As soon as everyone had sobered up from the wedding, we set sail for Norway.
At the port, everyone said their farewells. Hoffer embraced his sister, knowing that this would likely be the last time they saw each other. The same was true for many others—those who chose to stay behind said their farewells to family and friends who would be returning with us.
Many tears were shed on both sides, but under the sorrow there was a hunger to begin the next adventure. And, with heavy hearts filled with excitement, my people began the long awaited journey home.
We didn't visit Crete again, though Hoffer was already sailing that way, determined to use the army that he now had to take control over the port. We sailed by Sicily, then Sardinia, and then to the Gibraltar Strait. It was the point of no return, I knew. After we sailed through it, we would have officially left the Mediterranean.
It would be a lie to say that it wasn't a little tempting to stay. To call off all of my plans and simply remain in the Mediterranean. The life I could build here… It would be an easy life. A good life, I think.
But not the life that I wanted.
I kept my thoughts to myself as we sailed through the strait, hugging the coastline of Hispania with a fleet numbering hundreds of ships. My Map started proving it's worth as it traced the coastline as we traveled, proving that the landmass of Hispania was more… squarish, than I'd anticipated. Day by day, we followed the coastline - while the sun was up, we would sail, and when the sun went down, we would rest. My warriors were prepared for the journey, but not all were so used to life on a ship.
Blistering Speed made up for the time lost resting, however, with my fleet moving swiftly as the gods put a strong wind behind our sails and a fast current beneath our hulls. Even still, it took the better part of two weeks to fully round Hispania and reach the Frankish coastline.
By then, I suspected, Irene and Charlemagne would have learned of what I had done. Of my alliance with the Abbasids and, by now, Hoffer should have secured his grip on the island nations. I could only imagine what their reaction would be, but I suspected it would have been a black rage. A true fury as they realized they had been outplayed by someone they hadn't deemed a player. Perhaps it would even overshadow the meeting in Rome. I hoped so. Especially if Harun made good on his promise to seize Anatolia.
It would be a fight there, I knew. Irene had been prepared for an attack when I left her lands. Though, I knew those plans of defense relied upon her control of Crete and without me there to stop it, the plan Harun's father came up with had a real possibility of succeeding this time.
It was a true shame that it would likely be months before I learned of the events that I left in my wake. So many things that only were set in motion after I had walked out the door… honestly, I half expected some kind of reprisal as we sailed up the Frankish coastline that consisted of what had once been Gaul. Some kind of resistance as we stopped on occasion to hunt or rest within Charlemagne's territory. We were being shadowed, certainly, but as we sailed north, past the stretch of land that jutted out of Gaul, there was nothing.
Charlemagne didn't want to pick that fight, I think. Less because he was scared and more because he couldn't be bothered, I expected. After all, the more resistance that I faced, the longer I would be within his kingdom.
More days past as we sailed around the jutting landmass and sailed east once more. And, it was there that I saw it with my own two eyes.
"That there is Britannia," I said, holding Ragnar and Magnus both with one arm while Scáthach and Aífe were cradled by the other. "The Romans didn't believe that it existed for a time. They only truly believed in its existence once Caesar landed on it to conquer it. Though they never did conquer it, not truly. They came close, but politics got in the way and they had to abandon their progress. I imagine that they always intended to resume the invasion, but they never got around to it and the opportunity was lost to them."
My world was so much broader now. It wasn't something I'd ever really noticed before, but I was looking at proof now that made it so very clear. A few short years ago, I would have said it was impossible that an island lay west of Denmark. Everyone knew that there was only a vast unending ocean that way. And all who tried to prove otherwise were swallowed up by the great waves of the North Sea. Now, not only did I know of its existence, I also knew its history, having studied what lay beyond that coastline and its white cliffs, which seemed as formidable as any castle wall.
"Somewhere on that island there is a wall called Hadrian's Wall. When it became clear that they wouldn't conquer the island, the Romans built it to keep out the Barbarians." I continued, finding myself eager to learn more recent history. All the information I had was outdated by centuries - what did those lands look like now? What did they contain?
Enemies, almost certainly, as I could see scouts overlooking the fleet upon the stark white cliffs.
"Did it work?" Ragnar asked and I chuckled at his hopeful tone.
"For a time, perhaps," I told him. "But when Rome faced crisis after crisis, they pulled their garrison from the island. After that, Britannia would be abandoned to be invaded by the Saxons." Ragnar was visibly disappointed that the wall didn't work, but he said nothing. So, to distract him, I continued. "However, to the west of Britannia is another, smaller island called Ireland. And that island is where Morrigan hails from." That perked him up.
