Chapter 5
Hi everyone sorry for the wait for this next chapter but honestly I was having a lot of trouble writing it for some reason. No matter what I put down I kept thinking should I change this, keep this, and so on. Its not even that important of a chapter if you ask me but God was it hard to do. Anyways here it is I hope you like it.
But as always before we move on some Q&A
KingOfSummer 245 your review is in the wrong story but to answer you question any ways yes I am planning that lol.
Lord Blighty, I didn't but I am so adding it into the story. Any ideas feel free to give them.
BrotherCaptainSheperd so hard but who knows maybe one day he will have sexy with Lagertha because well come on.
10868letsgo I am happy you liked that part. I don't know if the family will stay together or not or what will happen to Athelstan. But they play important parts in the story like they did in the show.
Dovack thank you.
it will take a while but soon the Vikings will be the most advanced place in the world. Just will take a while for them to get there. For those of you who will be wondering no fire arms will play no part in this story. At least not at this point in time
Vansmoke thanks for the ideas I think I like that route so may use it.
RoyalTwinFangs somewhat yes and they will be mentioned in this chapter but only for a bit. Will go into more detail later.
yesboss21 as always good to see you and thanks for the review. Thorfinn is a character I just added on the fly so to speak what happens to him down the road is still in the works, but he does becomes a big part in Lagartha and Ragnar life. Fyi you nailed it I just wanted him to be awkward for the fun of it. Bjorn was always strong, but he will be more so later on and the reason Ragnar is upset is while yes it was a chance for Bjorn to improve he had been training his son all his life. To see him get beaten by a body that is both young and small then him in size would hurt any father's pride. Didn't what to create boundaries but felt it was needed for my MC. Didn't think of using flags for that reason so thanks for the idea. All merchants will know their numbers and know them well as well as the ever present supply and demand. They have the supplies they make the demands lol.
There done now on with the story and as always leave a review if you be so kind when you done. Oh and check out my other stories while you're at it. Till next time bye.
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-Ragnar POV-
As I walked the streets of Kattegat, I couldn't help but thing now unsurprisingly it was that my young brother was one again right. Frode had predicted that the Earl would call for other raid West as he could hardly afford not to and behold a few weeks later it had happened. Looking back now, it was obvious that the Earl would do so as he had to payback what he owed my brother with the loot he took from us. Now the Earl needed more if he was to win back the support, he lost to my family whose power was growing which each day passing. What my brother didn't predict however and left me feeling cautious was that the Earl had made it clear at the Thing that he was coming along this time.
I had of course tried to convince him from doing so but with little luck as the sly one was clearly up to his tricks. Haraldson was no longer the man I or anyone once knew. The once great warrior and had become an overly cautious and in my opinion cowardly man as time had passed. A sad thing to happen to a man I once looked up to as a boy who help lead us during the Salt Wars along with his and my father. So why would such a man who saw enemies everywhere dare to leave his place of safety if not for the work of Loki. If that was the case and Loki was at work, I would have to be careful and watch the Earl closely. As I didn't wish to see my dreams come to an end so soon after they had just started. After all, if there were more lands West then surly there were more uncharted waters.
For now, all I could do was what my brother had once told me to do. When you find yourself in an unexpected situation make small achievable goals that will lead you towards the outcome you desired. With the first goal being to learn all I could from the monk who seemed to have a wealth of knowledge that even my brother didn't have. Granted it was only about the lands in the West, but such knowledge had a value all its own. A value the monk was clearly smart enough to realize it had but not smart enough to realize how it would be used.
From the monk I had leaned both of the kingdoms that made up his homeland and its language. As well as what my brother called the geography of the land. Funny word geography, it sounded wrong on the lips, but I understood its meaning as it talked about where everything was in any given location. Something that was very useful to us as I had learned there were in fact four larger kingdoms ripe for raiding or trading. Along with a town that was only a little way away from the temple we had attacked. A town that would be our goal during this next raid. It still brought a laugh to me when the monk looked so shocked that I would use his knowledge to attack his people. A smart man indeed but no warrior if he could have seen that outcome.
