Chapters ''Ragnar Lothbrok and his brother Rollo. Welcome in my house.'' Erik Maarten greeted his friend Ragnar who walked into his house, followed by his older brother Rollo, ''I have brought these people here as you asked. All of them have sworn upon their armring to keep this meeting a secret.''
''You have done well, my friend.'' Ragnar said.
''Tell us why we are here.'' One of them men named Vigi wanted to know.
''Well, you are here, firstly, because you have nothing better to do.'' Ragnar replied, earning groans of protest from almost everyone.
''Listen to him.'' Rollo interrupted them as he sat lazily in the corner.
''We have built a new boat.'' Ragnar announced, ''And with this boat we are able to go West.''
''I have Rangar's word that we all will be treated as equals and get an equal share of the plunder.'' Rollo explained.
''What if there is no West?'' One of the men named Thornstein wanted to know.
''I believe in the stories. And we may have found a way.'' Ragnar explained.
''And the Earl could kill us for disobeying his orders.'' One of them men named Knut said.
''What's your name?'' Rangar asked as he approached him.
''Knut.'' Knut replied.
''Well. I admit there is a risk.'' Ragnar said, ''But we can give you a chance to shine in battle, to impress the gods and bring back such plunder you have never seen before but the question is. Have you got balls to join?''
One of the men named Arne stepped forward and said, ''I'll go with you.''
The other men followed him.
''I'll go.''
''Me too.''
''You can count on me.'' Vigi said.
''Juta?'' Ragnar asked Vigi's wife.
''If Vigi is crazy enough to go.'' Juta smiled with a nod.
''And you Knut?" Ragnar asked.
''I'll go. I want a good story to tell my kids.'' Knut replied, earning cheers from everyone in the house.
Ragnar had arrived at his farm earlier that day. He was washing one of his tunics, while his wife Lagertha was looking angrily at him.
''When do we sail?'' She wanted to know.
''I already told you. I don't want you to come.'' Ragnar replied.
''Why not?'' His wife asked, ''This was going to be the most exciting voyage of our lives. To go West.''
''And what if the Earl wants to claim our family's home? I have to leave the farm in the hands of someone I trust.'' Ragnar replied.
''We have spoken of it for so many years.'' Lagertha said.
''What if we both die? Who would look after the children? Rollo?'' Ragnar asked.
Lagertha realized she had no more arguments left and left the room pouting.
Later in the evening Ragnar was tired and was a little drunk. He decided it was time to go bed, so he stood up and walked towards bed. Suddenly he was hit in the face by a wooden shield. He stumbled back and fell on the floor. The metalic taste in his mouth told him he had bitten into his tongue when his wife shield had bit his chin. He spit the blood into the fire pit and stood up.
''My love.'' He greeted her.
''What is the reason?'' Lagertha asked, ''Am I not strong enough for you?''
She took another swing with her shield and Rangar was barely able to avoid it. The next punch hit him right in the chest.
''I saved your life. Don't you remember?'' She asked. Ragnar was prepared for the next blow. This time his hands caught his shield. He pulled and Lagertha had no choice but drop it. Her fists hammered all over Ragnar until he dropped the shield and caught her on the tight embrace, holding her against her bed.
''How could I forget?'' He asked, kissing her neck, ''You keep reminding me."
Lagertha was about to give in into his embrace as her eyes caught a small hammer, laying within her reach. She grabbed it and smashed it on Ragnar's head. He tumbled backwards and Lagertha started raining fists all over his body again.
''Stop it!'' They were interrupted, ''You could have killed yourselves.''
Their son Bjorn was standing next to them, looking at them.
''We were just having an argument.'' Ragnar tried to calm him down.
''Well, never argue like that ever again!'' Bjorn ordered before he left them. Ragnar and Lagertha looked at each other stunned. For a second the silence was getting uncomfortable, then they started to laugh.
The day to set sail had finally come. Ragnar kissed his wife and said goodbye to his children. He then went on his way to his friend Floki shipyard where the new boat was drifting, tied to the pier. Some of the crew members had already arrived. They were loading oars, barrels of ale, food supplies and everything they would need on the journey.
Floki the boatbuilder was supervising their activities. Ragnar decided to play his friend a little prank. He pulled his knife out of it's sheath and pushed it against Floki's throat.
''Where is my anchor?'' Ragnar asked.
''It was promised for today.'' Floki replied, not scared at all.
''Maybe your blacksmith is a liar?'' Ragnar wanted to know.
Floki giggled as he reached into his pocket and fetched a lock of blond hair, ''I don't think so. This lock is from his daughter head. I promised him I would kill her if he told the Earl.''
Floki smiled at Ragnar who put the dagger back in his pocket. By now the whole crew had arrived, except for one person.
''I don't see Knut.'' Ragnar stated.
''This is because he is not here.'' Floki agreed.
''Well, we don't have the time to wait for him.'' Ragnar decided.
The loading had been completed and the crew who would participate in this great journey was standing on the pier. They all knew what had to come next, they had to ask the gods for their protection. The sat down in the grass and one of the slaves brought a big bowl filled with water. Floki was the first, he sprinkled some water over a statue of the god Njord before washing his hair, his beard, his mouth and nose in the water.
''We asks the gods for strong winds and calm seas.'' He said.
Ragnar was next, The slave girl with the water bowl approached him, before he and the others performed the washing rite.
The set the sail shortly after noon, in a friendly sunny day. The steered the boat out the open sea, westward.
The sun had set over the sea and the crew was sleeping in their boat. Ragnar was on the helm and noted that the waves were getting bigger with every minute.
An hour later, he awoke the others, ''A storm is coming.'' He announced while he was securing the barrel of water. Then the crew came to live. They pulled down the sail and prepared the oars to row.
The rain was hard and the boat was thrown over the waves as the storm was striking. Floki was sitting next to the mast, shivering.
''Are you afraid?'' Ragnar asked him.
''Yes I am afraid but not for me. I am afraid for my boat.'' Floki replied.
Rollo couldn't help himself than rub it in a little more, ''Thor is angry with us. He is striking his anvil. He wants to sink us.''
Suddenly Floki's face became happy, ''You are right.'' He agreed, ''Thor is striking his hammer. The Lighting in the spark from anvil. But he is not angry with us. He is celebrating! He wants to show everyone that he cannot sink this boat!'' He stood up and received a splash of the water in the face, ''The gods love this boat!''
Once the storm was over one of the men muttering something to himself.
''There is no west.'' He muttered, ''We're sailing into an empty ocean. Leif, Kauko, Vigi, Juta we have been persuaded by madmen and fools.''
He aggravated himself steadily until he finally stood up.
''The god Loki is behind this voyage. That scoundrel. The sly one.'' He said.
''Sit down!'' Ragnar interrupted him, ''And shut up!''
''You sound like the trickster.'' The man accused Ragnar, ''Maybe you are the god of mischief?''
Ragnar quickly closed in on the fool and took his knife from it's sheath. He stabbed the man's throat and turned to Rollo, ''Release the raven's.'' He ordered as he wiped his knife clean on the dead man's shirt.
Rollo opened the cage and several raven's flew into the foggy sky.
"If the birds do not return, there is land.'' Ragnar explained, ''But if they do return...'' He dared not to finish the sentence. After all, no land would mean failure and all the stories he head heard over the years were nothing but lies.
They waited for hours for birds to return. In the meantime the boat was drifting and the mood was sinking every minute. Ragnar looked up when he heard the sound of wings in the sky. He realized his hopes were false, and they should better return. The raven had found no land.
Arne was a seasoned warrior who had lost an eye in battle before, had heard something else. He listened closer and the unmistakable cry of the birds filled with joy.
''SEAGULLS!'' He shouted.
In a matter of second the crew was cheering. Instead of raven who would have returned to the boat if there was no land, a seagull meant they had to be close to land.
A foal was playing at the beach when he noticed a boat, sailing towards the village in which he was living in. He quickly turned around and ran into the village, ''A boat is coming! A boat is coming!''
Soon enough most of the ponies from the village gathered on the beach to greet the travelers. The Northmen got out from the boat and looked at the ponies in confusion.
''What are those things?'' Thornstein asked in confusion while looking at the ponies who were smilling at them, not seeing the danger in the Northmen.
''Travelers! We'd like to welcome you in your village!'' One of the ponies greeted them.
''Our Gods have taken us to a place inhabited by talking horses.'' Juta stated before Rollo stepped forward to the ponies. Once he was there one of them extended his hoof towards him.
''Hello! My name is Rain World! It's nice to meet you and your friends!'' Rain World said before Rollo crashed his axe down on Rain World's head. The blood spurted high and opened the skull of the pony. Ponies who were on the beach screamed in horror before they ran into the village. The Northmen ran after them and cut them down, one by one. Only a few of them managed to survive the attack of the Northmen.
After that happened Ragnar, Erik, Leif, Vigi and Juta were exploring the town. They entered one building were stunned by the sight of gold and treasure in front of them.
''You were right, my friend. There are treasures in the West.'' Vigi smiled at view of treasures as he put his hand to grab one of the chandeliers, when he and the others heard Leif say.
''Who leave such treasure unprotected? I don't understand is there some kind of speal?''
Vigi's hand which had almost touched the metal, was quickly pulled back.
''It appears not.'' Erik replied. He had been faster than Vigi and grabbed one of golden chandeliers.
''Maybe they think their god will protect them.'' Ragnar stated.
Juta pointed her sword at the portait of Princess Celestia and Princess Luna, ''You're probably talking about them. They must their gods.''
They all spun around when they heard a sound behind the altar. Ragnar went forward and pulled a grey unicorn out of his cover.
''Please don't kill me.'' A Unicorn begged, suprisingly Ragnar could understand him.
''You speak our language.'' Ragnar remarked.
''I have traveled a lot.'' A Unicorn replied.
''Are those ponies your gods?'' Juta asked as she pointed her sword at the portait of Celestia and Luna, once again.
''No. Our god is named Kholat.'' A unicorn replied.
''Kholat? That's an interesting name for a God.'' Ragnar stated.
It was when Rollo entered the building, ''This is a strange place indeed. A land inhabited by talking horses.''
''We're not horses. We're ponies.'' A Unicorn corrected him.
''Whatever.'' Rollo said as he walked up to a unicorn, ''Can I kill him now?''
''He is worth more, alive.'' Ragnar stated, ''To sell as a slave.''
''We don't have the space on the boat. Let me kill him.'' Rollo argued.
''Does it really mean that much to you?'' Ragnar demanded to know.
Rollo decided to back down. Instead he took his anger out on the portait of both princesses. The wood splintered as the portait broke into several pieces under the impact of Rollo's big axe.
In the meantime Floki was wandering around the town. He entered the library and looked for treasures. He glanced around the library to see a lot of books. He had never seen a books before. He walked up to one of the tables and picked up one of the books which happened to be a story about The Reunion of The Royal Pony Sisters.
He tried to eat it, but the taste was unappealing. Then he had an idea. Everywhere in this room were candles flickering. He opened the book and held it into the flame. Immediately the flames began to eat the paper. The boatbuilder was amazed. He had never seen something burn that fast. He quickly grabbed another book and added it to the pyre.
The warrior guided captured ponies towards the beach. They were carrying the treasured they had found in the village.
One of the captured ponies glanced over to see the town's beloved library in flames. It was when he tried to make a quick escape but was catched by Rollo who noticed it in the first place.
The brother of Ragnar Lothbrok throwed the pony into the water and drowned him. Then he walked back to the rest of crew which was standing in front of their boat.
Ponies had ever seen such a ship. It had a long hull and a single mast. The boat was carrying the wooden head of a dragon or so it seemed to them. The warriors guided their prisoners onto the ship and had them sit in the center. They rowed the ship from the beach and back towards their home.
Two Royal Guards ran through the front doors of the Castle of Princess Twilight Sparkle. They wouldn't be here if it wasn't for the raid on the village. They knew that Luna, Celestia, Cadance, Shining Armor would be here because they had a meeting with Princess Twilight and her friends.
They ran through the hallways until they reached a room in which a meeting had a place. They bursted through the doors, causing everypony in the room to look at them.
"Sorry to interrupt but this is very important.'' A Royal Guard said.
''What is it, my little pony?'' Celestia asked.
''It's Konoritos...'' A Royal Guard tried to say.
''What happened?'' Luna wanted to know.
''It was raided and half of the village burned to ground. Almost everypony that used to live there are dead.'' A Royal Guard finally said, shocking everypony.
''Raided? By who?'' Shining asked.
''We don't know, yet. We're trying to find out from where the monsters that did it came from." A Royal Guard replied, "We'll tell you when will find out who did that."
''I'm hoping that you will find them as fast you can. They have to pay for what they did.'' Rainbow said as she gritted her teeth in anger.
Ragnar was smilling at the sun. He was happy, he had been right all the time. Now he finally had the proof. Ragnar remembered that one of the ponies could understand his language. He stood up and walked among the prisoners, He found the one he was searching for.
''What is your name?'' He asked the pony.
''Myrus.'' Myrus replied.
''I am Ragnar Lothbrok. What was that village called?'' Ragnar asked.
''Konoritos.'' Myrus replied,
''Country?'' Ragnar wanted to know.
''Equestria.'' Myrus replied, ''I was born and raised there before I started traveling. When I was done with traveling I decided to go back there.''
"And why all of you are wearing a strange bracelet with a strange symbol on your hooves? I have noticed it when we loaded you on this boat." Ragnar wanted to to know.
"It's a symbol of our god.'' Myrus replied.
Ragnar nodded as he went to the bow and sat next to Rollo, "We did it, brother. We did it."
"Yes, we did it.'' Rollo sighed, "Let's just hope the Earl sees it that way."
Ragnar could only nod in agreement. After all, the Earl had specifically ordered not to sail west.
''Ragnar!'' Came Myrus voice, ''Come here.''
Ragnar walked among the prisoners, once again until he reached Myrus, ''What is it?''
''It's Ocean Wave.'' Myrus said as he pointed at the pegasi mare which was laying next to him, "I think she's dead.''
Rangar checked Ocean Wave's pulse only to find to that Myrus was right, ''You're right, she's dead.'' He looked at Leif, ''Leif help me with her.''
Leif nodded as he walked up to Ragnar. They picked up the lifeless body of Ocean Wave and throwed her into the water.
The boat lay alongside the pier in the main town of Kattegat. The crew was busy unloading their treasures. Myrus and the other captives were tied together and sitting on the pier.
One of the men who had awaited them on the pier spoke up, "Ragnar Lothbrok! We all know you sailed west and found land and riches as you promised. We salute the bravery of you and those who joined you in this journey." He announced, "Let no one say It could not be done!''
The crowd cheered, Ragnar had spotted one of the men and approached him.
"Knut." He greeted him, "You missed the boat."
"I come here with a message from Earl Haraldson." Knut said, "He want you to come to the great hall."
Earl Haraldson was an old man, sitting in his chair next to his wife Siggy. His first Steward Sveinn, examining the treasures the men had brought into the great hall.
"My lord, it was easy to take all this treasure. The ponies in the village, they had no weapons, they were like babies." Ragnar declared. He pulled the rope he had tied to Myrus, ''This is one of the ponies. We captured several of them to sell as a slaves." He then added, "It must be true. That there must be many villages. And sailing there would benefit us all."
Earl Haraldson cocked an inquiring eyebrow, "How did you find this place of great riches when everyone before you failed?''
"We were more fortunate than others." Ragnar explained, "We had Thor on our side."
"Then you were indeed fortunate." Haraldson agreed, "But you do understand that all this belongs to me - by right."
Ragnar could not believe his ears, "My lord, Floki and I paid for the boat. Surely we are entiteled so some reward. And the crew..."
"You want me to pay you?'' Haraldson interrupted him. He exchanged a quick glance from his wife, then nodded, "Very well, each of you can take one thing from this board."
The crew was standing with their mouths open. They had lost everything they had gained. Ragnar took a quick look around and saw the Earl's household guards standing in the great hall. He decided it was not the time to fight. He walked over to the heap of treasure, grabbing and examining several things, every eye in the hall on him. Finally, he turned to the Earl.
"I will take the pony, for my slave." He said.
Siggy burst in the laughter at the absurdity of his choice. Earl Haraldson almost joined in. Then he caught himself, "Granted."
Ragnar tied a rope loosely around Myrus neck. Then he distributed and two of them began to walk. Myrus knew what was going on. He knew that he belonged to this man, from now.
"Where are going? I thought you lived in this village." He asked in confusion as they walked out of this village.
"I live in the farm which is not far from this village.'' Ragnar replied.
Not long after that they reached Ragnar's farm. They saw a young girl named Gyda who was sitting outside the farm house. She was cleaning a fish and was fully concentrated on her task. Ragnar neared himself silently and tied the rope which was holding Myrus to one of the fence posts. Then he stopped quietly behind his daughter. Suddenly he made a noise like geese and Gyda jumped into his arms.
''Father!" She exclaimed.
Lagertha and Bjorn had heard her from inside and quickly joined her. Ragnar was hugged by his son and passionately kissed by his wife.
''So, where is all the treasure you promised?" Lagertha asked teasingly.
''The Earl took it all from himself.'' Ragnar grumbled, "But it was there."
"I don't believe you.'' She teased him.
"You ought to believe me." Ragnar said, "This land happened to be inhabited by talking ponies. This is a pony from the village we raided." He showed them his prisoner, "Althought he is stranger, the pony can speak our language."
Ragnar and Lagertha had disappeared into the house and the children had been left alone with Myrus who thought for a moment about escaping, but the though was not so appealing itself. She decided that he will stay here and hopefully someday he will return to Equestria.
In the meantime, Gyda had asked Myrus a question, "Which god do you like best?''
''There is only one god.'' Myrus replied as she showed her his bracelet, ''And his name is Kholat."
When the night has come Myrus was laying awake, frightened. He could hear Ragnar and Lagertha in bed, behind the next room. Their moaning and groaning filled the dimly lit house.
In the next morning Myrus was quickly put to work, which seemed to never end on this farm. Finally he was allowed to take a break at noon. He was gived a portion of soup which fortunely wasn't made of fishes because Lagertha knew that ponies don't eat meat.
In the evening, Ragnar assembled Myrus in the main room of the house.
''I'm curious about Equestria.'' Ragnar said to his slave, ''Has it only two princesses?"
''No. There's one more princess in Equestria. Her name is Twilight Sparkle and she is a princess of friendship. Also there is one more princess. Her name is Cadance and she rules in Crystal Empire.'' Myrus replied, ''All of them are good and powerful."
"If they are so powerful, why did their soldiers not protect your village?'' Ragnar wanted to know. Myrus looked at him in suprise.
"Before you came, there was no need to protect us.'' Myrus replied, "We lived in peace.''
''I would like to learn some words in your language." Ragnar said.
The days went by in the usual way the farm was run. Ragnar learnt his words in Equestrian language. In between Myrus took care of the fields and the animals and Myrus slowly found himself into his new role.
One day has passed since everypony in Equestria found out about what happened in Konoritos. There was a ceremony in the church of the god Kholat so the souls of the death could rest in peace.