I was then pestered with questions I didn't have the answers to, so I looked to the helm of my ship to find Morrigan gazing off into the distance at her homeland. Her lips were thinned and she gripped the railing with white knuckles - she seemed angry, almost. But, I knew what she truly felt, largely because I was feeling it now myself.
It was… strange to be so close to home, a place that had so many memories, yet so far away at the same time. Jill was with her, so I needn't worry, but it also didn't seem the time to get answers for Ragnar's insatiable curiosity. So I gave what answers I could, then shocked Ragnar with proof that I didn't have all the answers as he apparently thought I was Odin.
Morrigan's tension eased once we continued on, leaving the province behind us, but by that time, it was my turn to grow tense.
I began to recognize the terrain around us, and the memories returned. I saw the entrance to the Rhine, which I had traversed the first time with but a few ships to join a war I couldn't have imagined the scope of at the time. Then the Elba River, where I had gone on my first raid and earned great glory. It brought me back to a time when I thought my destiny ended at being a warrior for Horrik.
It was a bittersweet feeling. One I knew Jill shared.
It only grew worse as we sailed up the coast of Denmark. There was a tension that I found hard to describe - I was so close to my destiny. My ambition. I could simply give the order and we would land in my homeland once more. Horrick already knew of my return - there were archers and scouts behind every tree, waiting for us to land and begin our invasion.
Again, I would leave us both disappointed as I had to sail further north, to Norway. I needed to regroup with King Hoffer…
And fulfill an oath I'd made to the gods.
As we sailed up to Norway, it was Astrid's turn to grow anxious as she began recognizing signs of her home. However, unlike Morrigan, Jill and myself she found satisfaction, as she was returning in truth. Sailing up the coast of Norway, the final day of our journey arrived as we caught sight of the island settlement that Astrid once called home.
It had grown larger since I last saw it, including a palisade that now surrounded what had been the original town. It was hard to gauge how much it had grown in the past few years since it became the seat of a king, but I'd call it three or four times as large as it was. There were houses that were pushed up to the beaches, while a second dock had been built.
Our arrival didn't come without warning - we had sent a few ships ahead of us to inform them that we were coming, even if they hadn't already heard by rumor. A crowd gathered at the docks in a familiar sight, and even from so far away, it was a simple thing to see Hoffer the Vast, now King of Norway. He stood a head and shoulder over everyone while he was built two grown men wide.
It also made it easy to see those that were standing near him. My heart lurched in my chest as we were welcomed with cheering, my flagship sailing into the harbor first. It jolted when we reached the dock and I was the first to step off the ship.
I hadn't realized I had been holding my breath until I found myself being embraced by my mother, who was so much smaller than I remembered. She wrapped her arms around me, hugging me so fiercely that I thought I might crack a rib. It was a struggle to not return the hug with all my strength, knowing that was a bad idea, but I still wanted to.
I might have given in to the temptation if it weren't for a punch to my shoulder, and I looked over at Halfdan, finding my brother grinning at me. "Looks like I can't call you little brother anymore. What were they feeding you down there? Giants?" He asked with a laugh before he joined in on the embrace. I laughed because he wasn't wrong - neither of my brothers could be described as short men, and I now stood a head taller than both of them.
My gaze went to Haldur, and he held it for a moment before a smile found it's way onto his face. He too joined the group hug, following my sisters.
It only truly sank in at that moment, I think - I was back after a long journey to a land that had been so foreign, it was like another realm. For three years, I had been away on a quest to gain the qualities of a great king… and now I was back, with my family. A weight I hadn't been entirely been aware of lifted off of my shoulders and I found that I could breathe a bit easier now.
Surprisingly, it was Mother who pulled back first, looking up at me with pride shining in her eyes. "You look strong, my son. Did you find what you were looking for?"
"That and so much more," I replied, resting my hands on her shoulders. Out of the corner of my expanded vision, I saw the others disembarking, so I took a step back. "But, before I begin that tale… let me make introductions. Astrid, Jill, and Morrigan you know - but these are our children. Ragnar, Magnus, Scáthach and Aífe." I said, ushering Ragnar forward as he looked up at everyone.
My mother's expression softened with a quiet joy when she heard Ragnar's name. Ragnar proved he was as gentle of a soul as my eldest brother had been because when he saw the tears shining in her eyes, he immediately moved to reassure her. My mother lifted her grandson up into her arms, half crushing him into her chest. "A fine name, Siegfried. A strong name."
