From his spot at the observatory. Thor could see all realms, and he could see all of the realms. He could see all of Jotunnheim.
And while Thor had taken a very keen interest in Canute and his group. Thor had also noticed others, similar groups which had formed across the realm and started to re-build.
Laufey was dead of course. His two sons had vanished, assumed dead. So now the remaining Jotunns were battling for power.
Those whom already had land were expanding and taking in lost Jotunns, others took it as an opportunity to claim new land. Battles were going on all across the realm as Jotunns fought for power.
And there were even some. Aiming at becoming the next Jotunn king.
These Jotunns were the most aggressive, doing their best to affirm their power and challenging others to combat to take over their lands.
It was only a matter of time really, before someone became aware of Canutes steadily growing settlement.
A lord called Skrymir whom already had a foretress and huge piece of land about three days travel from Canutes settlement.
Skrymir to had scouts on snow wolfs and they had approached Canutes settlement.
It had ended in confrontation quick.
"This land belongs to Skrymir!" The Jotunn all decked up in fine armour not available to Canute spoke. "You are squatting on his land."
Canute crossed his arms as he stood tall. "Your lord is a liar. This land was unclaimed until I claimed it! This belongs to me and my clan!"
The Jotunn snorted. "Who ever heard of any Canute? You're not even of noble blood."
"This is my land and my clan!" Canute stated. "Tell your Lord that he can stick it up his ass. If he has any issues. He may come to face me himself. Or keep hiding away as a coward." he spat.
The scout sneered but turned to return to his lord. Only a week after the scout returned with several warriors in tow.
Canute and his Jotunns though were ready. They had been building a wall for a reason and this was it! They were ready with their defences.
Bows fired and raining down on their attackers.
Jotunns hiding in the rocks around them and surprised attacked and though Canutes settlement was outnumbered. They chased their attackers offer without loosing a single Jotunn.
A few days after and finally, Skrymir himself arrived.
He was clearly older than Canute. Bigger than him. Riding a massive snow wolf, bigger than any of the ones Thor had seen Canute using.
And he was surrounded by his guard. The very Jotunns whom had been send fleeing just a few days prior.
"Who?" Skrymir asked. "Who dares to defy lord Skrymir and steal his land?" he asked.
Canute appeared at the top of the wall. Standing there as he looked down. "I am no thief. This land is new and was unclaimed. But I do defy you. I do not bow to liars." he stated as he stood with crossed arms.
Skrymirs eyes narrowed as he held his sword, a long broad sword in steel. Glistening in the light. "You have proven yourself a fine warrior Canute." he admitted. "And your people as well. Join me! And you shall live. Defy me again, and your settlement will burn to the ground!"
"I have a counter proposal." Canute replied. "Leave and we shall not speak of this again. Try to burn down my village and you will die." he informed. "Unless you join me! Bow for me. Then I might have mercy on your soul."
Skrymir huffed. "You have moxy boy." he admitted. "But you are nothing. A no one little runt. And it is time you either learned your place or died!" he stated as he lifted a hand and roared. "BURN IT DOWN!"
And Canute shouted. "DEFEND OUR CLAN!"
And both groups of Jotunns roared as they entered combat. The wall kept Skrymirs men out as arrows ones again rained down, but this time they held up furs to shield them.
They brought a large wooden beam to beat in the gate and finally they burst in only to be faced with warriors waiting with long spears.
Canutes people forced Skrymirs people to the mountain and from above, a stone was loosened starting an avalanch burrying Skrymirs soldiers.
That only made Skrymirs eyes widen in anger and he roared as he swung his sword at Canute himself whom deflected with his home made spear.
"Who do you think you are?!" Skrymir asked. "I never heard the name Canute! You are a no one, nothing!"
"I am the one they chose to follow, simple as that." Canute replied as he counter attacked. "It wasn't my desire. But that is just what happened. And now I have a responsibility." he came for Skrymir again who roared and the two engaged in combat.
