, they know every inch of this land. Your men will sow bitter fruit by driving my people from their home. Sowing salt into the ground does not bring fortune to a farmer, or a few warriors who come as invaders.”

Malo leaned forward with his elbows on the table. The men around the table took in what the Celt said. The communities across the land could soon turn against the small band of fighters. A dangerous trip could twist into a full war.

“Well, then we should drink more of this excellent beer, so our young ones can learn when to shut their mouths,” piped up Ecgberht. The men sitting around the table suddenly broke out in laughter. Appa grew red, placing his hand on his sword. However, Glappa grabbed his brother’s arm and whispered something in his ear. Appa glared at Ecgberht before he stomped away to the end of the table.

“Malo, it appears your flock does not speak our language, so I defer to your wisdom. I swear that my sole duty is to destroy these monsters. Let your people know we will leave these lands once the dreygurs are gone.”

Beowulf followed while the laughter fell away. Malo paused as he assessed the young leader. It was apparent he thought Beowulf was probably not up to the task. The priest took a drink, then rested his enormous head on his hands.

“These are demons from Hades who attack the innocent and wicked alike. Just the mention of them has driven out many of our herders who tend flocks in the pastures along with their families,” said the priest. His face carried an abundance of freckles that went along with his auburn hair and beard. “But it was pagan villagers who left. They went south thinking they could cross the river to escape. It appears the dreygurs followed them. As you can see, we stayed here. The cross did not protect those who died outside of our door,” he explained as he crossed himself. “We buried our pagan neighbors, and I made this village unsuitable for any creature coming from hell. That is why those monsters left.” He crossed himself and touched his lips with his finger. The thegns recognized the strange gesture from watching their comrade, Sigibert.

“Are you saying the dreygurs don’t bother you in this village? Even when they returned?” asked Beowulf suspiciously. “Unless you are controlling these monsters, such a thing is not possible.”

“Really?” said Malo, crossing his arms across his chest in defiance. “You believe my flock or I would control such agents of hell. No, my friend, these dreygurs come from the evil ways of witches who control such things. Only those of the true faith remain protected from such wicked beasts. You see for yourself that our hall remains protected, not even a scratch at the door.” His words caught the attention of the thegns, who remembered the destruction throughout the rest of the small village.

“Very well, I’ll accept some magic protects you and your families. What about the monsters?”

Beowulf found his patience tiring as the big man preached. It distracted him from his work. Malo turned to his flock and asked them several questions in his native Celt language. Beowulf could make out some answers.

“A galdere controls them,” an old villager called Corpre spoke up. “These charm speakers raise the dead in vengeance over the living. A galdere is nearly as bad as you cannot kill them either. Death for the undead only comes by their beheading.”

“And don’t forget, you must walk three times between the head and body, always keeping it on the left,” interjected another villager.

“Plus, you must sprinkle holy water on the grave to stop them from coming back.” Malo turned back to Beowulf. “That is the most important task to stop such evil.”

As the people slowly open up about the dreygurs, all of them stated the dreygurs came from the mound where Weohstan and his men were heading. One of the Geats asked if more mounds were holding such creatures and a local farmer told them the land had many places where such evil might arise.

“This is an area filled with the graves of the condemned,” said the old farmer, his hands gnarled by the years and work. “But that mound on the rise does not contain nobles or warriors. It was a place where the Picts killed and buried their prisoners.”

As the people told their stories, they grew less wary of the pagans, telling them of the peaceful land before the monsters rose. It became apparent they felt the continued fighting between the native Brythons and the Angles brought forth the beasts from their graves.

While listening to the priest’s followers, Beowulf kept looking at the dark-haired girl, noticing her response to a comment about the charm speakers. Her dark eyes flashed hard at him when the villager spoke against the galdere. Beowulf realized the woman continued to glance at him. Her expression showed no fear, but it revealed something to him. She carried information, and she might even control the dreygurs. He mentioned his concerns to Ecgberht, who sat next to him. The warrior carefully nodded, whispering back that they would need to get her away from the group. Beowulf was relieved his friend saw the same thing in the girl’s eyes. Then he caught Sigibert staring at her.

As the locals continued to explain the ways to destroy the monsters, Beowulf motioned for Sigibert to join him. Suddenly, the muffled sound of hoofbeats came from outside. Within a moment, Hrethric burst through the doors, pushing through nearby warriors to reach Beowulf. He explained they found a grave burrow and the deep crypt under the mound. Catching his breath, Hrethric described what they found inside the tomb.

“Weohstan believes we have the dreygurs!”

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