The lights that was seeing Qnd had now grown and multiplied themselves. At last, he was enough near of the village to hear the villagers' singing. He went to the main road which lead to the village and at the gateway, two guards announced as abruptly stopping feasting:
- Stop!
- Good evening sirs— a lovely night, isn't it? said Qnd.
- And what are you doing so late, to wander around— on this lovely night, stranger—? asked the first guard with distrust.
As feeling his suspicion, Qnd responded:
- I'm only a vagabond traveler— there's nothing to fear of me. It seems you're working with harness, he taunted while pointing to the guards' horn of ale.
- We still fear raids. Starvation stroke the neighbor lands, we ought to watch our supplies and our families, admitted the second guard with an ounce of bravery in his words.
- In addition, some tells that a nearby village was attacked, added the other guard.
- Come on— I don't seem like a looter, joked Qnd.
- Surely— Come then to feast the war's end with us! invited the second guard.
As finishing his words, they both began to drink again. They're doing a fine work, thought with irony Qnd. Well! Nothing arrests me from feasting with the villagers. I should also ask the way toward the nearest harbour village, he thought. He sighed as watching the guards and returned to heading to the village's hall. The village was lively—! The villagers were peacefully walking all around the village as discussing to everyone in their sight. The pathways were well-lit and the scent of roasted meat was spreading through the air.
The villagers seemed to have a great time. As seeing all this delightfulness, Qnd was a bit sorrowful, for he would have loved to be at his family's side during all the time he was absent. The remembrance of the moments he spent with his family had invaded his mind. The warmth which offered his family really missed to him. Alas—! Soon, I'll be able to reunite with them, I ought to hurry, thought Qnd.
While watching the villagers, Qnd glimpsed a little girl whom seemed to be lost. She was examining the neighborhood, as if searching for something or someone. The villagers seemed to be too busy drinking and eating to take care of the child. Qnd approached and asked:
- Are you searching something, or someone?
- I can't find my parents, sadly responded the little girl.
- Are you in need of aid to find them? asked again Qnd.
- Well yeah— but how are we going to find them? questioned the little girl.
- Don't worry—! This village isn't a large one! answered Qnd. Then— where did you lost your parents?
- They let me play with the others, but when I went back to the hall— they weren't there anymore, she stated.
- So why shan't we start with the hall? suggested Qnd.
He held the hand of the little girl, and attempted to head to where he reckoned to be the hall. But soon, they were both lost in the village. Qnd then asked to the girl to lead the way and they both began to walk again. As walking, Qnd introduced himself:
- I forgot! I'm Qnd. I'm only a vagabond traveler.
- And I'm Dís, replied the little girl.
- Nice to meet you Dís— it's indeed a brave name, continued Qnd.
- Yes— My mother used to tell me stories about Óðinn and the Valkyrjur! She really loves the Valkyrjur, added Dís.
- What about you, do you like the Valkyrjur—? asked Qnd.
- Absolutely—! They're so powerful! I'm so happy that my mother named me so, exclaimed Dís.
- But they may drive the warriors to their loss— Valkyrjur can be deceitful creatures, added Qnd.
- Maybe— but at least they're powerful enough to make the warriors lose! answered back Dís.
- You're right—! affirmed Qnd as chuckling. And your father— is he a warrior?
- Well no— He's a blacksmith, the best one—! Look at this necklace he made for me!
Dís pulled a necklace of her pocket and showed it to Qnd. The necklace was a tiny bird made of bronze attached to a thread. Qnd meticulously observed the necklace and declared:
- A beautiful one—! You're lucky to have a father whom offers you such beautiful presents.
- If you want it— I can give you the same! I took two of them, replied Dís as pulling something out of her pocket.
- It's odd that you don't wear your necklace on the neck, humorously added Qnd.
- It bothers me when I wear it. Here—! exclaimed Dís as giving the same necklace to Qnd.
- Are you certain that I can take it? asked Qnd.
- For sure—! replied Dís.
- Very well— I shall take great care of it, as a present from my young friend Dís! replied Qnd. He put the necklace in his purse and asked, but why do you possess the double of this necklace?
- Honestly— I stole it in order to sell it and buy a gift for my mother, confessed Dís, I hope you'll tell nothing!
- It begins from a good intention, said Qnd with humour. Here, for your mother's present.
Qnd pulled out some Eir of his purse and gave them to Dís. She then thanked Qnd. After the whole discussion, Qnd and Dís had not realised that the hall was now before them. The village's hall was opened and, at the center of where was the hall, stood a large bonfire where people were feasting. Dís surveyed the neighborhood and soon found her mother. Her mother was at the doors of the hall, seemingly waiting for someone. Dís shouted:
- Mom, I'm here—!
- By the gods—! Dís, we searched you everywhere—! exclaimed her mother.
Qnd and Dís approached and her mother talk to Dís:
- Never dare to scare me like that again—! She then talked to Qnd, thank you for bringing her back. But, you're not from the village, right—?
- Certainly. The name's Qnd— I'm only a vagabond traveler.
