Vikings: Harsh Lesson
Chapter 13 of my Vikings story, enjoy.
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Now onto the story.
Disclaimer: Vikings belongs to History Channel.
Chapter 13
Ragnar was silent, contemplating what had just been revealed to him. While he had been away, Jarl Alfgeir had struck, now Kattegat was in the hands of Alfgeir's eldest son. Bjorn and several other people of Kattegat were held captive, so too was Lagertha. It was a precarious situation; luckily it had been spared from getting worse.
Thanks to Aslaug and those with her, he had avoided leading his men into a trap which would have spelled his end. They had now docked their boats at the port outside Floki's house and had gathered on the shore. King Horik had wished to help them, but could not. He had been away from his homeland for too long, he had to return in order to ensure order was kept.
Ragnar carefully observed all those gathered with him. It had turned out to be fortuitous that Rollo had been left behind, otherwise he wouldn't have been able to protect Aslaug and the boys. Now however, was the time for planning, for action, it was time to prepare to take back his home. He thought of Bjorn and Lagertha, of all the people of Kattegat, all held prisoner, what they must be enduring.
It merely hardened his resolve, he would take Kattegat back and he would see to it that Jarl Alfgeir and his son, his family, all paid for what they had done.
There was a stony silence as the others all watched Ragnar. Finally, he lifted his gaze, observing them all carefully, before finally he spoke to them.
"We have no time for delays. We must plan at once, we need to reclaim Kattegat." He paused his anger clear to see. "We will not let these invaders get away with what they've done. They will pay dearly for harming our people, they will pay, in blood."
There were cheers of assent and some even brandished their weapons.
Ragnar continued. "We cannot just attack Kattegat as it is too well defended. We must find some other means to reclaim our home."
There were murmurs at this; but nobody seemed able to figure out what to say. That was, until Aslaug spoke.
"The passageway that I escaped through would bring us inside Kattegat." She explained. "The entrance is normally blocked but it could be moved aside; some of us could go that way and find some means to let the others in through the gates."
Ragnar smiled at that. "It is a sound plan; very well, that is what we shall do."
The others nodded in agreement and they began making their plans, determining who would go where and what they would do. They also settled on a time for their attack and soon they were ready.
Meanwhile, unaware of what was happening elsewhere, Hreinn, still furious at Porunn's trick, was seeking guidance. So he had come to meet the Seer. He fought to control his revulsion at the sight of the sightless old man; the man did not seem to react to Hreinn's presence however. Cautiously Hreinn sat down, glaring, waiting impatiently.
Then suddenly. "Impatience will do you no favours."
Hreinn started as the Seer spoke, the old man turned to face him, smiling lightly.
"What would you ask of me?" The Seer then inquired.
Hreinn sighed and then asked his question. "What is to happen to me; will I achieve the greatness I desire?"
The Seer laughed darkly. "Ah, so many have asked me that question; will you be like them, and deny the answers I give?"
"Why would I…?"
"Because they might not appeal to you." The Seer responded sharply. "You might hear something you don't like and try to deny it. I speak for the Gods, I speak what they allow me to speak, yet many do not like what the Gods say."
Hreinn shook his head. "Tell me, what do they say, about me?"
The Seer was silent for a long while, Hreinn thought he had fallen asleep.
But then he spoke. "You must beware, you walk a dark dangerous road. The animal we dare not name, for fear of summoning it, its namesake awaits it's unchaining. It seeks you, it seeks your blood."
Hreinn recoiled at that; shocked by this sudden proclamation. Suddenly uncertain, yet still definitely angry, he left, returning to the Earl's hall.
Porunn bit her lip to stifle any sharp reply she planned to make. She had been lucky so far, her plan had worked and she hadn't been claimed by Hreinn after that first night. She just had to hold on and pray it continued to do so, until they were rescued. She was certain of that, they would be saved, there was still hope for them.
The men once more chained her down on the bed; she didn't fight it anymore; she knew they were much stronger than her after all. They left and she began preparing herself for Hreinn's return; she had carried out her usual plan, getting him drunk and plying him with more and more.
It had worked all this time, he came to the room so drunk he passed out before he could even touch her.
The door opened and she tensed, Hreinn entered. She waited as he undressed, he soon climbed on top of her and then…seized her throat.
"Wha!?" She choked out, suddenly terrified.
It was then she saw, he wasn't drunk at all; he had discovered her ruse and had turned it against her.
He grinned. "That was quite clever what you did, but now you've been caught, I suppose I'll have to make you truly suffer for this."
Porunn tried to say something, but the fear was too strong, before she knew Hreinn began to claim her again, violently. Her world soon dissolved into tears and pain and she prayed for it to end.
End of chapter, hope you enjoyed it, read and review please.