And now the princesses, The Elements of Harmony and Shining Armor were in the throne room in Canterlot, waiting for the same Royal Guard who informed them about what happened in Konoritos.
''What have you and the others find out about the raid in Konoritos?'' Luna asked as the Royal Guard for which they've been waiting for walked into the throne room.
''We have found traces. A lot of them. We came to conclusion that they belong to bi-pedal creatures because all of them seemed to done by two hooves or whatever they have. We also find out that they are not from Equestria. We searched the area around Konoritos and found no traces there but we found something else. We found a lot of traces on the beach and also a big trace of a boat..."
''Wait. Are you trying to say that they...'' Twilight interrupted.
''Yes. We were wrong. There are lands on the sea and these lands are inhabited by bi-pedal creatures which are raiding the other lands.'' A Royal Guard finished, "Also they are using swords and axes as their weapons."
''We can't let another raids happen. We have to sent at least several Royal Guards to each small village in Equestria." Shining said.
"I agree with you prince. They can be a great danger to Equestria and Crystal Emipire which had to be elimated as fast is possible." A Royal Guard agreed with a nod.
''What's your name?'' Shining asked.
''Wall Calm. My name is Wall Calm.'' Wall Calm replied.
Several weeks later, Ragnar took Myrus to a meeting with Earl Haraldson. They entered the great hall where the Earl was busy inventoring the treasure he had and distributing the payments among the household warriors.
"Come." Svein, the steward, commanded.
Ragnar walked in front of the Earl, pulling the rope Myrus was tied to behind him. He pushed the pony to the floor where he remained kneeling.
''Ragnar Lothbrok. How do you find your new slave?" Haraldson asked.
"I find him very useful." Ragnar replied, "And I hope you will agree. I have spoken of great lenght with my slave. He has traveled far and he told me a lot of about his country and the country not far from Equestria."
"And what would we care about their customs?'' Siggy asked.
"Well, for example he has told me about the town in which a student of princess Twilight Sparkle used to live before she became her student."
"NO!" Myrus interrupted, "I was lying! There is nothing!"
''You see, this town is cleary worth a visit." Ragnar finished.
"I could go there myself." Haraldson said.
''Yes, you could but why put yourself at risk. Why not choose someone who has more experience with this journey. Someone who is more expendable?"
Earl Haraldson seemed to think but Ragnar was not ready to give up.
"Give us back our boat. We will raid the town and all the riches we bring back will be yours to do as you please."
"Very well. I sanction another raid." Haraldson agreed, "On one condition. A warrior I trust will go with you. Knut!''
Knut stepped forward from the shades in the back of the hall, "Don't worry Lord Haraldson. I will take good care of your interests."
Ragnar nodded agreement and left the hall. The Earl looked after him.
"He has found a new way to navigate the sea. Find out what is it." He ordered.
On their way back to the farm, they passed several of the ponies who had been executed. Myrus looked at them in sadness.
He refused to follow Ragnar who impatiently looked back. He was he was looking at the ponies. He picked his knife, approaching his slave. He hold the knife to the pony's throat, ready to cut it. Myrus refused to move, almost if he preferred death. Ragnar thought for a moment, then cut the rope which was holding Myrus instead.
"Run if you want." He told him.
Myrus blinked at the unforeseen possibility. Then he stood up and followed Ragnar. They had reached the farm, soon enough. The news were suprising to the others.
"I have the Earl's permission for another raid.'' Ragnar announced at the dining table, "I want to leave as soon is possible."
"And how soon is that?'' Lagertha wanted to know.
"Tommorow.'' Ragnar replied.
"Then we will sacrifice to Thor, so he may grant you a safe passage.'' Lagertha stated.
"Are you not coming?" Ragnar smiled.
"But the farm, the children." Lagertha said.
"Bjorn is still too young, although he can help on the farm." Ragnar said.
"But who is to be in charge?'' Bjorn asked.
"I will leave the pony with the key," Ragnar decided, "He is a bery responsible being."
"Father! You cannot place the slave above me! I am your son!'' Bjorn argued.
"I don't regard him as a slave." Ragnar said, "What do you think Gyda?"
"I don't mind." Gyda replied, "I like the pony."
"The it is decided." Ragnar announced as he left the room.
Lagertha looked deeply into Myrus eyes, "If any harm befalls my children, I will tear the lungs out of your body, pony."
The set sail in a warm summer rain. Shortly after, they had reached the open sea and even the last clouds dispersed. The journey was uneventful, this time they knew how long the journey would take.
They finally reached the shoreline of Equestria. They waded to the beach where Vigi pointed out. A group of Royal Guards which were placed there by Celestia and Luna to protect the village's from the raids of the creatures from the sea. The Vikings walked carefully closer.
"Good day." The leader of the Equestrian's soldiers greeted the, "I am the sheriff here. Who are you?"
"We're Northmen." Ragnar replied in Equestrian.
"Traders?" The Sheriff wanted to know.
"Yes, we're traders.'' Ragnar agreed.
''If you want to trade, you have to meet our princesses Celestia and Luna." The Sheriff announced.
"What is he saying?'' Rollo wanted to know.
"He wants us to meet their princesses." Ragnar translated.
"That's a trap.'' Rollo stated.
"I am with Rollo. I say we kill them and be done with it." Erik agreed.
"I am with Rollo too.'' Juta agreed too.
"We will come with you." Ragnar told the Sheriff in Equestrian.
The Sheriff had not missed the discusion between the Northmen warriors. As he received an angry look from Rollo he asked, "What is his problem?"
"He doesn't trust you." Ragnar replied.
The Sheriff thought about it for a minute. If he had to force them to come with him, it would end in battle, where there are more enemies than friends. If he just let them go, he disrespected his orders. Then he found a solution. He took the heavy chain with the medallion who identified him as the sheriff and handed it to Rollo.
Rollo seemed to be a little satisfied and encouraged this would not be a trap. Then Floki came forward from the back of the group. His target was a bracelet with the symbol of Kholat. He grabbed it and pulled. The Eqeuestrian warrior, startled by the attack, drew his sword immediately, everypony was armed and the Northmen began to cut the Royal Guards one by one.
"Friends! In the name of Kholat!" The Sheriff tried to call his men back to order but the battle was already underway. It was quickly decided. Most of Royal Guards were cut down immadiately. He and the other one tried to made their way away from them. Ragnar ran after the first one and tackled him into the ground. The he looked up and saw the Sheriff had escaped.
Ragnar sighed in frustation. The would soon knew about the attack and respond.
Ragnar and his warriors marched along with fields.
"How far till we reach this village?" Ragnar asked the Royal Guard the had taken prisoner at the beach.
"Not far." A Royal Guard stammered.
The marched on and soon Arne, at the point of the group, called out that he saw a city. The Northmen walked through the forest and took a closer look on the village.
"Let's attack straight away.'' Rollo urged.
"You're right, my brother. Let's go.'' Ragnar agreed as the Vikings moved towards the village, now without the Royal Guard who was killed off by Vigi because the crew didn't need him anymore.
The closed in on the wooden house. Ragnar and Rollo were the first one's to walk into the village, followed by the rest of the warriors. The ponies looked at them in fear because they already knew what was going to happen. They had heard about what happened in Konoritos as everypony did in Equestria and because of that they've been living in fear because they didn't want to end like the ponies from Konoritos did.
"Who are you?'' Double Diamond, the mayor of this village wanted to know.
"If you do not resist, we will not hurt you.." Ragnar smiled, "Kholat bless."
Double Diamond nodded, like most of the villagers did and the Northmen split around the town.
Floki spotted a cup which was filled in something on the table. He walked over to the table and took a sip of it before spitting it in disgust.
Rollo was searching one of the houses. He had just reached the conclusion that this house was empty, when he heard somepony cough in the next room. He went into the room, ready for battle. But all he saw was an old pony, too weak to stand up from his bed.
He saw the brass cup and water was standing on a table next to him. He took the coup, poured some water into it and gave it to the old pony. The pony looked at Rollo with disablief, until Rollo pushed the cup once more and the old pony drank the water. After he finished the cup, Rollo grabbed the cup and the can and headed back to others.
In the meantime Vigi and Juta bursted through the front doors of the house which belonged to a mare by the name of Sugar Belle. The owner of the house stood in the corner along with her coltfriend Big Macintosh, looking at them in fear unlike Big Mac who was looking at them with a glare.
Vigi and Juta began to search for something worth taking. Vigi walked up to the counter to see a lot of cupcakes on it. He had never seen anything like this before. He picked up one them and took a bite of it.
''This is good.'' He muttered under his breath as he looked at his wife who was checking a cupboard, "My dear wife. You should try this."
"Perharps I will try it when we find something worth taking in this house.'' Juta said back, Soon enough she found a tray which was made of gold. She looked at it in awe and picked it up, "Hey Vigi! I think I just found something worth taking in this house!"
"Great! This is nice. I think you found the thing I will take when the Earl will tell us to take only one thing from the treasures we brought from this land." Vigi stated with a nod, earning smile from his wife.
"No please! It was a gift from my mom!'' Sugar Belle begged as he rushed to Juta who punched her in the face when she reached her. Sugar Belle fell on the floor and tears began to stream down her cheeks. She couldn't believe in what was just happening. She knew that Ragnar told them to not to resist but this tray was given to her by her mom, right before she died.
"Don't touch her!" Big Mac shouted in anger as he rushed towards Juta in order to teach her a lesson. Unfortunely before the apple farmer could reach her Vigi hit him in the back of his head, getting rid of him.
"No! You monsters!" Sugar Belle shouted in pure hatred for the Northmen with tears streaming down her cheeks as Juta walked up to the counter and picked up one of the cupcakes. She took a bite of it before looking at the husband.
"You were right. This is good." She smiled before taking another bite of it, "Let's go to another house."
Vigi nodded and followed her out of the house, leaving crying Sugar Belle alone.
Knut was also searching the houses. He was in a bad mood. In this house there was absolutely nothing worth taking. Then he was a movement in the corner. He walked closer and saw two ponies. Their names were Party Favour and Night Glider.
It was when Lagertha entered the house. She took one look and realized what Knut was up to.
"Knut!" She shouted, "Leave her alone!"
"What do you care for this pony bitch?" Knut asked as he pushed the shieldmaiden out of his way.
Lagertha drew her sword and hit Knut on his back with the flat side of the blade. He became angry and let go Night Glider, who flied out of the house. Knut grabbed Lagertha on her shoulder and struck her against the wall. She was stunned and unable to defend herself. Knut took advantage and began to open her dress. Lagertha drifted back to consiousness and kneed him in the groin. Knut retreated for a moment, then resumed his attack. Lagertha took the knife from his belt and stabbed it into his side.
Knut fell on the ground. Lagertha nedded a moment to catch her breath and then headed back to the others.
The horn sounded all over the town, ordering the Vikings to retreat. The different groups had met and their spoils had been packed into a paper bags which were found somewhere in the town to be carried.
"Where is Knut?'' Ragnar asked.
"I killed him." Lagertha replied.
"You killed him?'' Ragnar asked.
"He tried to rape a pony mare." Lagertha explained, "Then he tried to rape me."
"Did anyone else see it happen?" Ragnar wanted to know.
"No." Lagertha admitted.
"Well, that's a pity." Ragnar stated.
The group of warriors made their way back to the beach, where they had their boat. When they entered the beach, Floki and Thornstein froze. In front of them was a group of Royal Guards, ready to battle. They had laid the bodies of the Vikings who were guarding the boat in front of them. Ragnar could see that The Sheriff was among these soldiers but he wasn't commanding them.
The Vikings emerged on the beach. When Ragnar saw the archers, he commanded, "Shield wall!"
The warriors linked their shields together, forming a tight wall. The Equestrian's soldiers drew their arrows and loosened a hail of projectiles on the Vikings shield wall. The arrows struck the shields, some even almost penetrated. Ragnar's shield was by an arrow and the point came through at the back, forcing Ragnar to pull his head back.
"Charge!'' Wall Calm who was commanding this group of Royal Guards ordered. Ragnar peered through a hole between the shields and ordered his man to stand up. The shield wall shivered under the assault of the Royal Guards. Yet, they held it in place. Both sides were shoving and striking over the wall, hoping to land a hit. Ragnar grabbed an Equestrian's spear and turned his shield so there was a gash in the wall. Arne and Thornstein behind them quickly loosened their arrows at the Royal Guards and a few of them, including The Sheriff fell on the ground. To encourage the others Rollo started a rhyme, which they all knew.
Up onto the overturned keel Clamber, with a heart of steel Cold is the ocean's spray And your death is on it's way With maidens you have had your way Each must die someday!
At the last words Thornstein and Arne were lifted from the ground by the name in the back of formation, standing on the shields. The loosened their arrows over the shield wall and hit several Royal Guards.
Rollo's broad axe lunged forward and hit the Royal Guards facing him in the back of the head.
Ragnar stabbed one of the swords they had captured into another Royal Guard's body.
Vigi turned his shield and one of the Royal Guards was pushed forward and fell on the ground behind the Northmen shieldwall. Floki was over him at once and dug his hatchet into his chest.
One of the men did the same thing as Vigi did and after that he turned back towards the front of the shieldwall and was struck in the chest by the Royal Guard. He fell on the ground, dying and Lagertha recognized the gash in the shield wall.
"Shield wall!'' She shouted, leaping forward and covering the gap. Thornstein quickly stepped on the side, closing the gap and Lagertha stepped back. One of the Royal Guards had broken through and Lagertha attacked him. He caught the first blow from her sword, before it connected with his neck after all.
Rollo pushed through the shield wall. He grabbed one Royal Guard by his armor and dragged him behind the Northmen shieldwall. He pushed him into the sand and buried his big axe in his back. By now the Equestrian formation was severely weakened. The surviving member quickly fled back from where they had come. The Vikings followed them and cut them down one by one, only Wall Calm escaped.
Back on the farm outside of Kattegat, life went on. Myrus had to admit he could have had a far worse fate. He was getting used to the life on the farm.
When the evening has come he along with Ragnar's children were in the house for dinner. Myrus placed the bowl of soup on the table.
"I want to return to Kattegat and see my father return from Equestria.'' Bjorn stated.
"I promised your father that I will look after you both here." Myrus replied.
"We could all go.'' Bjorn suggested.
"Then who would look after the farm." Myrus replied.
Bjorn sat down, fuming for anger.
"For what we are about to receive, may Kholat made us truly grateful." Myrus prayed. He took the cup and filled two of them will Ale.
"Can I have some Ale too?'' Gyda asked shyly.
"You're too young to drink Ale." Myrus said back.
Bjorn took his cup and placed it on Gyda's hand. She took a couple of sips, then placed his cup back on the table.
"I want to make a sacrifice to Thor, for my parents safe return.'' Bjorn said.
"What will you sacrifice?" Myrus asked.
"YOU!" Bjorn shouted in anger. The boy stood up and left the room.
After the children had gone sleep, Myrus had to think about his argument with Bjorn, before he woke him up.
"What is it?'' The boy wanted to know.
"I will take you to Kattegat." Myrus replied.
The crown cheered as the boat neared the pier. The people of Kattegat were eager to hear the stories of the raid. Myrus and the children had arrived in the morning and were cheering just as everyone else. The poeple went silent as the Earl walked out of his great hall.
"Ragnar Lothbrok, my friend.'' He greeted, "I hope your voyage was successful? For all our sakes?"
Ragnar replied by placing one of the bags at the Earl feet. It was filled with finely crafted treasures.
"The Equestrians attack us in great force when we returned to the boat." Ragnar declared, "But we defeat! them!'' The crown cheered loudly.
''You are the man, people say you are. A gifted adventurer and a great warrior.'' Haraldson said, "I am happy to salute your achievements." He looked around, "But I don't see my friend Knut. Where is he?"
"My Lord, Knut is dead." Ragnar replied.
"Did he die in battle?'' Haraldson asked.
"No." Ragnar replied.
"The how did he died?" Haraldson asked.
"I killed him." Ragnar admitted.
"You killed him?'' Haraldson asked, "Why did you do that?''
"He tried to rape my wife.'' Ragnar replied.
"I find it too convenient that you would make an excuse to kill my friend who was my agent on your voyage." Haraldson stated.
"Arrest him!" Svein ordered, standing behind the Earl. Several guard stepped closer and tried to detain Ragnar.
It immediately became a meele. Floki had drawn his knife and held it against the throat of one of the guards. Leif and Lagertha were holding back a second guard as Arne, Vigi and Juta drew their weapons, ready for battle.
"I would counsel you all against such actions." Svein said, "There is no way you could prevail."
Ragnar nodded and Floki, Rollo, Lagertha, Leif, Arne, Vigi and Juta gave up their resistance. Ragnar was taken away by the guards.
Most of ponies of Equestria already knew about what happened in the village in which Starlight Glimmer used to life. The student of Twilight Sparkle along with Apple family who had lost a family member in the raid were in the great grief. Also AJ swore that she will avenge her brother but at first she had to find out who killed her brother.
Currently the princesses along with Shining Armor and The Elements of Harmony were in the throne room in Canterlot, waiting for Wall Calm who was going to tell them about the creatures from the sea. After all he was the one who survived a battle with them.
Wall Calm walked into the throne room and bowed to them.
"Tell us what you know about these creatures." Rainbow wanted know.
"We were right. They are bi-pedal. They have a strange fighting style. I have never seen anything fight like that before. They formed a wall from their shields and slaughtered everypony. I hardly escaped myself. They also have a strange boat. I have never seen such a boat. Also before that we fought with them we managed to catch two of them. They were saying only one word." Wall Calm replied.
''What was this word?'' Cadance wanted to know.
"Ragnar. I assume this a name, their leader name." Wall Calm replied.
"Ragnar. That's a silly name." Pinkie stated.
''And the last thing. We found a death body of one of them in the village." Wall Calm said.
"Can we see this creature, darling?'' Rarity asked.
"Of course." Wall Calm as he glanced over at the doors, "Bring him here!"
Two Royal Guards walked into the throne room, pushing forward a bleacher with a death body of Knut on it.
"It's a human...'' Twilight stated.
"A what?'' Wall Calm asked in confusion.
"I used to be friends with Lyra Heartstings when I was attending Princess Celestia School for Giften Unicorns. She was obessesed with them and still is. Perharps we should call her and ask her a few questions about them." Twilight explained.
Celestia, Luna, Cadance and Shining looked at each other before they looked at Twilight.
"You're right. We have to call her and ask her a few questions about humans." Celestia said with a nod, "We will know something about them when they will return with that Ragnar one on their lead."
Back in Kattegat a hodded man entered the small, seperated room of the great hall. When he stepped through the door, the Earl looked up from his meal.
"Sit down." He offered, "Eat and drink."
A person which appeared to be Rollo pulled his hood back and took a seat, "You wanted to talk with me."
"Yes. It's a delicate matter.'' Haraldson began, "You are the brother of Ragnar Lothbrok?"
"I am, Lord." Rollo replied.
"A great man, your brother. Is he also a fair man?" Haraldson asked.
