Viking Raid

Restless church bells ring their towers
and the air tastes of alarm.

They will be here within hours --
sun, suspicious, masks its charm
and retreats to safer quarters
as the village hides its daughters
and the blacksmith hands out swords.
Witches sell a few more wards.

At the square, the townsfolk gather...

Some will bring a thing of gold.
Others, stock.  A few would rather
die in fighting than grow old,
but the town will try to barter --
most would rather live than martyr.

See tomorrow, having paid.
If they can...

A Viking raid.