…The Iron King…

/Warning/: This chapter contains, cursing, sadness, blood and violence, and maybe a lot of crying! And who knows what! All reviews are appreciated.

P.S: This is an Alpha/Beta/Omega dynamic story, it's also a Medieval story with Viking Tony ^o^

"Character talking"

"Character thinking"

…Flashbacks…

Chapter 5

Starkad could only chase after his son when the boy took off, chasing after that foolish Omega. As much as Starkad wanted to scream and snap at how things ended, he knows that it was his fault, acting irrationally even when the stubborn queen threw the truth in his face without a care about the consequences. He chased his babe until his son slipped out of his sight, nearly causing Starkad to snarl; he knew his boy was always nimble and fast on his feet, but that didn't give him the right to use it against him, just to chase that foolish Omega he met not a few months ago!

Growling Starkad could only stalk the roads in search of his son, hoping to catch where the foolish Omega had gone to and with him his boy. "Starkad!" someone called out to him, which caused the Alpha to whirl around and glare at the person who dared to disturb his search, only to raise his eyebrow when he saw Braes running toward him with ashen face and fear in his eyes.

Tensing Starkad rushed toward the healer, already feeling that there is going to be bad news he will receive, for his friend never looked as panicked as he did right now. "What is wrong, Braes?" Starkad asked when the Beta stood in front of him trying to catch his breath, it was only a few seconds later that the Beta took his hand and start dragging him somewhere, and Starkad was forced to run unless he wanted his face to meet the ground.

Any other person who even dared to act the way Braes did would have met their end by Starkad's hands, but as it was, the Beta had been Starkad's friend for over a decade and a half. "A brawl is taking a place on the main road, Hamar and his followers are terrorizing the queen when he was heading to his people, the young prince tried to stop them and…" Any other word Braes tried to tell him went over his head, and he starts running as fast as he can to the main road, his heart was pounding in his throat at the thought of his son being in the middle of a brawl, especially a brawl that had Hamar in it, for the man always played dirty, and always tried to take away his most prized possessions.

The thought of that foolish defenseless pregnant Omega with a too big mouth in the middle of the brawl and his overprotective babe who was probably trying to protect him, made Starkad's Alpha let out a deafening roar inside of his head that nearly made Starkad stumble, but the Alpha righted himself and rushed toward where he was hearing the snarling and growling, informing him that he was close.

Reaching the man road, the Alpha had to stop himself from letting out an angry roar when he saw Hamar stepping on his babe's hand, while his baby was crying and trying to wiggle out of the lesser Alpha's hold, just as he was about to rush toward his son, an angry snarl was let loose, nearly causing him to shiver to the bones at the fury and rage it holds, and from the corner of his eye, he saw the foolish queen rush toward Hamar and tackling him to the ground, far away from his babe as he could.

The feeling of pride, gratefulness, and elation lasted only a second in Starkad's heart, because suddenly the queen froze in his place, and fell to his side, still frozen unmoved, Starkad gazed at the scene with wide eyes, when he noticed the bloody blade in Hamar's hands and the cruel smile on his face. Suddenly an enraged roar shook the place causing everyone who was gazing at the brawl to freeze, and it was only a second before Starkad realized that the roar came from him, but by then that didn't matter, for Starkad was already descending upon Hamar, making sure to break his face with the strongest punches he was throwing, for he was not holding back anything.

"He is not breathing!" Braes panicked voice broke him from his haze, and he let go of Hamar who was a whimpering mess on the ground, he ended up rushing to Braes, and Starkad took in the queen, his eyes widening uncontrollably when he saw the red that painted the front of his shirt, causing Starkad's heart to nearly stop.

"He… he is in shock…" Starkad murmured, his eyes darting around the place trying to find something that will help him stop the bleeding, not finding anything, Starkad cursed as he ripped his left sleeve, and pressed it to the Omega's abdomen, trying to lessen the bleeding if he couldn't stop it.