When Rollo did not answer, he continued, "Does he treat you equally when you sail with him?"
"To a point." Rollo admitted.
"Forgive me." Haraldson went on, "But I have the impresion that he wants to rule you? That he considers himself first among equals."
"I don't know." Rollo stated.
"I believe he wants the credit for everything. For building the boat, for sailing west.'' Haraldson said, "But would all these things have been possible without you?"
"No." Rollo replied as he took a sip of Ale, "It would have been possible."
"As long I am Earl, Ragnar Lothbrok can give you nothing." Haraldson stated, "I on the other hand can offer you a great deal. I could for example confiscate all the treasure you brought back from Equestria and give you a great portion of it."
"Would you do that, Lord?'' Rollo asked.
"That depends on how big your ambitions are." Haraldson said, "You want to be someone, Rollo. You want the gods to notice you."
"They might have noticed already." Rollo said.
"Oh no, my friend.'' Haraldson said, "And do you know why? Because you still walk in the shadow of Ragnar Lothbrok."
A young woman entered the room. She had long, brown hair and gave Rollo a smile.
"This is my daughter Thyri.'' Haraldson introduced her, "She is soon to be married and I must think carefully about her future husband. He has to be a man of great ambition and prospect as you surely understand. Say hello to Rollo, Thyri."
"Hello Rollo.'' She said shyly.
"I had two sons but they were murdered." Haraldson continued, "So the man who is to be my son in law will hold a high and special place."
Then Siggy entered the room. She was older but yet still beautiful.
"Don't forget about me, my love." She said.
"Of course not. This is my wife Siggy.'' Haraldson introduced her, "This is Rollo. He is the brother of Ragnar Lothbrok."
The next morning, the great hall was fully occupied. Everyone in Kattegat who could afford to spend the day away from his farm and his business had come to watch the trial. Myrus was standing behind Lagertha, next to Gyda and Bjorn.
Haraldson entered the great hall. His wife was walking next to him. They were flanked by the warriors of their household troops. Haraldson took his high seat, his wife was next to him. He nodded and Svein ordered.
"Bring in the prisoner!''
The doors opened and Ragnar was brought forward. He was still wearing his blood encrusted leather jacket, the one he wore for battle. His belt and the weapons were missing. He was shackled around the wrists and ankles with heavy chains.
"Ragnar Lothbrok, you stand here before us, accused of willful murder of Knut Tjodulf, my brother.'' Haraldson declared, "Knut, as some of you may know was the bastard son of my father. But I loved him like a brother. I asked him to join Ragnar Lothbrok in his raid to Equestria. There they raided a town and brought back many spoils. And while they were raiding, Ragnar Lothbrok took it upon himself to cold bloodedly kill my brother. It's easy to imagine why a man would do such a thing. This is an ambitious man. He doesn't like to share his spoils. And he resents the fact that he owes me loyalty and obedience as his chieftain. This a man who does not believe in our traditions. This is a man who does not believe in our laws."
A marmur went through the hall and even Svein shouted, "Silence!" The chatter died down and all eyes lay on Ragnar.
"It is true that I killed Knut, your brother." Ragnar admitted, "But I killed him when I found him trying to rape my wife." He then turned to the spectators, "I ask all of you, free men. What would you have done. Would you have stood back? I don't think so." He said as he turned back to the Earl, "And even I had know at the time that he was your brother. I still would have carried the same sentence."
"Do you seriously ask us to believe your story?'' Svein asked.
"I can confirm the story." Lagertha spoke up.
"You are the wife of Ragnar Lothbrok." Haraldson said.
"I am, Lord.'' Lagertha said back.
"How extraordinary that you happened to be there." Haraldson wondered, "Your husband is lying and you are so under his thumb that he has persuaded you to lie for him."
"May Thor strike you dead!'' Lagertha shouted in anger, "My husband did not kill Knut!"
"Then wo did?'' Svein asked.
"I did!'' Lagertha shouted, "I stabbed him in the heart when he did his best to rape me."
A disbelieving laughter filled the room. Siggy was sitting in her chair next to her husband with her mouth open, mocking Lagertha.
"A murder is commited and the only witnesses are a husband and a wife." Svein stated, laughing.
"You didn't kill my brother." Haraldson said, "Ragnar Lothbrok killed my brother!"
"We have a proof." Svein announced, "We have a witness to the killing."
Ragnar looked around in confusion, trying to find out who from his crew was going to betray him. Finally, Rollo stepped forward.
"You say you are the witness of killing my brother Knut?'' Haraldson asked.
"Yes. I was there, I saw everything." Rollo replied.
"So, who killed him?" Haraldson asked,
Ragnar shot his brother an angry glare.
"Ragnar Lothbrok killed him." Rollo stated.
"In cold blood?'' Haraldson asked.
"No. For a very good reason." Rollo replied, "What Ragnar has sworn in true. Your brother was raping a pony mare. Then he tried to rape Ragnar's wife, the shieldmaiden." He said, "So unfortunely you cannot punish him."
"So who has the key?'' Ragnar smiled.
Later in the evening, the warband had assembled in Erik's house. They were celebrating the newfound freedom of their leader.
"To Ragnar! And freedom!" Leif toasted.
"No." Ragnar said, "To friends and freedom!"
"But you will never be free of us!'' Arne stated, laughing.
"That I could have not better said it myself!" Vigi agreed with Arne before Juta kissed him in the cheek.
Laughter filled the room. The crew were drinking and dancing. Myrus and children were sitting on the side. Bjorn was almost asleep for the Ale, Gyda almos sober, yet tired. And despite the fact that Ragnar took him as a slave and killed his friends back in Konoritos. Myrus was happy he had been found not guilty.
"Will you drink with me?'' Ragnar said with a horn of Ale in his hands.
"Of course." Myrus said as he used his magic to take the Ale from Ragnar.
"Thank you for looking for my family." Ragnar smiled, "You're a good pony."
Myrus giggled and took a sip of his Ale.
"Ragnar did you see Haraldson's face when he had to release you and give you half his board? He looked like this." Floki shouted, impersonating a look of complete speechless suprise.
In the meantime Erik was outside, relieving himself into the dirt. A man approached him silently from behind and cut his throat with a knife. Several men entered the house and ended the celebration.
"Ragnar Lothbrok?" The leader asked.
"I am unarmed." Ragnar said as he stood up and looked at Lagertha, "Get the children."
Lagertha tried to step away from one of the warriors. In this moment he raised his axe and tried to hit her. She was barely able to avoid the hit. The friends of Ragnar attacked the warriors and after a quick, heated battle the attackers were gone.
In the morning, they dumped the bodies of the attackers in front of the great hall. The group of friends was mouring for Erik. It was hardest for his wife Elisef. Ragnar was angry. The Earl had not been able to get him during the trail and had sent his warriors to kill him. After they returned to the farm, he kept on chopping wood with enough anger to make Bjorn jump. Shortly, thereafter, he was seen walking towards the hills with a woolen blanket. He kept sitting there, staring into nothing.
"What is Ragnar doing, sitting on the hill?" Myrus thought.
Ragnar was preparing himself. For battle.
Ragnar and Myrus had returned from the fishing trip in the morning. Now Myrus was cleaning the fish, while Ragnar was lying on his bed, staring into the candle next to him.
"May I ask you something?" Myrus began.
"What is it?" Ragnar wanted to know.
"Am I still your slave?" Myrus replied.
"Does it matter?" Ragnar said.
"It matter because I've noticed that in"your country" slaves are often treated worse than animals." Myrus explained.
"Do I treat you like an animal?" Ragnar asked.
"That's not my point." Myrus continued, "Legally you could beat me to death...a man can rape his female slave but not a free woman."
"What about Equestria or Crystal Empire. Do they have slavery?" Ragnar wanted to know.
"No. Everypony are free in those countries.'' Myrus replied, "Now I hope that you will answer to my question."
"It's true, that we distinguish between those captured in battle and our free men and women." Ragnar admitted, "It's just they way it is. And why do you say ''your country''? You live here now and you never tried to escape."
"I think about escaping less every day, Even if I could." Myrus said, "But I would like to be free again."
When Ragnar said nothing, Myrus changed the topic.
"What are you preparing for?'' He asked.
"What do you mean?" Ragnar replied.
"I've watched you." Myrus told him, "You have made yourself very strong."
"Perharps not strong enough." Ragnar admitted.
"What do they gods say?'' Myrus smiled. Ragnar sat up, annoyed.
"What do you know about our gods, pony?" Ragnar shot back, "Now finish the fish, in silence."
In the main town of Kattegat, there was a lot of activity in the great hall. The warriors sworn to Earl Haraldson were redying themselves for battle. Axes and swords were sharpened, the spearheads were aligned to fit perfectly straight. Everyone was wearing a leather jacket, some even had chainmail.
Finally, the Earl joined his warriors. He was also wearing his leather jacket, covered with segments of chainmail. One of his warriors had prepared his sword. He handed it to the Earl who looked at it for a moment before he sheated it. Then he left the great hall in silence, his warriors following him.
In the smaller village where Ragnar's farm was standing, the day was slow. Lagertha and Myrus worked together on lunch, Gyda was feeding the goats, Bjorn was helping an old man with the repairs on the fishing boats.
Ragnar was away in the woods, hunting. He had spent all morning searching for a target. He looked down and saw a stag's dung. As experienced hunter, Ragnar immediately recognized it as fresh. He looked up and carefully walked on.
A few arrows flew through the air and the old man next to Bjorn fell on the ground. Bjorn looked at him and the arrow sticking in his chest. While the other villagers ran to the man's aid, which was futile since he already was dead. Bjorn looked up.
At the edge of the village, there was a small shield wall, the shield showing the black and red emblem of Earl Haraldson. Behind the shield wall, several men including the Earl were on horseback. Bjorn hesitated for a second, then started to run.
The riders charged forward, cutting down the fleeing villagers, men, women and children alike. The Earl stayed back and stated towards Svein, "Let a man who is descendant from the gods, learn that he is a human after all."
Lagertha looked up from the carrots she was cutting when she heard the scream. A female scream, one of those she had often before. But never before had she been on the defender's side.
"Myrus." She ordered, "Get Bjorn."
Myrus quickly left the room. Gyda entered the house through the back door.
"What's happening?" She asked.
"We're under attack." Bjorn called as the made through the door. Lagertha handed her knife to Gyda as Myrus picked up one of Ragnar's axes with his magic while Bjorn drew the knife he always carried on his belt. Lagertha herself picked up her sheild which was hanging on the wall and undsheathed her sword.
"What should we do?" Bjorn asked, "Should we run?"
"No, your father will be back. We'll stay." Lagertha replied as she stepped forward in front of the group.
"But there are so many." Bjorn said.
"Stay strong." Lagertha ordered.
Ragnar was closing in on the stag. He could see in the distance and carefully approached, the bow in his hand, yet not drawn. Suddenly the stag looked up and ran. Ragnar was frustated and tried to follow it. He had barely made a few steps, when he felt that he should return to the village at once.
Ragnar sprinted along the path in the woods, his anxiety growing every second. He finally stopped and listened. He could hear the familiar, distinctive sound of battle. The swords and axes, clashing against shields and humans, together with the screams of the wounded and frightened civilians created a distinctive sound. Ragnar realized that someone was attacking his village. He ran home even faster than before.
When he emerged from the woods, he stopped and took in the scenery. Sevearl houses were already burning, their staw covered roofs an easy target for the torches carried by the attackers. Some of the attackers, were riding on the horses, others were on foot and finished the villagers off.
One of the attackers was standing close to Ragnar, his back a perfect target. Ragnar drew an arrow from his quiver and put it on bowstring. He drew and loosened his arrow. It hits its target straight in the middle of man's back. Rangar was quickly running past him and drew axe from his belt.
Behind a small hedge, one of the attackers was sitting on his horse. Ragnar took careful aim, then jumped as high he could. He grabbed the man on his shoulder and brought him down the horse. He finished the rider quickly off with an axe chop to the head.
Ragnar came back to his feet and continued to run, cutting down the next attacker. When he had finished him, he saw the next one running right at him. Ragnar quickly aimed, then sent his axe flying. The axehead buried itself in the attackers chest and the man went down.
Continuing his way through the village. Ragnar encountered three attackers at once. The first went down after a hit with the axe to this throat. The second one came from the side and his sword connected with Ragnar's thigh. A sharp pain shot through Ragnar's leg. His hand was touching the thigh, feeling for injures. He looked down when he felt something wet on his fingers. Ragnar was bleeding.
The other two attackers decided it was a moment to finish their attack. They both lunged forward, Ragnar was just barely able to black their blows with his axe. Then he hit them in chest and both attackers went down.
Ragnar ducked into the bushes around the farmhouse. He carefully looked around, before he starlthily tried to make his way into the house. He had almost reached the door, when he was hit in the back of his shoulder with an arrow. He looked around who had shot him and saw Svein. The Earl's steward, standing there with the bow in his hand. Ragnar broke the tail of the arrow off and pulled the tip out of his shoulder.
Then he opened the door of his house. Everyone looked at him and caught him failing.
"You're hurt." Lagertha stated.
"It is time to go, now." Ragnar said. Lagetha nodded with tears in her eyes and began to uncover a portion of the floor. Underneath the floor, the house had a hidden exit, an underground tunnel.
"I don't want to go without you father!" Bjorn protested.
"I will be right behind you." Ragnar said.
Lagertha went into the tunnel first, followed by Gyda, Bjorn and Myrus. Ragnar stayed behind and quickly covered the hole. Then he took a moment to collect his breath.
"Ragnar! Come out! This house is surrounded!" Svein called from the outside. Ragnar took his axe back into his hand and opened the door.
The Earl, Svein and the rest of warriors were standing in front of Ragnar. He stumbled forward, barely able to walk straight. He dropped on his knees and put the axe down of the Earl's feet.
"You accept that you are a criminal?" Haraldson asked triumphantly, "That you are worthly only death and defeat?"
"I accept my fate." Ragnar replied, "Let me speak with my god."
The Earl nodded and stepped back.
"Odin." Ragnar prayed, "Lords of Lords...help me!''
Ragnar quickly grabbed his axe and jumped on his feet. The first of the warriors was struck down by his fist, the second one receive a thrown axe to his chest. Ragnar had leaped up on the horse standing next to him and was quickly riding away.
"Bring him back alive." Haraldson ordered his men, "Burn the house!"
Lagertha, Myrus, Gyda and Bjorn left the tunnel. They hid behind bushed and carefully made their way to the beach. At the beach, all of them hopped into the fishing boat. They all lay flat in the boat, drifting along the fjord, hoping anyone who saw them would just think that the boat had been lost in the attack.
Ragnar was riding like he had never ridden before. He rode into the woods, hoping to distract his pursuers. Once he could not see them anymore, he dismounted from his horse. He slapped it on the back and the horse quickly galloped along the path. The followed the traces of the horse, riding past Ragnar.
Ragnar was running along the river, through the water. He tried to distract the dogs, in case they would use some. Suddenly, he heard voices behind him. He looked back and saw two of the Earl's warriors close in on him. He stumbled through the water, weaker with every step. Ha ran across the fields until he finally arrived at the cliffs above the fjord.
Ragnar looked back for the last time. He saw two warriors approach him. They had their swords drawn, ready to kill. In this moment Ragnar wounds were too much for him. His eyes closed and fell.
At the bottom of the cliff, his family and Myrus in the fishing boat saw him stand on the top of the cliff. When he fell, he somehow did not hit the cliffs instead fell right into the water. They stood up in the boat, looking for any sign that he was coming back to the surface. There was just water.
Myrus dived headlong in the water, and went under. A few seconds passed and he came back up, in his arms the lifeless body of Ragnar Lothbrok.
"Father!" Gyda cried.
"Is he dead?'' Bjorn asked.
Myrus swan to the boat and the others worked hard to pull Ragnar's body in.
Myrus was rowing the boat, while Lagertha was trying to save Ragnar. She had ripped strips of her dress sleeves. She was covered in blood as Bjorn and Gyda jumped out the beach. They ran all the way up to the hut.
"Floki!" The shouted, "FLOKI!"
The doors of hut opened and a naked woman stepped into the sun.
"Who are you two?" She asked.
"We must speak with Floki." Bjorn replied, "Is he here?''
"Helga. Who it is?" Floki said as he stepped out of they hut, with only pants on, "Bjorn? Gyda?" He asked in confusion.
"Out father is dying." Gyda tried to explain. Floki followed them to the beach.
Myrus magic and Floki were carrying Ragnar. Lagertha and the children followed them,
"Helga. Get the garlic and the sage! We will make a paste to heal his wounds." Floki announced, "But first we have to clean them, and the only way them is with fire."
The great hall was filled with people for the feast. To most it would have seemed as just another feast in the hall but the Earl was especially happy. This might be the day of his victory over Ragnar Lothbrok.
The Earl's daughter Thyri, was sitting next to her father, chatting with one of her friends.
Suddenly the room went quiet. A stranger had entered the hall. He was an old man, round from many years of feasting and drinking. He had a red face as if he was very appreciative of a cup of Ale. He approached the Earl's table.
"We must welcome our guest." Haraldson said.
"You could have told me that we were excepting a guest." Siggy told her husband.
"This Earl Bjarni.'' Haraldson intruduced his guest, "He is a svear. These are my wife Siggy and my daughter, Thyri."
Earl Bjarni eyed Thyri carefully, "You were right. She is pretty."
"Feast with us." Haraldson invited him, "Sit over there, than you can get to known each other better."
Earl Bjarni sat on the chair, next to Thyri.
"Forgive me, my love." Siggy said, "But why should they get to know each other better?"
"Because they're getting married." Haraldson explained.
The reaction was obvious. Siggy's face fell and Thyri turned towards her father.
"It's arranged." Haraldson stated.
"Don't worry my dear child." Bjarni said to Thyri, "I will make you a good husband and you will provide me with many sons." He said, "The wedding will be later this year, when I will return, laden with gifts" He announced, "In the meantime I hope you will accept this as a token of my affection." He said as he pulled a golden right out of one of his pockets. When Thyri refused to answer, he gently took the hand and placed the ring on her finger.
"What do you say Thyri?" Haraldson wanted to know.
"Thank you, Lord...you are...very kind." Thyri replied.
The blade was glowing red in the dark Floki's hut. Floki held it, judging the heat by it's color. He decided it was right. Floki went to where Ragnar was lying lifeless on the floor.
"Give it to me." Lagertha asked him. He handed her the blade, "I dedicate this blade to the godness, to Freyja. Wisdom might you give us, and healing hands while we live."
"Hail to the Aesir!" Bjorn said.
"Please Freyja! Save my father!" Gyda begged.
Lagertha pressed the red glowing blade on Ragnar's wounds. A smell of burnt flesh filled the room.
"There is a reason for every matter under the sun. A time to be born and a time to die. A time to plant and a time to pluck up what is planted. A time to kill and a time to kill." Myrus said, "Kholat, my god. Don't let this man die."
Ragnar groaned as Floki started filling the wounds with the paste he had made of the herbs.
