Ubbe walked along a well trodden road, the reins of his horse Faxi in one hand, his sword in the other. As he held the sword loosely at his waist, his fingers strummed along the soft leather of its scabbard as he moved along the path. The amber stone necklace that belonged to Dahlia dangled at about his neck, resting against his heart, catching in the light at opportune moments.
Sigurd rode behind him, sitting with a straight back as his eyes searched the landscape. Tall trees with thick trunks spread continuously along the path, offered shade by way of branches that entangled with their neighbors. Due to the thick canopy, it was hard to say what time of day it was by the position of the sun. They had travelled a good distance, Ubbe knew, and his gut told him that they were quickly approaching their destination.
With Ivar returned to Kattegat and their minds set on revenge, they were roused into the tiresome business of raising an army. Ubbe and Sigurd had been traveling to nearby jarldoms to plead their case, while Ivar had stayed in Kattegat to manage emissaries and messengers to the further reaches of Norway.
Ubbe had been riding his stud, a gift by his wife's uncle, Faxi, for most of his journeys. He was a hardy horse who rarely tired of his job, always ready to please, and Ubbe was eternally thankful for the gift.
He had been riding that morning when the horse had thrown a shoe, the sound of clanking metal unmistakable in the silence that was the forest. Not wanting to sore the horse, he was forced to walk on foot the rest of the way into town. They were only a short distance from their destination, the earldom of Svende, and Ubbe did not mind walking, it distracted him from the war going on in his head over his hostaged wife. The guilt raging inside him was endless and there was very little else that occupied his head lately. The amber stone necklace thumped against his chest with each step, a constant reminder of his failures.
Brandr was off his horse walking with Ubbe, too fidgety to stay in the saddle any longer. He held the reins of his pony in one hand while the other slashed and parried his wooden play sword out before him. The young boy had not left Ubbe's side since hearing the news about Dahlia being taken as a hostage. He was like Ubbe's little shadow, always underfoot and never too far away.
Two of Lagertha's warriors followed as well, atop their own horses, shields slung over their backs, ax and sword on their hips, watching, waiting for Ubbe and Sigurd to slip in their story. They were looking for any evidence that he and his brothers were not really raising an army to avenge their father but instead raising an army to overthrow Lagertha. But they never got the evidence they were looking for, instead they encountered long days in the saddle, with little to no rest.
Ubbe was determined to cover as much distance as possible and collect as much support as he could before the year's end. He would find peace in accomplishing the goal of raising the greatest army in his people's history, even if that meant sleepless nights in the saddle. He was a convicted man and no one could stop him.
Brandr was the only one making any noise in their small group, as everyone else was too tired and grumpy to talk. The young boy muttered and grumbled at his enemy, too busy slashing at invisible monsters to notice the upturned tree root. His foot caught underneath, throwing him off balance and tumbling forward in a downward spiral. But before his face could splatter across the hard dirt packed road, Ubbe caught him by the hood of his cloak, the edge of his fingers barely hanging onto the reins, not willing to let go of his horse for the boy. Brandr gave Ubbe a sheepish grin as he found his footing but Ubbe ignored him. Silent in his walk of shame, he carried on, Faxi obediently following along.
Brandr stopped momentarily to thrust his sword in the belt of his pants before running to catch up with Ubbe's long strides, his pony trotting behind him.
'Ubbe.' Brandr panted, out of breath, trying to get the man's attention. Ubbe only grunted in response, too deep in thought to give the boy much attention.
'When will you teach me to fight?' Brandr prodded, accepting Ubbe's grunt as an acknowledgement to proceed.
'Soon.' Ubbe mumbled out as they approached the long house of Jarl Svende.
'But you-' Brandr exclaimed, irritated with the same response and no results. Ubbe eyed him briefly, curious to hear his argument but Brandr faltered under his watchful gaze, and promptly snapped his mouth shut.
Ubbe handed Faxi off to Brandr. 'Go find someone to tack on a new shoe.' Ubbe grunted.
Brandr nodded his head solemnly and turned on his heel, head hanging low, disappointment dripping off of him as he shuffled along, horses in tow.