Yet while the monk was a fool there was something about him. A curiosity and desire to know more then perhaps he should. Like myself he had what Frode called a natural curiosity towards new things. A curiosity that most didn't have. Even his fellow monks, or the ones who were still alive didn't share his curiosity. Being little more then closed off old men set in their ways. It was why so many of them were already dead. Idiots couldn't seem to grasp that they were in different world then the one they knew and couldn't adjust fast enough to live. The only ones who were still alive was Athelstan and the monk that was currently in Floki's care. Though I had a feeling that monk wouldn't live much longer as Floki had just about all he needed from the monk.
Anyways with this wealth of knowledge and Haraldson unwilling to ask me to share it with him as that would make him look even weaker than he already was. He had commanded me to be the lead navigator for this raid in an attempt to show he was still very much in control. An easily seen through ploy but one I would allow as there was no point in fighting among each other right now. We had the same goals after all. Though I would lead him to the same kingdom we had just raided instead of one of the other kingdoms like he had suggested. While it made sense that this Northumbria would be more on guard after we had raided it. I still felt it was best to limit our raiding to this one kingdom. At least till we knew if trade was possible with the other three kingdoms of Mercia, Wessex, and East Anglia. All of whom could be very useful for my family's business. While I may not have paid a whole lot of attraction to it, I knew trading partners were in short supply right now. These other kingdoms could fix that.
"What is on your mind Ragnar?" I hear the voice of my wife Lagertha ask.
Looking over at her I just smile as she was coming back from teaching our daughter more about how to use a shield, "I am thinking much will change soon."
Smiling back Lagertha hangs on his should and says, "You sound like Frode. Have you become a seer too my love?"
Hearing the teasing tone in her voice I just roll my eyes, "Gods I hope not. I love my brother, but he is, well him. I don't think I could stand the thought of being like him."
Lagertha for her part just laughs at hearing this. While Frode and her were on their way to mending bridges, he was still very much an acquired taste. "Me neither, I heard he had already spent the loot he got from the raid. Much to the anger of the others."
Signing a bit at hearing this I just nod my head. "You are not that far off. I went to go see him shortly after the Earl delivered what he owed him. Wanted to see if he would be willing to part with some of it as the others are more than a little angry at him but even before I got there, he had spent most of it. Leaving only a little left over."
"How does he spend so much so quickly? I swear by the gods he should be the poorest man in Norway with how quickly he spends his coin." Lagertha says at it never made much sense on how he could spend so much yet still have coin when needed.
"Don't ask me, how he does it. It's a question for the Gods to answer and us only to wonder about. Ask me why and I could perhaps answer." I tell her.
"Fine why did he spend so much of it already?" Lagertha questions.
"He is building something. You have seen the new swords his blacksmiths have made right?" I ask her as I was sure she had as while not many have been made yet the first few had gone to me, Rollo and the Earl.
Nodding her head Lagertha thinks on the blades. She was no weapon smith, but she was a warrior and recognized a good weapon when she saw one. The blades the smiths were currently making were far better than anything they had ever made before. But she didn't see how those blades had anything to do with building something. Unless it was a new forge.
"What is he building? A new forge?" Lagertha asks.
"I am unsure. All Frode would say is that we were not using this coke as he called it the current way. So, he was going to fix that." I answer while having no clue what he meant. I had a feeling however it would be like with the spinning wheel and new loom. It would work and most likely work to well. Leaving them with too much steel to be able to sell.
"Well, I guess it matters little what it is he is building. I am sure whatever it is it will be for the best of our family. For now, let's get the children ready to move to the salt pools. The raid will take place as soon and we best be prepared." I say as I walk off towards where the children were.
-Elsewhere-
A few mils outside of Kattegat on an open field Frode along with Floki watched as their new invention took shape. Well, a new invention for everyone else but him. The blast furnace from his perspective was not something new though it was his first time building one. Based off blast furnace from ancient China with Floki's and his own adjustments it was a primitive and most likely ineffective design. That was taking a long time to build and by long he meant very long time. At the rate they were going it wouldn't be ready for at least a few months. And honestly Frode was no fool this first one wouldn't work the way he wanted and so they would be building a second one, then most likely a third. Gods he hated living during this time period sometimes. Without the use of modern tools everything was being done by trial and error.
