Chapter One: A Man is shown, rites of passage, and blessed by gods.
Disclaimer: I do not own Vikings, Naruto and the elements from Mythology. They are both owned by their respected creators.
Pairing: Judith, Thyri, Siggy
I would like to thank everyone for being patient with me and my lackluster and crap work schedule, I know I keep leaving y'all hanging with I promise stuff and from the bottom of my heart I apologize. Hopefully you should be looking forward to chapter two of my invincible story soon.
If you would like to join AizenTheGoat's discord server here is the code- /umd6hMTX
Eastern Baltic, 793 A.D.
All around were blood, dead bodies and many scattered and forgotten weapons. Three figures stood out amongst the few remaining straggler enemies that would soon be claimed by the valkyries and guided to valhalla.
The first figure was a tall individual with blond hair with his sides shaved off and pulled back into a braid that was currently in a jumbled mess from all the fighting he was currently in and a thick beard. He had otherworldly blue eyes as he looked around the decimated battlefield before spotting his nice opponent and engaging him in battle.
The second figure was much taller and bulkier than his counterpart with long brown hair, with his own long beard and blue eyes as well, to a much lesser extent though, he was wielding a two handed axe which he used with brute force to cut down his opponent, hearing shouting behind him he saw the first person without a weapon and being confronted by another enemy.
Calling out their name he tossed them his weapon and continued onto his next kill with a sheathed dagger.
The third person…
A cry of excitement rang out followed by a dying scream, friend and foe looked over to see what was making the commotion.
A single person was surrounded by six enemies while a slew of dead bodies surrounded the vicinity. The man that stood out like a sore thumb was a relatively tall person that had nothing on which exposed his many tattoos and scars, he had on some trousers that were tucked into fur-covered boots; shielding him from the elements was a large bear cloak.
He had sun kissed blonde hair that was pulled back into a messy ponytail with a few strands sticking to his blood and dirt covered face, blue eyes that seemed to almost glow as a small decent sized beard covered his face, if you looked close enough he had faint marks lining his cheeks that was hidden underneath his face.
Armed with two axes that dripped with the blood of his enemies, he grinned, an expression that screamed bloodlust and the promise of pain he charged in like a predator finally going in for the kill.
Reaching his first kill he slashed them through the throat, not even giving them enough time to process them dying he moved onto his next target just as they were all getting there barings together, by that point he already slammed his ax into his next opponent's chest and didn't stop even when he heard their body dropped and the remaining men moving into high gear.
Suddenly one of the men came upon him with a slash, but their attack was too slow and wild and was easily parried and for that was punished harshly by being tripped and getting an ax through the skull.
The last three circled him cautiously, as they were not eager to meet the same fate as their brethren. The person just grinned at them as they took a step back at the terrifying sight the man was projecting, giant bear cloak, wild hair with a face that was covered in blood and some getting on his teeth and unholy blue eyes giving him the visage of a demon.
Another enemy stepped up and rushed him, he went for a few attacks that while albeit having a bit more skill was cut down all the same with ease. The other two were not so brave and slowly backed up with fear in their eyes before proceeding to run, sighing he twirled his two axes expertly before flinging them at the cowering enemies, they hit true and were buried into both of their backs.
Walking up he yanked them both out and flicking off the blood and sheathing his axes, looking over the battle was essentially over. Breathing out and inhaling deeply to smell the air that was saturated in blood, death and grass he started walking towards the other two figures that were regrouping.
"Naruto, hurry over here!" One of the figures requested, making him grunt in acknowledgement and speed up.
"Coming Ragnar!" The now named Naruto came up to the two before he was embraced in a hug between all of them. Naruto sat on the ground to enjoy the nice breeze starting to pass through alongside stormy clouds
"Thank you brothers" Ragnar smiled as put his hand on both brother's heads and they looked up at him and smiled.
"Ragnar!" Called out the oldest brother, aka Rollo Lothbrok Sigurdsson as he was resting beside his youngest brother.
XxXx
Scandinavia/Kattegat
The village of Kattegat was thriving, many people going about their days, whether that include fishing, hunting, training, selling their wares and products, something was always happening in Kattegat.
On the secluded side of the village, behind a worn down outhouse were two figures immersed in interesting activities.
