This week on the Myths and Legends podcast, it should come as no surprise that old grudges were surfaced to come crashing down in the newly restored

Volsen kingdom, leaving the family once again down to a sole heir,

Exile to a faraway land.

Also, there's the introduction of a cursed ring in the nasty little pockets of Trixie Loki.

The creature of the week is Leopardcon's trunk, Mean Cousin, who is definitely judging your poor taste and wine.

This is the Myths and Legends podcast, episode 3c, renewed Shelby Blade that was broken.

This is a podcast where I tell the original tales behind legendary stories. Some are popular stories you think you know, but with surprising origins.

Others are stories you probably haven't heard, but really should.

Previously on the podcast, we started with the story of the Volsanks. The Patriarch, King Volsan, had a son named Sigmund, who pulled a sword from a tree when no one else could.

A challenge from Odin himself, insulting his brother-in-law and leaning to a spiral of revenge that left Sigmund and his son Sinfulti as he only surviving Volsanks.

They returned to their land and Sigmund married Borghild. While outrating, Sinfulti and Borghild's brother get into an argument over a woman and decide to settle it with a duel, which Sinfulti handily wins.

Borghild has beside herself with grief and rage, and at her brother's wake, she poisons Sinfulti, who immediately collapses at the table.

In his inebriated state, Sigmund can barely process what's happening.

He rushes over and tries to rouse his son, perhaps he's just passed out from too much drinking. But no, he tries to rouse the man and sees that his eyes are open and he's unresponsive.

He is dead. Rage flashes over him and he turns to his wife, who's standing there, holding the jug of Poisondale, unrepentant.

The true weight of what just happened crashes over him though and he's hit with grief and sorrow. He takes his son's body in his arms and he carries him out of the hall and into the forest.

I don't know if legendary Norse warriors wept or not, but I can imagine he was thinking about all the experiences he's had with the man.

From the first test with the snake in the bag to the bizarre time where they were were wolves together, to the years they spent in the wilderness preparing to avenge King Bullson.

Then, finally, spending relatively peaceful years ruling a kingdom as father and son.

Now sinfilty, the only other true bullson and the only linked Sigmund had to his past was dead by his wife's hand.

Like I said, I don't know if Norse warriors wept, but if they do, Sigmund was weeping.

He came to a fjord. He saw a man paddle up in a small boat, only big enough for two.

...