Ragnars ship entered the harbor of Gravesburg, he flew their merchants flag. For he knew he would not get to Gratia if he didn't, "alright men, I'll scout out the area, when I sound my horn the raid commences." Ragnar said as he put up the hood of his cloak.
"I've been here before, years ago now. Let's see if I can find his home.."* Ragnar thought as he stalked the shadowy streets, eventually he found the house.
Gratia opened the door after hearing knocking, once opened he saw a hooded man with his back turned to him. A raven croaked, and the man turned around. His eyes the color of cold steel as he said "hello Gratia, it's been a while. Where is my daughter?" Gratia swallowed his fear and said "i- I sent her out to gather mushrooms.. s- she should be back this e- evening" Ragnar chuckled grimly and said "thats a good explanation, if it were true." He pushed Gratia into his house and closed the door.
Turning around he punched Gratia straight in his face, knocking him out cold before tying him up, "you're going to live a little longer you worthless thrall. But once this city is burned, you'll feel justice." Ragnar said as he carried the bound man outside before blowing his horn, signaling the start of the raid.
Max heard the horn and ran, *"Please Max, if I ever run away and you hear a goats horn from the middle of town, run. For it is my father, coming with the wrath of the Allfather himself. Do not look back, remember that.."* and remember he did, running out the gate he caught the glimpse of a viking long ship, it's fierce dragon head prompting him to run faster. He had an idea as to where he needed to go, he just hoped it would work out.
Gravesburg was burning, most of its guards were dead, or dying. And the people that were smart were fleeing, Ragnar grunted and threw Gratia on board of his long ship. "Raise the sails! Were going back to Dragonspire castle!" He said as he kicked the bound man, his captain Sírtr looked confused and said "but that's inwards, shouldn't we be sailing home now Ragnar Jarl?" Ragnar shook his head and said "no, this man, my brother in law.. has hurt my daughter, I'm going to give her the chance to get justice." Sírtr nodded and said "understood my Jarl"
Richard was walking the docks when Ragnar docked his ship, "Ragnar, you've returned" Richard said as he helped tie the rope.
Ragnar nodded and said "move" before throwing a bound Gratia on the docks, Richard growled "so this is Gratia, I'll have my men secure him in the lowest dungeon-" Ragnar interrupted him and said "no, with all due respect Richard. But Chloe is a Jarls daughter, she gets to decide his fate"
Richard nodded understandingly and said "alright Ragnar, I'll go get her. She's having an off day" before he could walk away Gratia laughed and raised his voice saying "you are all fools if you think Chloe will harm me" Richard turned to him and said coldly "oh I wouldn't think that if I were you, because Chloe woke up with one of her nightmares, one that YOU caused. If I were you I'd be pissing myself right about now, she's not a knight. And lacks the merciful aspect that us Ashfeldians have, now silence. Your voice is enough for birds to drop dead, and that's not saying anything of your stench"
An hour later.
"Hae faðir, glad to see you again" Chloe said as she hugged Ragnar tightly, Ragnar smiled and gently patted her back and said "sweetie, can I ask you something? Something taxing?" Chloe looked up at him, a doubtful look in her eyes as she said "I don't know.. speak plainly faðir"
Ragnar nodded and guided her to a bench overlooking a field of wheat, he sighed and said "sweetie.. I've taken Gratia alive, he's currently being held by my JomsVikingr.. but it's up to you to decide what his fate will be"
Chloe trembled as she said "i- I see.. faðir, i- I'm scared.."
Ragnar nodded silently and kneeled in front of her, his face emanated a soothing warmth as he said "I know sweetie, I know. But I'm here, and my JomsVikingr cannot be bribed. He won't get out, now you don't have to see him to sentence him. I can tell that that would be too much for you, so tell me his fate, and I'll see to it that it happens." Chloe looked out at the Wheatfield in silence, her mind recalling every harm and hurt caused by Gratia. Tearing up she hugged Ragnar tightly, "I'm so indecisive faðir, on one hand I want him to feel a fraction of what I felt, but on the other hand I just want that monster to die..."
Ragnar held her, and swayed her gently from side to side. "Shhh, I know, let me think." He said before placing a kiss on her forehead and sinking into his thoughts, after a long silence he said "why not both? Have him tied up in the lowest dungeon for a week and tell thralls to have their way with him, once that week is done bring him out, at night like tradition dictates, and blood eagle him." Chloe nodded and said quietly "I can agree with that.. thank you faðir, I want to go back to bed now.."