"Naruto! Oh god, you're so deep inside me" a female voice moaned out as they continued to bounce back with the rhythm of the sexual dance.
"Oh? So you wish for me to stop then Thyri?" Naruto grinned, as he started to slow his aggressive pace, making the now aforementioned Thyri turn around with a begging gaze in her green eyes.
"No! Don't you dare stop Naruto, keep stirring up my insides and ruining me for any other man." Thyri managed to get out before she started becoming an uncontrollable orgasmic mess once more.
"Aye, your wish is my command" Naruto grunted out as he started going deeper into her core with faster thrusts as he neared his release.
Thyri couldn't even think clearly anymore as she was seeing stars and her vision was being encompassed by white from all the pleasure-inducing thrusting. She could feel her lover getting closer to his release as he started to speed up.
"Damn I'm so close Thyri! Where do you want it?" Naruto got out as his breath was quickening with the exertion of his near release.
"Inside, I want every last drop inside of me!" Thyri commanded as she finally felt one last big thrust rock her, one that left a small indent inside her stomach before she was filled with her lover's spunk and proceeded to have the biggest orgasm in her life thus far.
They stayed like that for a moment longer to ride out there releases, before Naruto pulled himself out of her thoroughly fucked snatch and pulled his trousers back up.
Steadying her breath, Thyri finally straightened up, shifted her dress back down to cover her entire lower half before turning towards the blond haired Viking.
"W-" Naruto attempted to speak before he was engulfed in a passionate kiss, one that also included a lot of tongue action. Backing away the much smaller woman looked up at him with love in her eyes.
"Not that I'm complaining far from it, but what if you end up getting pregnant Thyri" Naruto questioned as he placed his scarred hands on her wide hips.
"Then I suppose you will have to duel whoever my father chooses for dishonoring his precious daughter's chastity and putting a babe in me no?" Thyri suggested innocently, as if that was the most obvious thing ever.
Sighing, Naruto looked down at her with a smile on his face. "The things I do for love" he quipped, making her giggle and stand up on her tiptoes and claim his lips once more.
"Come my father will be worried where I'm at soon enough, best not to keep him waiting." Thyri said as she started walking away, Naruto was about to join her when he noticed she put an extra sway in her hips as she glanced over her shoulder briefly before continuing on.
"That woman will be the death of me" Naruto chuckled before hurrying to follow along.
XxXx
After ensuring Thyri made it back to the earls longhouse safely, away from wandering eyes; he set off to meet with his half brother Ragnar and his son Bjorn, not noticing a pair of eyes watching him leave.
Arriving at their longhouse he got there just in time to see Ragnar and Bjorn packing the rest of their supplies, alongside Lagertha and Gyda seeing the males of their family off.
"I have arrived" Naruto announced as he picked Gyda up effortlessly as she let out a squeal of shock, before she started giggling as he peppered her with kisses.
"Uncle stop!" Gyda giggled as she tried in vain to stop her uncle's affectionate assault.
Sitting her back on the ground with one final kiss on the forehead, he walked over to Lagertha; the famous shield-maiden and while Naruto towered over her, he knew she was no slouch in combat and if not careful could even give him a run for his money.
"Hello Lagertha, how's my favorite shield-maiden today?" Naruto joked, as he bent down and hugged his sister-in-law.
"Naruto, where have you been? Ragnar has been looking for you all morning." Lagertha lectured, looking over he spotted his half-brother discreetly paying attention to the conversation.
"Oh you know, here and there; I was out plowing the fields." Naruto left the double meaning hang, as he walked over to his brother who was trying to stifle his laughter knowing what he meant and his nephew, while leaving his sister-in-law confused.
"Brother! It is so good to see you and to join you and my favorite nephew on this little adventure." Naruto said as he clasped his hand with Ragnar's who smiled at him.
"Uncle, I'm your only nephew!" Bjorn complained, making naruto laugh and rub his head.
"Yes it has been a short time since either of us have spent quality time together, and I have much to discuss with you and Bjorn on the way."
"Everything alright?" Naruto quietly said, his face turning from fun loving to serious in an instant.
