Vikings: Harsh Lesson
Chapter 15 of my Vikings story, enjoy.
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Now onto the story.
Disclaimer: Vikings belongs to History Channel.
Chapter 15
Hreinn was backed into a corner in every sense of the word. He had lost his only means of bargaining his way out; now he was hopelessly outnumbered and trapped by the very irate people whom he had taken Kattegat from. Now free and her nakedness covered, Porunn's fear had also disappeared.
She stood, glaring at him, somehow able to recover and maintain her dignity, despite the fact the only thing covering her was a pelt. Hreinn instinctively tried to step back, as Ragnar advanced on him, but the wall stopped him.
"So, look what your arrogance has brought you, nothing but defeat." Ragnar remarked. "You have despoiled Kattegat, harmed my people; humiliated so many. You took what was not yours."
Hreinn hated to admit it, but his fear was real. He couldn't understand how Ragnar could be so angry, enraged, yet remain in such complete control.
Ragnar then continued. "You deserve only death for your crimes. You can try and fight, show us all how cowardly you are in the face of death. If however you are not, if you face death bravely, then perhaps Valhalla will welcome you."
"Wait!" A cry came from behind Ragnar.
All eyes turned in surprise and saw it was Bjorn who had spoken.
"You would just kill him father, give him the easy way out?" He asked before making his challenge. "I would not, he has insulted us all; I would answer this insult for what he has done to me, to those close to me. I challenge him, to a duel to the death."
Silence followed Bjorn's proclamation as his words sunk in.
Ragnar grew concerned, Bjorn was well within his rights to make such a challenge. He also knew Bjorn was a strong warrior; but they had to consider his injuries, the treatment he had received at Hreinn's orders.
"You are certain this is what you want Bjorn?" Ragnar asked, cautiously.
Bjorn nodded, not taking his eyes off Hreinn, his anger clear to see.
Ragnar nodded. "Then so be it."
With that two men grabbed Hreinn and everybody began to move outside. As they walked Lagertha spoke with Ragnar.
"Are you sure this is wise; Bjorn is in a terrible condition?"
Ragnar sighed. "I know but, nothing will dissuade him; we must put our trust in the Gods."
Lagertha nodded slowly, still worried. Soon the people of Kattegat had formed an arena in the large square before the Earl's Hall. Ragnar stood with Aslaug and the boys, Rollo, Lagertha, Athelstan, Floki, Helga and Porunn all stood with them.
Also being made to watch were Hreinn's captured men; held by Ragnar's strongest warriors. In the middle of the circle, Bjorn and Hreinn stood, both had been given shields and axes to wield in battle. Hreinn could feel his old confidence returning.
'He is in no condition to fight; I can win this easily, but then what?' He wondered before asking. "What are the terms of this duel?"
Bjorn glared before announcing. "It is a duel to the death, therefore there is only one way it can end. If you win however…You will be free to return to your father."
That drew some angry murmurs but Hreinn accepted this and the duel began.
His overconfidence returning, Hreinn made the first move, attempting to directly attack Bjorn's head. Bjorn blocked with the shield and countered, Hreinn blocked his attack however. They broke apart and began cautiously circling each other. After this brief moment, neither able to find an opening, they decided to simply make one.
They both struck out to attack again; the fighting went back and forth; weapons clashing, hitting shields but neither gained the advantage. Those gathered were loving the spectacle, cheering and yelling as the fighters continued to attack each other. Ragnar watched with narrowed eyes; it was clear every move Bjorn made pained him.
Yet still he fought on, his anger eclipsing his agony; his rage making him disregard his own suffering.
'It is not for himself he fights; despite what he says.' Ragnar noted; considering what he knew. 'It is his anger at the treatment of that girl, Porunn. That is what drives him, but will it be enough?'
That wasn't Ragnar's only fear however, he was also worried that Bjorn's rage might push him too far. For this to be seen as honourable, it had to be a clean death. Bjorn's rage might just prevent that; that also was a worry for Ragnar. Suddenly everything changed with one fatal move.
Bjorn had acted quickly, using his shield as a weapon and his axe as a shield. As such he struck a winding blow to Hreinn followed by an attack with his axe. Hreinn roared in pain, dropping his shield and falling to his knees, the arm holding the axe falling separately, having been severed by Bjorn's attack.
Bjorn growled, glaring down as Hreinn looked up at him, trying and failing to form words.
"Bjorn." Ragnar called out warningly.
Bjorn then spoke, rage etched into every word. "I should eviscerate you, cut off all your limbs and let you die a slow painful horrible death…"
Ragnar tensed. "Bjorn!"
"It is all you deserve for how you have treated all of us; for your actions." Bjorn continued as he raised his axe again.
"Bjorn!"
However Ragnar's worries faded with Bjorn's next words.
"But that's what you would have done…I am not you."
With that he used his axe to cleanly remove Hreinn's head and the body hit the ground. Bjorn staggered back, catching his breath as, on Ragnar's orders, all but one of Hreinn's men were executed on the spot. The surviving man looked around, shocked and even afraid. Ragnar approaching him as the others were all cheering Bjorn's victory.
"You are to return to your master, tell Jarl Alfgeir I have a message for him. "Ragnar explained. "Tell him, that I am coming for him; that he will pay for everything that has happened here."
The man nodded and was released and dragged out of Kattegat and thrown down, left to make his own way home. He ran off quickly while Ragnar sighed; there would be more battles to come, but for now, it was over.
End of chapter, just one more to go, hope you enjoyed it, read and review please.