Fury reached inside the bag and felt the head. The skin was slimy and his fingers broke through in places as he eased it out. The limed hair appeared, followed by a wide brow and broken nose ... then a moustache and grizzled beard.
'This is the head of Balduur the Great.'
Fury held up the putrefying mass with due solemnity.
'He was King of Gorm and a great and feared warrior. Balduur was King of Kings and first amongst his brother chieftains.'
As he spoke the head fell apart. Fury almost dropped it. Then he noticed a shadowy presence by his side and turned to confront it.
'What have you there?'
The apparition pointed to the head.
'This is the head of Balduur the Great.' Fury struggled to hold the decaying mass together. 'I brought it here so that his soul light could make the warrior's passage to the eighth realm.'
'You did that?'
The apparition grew in substance.
'You brought Balduur here to make the passage to the eighth realm?'
'I did,' Fury nodded.
He had little doubt he was seeing Balduur as he had appeared in real life. The old warlord's nostrils flared and his eyes narrowed.
'What is your name, boy?'
Fury returned Balduur's stare.
'I am Fury Ap-Cronwyn, Prince of the Catti.'
'You are Cronwyn's son?'
'Nay, I am his grandson. My mother is Bronwyn.'
'That little witch.'
'My mother is not a witch.' Fury braced himself. 'She is an old woman and a great and respected ruler.'
'Little Bronwyn is an old woman.'
Balduur placed his hand on his head and wheezed.
'Aye.' Fury said. 'She is Queen of the Catti. Her name is spoken with awe.'
Balduur's face creased into a smile.
'Little Bronwyn's name is spoken with awe.'
He roared with laughter.
'I don't doubt you, boy. I always said the little witch was the equal of a hundred men. I told your grandfather that. I said she should marry my son, Pius. I proposed an alliance but Cronwyn wouldn't hear of it.'
Balduur continued to recount events from the past and Fury was lost in thought. He placed the remains of the head on the ground and wiped his hands on the grass.
Balduur demanded his attention.
'What happened to the Duideth?'
'They are still amongst us,' Fury said.
Balduur grimaced.
'I told Cronwyn we should unite against those vermin ...'
Balduur edged towards the eighth circle. Fury guessed he was engaged in an elaborate heist. He watched and listened as the old warrior's wanderings took him closer and closer to the ring of light. A blinding flash brought him to an abrupt halt. The guardian pointed his battleaxe and the ground about Balduur's feet was set alight.