"Yes, yes nothing too serious, now wipe that look off your face little brother." Ragnar joked, before looking over towards his son. "Get your dog boy" Ragnar commanded as he put a pack on his back, and handed one to Naruto who wordlessly put his on as well.
"Frodi! Come on, boy." Bjorn called out to his dog, as he put his gear on as well.
They set off at once, waving to Lagertha and Gyda who stayed a moment longer to finish seeing them off before leaving to continue on with their chores.
"Uncle?"
"Yes little bear?"
"Why do you have such a strange first name?" Bjorn questioned, he always had that intrusive thought in the back of his head, it was such a weird sounding name out of a thousand Norse names.
"Well little bear our father, mine and Ragnar's took an extra wife as his mistress, my mother was a foreign woman from a far away land that isn't even known to us. She was sold over the course of multiple years until she finally landed here in Kattegat, and our father purchased her as a slave until he and Ragnar's mother took a liking to her."
"Eventually he grew fond of her and her indomitable spirit and freed her and then married her. Our father granted her the request to name me, in honor of her homeland, unfortunately she died giving birth to me." Naruto explained to Bjorn, who kept rapt attention.
"Is it true father?" Bjorn questioned, it wasn't that he didn't believe his uncle, but Ragnar would have been old enough to know the woman.
"Yes, she was such a kind and spirited woman that treated me and our brother Rollo with love and respect, we came to see her as our second mother. Shame she had to die, you would've loved her son." Ragnar reminiscented, shaking his head as he looked forward and continued on, signaling the conversation over for the time being.
"Come Bjorn" Naruto commanded, as he followed his older brother.
After a few more minutes of walking, Bjorn couldn't stand the silence so decided to ask his father a question.
"What will happen at the thing father?" Bjorn asked aloud, Ragnar stayed quiet for a moment before responding.
"The earl will deal with some criminal offenses and then, we shall discuss the upcoming summer raids."
"Where will you go?
"Do not know, the earl will decide, he owns the ships. He will most likely send us to the east."
"Knowing the earl, he'll find some way to spite you Ragnar, he's always had it out for us Sigurdsson brothers; moreso you specifically." Naruto added in, Ragnar for his part just shook his head.
"If we're lucky, we'll actually go somewhere more interesting, but knowing the Earl and simple mindedness we'll be going to the Baltic lands." Ragnar continued, ignoring his half brother's comments.
"Ah but you don't want to go east, it is west you most desire is it not." The younger Sigurdsson questioned, Bjorn looked at both his uncle and father as they started to go back and forth.
"And you do not? Riddle me this little brother, we have seen what is east but what do you imagine is the expansive west? What cities and gods are over there? I'm not satisfied, YOUR not satisfied. You wish to go ahead and see the many riches and history the west has to offer!" Ragnar rattled on as he started to become slightly passionate.
Naruto for his part just stayed silent, knowing his older brother was right he always felt like he was destined for something greater, he loved battle, loved women and drink but he had a feeling if they didn't go west, they would regret it.
Taking his silence as agreement, Ragnar turned his gaze towards his son and leaned down.
"Odin gave his eye to acquire knowledge. But I would give far more, and in my heart I know Naruto would as well." Ragnar just rubbed his son's head before marching onward.
"And will Earl Haraldson let you?" The warning loomed underneath Bjorn's comment.
"Whether he does or doesn't does not matter in the end little bear." Naruto chuckled as he scratched his small beard.
Night soon came upon them, as they had to stop and make camp. After laying out their bed rolls and setting up a fire, Naruto perched upon a rock as he stared at the stars while he sharpened one of his axes.
He could absentmindedly hear Ragnar telling his son about the story of how he won Lagertha's head in marriage and how much he loved her.
"Ragnar tell Bjorn about the time Lagertha's father almost split your skull open for defiling his daughter." Naruto laughed as Ragnar's eyes twinkled in mischief as he chuckled as well.
"Do not remind me brother, I had to hide out in the woods for a whole week, while his temper was calmed; you and Rollo had to search for me because you both thought I got killed by a bear." All three members started laughing at the image.
They grew quiet for a moment, before Ragnar looked over at his oldest child. "Are you ready to receive your arm ring and become a man?" He asked in a quiet voice, as he awaited his son's answer.
"Yes." Bjorn responded, no hesitation whatsoever in his young voice.
