I gazed over at our ships. There were freshly painted shields to my banner colors of red, yellow, and black on the side of the planks. My boat had my banners rolled up, resting under the rower's benches. This ship was initially Floki's first ship he made her for my father. His runes were engraved into her sides, leading up to the prow. The prow, with her beautiful craftsmanship, had a beast on top. The sails were older with my father's dark and light red stripes. She was an older ship and wasn't one of Floki's best, for as the years went by, he perfected his craft. But I figured if the boat worked for my father on his voyages to Britain, she'd work for me.

I knew there was still tension growing within the army and their hatred for me as their leader. I've been ignoring most of the aggression for being overly occupied throughout the spring and summer months. I helped get my army, who brought their families here, settled in their new lands.

The tax collections started arriving earlier this week from the villages. We had strapped our barrels of salted meat and grain down into the ships. When I first came here to avenge my father's death, one thing I took notice of was how quickly our food supplies diminished. The best way to conquer a kingdom was to have a huge battle and defeat the enemy. The issue with that was most likely you'd never get that battle, and secondly, you'd suffer a significant loss on your side as well. Thus, we'd be sailing into Mercia for months, and within that time, I didn't want to add food to the list of things I'd be stressing over.

My army that had settled out in the lands with their families had slowly arrived back to Yorvik. Today was the day I'd make my announcement on our upcoming conquest.

Arriving at the hall, it started growing silent. I smiled, knowing they were excited to hear about my plans. Walking up to the front table where King Egbert and Bishop Wulfhere sat, I turned to face my army.

'My people, the time has arrived. Taxes have been collected and dispensed into the ships that will sail. Tomorrow we depart Yorvik for the Kingdom of Mercia. I'll still be leaving good men behind to manned Yorvik while we travel south,' I said with a warning in my voice, glancing over at King Egbert. 'Prepare your ships, your armor, and your weapons. Every ship needs to have a barrel of water and salted meat. By first sunlight, we head south for plunder, land, and most importantly, for reputation! My people for what we are about to do has never been accomplished before. Ready your shields to leave the safety these walls have been providing us as we enter the wasp nest. Tomorrow will be Vikings once again!'

The hall erupted into cheers.

As I left the hall, I saw Bishop Heahmund standing in front of the old church's ruins. Smirking at the timing couldn't have been better, for I was looking for the Christian carrying his sword in hand.

'Your grace,' I said cheerfully, walking towards him.

The bishop snapped his head around, glaring at me as he walked up to me.

'Don't call me that,' he said venomously. 'You think it's a joke, but you have no understanding of grace.'

I smirked as the bishop turned around. I guess I caught him in a bad mood.

'Wait,' I said as I held up his sword. Though I knew I was taking a risk, I was interested to see what he'd do. 'This sword only works its magic for its owner, so have it, take it, it's yours.'

The bishop snatched the sword from me, unsheathing her and looking at the magnificent steel. I had the blacksmith oil and sharpened her for him. The bishop stared at me for a second, and I could see my men holding onto the hilts of their weapons. I smirked as the bishop sheathed his sword, fastening her to his belt.

'Christian, Wulfhere said he'd be getting some men at the nearby villages to help rebuild your church.'

'What do you want, heathen?'

'By morning, I'll need you and Father Judd on my ship will be departing for Mercia, you know the land, yes?'

'I will not assist you in your heathen ways. The wrath of God will fall upon you heathens and your conquest. Ivar, son of Ragnar Lothbrok, you'll be sent back in the sea in which you came,' said Bishop Heahmund.

I chuckled at his Christian threats wiping some of the spit off my face from his rant.

'Christian, I've already told you I'm not asking you to renounce your faith. All I need you for is to accompany me to the negotiations. If everything works out, I'll release you. You have my word.'

'The word of a pagan means nothing.'

Rubbing my eyes, not sure where all his aggression was coming from, I shook my head, leaving him to his own.