It was a sight that lightened my heart, but there was one more introduction to be made. "And this is Princess Jasmine of the Abbasid Caliphate. My wife," I introduced Jasmine, placing a gentle hand on her back and ushering her forward.
I could tell that she was a little overwhelmed. Her expression was blank, but she leaned on Rajah, who was earning more attention than Jasmine herself. Her gaze flickered between my family, and I imagined she felt a little out of place. For us, this was something of a homecoming - we were amongst out people once more. Jasmine, however…
"Welcome to the family, Princess Jasmine. My son wrote of you in his letters," Mother said, offering a gentle and welcoming smile. Jasmine returned it tentatively, approaching on her own. Meanwhile, Halfdan clapped me on the shoulder once more.
"You've been busy, brother. You told us that you'd be coming back this summer, so we decided to leave it as a surprise but… meet one of your nephews! My son, Harald!" He said, stepping to the side to reveal a woman carrying a baby that was of age with Magnus.
"Congratulations, brother! The family is growing," I said, taking in a slow breath and letting it out. I saw it all from where I stood - Astrid was reuniting with her father, I saw the children of my sisters standing nearby, and I saw a woman who I suspected to be Haldur's wife, who also carried a child.
I also saw little Arne, who wasn't so little anymore. Now a child of five years or so, he was growing like a reed.
I hadn't realized how much I had missed everyone until I returned. So much had happened. So much had changed. But, at this moment… it felt like the future was falling in place before me.
[center]…/center]
I had been more or less right in my estimation of how much the town had grown - it housed some five thousand people now, which likely made it the largest settlement in Norway several times over. It was strange to see, in a way. I had grown used to the style of the Romans and the Abbasids. More than that, I had witnessed first hand how great the cities were in the Mediterranean.
Norway's capital wouldn't even be called a city in the Roman Empire. It would be a town, at best. The differences between them were so vast that I struggled to even call this place a city in my own mind. I could also see the glaring issues with it, largely because I was familiar with them. Hoffguard, as it was named, suffered from rapid expansion that it wasn't quite prepared to handle.
The Longhouse, a building that would have impressed me before, seemed so… unassuming in comparison to the Hagia Sophia or Colosseum.
Yet, we were swiftly ushered inside of it where Hoffer the Vast stood before a crowd of people. Some of whom pricked at my memories, telling me that I had seen a number of them before. They were likely Jarls I had defeated in battle. It was there, in the throne room, that Hoffer addressed his guests. "Now, I know what some of you might be thinking - but no, this lad isn't one of my sons! I can't blame you for thinking it- I thought the same until I saw the red hair!"
The jest was well placed because, incredibly, Hoffer the Vast still stood taller than me.
There was laughter and cheering before King Hoffer continued. "Three years ago, a boy arrived at my home to marry one of my daughters. A valiant warrior, I knew him as. One worthy of my blood. But I could have never expected the changes that his arrival would bring! For, all of a sudden, I found a crownon my brow and people were calling me king!" There was more laughter and cheering, the festive mood growing.
"His time with us was brief, for we were but a stop on his journey to a far off land. To Miklagard, the greatest city in the world!" King Hoffer continued, stoking the crowds excitement. "In those three years, much has changed. So, I cannot fault any for not recognizing him. So, allow me to once more introduce my son-in-law, Siegfried the Wolf-Kissed!" The cheering took an explosive pitch, people pounding on the tables so hard that they were at risk of breaking.
I took my place in a position of honor, standing next to King Hoffer. The man seemed happy. So happy that one would think that I was here to deliver his family a third crown. I suppose I was, in a way.
It took a few minutes for the cheering to die down, and I looked out at the crowd. It was impossible not to compare the sight to what I saw in Constantinople - the floor was made of dirt, and a hearth of coals ran the length of the longhouse. The walls were wood, and while there was wealth on display, they would hardly be called trinkets in Rome. It was a real reminder of the task I had set for myself.
"Please, Wolf-Kissed, tell my people of the sights you saw! Of the treasures you claimed!" King Hoffer continued and everyone's attention was on me. I understood it. While I would have preferred to have a more quiet reunion with my family, I understood why King Hoffer took this approach.
In the end, I'd won him his crown. He kept it, of course, but it could be said that a significant portion of his authority was connected to me. Meaning the more influential I was, the more influential he was. Therefore, it also meant that I had a degree of leverage over him for reasons beyond the fact that I was married to his daughter.
"I've put a great deal of thought into how I would tell this story, when I found myself here again," I admitted, looking over the crowd and finding the faces of my family within. "And yet, in the years I've thought of it, I still haven't found the words to describe the things that I saw in Miklagard- a city known as Constantinople by those that live there. I've become convinced that they simply don't exist. So, I believe it would be best to show you."