"Good because the gods would've known if you were lying." Naruto chuckled, as he pulled his other ax out and began sharpening that one now.
"Hush Naruto, I'm trying to teach our young Viking here some lessons." Ragnar requested, making Naruto shrug in amusement. "Bjorn, what does a man do?"
"He fights"
"And?" Ragnar urged on, knowing his son was smarter than a simple answer like that.
"He looks after his family" Bjorn answered, Naruto for his part just looked at his nephew with pride at the correct answer.
'Without family a man is nothing' Naruto thought, he would fight, die and go to war for his if need be, because without family you were less of yourself.
"That's right. Could you look after our family Bjorn?" He asked, though the tone of his voice meant this was meant to be a serious question.
"What do you mean father? You look after us." Bjorn asked as sat up, confused by his fathers vague answer.
"What if I wasn't there? What if Naruto or Rollo wasn't there either to watch over you all? I have a big decision to make soon, it may change many things and you can't expect to rely on your uncles either."
Naruto for his part just made a humming sound as he listened to Ragnar explain future events, the majority of which would depend on him. Ragnar signaled the conversation over with and commanded his son to sleep. Naruto informed them he would be taking first watch to prevent any unwanted intruders.
Morning arrived quicker than Naruto would have liked to admit, they packed up quickly and finished the rest of the short track towards Kattegat. Arriving at the village, they were greeted with the usual sight of the large village bustling with activity. Slaves being sold, children running through the dirt roads, wares being bought, guards either in the training yards or patrolling and ships near the bay collecting fish and other products.
Pushing their way through the crowds with Frodi at the heel, they were making good time when suddenly Bjorn was lifted high into the air. They saw that it was their oldest brother Rollo, spinning Bjorn around who both looked happy to see each other.
"So here we are brothers, the whole reunion once again" Rollo grinned as he looked at his two younger brothers.
"Rollo" Ragnar acknowledged with a nod
"Brother! Get over here you big bastard!" Naruto's voice boomed out with a grin as he clasped his older brother in a hug.
"Little brother! Staying out of trouble I hope" Rollo laughed as he clasped his youngest brother back.
"As if, you know trouble follows me wherever I go"
"Ah then you are like the plague no?" Rollo chuckled as he looked at his youngest brother fondly, patting his shoulder before focusing his attention once more on the youngest member of the family.
"By Frey and all the gods how you've grown!" Rollo grinned as he clapped the growing boy on the shoulder.
Naruto tuned his older brother and nephew out for a moment, looking around all the people coming and going he spotted his lover Thyri staring at him from a distance.
She smiled at him with love in her eyes before scurrying off. He moved to follow before Rollo put an arm around his shoulder and led them onwards to start drinking, making him groan at his brother's antics but not turning down the offer.
So sitting around, each brother with drinks in hand they watched Bjorn down a cup of ale with a bit of struggle.
"Looking a bit pale there huh Bjorn?" Rollo grinned, Naruto just rolled his eyes and decided to defend his nephew.
"Oh? If I remember correctly I remember there was a time you couldn't even stand the smell of ale without almost throwing up." Naruto stayed with a chuckle, making Ragnar join in as well. Rollo stared for a moment, before grinning and joining in on the laughter as well.
Noticing Bjorn's silence, they looked over and saw that the beverage was hitting him faster than expected, taking over his duties as father Ragnar told his son to go lie for the time being, once Bjorn was out of earshot they got down to business .
"So where do you believe the earl will send us this year? Those bastards to the east are just as poor as we are." Rollo complained as he took another gulp of his drink.
"I know" Ragnar admitted
"You know what we have to do right?" Naruto commented, the talks of going west have been getting more talked upon, the prospect of better riches appealed to all three brothers.
"Yes, we must sail west; you know it, I know it and Naruto knows it. There is nothing for us to the east, only west, the tales told of west me and Naruto heard are amazing! Great towns, and cities, and treasures; hordes of gold and silver, and…and a new god." Ragnar rattled on, he was clearly passionate about the prospect of going west.
Naruto would be lying in saying he wasn't either, thinking about the mysteries of the west.
