2 Years later

Another battle and more losses and when you looked at the frustration from Æthelbert it was understandable, for 2 years Ernak had promised reinforcements or at least news but none had come, he had sent message after message after message to Sigurd, he had sent people to physically deliver the message but none had returned and now looking at the 20 warriors left after their last engagement sighed seeing Æthelbert march towards him with Rheda trying to calm the situation down, “Where are they Ernak? I appreciate that all your forces are laying down their life’s but we need men, how can we hope to secure our lands if our allies aren’t providing us resources! We need men from your lands our we have to seek alternative support” Ernak sighed and nodding Ernak offered, “I sent a messenger a few days ago… if we don’t hear an response within the next two weeks then me or Torvi will go personally to get the resources!” Æthelbert considered it before Rheda whispering something into his ear it was soon revealed to him what she had spoken, “Look… there’s another way around this… my daughter has come up with an brilliant solution to help us all. We will seek out another ally but instead of getting rid of you, Rheda has offered herself in marriage to you, so both sides can continue this arrangement… you get your men over and then maybe we can grant you this land permanently” “After what I told you! You do this to me?!” Ernak glared at Rheda who nodding stated, “We marry, we have a legal right to demand their aid. We secure the land and Lagertha can come; can’t you see, you win!” “Until she finds out I’m married and will never speak to me again!” “Then see it like this… why are you talking to her? Why do you care about her when she is married. Probably has children!” “Because it’s the only thing that’s my own! Something I am not good enough to have but yet have her!” “Nothing of your own? A war hero? Come to a new land to lead men? Respect from two cultures and a woman next to you who is head over heels in love with you? And me… who admires you? Is none of that your own?” “It’s not Lagertha!” “You would throw it all away for a woman who probably has children with your brother?!” “She wouldn’t have!” “I better you she has opened her legs because father ordered her to!” “Never, you wait an see. Aid will come and so will she!”

“Just a brave face” Lagertha muttered to herself, “Just for a few moments and then I go back” she continued and Ragnor feeling the pool of guilt continue to fill all he could do is nod and apologise once again, “I’m sorry but it was necessary for the dynasty” he tried to take her arm but breaking free she pushed past him and through the room leaving Ragnor to snap at himself, “Stupid. Stupid Ragnor… why did I listen to him in the first place!”

“Who the hell are you?” Erik questioned to the messenger rushing past the others and following the instructions of Ernak straight stated, “Sigurd! Another message for you?” Sigurd took it and seeing whose hand it belonged to immediately read to the family, “Sigurd, I have sent messages and messengers to you calling for aid. Our number are few and I’m am no longer asking but demanding your aid. Send us more men. We need warriors otherwise I grow concerned for what could happen. We have waited long enough and have been patient for equally along. If you have abandoned this plan then at least tell me it to our faces instead of lying to us telling us to ‘keep pushing on’ and ‘reinforcements will come’ we need answers now not dithering. Ernak” the room froze and looking over to Ragnor and Alfhild Sigurd growled, “Okay… what is going on? I told him to come home” “You did” Alfhild stated and glaring at her Sigurd challenged, “Tell me now. Is this one of your plots? I need to know!” “No it isn’t. Him being there helps no one!” Alfhild replied offended and signalling for the messenger to leave so he could think Alfhild asked, “How’s Asger?” Lagertha froze and looking almost teary eyed at the woman Ragnor quickly interjected with, “Asleep but well” Alfhild looked towards Lagertha who meekly nodding, it was then Alfhild realised something wasn’t right; she knew Lagertha didn’t want the child but being this dejected and withdrawn from it; it wasn’t right but she couldn’t put her finger on it, however Sigurd interrupting her thoughts Sigurd told them of his new plan.

“Ragnor go with Lagertha and a small band of warriors to aid Ernak. If it isn’t worth defending then bring him home.” Ragnor nodded and seeing some life be sucked into Lagertha the advisors immediately begin the preparations and Erik to simply mumble into Ragnor’s ear, “If Ernak comes back and finds out the truth… no one will be able to stop his rage, remember that!”

“Ernak a ship!” Torvi called out jumping down and seeing the face of Rheda’s father Ernak replied, “1 ship? I’m going to see what’s going on. Torvi with me” the pair walked down and seeing the ship pull up Ragnor joyfully jumped off throwing his arms up in joy, “My kingdom. My new Kingdom. You have done well brother!” Ernak stormed up to him and pushing him back snapped, “It’s not your kingdom!” “Well it isn’t yours but you did well. I will give you parts” “It’s their kingdom!” Ernak pointed to the Saxon men and pushing him back in disgust Ragnor snapped, “Sharing? We don’t share!” “We aren’t in a position to argue. They outnumber us and have more people to call upon. We have this. One half filled ship; I need men to keep this agreement going. Not you making foolish claims!” “Brother I don’t understand. You had an entire **** to lead” “And it’s dead. Barely fifteen of us remain because we never received any help” Torvi yelled, “We have bigger problems. Right outside the gates is a new ally for the kingdoms king, they hate us and who wants us dead! I promised the king men and help. We need more people and we can own this land we have his word and in writing” Ernak spat, “We have received no news of reinforcements just of your success. Making big headway. Taking areas in the South” Lagertha cried out disembarking the ship, “Hello Ernak” but now as Torvi argued with Ragnor over the circumstances and why it was stupid to let Erik to read the notes Ernak focused on the bundle in the woman’s arms and seeing his fears came true his head dropped knowing all this time Rheda was right.