It was frustrating to him as he could think of so many other things, he could be doing right now that would befit both his brothers and the Norsemen people as a whole. Like glass making and figuring out how to pickle things in glass jars for long sea voyages. Or just to store food during winter, but with the West now open it was important to get their steel making operations off the ground. He wanted his brothers to at least have a brigandine each before any major battle takes place. He had grown to love them very much and didn't wish to see them die anytime soon and despite how the show went it there was no guarantee they would pass on the way it, or history said.
Looking over at Floki, Frode can see he was growing frustrated as well. He was a boat builder after all and had no care or interest in building things of stone. "This isn't going to work Frode. It will catch fire, or collapse I tell you."
"Oh, of that I am sure Floki. That or blow up." Frode says calmly.
"Blow up? What is blow up and why do I not like the sound of it," Floki asks while getting right up in Frode's face.
For his part Frode only brings up both of his hands, makes fists of them then brings them together then makes a motion of what an explosion would look like. It takes a moment for Floki to realize what that meant but when he does his eyes widen and he backs up saying, "This is madness Frode. Madness, I tell you. We are not dwarfs. We should not be playing with things best left to the Gods."
"Then it is a good thing we are mad now isn't it, Floki?" Frode says casually.
Looking over at Frode then getting right in his face again to look him in the eye Floki just starts to giggle again. "True this is very true. So, tell me what do you think of his raid and the Earl coming along for it."
"The raid is a great use to us Floki. However, the Earl coming along was surprising." Frode states to him a bit worried now that things were headed in a direction, he was unfamiliar with.
"You think he and Ragnar will try and kill each other?" Floki asks somewhat seriously.
"I hope not, but then that is why we are taking two boats instead of one. Keep them separate as much as we can so nothing happens." Frode tells him.
Nodding his head at this Floki says, "I am still surprised that the Earl is only taking one more ship. I would have thought he would order more to join us."
"He doesn't want to split the loot between too many people. We have no idea what we will find in this town we are going to attack. The less people he has to split the reward with the more coin he will have at the end of this. Coin he needs if he wishes to buy up support again." Frode says guessing what Haraldson was thinking
"You think it will work?" Floki asks.
"No, most of the warriors and freemen are on Ragnar's side. Those that are not on anyone's side are waiting to see who is most likely to win before taking sides. Cowards most of them and too small in numbers to make a real difference. A bit of little coin will not change the fact that Ragnar has more support than the Earl. I fear this can only end with one of them dead at this point." Frode says with a frown on his face.
"Who do you believe will win Frode?" Floki asks.
Looking Floki in the eyes Frode just says to his crazed friend. "That Floki is for the Gods to know and for us to find out."
Laughing some more Floki says, "True, true, we are all, what did you one call it Frode? Dust in the wind. In the end all things are for the Gods hands."
Frode says nothing on this and just watches on as the blast furnace is built. Regardless if fate was real or not, he would do his best he could till the end.
-Several weeks later-
Things had progressed more or less like Frode had thought they would. When the ships from the Eastern raids had come back it was with little to nothing in hand. Much to the anger of our fellow Vikings as they had quickly learned of Ragnar's success. They had fought and bleed for next to nothing while Ragnar and those who had followed him didn't fight at all and came home with riches unheard of. Yet their anger was not directed at Ragnar so much as the Earl for not following Ragnar's suggestion. Which was not fully the Haraldson's fault, but people don't really change no matter what time period you live in. It was never about what you had done for them but what you have done for them lately. Regardless of the fact that they were all there at the Thing when Ragnar said they should sail West and didn't listen to him. Heeding their Earl's words more than Ragnar's and now felt like fools for it.
Haraldson knew that all too well and was why he left so many of his warriors behind. While there was little doubt in his mind that there was more gold to be found in this England the question was how much. That strange man Ragnar had taken as a slave had only said there was a town nearby but if that town was wealthy. If there was too little to pass around after the raid, then it would be thought of as other failed raid by a Earl who had done nothing but fail since coming to power. He would most likely be killed right there on the beach if that were to happen. So, while a bit short sighted on his part it was the safer choice in his option. Yet if things worked out and they brought home as much or even more gold then Ragnar it could be just enough to save his rule.