"He is… with a child…" Braes's voice cracked as he whispered, realization painted his eyes, Braes' face was taken over by rage and he nearly turned to Hamar to finish what Starkad started, but thankfully the Beta was able to calm down and he turned to the Omega, knowing that saving the queen is more important than killing Hamar… everyone knows that not all Omegas can survive the shock their bodies go through if they received a fatal injury to the stomach while pregnant. "Starkad, take him to my hut, Bótey is there she will be able to stop the bleeding until I arrive, I will bring Petrus there shortly, I just need to send a word to Nattalegg and Klint, so that they will come and hold the Alphas until their trial." Braes send him a warning look when Starkad was about to protest.

Starkad though was feeling guilty, for only now he noticed his son who was sitting a little farther away from them, gazing at the Omega with teary eyes; the tears refusing to slide down his face, but Starkad noticed how the boy was clenching his hands in anger uncaring of his injuries; as the Alpha stood up, his movement seemed to snap Petrus out of his frozen statue and he too scrambled to stand, ignoring Braes's concern as he followed Starkad who adjusted the Omega in his arms until he was holding him tightly, not fearing that he will fall.

As much as Starkad wanted to tell his babe to stay with Braes, his son followed him, sending him angry looks that shut Starkad, for deep down, Starkad knew that this was partly if not all his fault, and if the foolish Omega never wakes up after today, not only his son will blame him for the rest of his life, but he will have an orphaned child who will resent him and seek revenge for being the cause of his mother's death, and let's not forget the headache of the Omega's followers that will plan his death like it was nothing.

For his sake; he hoped that the foolish queen will survive…

Starkad gazed at the men that were forced to kneel in front of him with a dark look in his eyes; his scent spoke of rage and anger, sending terror down everyone's spine when they were able to catch his scent. Everyone was present to see the trial, and most of them were staying far away from him and the men; news had traveled fast, especially when it was known that the king's son was attacked and hurt by Hamar and his followers, everyone knows that if you touched the king's things no matter what they were, you are going to receive a harsh punishment; his people were already terrified as it is, not only was Hamar stupid enough to hurt the king's son, but he had also hurt one of his slaves. The slave part wasn't that much important, for a lot of people treated their slaves like dirt, but not everyone in the village knew about the runes decorating the Omega's arm but if they knew it will cause chaos, not only that, but it seems that a few of his people realized that the Omega was pregnant when he went into a shock, and that was another crime by itself, attacking a pregnant Omega, no matter who they were was forbidden.

After Starkad was able to make it to Braes's hut, he made sure to leave the queen in Bótey capable hands hoping that the Omega's stubbornness will keep him alive if not for himself, than for his child who probably heard what happened from one of the people who never kept their mouth shut. Starkad remembered how he went to his son, hoping to hold him or at least check how severe his injuries were, but the Alpha only gets his heartbroken when his son shuffled away from him, not even looking him in the eyes, and when he did, he saw the uncertain and pain shining in the pup's eyes like he wasn't sure how to act around Starkad anymore, and that more than ever made him angry partially at himself, but also he was furious at Hamar for had finally done it, he had finally signed his death warrant by attacking his son and the queen.

And now here he was, standing over those who dared to act like they were kings in his place, passing judgment and acting without an order from him, they just signed their death, and they knew it if their pale faces and the fear shining in their eyes were any indications. They were shifting around the place, the six of them, Starkad knew them, and he knew about their lives, trouble makers they were, and if it was up to Starkad he would have kicked them out of his village a long time ago, but with Hamar's father being one of the influential members of the village his hands were tied, but thanks to Hamar stupidity, any punishment is now within Starkad's right to apply, and he was going to kill all of them, unfortunately, he can't kill Hamar for his father threaten that if his son is to die, then they shall see what they don't like, but it doesn't mean that the punishment Starkad will serve will be light; oh, no, the punishment Starkad has in mind will make Hamar wish for death after he was done with him, it will make Hamar's father beg him to kill that useless Alpha.