“Ernak” Torvi called over to him but seeing what he was focused on shook her head as she began with, “I’m sorry Ernak. I… I didn’t think she would have” his eyes glared at Ragnor who glaring back at him Ernak fired, “You… you took everything. The clan, the money, the support, practically left me here to die with the others. Caused my adopted clans demise and worst of all took my beloved and impregnated her and you Lagertha… I… never thought you would have” “It was for the future” Ragnor assured and shaking his head Ernak spat, “Betrayal both of you. For two years I kept fighting each step of the way for the clans future. For mine and yours Lagertha and this is what I get. I hoped one day we could live here” “It’s not like that Ernak. I didn’t do…” she tried to speak but Ragnor cutting her off stated, “You can still. After all this nothing has changed” “No that. That baby changes everything. Rheda said you would, said you open your legs for him for the power and I didn’t want to believe it. I thought you were better than them… I… I need to get out of here, away from you” “Ernak please let me explain” Lagertha pleaded almost throwing the baby at Ragnor, “I don’t want to hear any of your manipulative lies and Ragnor when will you learn that Erik wants to screw everyone over!” Lagertha between tears tried once again to explain but this time Rheda running down the hill cried, “Ernak big news. Bad news. You need to get out of here. Father… father had **** and HIS big mouth over there made father think you were trying to forcefully take over. It’s an army Ernak. A big one; you can’t fight them!” “Form up” Ragnor bellowed but shaking his head Ernak stated, “No. He is right to do this. Everyone get everything you can carry on your back and board the ship” “The children?” Torvi questioned, “Æthelbert won’t harm them” “We need time!” Ragnor snapped and nodding Ernak took a breath stated, “Go, I’ll hold them off” “Don’t, please Ernak” Ragnor pleaded and shrugging Ernak replied, “I have nothing to live for. Lagertha was my only reason and look how that turned out. Now hurry up!” Lagertha shook her head before pleading with him cried, “No, it’s suicide staying, I can’t do this without you!” he looked back before shaking his head simply cried, “Maybe you should have thought of this before getting pregnant with that bastards baby. I have nothing to live for. Torvi you to!” he drew his bow and lining the first arrow up Torvi replied, “I stand by you Ernak, I always will!” he looked at Torvi and shaking his head replied, “No, this is my **** not yours, go and live your life” “But we are an team. It’s not fair” he kissed her cheek before stating, “If I knew sooner… who knows but remember I will always be with you” Ragnor dragged her onto the ship and Lagertha watching Ernak kill the first few come towards him, watched as he threw an exploding pouch allowing him time to draw his swords and stand them in the mud to allow him to easily retrieve them before returning to his bow Lagertha desperately made an effort to pull him back but Ragnor violently nudging her out of the way watched as the ship sailed away leaving Ernak to sigh, “What a fucking life” feeling the arrows pierce his chestplate.

The journey back was silent for the most part mainly because of Lagertha’s shock at what she had seen but Torvi tried her hardest to make up for silence by trying to get at Ragnor who used his men to hold her back but that didn’t stop the verbal **** from her, “All that **** just so you two could get it on with no guilt. Ivar dead, Björn dead, Ernak dead but don’t worry anymore because there is only me left to hate you both” “Torvi it has never been like that and we are all hurting” Ragnor tried to calm the women but Torvi didn’t relent, “No Lagertha is in shock that Ernak didn’t react all cheery and accepting. I wonder why when she let you bed her? She is hurt because he died for what… nothing? I’m angry because you all betrayed him, betrayed us. I’m angry because he moped over her for years for nothing. He could have been a king or a leader of an army, he could have been happy with me but no waited for that lying bitch to return and you it’s all show, you’re secretly happy that he isn’t alive because now he can’t stop you from becoming Jarl and you can’t be outshone by the better son!” Ragnor slapped her as he warned, “Watch who you are talking to I am the Future Jarl!” “No you are the future asswipe who couldn’t organise a party in a tavern. You’re not my Jarl, never will be; I served the true heir Ernak. But you are just like Sigurd the only difference this time is Ernak isn’t here to solve your problems. You both deserve each other, a paranoid idiot and a lying traitorous bitch, I ashamed to even be related to you!” “Torvi please!” Lagertha pleaded breaking her silence but pushing her arm away Torvi spat in her face, “He waited endlessly for the chance so he could send for you over me. I would have made him happy. We should been together with children, a house even a dog but no he waited for you and I was left waiting for him… *sigh* doesn’t matter, we ran out of time” “Torvi… I…” “Enough both of you, if you don’t mind; my men want to mourn.”