Looking over at Frode, Haraldson was going to gamble that the man would still be open to marrying his daughter. Where before he had refused to even think about it both do to his heavy debt to Frode and wounded pride. He was now open to the match as the debt was paid and while his pride was still hurt, he was willing to ignore it in exchange for his continued rule. Something a marriage between the two would bring as he knew very well the three brothers wouldn't go to war with each other. As while it was clear that between the oldest of the three there was some kind rivalry, they were also very loyal to each other. If Frode got married to Thyri hostilities would end or as his brothers would wish to fight their younger brother. At least that was what he was gambling on.
There were still a number of things that could go wrong between here and there. One such thing that could happen was that his ex-Stewart Svein could do something stupid while he was away. Something he had told his wife to keep an eye on, but Svein had become very distant lately. Taking on the guise of a snake in the grass who was waiting to strike. Once this raid was over Haraldson would have to really take care of the man. His uses had long since passed and it was time to do what Frode called clean house. Getting rid of all the hanger-on's and useless advisors who had only led him astray was on the top of his list of things to do when he returned.
-Kingdom of Northumbria-
A few days later saw Haraldson at the head of his ship looking out over a land he had never seen before. Only in his dreams had he ever allowed himself to truly believe that there was land to the West and now here he was. In a new land that held promises of glory and riches for him if he was able to hold on to his rule. And while many worries where still on his mind he put them to the side for the moment. Just so he could take it all in and think how he wished his sons where here with him.
When the ships land, he jumps off the one he is on with the vigor he had not felt since his youth. Quickly joining the other Vikings, he stops just short in front Ragnar. It was agreed to before they left that as Earl it was his right to lead them. Something he knew annoyed Ragnar deeply but while it may have annoyed him there was no discussion as even his closest allies agreed along with his brothers. Yet while they were here, he would allow Ragnar to do all the talking with anyone they met or captured. As while yes, they were to raid he understood the need for interrogation. People tended to hide their wealth after all during a raid and if you couldn't speak with your captives then much could be missed.
Turning away from Ragnar without saying a world they all start to walk along the beach and shorty spot armed men approaching them. Immediately gauging their numbers Haraldson sees they are no threat to them. Their numbers of warriors he had at his command were 52 while these people approaching them only had 14. Yet while far out numbering them he was ever the cautious man, so he orders, "Frode to the back with your archers. Ragnar up front. Let us not start a fight just yet. Not till we know where we are."
Being of the same mind Ragnar just nods his head and steps forward to talk to these men. While his younger brother Frode looks at men at his sides. Each of them was armed with chainmail armor, shield, short sword, dagger and longbow paid for by him. As they were some of his private elite warriors that he had pain painstakingly trained over the last 10 years. High trained and very efficient they were something he was very proud of as they were the closet thing you would get to a professional army unit you would get during this time in history. And while they had seen no action in the Salt Wars, they had carved out a name for themselves during the years following it. Seeing as of yet none of the 40 men and women he had trained had died during a raid or skirmish.
Looking back over at Ragnar, Frode sees the talks were a bit more civil than they were in the show. Though that had more to do with Ragnar, Rollo, myself and Floki surprisingly enough knowing how to speak Old English. Well, that was being a bit generous as it was only really Ragnar and Frode who could speak it, but Rollo and Floki were quickly learning. As Old English and Old Norse had enough similarities that it was relatively easy was easy to pick up.
Over hearing Ragnar tell the Earl, they believe them to be traders, Haraldson orders Ragnar to ask a few questions. Such as the nearest settlement and so on. Which he does while at the same time signaling to me to ready the archers for an attack. After Ragnar spends a bit of time questioning the men, we can all tell they were becoming very tense as they don't seem to understand why we were asking so many questions. And points out that if we wish to trade, we needed to speak to their king.
Translating the answer to Haraldson he just looks at the men and narrows his eyes. Then orders, "Everyone down."
On his orders everyone kneels quickly which is the signal for the archers to open fire. To quickly for the English men to realize what is happening the archers draw their bows and fires into them. Killing many where they stood as rest of them quicky stand back up and attack. What follows is little more than a bloodbath as having caught the enemy off guard they had no time to react. Leaving all but one who Frode had aimed to wound alive but laying on his back crying out in pain from the arrow in his shoulder.
