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AlsvidIn Norse mythology, Alsvid ("all-swift") was one of the horses (with Arvak) that pulled Sol's chariot (i.e. the sun). The horses' mane gave off the light; the sun itself gave off the heat. Explanatory Quotes From "Norse Myths: Gods of the Vikings" re-told by Kevin Crossley-Hollands (Penguin, 1982): From The Creation
"Sun follows behind moon. One of her horses is called Arvak because he rises so early, and the other Alsvid because he is immensely strong. The Aesir inserted iron-cold bellows under their shoulder blades to keep them cool. Sun always seems to be in a great hurry, and that is because she is being chased by Skoll, the wolf who is always snapping and growling close behind her."
From The Lay of Grimnir
"Arvak the Early Waker and Alsvid, All Swift, are the names of the steeds whose wearisome work is to drag the sun across the sky. Long ago the gods took pity on them, and put bellows under their yokes. And in front of the sun, like a shield, stands Svalin. Should he let his guard slip, the mountains and the sea would burst into flames. Skoll is the wolf on the tail of the sun, and he will chase her until at last he runs her down in Iron Wood."
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