"Yes we've all heard the stories brother, but exactly does it mean. We can't sail across an open ocean" Rollo and Ragnar were like night and day, while Ragnar was enthusiastic about going west, Rollo on the other hand was skeptical and more so pessimistic.
"Who says we can't?" Naruto shot back, that type of thinking never made men amount to anything.
"Thank you! Little brother gets the idea, why can't you understand better Rollo?" Ragnar questioned as he appreciated his younger siblings' support in the endeavor. "But Rollo, I believe I know how we can get west."
"I have something that will change everything."
"What? What is it?"
Naruto pulled out a small object that was wrapped up in cloth and set it on the table.
"What in the gods is that?"
"Shh just listen Rollo" Ragnar chuckled, as he started to unravel the wrapped object.
"We met a wanderer a while back" Naruto explained, deciding to let his confused older brother in on it.
Naruto decided to stay quiet throughout the rest of Ragnar's explanation on the sun board, as he was tasked with getting Rollo on board with the idea.
'Ah now came the water test' Naruto thought, as he saw Rollo was asked to get water and put it in a bowl and Ragnar would prove the tools' value.
Ragnar explaining seemed to bear fruit as the realization slowly started to appear on Rollo's face.
'About damn time' Naruto silently chuckled but kept his mouth shut.
"Naruto, let's show Rollo what happens when there isn't a sun to help guide us." Ragnar suggested making Naruto nod and grab the sun-stone out of the trunk, and walk outside with his two older brothers.
"Let me show you how it's done" Naruto grinned, pointing the sun-stone towards the sky until the sun hidden behind the clouds reflected off said stone.
"That is how we go west"
XxXx
After showing Rollo how to use the devices that will guide them west, they were expected to join in the earl's longhouse. Arriving they were greeted by women and men alike singing and dancing, and various other activities as they awaited the earl's arrival.
"Come let us not draw too much attention to ourselves." Naruto suggested, as they took up a corner of the great hall.
"Hah, that's funny coming from you" Rollo joked, but complied nonetheless.
"Silence…silence!" The herald commanded, as he banged his staff upon the ground which slowly quieted the great hall.
Earl Haraldson came into the room followed by his wife Siggy and right hand man and steward Svein.
"Look at that cocky little shit Svein" Naruto growled out quietly, he never liked that snake; in Naruto's honest opinion he hated yes men and bootlickers and that was exactly what Svein was.
"Shh calm yourself brother, to many wandering ears." Ragnar said quietly but sternly, they didn't need anyone sniffing around because his younger brother couldn't keep his known dislike of Svein in his head.
A quiet scoff but otherwise no retaliation was offered back.
Looking back at the earl, they finally saw him sitting down alongside his wife. He stayed silent for a moment to collect his thoughts before gesturing to his steward to commence the hearings.
"Olaf Anwend, you have pleaded guilty to the charge of stealing. Tomorrow, you will run a gauntlet of stones and turf as punishment for crimes." Svein rambled on, as everyone listened to the verdict.
Olaf just uttered a confirmation and a thank you before leaving.
Naruto already heard this exact same proceeding thousands of times, and everytime he wanted to cave the little shit Svein face in every time he opened his useless mouth. Blah blah you are here by punished of such and such; execution or gauntlet of stones or turf.
The crowd proceeded to laugh at whatever Svein said but it was hollow and weak and the only ones who didn't notice or care were the earl and Svein himself.
"Bring in the next person" Svein shouted as the crowd died down once more.
The next person to be brought in was dragged, as everyone started to get riled up and started shouting and muttering angrily.
The person accused of murder
"Eric Trygvasson, you are accused of the murder of Sigvald Strut this January. How do you plead?" The short man recited to the tall Norseman.
"It wasn't murder, lord!" Trygavsson tried to defend his honor. "I killed him in self-defense."
A woman's voice rang out that called him a liar with the crowd agreeing with her, with Svein telling him why he didn't tell the first person he saw about the crime.
That was how the proceeding with, back and forth between Trygavsson, Svein and the sister of the murdered.
"Silence! As the normal procedures were not followed, this killing cannot be atoned for by compensating the victims family." The earl explained, "Murder is a dishonorable deed amongst our people. Carried out in secret, unacknowledged, and likely to give rise to a series of revenge killings that would involve your own family." The earl said as he glared at the bald Norseman, who looked nervous.