When the brief fight is over the Earl orders, "Knut, Ragnar get answers from this one."
Both men don't say a thing and just picks the man up and proceedings to extract answers from him in the most painful ways they can think of. Much to the dislike of Frode who had never gotten use to things like this. When it came to adapting to this way of life Frode had done quite well. As he had for the most part accepted the Viking way of life. With the only exceptions being things like this and of course slavery.
That being said the human mind was an incredible thing and could adjust to anything given enough time. Still as use to this as he was, he still wasn't very happy with taking part in either. He was happy however when the man proved to be a coward quickly started to talk as soon Ragnar broke one of his fingers. Not that Frode can blame him as a broken anything in this day and age could be a death sentence.
From this man we learn more then what was shown in the show. As there wasn't just one town nearby but several and all of them within a day or twos walk of where they were. Yet even with this unexpected information many of us didn't know what to do with it. We all came here planning to attack one town not two. But an opportunity had presented itself and more than one felt like they would be fools to not take advantage of it.
As far as the Haraldson was concerned however he wasn't so sure if the risk was worth the reward. As leader of this raid, he had final say and as far as he saw it, they had to few men to risk attacking more then on town. There were only 52 of them and a few would have to stay behind to guard to boats so that left just around 45 to attack with. A small number that was too small to risk attacking multiple locations with even with the element of surprise. Other than the man they had questioned no one else among the enemy was alive but that didn't mean no one else knew they were where. Reinforcement could very well be on their way.
However, the potential prize was too good to pass up on as well so Haraldson gives the order. "We stick with the plan. We attack the first town tomorrow at dawn. If things go well and we take little in the way of loses and no reinforcements show up, we attack another. Understood?"
Every man nods their head at hearing this. While many of them didn't like the Earl they did like the sound of that plan. None of them were stupid, overeager yes but not stupid. A successful raid depends on both speed and surprise. If both where lost, they could very well all die with nothing to show for it. They all wished to go to Valhalla but not due to a foolishness.
Seeing that every man and woman agreed Haraldson turns and leads them on. It only takes a few short hours for them to reach the town and at the site of it Haraldson smiles. It was a large town and it most likely would have a lot to treasure. Maybe too much even for two boats. Yet he does not give the order to attack right away instead doing what he said they would and sticking with the plan. under the advice of his brother Frode, Ragnar had told Haraldson about some these Christian's traditions. Many of which he found more than a little farfetched to be honest. As one of them had their fighting men disarm every Sunday at dawn to worship this dead God of theirs. It was too ridiculous to be believed as that would leave the town completely undefended. What fool would even agree to something like that as even on their most sacred of days they were always armed at least with a dagger.
Hel it was so unbelievable that he almost completely dismissed it out of hand. Yet as always Frode gave him great council when he pointed out that there was no harm in trying out his brothers plan of attacking at dawn on a Sunday. After all, if things went as planned these Christians wouldn't even know they were here till it was too late. So, what was the harm in waiting one more day or two. It was nothing that is what it was, so he agreed to give the plan a chance so long as they arrived before Sunday. Which they did and now they waited to see if this plan of Ragnar's would work.
Later that night as Haraldson was looking up at the night sky when hears a voice call out to him. "Be careful of looking into the abyss my friend. For when you do the abyss stares back at you"
Not turning around Haraldson just moves his hand into his armor putting away his most precious treasure. "I will be careful my friend."
"So, tell me what dark thoughts keep you up my Earl?" Frode asks as he comes out of the shadows.
"Many things Frode. Most of which you already known but one above all the others." Haraldson says.
"And that would be?" Frode asks.
"The only prophecy Odin ever gave you." Haraldson answers.
"The warning about the cross." Frode says.
While Frode was always careful to no give out prophecies and visions like the seer, he did let that made up one slip. Seeing as he knew the Christian world prosed to the Norsemen way of life, he felt it was safe to give out just one. And while the Muslim world was also a threat, they were further away and not an immediate one.
"That is right. Have you ever thought that these people are the ones Odin warned you about?" Haraldson asks.