By nightfall, my housecarls and I were sitting in front of a small fire at the tavern. Egil played a song on his harp while singing, and Leif had decided to join in, completely out of tone butchering the song. We had been at the tavern for a few hours, and I should have cut myself off from the ale a while back. My head felt heavy in my drunken state, all pain numbed. My bodyguards laughed, looking at me. Whatever joke was told, I was unsure as I took another sip from my cup. Skul walked towards me with a mischievous glint in her eyes. Before I knew what was going on, she dropped down onto my lap. I thought she was going to kiss me. My reflexes were too slow as she leaned into my face licking the side of my cheek.

Yup, it was time to stop drinking now. I shoved her off my lap, causing Leif to burst into a loud laugh walking over to Skul, giving the harlot a hand getting up.

'Lord, you're more than welcome to join both of us in bed tonight,' said Leif grinning.

'I'll pass,' I said, glaring at them, which only enhanced their drunken laughter. 'I'm calling it a night before you two come up with any more idiotic ideas.'

I got up, crawling to my house that was across the street. Reaching up to open it, I noticed the bishop's bed was empty. Not giving it any other thoughts as I turned to find Freydís laying on my bed smiling down at me. Confused, I looked back outside to make sure I entered the right house.

Nope, this is my house. Huh, I wondered if she was drunk as well.

'Ivar, I've been waiting on you. Please come in.'

'Freydís,' I said, hesitant of what was going on as I shut the door to my house.

I crawled towards my bed, pulling myself up. Freydís gave me one of her beautiful smiles as she sat up, making room for me. She reached toward the table, handing me a cup of water which I greedily drank, feeling dehydrated from all the alcohol. Some plant-like texture struck the back of my throat. Coughing most of it up, I spat out some of the water to find what looked like a mushroom in my hand.

'What is this?' I asked, setting the cup down, flicking my hand toward the ground dropping the mushroom. I tried to hold my gaze at her, but my head was heavy and spinning.

'It'll help you relax that genius mind of yours,' said Freydís in a giggle. She undressed on my bed, and for the second time, I was looking at her perfect naked body.

I'm not sure what she's expecting, but I know she's not getting much from me. Forcing my eyelids to remain open, unfortunately, they were getting heavy.

Freydís began helping me undress. Woman I'm drunk, I'd rather sleep with my clothes on tonight.

Her long hair was brushing against my face. I wasn't sure how undressed I was, nor did I care. All I want is sleep. Freydís slid her smooth legs over my torso mounting me. Her warm skin on top of me alerting me I was at least naked from above the waist.

She leaned over towards my face while focusing on her lips. I leaned into her kiss. She explored my mouth and bit down onto my bottom lip. Her fingers started roaming over my body. My eyelids were too heavy, and I wasn't sure if any of this was real, so I accepted the darkness that consumed me.

Something was shaking me that morning, and I wished it'd stop because my head was throbbing in pain. Something warm was next to me. Opening my eyes, I nearly jumped out of my skin seeing Bishop Heahmund standing above me. He was frowning at me as he glanced from me to the right side of my bed. Turning my head, it was Freydís, a fully naked Freydís! Wait, what in the nine realms was going on. She was naked and curled up against me. Trying to hold in my sickness that wanted to make its way up, I realized I was also naked, covered by my fur blanket.

'I'll wait outside, but your army is making their way to the ships,' said Bishop Heahmund as he wasted no time slamming the door behind him. I clenched my eyes shut briefly from the pain in my head.

Freydís started giggling as she tightened her grip around my chest. I slowly brought my hands under the blankets covering my lower portion.

'Did we, uh, do something last night,' I asked, uncertain.

What happened last night? How did she get in my bed? I didn't even remember her at the tavern last night. This was the gods playing a joke on me.

'We did a little bit more than just a something. It was wonderful,' said Freydís smiling up at me.

Trying not to belch and hold in my sickness, squinting my eyes, I groaned as I tried to find my clothes. Wonderful my ass. Why do I feel like I'm the victim here? I quickly got dressed and began strapping my leg braces on. Freydís ran her fingers over my scalp, braiding my hair.

'Ivar, if it's not too much to ask, could you leave me one of your housecarl's for protection. I feel the warriors might get a little jealous of me for getting so close to their leader.'

Scrunching my eyes, hoping this headache goes away, I waved my hand, standing up, crutch in hand. I looked at her perfect body. She's too perfect. Surely, she could have any man she wanted. Why was she so desperately wanting to be with me, a crippled?