Ubbe watched Brandr walk off, his lip twitching in agitation, he knew he was letting the boy down but lately he had been so distracted he didn't have the time nor the patience to fulfill his promise. He contemplated calling out to the boy to give him a real answer but Jarl Svende was exiting his longhouse greeting him and Sigurd with open arms and Ubbe conceded to his duties as son of Ragnar Lothbrok, prince of Kattegat, and the softest man in all of Midgard.
'Who am I to deny the sons of Ragnar Lothbrok?'
Jarl Svende asked no one in particular. His advisors sat nearby but they did not speak out, only stroking their beards and cocking their heads to the side, waiting for their jarl to answer. Ubbe and Sigurd met eyes as they shared a knowing look. It was a sentiment they had heard more often than not and were pleased to hear it again.
'Sköl!' Jarl Svende called out and the guests of the longhouse raised their cups in response. Though they had not been privy to the private conversation, they were happy if their jarl was happy.
Ubbe smiled nodding his head at Jarl Svende before taking a deep gulp of ale and settling deeper in his seat, tring to relax, and to not think about Dahlia. He had performed his duty, he had added one more jarl and his warriors to the list. He thought he might be satisfied with himself but still he could not find pride, only disgrace.
Ubbe half listened as Jarl Svende rambled about the year's crop, nodding his head at the appropriate time and asking follow up questions when deemed necessary but he did not care about the words that passed through the old man's lips.
Ubbe eyes followed Brandr who was running around the hall with young Svende, the jarl's youngest sons, swinging wooden swords at each other and generally getting under foot of the thralls.
'Your son will make a fine warrior some day.' Jarl Svende commented, watching his own son and Brandr parry and slash at one another. He meant it as a compliment but Ubbe felt the muscles of stomach clench at the mistake.
'He is not my son.' Ubbe corrected hurriedly. 'He is my wife's-' He hesitated a moment not wanting to give this stranger the wrong idea. 'He is my ward.' He conceded with finality and the jarl did not push for more answers.
Sigurd leaned over, whispering in Ubbe's ear about a pretty female across the room who had not taken her eyes off the brothers since they entered the hall.
Jarl Svende watched the brothers closely as he took a sip of his ale, his eyes then darting over to the female in question.
'Ah, you have noticed my daughter, Liv.'
Ubbe gave the jarl a tight lipped smile and a nod of his head.
'You have a beautiful daughter.' Sigurd replied as he raised his cup in the young woman's direction. She smiled back raising her own cup and a soft giggle escaped her lips before she brought the cup to her lips. She caught Ubbe's eyes as she lowered her cup to her lap. She tucked a strand of hair behind her ear, her fingers continuing to drag along the length of her blonde mane, her hand brushing over her bosom lingering there, pink lips parted as her blue eyes bore into Ubbe.
Sigurd let out a short laugh to himself. His older brother always had that effect on women. Ubbe gave Sigurd a lopsided smirk in response, who responded with a roll of his eyes, huffing as he sat back dejectedly.
'Prince Ubbe, my daughter is unwed.' Jarl Svende stated as he fingered a piece of meat on his plate, pushing it around before tossing it into his mouth chewing on it slowly. 'I am looking to find her a husband.'
Ubbe lazily drug his eyes away from Sigurd, his neck rolling over to meet Jarl Svende inquisitive stare. The jarl was smiling, proud for having thought of such a good match.
'I am flattered but I am already married.' Ubbe's eyes darted back over to Liv and then to Sigurd who was watching the young woman with lustful eyes.
'My brother, he may be interested.' Ubbe slapped his hand on Sigurd's shoulder and laughed when he startled him out of his reverence. Jarl Svende did not look as impressed with the second youngest son of Ragnar and sat back in his chair, sipping on his ale silently.
'Yes,' Jarl Svende purred out. 'I believe I have heard of your marriage to the islander. What a desolate place to inherit, it is nothing but sand. I hope the bride's price was fair.'
Ubbe let out a curt laugh, a smile forming on his face at the rude jarl. He took a sip of his ale trying to hide his annoyance. Gods, he was ready to go home.
Ubbe knew he was in his cups when he willingly allowed Liv to run her fingers through his hair. They slid like silk between the cropped strands atop his head. A burst of goosebumps erupted along his spin.
The force of his breath caught in his throat.
Dahlia.