With that, I made a gesture and a baggage train that I had ordered prepared step forward- two men carrying a chest of wealth approached the center of the room before they unceremoniously dumped its contents onto the dirt floor. Gold, silver, and jewels spilled out and the crowd was awed. Their eyes widened and their jaws dropped - it was a fine display. Which made it that much more shocking when another pair emptied another chest on top of the pile. Then a third. Then a fourth.
By that time, the people began to realize what was going on and they began to crane their heads to get a look out the door. Shock rippled through the crowd as word spread that there was a line out the door all the way to the docks where they were still unloading the treasures we had claimed. The pile of gold and silver began to climb higher and higher until it reached a point it could only grow wider.
The cheering began to die down as people could only gape in disbelief at the pile of treasure that seemed to have no end. Even King Hoffer seemed quietly stunned by the display, struggling to close his jaw.
I chose to display my wealth in this manner for a few reasons. It was something that I'd learned from the Romans - how they beat you over the head with the vastness of their riches. They induced a sense of awe and disbelief because I knew there was likely more gold and silver in this one room than there was in the rest of Norway. Barring what remained in my fleet. Another reason was because I knew that word would spread by way of merchants and spies alike. Horrik would hear of this, as would others.
The final reason was simple - it solidified my image. My reputation was built on success. I was a warrior without peer, I won battles no one else could, and I won wealth like no other. Three years was enough time for people's memories to fade, so I solidified it in their memories with this. Whenever they imagined success, they would recall a pile of gold as high as a man stood tall.
"The land there is vast, and rich in both history and wealth," I continued, striding forward and began to surmount the pile of treasure that shifted under my feet. "It was there that we found allies… and very rich foes," I continued, reaching the top of the pile and looking down at everyone in the room. There were looks of wonder and fierce jealousy. True Vision marked out those who were merely envious from those who had infiltrated King Hoffer's court at the behest of Horrik. "But, it was there that I gained two treasures worth more than this treasure beneath my feet."
"Is it a bigger pile of treasure?" Someone in the back called out, and a laugh of stunned disbelief rippled out.
A grin pulled at my own lips, "There are bigger piles, but that wasn't what I spoke of." I answered easily, and before the crowd managed to recover from that news, I drew the blade that was at my hip. The Hoffers in the room instantly recognized it, even if it took a different form. "Upon my marriage with Astrid, as per tradition, I received her family blade. But in truth, it was one part of a greater whole, and it was with the conquest of Norway that I found another part. Yet, it was in my time in a sea called the Mediterranean that I found the final piece and was able to reforge the blade."
The tension was palpable as everyone looked at it, and to me. "It is a blade that you all know. A blade that has been tested and verified by the augers. The legendary blade Gram, wielded by my namesake against the dragon Fafnir, has been restored!"
A person could only be so shocked, and I think I was finding the upper limits of it. People rocked back on their heels, and others dropped down on their knees. Sigurd or Siegfried was a hero that we all grew up hearing of. The tales changed depending on who was telling them, but one thing we all had in common was sitting around a hearth and listening to our father, uncles, or brothers telling us about how Siegfried had slain one monster or another.
"What's the third treasure?!" Someone shouted, and I could only imagine what they thought I was going to reveal next.
"The greatest treasure of them all - knowledge," I answered. "The reason I cannot describe to you the land that I visited is because you can't imagine it. I couldn't. Not until I saw it myself. The roads made of cut stone, statues and carvings so vivid that they look alive. Buildings so tall that this Longhouse could fit inside of them a hundred times over and still have room for more. Cities so vast that everyone here could move there and they wouldn't even notice!"
They couldn't picture it. They wanted to. Fiercely, for some of them. But they couldn't. Not really.
"I went to Constantinople to find the greatest city in the world, and I found it. I spent three years learning all that I could from them and I paid sums that would make this pile of treasure seem like an anthill to bring that knowledge here. All with a single goal in mind - to surpass the world's greatest city!" My gaze caught the raptured awe of a child who looked up at me, clinging to his mother's dress with a hand.
I smiled, "Some of you may be so fortunate to make the journey yourself one day. Others will not be so fortunate - so, for them, I have prepared a taste of the Mediterranean!" More servants began to file in, this time carrying platters of food and wine. There was a great cheer that rang out from the crowd, their cries reaching a fevered pitch. And it was then that I sheathed my blade and addressed them a final time. "Drink and be merry! This is a cause for celebration! Our people won great glory in the Mediterranean, so listen to the tales. Just keep in mind that they are only a little exaggerated!"