They had been in Floki's hut for weeks now and winter was setting in. Myrus realized it had been already a long time since the Northmen raided his village. Considering that he might very well have ended up in the slaver's bay, he thought himself lucky, even hiding in Floki's hut. He could only hope that the winter was going to be a short one. After all, Floki's supplies were highly limited. And there was four extra persons and a pony living in the household.
Bjorn was outside the hut, chopping firewood, when a man approached him. He was wearing the hood of his cloak, covering his face. He had a bow in his hand and carried two throwing axes on his belt. He also had two dead rabbits dangling from his belt.
"Is it true? Is he here?'' He asked.
When they entered the hut, Floki looked up, "Thornstein!"
Thornstein pulled his hood down and stepped next to Ragnar, lying in his bed.
"Ragnar, my friend.'' He greeted him, "How are you?"
"Save me from these people." Ragnar smiled.
"He is still very weak." Gyda explained, "But his wounds begun to heal."
"He's alive." Lagertha said, "Thank to Floki's magic."
"How did you know I was here?" Ragnar wanted to know.
"I didn't."Thornstein replied, "It was Rollo who said it. If you were alive, you might be here."
"Then why he did not come by himself?" Ragnar asked.
"He thought he may be followed." Thornstein explained, "It is no secret that all crew are being watched. But I made sure no one was following me."
The celebrations in the great hall was right underway. Earl Haraldson's gaze set upon his daughter in her white dress, whirling around on the dancefloor with her new husband.
Rollo entered the room. Snowflakes were coming in with him through the open door. Nearly everyone in the hall recognized him. Looks were cast in his direction as he made his way through the crowd. Alothough she was dancing, Thyri's eyes followed him. Then Earl's Haraldson eyes caught him. He stood up and met Rollo halfway.
"I don't remember inviting you to my daughter's wedding." He said.
"Oh, I had assumed you had forgotten to do so." Rollo replied, "I came anyway."
"That could have been you, dancing with my daughter." Haraldson reminded him.
"I know. I often think about it. Still I was not fated to marry your daughter." Rollo said, "Maybe that old man was."
"What do you want?" Haraldson asked, impatiently.
"We need to talk." Rollo declared.
"Later." Haraldson said.
Haraldson returned to his table. After a short moment, Svein called the room to silence.
"It is time for the husband and wife to go to matrimonial chamber." Haraldson announced. Most of the guest cheered loudly.
The freshly wed couple left the room, followed by many of the guests. Haraldson went over to Rollo.
"What do you want to talk about?" He asked.
"I want no more thugs like these two following me around." Rollo replied, "It's a waste of everyone time."
"Oh I disagree." Haraldson said, "If you lead them to Ragnar Lothbrok it will be time well spent."
"Ragnar is dead." Rollo stated.
"Are you sure?" Haraldson asked, "Will you swear that on your arm ring?"
"I cannot swear to it, because I haven't seen the body." Rollo said, "But it has been weeks, since I last heard from him. And he is my brother. I am sure with my heart. He is dead."
"But you could I trust you since you have betrayed me before." Haraldson doubted him.
"I haven't betrayed you." Rollo said, "I was telling the truth. Would you trust a man who is telling the truth?"
"And what is the truth?" Haraldson demanded to know.
"The truth is, you run everything here. You own the ships, you decide we raid. I need to be a part of that." Rollo argued, "I was born to do that."
"Well, you need to understand that it will take time to earn my trust." Haraldson replied, "And I give my trust not easy. But you can stay here, eat at my expense, work on my boats, prepare for the season. And then, we will see. Agreed?"
"Agreed." Rollo smiled.
On the cold evenings, now that winter was close, it had become a custom in Floki's hut to share the stories about gods. Myrus was eager to ask for stories which he eagerly listened. He heard about the gods and their halls and how the Equis which was called Earth by the humans was created from the body of the giant Ymir. How Odin hanged himself and how he sacrificed his eye for knowledge. How Thor fished the serpent Yormungandr and how Tyr sacrificed his arms as bait to capture cruel Fenrir.
In the meantime Ragnar's health was improwing, alothough Lagertha still would not let him get up from his bed for longer periodes.
In Kattegat, Rollo made sure no one was following. He looked around once more and entered the door of a small house. Inside a woman was waiting for him. She came out of shadows and kissed Rollo.
"Siggy." He sighed as they broke apart.
"I've come to warn you." She replied, "You must leave at once, my husband hates you."
"He has shown me nothing but respect since I got here.'' Rollo replied.
"Rollo, believe me, go!" Siggy urged him before she kissed him gently goodbye.
Later that day Rollo was wandering around the streets of Kattegat. A big man stepped into his way, holding a club in his hand. Rollo stepped into his tracks. Behind him several others closed in. The started hitting him with their clubs. Rollo fought back with his fists, leaving bruises and broken bones on his attackers but eventually he had to give up. The world went black.
Rollo awoke when a bucket of cold water was splashed over his face. He needed a few seconds to realize his situation. His hest was bare, his hands and wrists were cuffed to a table which was standing in the back of Kattegat great hall. Standing next to him were Svein, Haraldson, Siggy and several of the Earl's warriors.
"Where is Ragnar Lothbrok?" Haraldson asked.
"He is dead." Rollo replied.
"Are you sure?" Haraldson wanted to know, "You said that you always told the truth."
Rollo refused to answer.
"You seem to have a little problem opening your mouth." Haraldson said in mock of concern, "Perharps can I help you out."
Svein drew a dagger and handed it to Haraldson. The Earl took it and neared Rollo's face. The blood started streaming as the blade cut deeply into the prisoner's face.
In Floki's hut Gyda was watching her mother change the bandages on her father's back.
"When will he be better?" The little girl asked.
"It is taking too long already." Ragnar complained.
"In a few weeks' time. Your father wounds will have healed." Lagertha explained. "If he is careful."
"You must have patience, father." Bjorn added.
"You must have patience, father. " Ragnar mocked, "Shut up."
It was when Floki bursted through the doors of his hut with Thornstein who was completely went and shivering from cold.
"I found him wandering around the marshes." Floki explained.
"I was lost." Thornstein told them.
Bjorn made room next to the fire, so Thornstein could warm himself up. After a few minutes, he began to talk.
"I was visited in great secrecy by Earl's Haraldson wife, Siggy." He said, "She told me that her husband had played a trick on Rollo and imprisoned him. He tried to find out where you are. Then he tortured him. She is sure her husband mean to kill Rollo, because he will in now way admit where you are."
"He tortured my brother?" Ragnar asked, earning a nod from Thornstein.
"It's a trap for you Ragnar." Floki warned.
Ragnar stood up from the fire, his mind in deep thoughts. He opened the door and looked out into rain for several minutes. He tried to raise his wounded arm as high he could, without pain. The he made his decision.
"Floki." He began, "I have another favor to ask you."
"Yes Ragnar?" Floki wanted to know.
''I want you to go into Kattegat." Ragnar explained, "I want you to ask for a meeting with Earl Haraldson. And when you meet him, challenge him to a personal battle with me. Tell him if he refuses, shame will stalk him for the rest of his life and Odin will never permit him into Valhalla."
Earl Haraldson was sitting in his chair in the great hall, managing the daily life in the town. Suddenly, there was a lot of activity at the door, when two of the Earl's warriors came in, holding a giggling man between them.
"What is this?" Svein, the steward asked.
"My Lord, this man says he has a message for you from Ragnar Lothbrok." One of the warriors explained.
"Let go of him." Haraldson ordered. The warriors realesed the man as he stood giggling beside them, "What is the message?"
"Ragnar Lothbrok challenges you to meet him in single combat.'' Floki said. Everyone in the room held a breath.
"Ragnar Lothbrok has a very high opinion of himself." Svein mocked.
"After all, he is a descendant from Odin." Haraldson smiled.
"Ragnar said, if you refused, shame would follow you for the rest of your life." Floki said.
"There would be greater shame in accepting a challenge from a criminal." Haraldson stated, "I would suggest that I take him seriously."
"The challenge is declined." Svein announced loudly, ''When Ragnar Lothbrok will arrive in Kattegat, he will be put in chains."
Earl Haraldson had been sitting on his chair silently, his mind in deep thoughts. Suddenly he stood up.
"Tell Ragnar Lothbrok that I accept his challenge."
In Floki's hut almost everyone was asleep. Ragnar and Lagertha were both awake, making love underneath their furs.
"Ragnar." Lagertha said, "Let's leave here. There are others places for us.''
"He is old. What are you afraid of?" Ragnar asked.
"You can't fight." His wife replied, "You are too weak."
"Perharps that makes us equal." Ragnar said, kissing her neck and shoulder.
"Never fight until you know the odds are in your favor." Lagertha argued, "That is our way."
"Who sets the odds?" Ragnar wanted to know, "What happens tommorow is already fated."
"You don't believe that." Lagertha meant, "And neither I do."
"You're wrong. I do believe it." Ragnar replied, stroking tears out his wife face.
In the great hall, Earl Haraldson was not able to find sleep himself. He kept staring into night. He could not help himself, he kept thinking about his sons, who had been brutally murdered. How would they look today? Would they be like Ragnar Lothbrok? He hated to admit it, he respected the man.
He was everything Earl Haraldson had been once, restless, ambitious, driven with enough luck. And after all he had been right about the land to the west, all those years when he told the stories he had believed in. Then he had finally taken the matter into his own hands and proven all these stories to be true.
Yet, the Earl would never be able to admit his utmost respect for Ragnar Lothbrok publicly. Or even join forces with him. The moment when he admitted his fault, would be the moment his friends and supporters would have begun to support Ragnar and desert him. The only think he could do, was finally to kill Ragnar.
In the guest room of the great hall Earl Bjarni laid in his bed. Thyri was lying next to him.
"I'm sure that this is our first child." He said to his young wife, ''Now go and fetch me some pickled herrings, I'm starving."
"I don't like the smell of them in the bed." Thyri argued, "It's as bad as it is in the clothes. Why can't you just wash like everyone else?''
"I thought a wife wasn't supposed to nag her husband until they've grown old and weary of each other." The old man commented, "If you don't fetch me some herrings, I will beat you! It will show you a little live when we have sex in any case."
"Very well, I'll go." Thyri gave in. She tugged her dress in place, before she stood up.
"I can't wait for tommorow." Bjarni said, "Personal combat is always thrilling. Who is Ragnar Lothbrok? I've heard many people talk about him."
"I don't talk about him." Thyri said, "He's my father enemy."
Floki, Helga and Myrus had left for Kattegat early in the morning. Only Ragnar and his family were still in the hut at the shipyard. Ragnar was wearing a leather jerkin, with metal studs sewn onto it for additional protection. Finally he sat up from the bed. He smiled at his children and the whole family embarked in the small fishing boat.
The rowed the boat along the fjord, until the reached Kattegat. They tied the small boat to the pier, and walked towards the main place. On their way, they encountered Myrus.
"Don't look so worried, pony." Ragnar encouraged him. He walked on till they had reached the main place where they fight would take the place.
Myrus took in the scenery. He had not been in Kattegat since Haraldson attacked Ragnar's farm. Seemingly everyone was present. He could see Siggy who was standing proudly on the side of the place. Next to her tall and beautiful daughter Thyri, standing beside her husband. He could also see Ragnar's friends. Thornstein who had provided them with news from the town. Rollo, Ragnar's older brother, his face scared from the tortures Earl Haraldson had bestowed on him, Arnethe one eyed archer and scout who had participated in taking her captive, Vigi and Juta were standing next to each other, next to Leif who stood beside widow of Erik's Maarten's.
The crown parted and Earl Haraldson entered the place. He was followed by Svein. Haraldson and Ragnar faced each other.
"This is a personal combat." Svein announced loudly, "The combatants can choose any weapon or shield they desire. Each combatany has two shields. If both are broken, there can be no further replacements."
Ragnar and Haraldson were both handed each other their swords and a shield. The faced each other, then the Earl threw his shield to the ground, where it was picked up by one of the warriors. Another warriors handed him another shield. Ragnar followed his example. They had both resigned their first shields, if these were now broken, they would have to fight without shields.
Ragnar waited for a moment, then he launched his attack. Earl Haraldson stepped back, several of Ragnar's blows hit his shield. The Earl raised his sword to block and Ragnar's sword hit the opposite blade. Haraldson began his attack which was deflected by Ragnar's shield. The Earl struck another mighty overhead chop and Ragnar could rise his shield just in time. He stumbled back, his wounded leg trembling from exhaustion.
Ragnar truck his opponent's sword with his own and punched the Earl with his shields. Haraldson stepped back and Ragnar followed him. Finally, Ragnar struck the Earl's shield heavily with his sword. The sword's blade cracked and flew from his hand.
Lagertha closed her eyes in resignation. Myrus glaced over at Gyda to see a big worry and resignation in the little girls eyes. He held his hoof out for her and she grabbed it anxiously. Bjorn refused to look away. Myrus could fell that the fight was coming to it's end and it was not the one they had hoped for. On the opposing side of the audience, the Earl's supporters were cheering.
Ragnar looked down at his broken sword for a moment, then back at the Earl. He punched the Earl with his shield until both shields were broken into pieces. Finally, the Earl was holding his sword with no shield anymore. Ragnar was standing opposite of him, nothing with his hands but the broken pieces of his sword. Rangar tossed the useless pieces of metal to the ground, followed shortly by the Earl tossing his sword.
One of his warriors handed the Earl a one handed axe, while Ragnar walked back to the rack where his weapons lay ready and chose a similiar axe.
"Father! You can do it!" Bjorn cheered on him.
"Fight, Ragnar!" Floki shouted.
Ragnar walked in front of the Earl, this time waiting for his attack to come. The Earl lunged forward, his axe raised. Ragnar ducked and the axe only cut the air. Ragna stumbled back a few steps, then launched an attack of his own. The Earl blocked the chop, tried to attack and Ragnar defended again. The Earl's axe head was right in front of Ragnar's throat. Haraldson used both his hands, trying to push it into his opponents neck. Ragnar had his free hand around the handle, trying to disarm Earl.
Finally, the tension broke the two apart. The both tumbled back a few steps, before Haraldson brought his axe back in front of Ragnar's chest. Ragnar was barely able to stop the blow from burrying in his chest. The both pushed until Ragnar's fist struck the Earl's in the face. Ragnar tried to follow up with a chop of his axe, instead Haraldson deflected the flow and his Ragnar's shoulder with his axe.
Ragnar tumbled back, holding his shoulder. Blood was running from the wound and Ragnar seemed distracted.
Myrus realized he was holding his breath when his head became light. He immediately took in another breath. Gyda had buried her face in his shoulder, clutching the pony's hoof strongly. Lagertha tried to suppress tears streaming from her eyes. Siggy and Thyri were enthusiastic, victory before their eyes.
Ragnar and Haraldson circled each other, then the Earl launched another attack. Ragnar somehow managed to avoid the angry blows the Earl drew at him. Finally Haraldson grabbed his jacket, his axe close to Ragnar's head. With his last strenght, Ragnar's hand stopped the final blow. He ducked and his axe hit the Earl in the lower back.
The whole crowd went silent as the blade dug into the Earl's flesh. Slowly, the older man collapsed at Ragnar's feet. Ragnar stood over the dying man when he saw a raven sitting on the crane on the pier. He dropped on his knees, next to the Earl.
"Lord Odin is here." He said to the dying man, ''Waiting to see which one of us he will take to his great hall."
"So I shall I dine at the high table of the Aesir after all.'' Haraldson murmured. Ragnar took his hand and used his axe to cut the Earl's wrist. Blood spilled from the wound and Siggy came running forward.
"NO!" She shouted, "NOOO!" She pushed Ragnar aside, putting her fingers onto her husband's wrist, trying to stop the bleeding. Haraldson plucked her fingers away from his wound.
"Tonight. I shall be drinking with our boys." He said before he closed his eyes for the last eyes.
Svein was not going to let Ragnar win this day. He turned to the Earl's warriors, "Kill him" he ordered. They only looked blankly at him. By tradition the winner of the combat against the Earl had the best claim to be the next Earl.
Rollo took an axe from the weapon's rack and walked towards Svein. With anger, he buried the axe deep in Svein's chest. The steward collapsed to the ground, his face showing suprise that someone had dared to kill him.
Siggy stopped crying when Svein collapsed. She took a moment to consider, then walked over to her daughter who handed her a knife. Without hesitation, Siggy stabbed it into the Earl Bjarni kidneys. The old man face showed his pain as he collapsed. Then Siggy dropped the knife and walked over to the middle of the place where Ragnar was still kneeling next to her deceased husband.
"Hail, Earl Ragnar." She said, then louder, "HAIL, EARL RANGAR!"
She dropped to her knees and everyone else followed her example, "HAIL, EARL RAGNAR!"
Everyone had assembled in the great hall, awaiting for the further developments of the day. Myrus was standing among Ragnar's friends, waiting for him. The door opened and Ragnar entered, his wounded leg supported by a wooden crutch. He was followed by his wife and children. Ragnar slowly walked along the fireplace, and stopped in front of the high seat. He looked to seat questioningly, then turned towards the crowd.
"Take it!" The shouted. One after the other. Ragnar exchanged a glance with Rollo, who nodded his head. He then turned towards the cahir and sat down. The whole room was cheering as the new Earl accepted his position.
Leif stepped forward, exposed his arm ring and dropped to his knees.
"Lord Ragnar." He began, "I pledge my allegiance and fealty to you and your family from this day forward."
"Leif you are my friend." Ragnar smiled, "And you, One Eye, and you Thornstein, and you Vigi and you Juta. You are my friends."
Next, an old man stepped forward. His beard white and braided, his head was shaven bald.
"What is your name?" Ragnar asked.
"Tostig, Lord Ragnar." Tostig replied.
"Tostig, Do you swear allegiance and fealty, to me and my family from this day forward?" Ragnar wanted to know.
"It won't be so long, then." Rollo joked. Everyone in the hall laughed.
"By my sacred ring, I swear." Tostig replied, "But I also have a favor to ask you. Lord Ragnar."
"What is the favor?" Ragnar wanted to know.
"That the next time you go raiding to Equestria, you take me with you." Tostig replied.
"I do not wish to insult you." Ragnar said carefully, "But the truth is..."
"That I am too old." Tostig laughed, "Yes, I am old. But I have been a warrior all my life. Many years I sailed with Earl Haraldson and fought battle against the Eastlanders. And I saw all the companions of my youth die. And although I fought with them in the shield wall, not once I was touched by a blade. All of my friends of my youth are gone, feasting and drinking with the gods. That is why I beg you. Lord, give me a chance to die with honor in battle and join them in Valhalla."
Ragnar stood up from his chair, supported by the wooden stick.
"This summer, we shall have more ships to go west, for that is our future." Ragnar announced, "Let's take him with us! All in favor?"
A loud cheer filled the hall as the inhabitants of Kattegat agreed. Tostig stood up, a happy smile on his face. Next Rollo stepped forward.
"There is no need for you to swear." Ragnar said, "You have already paid a heavy price for your loyalty to me." He touched the fresh scars on Rollo's face, where the Earl's knife had cut into his flesh.