"Indeed, it has." Frode answers simply.
"Then perhaps we should just burn the town and kill all of its inhabitants." Haraldson says thinking about the warning and wishing to stop any other possible threats to his rule before they became one. If things went as planned, he would secure his rule with this raid and have his daughter marry Frode. Meaning that it could be either be him or his grandchildren who had to face this threat.
"Stone in the sea my friend. I have talked with the priest that was in Floki's tender care. Man had a big mouth and love trying to scare us with tales about how big the Christian faith was. According to him their faithful numbered in the hundreds of thousands." Frode says to him.
"Did you believe him?" Haraldson asks.
Shrugging his shoulders Frode says, "No, but then let us say that their numbers are half of 100,000. That is still a lot more than the amount we can bring to fight."
Thinking on this for a bit Haraldson says, "So we should spare them?"
"You are the Earl my friend it is up to you on what we should do, but in my opinion yes. Let them believe we are here for treasure. If you attack a man's beliefs, he is more likely to fight all that harder than if he thinks you here only after his coin." Frode says to him.
"In other words, get rich and powerful off them and then deal with them as a whole." Haraldson says believing he knowns what Frode is thinking.
"That is right." Frode answers.
"That carries its own risks my friend. What if they attack before we are ready?" Haraldson asks.
"Then we will have to deal with it. None of us know what our fates are till they happens. The seer can only give us hits of what the Gods have planned. All we can do is prepare for it as best we can." Frode says to him.
Taking a deep breath Haraldson thinks that wasn't the answer he had wished for, but it was the best he was going to get from Frode. The man simply wasn't the type to tell anyone what they wanted to hear. Only his opinion and advice on how to move forward. It was something that both angered Haraldson and something he dearly missed.
"I have missed this my friend." Haraldson says.
"Oh, have you now?" Frode asks.
"Indeed, I have. Long ago you warned me of the dangerous of surrounding myself with those who would only tell me what I wished to hear instead of what I need to hear. Yet I paid your warning no heed and have now find myself in dangerous situation with your brother because of it." Haraldson says.
"That you do my friend." Frode says not bothering to deny it. Haraldson was too smart to be fool into believing he wasn't on the edge of losing his Earldom after all.
While knowing it was one thing hearing it from Frode was a completely different thing. It was like taking a physical blow from someone Haraldson could not strike back at. Which fit perfectly as even now he was surrounded by men that were not his own. Some of them where but most sat somewhere in the middle. With the rest being either loyal to Ragnar or Frode. Really, he was just lucky Thorkell wasn't here. If he was and things turned badly between Ragnar and him those men who were on no one's side would quickly join Ragnar's out of fear.
"Perhaps after this raid it will not matter anymore. Perhaps we can go back to when we were all on the same side." Haraldson says with some hope in his voice.
Hearing that but not holding out any real hope of such an outcome coming to pass Frode says, "I would like that. A whole new land has been open up to us with endless possibilities. To fight among each other now would be the height of foolishness."
Hearing this Haraldson just nods his head hoping that things would go well.
-Back in Kattegat-
Unknown to both of them however that small hope of peace had already died as Svein with a band of men were quicky making their way towards the salt pools. His plan to strike at the pools under the cover of night while Thorkell was distracted with what Svein thought was a clever diversion. And take it in the name of Earl Haraldson. A foolish plan as neither Earl Haraldson nor his wife Siggy knew anything about the plan or would have approved of it. But his hatred for Frode and his family was so great he didn't even think of asking permission. Figuring so long as he took the pools all would be forgiven. Forgetting that the pools where the most fortified place in all of the Earldom. Even without Thorkell there it would take several hundred battle hardened men to take it. Not the lone 100 scumbags that he was able to bribe with coin and promises of being richly rewarded once the Earl returned.
He also forgot that while he may have acted the fool, Thorkell was far from one. While pissed and blood trusty from being left behind he knew what his job was. Protecting these pools was of the highest priority and leaving them was out of the question. So, when one of the guards told him someone had reported that one of the caravans was under attack, he didn't believe it. And for two very good reasons. First the suppose trade caravan that was under attack was headed towards Jarl Borg's lands. That man never took chances when it came to the protection of his salt, and no one was that stupid to attack it. Second Hakon had quicky proved his worth when Frode had allowed him to stay at the pools. The man really did have a fucking large family. They were everywhere and heard everything. So no sooner had Svein planned his little attack then Thorkell had heard about it.