She regularly would run her fingers through his hair when she allowed herself to be held by him. It was not often, only in her rare moods of tenderness would she cuddle up next time, all soft curves and smiling lips. He relished those moments.
Brandr whizzed passed in a blur. Ubbe caught him by the tail of his tunic only by chance, his eye-hand coordination less than ideal. Liv's fingers tickled his ear distractedly as she giggled with a girl next to her, maybe her sister, Ubbe had forgotten.
Sigurd sat nearby on top of the now empty dining table, picking distractedly at a borrowed lute as he observed his older brother with jealous eyes. Ubbe was not even aware of the beautiful blonde hanging off his shoulder.
Brandr skidded to a stop, halted by the tug to his shirt. He turned to Ubbe with questioning eyes and then they darted over to young Svende who was throwing him a scowling glare, wondering why his playmate had stopped. Brandr recognized the drunk haze dulling Ubbe's blue eyes, the same he had witnessed in his late father, he knew better than to fight and waited patiently for Ubbe to speak his mind.
'You called Dahlia, móðir, the other night.' Ubbe's words slipped out of his mouth in a quiet slur.
Brandr nodded his head slowly, his eyes searching, wondering if Ubbe's curiosity would exchange to anger if he spoke the wrong word. His tongue felt heavy in his mouth but he knew he needed to say something.
'You lost your mother, same as I that day.' Brandr related, his voice squeaked under Ubbe's watchful gaze, feeling intimidated by it. The uneasiness he experienced logically wanted him to take a step back, but held his ground, feeling reassured when Ubbe nodded his head in silent agreement.
'She is not my momma but she-' Brandr hesitated. He looked to the thatched roof hoping to find the words he was having a hard time expressing hidden in the rafters. 'She runs her fingers through my hair at night when I cannot sleep and I know my momma is there, holding me. I feel her when I am with móðir. I feel- ' Brandr lost his courage again, his eyes searching the ground but he could not put the right word to how she made him feel. His eyes found Ubbe's, who was hanging on his every word, as if he was hearing for the first time.
'At peace.' Brandr concluded. The corner of Ubbe's lip curved into a smile. He hummed out, agreeing with his sentiment. Brandr's mouth pulled into a large smile, showing off his teeth, happy to find that his guardian was attuned to similar feelings. His eyes traveled to the blonde entangled at Ubbe's side and his eyebrows furrowed into one, confused.
Ubbe brushed Liv's fingers away with a flick of his wrist. He settled comfortably into his chair when the blonde moved away, a blush deep set in her cheeks. Sighing, he took a sip of ale as Brandr waited patiently.
'At peace.' Ubbe mumbled into the rim of his cup, gulping the last of its contents. 'She is a tempest but when I am with her I feel as if I am in the eye of the storm, all is calm and serene. Without her I am-' Ubbe faltered, his eyes darted to Brandr who was distracted by young Svende, taunting him across the hall, wooden sword waving in the air. Ubbe flicked his chin in the boy's direction, releasing his charge of the duty to listen to him drone on about his marriage. Brandr skidded off without a word. Ubbe sighed heavily through his nose, falling deeper into his chair, his shoulders pulling up to his ears. He pressed the rim of his cup to his lips only to be reminded that it was empty. Standing to refill it, his eyes passed over Sigurd who was vainly trying to keep the attention of Liv, her half lidded eyes fluttered over at Ubbe's lingering stare. She gave him a small smile before leaning into Sigurd leaving a kiss on his parted lips. Ubbe laughed into his cup as he quenched his thirst.
He stepped in closer, one hand clasped onto Sigurd's shoulder, the other dangled his filled cup out before him in between long fingers.
'I see what you are trying to do.' Ubbe purred.
'What am I doing?' Liv inquired with pouting lips, eyelashes batting innocently at him. Ubbe brought the rim of his cup to his lips, a playful smile erupted as he peered down at her.
Sigurd set aside the lute, relaxing back onto his hands as he regarded his older brother with curiosity, a whisper of a grin forming, if there was one thing he could count on his brother for it was being a good wing-man.
'To make one of us jealous.' Ubbe replied with a shrug of his shoulders.
