The Wooing Of Sascha

"Some men gain fame early in their lives. Cuchulain was known far beyond Eriu before hair reached his chin. Other men are heroes long before their word-fame grants them a byname and glory. The nature of their lives is not spoken before some pivotal point. Hear now the greatest exploit of Dana Two-Eye: The Wooing of Sascha.

Now a young(er) man, Dana set out from the house of his father to explore the Hebrides. For years he wandered. For a time he fought with the Lowlanders against the Angles and the Sassenach. He journeyed to the Isle of Men, and rules them for a time. He spent a year with the Cymri and brought great jewels upon himself and many more were sent home.

Then, it was time to venture back. Dana travelled through many places and lodged with many peoples before he reached a wood dense and foreboding. Hopeful of some great triumph Dana entered the trees, poor hatchet and shield in hand.

Although it was peopled by beasts many and cunning, no extraordinary challenge faced Dana. With dampened spirit he made ready to depart. At this point he spotted a trail of smoke rising not far away. The smoke began in a little homestead centered in a beautiful clearing. As Dana watched from the tree line, a lone woman busied herself about the chores of the household. At all times two sleek hounds accompanied her. Though she seemed a peasant girl, the land was good and the house was sturdily built. Dana much desired to make them his, and the lively hounds as well.

He stepped forward, “I am Dana, slayer of men and boon to my people. I have journeyed far and by strength of arms and character I intend to make you my wife and your home my own.”

“You are a bold man,” she responded, “long ago my father departed, leaving me this great dowry for whomever I chose fit. If you would do me but a small favour I would gladly take you into my home.”

Seeing his desire almost within his grasp Dana hastily agreed to whatever she might require.

“Take these, my young hounds, and make mighty war dogs of them. Take them to three combats and show yourself a champion of men. Return with three heads and blood upon the paws of Cricket and Sprocket and I shall think upon you for a night.” With a minimum of delay he again took up his axe and shield, gathered the dogs and set out.

First he came upon a band of vile raiders from Denmark. Picking the largest and hairiest he quickly lopped off his head and cowed the rest. Declining offers to become their chief Dana carried on.

A great Saxon burgh rose up before him. Dana scaled the walls calling such challenges that the people’s Thegn could not fail to meet him. Before the entire fyrd, and the shrewd eyes of Cricket and Sprocket, Dana bested the hall-king. Making peace with this tribe, and paying a generous wergild Dana once more set out.

Amongst the hills of Wales he stopped to make camp. From beneath the mound came a terrible rumble and a dark fog. For three sunsets Dana fought axe and club and fist he could not see until finally on the fourth day the mist cleared and Dana had vanquished a great Giant of ages past.

Carrying the Dane and Saxon trophies he rolled the Giant’s head before him back to Sascha. “I see you have done as I’ve asked. Give me the night to think and I’ll give you my answer at dawn.”

Dana made nervous camp at the edge of the clearing. Throughout the night his sleep was disturbed by dreams of voices. Some were deep and rumbling, some were thick in the tongues of the Invaders, and some were high and clear like music to his mortal ears. At dawn Sascha came to him no longer dressed as a peasant. She wore the same simple dress of green and brown but was now wearing her true presence as well. When she spoke Dana knew that like the Giant she belonged to an older time, a time of shee and spirits before the coming of the Gaels.

“Dana,” she asked, “you know that all you give will in turn be given to you? You know your sacred geiss?” To which he nodded.

“The honour you have done your opponents, and to my hounds, has been repaid in kind. They spoke well of you through the night and I have decided to take you as my Lord."

For Caemgen wrote this,
and placed it upon this stone with the hand of Dana beside him