Devils of Bothelm
Tonild emerged from the primordial waters with the divine gifts, Liegetu, Fribengest, and Scildan. She was also blessed with divine power over the sacred water. Having completed the ritual burial of Elfswitha, Tonild travels back to the tribe. Elfswitha's tribe however has just suffered an attack by Beornstan, whose warriors have kidnapped many of the tribes young. The elders of the tribe beseech Tonild for aid, recognizing the divine power she now holds. Tonild does not delay and quickly makes haste for the tribal lands of Beornstan.
Arriving among the forts and camps of Beornstan, Tonild finds them abandoned. Searching among the tents raised within the forts she finds a lone blind shaman. The shaman Regenhere, once favored of Beornstan, explains to Tonild that Beornstan became convinced that he should unite all the tribes of Bothelm. He approached the shamans seeking their counsel but they withdrew knowing that Beornstan was a tyrant. Beornstan next came to Regenhere alone since he was Beornstan's favored but Regenhere felt that Beornstan was acting with greed, for the chief had already subjugated most of the other tribes receiving great tribute. Beornstan however was not sated for he intended to rule all free peoples.
One day a powerful shaman came to the village, a devil in disguise. He told Beornstan that he would be gifted an army of powerful warriors. After the devil-shaman left Beornstan held a great feast to prepare his warriors for the summer raids but explained that they would also be gathering children, explaining they would be sold into slavery. However during the feast Beornstan got intoxicated and told Regenhere his true plan, to offer the children as sacrifice. Regenhere learning this bade the other shamans help overthrow Beornstan, turning his army against the chief. The coup was failure and Beornstan exiled all shamans from his land, however he had Regenhere instead captured and blinded so the elderly shaman could never "look upon the kingdom built by Beornstan". Lastly Regenhere told Tonild that Beornstan had led his tribe and the captured children into the mountains. This was where Beornstan planned to complete the sacrificial ritual and summon the army of devils.
Tonild sped hastily for the mountains upon the back of Fribengest hoping to reach them before Beornstan completed his ritual. To her dismay Tonild was not in time, for when she reached the mountains she met the vishap, twisted dragon-like fiends that were summoned by Boernstan. Tonild sprang from the back of Fribengest slashing upon the vishap with Liegetu. Tonild fought the devilish fiends as she strode into the mountainous caverns searching for Beornstan. The great chief had been transformed into a terrible giant and far outmatched the small Tonild. Tonild was filled with fear upon the sight of Beornstan but knew she must fight him. Using the divine shield Scildan to protect her from the boulders Beornstan flung upon her, she called for Fribengest to harry the giant. As Fribengest distracted Beornstan, Tonild crept behind the giant and furiously launched herself upon his back with Liegetu. With each stroke of her sword lightning crackled over the body of Beornstan and soon he was defeated.
Tonild having vanquished the tyrannical Beornstan returned to the tribe of her grandfather, Tatfrid. Though Tatfrid was very old he still maintained his status as chief for he had no children after Hildegyth to claim his throne. Upon her arrival Tatfrid recognized his granddaughter and learning that she defeated Beornstan rejoiced naming her the new chief. Tonild then offered sanctuary to all the tribes that were pillaged by Beornstan. With these tribes she traveled to the head of the sacred spring where they settled.
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