Dratha Strega Bor

“Dratha Strega Bor”
In the distant past, before any kingdom, before any towns, before even The Röfthars, there were the Tribes. Each with their own goals and accomplishments. Each with their own fates and destinies, spread across the lands of Everthorn. Many tribes are unknown today; Many perished fighting for their gods, and few survived.

Long ago, the Vordian Vikings ruled the lands. They were well known across all tribes as savage murderers. Their goal was simple: Kill all who oppose the mighty Drathmir. They walked the lands, wiping out every single human that would not join them in the search for the Land of Hope. Drathmir had sent a sign. A sign that when the Land of Hope is found, all wars would stop. Civilization would prosper there, with a promise of infinite food and eternal life. Hörsar was their leader, and the one closest to Drathmir. Every night he would blow the horn, calling Drathmir to him. Every night he would ask for guidance, and every night Drathmir would say the same words.

“Thrallfig Strega Bor ard Dratha Strega Bor”

One night however, Drathmir spoke to him of a great danger. One that could end their hunt for the Land of Hope.

“Vor e jus hob kom. Ragmir hob fer.”

War of blood is coming. Ragmir is near.

Horrified, Hörsar gathered his tribe and made a speech. They were to leave right now, only taking their most valuable belongings, and they were to head north, continuing their search for the Land of Hope, and escaping Ragmir’s Army. Ragmir’s Army was the newest tribe. They quickly rose to power and had weapons of unimaginable destruction. They followed their own goal: ’Please Ragmir and you shall gain great power. Anger Ragmir and your horrible fate shall be upon you.’ And as you imagine, they pleased Ragmir, and he blessed them with great weapons.

The Vordian Vikings gathered their belongings and started to march at midnight, a few hours after Drathmir spoke. Like scared mice they walked in the dark, listening closely to the sounds around them, hoping that maybe, just maybe they could escape Ragmir’s Army; And they did. At dawn, atop a hill,  they laid eyes upon the most beautiful landscapes they had ever seen. Untouched by death, and blessed by life. In their minds all they could think about was the peace that they would all get once they step foot on that great land. No more war. No more killings. No more death. Only life. Only peace. Only paradise.

“Strega Bor hob Thrallfid!” Shouted Hörsar, while holding his great sword up, and suddenly, the rain of terror began.

Sharp and pointy sticks flew from the sky, piercing their torsos. Never had they seen such a terrifying rain, never had they prepared or even thought of something like this.

“Ragmir thred i feit” shouted the chief of the Ragmir Army. It meant that Ragmir has sealed your fate. Hörsar knew what he had to do. He had to run. He grabbed the nearest people around him and told them to run around the bushes, and to save themselves. Ragmir’s Army had stopped firing and were now on the battlefield, fighting the Vordian Vikings. They were helpless against them. One soldier noticed Hörsar and his men sneaking towards the bushes, and followed them silently.

Hörsar told his men that they were going to the Land of Hope. Once they reach it the war will stop, and life would flourish. By now they were only a few meters away. They left the forest and entered a valley. In the Middle of it was a shallow river. Past that river lay a field of flowers, with cows and sheep grazing peacefully. This was, truly, the land of Hope. The last place where peace still existed. They ran there, finally able to stop the War of Blood, but just as they were about to cross the river, a Ragmir Army soldier jumped from behind Hörsar and slashed him with his sword. Instead of only Hörsar falling to the ground, they both did, because the Ragmir Army soldier was stabbed in the heart by a Vordian Viking. The soldier was dead, but Hörsar was not. Hörsar’s men went to pick him up but he said no. He told them to leave him, for his job was done, but their job was not done. And then, he muttered his last and final words:

“Dratha Strega Bor” (Live in the Land of Hope)