Right, just a few things to start.

Asgard is Scandinavia,

Vanaheim is Britain,

Midgard is Ireland.

Loki and Thor are not gods, but named after them.

This fic will refer to some of the historical actions of the Vikings, with added extras as I see fit.

All names will have a pronunciation aid at the end of each chapter.

Loki was getting sick of being at sea; several sunrises ago he felt as though all he would never crave anything again as much as he craved the soft grass and earth beneath his feet. The only solace he had was that if nothing else, they were going to a new land, west of Vanaheim, one not yet pillaged.

It too had begun to embrace the odd idea called Christianity, the "One God" nonsense, but Loki did not care for their precious God, all he cared for was their "churches" as they called the place of worship for their God, as they were usually filled with treasures of gold and jewels along with unarmed and easily overpowered monks and priests.

The sea was rough, the storm god Thor was angry. Loki's brother, named after said God, was beside him, and his mood was no better. "Do you think my namesake is angry with our quest? Thor asked as he rowed.

"I think it is more he is testing us, testing our courage and conviction." Loki responded between strokes, both men looking to the heavens.

"Or perhaps it is your namesakes doing." Tyr barked from his seat. "Loki, the God of Mischief, he would think nothing of drowning us all for his own amusement."

"Keep talking instead of rowing and I will drown you myself." His counterpart snapped. "Then you can ask the Gods themselves which of them is to blame."

"Loki does not reside in Nilfheim, does he?" Asked another man, Cnut.

"He resides in Valhalla with the other Gods, you uneducated fool." Thor informed him. "What stories were you told as boys?"

"They were probably busy being taught how to cook and braid their hair." Loki joked, earning him laughter from all aboard the longboat.

"Loki Odinson, I will have your tongue for such words," Cnut threatened.

"Try it." Countered Thor "You will have both of us to deal with."

"Will you all just row for the love of Freya? Baldr demanded becoming exasperated with the crew.

"Out of curiosity, how far is this land supposed to be?" Thor enquired.

"A days rowing apparently." Baldr responded.

"We have been rowing near two." Complained Rollo. "We're lost."

"We are no such thing." Baldr roared.

"And how do you know?" Cnut demanded. Baldr merely smirked and pointed up. All the men followed his instruction and erupted into laughs and cheers. The sky was filled with seagulls and other birds, a clear sign that land was close.

"Another doubt out of you Cnut and I shall collect your head personally" threatened Baldr. The other man remained silent after that, fearing the wrath of the leader.

The group rowed with renewed gusto, and soon land came into view, growing gradually larger and larger, before the boat finally touched the sand of the golden beach. Each warrior lay down his oar and searched his box for his shield and weapon. Loki's were close to hand, as were Thor's thanks to their training as children from their father. They scoured the shores and land in front of them. The vegetation was deep green in colour and high, a sign of good rains and growth; they should be able to feast well on the lands in front of them. As though to confirm their thoughts, a pair of rabbits fell from a grass covered dune fighting and chasing one another along the beach. Thor turned to Loki with a wide smile and the younger brother reciprocated in kind, knowing of Thor's love of the animal in a hearty meal.

"What in Hel is that?" Thor wondered aloud. The group looked around and saw what the large built man was referring to. They knew of churches and monasteries from their trips to Vanaheim, but they were unsure as to what the round, extremely thin and tall building was next to the hamlet. It stretched well into the sky, and seemed to have one window at the very top of the tower, and a door, which surprisingly was the height of a man and a half from the ground.

"Perhaps it is to allow them to be closer to their beloved God." Loki suggested. The others laughed at the idea of such a thing, but agreed it was as likely a reason as any for the odd building.

The group headed towards the tower, which acted as a marking point for the settlement, much to all of their amusements. It was similar to the monasteries, of Vanaheim, wooden stake walls protecting stone structures, no match for their seasoned warriors. Loki, Rollo, Cnut and three others were helped to scale the wall, they searched the yard and saw no dangers, so Loki ran and opened the gates. The rest of the raiders entered quickly and they all headed to the chapel.

It took them a moment, but they soon realised the settlement was completely absent of people, though it was clear it had been populated mere minutes before. Thor and Loki noted half eaten food, still burning fires and abandoned duties as they walked through the village, neither man dared lower their weapons. The chapel was as abandoned as everywhere else, the golden chalices removed as well as other cartable valuables to, however, there were some pieces left behind and they were swiftly stripped from the building. All other valuables and foods were also taken from around the small village, though like Vanaheim, the monks had very few personal possessions.

The group continued to look round, but especially towards the tall tower. Thor was the first to the base, with Tyr and Loki were close behind. Tyr looked to the door. "How do you suppose they get up there?" he wondered.

Loki walked to a nearby ditch and got his answer. There, hidden in the thicket, was a ladder. "Help me with this." He called out, causing both other men to rush over and aid the younger man. By the time they had retrieved it and brought to the tower, more of their group, including Baldr, were at the structure. The leader nodded is approval and the ladder was placed to the door. Thor sheathed his sword and handed his shield to Loki. The younger brother took it apprehensively, Thor was second in command so it was his duty to go, but Loki hated him being left near defenceless as he checked out the door. Thor took his secondary weapon from him belt, a large hammer and he ascended the rungs. He steadied himself and tested the door, discovering that it was unsurprisingly, locked. He raised the hammer and attacked any perceived point of weakness. It broke apart under the powerful blows fairly swiftly. Putting the hammer back on his belt, Thor silently called for his shield, which Loki threw to him, and the muscular warrior entered the structure. After a moment, he called for more to go in. Loki rushed forward to join him, along with Tyr, Baldr and one other. Cnut and Rollo waited outside as guards.

The tower was level after level of small circular rooms with a ladder at some point within to lead up to the next floor. Each one as abandoned as the one before. Though there were no people present, there were different goods and items stored on each floor, cloths, foods, and other useful items, which would be great for supplying them for the journey back to Asgard. After seven floors, they came to the final and highest one. There was a large window facing towards the ocean, taking in the whole horizon, and a bell.

"Well this explains a lot." Loki commented as he touched the bell. "They are learning."

"And word is spreading of us and our kind." Thor noted.

"Let us carry what we can and bring it back to the boats." Baldr ordered and the group descended the tower hastily enough, doing as they were commanded along the way.

Half way down the tower, Loki noticed a small ray of light coming from one part of the wall. He dropped the box of pelts he was holding and pulled his axe from his belt and cut the clasp of the wooden window shutter. Pushing it open he was able to see the surrounding land.

"Anything of note Loki?" Baldr asked climbing back up the ladder and walking over to the window.

Loki looked at their leader with a wicked grin on his face. "Oh, yes." Baldr looked to where Loki was implying and beamed widely.

A few fields away were the monks of the monastery, attempting to hide and flee, slowed in their escape by carrying large chests and boxes. They would not be so easily seen had the warriors not entered the tower for the added vantage point. What made the marauders even more excited however is what they noticed the fleeing men were aiming toward, there in the distance, less than an afternoons walk away, was a large village.

Baldr – Ball-der.

Cnut – kuh-noot.