"Nevertheless, I will swear, brother." Rollo replied, "I swear to be true to you, your wife and your children, as long your good fortune holds." He ended smilling. The two brothers hugged each other and Rollo murmured into Ragnar's ear, "How are we ever going to be equal now. Brother?"
A week later, the pier of Kattegat was filled with activity. Some of the men were piling dry wood on one of the longboats. Everyone around was drinking and having fun. Competitions were hold, archery and wrestiling, boxing, throwing knifes. Musicans were playing at every corner, the whole town was cheerful.
Myrus was wandering around in Kattegat. He could not believe in what Ragnar has just told him, about the slave girl chosen as a sacrifice in honor of the deceased Earl. He ran into Bjorn.
"You need a drink, pony." Bjorn told him.
The procession was lead by Arne, Thornstein and Vigi who carried their shields and used clubs to hammer a rhythm that sounded over the whole town. Behind them, several warriors carried the stretcher with Earl Haraldson. They were followed by Siggy and Thyri, both clad in their finest robes. They placed the body on the pyre, and Siggy and Thyri placed their offerings to the gods next to him. Then they stepped back from the longboat, for the last time decorated in the black and red which had served as Earl's Haraldson's sign.
The slave girl who had volunteered to die had now reached the pier. She was clad in a fine but thin dress. She had jewerly on her arms and a golden chain around her neck. She was already awaited by the woman called the "Angel of Death". The slave girl handed over the jewerly and the necklace, then received a cup from priestess. She nervously eyed the cup for a second, then drank the poisonous liquid.
"I can see my master." She exclaimed, "He is in Valhalla! He call me! Let me join him then!"
The slave girl handed the cup back to the priestess drew a sharp skinning knife. She held the blade against the slave's throat and cut it with a single slash. The girl bled out quickly and her body was then placed next to the Earl's body.
Everyone looked up when Thornstein blew into his horn, "Hail, Earl Ragnar Lothbrok!" He announced.
Ragnar, still supported by his stick, entered the pier, where the ship was tied. He was flanked by Lagertha and followed by Bjorn and Gyda. They all wore better clothes than before, fitting their new position. The audience cheered as they saw their new Earl. Drinking horns and cups filled with Ale were raised, everyone wishing the best for their new leader.
Siggy stepped forward. As she reached Ragnar, the crowd went silent, "I ask for permission to light the fire."
Ragnar smiled and grabbed a burning torch from the fire next to him. When Siggy wanted to reach it, he heanded the torch to one of the warriors from the town. Siggy was staring at Ragnar for a moment, as if she was trying to force him giver her the torch.
After a few seconds she backed down and stepped back. Ragnar nodded to the warrior, whom he had handed the torch and the man walked along the pier towards the ship. When he was close enough, he tossed the torch onto the pyre on the ship.
The dry wood began to burn immediately. Me cut the boat loose from the pier and pushed it into the stream, so it would be taken out of the fjord, if it didn't burn anyone. The flames quickly encased the bodies and spread all over the ship's interior. The audience watched in silence, only Floki could not completely suppress a giggle.
"I have something important to tell you, husband." Lagertha murmured, "I am with child again."
Ragnar dropped to his knees, his head in front of Lagertha's belly, "I know you're a boy." He said, "You have made me a happy man today, my son."
Siggy and Thyri dared not to make any light as they packed their treasures. They had decide to leave the town, while it was still dark. They were both so concentrated, that neither one of them saw the man standing in the shadow behind them.
They were both starled when a man made a noise.
"Have you come to kill you?" Siggy asked axiounsly
"Why I would do that?" The man in the dark replied.
"Because Ragnar told you so." Siggy said, "It is often how the new Earl deals with the family of the old Earl."
"Ragnar won't have you killed. My brother doesn't hold grudges." Rollo said, stepping forward, "He's strange that way."
"Even if we don't die, they would still shun us like a bad smell." Siggy stated, "It is better we leave now."
"No one will shun you." Rollo objected, "They wouldn't dare. Not if I vouch for you."
"And would you want in return?" Siggy wanted to know.
"You were once married to an Earl." Rollo replied, "Wouldn't you like to married to another one?"
"What do you mean?" Siggy asked in confusion.
"Me." Rollo smiled.
They winter had finally arrived in Kattegat. Snow covered the paths and the roofs, the bay was frozen. Most of the inhabitants of the town stayed inside for most of the day.
"The pigs are fattening nicely." Bjorn said to his father.
"So is your mother." Ragnar replied.
Bjorn clutched his arms around his chest, "It's cold, even in here."
Ragnar took a blanket from a pile and hung it around his son's shoulder.
"I can't wait for the spring, I want to go Equestria." Bjorn said enthusiastically.
"No." Ragnar said.
"But why?" Bjorn protested.
"Because I said so." Ragnar said, "Don't be too eager to put yourself in danger."
"But you cannot talk about my fate." His son disagreed.
The three ships sailed calmly along the river. It was a warm day in June, the sails were not used. Instead the crews rowed the boats steadily forward. Ragnar and Rollo stood on the deck, watching the landscape pass. It consisted mostly of woods, an occasional hous or farm and a few foals watching the strange ships curiously from the banks of the river.
In the Canterlot castle, Celestia and Luna were sitting on their thrones. They had just received the new of the returning Northmen.
"These humans, where did they come ashore?" Luna asked.
"They didn't." Wall Calm replied, "They came in three ships. And these ships are now sailing up to the Tyne."
"Sister, we need to call Cadance and Shining and tell them about it." Luna said,
"You're right, my sister." Celestia agreed, "These humans have ships that can cross the open sea and also sail up rivers." She stated, "What manner of them are these? Whoever they are, they not welcome in Equestria after what they did."
Two days later, Shining and Cadance approached Celestia, Luna and Twilight in the throne room on Canterlot Castle.
"We're glad you came." Twilight greeted them.
"Of course Twi. You know what we think about these humans and their raids on our lands." Shining said, "You thought we would never come here?"
"No. I never doubted in you" Twilight smiled weakly.
"Now, let's get to the main topic." Shining said, earning nods of agreement from the princesses,"We have to stop them."
"Can you tell us where they are?" Cadance wanted to know.
"One, perharps two days away." Luna replied.
"Good to know." Shining stated, "I'll send my most trusted guard to fight them." He said as he turned around to the doors, "Flash! Come here!''
Flash Sentry did as he was told to. He walked into the throne room and bowed to the princesses and prince. He was ready to fight with the Northem ever since he heard about what happened in Konoritos.
At the Viking camp everyone was busy. The tents had been set up, the horses were tied to the tress, and the men were preparing defenses. The used logs, one end in the earth, the other pointing outward. Rollo was cutting away at one of the logs with a hatchet, making the end sharp.
"How soon will they come?" He asked.
"I hope soon.'' Tostig said, "I can't wait for Valhalla."
In the great hall at Kattegat, Lagertha was occupying the high chair in her husband's absence. Her children were sitting on smaller chairs to her right. A couple, the woman carrying a baby, entered the hall and stood before them.
"Good day to you, folk." Lagertha greeted them, "What is the problem?"
"The problem is her." The man said in anger.
"What has she done?" Lagertha inquired.
"She's had a child. The boy in her arms, he's not my son!" The man spat out. Some in the audience laughed, "Just over a year, a young man come to visit us. He said his name was Rig. He gave us some good advice on our work and then stayed the night. And nine months later, she gave birth to a son!"
"Whose child it is?" Lagertha asked the crying woman.
"I don't know Mylady." The woman cried out, "We were all in the same bed."
"You see! She is not a honest woman! She had sex with Rig and wouldn't tell me the truth!" The man accused her.
"Do you know who this Rig was?" Lagertha wanted to know. Both shook their heads.
"We know from out ancient stories, that Rig is another name for Heimdall, the god." Lagertha told them, "You should have never doubted your wife for the joy she has brought you, and the fact that a god has chose you, of all people to visit. Now go and be happy with your wife. Sacrifice one of your animals to Heimdall. But If I ever hear that you have harmed this woman or this child, you will answer to me!"
The Equestrian and The Crystal Empire warriors with Flash Sentry on their lead were hidden beneath the last outskirts, taking a careful look at the camp.
"Let's attack." A Royal Guard proposed.
"They have a strong position." Flash replied, "Maybe we can make them leave their position to attack us."
"How would we do that?" A Royal Guard wanted to know.
"They're scavengers, little more than beasts." Flash explained, "We must be able to outthink them."
"But we wait, they'll be even better dug in." A Royal Guard objected.
"Flash. If a wolf comes into your sheep hold, you don't think to outthink them." Another Royal Guard urged, "You drive it away or kill it."
"We'll do as I say and don't you even think to argue with me." Flash raged, "Now let's go and set up a camp."
Although they had been concealed, the presence of the riders had not been missed in the camp.
"Have you seen them up there?" Rollo asked, trying together two of the logs which formed the defenses.
"Hmm.'' Ragnar agreed.
"What are we waiting for?" Rollo urged.
"We can't afford loosing half of our men by being stupid and attacking." Ragnar explained, "We wait till the odds are in our favor."
Night had fallen upon both camps. The Royal Guards were asleep, except for the guards. No one saw the Vikings approach them and cut them down quickly. The Norhmen took torches from the fires and quickly spread throughout the camp. The torches flew into the flames quickly ate on the canvas. Ponies were stabbed in their sleep, while the Northmen still were silent hunters in the dark.
After a few moments, one of the Royal Guards finally awoke, "Awake!" He shouted, "We're under attack!" Others awoken from his cries were soon awake. The Northmen walked through the camp, cutting them down, one by one.
Flash awoke in his tent as heard a loud cry, "ODIN!" He grabbed his sword and was already halfway out of the tent, when he decided, he might need a prayer before the battle. He bowed to the golden ball with Kholat symbol on it and began to pray.
One of the Royal Guards, "Flash! We're under attack!" He reported. When he saw his commander deep in his prayer, he turned around and rejoined the battle on his own.
Floki had watched in great amusement as the tents began to burn. Now he was fondling on the rope that was keeping the big tent upright. He drew his knife and cut it.
Flash had just finished his prayer and walked forward in order to rejoin the battle as the tent collapsed over him, burying him deep under the canvas.
As the morning came, the destruction of the camp was obvious. The few prisoners were herded together. Ragnar looked at Flash.
"Who are you?" He asked in Equestrian.
"I'm Flash Sentry." Flash replied, "I'm the main Royal Guard of the Crystal Empire army.''
"Ragnar! Come here!" Floki called from a few metres away. Ragnar walked over to him, guiding Flash with him.
"Their iron is stronger than ours." Rollo said, trying the handling on one of the woods. To prove his point, he hit the wooden post which had carried a torch before. The wood was half as thick as an arm, yet blade cut through it without much effort.
Then Ragnar walked over to Tostig who sat in the grass, sadly.
"What's wrong, my friend?" Ragnar asked.
"The gods won't lift my curse." Tostig growled, ''I am forsaken to live forever on this miserable earth."
Ragnar kissed him in the head before he turned back to his brother and Floki.
"Who is this?" Rollo asked, pointing at Flash.
"This is the main Royal Guard of Crystal Empire army." Ragnar explained, "What do you say, shall we visit the princesses?"
The arches on the Canterlot's large wall had put their bows and draw the strings back, ready to loosen the arrows as the group of riders approached. Everypony could see a half dozen Northmen sitting on the horses, as well a tied stallion, in Crystal's Empire armor.
For the first time Ragnar could see the Canterlot. Canterlot was a huge town by the large lake with large walls surrounding it.
The gates of the bridge which was leading to the city opened and an envoy, accompanied by several Royal Guards.
"Princess Celestia invites your leader to join her in her castle." The envoy said. When received no asnwer he asked, "Who is your leader?"
Still no answer.
"The princesses and prince did not know that Flash Sentry was still alive." The envoy began, "He would like to talk to you about what he can give you to set his brother free. Do you accept the princess offer?"
Ragnar just laughed and turned his horse around, riding away. The others followed him.
Back at the camp, they discusses their further plans.
"We should attack, while they are weak." Rollo stated.
"Attack, attack, attack.'' Ragnar meant, "That is all he ever says. I am curious. I want to know what manner of men they are. I want to see how their rulers live. And I am hungry."
"If we enter this town, why should they not just kill us?" Thornstein argued.
"You forget, we hold an important member of Crystal Empire as a hostage." Ragnar corrected him.
The Viking leaders approached Canterlot by horse. They were met by the same envoy as the day before and guided them into Canterlot They were immediately lead to the castle so they couldn't see the rest of Canterlot. A crowd of ponies had assembled at the castle, everypony wanted to take a look at those foreign monsters.
Lyra Heartstings was among them. Her face was showing anger mixed with sadness. She spent her whole, studying the histories of humans only to find out the humans were a monsters that are raiding the lands of the other alive beings.
Ragnar, Floki, Rollo and the others halted their horses in front of the Canterlot Castle and dismounted from the horses.
"Princesses and Prince. May I present you Earl Ragnar Lothbrok, his brother Rollo and their companions." The envoy said.
"Ragnar Lothbrok." Celestia said, "We're glad you have decided to talk to us."
Ragnar smiled.
"Now. May I introduce to to everypony in the room." Celestia said, "I think you already know who I, Luna, Twilight, Cadance and Shining are so let me introduce to the rest." She said as she pointed at the Elements of Harmony, "Rainbow Dash, Applejack, Pinkie Pie, Fluttershy and Rarity."
AJ and Rainbow were looking at the Northmen with an angry glare, Rarity and Fluttershy were looking at them with fear and Pinkie Pie was looking at them with smile even thought the Northmen caused a lot of pain last summer.
"A stallion that is sitting next to me is Prince Blueblood. He's my nephew."
Blueblood was looking at them with look of disgust.
"A mare that is sitting next to Twilight and her friends is Starlight Glimmer. A student of Princess Twilight Sparkle."
Starlight was looking at the Northmen with eyes full of hate. She will never forgive them for what they did to her friends back in her old village.
"That little alicorn is Flurry Heart. She is a daughter of Prince Shining Armor and Princess Cadance, a pegasi that is sitting next to her is adopted sister Scylla and a black alicorn next to them is Nyx Sparkle, adopted daughter of Princess Twilight Sparkle and a dragon next to them is Spike."
Scylla and Flury Heart were looking at Ragnar and his warriors in fear unlike Nyx who was looking at them with an angry glare and Spike was showing no emotion on his face because he was hidding his fear for the Northmen.
Ragnar smiled once again and waited, acting as if he did not notice the unfriendly glances, which the ponies threw at them.
"Now, we're inviting you to eat with us." Luna said.
The Northem nodded their heads and walked over to the only empty table in the room. Also this table was the only one in the room to have a meat to offer, much to Fluttershy's disablief. The took their seats and began to eat their food except for Floki.
Floki had dived under the table, admiring the craftmanship, "This table is very well made." He said, his fingers feeling the wood and his mind trying to reconstruck the joints and to find the differences to how he would made it.
"Why they're not eating?" Arne asked Thornstein who shrugged in response. They got their response when a red pegasi with Kholat symbol as it's cutie mark walked into the room. He walked over to the place where the princesses were sitting and took his seat, next to Luna.
"In the name of the Kholat and the holy spirit." A pony which appearead to be a priest of the Equestrian's church said.
''Lianet." Everypony in the room chorused. Then a choir of ponies began to sing a song. The Northmen listened for a moment in amazement.
"What a terrible noise." Juta stated.
''These ponies are so strange." Leif stated.
"They're talking ponies Leif. They were strange ever since we came across them." Juta stated, earning a nod of agreement from Leif.
In the meantime Floki discovered the plates. Not sure about their purpose, he first tried to bite into them, he smelled them, then he dropped in onto the table. The plate bust into pieces and Floki burst out a giggle. Arne was not far behind him. He put the table on top of his hands, then lunged his head forward, causing the plate to shatter, everyone let out a long laugh.
"Stop making me laugh. I am trying to be serious." Ragnar told them, followed by giggle before he turned around to Celestia "Shall we talk princess?" He asked in Equestrian.
"Very well, what do you want for leaving our kingdom? And the safe return of Flash Sentry?" Celestia asked.
"Is he a priest?" Ragnar asked, pointing at the priest.
"His name is Bright Light. He is a bishop of our church." Celestia replied, "A pony of god."
"We want 2000 pounds. We will leave your kingdom when you you will give us 2000 pounds." Ragnar suddenly declared.
Everypony in the room gasped in suprise at the height of the sum.
"How much?" Rarity asked.
''2000 pounds." Ragnar repeated.
"I don't think I heard you propely, monster." Blueblood said, excepting the Northmen not daring to repeat his claim loudly.
Ragnar stood up from his seat, "2000 punds." He shouted, "In weight." He said as sat the back down on his seat.
On a nod from Blueblood, the Royal Guards closed in to the table. Ragnar's friends stood up, their weapons at the ready. Ragnar himself remained seated, munching on a piece of meat.
Princess Celestia mustered him for a moment, then decided it was better not to risk a massacre at her table, "I agree to your terms." She said, "But first, you must return Flash Sentry."
"When we receive payment, you shall have him." Ragnar refused.
"You must give us time to collect such a vast amount money." Celestia argued, "In the meantime, you and yourwarriors will return to your camp and make no further attack on my little ponies."
"Agreed." Ragnar smiled.
"Princess Luna, can you ask them who killed my brother." Applejack said in anger, earning a nod from Luna.
"Also Applejack here had lost her brother during your raid on the village where Starlight Glimmer used to life. She wants to know who killed him." Luna said.
"How did he looked like?" Ragnar wanted to know.
''He was a red stallion with a green apple as his cutie mark." Luna replied.
Ragnar translated Luna word's to his friends. Most of them looked at Vigi who told them about a red pony that he killed during their raid because he disobeyed Ragnar's order to not to resist.
"It was me." Vigi said as he stood up from his chair and pointed at himself with a nod, giving AJ signal that he was a murderer of her brother.
"He killed my brother?" Applejack asked, pointing her hoof at Vigi.
"Yes." Ragnar replied.
"Why did you do that?" Applejack asked, "Translate these words to him.''
Ragnar nodded and translated AJ's word's to Vigi.
"Because Ragnar clearly told them.If you do not resist, we will not hurt you. He disobeyed these words and charged at my wife so I killed him. It was his own fault." Vigi said back, earning a growl from the Element of Honestly.
"Tell him that he will die one day and I'll be the one to kill him." Applejack said through gritted teeth.
"She told me that you're going to die one someday. And she'll be the one to kill you on this day." Ragnar translated to Vigi who looked at AJ with a smirk and said.
"Tell her that I am waiting for this day." Vigi said as he sat down on the chair. Ragnar translated his words to AJ who growled in response.
"Let me baptize one of them." Bright Light murmured, "I want to be sure that we can trust them."
"There is no further condition." Celesta said, "I wish that either of you or one of your companions is baptized into our faith."
"You want one of us to become a Kholat believer?" Ragnar asked in suprise.
"Yes.'' Celestia insisted.