'Are you not Viking? Do you not want to stake your claim on what could be yours?' Liv suggested, her tongue running along her lips before dragging the lower one between her teeth as she waited for a reply.
Ubbe and Sigurd shared a knowing look. Ubbe nodded his chin in Liv's direction and Sigurd leaned forward, his fingers reaching out to her jaw sliding along the edge until they found the nape of her neck to pull her in for a lingering kiss. When their lips parted Liv stared breathlessly at Sigurd then to Ubbe who wore a cocky grin. He swayed back on his heels, clutching his cup to his chest as his eyes passed over Sigurd who was still mesmerized by Liv.
'I am Viking.' Ubbe slapped a large paw on Sigurd's shoulder. 'We are Vikings, but above all, family comes first and I will see my brother happy.'
Liv looked up at Sigurd with longing eyes, she leaned in their lips brushing against the others in a shared whisper. Ubbe laughed bringing them out of their reverence to peer at him questioningly. Drowning the contents of his cup Ubbe's chest deflated in a quiet huff. Grabbing them each by their shoulder he steered them in the direction of the private quarters, where Ubbe could only assume Liv slept. Sigurd slung an arm around Liv's waist, he leaned over whispering sweet words in her ear as they disappeared behind the lattice curtain.
Ubbe took a few uneasy steps back to his chair, his cup full and nursed his drink alone in an empty hall.
Ubbe woke some time later to the moon light filtering through open windows. He stretched his legs and lower back, stiff from falling asleep in a chair. As he tried to sit upright he felt the weight of a small body resting in his arms. Brandr slept in his lap, his head lolled to the side over the crook of Ubbe's elbow, his legs splayed out across his midsection.
Ubbe rolled his eyes at the situation he found himself in and with a grunt he stood up cradling Brandr's light weight in his arms. He carried the boy half stumbling over to a pile of straw tucked away in a corner of the longhouse that was to serve as their sleeping quarters for the night. A few large pelts of fur lay strewn across the straw and that was where Ubbe carefully laid the boy down.
He gently fell to his knees before lowering himself down to lay in the straw, it crunched under his weight. A shiver took over him at the lack of body heat and without thought, he maneuvered himself closer to Brandr. In the haziness of sleep the boy managed to curl up under Ubbe's arm, looking for warmth. Ubbe quickly fell asleep but was haunted by the nightmares of Dahlia being trapped away just within reach but never quite able to touch.
When Ubbe woke the next morning he left feeling tired and irritable, only mumbling half responses to Sigurd who happily chatted away about the girl Liv.
The sun was only just cresting the hill as they readied their horses to leave. The light caught in Ubbe's eyes, leaving him squinting as he adjusted the girth of his saddle. A wiley Brandr ran past, catching Ubbe's eye in a blur.
'Woah,' He called out, grabbing Brandr by the hood of his cloak, jerking him to a stop. 'Where are you going in such a hurry?'
Brandr kicked the dirt at his feet, mumbling something about getting his pony ready. Ubbe gave Sigurd a confused look and his brother only shrugged his shoulders in response, hopping up on his own horse.
'Look at me when you speak to me.' Ubbe chided tipping Brandr's head back by his chin. It was then that Ubbe understood why the boy refused to look at him, one eye was starting to swell shut, the skin a bright angry red. As Ubbe took further inspection he noticed the leather cord necklace with a golden trinket of Thor's hammer resting on Brandr's small chest.
'And this?' Ubbe demanded, lifting the small hammer in the palm of his hand, it was too nice to be in the possession of a previous slave. 'Where did you get this?'
Brandr shuffled his feet backwards, unwilling to answer Ubbe's question. Ubbe gripped Brandr's tunic in a fist, before the boy could slip away. He huffed out a stream of hot air through his nose. He was in no mood to play games. He wanted to be home and that was it.
Brandr swallowed the lump stuck in his throat trying to find the courage to speak up.
'I took it from Young Svende.' Brandr declared, his chin tipped back to meet Ubbe's gaze.
'What?' Sigurd cried out in disbelief, hearing Brandr's confession from atop his horse. 'We are trying to unite the country and your boy is trying to dismantle all our hard work! Ubbe!'
Ubbe kissed at his teeth, fingers pinching the bridge of his nose. He raised his hand as if he was about to snuff Brandr across his head.