"You will die today!" Skrymir stated. "And soon I will be king of Jotunnheim!"
"King." Canute snorted. "If that is the title you truly desire you may have it. Just don't expect me to blindly follow a liar."
And the two roared as they ran towards each other. Skrymir swung his sword. Canute dodged and rolled in the snow getting back up on his legs with his spear. Skrymir swung again and Canute in a smooth movement bowed for a dodged and skipped forward with his spear the spear going right into Skrymirs chest and penetrated his heart.
Skrymirs eyes widened while Canute held the spear in place, blood splattering out, hitting his face and body and Skrymir looked down.
"You…" Skrymir gasped. "You're not what you… What you claim to be." he gasped. "Those moves. Only a seasoned warrior." he gasped and coughed, spitting up blood. "Who…" he asked. "Who is it, that took my life?" he asked.
"Canute." Canute replied. "That is who I am, and who I will be."
And then Skrymir fell to the ground, his eyes rolled back into his skull as he breathed his last breath. Finally Canute let go off his spear, now lodged in Skrymirs chest. Instead he bowed down and picked up Skrymirs sword which he held up into the air and yelled.
"SKRYMIR IS DEAD!" Canute roared demanding everyone's attention. "SURRENDER AND LIVE OR FIGHT AND DIE!" he shouted.
It took a few seconds but then Canutes people started to scream and cheer, celebrating their leader while Skrymirs men panicked. Some fell to their knees and they were spared. Others continued to fight in a panic and they were quickly dealt with while the shouts continued.
"Long live Canute!" "Long live Canute!" "LONG LIVE CANUTE!"
Thor was to engulfed to even speak. He had no words, he tried to comprehend what he was witnessing.
He knew what he was seeing down there. Canute wasn't just a Jotunn. He was a true hero, a true leader. One of those people you only heard about in old songs and legends.
He was one of those people from legend.
Canute lowered the sword, his sword he had now claimed for himself. Covered in blood, only wearing a worn leather loin cloth as well as the necklace made of Ursa teeth. And yet Canute stood tall and looked as regal as anyone Thor had ever seen.
Canute… He wasn't kind. His world and situation didn't leave much room for kindness.
He was uncompromising.
But he was fair… Above all else Canute was fair.
Thor realized. He did not agree with all Canute did, he could not agree with all of Canutes orders or way of thinking. But his respect for the man grew and grew.
It would be quite something, if one day they could stand face to face.
Thor sincerely doubted that would ever happen though… He was the crown prince whom had brought utter havoc and destruction to Jotunnheim for no reason. Most likely Canute would try to kill him on sight.
And Thor couldn't even blame him for it. Not really.
"My lord." Rygul approached Canute with a horn filled with their home made Alcohol he offered Canute.
Canute took it and drank out, only glancing shortly at the one armed Jotunn whom was also covered In blood from all the fighting.
"What are we to do with Skrymirs men my lord?" Rygul asked.
"Give them the choice." Canute replied. "I killed their lord, so now they can decide to swear loyalty to me or run away. By Jotunn law. Skrymirs land is now mine. Ours." he stated. "Those who decides to become part of our clan. Ask them to bring me Skrymirs old treasures. Knowing his kind he must have a couple of barrels of mead. I think my clan deserves that loot."
"As you wish my lord." Rygul bowed for Canute. "Perhaps then tonight, I could ask you to give Myri your blessings?" he asked a small smile being on his lips as he looked up. "For in her body, grows a new life!"
Canute looked at him. "She's with child?"
Rygul beamed as he stood up. "Yes my lord! She informed me this morning!"
"You." Canute held up a finger at Rygul. "You get twice the amount of mead! This child is a sign. Our clan is growing. And as the child grows big and strong so will we!"
Rygul grinned, his entire face one big smile and he bowed. "Thank you my lord!"