When a guard arrives telling him that Svein was here with his merry banded of fools he gets a big smile on his face. Then stands and leaves his house but quickly runs into two small boys. Both of whom are armed with hunting bows, arrows, daggers and armor that is a too big for them.
"What are you boys doing?" Thorkell asks upon seeing them.
"We are getting ready to fight." Bjorn answers.
"Fight huh?" Thorkell asks while looking down at the two of them.
This was clearly Bjorn's ideal. As while his nephew was clearly the strong and smarter of the two boys Bjorn was showing he was a natural born leader. The boy was a lot like his father in that way as he was both more outgoing and able to get the other boys and girls to follow him. Doing as he said and playing games he picked. He was also being quite good at fighting and while he had a long way to go Thorkell could see that he would be bear one day. But still they were still just boys and if Lagertha found out he let them fight she cut of his balls while he slept. Women knew no fear when she was pissed, and he hated to admit it, but he was honestly a little scared of the women. She remined him of his mother when he was a boy and the less said about the giantess the better.
Feeling a cold shiver go up his spine at just the thought of his mother Thorkell says, "I don't think so. Go back to Forde's house and stay there till it's over."
Bjorn gets a dejected look on his face, but Thorfinn just looks at his uncle with those same cold eyes he always had on and says, "Uncle this is our home, our land do we not have a right to fight for it? We have a right to defend it when it is threaten."
Looking at his nephew Thorkell spots a bit of fire behind them. The boy wanted to fight and looking back at Bjorn so did he. They had passion, he would give them that and it was wonderful thing to see in ones so young. So, who was he to deny them the right to fight and while he knew he would regret it when Lagertha returns, he was also unwilling to stomp on their warrior's spirt?
"Fine but you both stay with the archers. While I doubt whoever is attacking will get pass the wall if you see anyone get passed me or the rest of the guards shoot to kill. Understood?"
"Yes uncle, Thorkell." Both boys answer excited at taking part in their first battle.
"Good and one more thing if Lagertha returns and cuts off my ball you both better hope I bleed out. Otherwise, I will do the same to both of you." Thorkell says with a sickening smile that tells them he meant it. Which makes both boys shiver in fear and question if they should retune to Forde's home and wait for it all to be over. But they quickly shake it off and run off to join the other archers.
Seeing them run off Thorkell laughs a deep belly laugh as he was proud that they didn't back down. He would catch Hel from Lagertha later, but it would be worth it so long as the boys didn't die.
Feeling absolutely joyful now Thorkell walks towards the gate and climbs the stairs leading up to the rampart. Taking a moment to think on the wooden wall that defended the salt pools Thorkell once more understood why during the war no one had tried to attacked it. The 50-foot-tall wooden wall completely enveloped the salt pools. Complete with what Frode called watchtowers every 100ft or so the salt pools walls were designed to hold off armies of several hundreds if not thousands. And looking down Thorkell can see the little dwarf just standing there with a force that was either exactly one hundred men or just under it. And while he had less than 50 men the fool was attacking from the main road where the best defenses where found.
Idiot would have been better off attacking the sea route as while facing a steep climb up a hill due to the salt water of the sea the wood often had to be replaced or was in bad condition. Leaving it the weakest point in the salt pools' defenses. As for the other points of the wall one was on the border between the Earldom of Kattegat and Jarl Borgs lands. So, coming that way was not going to happen and the other was facing the mountains.
Thorkell…. Thorkell you dumb fuck are you listening to me!" Svein yells out as he had been calling out to the man for a while now.
Looking down at Sevin with a big smile Thorkell answers, "Ah if it isn't the dwarf. I hardly saw you there, you're so short that even from up here I can hardly see you. What do you want dwarf?"
His face turning red at the insult Sevin starts to say, "I said…
"Dwarf speak up louder I can hardly hear you, you gutless worm." Thorkell says while turning his head and putting his hand to his ear as if to help him hear better.