Brandr flinched but quickly spoke up in his defense before Ubbe could hit him. 'He called mot-Dahlia an island whore so I punched him in the throat, and then we wrestled for a time,' Brandr faltered, looking the ground, kicking at the dirt but found his confidence and looked up at Ubbe with bright happy eyes, 'but I got the best of him! And I took the amulet as payment for what he said.'
Ubbe looked surprised and for the first time in a long time a true smile graced his lips. He hadn't smiled in what felt like an eternity, not since Dahlia had been taken, not since Odin had come to him with the news of his father's death, not since his mother had been murdered in the streets of Kattegat. He patted Brandr proudly on the shoulder, who looked both bashful and uncertain if he was still in for a beating.
'Good boy.' Ubbe said, then proceeded to lift Brandr up onto his pony, then mounted his own steed and spurred the stallion into a trot, headed home without another word.
Some time into the ride Ubbe turned to Brandr, his face once again solemn.
'I will teach you how to fight when we return to Kattegat. I promised.' Ubbe said with a nod on his head. A permanent grin was plastered on Brandr's face the entire ride home.
Ubbe entered the smithy with Brandr close at his heels. He had commissioned a sword for Brandr the previous week, it would be too big for the time being but Ubbe figured the boy would eventually grow into it.
He greeted the owner with a nod of his head, who immediately dropped what he was doing to find the sword in question. Ubbe watched as Brandr explored the smithy, poking at scraps of metal, trying to pick up a heavy hammer, and inspecting an anvil that was larger than the boy's head. Ubbe spotted Ivar sharpening the blade of his ax and approached his brother, who silently greeted him, eyes intent on the task at hand. Ubbe watched as Ivar worked the ax.
A blonde haired man who had been focused on the hilt of a sword noticed Ubbe and set down his work and approached the princes with a cocky confidence. Ubbe side eyed him as he came near with a slightly swagger to his gaze. He recognized the man as the one who had been hanging around his wife. The one Sigurd had pointed him out, Tyr.
'You are Dahlia's husband.' The man stated boldly.
A smile curled on Ubbe's lips, his eyes bright with humor at the man's arrogance. He would have to tell Dahlia the next time he saw her.
Ubbe's wife, she complained. They always refer to me as 'wife'. As if I could not be anything else, but I will be more! I am a princess in my own right, I do not need you to fix me with any titles. Dahlia would complain to him as she threw her hands in the air, frustrated.
He licked his lips in anticipation as the man approached closer, not willing to engage but curious to know what the man had to say. He crossed his arms over his chest, rocking back on his heels, waiting.
Ivar did not miss a beat and with gritted teeth, spoke to Tyr, his head bent in concentration on his axe.
'Do not be stupid, you know who he is.' Ivar tipped his head in the direction of Ubbe.
Brandr popped in at Ivar's side, watching the sparks coming off the blade in fascination. Ivar ruffled the boy's wild mop of hair affectionately before shoving him away as he was getting too close to the ax and likely to slice his face open.
Tyr watched their interaction quietly before speaking up, hands defensively at his belt, where his weapons rest. 'I know he is a coward letting the princess slip through his fingers so easily.' Ivar had stopped his actions giving Tyr a crazed look, with wide wild blue eyes. Ubbe bit the inside of his cheek, silently laughed to himself at the man's words. The blacksmith knew nothing of his predicament. He refused to be bothered by his opinion.
Tyr continued on, undisturbed by the brothers. 'He does not deserve her. If she was my wife I-'
Ubbe gave one last short chuckle under his breath before his patience ran too thin. He would not allow this man to ever think that he had an inkling of a chance of taking Dahlia from him. His hand lurched forward, nonchalant and subtle that it took the man unaware as he grabbed him by his shirt swiftly bringing him in for a hard head butt, pulling away his arm connected once then twice with his nose before breaking it fully. Blood flowed freely from Tyr's nose, dripping onto his white tunic. He took a moment to spit out the blood that had collected in the back of his throat, glaring openly at Ubbe, his teeth gritted in anger. Ubbe released his grip feeling he had gotten his point across. He did not have to break the man to prove himself. He could restrain himself. Tyr was breathing heavily, like a wild animal, from the quick burst of action. Ubbe nodded his head in finality, telling the apprentice that whatever had occurred was over but Tyr was unrelenting, wanting justice. The blacksmith snatched at a nearby ax that had been waiting to be worked on, and lifted it above his head ready to strike in a downward motion.
