The Flight to the Hill-Fort

This flow traces the community’s move from scattered homes to a fortified refuge as the released dead close in.

increasingBearing stren­gth in each eventdecreasing

The Night Pursuit

A Race Against the Dead The Creatures Reach the Surface Ragnar hears the newly risen creatures behind him as he hurries out of the woods. The cries confirm that his warning cannot wait until morning. Rallying the Search Party He reaches Cnut and the armed men gathered near Heimval’s funeral pyre. Ragnar tells them that a horde is coming and urges them to warn the villages and assemble at Jarl Thryggvi’s Hill-Fort.

Families Leave Home

Evacuation Under Snow Gathering the Settlements Ragnar and the search party spread the warning as the supernatural cries grow louder. Families leave their homes carrying whatever food and belongings they can manage through the snow. Refuge in the Central Fort People converge on Jarl Thryggvi’s Hill-Fort, whose ditch, rampart, and palisade offer the best available defense. The move is hurried and frightening, but gives the scattered community a chance to face the threat together.

The Gates Close

The Last Arrivals A Dangerous Threshold Ragnar personally checks the latecomers, wary that fear might lead the defenders to mistake a human for an attacker. His judgment protects stragglers while the snowstorm obscures the approaches. Choosing to Hold Once no more villagers arrive, Ragnar orders the gates barred and puts a watch on the wall-walk. Shadows move among the trees: the settlement’s refuge has become a besieged stronghold.

The night the barrows rupture

Later that same night

Just before the horde reaches the fort