Rorik and the Edge of the World
Channel: Lórien Patton
Date: 2013-06-08

Rorik & The Edge of the World
by Lórien Patton
off the 1998 album 'Quest'

At the world's edge, where stars are sown
And serpent's breath will freeze your bone
A banner stands on a rocky shore
Wrought with runes and Viking Lore

Rorik was a noble king
And of him now a tale I sing
Of how he came to the world's end
And victorious returned again

His dragon ship was proud and fair
Silver crown on chestnut hair
To his queen he swore a vow
To place a star upon her brow
So in the dark of early dawn
She came to clasp his sword belt on

And as a parting gift she brought
A silken banner, silver wrought
Runes upon a staff of yew
Serpent flown on black and blue
In the dragon ship it stood
While in the prow good Rorik rode

Through the seas who's shores he knew
Proud the serpent banner flew
Till the sea grew dark and cold
And overhead in pale gold
The sun was faint and glimmered far
Skies grew thick with stranger stars

A barren island marked the bound
Between the earth and sky he found
The dragon ship he anchored there
And in his hand the banner fair
Through the crashing surf he strode
To rocky shore where star fire glowed

But heaven's gems are not unguarded
Thus a serpent, scales hardened
With fires of the moon and sun
And the strength of battles won
Rose from 'neath the darkened deep
And roared a challenge meant to keep
Rorik's hand from plucking down
The wealth of stars that there he found
Through the night the foes did battle
Stones cried out and weapons rattled
Sun and moon did pass away
Till dark alone was holding sway
Mighty were the blows, red handed
Rorik by the fell claws branded
Till at last the serpent winded
Took Rorik's spear, in one eye blinded

Then the serpent foundered, bleeding
Rorik grasped his banner, weaving
Up between the standing stones
Left it there to stand alone
Then he grasped his hard won prize
A star as bright as serpent's eyes
And homeward sent his ship a-winging
In his hand a lone star shining

At the world's edge, where stars are sown
And serpent's breath will freeze your bone
A banner stands on a rocky shore
Wrought with runes and Viking Lore

Rorik was a noble king
And of him now a tale I sing
Of how he came to the world's end
And victorious returned again

**************
In loving memory of Jarl Rørik Sverðmaðr (Steve Rachman, KSCA). May Valhalla be ever filled with the praise songs composed in your honor.

*This song is part of the Star Crown saga, and is free to use at SCA bardic circles and other public performances. Please don't make money off of it without sharing, that's rude. :)

**Also, if you want to make a cool animated video or something, you know, send me a copy!