'Tyr!' The shop owner reappeared, eyes wide with disbelief.
Tyr hesitated, his muscles locked midair and Ubbe took the opportunity to grab his wrist, ready to throw his weight into him when Ivar's throwing knife embedded itself deep into Tyr's raised forearm. Tyr cried out in surprise and then pain as he looked down at his arm. He pulled the knife out with a low groan, gripping tight at the wound to stop the bleeding.
The shop owner rushed over handing off the sword to Ubbe, pushing it carelessly into his arms. Ubbe reached into his pocket trying to pay but was dismissed.
'Please take this as a gift for your son.' The man said motioning to Brandr who had disappeared in the chaos.
'He is not my son.' Ubbe interrupted in a clipped tone.
The shop owner shrunk away from his aggressive demeanor, apologizing a hundred more times for Tyr's behavior and for his mistake, bowing and sweating as his eyes darted accusingly at Tyr and then with worry at his prince. Reluctantly Ubbe took the sword, he did not like being given things without proper payment but thought that on a different day, when Tyr was not around, he would stop by to leave coin. He nodded of his head in thanks before leaving, calling out for Brandr who still had not reappeared. Ivar strapped the ax to his back, giving Tyr one last ardent glare before dropping to the ground to follow after his brother.
Inside his home early the next morning, Ubbe carefully placed his weapons at his hip, readying himself to leave. He was to meet Sigurd at the docks, they were headed to the next jarldom, this time by boat.
Brandr sat quietly near the hearth, new sword in lap, observing the smooth steel with wide eyes as his fingers ran repeatedly over the center ridge. Ragni was humming to herself as she worked over a hot skillet gently stirring eggs. They popped and crackled in the pan, spices aromated the room filling Ubbe's nostrils. His stomach felt ill. He hardly ate much these days. Ragni had noticed, though she did not say much. Instead she only gave him disapproving scowls when he did not finish his meals while his brothers and Brandr scarfed down theirs with fervor.
As if on cue Ragni placed a full plate of eggs and hot potatoes on the dining table, nodding to it expectantly. Ubbe shook his head, sliding his ax in his belt.
'I will be gone for a few days. Will you watch over Brandr?' Ubbe inquired, eyes intent on inspecting his knife's blade. Brandr jumped to his feet, hurriedly scrambling to Ubbe's side.
'What? No!' Brandr exclaimed, eyes pleading, new sword in hand. 'I want to come with you Ubbe.'
Ubbe grimaced, lips scowling at the boy's pleading tone. He almost replied with a yes but held his tongue. It would be a long journey and they would travel faster without the boy slowing them down.
'You must stay here to protect Ragni and the house while I am gone.' Ubbe crouched low on his heels, hand resting on Brandr's boney shoulder. The boy smiled sadly at Ubbe, nodding his head in agreement, slowly taking to the new responsibility.
'Ah, good man.' Ubbe boasted, patting the young boy on his back. 'Go, eat.' He pushed Brandr in the direction of the hot eggs. Ragni approached with his cloak and fur heavy in her hands, a scowl ever present on her lips. He took the cloak out of her hands, clasping it about his shoulders, feeling her burning gaze on him as he moved. It reminded him of Dahlia's heated looks, wondering if it was just a trait inherited from the small island.
He quickly thanked Ragni and turned on his heel to leave but hesitated at the door. He could not ignore the feeling that Ragni had something to say. Any other man would just brush off the thrall's misgivings. He did not need her opinion, he was a prince, above her station with no need to entertain her feelings, but empathy restricted him. He liked to think himself a good person, not one to abuse his position. He would rather be loved than feared and if that meant taking a moment to hear out his wife's thrall he would do it.
His lip twitched in agitation with himself, he could be halfway to the docks if he wasn't so considerate. He turned, peering down at the silver haired thrall who watched him with cat-like eyes, her lips pursed in a thin line.
'I feel as if you have something you want to say to me.' He sighed, clasping his hands before him, trying to show his patience.