With that, I slid down the gold and silver, causing an avalanche of it in my wake. King Hoffer watched me as I approached once more, and now his gaze was almost wary. Happy, but wary. "You've grown into yourself, Wolf-Kissed," he acknowledged as we took our seats at the high table. "You were already a man when you arrived the first time… but now it feels like you have reached your potential."
"I've attempted to," I agreed, leaning into the chair. One thing that was nice about the Hoffers being so large was that the furniture was made with men my size in mind. "I'm not sure if I'm quite there yet, however. There is still a long journey ahead of me."
"Denmark and the crown," Hoffer agreed, almost but not quite to remind me. I had to swallow a chuckle - he really was concerned that I was here to take his crown.
And, in a way, I suppose I was.
"Is there anything you can tell me of the goings of the kingdom? I've tried to keep an ear that way, but the distance made it difficult." I asked, looking ahead as I realized I'd ended up blocking most of our view with the treasure. I asked half because I was curious and half to reassure him that Denmark was still what I aimed for.
Hoffer pursed his lips, looking at the treasure with one eye while the other seemed to take a new measure of me. "I thought it would be ill news, but looking at you now, perhaps you'll just relish in the challenge." He said, meaning that it would be bad news. "Hoffer has made an alliance with the Swedes, Geats, Sami, Finns, and Rus. He worked some black magic and turned those fields in Denmark into an endless sea of grain. He offers it alongside a king's weight in silver. Now, he already had some alliances back when he was aiming for the throne, but since then, he's solidified them. And those that had his favor find themselves rising to the top wherever they are."
The latter, I wasn't that surprised by. Charlemagne already threw the fact that he'd gifted Horrik a vast sum in my face, so I expected it. What I didn't expect was the grain.
My lips thinned as I realized that Horrik must have stolen my farming techniques and implemented them across Denmark. That was… both good and not good. It was good because it wasn't something I would have to force when I took the throne, but it helped solidify Horrik as king in the eyes of the people. In their perspective, Horrik became king and now they had more foodstuffs than they knew what to do with.
It was an irritating reminder that Horrik was good at curating his image and reputation.
"He's also been hiring every mercenary that can hold a weapon," Hoffer continued. "We've had some raids, and so have the Saxons. I figure Horrik wanted to weaken us before your arrival."
Also within my expectations. "His numbers?"
"Rumor puts them as many as fifty thousand, but the truth of it is closer to thirty," Hoffer answered, searching for a reaction. His brow creased when there wasn't one. "Gods be good - what happened down there where thirty thousand men doesn't send a shiver down your spine?"
That got a small smile, "I faced worse odds." I would bet on my ten thousand against Horrik's thirty any day of the week. I would make that same bet even if he had fifty or sixty thousand. My people were fierce, but I knew their strengths and weaknesses better than anyone at this point. The thought was an arrogant one, but a well deserved one I felt.
I couldn't imagine myself losing against Horrik.
No, my challenge would be something wholly different.
"Well, you needn't face them alone. I have five thousand warriors at the ready to aid you in this battle, Wolf-Kissed." I didn't even factor in Norway and Saxony into my thoughts for the war. "You've given much to my family. I am king. My son rules the waves in this Mediterranean sea. While my daughter shall soon be a queen. I am eager to pay back your generosity, Wolf-Kissed. We can set sail at your command."
Hoffer was an honorable man. It was a welcome relief after everything I had dealt with in Rome. Morrigan was right - I couldn't reach my true potential in that land, as I would always be an outsider. A pagan. Here… I was more than that. To some, I was more than a man.
"You have my gratitude, King Hoffer… but there is one order of business that I must see to first before I return to my homeland. An oath I made before the gods on my armring," I said and his expression grew heavy. That was no light matter. "Have you heard tale of a large wolf in the area? Black as night, with one eye."
King Hoffer held my gaze for a moment before he offered a small nod, "Aye. I heard tales, but I thought it was the usual gossip making the rounds. He's on a small island to the north of us, about a few hours by boat." His lips thinned, "People thought it was an ill omen. There's a sacred grove there. People have taken to calling the beast Fenrir. Is that the one…?"
"Aye," I confirmed with a nod, a hand reaching up to my neck. "He's the one that gave me this kiss. I took his eye in return, and we both barely survived each other. I've seen the wolf twice since. Each time in times of… difficulty." When I buried the bodies of my kin on a ravaged farm, and again when I had to slay a good man in a duel because of the sins of his father.
"This time shall be the last. In the morning, I shall visit the island… and there, I shall fulfill my oath."
...
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