There was a verbal dispute between the two before the earl asked everyone to raise their hand if they thought the accused was guilty.
Everyone raised their hands except Bjorn, Naruto contemplated not raising his hand just to spite the earl, alongside the fact the whole proceeding didn't sit right with him, nonetheless he raised it along with Bjorn's.
The earl looked around one last time, stopping at Naruto for a moment before continuing on. "Eric Trygavsson you have been found guilty of murder." The verdict was made and the man's fate sealed as the color drained from his face.
The execution was to be set for tomorrow by beheading, by Trygavsson's request which was granted.
Naruto stopped listening to the ramblings of the aging man, all he heard was feast and summer raids and that was all that was important to him.
The next day couldn't have come quicker to Naruto, as they were already outside on the main grounds forming a line for the stealer, who would be pelted with various objects and stones.
Throwing a piece of cabbage that was split off from his brother, he tossed it at the man's head with deadly accuracy, resulting in the man losing his footing for a second. Bjorn didn't toss it at the man but pretended to, Rollo was a different story though, he picked up a larger than normal rock and threw it with force at the man's head who fell down completely but kept crawling the last stretch.
He was congratulated for his accomplishment and was substantially welcomed back by everyone with open arms.
The earl came out alongside his wife who was discreetly staring at Naruto, as the crowd noticed them and started quieting down. Svein was beside his earl urging everyone to pay attention.
Eric Trygavsson and his executor came out next as they went to the execution block, one was smiling and the other looked grim.
"Why is he smiling father?" Bjorn said with confusion, what man would smile in the face of death?
"He wants to die well, without fear, to atone for his sins." Ragnar explained nonchalantly.
"He hopes that atoning for his sins will still allow how to be guided to Valhalla." Naruto decided to add in, making Bjorn contemplate the answer before nodding.
Everyone silently watched as Trygavsson willingly placed his head on the block and prepared himself. Bjorn attempted to look away, he was tugged and forced to look forward by a stern Naruto.
"You mustn't look away little bear, for his sake, our sake and the gods sake." Naruto ordered as he looked at his nephew who was taken aback by the look in his bright blue eyes.
"Yes uncle"
"It's his only hope for reaching Valhalla." Rollo added in as well, to drive the point home to Bjorn.
They all watched the executor wave the decapitated head off to the crowd, causing everyone to cheer and applaud.
Earl Haraldsson raised his hands to quiet the crowd. "Curse this man, may he never enter Valhalla. May he never feast with the gods!"
The crowd was shocked, to deny a person the chance to enter Valhalla when they faced death with dignity and pride was shameful.
There were muttering and angry whispers that filtered throughout the entire crowd, Ragnar and Rollo looked at each other with apprehension on their faces.
Naruto on the other hand looked downright murderous, he disliked Earl Haraldsson but thought he was a fair leader. After this spectacle he was effectively on his shit list as well, to deny someone who faced death with no fear and gladly accepted it didn't deserve to be a leader.
"Why did he do that?" Bjorn asked in mild anger, he couldn't believe the audacity.
"He…he shouldn't have done that." Ragnar commented, a loss of words for why Earl Haraldsson had done that.
"Naruto, didn't you tell me the earl might've had something to do with this dispute of land?" Rollo asked curiously, as he looked to his youngest brother.
"Yes, Thyri has overheard conversations from her father constantly about that piece of land." Naruto mused, Thyri told him anything interesting about Earl Haraldsson; it paid to have such a beautiful woman wrapped around his finger.
"So this happened because Trygavasson had the best claim to the land, and refused to sell it?" Ragnar replied, he was slightly pissed at the abuse of power.
"Correct" Naruto confirmed, though he wished he was wrong for once.
"You hear that boy? This is how things are done around here." Ragnar said with a grim look, Bjorn looking upset but refusing to speak.
XxXx
After the execution, night greeted Kattegat quickly and tonight was a special occasion. Bjorn and another boy by the name of Olaf, would be men in the eyes of everyone and their gods.
Naruto was present to watch his nephew become a man, he was standing near his brothers as he looked on in pride as his nephew accepted salt and earth from the sword and received his arm ring.