Ragni smiled slyly, it had only taken a week of harsh glaring for the young prince to finally acknowledge her ire.
'When will you bring back Dahlia to me? You should not have left her this long.' She stated, shaking her head, hardly able to believe that she was lecturing a son of Ragnar. She expected more of the man Dahlia had been forced to marry, he was supposed to be the kind one. The young woman did not deserve to be abandoned, swept away like dust under the rug.
Ubbe scoffed at her bold words, raising a brow in her direction but she did not waver under his gaze. He opened his mouth to reply but Ragni was quick, cutting him off before he could begin.
'Listen to me, Ubbe Ragnarsson.' She lectured sternly, pointing a finger towards his chest. Her gaze caught sight of the amber necklace and she faltered for a moment, a smile creeping on her lips before she turned her heavy gaze on Ubbe. 'The gods have decided our fate but we determine if it is entertaining to them or not so we can either let it pass by with a wave of our hand or we can grasp hold of it and wrangle it to our submission. It is for you to decide but either way it is time for you to bring home my Dahlia.' Ragni stressed the last few words, her voice breaking, and her eyes pleading with the look of a mother who had their child snatched from their breast.
Ubbe sniffed dejectedly, stepping away from the thrall. He appreciated her loyalty to his wife but he did not have the time or patience to defend himself against her accusations. He gave her a curt nod signalling to her that the conversation was over. He slipped out of the cottage without another word, long strides taking him towards the docks, fearing with each step that he might no longer be able to sit idly by as his fate passed before him.
The harbor was slowly filling, merchants crowded nearby with pop-up stands excited to have their wares exposed to so many people in the coming months. Curious townspeople watched the loading ships as they passed by to and fro. Gulls cried out overhead, calling to their friends in loud screeches. Ubbe walked the length of a long dock, the wood creaking under his feet. He had left Sigurd at the boat, telling his younger brother to go on without him. Sigurd had complied, not pressing for information, only smiling proudly at him, as if he already knew his motives. Ubbe was not sure he even knew his own motives but he knew his fate did not lead to getting on that boat with Sigurd.
Ivar was posted at the end of the dock, seated on a stout barrel, eyes intent on the ships ahead, not turning to greet his oldest brother. He had a wicked smile on his lips as if he saw his entire future laid out in the many boats approaching. Ubbe wished he could see his destiny so clearly.
He tenderly clapped Ivar on the back of his head, purposefully ruffling his dark hair.
'You are supposed to be gone with Sigurd?' Ivar accused, dark eyes casting on his form. Ubbe shrugged his comment off, his own gaze intent on the incoming ships. He watched them approach with fascination. He could hardly believe that this had all been their doing. They had worked hard to gather this army, and it was not over yet but now he could see some of his labour come to fruition and it excited him. He felt a fresh wave of adrenaline rush over his bones.
'He will do fine on his own.' Ubbe declared with a wave of his hand. The pair had been relaying their message enough that he had no doubt that Sigurd could do it on his own.
'Tell me you aren't really going to allow Lagertha to escape her punishment?' Ivar prodded to bring Ubbe's attention back. Ubbe hesitated for a moment before answering. He knew his youngest brother was right, Lagertha deserved to die. She had killed their mother and taken his pregnant wife. It was unforgivable.
'No.' He finally answered in a determined voice.
'We must have revenge.' Ivar replied knowingly, his blue eyes boring into Ubbe, whose own eyes were downcast thinking of Dahlia, not wanting any repercussions to be taken against her because of their bloodlust for revenge.
'Yes.' Ubbe said with a nod of his head.
'And sooner rather than later.' Ivar prodded, seeing the hesitation in Ubbe's eyes.
Ubbe sniffed, noncommittal to Ivar's timeline.
'Then why are we waiting?' Ivar demanded with a shake of his head, impatient with his always practical brother.
'There is something I must do first.' Ubbe declared, turning on his heel, cloak catching in the wind. 'Do not do anything stupid while I am gone.' He called out.
Ivar gave Ubbe an incredulous look as he watched his brother stalk away throwing his hands in the air with annoyance, he was not done with the conversation.
'Where are you going?!' Ivar yelled out to his retreating brother but received no answer.
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