Starkad can feel his advisors shifting in their places; Jamti and Magna were on either side of him, their eyes flashing dangerously as they took in Hamar who was a shivering mess, his face and clothes stained with his blood, curtsy of Starkad's rage and the queen protectiveness of Petrus. Everyone was mad, but no one was as mad as Loki, who was screaming threats and promises of pain and death, the only thing keeping him in his place was his brother who was having a strong grip on his shoulder; no one saw Loki like this before, for the Alpha was the picture of calm and collected, and him turning nearly feral on Hamar, informed all of them that the Omega was truly one of their people and that if the news reached king Odin (Loki and Thor's father) about what took a place here, it will not only mean the alliance and friendship between their villages was over, but it also meant war, and Starkad, even if he was sure that his people will win, he was certain that the causalities and deaths that will take them to win will be fatal and crushing.

"Do you know why you are here?" Starkad asked calmly, shifting in his throne, Jamti, and Magna who were standing on each of his sides send him a look; probably the two of them were shocked about the calm tone he spoke in, in contrast to his angry and raging scent that was suffocating the hill they were hosting the 'Thing' on. Hamar on the other hand was flinching and whimpering every time he moved, probably still in pain after getting his face rearranged. "Do you?" That question was asked in a shout, making everyone flinch, even Magna and Jamti, who knew that no harm will touch him and that only those who were kneeling at Starkad's feet will be met with a dark fate tonight.

"I… I attacked t-the Omega after insulting him and drawing the f-first hit…." Hamar stuttered from his place, not even daring to raise his eyes from the ground; everyone tensed like a bow when Starkad stood from his throne, everyone trying to back away from the Alpha who seemed more deadly than he was a few seconds ago, as the wind sends his raging scent toward those who were standing in the back.

"You attacked the Omega? Is that all? Do I need to remind you about how you attacked my son?" Starkad snarled, his fury made panic and fear fall upon everyone, even Loki and Thor shifted in their places, tensing every second that passed, the king was a few seconds from killing with his bare hands; everyone knows not to touch the little prince because it meant death; no matter what people's opinion about the little pup was, and how some were angry that Starkad will ignore his duty of marrying a beautiful maiden and settling down and producing heirs, their king was content with taking care of a child born out of wedlock; it doesn't matter to the Alpha though, for touching his boy was the fastest way for someone to be thrown into the sea after being tortured nearly to death.

"I was doing nothing wrong but teaching that slave a lesson, it was your son who barges in where he was unwelcomed!" Hamar suddenly snapped, which caused everyone to gasp and back away, the scent of terror filling the hill, even those who were with Hamar shuffled away on their knees away from him, wondering how much of an idiot the man was for talking back, no one talk back to the king without some punishment involved.

The cruel smile that took over the king's face made everyone's breath hitch, even Loki and Thor, the fierce warriors became as quiet as mice as they waited for the punishment that will befall Hamar. "A slave you say?" The humor in the Alpha's voice, scared even the strongest warrior there was, one thing was known in every place in their world, the Iron King was a volatile entity, one second he could be your best friend, smiling, joking, showering you with gifts, the next he will turn into your worst nightmare as he stabs you in the heart; he wasn't called the Merchant of Death for nothing. "Then do tell, Hamar, did you see the marks of a slave on the Omega?" Starkad cooed, his words made everyone still as their eyes widen even more if that was possible, even the advisors and the king's friends, they weren't immune to the shock.

Realization dawned on Hamar and his face paled even more as he realized that, no, the Omega doesn't carry the marks of a slave, his hair wasn't cut short, but it was long, his clothes weren't ripped and old, but they were new, as new as any clothes that someone who had the wealth owned, there were no bruises on his body, he doesn't walk with his head lowered to the ground the Omega hold it high as he walked down the streets, and his son always play around the village not forced or bound to any work, it all leads to the realization that no, the Omega was not a slave, he was free as any citizen walking down the street. "B-but… but y-you said…" Hamar stuttered, the realization of what he did and what that meant for his punishment made him feel faint, for attacking another citizen and an Omega at that was punished by death after being tortured for an unknown amount of time. "You cannot kill m-me, m-my father will not allow it…" Hamar said in the last attempt to save himself from his approaching death, which gained him a loud and joyful laugh from the king, and that, more than ever sealed his fate.