Ragnar translated to his friends who laughed greatly about the offer. All except Rollo who stood up from the table,
"I will be a believer of your faith." He said in broken Equestrian.
In Kattegat, Myrus led Siggy to the back of the great hall. Bjorn and Gyda were playing a game on the table.
"Mylady Lagertha." Myrus greeted her, "I hope you can find it in your heart to the wife of the late Earl."
"Of course." Lagertha replied, "Come and sit down Siggy."
"Wait!" Bjorn interrupted, "Earl Haraldson tried to kill my father."
"I know. And if he had succeeded, I would be standing where Siggy in standing now." Lagertha explained, "So what would you like me to do?"
"I would ask her to sit down.'' Bjorn murmured.
"Well, Siggy. What can I do for you?" Lagertha askd.
"It is what can I do for you?" Siggy replied, "I want to serve you."
"If it is really what you want, I accept your offer." Lagertha said.
Siggy fell on her knees, "Thank you..."
"You and your daughter are now under my protection." Lagertha explained, "But I will never treat you as a servant."
The Vikings leaders had joined the royal court of Equestria to wintess Rollo's baptism. They had met a river, a short walk outside of the town. Everyone was standing on a small island of gravel, in the middle of the river. Rollo, bare cheasted was standing in the water, the bishop and two of his aides next to him.
"Oh Kholat, almighty and eternal god." Bright Light begun, "Except the Kerit and it's kin from this po...person. From the head, from the hair, from the brain, from the brow, from the ears, from the mouth, from the throat, from the neck, from the chest, from the heart, from the entire interior of the body. From the thought, from the words, from the deeds. In the name of Kholat! Our lord!"
"Lianet!'' The audience chorused.
Bright Light indicated the symbol of Kholat, "I anoint thee in the name of Kholat!'' he called, "Lianet!" He laid his hoof on the top of Rollo's head and guided him down, until he dived under the surface of the water. When Rollo came back up after a second, he spat the water out and whirled his head, covering the bishop is spray.
"I now pronounce you baptized and born again with the new nameSerafin ." Bright Light said, before he hugged Rollo.
As Celestia and the other ponies bowed their heads, Ragnar followed their example. The other Northmen except for Floki followed their leader. Floki spat out in anger as he watched the events.
"We have witnessed a true miracle." Luna declared, "Now I ask you to keep your promises. Return to your ships and await your payment in peace."
The Northmen had returned to their camp. They had nothing to do except to pass the time. Floki was carving a little statue of Odin. Leif, Thornstein, Vigi, Juta and Rollo were gambling.
It was Rollo's turn and he carefully threw the dices. He laughed loudly as he saw the result.
"Well done,Serafin " Floki said.
"What is your problem, Floki?" Rollo asked.
"Oh, I am not the one with problem." Floki mused, "I did not renounce the gods in front of everyone."
"It was a joke." Rollo explained, "I don't believe it. I did not understand a word a pony with wings was saying."
"It doesn't matter." Floki objected, "Surely you've made them very angry."
"Don't be stupid." Rollo warned him.
"You're the one who is stupid." Floki argued, "Risking the wrath of the gods."
That was too much for Rollo. He stood up and locked eyes with Floki. The boatbuilder just stared back, smilling.
"They're here!'' Arne called, running through the camp. Everyone got back, running past Rollo and Floki in their staring match. Finally Rollo gave it and followed the others, leaving Floki behind.
On the grass outside Viking camp, two Royal Guards were working on an old cart, laden with chests. The quickly fled, leaving the cart just outside the Viking camp.
Ragnar sent a couple of warriors to take a look of the cart. They quickly recovered it and began to break the locks open. They were dissapointed. Each of the chest was empty.
In this moments, a group of Royal Guards came over the ridge behind the cart. The four warriors were quickly taken down. In the camp everyone scrambled for their weapons. Fully armed, they assembled behind Ragnar, forming a wedge. The Vikings were standing exactly behind the breech in the defenses.
The Royal Guards rushed towards them, hoping the breech would allow them to enter the camp without any casualties.
The Northmen waited for them to come. The Royal Guards had almost reached the breech, as Ragnar lifted his arms, signaling to two of the warriors. These were holding ropes, connected to spikes which were lying flat on the ground. The pulled on the ropes and the breech in defenses was closed.
The Royal Guards were in full galopp, when the gap closed. They had not the time to stop. Many struck the spiked logs on the defenses, killing them instantly.
The Northmen waited for the chaos to spread, then they reopened the breech and came out of the camp. A bloody battle enraged. Warriors on both sides died and the green grass quikcly turned into blood stained mud.
The old Tostig had just finished one of the Royal Guards off, his shield smashing his opponents face. Another Royal Guard came from behind him and dug his into the old Vikings back. Tostig went down and smiled, "Valhalla" he murmured before closing his eyes for the last time.
The battle was mostly over, wounded and dead from both sides lying in the mud. Rollo went from one to another, killing every Royal Guard, who was still alive. Finally, he fell to his knees, exhausted.
"How many ponies did I kill, Floki!?" He shouted, "How many? Do you think Odin is still angry with me?!"
Ragnar went over to the prisoners. He sat down before Flash, still encrusted in blood and mud from the battle.
"It seems to me that your rulers does not care whether you live or die." He stated.
"If you let me talk to them, I'll persuade them to honor their pledge." Flash offered.
"Why should I not kill you now?" Ragnar wanted to know, smearing a symbow of Kholat on the prisoner forehead.
"Then you'll have nothing left to bargain with." Flash pointed out calmly.
Ragnar smiled and raised his blood encrusted axe, "I have this."
Ragnar was sitting on his horse, waiting outside of Canterlot. The day before he had sent back a horse with the lifeless body of Flash Sentry, his throat cut. Now Princess Celestia had to decided to honor her part of the agreement finally pay the prize.
One day later Ragnar and his men had sent the sail back home. Celestia, Luna, Cadance, Twilight, Shining and the rest of the Elements of Harmony were staring at them on the ground. Ragnar noticed it and winked at them.
"Princess. What do we do now?'" Twilight asked, "We know that they will return sooner or later."
"I don't know Twilight...I really don't know." Celestia replied before all of them glanced at Shining Armor
"I swear to Kholat that someday I will avenge everypony that Ragnar Lothbrok and his warriors killed in their raids. Someday he is going to regret that he came across our land." Shining swore in anger.
"Myrus, something's wrong." Lagertha said, standing next to Myrus on the loom. Lagertha was holding her engorged belly.
"It is the child?" Myrus asked in fear, "It must be way early.''
"Something is wrong...I don't know how." Lagertha stammered, holding her belly in pain.
"Let's get back you back in the bed." Myrus said, "I will take a look."
Holding Lagertha by her hands, Myrus carefully guided Lagertha onto her bed and began to unlace her dress.
Siggy walked quickly to the back room of the great hall. When she entered the room, she was Myrus who was hugging a crying Lagertha. Another one of the servants was trying to wipe the blood from the bed. Siggy quickly stepped to the group and hugged Lagertha.
The pregnancy had failed. Lagertha had miscarried at eight months.
Author's Note
Two chapters in one day!
Juta
Myrus sat next to Ragnar, in the empty great hall. It was a beautiful day for those who could spend it outside.
"Every nine years, we travel to the temple at Uppsala." Ragnar began, "To give thanks to the gods, for what they have done. And to give the sacrifices."
He stopped for a moment.
"This year I was not going to go, for there is just too much to do." He continued, "Then my unborn son was cruelly taken from me. It had me thinking, what I had done to anger the gods. What do you Equestrian's do about such a loss?"
"The family members are in the grief, but all surrows passes." Myrus replied.
"In any case, I decided to go." Ragnar stated, "I will take the children for the first time. It is important that they go. Will you come with us."
"Me?" Myrus asked.
"I thought, maybe you want to stay here and worship your own god." Ragnar told him.
"No. I'll glady come with you." Myrus replied.
"Good.'' Ragnar smiled, "I would have taken you away."
The night before the journey, Gyda stumbled out of her bed. She ran into her in the great hall's maib room.
"Gyda what is it?" Lagertha asked, "Can you not sleep?"
"I'm bleeding." Gyda replied.
Lagertha smiled at her, "Then you are no longer a child." she explained, "You're a woman now.''
Lagertha and Gyda quickly cleaned the bed and Gyda was brought back to sleep.
In the morning everyone prepared themselves for the journey. Ragnar had told Juta, that she needs to stay here because one of his most trusted warriors to stay here to defend Kattegat in case if someone would try attack it and there had to be a trusted warrior of his stay and command Kattegat during his absence.
With everyone gone, Juta feared that she might be lonely quickly. Most of the days she spent with her husband or with her friends. She feared to be lonely because her parents were killed by bandits when she was a at Gyda's age.
She knew that as an orphan she wouldn't have have a good life so the decided to left her old village. She traveled for two weeks and one day she found herself on a beach not far from the city town Kattegat.
On this beach she met her husband Vigi who was training with his father. These two quickly became close friends and one day Vigi proposed to her and she happily accepted it.
In the evening, Juta went for a walk around the town. Although many had joined in the journey to Uppsala, the evenings in the town were still full of activity. Well, there were no feasts as usual, but there was always something to discover.
In Uppsala, the group of people that came there entered the temple. The priests had sprinkled everyone with the blood of sacrificed animals. Then, they split up, each moving to the statues of the gods, they needed to pray to.
"Frey, fill me with seed and make me conceive again." Lagertha prayed, "Do with me as you wish, make me blind or deaf, but give me a son."
On the other side of the temple, Ragnar prayed barely audible.
"Odin, Lord of Lord, Father." He began, "Let me understand your will. Is it really true that I shall have more sons? Accept the sacrifice I plan to offer you and tell me this.'' He leaned forward, making sure no one would hear him, "Who will bear me my sons?"
Juta walked through the streets and suddenly saw a little, crying outside a house. The girl was maybe Gyda's age. She had dirty blond hair and was clad in flithy woolen dress. Juta immediately recognized her as a slave.
"What is it?'' She asked the little girl.
"I let the fire go out.'' The girl sobbed, "And I don't know how to start it again. My master will be very angry.''
"Shh.'' Juta tried to calm her, ''It will be allright. Do you want me to show me how to start a fire."
The girl nodded with a hopeful glance in her eyes. They went into the house, where Juta knelt beside the fireplace in the middle of the room. She took the steel and flint stone from her pouch and showed it to the girl.
"You haven't told me your name, yet." Juta said.
"Ohh...I'm Thorunn.'' Thorunn replied, "And you don't need to tell me your name. I know who you are. Everyone in the town know you and your husband Vigi."
"Well, Thorunn, see the steal in my hand?" Juta instructed her, "I'm sure your master has one somewhere. In the other hand I'm holding a flint stone."
Juta struck the stone and the steel together and sparks flew in the air.
"Now we have to catch some of those sparks in the tinder." Juta explained.
She struck the stone and steel again a couple of times until finally, a small spark caught the material. It started to glow. Juta carefully blew it on, then added straw. As she went on, the fire kept getting bigger and bigger. Finally it was big enough to be put in the fireplace. Then she added spans of wood and finally bigger wooden pieces. The fire began cracking as it started to fill the whole fireplace.
"I hope you will remember it." Juta said as the little girl hugged her.
"Thank you.'' She said.
"Remember all it takes is practice. But I need to get going now.'' Juta said.
She waved her hand as she left the house and start to walk around the town once again.
As the continued to walk through the town she started to feel sick. She felt like she had to vomit so the quickly ran to the pier and vomited right in the water.
Two days later Juta was on the market. She needed to get a few things. She was looking at the products of one of the traders, as she overheard the trader talk to one of the warriors of the town.
"This year, the festival at Uppsala is going to be something special." The trader hinted.
"What is so special this year?" The warrior asked.
"There is a rumor King Horik will attend the festival himself." The trader explained.
"The king will be there?" The warrior was suprised, "I bet Earl Ragnar will be eager to meet him."
After nearly four weeks, the traveling group returned. Lagertha and her children, Siggy and her daughter Thyri, Floki's lover Helga and Myrus.
Juta greeted them in the great hall. It was wonderful to her to have them all back but she noticed that a few persons were missing.
"Where are Ragnar, Arne, Thornstein, Leif Bjorn and Vigi?" Juta wanted to know.
"Leif is dead. He sacrificed himself to the gods.'' Siggy replied.
"The rest are emissaries for King Horik." Lagertha explained, "Gotland is almost on the way from Uppsala to Kattegat."
"Ohh...I was hoping to tell Vigi now..." Juta said as she placed her hand at her belly.
"Tell him what?" Helga asked.
"I'm with his child." Juta declared.
The army was camping in the hills of King Horik's lands. Ragnar and Horik were holding their counsel. Vigi came over, cald in a fur covered cloak, as all the others.
"There is still no sign of him." Vigi said, "Maybe he won't come."
"He will come." Ragnar assured him, "For Jarl Borg has many reasons to come."
"We will wait for him here." Horik decided, "And for your brother. Unless you have heard from Rollo?"
"It is true, I've had message from my brother." Ragnar admitted, "But I still believe in my heart that he will not betray me. For me he has no reason."
"Who needs a reason for betrayal?" Floki warned him, "One must always except the worst, even from your own kin. That way you avoid too much dissapointment in life."
Later in the morning Ragnar was washing his face, when he heard the sound of a horn. He looked up and saw men standing on the next hill. They were carrying shields, covered in the characteristic colors of Jarl Borg, orange and green. One of them was Rollo.
"There is the teacherous one." Floki said, behind Ragnar, "I was right."
In the camp of Jarl Borg, the men were getting ready for battle. Borg stepped beside Rollo, both bare chests.
"Any regrets?" Borg asked.
"No regrets." Rollo replied.
"Then let us fight." Borg said, "And let the gods decide the outcome."
The both stepped to the priest who had accomapanied the army. He tipped a brush into a bowl of goat's blood and sprinkled it over the warrior's chest. The both took a hand full of mushrooms out of another bowl and quickly ate them.
"Rider approaching!" The guard called.
"What is it you want?'' Borg asked.
"I am here on behalf of Ragnar Lothbrok." Arne said, "I want to speak with his brother. Rollo, you and I have fought many times. I think of you as a brother." He said, "But over there...Is your real brother. Your own flesh and blood. Do you really want to rise your axe against him?"
"Tell Ragnar, I shall answer in blood." Rollo told One Eye.
Finally, the two armies faced each other on sandy battlefield, surrounded by hills. Both waited for other to make the first move. King Horik had left the command of the battle to Ragnar, although he and his men made up a great portion of allied army.
"Shield wall!" Ragnar finally ordered. Immediately, everyone held their shields together, forming a tight wall.
"Shield wall!" Borg ordered on the opposite side. His men followed.
"Spears!" Ragnar shouted. The men in their ranks holding spears held them out of the front of the shield wall. On the other side, Borg's army followed their example.
Ragnar waited for a moment, readying himself for the fight, then he ordered, "CHARGE!''
Both armies ran forward, closely packed, trying to break enemies shield wall by the force of the impact. The collided and the melee began. Rollo was swinging his large axe with both hands. He cut down one of Horik's warriors.
"Form a wall!" He ordered.
Some of Jarl's Borg men tried to jump over the fighters in the middle of the battleground. The first one's were hit by spears. Other's came through and were cut down by the men in back of Ragnar's shield wall, like Floki, Vigi or Arne.
Thornstein, Ragnar and Horik were in the front line. They wielded their swords and cut down's Borg's men, one by one.
Finally, Rollo jumped over Horik's shield wall, his axe connecting with one of Horik's warriors. He swung his axe around and hit another one. Then Floki looked over his shoulder, seeing Rollo stand behind their shield wall, he attacked him with his hatchets.
Rollo parried the attack with the handle of his axe. Floki fell on the ground and was about to grab one of the shields lying around, before Rollo's axe came hammering down. The other warriors formed a small shield wall, protecting Floki.
Rollo cut the down, first the left one, then hit the right one in the head with his axe. By now, Borg had broken through the shield wall. He circled the boatbuilder. Floki drew his knife from his belt and tried to stab Borg. Borg avoided the hit and tried to hit Floki with his axe. Borg and Rollo were pushed back by Floki's attack, aimed at them both.
The somehow avoided being stabbed and Rollo finally finally held Floki's hand fixed. He hit the boatbuilder arm with the wooden handle of his axe as the axehead was broken off before. The bones in Floki's arm broke as his hand was twisted around. Borg hit Floki with his axe on the shoulder, before Rollo scored another hard hit to Floki's head with his axe. Floki fell to the ground.
Borg and Rollo were attacked from behind by Thornstein, Vigi and Arne while Ragnar carried Floki away. Suddenly, Arne found himself along facing Rollo. He paused for a moment, then charged at the other man, swinging his axe and shield with all his strenght. Rollo effortlessly parried the attack with all the handle of his axe, then pushed the One Eye back.
Rollo discarded the broken handle and waiter for the next attack. Arne picked up a spear which was lying on the ground. He aimed and ran towards Rollo, who stepped aside and avoided the hit. He trapped the spear in his hands and pulled, until he had finally knocked it out of Arne's grip. He turned the spearhead around and ran it into the one eyed warrior. As Arne began to spit blood, Rollo raised the spear, lifting Arne's feet off the ground, impaling him at the top of the spear.
Ragnar returned to the battlefield, followed by Thornstein and Vigi. Rollo was looking at the dead body of Arne, not sure how he felt. He had been an enemy, but it was also true, he had been a close friend. Now he was dead. Rollo was awoken by the returning Ragnar and quickly pulled the spear out of Arne's body. The spear at the ready, he faced Ragnar.
"Is this what you really want, brother?" He asked his older brother.
Rollo tried several times to get himself to run the spearhead into Ragnar's unguarded chest. He failed. He had to admit it to himself.
"I cannot fight you." He said loudly. Rollo threw the spear away and stood there, unarmed. He fell to his kness, at mercy of his brother.
Ragnar was sitting on the campfire, warming his hands. He was stll encrusted with blood from the battle. Floki was lying on the ground, badly wounded. Rollo was kneeling in chains, guarded by Thornstein and Vigi.
Jarl Borg and several of his guards entered the camp. The approached Ragnar. King Horik came out of his tent, walked over to the campfire where he sat down next to Ragnar.
"Without being defeated, we have grown weary of the slaughter of our young men." The King announced, "So, Jarl Borg, I offer you one third of the profits on the disputed land. Unless you continue to challenge my claim."
"I would rather go back fighting than accept such scam justice." Borg replied.
"So you will not accept my fair offer." Horik queried.
"No." Borg replied.
"Why do we continue to look inwards?" Ragnar wanted to know, "Why do we fight each other about this piece of that piece of land? Why don't we look outwards? I have already found a passage west. We have found wealthy lands over there. If we raided together, we would not need to kill any more of our young folk. But instead offer them land, to farm."
"My mind tends the same ways as Ragnar's." Horik stated, "I want to sail west with him. What do you say, Jarl Borg?"
"Yes." Borg agreed after a moment of thought, "I want to see this land to the west. And so I accept your offer."