'I'll find you someone staying back that I can trust. You can stay in my house if you want,' I said, trying to smile at her, but all I achieved was a grimace.

'Ivar, please leave me Skul. She is a fierce shield-maiden. With her around, no one will think of trying anything.'

I didn't want to lose one of my best warriors I trusted going into Mercia, but Freydís was also important to me. I nodded my head at her request, which she returned with a kiss. I had to break away, needing to get to my ships.

Stepping outside and genuine to his word Bishop Heahmund was waiting outside. We walked in silence to the dock. Most of the army checked their ships and threw their armor and supplies inside. My housecarls were already in my boat with Father Judd and my oarsmen.

'Skul,' I said, squinting my eyes as the sun started peeking out.

'Yes lord,' said Skul grinning at me.

'I'm going to need you to remain back and run the garrison along with being Freydís's bodyguard.'

'Lord! What has changed? I'd much rather go raiding to Mercia,' said Skul in nearly a scream.

I knew this conversation wasn't going to go well. I honestly didn't want Skul staying back, but at least this way, I'd have eyes in Yorvik while I was away.

'Skul just manned the garrison.'

She threw her arms up in the air snatching her shield and armor, stepping off the ship walking back into town, where she released a piercing scream. Placing my hand over my face, I hunched down, removing everything that irritated my stomach out into the river. Getting onto my ship, I seated myself on the bench back at the stern next to White Hair, who was my steersman for this voyage.

'Leif get the anchor up, oars out and pull, White Hair start bringing us out, will be leading the fleet,' I said.

Slowly we pushed out into the river. There was no wind, so our sail remained folded up. The tide carried us from the river's strong flow. Our fleet started following behind us as we stayed on the Trent river, rowing downstream into Mercia. As we departed, I found myself for most of the morning clenching onto the ledge of the ship removing all substance that was still inside my stomach. My headache had thankfully passed as I gasped one last time, collapsing back onto the bench, crouching over, folding my arms around my stomach. Bishop Heahmund was looking at me with a smug expression on his stupid face.

'And let him feel the wrath for his sins, thus if we were never punished, sin would continue to spread,' said Bishop Heahmund.

Grinding my teeth, I imagined all the ways the Christian could drown in this river.

'What did I sin of here lately? The priest drinks and whores,' I said, pointing at Father Judd, who was flirting with one of my shield-maidens by the front of my ship.

'You would sleep with a woman before she is wedded.'

'Nothing happened,' I said, feeling the tides pushing against our ship only worsening my sickness.

'From what it showed this morning, I'd say something most sinful did happen,' said Bishop Heahmund as he walked next to me, sitting down beside me.

'Well, that would be a, what do you call it, a miracle. Although if I'm to get a miracle from your god I'd prefer that he got my legs to work over that portion,' I said, leaning back over the edge heaving.

I pulled myself back from the side of the ship, getting control of my body. I took a cup and dunked it into our barrel of water to get rid of the lingering taste of my sickness. Bishop Heahmund stared at me, probably figuring out my ashamed secret.

'God has a purpose for all of us. If I'm to give you some advice from my experience to an attractive young heathen as yourself, it'd be to think with your head and only your head. You need to be cautious around women, for they can act on the devil's commands, especially when it comes to a man with power.'

I rolled my eyes at his Christian speech. What was the Christian trying to say? That Freydís was with me because I was the army's warlord. That was ridiculous. She loved me. I had freed her as a slave, and she had seen past my deformity. What we had was true, far more than what my parents had. We drifted without any issues coming into Mercia territory our first village came into view.

'White Hair, pull up here,' I said, pointing towards the shore of the river.

As our ship anchored near the end of the stream, the boats behind us started following along my lead.

'Egil blow the horn, um, I say five times,' I ordered.

At the last sound of the horn blasts, five of my ships started making their way towards me. Approaching, I pointed towards the village.

'Take your men and dock up ahead, head to that village, and start burning everything. I need smoke and lots of it!' I shouted.

'Ivar is that necessary,' spat Bishop Heahmund.