- And I'm Qlrún, and I suppose you already made acquaintance with my daughter, she added. Allow me to offer you some food; your journey must have been tiresome.
- Gladly! exclaimed Qnd.
- Follow me, said the mother.
She drove Qnd and Dís inside of the hall and sat down. The hall was filled of feasting tables filled themselves of food. Nothing really refined, but at least, everyone was able to eat and drink to their will. Qlrún dished up a horn of ale and a piece of chicken to Qnd and another one to her daughter. While eating, Dís asked to her mother:
- Where's Dad?
- Oh— he went to find you. He'll return soon, answered Qlrún. So Qnd, where do you come from?
- From far— from very far—! You remind me— I should return to my home. Do you know where can I find a ship?
- There's a harbour village at twenty miles from here. If you intend to walk, it should take a whole week or more, replied Qlrún.
- I should go then... resumed Qnd.
- Well— you could stay at our home for the night, we'll gladly shelter you! added Qlrún.
- I don't decline—! But are you certain that your husband will be alright? asked Qnd as finishing his horn of ale.
- He'd offer anything for the one whom aided his daughter, she answered.
- I'll accept then—! It's been a while since the last time I decently sle–
Suddenly, Qnd was interrupted by one of the villagers. The latter was shouting:
- Trouble—! Looters are coming, many are coming—!
After hearing those words, Qnd's heart almost stopped. The whole village was now in panic; the villagers were yelling and hurried up to the gates of the village. The looters had chosen the good time to attacked the village, for the feast would surely distract the villagers. A villager announced:
- To all the men—! Come help us— the more we have men, the more it would left time for our children and our wives to flee! If you won't join us, die—!
Qnd finally realised the whole situation. He quickly told to Dís and Qlrún whom were frozen:
- Escape—!
- And Dad—? exclaimed Dís.
- Alas—! Let's go Dís— Dad won't be able to follow us. What about you Qnd?
- I should be the one asking—! You heard well— if I want a chance to survive, I ought at least to fight, said Qnd.
- There's a camp at some miles of here which shelter all those whom don't have a home. We shall go there, replied Qlrún as taking her daughter's hand.
- It's not a lot— but it could help you both, added Qnd as giving his purse to Qlrún.
- Don't forget the necklace! shouted Dís.
- Indeed—! exclaimed Qnd as pulling the necklace out of the purse. Then, he put it around his neck.
- Thank you Qnd. We should go, farewell—! announced Qlrún.
- Bye Qnd! sadly added Dís.
- I hope to meet you again soon—! shouted Qnd while the mother and her daughter were running to the village's gate.
Qnd sighed and was interrupted by a villager:
- You there—! Come help us or die—!
- Choice is a mere illusion here, isn't it? sighed Qnd.
- Indeed! Follow me to the lowlands, we shall retard the looters—! added the villager.
- Very well— lead the way, said Qnd.
The two men then went outside of the village in order to join the other fighters. The looters were numerous, no doubt that they would all die. But of course, the main purpose of this battle was only to offer more time to their families for letting them escape. Once all gathered, a man started to rush into the looters, and the others did same.
The lowlands neighbor to the village had transformed into a battlefield. The images carved in Qnd's mind began to haunt him, and there he was again, on a battlefield. The looters, armed with axes and bows, armoured of armour made of wolf of bear leather, had no trouble killing the village's men. Blood was pouring, and screams were resonating within the lowlands— no longer alive, but now dead. Qnd survived until the last hour of night, but the number of enemies was barely decreasing. Ô misfortune! The looters surrounded him, and shoot a mountain of arrow on Qnd. He fell down, wounded and suffering, yet, he was not accepting his death, and attempted to get up, in vain. A looter turned him over on his back, and he felt an axe bursting into his torso. No longer having enemies, the looters then rushed to the village, seeking food and other treasures.
For Qnd, he was laying in his own blood, beside corpses, as only music the early singing of the birds which was resonating until the edges of the dead lowland. The sun rapidly took moon's place, but night was still doing her luggage. In this amalgam of day and night, Qnd chuckled with his last breathes and thought a last time about his life. Thus, he spoke to his literally broken heart:
- Such a depressing end—! I thought living again as escaping, but here I am dead few hours later. I die this way— as a warrior, during a battle. Dead on a land that isn't even the land of my ancestors. Such an irony—! Me whom hated wars— I died in a battle! Mother— forgive me! I gave you no news— your pain is certainly greater than mine! Sister— forgive me! I shall no longer spend time with you! Father— forgive me! I failed to your teaching— now I understand, when you were talking about the hideousness of war— they cause an infinity of problem, which touch those whom have blood in their hands, to those whom were only living peacefully. Finally, forgive me all— I shan't come back...
In his last moments, Qnd rethought about his words, and laughed, before the irony of his fate, a dead laughter mocking life. In his last glance, he saw fuzzy, yet, saw a white, shining dress, and a feminine face and long hair. His strength had forsaken him, so much that he could not even think. He closed his eyes, and felt lighter as if free or his body. Then, he slept into the deepest slumber on earth— death.