He saw Siggy, the earl's wife instruct the boys to come to her where she proceeded to give them a peck on the lips for their commencement towards manhood as everyone cheered and clapped.
'Heh she's given me more than a kiss.' Naruto thought, as he repressed a chuckle to avoid attention to himself, he did see Siggy looking at him after the boys left, giving her a smirk and nod. She diverted her look, she kept her gaze on him out of the corner of her eyes.
Naruto knew after every celebration of this caliber, it was followed by a feast. He was proven right when Earl Haraldsson announced it.
Naruto was ready to sneak off with Thyri, when suddenly his brother Ragnar called out the earl's attention, and effectively everyone present.
"My lord"
'Oh boy, what is he up to now?' Naruto thought, having a bad feeling.
Earl Haraldsson's eyes bore into Ragnar's head, not liking being interrupted.
"My lord, we all want to feast, but we also want to know where we will be raiding this summer." Ragnar's voice rang throughout the hall, getting murmurs of agreement.
"Can't it wait Ragnar?"
"No it can't" Naruto shouted out, drawing attention towards himself, everyone else getting more riled up while the Earl started to look more irritated, Siggy looking on curiously.
"Yes, tell us lord we all want to know" Rollo chimed in as well. "We have a right to know."
"We shall raid east again, to the eastlands, and into Russia."
Not satisfied with the answer Ragnar stood up with his horn of ale.
"Every year we go to the same places, raid the same spots, it is rather….dulling. But heed my words everyone, there is an alternative, if you so choose." Ragnar spoke out passionately, everyone started to hang onto his words as their murmuring got louder and louder.
Naruto witnessed the Earl stand up and mock Ragnar for believing in such foolish tales.
After being humiliated in front of everyone, Tagnar stormed back to his family's long table.
"Here brother, for the edge" Naruto passed over another horn of ale to get the Earl's stupidity out of his older brother's mind.
Ragnar didn't accept it at first, his mind still warring with the words of their naive Earl. Nevertheless he took the horn and thanked him before looking at his son more so the golden ring attached to his arm now.
"It is a fine ring is it not?"
"Aye it is brother" Naruto agreed before taking another gulp of his horn.
Suddenly a man appeared before the table, a housecarl, one of Earl Haraldsson's dogs.
"Ragnar lothbrok, Earl Haraldsson wants to speak to you-privately." It wasn't a request, but a veiled demand.
"Mind your words dog" Naruto hissed as he flashed his axe to the man who despite being a Viking as well took a step back of Naruto's savagery.
"Calm brother, I will go see him to see what he wants yea? Stay here with your uncles and enjoy yourself, you're a man now!" Ragnar smiled as he tousled his son's hair before standing up and heading to where the Earl was privately dining.
After the excitement was over Naruto needed a different type of excitement, looking around for his secret lover, he found her standing near the throne talking to a few other women her age. Sensing eyes on her she looked around until she spotted Naruto and with a glint in both their eyes both knew what the other wanted.
"Excuse me brother, nephew but I have some…business to attend to." Naruto grinned as he stood up with purpose and started walking towards the exit.
"Right business, just be careful not to get caught." Rollo snickered as he started to get full and well into his cups.
XxXx
Naruto yawned as he was eating some nuts and berries while walking to Flokis area away from Kattegat. After having another passionate night of loving making with his love, he was going to turn in for the night. He was however stopped by his brother coming from the Ancient One's hut.
He was told the news and the subsequent warning, moreso death threat, that he would be receiving no aid for his 'foolish endeavors' and if he made the Earl look like a fool again he would have him killed and his lands sold off.
Naruto didn't like that one bit, before he could let his temper get a hold of him once more he was stopped by Ragnar explaining that they were gonna do it their way.
When asked how, Ragnar simply explained that one of the best shipwrights on the island that wasn't in Earl Haraldsson was their good friend Floki.
Naruto's grin couldn't have been wider that night, they would effectively be going through a loophole with the uppity Earl and handing him his ass when everyone sees how wrong he was.
He decided to hike early to Flokis home to enjoy the morning breeze and mildew in the air. He enjoyed the peace and quiet that the forest afforded him as he was left to his thoughts.