I smirked, not acknowledging him. My men were cheering as they followed my instructions and rowed further ahead. They pulled their boats ashore and put on their armor, heading for the first village. We remained at this location until the men returned. They came back about an hour later, blasting the horn to wake up the other ships and let them know we were moving again. We did this exact routine two more times.

Leaving the third village's shore, I looked up in the sky. Three thick clouds of black smoke began forming. I'm not trying to sneak into Mercia. I want this entire kingdom to know it's being invaded.

'White Hair, the next village will be up ahead, will dock there and use it as our stronghold,' I said.

I was surprised any force hadn't challenged my fleet. I shook my head in disappointment. This was going to be a straightforward invasion. Another village started coming into view the map labeled it as Nottingham. As we came closer, no one was near the docks. They must've fled the town in fright, or I'm getting ready to sail into an ambush. My gut was telling me something was wrong.

'Halt, don't go into the dock,' I said

Standing up and walking to the prow, I peered over at the town. Something was wrong as the river drifted us toward the village. My suspicions were correct as an arrow flew by me.

'Shields!' I shouted, retreating to the center of the ship.

My crewman brought up their shields as our ship started getting ambushed by arrows.

'Egil 9 blast on the horn, White Hair steer left, oarsman pull! Keep your distance. We should be out of range take us downstream. Leif unfold my banner, let them see they are going into battle with Ivar the Boneless!'

The crew began cheering as my banner became displayed for the Mercians. We sailed past the village, staying on the river's far side. I watched as nine ships followed closely behind us, shields out and held up. The fleet saw our ship get assaulted and had time to defend themselves. That's what being a leader was all about going ahead of your men at times and putting yourself in danger first. I may not be able to fight in the front of a shield wall, but I could most certainly command a fleet.

The rest of my fleet remained to dock a reasonable distance on the other side of village. One of my oarsmen on my ship had been struck by an arrow to the shoulder. Father Judd surprised me, quickly yanked the arrow out, and wrapped the men's arm up. Passing the village, we went to shore not too far from the town. As my men began dismounting from their ships, I looked over at White Hair.

'Take the ship back upstream and link up with the remaining army. We're going to strike at the front gate. While my side is distracting them, your men will attack at the docks and open the gates to let us in. Take the bishop and priest with you,' I said, patting White Hair on the shoulder as I got off the ship, taking two of my banners with me.

'Egil, watch over Lord Ivar!' White Hair shouted as my men pushed my ship back into the river.

'Yes lord,' said Egil, who handed me my helmet.

My army was putting their armor on when I walked up. I handed my banners to an earl to hand out to two of his men. I fastened my chain mail and put my helmet on. I was sweating from the high humidity this summer brought, but I learned to ignore such discomforts.

'Listen up,' I said, looking over my men and women all armored up. 'We're going to attack their front gate. No doubt they'll be hiding in the safety of their walls. They will probably have archers staged high shooting down at us. I'll need fifty men to stay back and guard our ships. The rest of you grab your shields and weapons, for we're going into battle!'

My army responded with cheers banging their weapons against their shields. My hand was shaking as I strapped my shield behind my back. This was the first shield wall I commanded without any hidden tactics staged. The first one where I was possibly marching some of my warriors to their deaths.

I was relying heavily on White Hair's forces to take hold of the town and open the gates. Until then, I just needed my side of the army to be the distraction. We walked through the woods. My legs, thankfully, today weren't hurting so much. My crutch got stuck a few times between roots, but eventually, we came up to a clearing having the town in view.

I nodded my head getting control of my nerves.

'Line Up!' I shouted, facing my army. 'Four ranks first rank my battle harden warriors. Second rank axes to tear their shields down. Third rank spears and fourth rank archers. Shields up!'

We marched out of the clearing of the wood's shields tightly interlocked. My bannermen had my banners unrolled and held them high as we approached the village. The drummers stood behind the archers beating a beat in a steady rhythm. I stood between the first and second ranks directly behind Leif, commanding my first rank. Egil stood next to me, bow and arrow drawn.

What happened next, I would've never expected because the Mercian warriors had opened the gates and began forming their shield wall out in front of their town. This told me we were going into battle against trained, seasoned warriors. For them to leave their walls' safety and fight us equally demanded a newly earned respect for the Kingdom of Mercia.