"You are right, I cannot kill you, but it does not mean I cannot kill your little followers, nor does it mean I will not punish you, for you not only attacked my son, but you attacked a pregnant Omega who held the sacred runes that formed the word 'Life' on his person, and you have cursed us with death and plague, for Goddess Frigga will punish all who hurt those who carried her bless!" Murmurs and panic start taking over every person on the hill, for only now did everyone realization of what Hamar's actions caused them. "An Omega who went into a shock after you hurting their unborn… do you know what kind of punishment awaits us from Goddess Frigga? Plague, sickness, starvation, death…" Starkad's smile widens even more at the panic he saw on everyone's faces. "Now, your punishment shall be known to the Gods, Goddesses, and everyone standing on the hill, for only a true sacrifice will stop Goddess Frigga from seeking to curse us." Starkad words were followed by screams of agreement, the fear of being cursed and abandoned by their Gods and Goddesses pushed any sympathy they held for the criminals, no one wanted to be cursed with plague and death because a few idiots didn't know when to pick their battles. "For daring to attack the Omega that held Goddess Frigga's blessing, you are punishment are death, in the form of 'Blóðörn', the sentence shall be executed tomorrow at dawn." Gasps of shock and fear took over the people, for not once since they start living in Mantta did this severe punishment was performed on anyone, and seeing their king ordering it, it made the knowledge of how serious their future punishment at the hands of Gods finally sink.

"No, no, please my king, we did not know, pleases!" The men start shrieking as one after another they were all dragged by the Nattalegg and the warriors under her commands until no one but Hamar left kneeling, Hamar who was sobbing and pleading for his punishment to be lighter than the punishment those who were with him received, everyone was standing silently waiting for what their king will inform them next, fear still coursing through everyone.

"The ones who will execute the punishment are Loki and Thor, for the Omega that was hurt was one of their people." Starkad stated, which made Loki gaze at him with narrow eyes that soften as he nodded his head in thanks, followed by Thor who was grinning in a feral way as gazing at Hamar with hunger in his eyes, which made the man shiver and sob. "As for dear Hamar, tell me, which hand did you use to stab the Omega, hmm?" Starkad asked with a curious tone, which made the lesser Alpha shiver and shake his head, a plea shining in his eyes as he gazed at Starkad. "Which hand?" Starkad snarled, which gazed the kneeling man to whine pathetically and show Starkad his right hand, which made the Alpha smile like a feral beast. "Will then, it is of no use to you after today." Starkad gave Jamti a nod, causing the man to walk forward and take his ax from his belt, which caused Hamar to shriek and try to scramble away, only to be stopped by an arrow pointing to the back of his head, which informed everyone that Klint will make Hamar suffer worse than just his punishment if he dared to move again, when Jamti secured Hamar's hand he swung his ax in one swift move, cutting Hamar's hand, which caused Hamar to shriek and cry in pain, as he held his stump, trying to stop the blood from flowing. "Everyone! Standing in front of you now is an outlawed, he is no longer one of us, everyone who dares to help him will be punished in the same way he was. Klint, if you will please throw him out of the village." Starkad ordered, which caused the Omega to give a dangerous smile as he gazed at the moaning man who was shaking.

"Wait!" Starkad narrow his eyes when he heard a voice ordering him to stop, which made him gaze around the place to see who dared to interrupt him. Only for his eyes to fall on James, the queen's pup, who was glaring at them with red-rimmed eyes as he was panting like he ran all the way here; in one of his small hands, the boy was holding a dagger, as he glared at anyone who dared to look in his way. "You took your justice, now it is my turn to take mine." James hissed, glaring at Starkad in the eyes, which made amusement shine on the older Alpha's face, and secretly Starkad wondered what the small boy will do with the dagger.