His mind drifted to the bizarre dreams he's had for ages now. It was always followed by crows, Thor's hammer, the giant world-eating snake Jormungandr, an army of Viking ships and finally a gigantic Viking settlement that put Kattegatt and all the other Earl's settlements to shame.
When he approached the Ancient One about these mysterious dreams and what fate held for him. The seer of the gods gave him one hard look, then for the first time in Naruto's life laughed and simply said.
'"The gods have many special things in place for you and your one day offspring."
He left it at that and Naruto knew he would get no more out of the man, so left with more questions than answers.
He thought of his mother who passed away when he was just a child. He remembered her gray eyes, her bright smile and her red fiery hair that seemed to defy nature.
She was a kind woman who loved her entire family, even Ragnar and Rollo who were not born from her body.
She didn't talk about her homeland much as she said she didn't have too many fond memories of it, just that it was named Japan and was basically on the other side of the world.
Despite being from a different land and being set free by his father she adapted quickly to the hard but fascinating land. Everyone quickly learned that she was far from a weak person. Tragedy struck in the form of a plague that killed off more than half of the populace, one of the casualties being his mother.
Father was stricken with grief that he vowed to never marry again after burning his mothers body on a drifting Viking ship.
Seeing a break in the trees he saw he was coming upon Flokis home. Seeing that his brother, nephew and friend weren't there yet he decided to fish and scourge up some breakfast for them all.
Staring into the flame while he waited, he knew he wasn't going to be stuck in brothers shadow forever and do things that would shake the world.
'A Kingdom sounds nice right about now' Naruto thought with a chuckle before hearing branches snapping. Jumping up with an axe in hand he visibly relaxed when he saw the group he was waiting for.
"Ah I was beginning to wonder when you all would show." Naruto smirked as he sheathed his axe.
"Yes I had to get the little one acquainted with Floki who tried to scare us on the way." Ragnar explained with a small grin.
"Why yes I had to see the son of Ragnar with my own two eyes!" Floki grinned with that demented twinkly that glinted in his eye from time to time.
"Well I heard we were building a boat! Can't build shit without food in our bellies." Naruto grinned as he pointed to the smoked fish hanging on the racks.
They each gave him a hearty thanks and dug in and got to work, they had mysteries to uncover!
Naruto sat by Ragnar and Floki as the man explained to the both of them how it would be built and how it would do out in sea. Ragnar asked a couple questions that he was concerned about.
"Will it hold many men? That's the most crucial part here Floki." Naruto questioned making the man stare at him before grinning.
"Yes! Yes! Of course it will give you room for many men to plunder and loot!" Floki nodded as he started pointing to different parts of the hull of the boat.
"Will it be strong enough"
"We shall soon find out soon , now won't we"
"Great, that's a cause of concern" Naruto chuckled, he wasn't worried if he made it to new land or sunk at sea was the will of the gods as far as he was concerned.
Naruto and Ragnar pulled out some of there spoils from their last summer raid, but Floki turned them both down citing they would all be as rich as dwarves.
XxXx
After helping get the boat nearly ready, Naruto decided to spend the remainder of his day on top of the highest hill overlooking the ocean despite Ragnar and Lagertha urging him to spend dinner with them.
He was sitting down with his legs dangling over the edge with a horn of ale as he started reminiscing about his life and what else it entailed for him in the future when suddenly his heard cawing. Looking over he saw a raven staring at him with its black beady eyes.
Naruto stared back at it intently before he saw it fly off and bells started ringing, even though they shouldn't be. He heard movement in the distance and saw a man in a cloak and thick white beard looking at him, blinking his eyes the man was gone.
He thought he was hallucinating or had too much to drink when suddenly he heard thunder storms and massive black clouds covering the sea in the distance.
Growing concerned about the size of it and not wanting to get wet, he stood up and was ready to trek back to his home when he heard a hiss that was so primal that it locked him in place.
Looking back slowly he saw two gigantic blue orbs glowing in the hazy mist that was the growing storm, it stared at him and despite his tiny seed of fear he looked back without blinking. The next minute it dived underneath the depths of the sea and he caught a glimpse of something humongous that had scaly skin.
'The gods have many special things in place for you and your one day offspring.'
Those words repeated over and over again in Naruto's head, as he headed home to turn in for the next to help his brother fulfill his dream and in turn fulfill his.