After Jarl Borg had left the camp, Ragnar walked over to Rollo, "Not that you'd care brother. But your niece Gyda is dead."
The two ships returned to Kattegat. The women of the town were cheering on the pier as the boats came nearer. The cheers ebbed, as they could see how few actually returned, who was missing. They docked to the pier and Floki and the other wounded were carried ashore on stretchers. Then
Then Rollo was guided onto the pier by Vigi, his hands in chains. Vigi angrily pushed his forward before he noticed his wife Juta. He hadn't seen in a few weeks so he quickly ran to her.
Juta passionately kissed her husband and quickly grabbed his hand and placed it on her belly. Vigi looked at her in shock mixed with confusion, then she nodded her head, confirming that she was pregnant with his child. Vigi fell on his knees and kissed Juta's belly, still holding her hand.
Later in the evening, Ragnar was eating, while the other listened to the news.
"We fought all day." Ragnar began, "Jarl Borg would not give in, neither would we." He continued, "One Eye died. Rollo killed them."
Siggy looked up as if she wanted to say something, but was not able to speak.
"And Floki may not survive." Ragnar added, "For he is so badly wounded."
"That was not your quarrel." Lagertha said, "This should have never happened."
"No man can walk through life without things happening to him." Ragnar told her.
Lagertha decided it was not the time to press this further. Instead she needed to know something else.
"Who is Aslaug?" She asked.
Ragnar's reaction was strong. He threw his cup in the corner of the room.
"Who is Aslaug?" She repeated.
"She a Gotland princess." Ragnar told her, "We met her over there."
"You justmet her." Lagertha kept digging.
"Lagertha, stop." Myrus cautioned her.
"What has the boy told you?" Ragnar asked back.
"It does not matter what Bjorn told me." Lagertha said furiously, "What are you saying?''
"I say.'' Ragnar began, "We should not wash our dirty clothes in public.''
He stood up and left the room. Lagertha followed him. As they reached the bedroom, Lagertha took a cup from the table and threw it at Ragnar.
"Did you have sex with her?" She shouted.
"Yes.'' Ragnar admitted. Lagertha slapped him in the face.
"How many times." She wanted to know.
''Once.'' Ragnar replied, catching her hand before she could hit him again, "I don't love her."
Lagertha tore her hand free and let her fist connect with Ragnar's nose.
"How can I make you let this go?" Ragnar asked, trapping Lagertha against the wall.
"Never see her again.'' Lagertha fumed, "Never again.''
"Done." Ragnar agreed.
Myrus watched as Siggy sat next to Rollo who had been put in chains at the town square. Ragnar told her before, he was not able to judge his own brother for treason. Therefore, they would have an assembly and they would bring Rollo to what is called ''law rock''. There his fate would be decided.
The population of Kattegat had assembled at the foot of the giant, rocky hill, called the law rock. Rollo was brought towards by Thornstein and Vigi. Rollo knelt in the grass, next to the executioner's block.
The lawgiver appeared on top of the hill. He was an old man, wise from the years. He served as Judge whenever the Earl excused himself from making a judgement.
''I have been asked to determite the fate of this man.'' The lawgiver said, ''He chose to fight with our enemies. He killed many of our sons, fathers, brothers and friends. What hope is there for him?"
The crowd argued loudly for his death, until the lawgiver raised his hand, silencing them.
"This man deserves to die." The lawgiver agreed, "But the gods have made their judgement. If they'd wanted him dead, he would have died in battle. I conclude therefore this man to be set free!"
Thornstein stepped forward and murmured to Ragnar, "We should kill him anyway."
"We must obey the law." Ragnar countered.
"Who is the lawgiver?" Thornstein asked, "Just an ordinary man."
"No when he stands on his sacred stone." Ragnar reminded him.
Myrus watched as Rollo's chains were realesed. No one seeme to be satisfied with this decision, not even Rollo. Yet, no one else protested against the sentence.
Several days later, Myrus was searching for Ragnar.
"Ragnar.'' He said as he found him, lying on the beach.
"What is it Myrus?" Ragnar wanted to know.
"There's a boat coming.'' Myrus replied.
Ragnar quickly went to the pier and immediately retreated to the great hall upon recognizing the guest. When the guests arrived in the hall, Lagertha scrambled out of their room.
"I had no idea that she would come." Ragnar tried to calm Lagertha, "I did not ask her to come. You must believe me."
They both stood side by side when the guests entered the hall, accompanied by guards. When the guards stepped aside, they revealed a heavily pregnant woman. Lagertha threw an accusing look at Ragnar and bit down an angry comment.
"Lagertha, Princess Aslaug." Ragnar introduced them, blushing.
"Thank you Ragnar." Lagertha said, "I know who it is."
She locked her eyes with Aslaug for a moment, then said, "Come, eat, rest. You must have had a tiring journey."
In the evening, they were all sitting together at the table, feasting and drinking. Lagertha tried to entertain Aslaug by a little talk.
"Bjorn told me that your mother was the shieldmaiden Brynhilda of whom we've all heard?" She inquired.
"It's true." Aslaug replied, "Although she died when I was really young. I barely remember her."
"And your father?'' Lagertha wanted to know.
"My father was Sigurd." Aslaug replied.
"Sigurd? Just Sigurd?" Lagertha asked.
"No, I mean he was the Sigurd." Aslaug replied, "Who's according to the sagas killed the dragon Fafnir."
"Then your father is also a hero." Lagertha complimented her.
"I am proud that he was my father, but I never knew him." Aslaug said, "Do you remember me, Bjorn? How we stood together under the tree of life?''
"It wasn't Yggdrasil." Bjorn pouted, "It was just an ordinary tree.''
"That's true." Aslaug agreed, "We both know that it creates a bond between us.''
"There is no bond between us." Bjorn said in anger, "I don't want any bond with you."
The next day, Lagertha and Siggy were busy, weaving.
"What do you know about this woman?" Siggy asked.
"I only know what Bjorn told me, which is not much." Lagertha replied, "He did not want to be disloyal to his father." She checked the threads in the comb, "I did not know that she was carrying his child."
"Do you believe it?" Siggy asked.
"I do not know." Lagertha said, "Ragnar believes it."
"And what are you going to do?" Siggy asked. Lagertha remainded silent.
Ragnar and his son were visiting Floki. He was still lying in his bed, too hurt and weak to even sit upright.
"Floki." Bjorn said sadly.
"I'm not dead, yet." Floki murmured with his eyes closed, "No thanks to you Ragnar."
"Say what you want about me." Ragnar smiled, "I'm just glad that the gods were stupid enough to save you."
"The gods, and Helga." Floki agreed.
"You must regain your strenght." Ragnar told him, "There is a lot to do, a whole fleet of boats to built."
In the evening, everyone was sitting at the table again. Aslaug, followed by her guards walked in and placed several meals on the table.
"I hope you will accept what I have chosen and prepared for you." She said.
"I did not except you to go to so much trouble." Lagertha told her.
"It is no trouble if it is pleasing you." Aslaug smiled.
Aslaug took her place at the table and the feast began.
''To tell you the truth, I did not imagine you could cook." Lagertha complimented Aslaug.
"I can't." Aslaug replied, "My women cooked, I just brough the ingredients.''
"Looking at you both together here in my hall." Ragnar began, "I see no reason why you should not get on together. I have heard similiar arrangements exist all over the contry.''
"What arrangements?" Lagertha asked with clenched teeth.
"That a man can live with more than one woman." Ragnar suggested, "In fact it is not unusual. It works to the benefit of everyone, especially the children of both marriages."
"It's true.'' Aslaug agreed, "I know of many such instances."
"Is that what you are suggesting?" Lagertha asked.
Stroking her hair, Ragnar replied, "If I were, what would you say?"
The next morning, servants began to load a cart with different chests, which Lagertha packed. Lagertha was in the back of the hall, still packing. Thornstein entered, followed by Floki who was using a stick as crutch, Myrus, Vigi and heavily pregnant Juta.
"You are leaving then.'' Floki stated.
"If course I am leaving." Lagertha confirmed.
"Is Bjorn coming with you?" Thornstein wanted to know.
"That is up to Bjorn." Lagertha told him.
The wagon was loaded, everyone was there to say goodbye to Lagertha, except Ragnar.
"Bjorn you have to choose." Lagertha told him, "Say it now.''
"I choose my father.'' Bjorn sobbed.
Lagertha hugged him tightly, then said her goodbye's to the rest. All of them wished her luck. Lagertha climbed upon the wagon and began her journey.
A few moments later Ragnar rode into the town. He stopped his horse in front of Bjorn, Thornstein and the rest.
"What?" He asked in confusion.
"Mother's left.'' Bjorn told him.
Ragnar forced his horse in a fast gallop, trying to close in on the wagon. He overtook it, and dismounted from his horse.
"Are you really going to abandon me?" Ragnar wanted to know, "Without even saying a word?"
"You insult and humiliate me." Lagertha spat in his face, "I have no choice but to leave you and divorce you.''
They were interrupted by Bjorn, running up to them. Catching his breath he said, "I've changed my mind. I'm coming with you."
4 years later
Many men had come into the great hall. Ubbe the oldest son of Ragnar Lothbrok and Aslaug was playing with his younger brother Hvitserk and two daughters of Vigi and Juta. The older daughter was named Agi after Juta's real mother and the younger one was named Aria after Vigi's mother.
Thornstein, Juta, Vigi and Myrus who had become a warrior through all these years, were discussing the different techniques and advantages of weapons.
''The axe is much better than the sword.'' The pony stated.
''How?" Thornstein asked.
"Yeah, how?" Juta added.
"It has bigger range." Myrus replied.
"For once I agree with you, pony." Vigi said as he patted Myrus on his shoulder before Floki and Helga entered the great hall and interrupted them.
"Thornstein, you are standing in the way of the fire." Floki told Thornstein.
"As usual." Myrus joked.
"Hello, pony." Floki greeted Myrus.
"Yes. I may be a pony but now I am one of you." Myrus declared.
"So, where is our Earl?" Floki asked.
"Behind you." Ragnar replied, holding Ubbe in his arms, "You've made yourself rare, Floki."
"Oh I've been busy, busy like a dwarf building your boats." Floki explained, "Even in the ice and the snow."
"Soooo busy." Ragnar teased him, "Yet so much time to complain."
"Every year." Thornstein began, "Your people wonder when you wil order another raid west...''
"And every year you disappoint them." Vigi added, "I've heard some people say, that Earl Ragnar is becoming Earl Haraldson."
"Then I will put their minds at ease." Ragnar replied. He stood up onto the table, "It has taken a long time to prepare ourselves." He announced, "To build our ships, to replace the young men that we lost in the plague. But now we're ready. So this summer we shall finally go west again!''
The audience cheered, but Ragnar was not done yet.
"We will return to Equestria.'' He told them, "For this country has been so generous, the last time. And we will not go alone. King Horik and Jarl Borg have agreed to join us. And maybe we will not return so soon. Maybe we will stay a while, explore the land. Maybe even winter there. For this in an interesting place." He finished, "And now that I put your minds to rest. Who is hungry?"
In the meantime Siggy was walking through the town. The snowflakes were loosely failing around her, when she saw someone lying in the dirt. She stepped closer and pullled the man's hair out of his face. It was Rollo.
Rollo was asleep from all the ale he had drunk. Siggy failed in her attemps to wake him gently. Frustated, she looked around and discovered a bucket with water, which was frozen. She broke the ice and then splashed the icy water in Rollo's face. The giant warrior awoke in an instant and had to face Siggy's accusing looks.
Back In the great hall, Ragnar had been just handed his meal from one of his servants, a young woman with blond hair.
"I have never seen you before." He said, "What is your name?"
"My name is Hild, Lord." Hild replied.
"Where are you from Hild?" Ragnar wanted to know.
"Uppsala." She replied.
Aslaug had just watched the converstion. When Hild had left, she turned to her husband.
"What were you talking with her?" She asked a little too innocent. Ragnar sighed.
"We talked about....movements in the shield wall." He replied, annoyed. Aslaug was not satisfied with this information.
"Girl." She called out, "Bring me some food, I'm eating for two."
The girl brought her another plate. As she wanted to step back, Aslaug cautioned her, "You are old enough, be careful who you choose to be familiar with."
Later in the evening, Ragnar and Aslaug were in the bedroom, Ragnar asked, "What is it? You are acting strangely.''
"You think it is strange for a pregnant woman to wish for her husband to be supportive and kind?" Aslaug asked him.
"No.'' Ragnar stated.
"Then why do you think I'm acting strangely?" Aslaug asked. Ragnar looked at her with big eyes
"I don't know." He told her.
"You don't know that you are flirting with other women?" Aslaug accused him, "That you show them you want to bed them?"
Ragnar sat up on the bed and put his face next to Aslaug's pregnant belly.
"Tell your beautiful mother, that I am not doing what she thinks." Ragnar said.
"Yes, you are." Aslaug insisted, "Women know these things. Especially me, I have certain gifts."
"Gifts?" Ragnar asked, "You mean you're a Volva?"
"I might be." Aslaug replied mysteriously, "And the fact that you want to sleep with this slave girl, is such an insult to me."
"I do not want to sleep with that girl." Ragnar murmured, already half asleep. Suddenly Aslaug sat up in the bed.
"I won't let you sleep until I've told you this." She said, "I have given you sons, and I am carrying another son. My father killed the might dragon Fafnir and our son's eye will be the image of the serpent."
Ragnar was laying on the floor, throwing Hvitserk high in the air. Ubbe sat on his legs and laughed. Everyone looked up as Siggy entered the room, followed by Rollo.
"You should leave." Ragnar told his sons. They got up and left the room, "I said everyone." He told Siggy who was still standing in the room. She left in a hurry and Ragnar seated himself on the bench, then he asked Rollo, "Are you not going to take a seat? What do you want?"
"I am your brother." Rollo began.
"You chose to fight against me." Ragnar reminded him, "You could have killed me."
"I remember when we were boys, we often fought against each other." Rollo replied, "But I never could have killed you."
"So why I should trust you ever again?" Ragnar asked him.
"Because I ask you to." Rollo pointed out, "I merely ask for the opportunity to regain your respect, to fight alongside you again."
"You have suffered these past years.'' Ragnar admitted, "But many have suffered more, because of what you did."
Resignated, Rollo made a move to stand up and leave.
"Let me think about it." Ragnar said to him, "Then I will give you my decision."
King Horik and his companions walked through the streets of Kattegat and entered the great hall.
"Ragnar Lothbrok, my great friend." He greeted Ragnar, "I am glad to see you. These are my sons Ari and Erlendur."
"King Horis, It is a pleasure to have you here." Ragnar replied, "I look forward to getting to know your sons, and introduce you mine. There is someone here you will well remember."
Ragnar led his visitors to the back of the hall. Jarl Borg was sitting on a bench, holding a cup of wine. He looked up when he was the group approaching.
"I can see that you are no too delighted to see me here, King Horik.'' Borg said, "But I hope you are not suprised. After all, we all agreed to raid together and I have come here to honor our agreement."
"The last time I saw you Jarl Borg, I had the distasteful task of burying of many kinsmen and friends." Horik said, "But it is true. I am not suprised to see you."
Everyone turned as Rollo entered the room. The guests both looked shocked as they recognized him.
"Surely this is not Rollo, the brother who fought against us?" Horik asked, "You spared his life?"
"The gods spared his life." Ragnar explained, turning to Rollo, "I accept you back. I acknowledge you as my brother, but I don't want you to raid with us."
"I accept your judgement." Rollo replied.
In the evening there was another feast in the great hall, to honor the prominent guests. Ragnar's family and the guest's were sitting at the table. Ragnar was talking with Ari, the King's son while the King was talking with Aslaug.
King Horik suddenly leaned to Ragnar.
"I've come to a decision." He said, "I don't want Jarl Borg to raid with us. I cannot bring myself to trust him. You must inform him of our decison."
Ragnar rolled his eyes, knowing exactly what Jarl Borg's reaction was likely to be.
The next day King Horik's ships arrived in Kattegat. Half of dozen ships, all bearing the white and black shields that were carried by King Horik's household troops. Ragnar, Floki and Vigi were standing further down on the pier, out of voice range of the King.
"Are you jealous?" Vigi teased Floki who giggled.
"They won't even make it out of the Fjord." Floki said.
While King Horik overlooked the arrival of his ships, Ragnar returned to the great hall, where he was awaited by Jarl Borg.
"So, when do we sail?" Borg wanted to know.
"Forgive me, lord." Ragnar began, "But we have decided not to seek your help."
''I thought we had an agreement?" Borg argued.
"It is not my intention to break this agreement." Ragnar told him, "But this occasion."
Borg turned around and walked away, shaking his head angrily.
In another house of Kattegat, Siggy was talking with King Horik.
''I know many things, here in Kattegat that you don't of." she told the King, "I knew Ragnar's first wife and her son, I know Ragnar's strengths and weaknesses."
"Why should I want to know about that?" Horik asked.
"Because Ragnar is your ally." Siggy told him, "It is always a strength to know the weaknesses of your friends, don't you think?"
"But how can I know that I can trust you?" Horik asked.
Siggy pointed at the bed in the corner and let her dress slide down.
Ragnar was saying goodbye to his family. He had Hvitserk on his arms. Aslaug stood around while Ubbe was trying to carry his father's sword. Despite his struggle, the point of the sheathed sword slithered over the floor.
"Now you grow big and strong." Ragnar said to Hvitserk, "I love you." He handed the boy over to Aslaug, then he bowed to Ubbe and took his sword from the boy, "You do what your mother tell you to do.'' He urged him, before whispering, "Most of time." He took a small wooden sword from behind his back and gave it to him.
Ragnar stood up, "Farewell my wife."
"We will make a sacrifice to Thor." Aslaug told him, "But I think you should cross the sea safely."
They embraced tightly for a moment, then Ragnar went on his way to the pier.
The boats were loosened of the pier and rowed out of the fjord, then the sails were hoisted and they set the course towards Equestria. King Horik and his son's were on Ragnar's ship, sailing with the famous navigator who had first found they way west. Myrus was also aboard, Ragnar had meant that he was ready to fight.
After three days at sea, Ragnar was getting nervous. By now, they should have been close to land. In the evening, a giant storm hit them. The boats were dancing across the waves and the men abroad were miserable and wet from rain.
Ragnar was on the helm. He was laughing, being completely in control of the ship.
"Are you having fun, King Horik." He asked.
Then wind came in hard and the big sail of the boat began to tear.
"We have to let the sail down." Ragnar commanded. The quickly men began to work.
"What is it?" Myrus asked.
Floki shuddered, "That's the sound of waves hitting rocks." he stammered. The sound very sailor fears.
"We have to set out the oars!" Ragnar shouted, "Row! Pull us away!"
Somehow they managed to row away from the cliffs. Finally, the storm ceased and fog set in. After the fog had lifted, they realized they were the only ship around.
"We've been blown miles of course." Myrus stated, "Who knows where are we?"
"The gods, pony." Floki told him.
Ragnar overlooked the condition of the boat. They yardarm was broken and the sail had a gash, but otherwise they were fine.