Ragnar nodded and said "I'll take you back to your room, try and get some sleep sweetie. You deserve it"
Ragnar walked back to the docks, his face twisted in anger. He kicked gratia in his knees and said "Chloe's sentence is crystal clear, this little pig is to be held in the lowest, darkest dungeon and to be raped by male slaves for a week. Afterwards I'll perform the blood eagle on him to execute him" Gratia cursed as guards took him away, leaving Richard confused with Ragnar. "Ragnar, what is a blood eagle?" Richard said as he followed Ragnar to a tall hill outside the castle, Ragnar stood silent for a moment then said "a blood eagle is an execution that we invented for our most hated enemies, we tie the persons arms to stakes on either side of him, before severing the ribs from his spine. Once that is done we pull the lungs over the pulled out ribs, resembling wings. Then we lift the corps on high, a symbol of fear to anyone with ideas of retaliation."
Richard was silent, the method of execution was brutal. Only matched by his favored method of impalement, a chuckle escaped him, one that eventually grew into a dark and sinister laugh. "I like you people, a blood eagle is exactly what Gratia deserves. If it were up to me I'd have him impaled on a stake and left to rot, food for the crows. Now I must check in on Chloe, you brought her to our room did you?"
Ragnar nodded curiously, "did you see her dagger on the night stand?" Ragnar nodded again and said "yes, why do you ask?"
Richard sighed and said "I might find her in need of some bandages" Ragnar watched him leave, a smile on his face. "Ragnar Jarl, you're lucky with that man" Sírtr said, Ragnar nodded and said "I know Sírtr, I'm glad Chloe met him. Now please, make preparations for a blood eagle, I need this hill to be cleared at the end of the week" Sírtr nodded and said "it will be done Ragnar Jarl"
Richard opened the door to his bedroom and found it empty, "Huh, wonder where she could be"
Charles chuckled and said "you might want to go to the dungeon, my lord" Richard hurried down the stairs, every step he took he heard Chloe berate Gratia in a worse way.
"You're a seedstain Gratia! You couldn't find your own fucking food if I threw it in front of you!" Richard entered the cell and said "Chloe? Come here sweetie~" she turned to him, tears streaming down her cheeks as she said "i- I'm sorry Richard.."
Richard chuckled warmly and said "sorry? For what? You didn't do something wrong, but I can tell that being here isn't beneficial to you. So please, come with me" Chloe nodded and followed him back to their bedroom.
"Chloe, I'm sorry to ask. But please show me your wrists.." Chloe nodded and sat on his lap, "i- I'm sorry Richie.." She said as Richard cleaned up her cuts, he sighed and said "again sweetie, sorry for what? I'm not angry, just worried"
Chloe nodded silently and hid her face in his shoulder while he bandaged her wrists, Richard smiled and gently swayed her from side to side as he said "I love you Chloe, never forget that please~" she nodded and whispered "I know Richie, I'm just so tired.." Richard placed a kiss on her forehead and said "I know sweetie, I know. For now rest, I'll watch over you, and comfort you if you have a nightmare"
Chloe nodded and said quietly "alright Richie, thank you again, my love~"
A week later.
The night was stormy, and thunder roared in the distance as Ragnar led his JomsVikingr to the top of the hill. Coming to the top he stood at the middle of the platform and said "brothers and sisters, mothers and fathers. My family, we have gathered here for the judgment of Gratia, a coward. For the crimes he committed against my daughter, have you anything to say in your defense, shitstain?" Gratia shook his head in silence, "very well" Ragnar said as he tied Gratia's arms to the two poles before exposing his back.
Ragnar pulled out his seax and sliced open his back, Gratia screamed out in pain, his breaths ragged as Ragnar said "you're a worm Gratia, and you die like one too. Squirming while I flay the skin from your spine, now hold still, I'm only getting started" Gratia pleaded as Ragnar flayed the skin from the other side of his back.
Gratia sobbed loudly as Ragnar said "and now... hnngpff, I hack away your ribs and pull out your lungs!" Gratia gave a final shriek as Ragnar pulled his lungs out in gorey fashion, laying them out on his shoulders.
Meanwhile in castle Dragonspire.
"Richard.. can you cuddle me?" Chloe said as she hugged him from behind, turning around he chuckled and softly picked her up saying "of course sweetheart, any reason as to why?" Chloe nodded and said "I need to tell you something.." Richard smiled warmly and said "go on fun sized" Chloe took a couple of deep breaths before saying "I'm infertile... i- I'm sorry.." Richard silently sat her upright on his lap, hugging her he said "sorry for what?" Chloe hid her face in the crook of his neck as she said "for not telling you... that my uncle poisoned my womb.." She cried softly, breaking down as she saw Richard cry with her.
"My love.. you have nothing to be sorry for, what that monster did to you was out of your control, and luckily his sins caught up to him. He's burning in Hell now love, he will never hurt you again" Richard said as he wiped away her tears, his voice rough from the emotions coursing through him. Chloe leaned into his palm and said "God must be real if you still want me after I confess my infertility"
Richard chuckled and said "bringing a child in this world.. I can't imagine a worse idea, but that's just my stance on it. I love you Chloe, and you being infertile won't change a thing. Now shhh, sleep my love. You're safe in my arms"