Something that just infuriates Sevin even more, "I said open up in the name of the Earl. I have been ordered to take possession of the salt pools."
"Have you now?" Thorkell asks with a mocking voice.
"Yes." Is all Sevin says back to the man.
Laughing a bit Thorkell says, "That is funny maggot because as far as I know the Earl doesn't own this land. House Munsö owns this land and Earl Haraldson has no rights to take command of it."
Red face Sevin says back, "The Earl is the lord of all Kattegat, and the salt pools are on Kattegat lands. You will hand them over are we will be forced to take them."
"We? I see no we you fool. All I see is a dwarf and his scum friends in front of me. Really dwarf could you do no better than these bunch of cowards and drunks. Tell me cowards did this dwarf tell you what it is he was going to do or what it would lead to?" Thorkell asks and sees none of them answering, "No? Then let me tell you. This goat fucker has just started a civil war between the Earl and House Munso. The same family that most of Kattergat works for. The same family who also has the most powerful warriors of Kattegat on their side. You are all dead men along with your Earl now." Thorkell says laughing out in great joy at the war that was surly to follow.
While Frode would have prefer for one not to have happened at all it was too late now. Which was wonderful to Thorkell as he had been waiting for something fun to happen for a long time now. But while he was excited, he also knew it was important to take Svein alive, along with some witness. After all the fool had invoked the Earl's name in this poor attempt at taking the salt pools. Any support the Earl had before now would dry up no matter what he brought back from the raid.
"Enough everyone kill him and take the salt pools in the name of the Earl Haraldson." Svein commands but nothing happens.
Looking back, he seeing the men are scared. This was not what they agreed to. Svein told them that there would be a fight and if there was Thorkell the Invincible wouldn't be here. Yet there he stood looking every bit the monster people said he was.
"Yes, little piggies come. Come to the slaughter." Thorkell says in a menacing voice that makes him seem even bigger than he was. It was like a jötunn was standing before them ready to attack.
Even Svein who was so confident at the numbers he had with him at first was feeling unsure now. But before he can say anything Thorkell says, "No then let me come to you."
Turning and making his way down from the wall Thorkell disappears from site for a moment but only for a moment. Then the gate opens fully, and he walks forward with just 40 armed men and women behind him. Each looking ready to fight and die in battle, unlike them. Then to add to their horror they seen archers appear on top of the wall with bows ready to fire on them. Panic quickly starts to take a hold of them as while the men behind Thorkell where heavy armed and armored they were not. Most didn't even bring a shield with them as they had foolish believed Svein when he said they would just walk in and take the pools.
But worst of all for them was the giant before them. Dressed in his mail armor and carrying his double battle axes he cut a frightening image.
"Well, are you not going to attack. The gate is open now Dwarf." Thorkell says with a huge smile. "No? Then we will."
At his words, the Archers on the wall open fire. While there are few of them, they are deadly accurate. Both do to the being a part of Frode's elite archers and do to how close the enemy was. Even the two young boys by their side had little trouble hitting the enemy. After the archers release their arrows Thorkell charges straight towards the enemy. No brothering with a shield wall as the look of fear on the enemies' faces tell him that they will run like the cowards they are the moment they strike. He was quickly proven right too as the moment he kills the first man with a brutal strike to the chest the rest start to panic and break.
They had not come here for a fight and showed why. All of them down to the last man were cowards who never raided or fought. At least not when their enemies where able to fight back and as for those few who had raided in the past, they were the worst cowards of all. Fleeing from battle even before it had begun. The only ones who did try to put up a fight where those who were at the front and couldn't turn around fast enough to run away. Of those few more than half tossed there weapons down in hopes of surrendering. It was a bad choice as without Frode here to stop him Thorkell showed little in the way of mercy. The best he gave the vast majority of them was a quick end at the end of his axes.
By the time the short battle is over less then perhaps 20 of the men Svein had brought with him remained alive. Most of whom had been able to flee but a few along with Svein who had his horse shot out from under him was taken alive. Taking a deep breath at the carnage all around him Thorkell however still feels unsatisfied. As killing these men, if you can call them that was hardly a challenge. For a great warrior like him it was annoying and once again he swore a great war better start up soon or else, he would go crazy.