'Halt,' I shouted. We were a reasonable distance away from the other shield wall. Their leader was riding a horse, running up and down the lines shouting at his men. Closing my eyes and taking a deep breath in and exhaling, getting control of my nerves. I broke through my first rank, now facing my army. 'Are we afraid of death!'

'No!' I shouted, responding to my question, banging my war pick against my warriors and shield-maiden's shields. 'We do not intend to die in our beds as old men and women! Victory is all the better when it is hard-won! Valhalla awaits us!'

My men and women were shouting and screaming back. Everyone's adrenaline was heightened. My bannermen were waving my banners left to right with pride. The drummers were banging their drums in a faster rhythm. I knew it would always take time to get everyone ready to fight in a shield wall. My father told us to save our best motivational speeches when our shield wall was about to clash. I knew back then he was talking to my other brothers, but I believe it was fate for here I was taking in his advice, and I truly hoped he was watching from Valhalla. I hope the gods enjoy this battle.

'Forward my brothers and sisters, forward!' I shouted.

The first rank went past me. I walked behind Leif back between the first and second rank. Pulling my shield from around me holding it in my free hand, we marched towards the Mercian's shield wall. Our shield wall collided with equal force against the Mercian's.

'Archers,' I shouted as the first rank swung their weapons against the enemy's shield wall, trying to break through. 'Loose.'

Arrows struck shields as I heard a mixture of screaming and weapons banging against shields. We're equally matched, and I cursed myself for rushing into this battle. I hoped the other side would hurry through those gates. Our shield wall was slowly advancing, backing the Mercians into the village. Leif collapsed in front of me as I saw a Mercian sword pull out of his chain mail. Egil rushed over, dragging Leif to the rear of our shield wall. I should have stepped aside and let the second rank fill in Leif's position. But for some reason, I stepped forward in the first rank of our shield wall, throwing my crutch to the side. My men seeing what I did, started cheering loudly.

'Spears, loose,' I shouted while holding onto my shield and war pick. Spears shot out from behind our shield wall, striking the enemy shields and hitting their intended target.

The Mercians started shouting my name, attacking my side heavily once they realized I was at the front of the wall. Holding my shield as the force of a sword strike was being swung down against me, causing it to splinter in my face. My legs were giving out, and I desperately wanted to drop to the ground. I swung my war pick at the enemy, meeting flesh in a fit of rage. My men on either side of me were getting attack just as fiercely, for they knew I was behind these shields, and they wanted to take me out.

My legs couldn't take anymore. I decided now was the best to retreat until White Hair's forces could link up with us.

'We move back on my command,' I shouted, 'and back!'

My army's shield wall held firmly as we began backing up from the enemy. The man fighting against my shield must've been the leader of his army. As I was backing up with my shield wall, an excruciating pain struck my left ankle from a sword blow. Saved by part of my metal brace, the sword still struck my bone, ripping open my flesh and bringing me forward to the ground. My shield wall kept backing up, leaving me between both shield walls.

The leader I assumed who had fought me and struck my ankle charged at me while I was on the ground holding my war pick in hand. I used it to parry off his sword blow near my face.

'Do you know who I am!' I shouted in the English tongue, laying on the ground while the man pulled his sword back, standing over me. 'You can't kill me! Don't you know who I am? I am Ivar the Boneless!'

The Mercian army stopped, but the man standing above me brought his shield down forcefully with all his weight onto my chest. I gasped for air from the pain of the impact to my ribs. I swung my war pick at his left arm, bringing his body down on top of mine. The warrior reached for his sword that fell to his side while he lunged over, I took advantage of the timing, and I thrust myself up off centering him with all my strength. This gave me enough time to reach my lower abdomen, unlatching a knife and thrusting it into the man's neck.

My shield wall surrounded in front of me as I sat up, shoving the dead man off me. Screaming began coming from behind the Mercians. White Hair's forces must have successfully taken the village, and now we surrounded the Mercians on both sides of our shield walls. With their leader fallen, they quickly surrendered. By sunset, we had control of the village of Nottingham.