It wasn't to soon after that Canutes clan still high on the rush from battle started to party and laugh. Roasting a big beast preparing for a feast to celebrate their victory.
Canute though had gone to the river and jumped in for a swim. First he swam a bit up the stream before going to a more sallow spot and started to scrub himself clean of all the blood.
Thor swallowed, his throat dry. "Let me speak to him." he asked.
Heimdal nodded. "As you wish my prince."
The familiar buzzing went over Thor and he swallowed. Then he spoke. "Canute."
Canute looked up, this his eyes narrowed and his entire face spelled murder. Which was quite something, because Thor had already seen him kill one person today.
"I just wanted to congratulate you." Thor stated.
"When will you leave?!" Canute asked annoyed. "What do I have to do to make you leave?" he asked.
"I'm sorry." Thor muttered. "I just… What you are doing. It's…" he breathed. "I can't even find words."
"What I am doing?" Canute asked. "I am doing what I have to do. Nothing more."
"You are a true leader." Thor breathed. "I thought I was… I was wrong."
"Oh, you are looking to try and learn?" Canute asked then his eyes narrowed. "So are you watching our every move?"
"No." Thor replied in a defensive tone. "I have things to do!"
"But you can see everything happening on our realm?" Canute asked.
Thor halted. "Yes." he admitted.
Canute groaned. "Imagine if this was a less knowledgable race. A being who sees everything talking inside of your head. You think maybe that's why people started to call you gods?"
Thor halted, his mouth opened then it closed… Well… Okay… Good point.
Thor cleared his throat. "You don't want to be king of Jotunnheim?" he asked.
"What for?" Canute asked.
"You could be a hero." Thor tried to reason. "Become a legend told through the ages."
"What good does that do me now?" Canute asked annoyed. "And being king automaticity makes you a legend? Please." He rolled his eyes. "Laufey died an idiots death. And he will be remembered as the moron whom lead Jotunnheim to its destruction. Until we wilfully forget him to bury the shame."
Thor halted… It felt odd hearing someone talking like that about their own king. Even if it was a former king. Thor could never imagine anyone raise any such criticism towards Odin. It was just wrong.
Being King meant you were wise and great! It meant…. According to Canute… Absolutely nothing.
"The way I see it now…" Thor halted. "I see all of Jotunnheim. What is going on. The kind of leadership you provide. It could safe the realm."
Canute silenced, he lowered down into the water so his head was now half covered.
"Jotunnheim is fractured, destroying itself. It needs a leader. It needs a king." Thor stated. "And that King can't just be anyone. It must be someone like you."
"Hmm." Canute smirked amused lifting his head above the water. "Am I chosen by god now?" he asked.
"No." Thor replied. "I am just giving you my perspective on things."
Canute rolled his eyes.
"You want to safe this realm. Don't you?" Thor asked. "That's why you are doing this. Just joining Skrymir would have been easy. You could have been protected and given riches for your skills. But the people who follows you would be under his thumb. You want more for them. To actually safe them."
Canute glanced down but didn't speak.
"I want to help." Thor stated. "I want to help safe them."
"Why?" Canute asked. "Why would an Asgardian care what happens to Jotunns?" he asked. "Is it because of your dead brother? Huh? Still feeling guilty?"
"That's part of it." Thor admitted. "Another part is that Asgard carries blame for this situation. But most of all… It's just right."
"What luxury you posses." Canute commented. "Having time and resources to care about another realm."
"Aye. It is a luxury." Thor admitted. "How can I help?"
Canute silenced, he looked in front of himself.
"Canute?" Thor asked.
"You can see what happens in the realm correct?" Canute asked. "Keep me updated. Tell me what is happening out there! Which houses are rising and which are falling. What happens at Jotunnheim ground?"
Thor nodded seriously. "Aye. A lot of things are happening." he admitted.
"I have time." Canute replied.
Thor smiled grimly. "Very well then." and then he begun telling Canute about what was happening in the rest of the realm.