"Is that so?" Starkad's eyes shined as the small boy growled at him, it amused him greatly how strong-willed the small boy was, but he wondered if the boy has the heart to take a life, even if that life was that of a pathetic worm who was on his way to death. "Well, then, he is yours." The king said with humor painting his voice as he pointed at Hamar, who was shivering and gazing at the small boy who was glaring at him, if a look could kill, Hamar would have already started rotting in Hel, and for a second, Starkad couldn't help the pride at how much the small pup has the same glare as his mother, it only meant that the boy will be a feared and fierce warrior when he grow up.

Starkad thought that the boy will do nothing other than walk and try to stab Hamar with all the strength he has, which was nothing, as the boy was still too young, a youngling that was meant to stay home and help his dam with the house, too young to work in the fields. What the small pup did though, made everyone's eyes widen as they gazed at the small pup who pulled Hamar's hair and start cutting his braid with the dagger; it was as public as the claim can be, the boy, the small pup that was not even six summers, gave the public claiming that Hamar is no longer a free man, the boy practically took Hamar's statue as a free man and turned him into a slave.

Starkad, he couldn't help but laugh in delight when the boy was done, the boy was truly his mother's son, fearless, stubborn, and somewhere between stupid and courageous person, not only that he knew the old ways and how to insert his dominance even as a child, but he was fearless; Starkad had to admit, the queen raised someone who will one day become a great man, a true king, and a ruler. The boy narrow his eyes and growled at him before turning around with his head held high, a dagger in one hand and a man's dignity and freedom in the other as he walked toward one of the queen's followers, the mouthy woman who always followed the queen…

Yes, that was the queen's son…

Steven groans as he woke up; he opened his eyes slowly, blinking a few times to gain his vision back, when he did, he gazed around the place, frowning at the unfamiliar room he was sleeping in. Steven turned to his side, furrowing his brows when he noticed that his babe was sleeping with him on the bed, clutching his hands in one of his small ones, while the other was holding a dagger. It made Steven concern about why his babe was holding something as sharp as this, and he wondered who gave it to him, for he would have never allowed his babe to touch something as sharp as this.

Suddenly memories start assaulting Steven, causing him to hold into his gasp and close his eyes tightly, trying to hold in the scream of pain that bubbled inside of him, as he tried to ignore the emptiness that seemed to crush him, the emptiness that only now Steven was able to notice, after his memories were back, and for a second, Steven wished he was dead.

His Omega, for the first time in Steven's life, his inner Omega was silent, it was as if it disappeared as if it was never there in the first place, and as much as it broke Steven's heart, his heart wasn't as hurt and bleeding as it was at the thought of the pup that he no longer felt inside, it made Steven open his eyes and stare at the ceiling tiredly, wondering if it was worth it, crying over a dead pup that he didn't even hold in his arms; Steven needed to put all of this unneeded emotions away, so far away until he has the time to reflect on them, until he wasn't feeling like he would scream and cry and curse the Gods because of them.

"Mama…" James murmured as he woke up, gazing at Steven who turned his face toward his babe and gave him a small tired smile, seeing Steven awake, James gasped and his eyes start clouding with tears, as he all but throw himself in Steven's embrace when the Omega opened his arms. "I was so worried, you did not wake up for seven days, they said…. They said that you may not wake up, they said…" James let out a sob, which caused Steven to coo, he winced as he tried to sit down, the pain in his abdomen was sharp but he paid the pain no attention as he held his babe tightly in his arms.

"Shush, little one, I am fine, I am here, and no one is taking me away." Steven whispered, giving his pup a gentle smile as he kissed his forehead, whispering soft words of love and encouragements in his ear, causing James to whine and hide his face in Steven's neck, shaking as Steve ran his hand on the boy's back, trying to calm him down least he got sick from all the crying.

