The return to Xuchang was slow and for the most part uneventful. Vignir rode a horse gifted to him by Cao Cao himself, keeping close to his new lord and the ten year old Cao Pi, seated behind his Cao Cao.
"Father, who is this stranger?" The young boy questioned with a hint of disdain.
"Show some respect my son, this 'stranger' brought down Lu Bu" the warlord shot back at his son, who eyed the viking angrily.
Having remained silent and facing forward, Vignir finally broke his silence "With all do respect my lord, I am not of noble status. He has every right to look down on me"
The warlord's hand moved to his goatee "You are now one of my two personal guards, tasked with protecting myself and my family. My eldest will show you the respect fitting of one in such a high position. Won't he?" His voice now stern, causing the young boy to flinch
"Y-yes, of course father..."
Upon return to Xuchang, the exhausted army was ordered to enjoy a time of leave to celebrate their victory, yet Vignir disobeyed, choosing to accompany Cao Cao whenever necessary, going as far as dressing in full armor while attending a feast in honor of his victory over Lu Bu.
Many generals and officials eyed the large man with surprise before Cao Cao finally spoke what they were thinking.
"Tell me Vignir, why do you not dress comfortably? We are in no danger here."
Vignir handed his empty plate to a passing servant before turning to the men eagerly awaiting his response
"We northmen do not dress comfortably. We are people of war with a love for battle, so our armor rarely leaves our bodies...and when we die, it follows us to the afterlife, where we eat, drink, fight and fuck to our hearts content alongside our gods!" He answered, raising his goblet high with a laugh before drinking his wine in one shot.
This newfound excitement caused everyone in the room to follow suit; even Cao Cao began to laugh, drink and sing with the party.
Over the next two years, life became routine for Vignir; he did as Cao Cao said he would.
One day however, Cao Cao called his bodyguard to a personal council.
"Tell me Vignir, you've been with me for two years and I have not sought any input in terms of our military...and now with war on the horizon, I would like to change that." The warlord spoke as he stroked his goatee.
Vignir sat, stroking his large beard "...in my homeland, we would raid coastal towns for resources as we couldn't farm the almost always frozen ground...we did this with longships, a narrow ship with a shallow hull to allow easy sailing in rivers. These ships could carry raiders and archers, a fine combination."
The few generals in the room seemed to like what Vignir said, offering money to assist in the construction of such a ship, even Cao Cao seemed impressed.
Cao Cao, after a long silence, finally voiced his approval "A ship of that kind will be a major asset against Yuan Shao...I'll see that my shipwrights begin construction immediately"...
Within a month (and a mass effort from shipbuilders and generals alike) the idea of a longship became a reality, with Vignir offering his family crest for the design on the sails.
"The ship has come along perfectly, my lord" Vignir spoke to Cao Cao as they walked the deck of the new ship.
"That it has...that it has" Cao Cao paused to gaze upon the red sunset "war is brewing...the coming battle will determine who will control the central plains. It will be the most important battle we've ever faced"
Kneeling and bowing his head, Vignir began to speak
"You will have my support until you release me or death take me, my lord"
Hearing this, Cao Cao did something surprising...he smiled. "I am ever grateful for your support, but rise, we have much to do in the coming week, let us go."
With a nod, Vignir followed his liege back to the castle, ready for the inevitable battle that would soon be upon them...