"What I want to know, is where are all the ships?" Ragnar asked when they approached several other ships, "How many do you see?"
"Only four." Floki replied.
"Some of the others may have been scattered." Thornstein reminded them.
In this moment, Vigi pointed out into the fog. A darker scheme could be seen against the foggy sky.
"Land!" Horik called, "I told my boys, Ragnar always finds land."
While the rest of the crew was cheering, Ragnar stepped next to Floki.
"What do you think?" he asked, "Where are we?"
"I don't know Ragnar." Floki replied, "After all, I'm only the boat builder, you are the navigator."
The five ships were rowed to the beach and the Vikings disembarked. They waded ashore silently and headed into the land
Soon, everyone was relaxed. Some slept in the grass, others fished. Almost everyone was eating.
Suddenly arrows landed in the middle of the camp. The King's son Ari was among the first ones who got hit. The arrow had entered his right chest and died quickly. Others scrambled for their shields.
The northmen divided into two groups which was formed as individual shield wall. They closed their shield walls to all sides, taking effective cover from all flying through the air.
"They're everyone." Thornstein told Rangar after a short look around.
It was when the soldiers charged at them. Myrus gasped in shock because they were griffons not ponies. They were in Griffonstone not in Equestria.
The griffons began their attack and hit both shield walls with force. A heavy fight began. They Vikings used their axes and swords to hit and stab Griffonstone soldiers while they tried their best to make the shield wall break.
"Horik's in trouble!" Myrus told Ragnar, pointing at the other shield wall which was heavily hit by Griffonstone soldiers.
"Go help him!" Ragnar ordered. Floki, Thornstein and Vigi left the shield wall and ran over to the other shield wall, while they
"Open!" Ragnar ordered. Thornstein and Vigi next to him immediately followed his command, allowing Griffonstone warriors to enter the shield wall. There in the middle of the shield wall, everyone was stabbing them, and several of them were quickly cut down.
Ragnar tackled another griffon to the ground, killing him with his sword, when a second griffon swung his sword at his back. Just in the right moment, Myrus arrived, digging his axe into the Griffonstone soldier's back
The battle was won, the Viking were looking after their wounded and dead. King Horik and Erlendur grieved for Ari. Myrus was sitting at the side as Ragnar walked up to him.
"You did not hesitate today." He complimented the pony. Ha handed Myrus an arm ring, "Take it if you want." He offered. Myrus eyes the ring for a few seconds, then he put it on his wrist.
"So, pony. Where are we?" Vigi wanted to know as he walked up to them.
"We're in the kingdom of Griffons that is known as Griffonstone." Myrus replied, "This country is ruled by Queen Gilda."
"What have you heard about Queen Gilda?" Ragnar wanted to know.
"That is she just like you." Myrus smiled.
"Second Ragnar Lothbrok?" Vigi asked, earning a nod from Myrus, "That's what I would like to see."
In the meantime in the Castle of Griffonstone, Gilda was taking a bath when a blue griffon walked into the room
"Mother." He said.
"What is it, Gallus?" Gilda wanted to know, "Can't you see that I'm having a bath?"
"I know mother, but this is very importnat." Gallus replied.
"So tell me if this is important." Gilda ordered.
"They're here." Was Gallus reply.
All Change (Season 1 Finale)
Ragnar and his friends were riding through the heavy Gotland rain. They finally arrived in the town were Jarl Borg was residing.
"That is not way to treat guests, whoever they are.'' Thornstein grumbled. They had been allowed to enter the great hall but Jarl Borg kept them right at the entrance. They were all wet and cold, yet they were kept away from the warning fire.
"If I stay this we, I will rust." Floki complained.
Finally Jarl Borg looked up from the discussion he was having with another man on his table. The Jarl Borg was a big man, with long blond hair hanging to his shoulders. His beard was thick with two braids hanging down the corners of his mouth.
He made a sign to the guards and they let the group forward, where they sat down, close to the fire.
"Are you the emissaries from King Horik?" He asked, earning a nod from Ragnar, "You are wasting your time. It is my land and I want it returned.''
"The king hopes we can achieve some kind of agreement." Ragnar explained, "He wants to make peace with you."
"I shall have peace with the King when he leaves my land." Borg rejected the idea.
"How can you have peace with the King, when you insist on humaliting him?" Ragnar wanted to know.
"If I invade and defeat him." Borg argued, "Would he not be more humalited?"
"Not if he fights well." Ragnar objected, "I any case. I believe he would relish a fight."
Jarl Borg seemed to think about this answer for a while, "What is your name?" He finally asked.
"Ragnar Lothbrok." Ragnar introduced himself.
Borg's eyes opened slightly. He had not excepted such famous guests.
"You areRagnar Lothbrok ?" Borg asked for confirmation, "The one who sailed west?"
"I am suprised that you have heard of me." Ragnar replied modestly.
"Of course, The stories of your exploits are far spread." Borg explained, "Why haven't we offered our guests warm clothes and food?" He asked one of his servants, "Eat and drink. Get yourself dry and warm. Tommorow we will talk."
The next morning, they ate breakfast before Jarl Borg invited Ragnar and Rollo to his table to talk about the land. They had all eaten their meals, but still there was food on the table and Ale in their cups.
"I take it away from what I just said yesterday." Borg began, "King Horik is prepared to compromise and offer some deal, regarding those lands. Or mine, which he still occupies."
"He is prepared to pay you to renounce your illegal claims." Ragnar explained, "Of his lands."
"You disappoint me, Ragnar Lothbrok." Borg said, "I almost thought you came here with a serious proposition."
"If you would just name your price." Ragnar said before taking a sip of Ale.
"The land is priceless." Borg explained, "What King Horik knows very well. And which is why he wants to keep the land for himself."
"Every piece of land has it's price." Rollo said, "Just like every human.''
"You don't understand.'' Borg argued, "We're not talking about a price of turf where you grow onions. There are minerals in the earth, the land is worth a lot. Which is why I assert my claim."
"King Horik resists your claim." Ragnar smiled, "But still, in good faith, he is prepated to settle with you."
"If you name a reasonable price." Rollo added.
"At the moment.'' Borg said, "My price is King's Horik's head."
"It seems, I'm done here." Ragnar smiled, standing up from the table.
"Please, sit down." Borg offered, "Let's see if we can find another way.''
"What do you have in mind?" Ragnar asked.
"What if my claim was acknowledged, but I was willing to lease the land King Horik during his lifetime." He offered, "Or if we defeat judgement on the ownership but share minerals rights? Can we negotiate this?"
"Sure, why not?" Rollo replied.
"I have not been given the authority to negotiate this manner." Ragnar sighed.
"You mean King Horik send you here with nothing but a demand?" Borg asked furiously, "And yet he speaks of peace..."
"I don't know what is in his mind." Ragnar said.
"Well, maybe you should ask him?" Borg proposed, "Why don't you send one of your men back to King Horik and tell him of my proposal? In the meantime, you and your men can visit our famous ash tree. It is not only famous for it's size but it also never loses it's leaves. Some think it might even be Yggdrasil."
Ragnar nodded.
"I have only one small request." Borg said, "I would like one of your men to stay behind, as kind of security. You understand, I hope?"
The group left the great hall on their horses, with Rollo staying behind and Floki heading another way, as a messenger to King Horik.
Rollo was sitting in the hall with Jarl Borg.
"You seem to get on well with your brother." Borg began, "I once had a brother too."
"Really?" Rollo asked.
"We were as close as we could be. We fought together in the shield wall, we shared women." Borg told him, "Then our father died and there was fierce competition, who would never be his successor. Although I was the oldest. I was not sure that I would secceed. I was still elected at the Thing. And at the feast, my brother poisoned the drinks. I only survived, because my wife took the cup that I was about to drink from and drained it herself in celebration. My beautiful, young wife. We had just gotten married. Her screams haunt me for the rest of my life."
"Ragnar would never do such a thing." Rollo said, knowing that Jarl Borg tried to separate him from his brother.
"Of course not.'' Borg agreed, "Your brother is a great man, a great warrior."
"As am I.'' Rollo stated.
"I'm sure you are." Jarl Borg agreed, "But before you came here, I had never heard of you.''
The group was riding through the Gotland countryside. When they reached a river, Ragnar let them halt and set up a camp.
"Further down the river is a waterfall." Their guide told them, "There's some excellent fishing."
"I'll go." Arne declared.
"And I will go, too." Thornstein added,
"That makes us three.'' Vigi added, "For everyone knows. Five eyes are better than three."
They walked along the river until they could see the waterfall in front of them. They walked closer and suddenly ducked. They saw a beautiful naked woman which was standing in the pool, bathing. They stared at her in awe for a few moments before someone interrupted them.
"Keep your eyes away from them." A voice behind them said. The three warriors whirled around and saw four shieldmaidens stand behind them, their weapons directed at the three.
"I can't see. I'm blind." Arne joked, holding a hand before his good eye.
One of the women lashed out with her axe and slashed Thornstein's cheek.
"What? Are you going to kill us for protecting the reputation of our mistress.'' Another one asked as Vigi's hand moved to his axe's.
"We came on your mistress by chance." Vigi tried to explain, "We meant no harm. We're strangers here, guests of Jarl Borg."
"Jarl Borg? Why did you not say so at once?" She replied. Arne, Thornstein and Vigi were about to go away, when the woman who had bathed came closer to the group.
"You spied on me." She accused them.
"They say they're guests of Jarl Borg." One of the women told her.
"Are you here alone?'' The mysterious woman wanted to know.
"No. We're traveling with Earl Ragnar Lothbrok.'' Arne explained.
"Then I think, Earl Ragnar owes me an opology on your behalf." She smiled.
Back at the camp, the three men were sitting in front of Ragnar.
"I never knew that fresh fish was also covered in soap.'' Ragnar teased them, "Now you get your cheek slashed and I shall apologize for the three of you, staring at her?" He asked annoyed. Arne nodded.
"We went there to fish, we saw her bathing there. What were we supposed to do?" He asked.
"Fish?!'' Ragnar suggested.
"You did not see her." Arne objected.
"Who is she anyway to put such a high price on her nakedness?" Ragnar wanted to know. Arne merely shrugged.
"Well, tell her I invite her here. Neither dressed nor undressed, neither hungry nor full, neither in company nor alone." Ragnar told him, "Can you remember all that One Eye?"
Ragnar looked up from the campfire, as a young woman approached the camp. Ragnar stood up and met her halfway. He carefully mustered her and had to admit, she was pretty. She was clad in fishnet, which hid just enough to hint a very well shaped body. She was chewing on an apple and held a dog on a leash.
"So, Earl Ragnar. I come to you neither dressed nor undressed, neither hunry nor full, neither alone nor in company.'' She spoke, "Do I pass your test.''
"I owe you an apology.'' Ragnar replied, "Come and join us.''
He guided her back to the campfire and let her sit down on an dog log.
"May I ask you your name?'' Ragnar began.
"My name is Aslaug." She replied.
"We're on our way to see the great Ash tree.'' Ragnar explained, "Will you come along, Aslaug.''
"Of course I will.'' She smiled.
In the great hall in Kattegat, Siggy and Lagertha were weaving. Siggy began to cough and kept coughing for almost a minute.
"What is it?" Lagertha asked, concerned.
"I just visited my cousins a few days ago.'' Siggy explained, "She had just put her young son in the ground."
"How did he die?" Lagertha asked.
"One day he caught a fever that made him sweat and cry out in the night.'' Siggy told her, "And the next day, he was dead." Then Siggy collapsed before her eyes on the floor. In a moment Lagertha was knelling beside her, helping her to a bed.
The group was travelers was standing at the foot of a tree, staring in the sky in astonishment. It was at least three times as high as any of the surrounding trees. The uppermost branches were not even to be seen from the ground for they vanished between the clouds.
"If this is Yggdrasil, then it must be the same three that Odin hanged himself from." Bjorn said, looking to the crown in the clouds.
"Why not? All things are possible?" Aslaug replied.
"I hung from a windy tree. For nine longs nights, I hung there'' Ragnar told them the story of Odin hanging himself, to find out how the death felt like.
Kattegat had been fully hit by the fever. Siggy had only been the first one to get sick, but within hours, there had been many more. Juta and Lagertha were taking care of mother and daughter. The great hall had been opened to everyone as quarter for the kick.
Myrus was taking care of the others as well. Wiping the coughed up spit and blood from the faces or placing wet towels on their brows had become a task for everyone.
In the camp, the mood was good. Night had begun and everyone was having a good time. All except Bjorn. He was staring angrily at his father, who laughing together with Aslaug.
"What's wrong, my friend?" Arne asked, sitting down next to Bjorn.
"My father is making a fool out of himself." Bjorn grumbled.
"He's enjoying in the comapany of a beautiful woman.'' Arne said, "What's foolish about that?''
"If Lagertha were here, she'd cut his balls off!" Bjorn replied in anger.
"Then it's a good thing she's not here." Arne laughed. Upon seeing the look on the boy's face he added, "Your father and mother are famous people. They love each other, everyone knows that. Don't begrudge your old man a little harmless fun."
In Jarl's Borg great hall, Rollo was eating dinner, watched by Jarl Borg.
''I trust that everything is to your satisfaction?" Borg asked.
"You treat me very well." Rollo replied.
"Well, we would like to keep you entertained, till your brother returns." Borg stated.
"You always talk about my brother.'' Rollo said.
"What choice do I have?" Borg asked, "He is your Earl." He indicated the two female servants, standing in the corner, "Which one would you like tonight?" he asked, "Why don't you take both?''
"I don't need to be bribed with women." Rollo refused.
"Then, what is it you really want?" Borg demanded to know.
Floki had reached the resistance of King Horik. Now he and the King were outside in the woods, talking about the gods. Floki told the story of how the gods caught the terrible wolf Fenrir in chains, forged by dwarves from the things, men could not see or hear.
"These things really interest me." Horik admitted, "Like the tricks of the god Loki. How he turned into a flea to steal the precious necklace from the godness Freya."
"He's only a very distant ancestor." Floki laughed, "I have come here to talk you about Jarl Borg."
The King looked at the boatbuilder, waiting for further details.
"He doesn't want to sell." Floki began, "But he is interested in a deal."
"But I am not interested in deals with Jarl Borg." Horik told him.
"That would make it very hard for Ragnar.'' Floki mentioned, "Are you not interested whether the negotations fail?''
In Kattegat, the fever spread further with every hour. Nearly every moment, another sick person walked into the great hall. By now, Myrus was sick, as was Gyda. Juta and Lagertha had been spared so far and were struggling to take care of the ill.
Lagertha knelt next to her child, holding a cup of water against her lips.
"Am I going to die?'' The girl asked.
"No. You are not going to die." Lagertha assured her.
Standing at the foot of the three, Aslaug spoke to Ragnar.
"I think I should tell you the truth about who I really am." She began, "I am princess Aslaug. My mother was the shieldmaiden Brynhilda."
"Everyone has heard of your mother." Ragnar told her.
"But I am not." Aslaud continued, "I am myself."
"Why did you come with us?'' Ragnar wanted to know.
"Because I had no choice." She told him.
Ragnar looked in her eyes for a moment, then kissed her gently.
"Why did you do that?" Aslaug wanted to know.
"Because I had no choice." He told her.
In the middle of the night Bjorn woke up. He was about to get back to sleep, when he heard panting and moaning from back of the tent. Carefully not to be noticed, he turned his head around. He could see Ragnar and Aslaug, together under he furs. He quickly turned away and tried to sleep.
The next morning he walked up to his father.
"I hate you.'' He said, "It's disgusting."
"I could not help myself." Ragnar admitted.
"Should I tell that to Lagerthayour wife ?" Bjorn asked furiously, "You cannot love her that much after all, no matter what people say."
"If you want to." Ragnar offered, "But I do love your mother."
"Swear to that It won's happen again." Bjorn said.
"I swear to you, it will not happen again." Ragnar said, "I love you."
The fever was still holding Kattegat in it's claws. Only very few were not sick. The sick people could no longer find a place in the great hall, there were just too many. Most of them stayed where they collapsed. The dead accumulated in the alleys.
Siggy was healed. She had begun to take care of others again. Carefully, she pulled back the sheet over one of the dead and let out a scream in horror. In front of her lay the lifeless body of her daughter Thyri. Siggy kept crying for hours.
"How is Myrus?'' Gyda asked Juta as she brought her a cup of fresh water.
"He is now so weak, he cannot eat." Juta explained.
"Pray to the gods for him, please." Gyda urged her.
"I will." Juta promised
In the meantime, Lagertha and most of those, who were not sick were outside on the beach. There were lots of dead bodies and each of them needed a funeral.
Night had fallen upon the camp where Ragnar and his companions were. Everyone was asleep. Aslaug clad in her nightgown walked carefully among the men lying on the floor until she had reached Ragnar. She lifted her shirt and sat on his belly. She began to kiss him, hungrily.
"No.'' Ragnar said. Aslaug stopped for a second, then kissed him even more passionate. Ragnar waited till she had breathe, then said, "No." Aslaud still kept kissing him, until Ragnar held her head between his hands, "I said no.''
Aslaud did not bother to hide her dissappointment. She nevertheless obeyed and walked silently back to her own sleeping place.
Unknown to both Ragnar and Aslaug, a pair of eyes was watching them the whole time. As Aslaug let Ragnar go, Bjorn smiled to himself.
At sunrise, several inhabitants of Kattegat has assembled on the town's square. One of the farmers had brough a goat with him
"Lord of Lords.'' Lagertha began, ''We offer you this sacrifice, hoping you find it pleasing.''
She quickly cut the goat's throat and completed the rite by smearing some of the spilled blood on her face.
At noon, Myrus awoke and rolled over on his cot. He was healed, then he looked at the cot next to him.
"Gyda.'' He tried to call her.
When she didn't answer to him, he stood up and looked closer. Her brown eyes stared at him back, empty.
This evening, everyone was back Jarl's Borg great hall. Floki had also returned from his mission. They were sitting on the table, everyone eating and drinking.
"So, what does the king say?" Borg adressed Floki, "What compromises is he willing to make?"
"Can I not eat first?" Floki asked, munching on a chicken's leg. He ate for a couple of minutes, then sighed, "He will make no compromise." He told the Jarl, "No deals. He says you must name your price."
"Or?" Jarl Borg asked.
"He didn't say ''or'''' Floki clarified.
"Well, it seems your mission has been entirely wasted, Ragnar Lothbrok.'' Borg stated,"You and your men must leave in the morning. Unless you want to renounce your alliegiance with King Horik.''
"Great.'' Floki murmured, "War.''
While everyone else was asleep, Rollo was still in the company of Jarl Borg.
"So I have no choice.'' Borg began, "I have to attack and claim what is rightfully mine. Clearly your brother will not support me. But what about you Rollo? Will you fight beside me? Together we can carve out a new kingdom. Is that not what you want? The death of your brother and the start of your own fame?"
Rollo looked at his eyes for a moment and was quiet for a few minutes.
"Yes.'' He finally said, "I will fight with you against my brother.