"I see you are awake." A gentle voice said, making Steven turn his eyes to the person who was standing near the door with a tray, Steven glared at the man, even when the Beta gave him nothing but a gentle smile, though, the Beta didn't seem to be phased by his actions. "My name is Braes, the village healer." The man said as he came toward Steven, ignoring the way that the Omega hides his babe away from the Beta, something that Steven admired the Beta for not pointing. "Now that you are awake, please drink this, it was a miracle that you survived the shock, I do not want all of my hard work to fall apart just because you refuse to take the medicine." These words were said in a firm tone, causing Steven to roll his eyes and take the mug from Braes' hand.

Steven gazed at the medicine, that seemed to be a herbal drink, after giving it a sniff, he scrunches his nose at the sharp smell, taking a sip from the drink; after confirming that he knew the ingredient of the drink and that there wasn't any poison, Steven held his breath and drank all of the medicine in one go, ignoring how he start feeling nauseous for taking the drink on an empty stomach. "What happened to Petrus?" Steven asked, his mind wandering to the small pup that endangered himself to try and help Steven, from the corner of his eyes, Steven noticed the surprise on Braes' face, probably wondering why the queen will ask about the king's pup.

Steven ignored the gentle smile on the Beta's face, narrowing his eyes as he waited for the answer, which the healer answered him happily. "He is fine, just a few bruises and scrapes, his right hand is bruised badly, but it will be fine in a week or two." The healer explained, causing Steven to frown but nod his head to the Beta's words. "As for you, you need rest, no work allowed for a fortnight until the stabbing wound is all healed, the shock will go away in a few more days, as for any heat you fear falling a victim for, do not worry when a shock is enforced, it usually takes months before the body regulated enough that an Omega can go into heat." The healer shifted uncomfortably, causing Steven to close his eyes and nod his head, letting out a sigh, nothing the healer said Steven didn't know, for he more than anyone else knows the arts of healing, though he wasn't about to tell anyone that.

"Where is Margaret?" Steven asked, his question followed by a confused noise from the healer, which made Steven frown but give the Beta a raised eyebrow. "Margaret, a female Beta that I'm sure would have screamed the foolish king's ear off, even if she doesn't understand what he says?" Steven stated, which made realization paint the Beta's face as he let out a huff of laughter.

"Ah, the mouthy one, she is sleeping outside the room, poor girl, screamed until her voice was gone." Braes shook his head in amusement as he stood up, taking the cup from Steven and giving him a soft smile. "I will give you a few minutes to freshen up before calling the girl, then I will bring you some broth to eat." The Beta then left, causing Steven to sigh tiredly and turn to his baby, who seemed to have fallen asleep on his shoulder.

"My queen!" Margaret gasp as she rushed inside the room, letting out a sob when she saw him leaning on the wall behind him, the tears in her eyes caused Steven to smile gently at the young girl and open his arms causing her to let out a sob and rush in his embrace, clutching his shirt tightly just like James. "I thought… I thought you will not wake up, after the seventh day, they said…" Margaret let out a sob, hiding her face in Steven's neck, being mindful of James who was snuggling in his breast, Steven hated that he was the reason that Margaret was crying, and as much as he hates it, he couldn't control what happened that day.

"I am sorry Margaret, though I am fine now, so please do not cry." Steven whispered, which caused the Beta to let out a sob before gazing at him with teary eyes; looking at Margaret's face, it reminded Steven that Margaret was still young, just fifteen springs, who didn't know that much about the world that asked too much of her. "I am here now, do not cry, you know I hate it when you and James do that." Steven kissed Margaret's forehead, which caused the Beta to shudder and hide her face in his neck.

"Did the king force you?" suddenly Margaret pulled away, heat and rage burning in her eyes as she gazed at Steven. "It was that barbaric king, he forced himself on you did he not? He got you… he… and then… I will kill him!" Margaret hissed darkly, looking a minute away from going through what she stated; only getting a sigh from Steven who gazed away.

"It was Johann's…" Steven finally admits which caused the Beta's eyes to widen all the strength seemed to leave her as she gazed at her hands helplessly. "That foolish king could not touch me even if he tried which he did not, though, from what I have heard around, The Iron King is the kind of person who will kill anyone who takes pleasure from another without consent, charming is it not?" Steven informed Margaret, he can see the tears sliding down Margaret's face, and he felt more helpless than he did before when they didn't stop.

"I… I am sorry; I should have been there…" Margaret's voice cracked, which caused Steven to close his eyes trying to stop the pain from entering his heart and hurting him even more, when Steven was able to collect his barriers he smiled at Margaret, even when he was feeling like he was dying on the inside for what he was going to say next.

"Do not feel like this; I never wanted the child in the first place." Steven said, feeling like he was forced to drink poison after saying those words with how bitter they felt while leaving his mouth. "What happened to those who attacked me?" Steven finally asked, planning on going after them and killing them one after the other, ignoring the laws of this village if it meant getting his vengeance and pride back.

Margaret stayed silent before she took a deep breath and gaze in his eyes. "They were executed, the king ordered them to be punished with something called… called… I think that James said it was the 'Blood Eagle'? I do not know what that meant, to be honest, but everyone ran inside their houses in fear after the king informed them of the punishment." Margaret said, causing Steven's eyes to widen and for a shiver of fear and disgust to run down his spine, and for a second he felt a little sympathy for those idiots who attacked him, for even Steven wouldn't wish that punishment on his worst enemy. "Five out of six were given that punishment, as for the last he had his hand cut by an ax, and was branded as an outlawed and kicked out of the village, James… he cut his hair, the king gave him the permission for it… I think? I do not know why everyone was shocked about the hair being cut." Margaret said which caused Steven's eyes to turn toward his baby with shock and pride, letting out a huff full of laughter when it finally sinks that those who hurt him were punished…

It didn't stop Steve's pain, but it will do for now…

So what do you think?

Finally after a long time, an update!

Now, I think everyone needs some explanation for what took a place in this chapter, let's go!

Bótey: Betty Ross who is Bruce's wife.

Hamar: I don't think that needs an explanation because it's Hammer.

Now to answer your question about The Thing: Norse society was governed by quite strict laws which were discussed and decided upon at a meeting called a Thing. Usually held at a specially chosen field or open space, the community would assemble at the Thing to settle disputes and disagreements and enforce these laws that had been handed down from generation to generation. The trials of people who were thought to have broken the law were also held at the Thing. If a person was found guilty the relevant punishment would be handed out by the law-speaker.

'Blóðörn': Or more accurately in English as the 'Blood Eagle' The blood eagle is a ritual method of execution, detailed in late skaldic poetry. According to the two instances mentioned in the Sagas, the victims were placed in a prone position, their ribs severed from the spine with a sharp tool, and their lungs pulled through the opening to create a pair of "wings", it was the cruelest and most gruesome torturing method because the person being punished was supposedly alive when they do the cutting and getting their lungs pulled out, it was so hideous that historians questioned if such thing exists.

Now I am sure everyone is probably wondering why Hammer wasn't punished as severely as his 'friends' were, to answer that: It's because he admitted his crime in hurting Steve, in Norse society as long as the accused was open and honest about his crime and killing and announced it straight away, then they would normally escape death and could be outlawed instead. However, being outlawed was a tough punishment and could sometimes be very dangerous even resulting in death. Outlaws had to completely remove themselves from their community and they couldn't receive any help or protection from members, they also could be lawfully killed by anyone at any time.

Damn! I did a lot of research for this chapter, my head is spinning! Though it was fun learning so much about Vikings, if you excuse me, I will return to my searching about Vikings' lives.

Read and Review

And tell me what you think…

Nazaki-Sama