When the ship docked Sigurd rushed out with the remainder of the family to greet the return of the group but as they threw their arms up to greet them the remaining group from Torvi’s party trudged past them ignoring the greetings fed up and throwing their weapons to the floor in disgust they watched before hurrying sending men to split Torvi and Ragnor up, Torvi clearly had taken fighting tips from Ernak because she was all over Ragnor but as they were dragged up to Sigurd their blood ran cold when Lagertha left the ship alone almost holding her baby like a parcel that no one wanted, her head bowed and boots trudged in the dirt and lowering their heads Sigurd stated, “Come on let’s go inside.”

“What happened?” Sigurd questioned and throwing a bottle at Erik Torvi spat, “We were betrayed by all of you!” “Ernak is…” Alfhild asked half hoping he was somehow alive, “Dead mother. He… he got us some time” Ragnor explained but being tackled to the floor Torvi yelled, “Shut your lying piece of shit’s mouth up, you left him to die. You pushed him away from Lagertha’s grasp. So congratulations are in order because you finished the rest of the family’s job” “Enough. Start from the beginning Torvi!” Sigurd demanded and sighing feeling herself be dragged off Torvi yelled, “We won the first war and made a deal with the local Saxon king to serve alongside him if we could have some land to settle on. He agreed providing we provided our own men and resources to aid them. Æthelbert is an nice guy but his patience ran out. We sent endless letters, messengers to you about getting support but we either got nothing back or “we are working on it.” Turns out you let Erik send them and that bastard clearly rewrote the letters on both sides and killed an messengers we sent in order to leave us stranded. Æthelbert needed support and we couldn’t provide it so he chose another ally, one who hates our kind” “Detain Erik!” Sigurd barked to his men but Torvi wasn’t done, “Your idiot of an son landed and claimed to be the soon new Jarl of the land and the Saxon’s thought we had came to invade and conquer and therefore Ernak had betrayed them but to top it all off Lagertha, my sister does that to him. That bastard in her arms killed him. After he found out, he wanted to die. When they attacked he walked to his fate defeated, abandoned and lost. You were his only hope for 2 years. That dream you both had lived on brightly in his heart but seeing that… well, you don’t deserve happiness any of you. Especially you Ragnor, when Lagertha tried to pull him onto the ship you clearly pushed her out of the way.” “Why would I do that?” Ragnor challenged and shrugging Torvi accused, “Hiding something? Afraid he would demand the clan as compensation? Didn’t want to be beaten up badly? Who knows!”

The room fell silent before nodding Alfhild whimpered holding back the tears, “Torvi… I’m sorry, I know you were close” “I loved him Alfhild and that big idiot picked the wrong sister. It should have been me but no Lagertha it was and look at what she did!” the group looked at Lagertha who still in shock looked distantly away into space clearly not registering what was now being said and Sigurd nodding to Astrid stated, “Look after her please” with that it left four people in the room; Sigurd, Alfhild, Ragnor and Torvi herself. “I… I never wanted this” Sigurd explained but turning her back on him in disrespect Torvi spoke, “Your family is a disease to everything it touches. Ernak was the only good one and he isn’t from your bloodline. Doesn’t matter now, MY Jarl is dead and none of you care” Alfhild pulled her arm in an fierce motion before growling into Torvi’s face with, “I miss him, I had hopes for him, dreams for him and yes I would gladly have chosen him over Ragnor. So don’t you ever claim I don’t care for him” Torvi reversed it before spitting, “All YOUR dreams. He wanted one thing and you did everything in your power to stop it. He could have become King of that land you know… Rheda, Æthelbert’s daughter adored him, practically threw herself at him and even was willing to marry another woman and let him love another as well if he wanted to. She adored him and he turned her down, that tells me one thing. Your plans to use him as a tool would never have worked and I’m glad because you deserve to struggle” “Don’t you walk away from us” Ragnor yelled and looking back Torvi stated, “Walk away? This is merely an intermission. You’ll get response later. Good luck.”

“Is there any chance he’s still alive?” Sigurd asked and shaking his head Ragnor stated, “Several arrows and then he was swarmed. I did what was necessary” “Why was it? How could you justify it in your warped mind?” Alfhild challenged, “He would have caused a civil war just to get back at us. I couldn’t let that happen” Ragnor lied, Sigurd sighed before looking down asked, “If he did come back what would he have done? Like Torvi said, he had nothing to come back for. It’s our fault for seeing Lagertha being handed to him after and some money was an adequate replacement. She was HIS!” Alfhild nodded before shrugging spat in hatred to the family, “I told you to never let him go but you all knew best. Now we stuck with ageing old fool and this ill warped son. Perhaps we are an disease because apart for the early years we haven’t actually made anything better! We live off raid to raid but with our best raider now dead, we are going to struggle even harder! The blacksmith and main Trader has left and the Baker wants to leave because we practically allow stealing of his wares” “We can still make good, Erik has a plan!” Ragnor offered and shaking her head Alfhild stated, “Of either of you follow another of Erik’s plans then I’m leaving myself. He is an lying deceiving traitor that you keep listening to because he is popping up the clan. None of his ideas worked and the last one got rid of all his opposition except Torvi; I expect she’s the next target. Now, if you excuse me I have preparations to make.”

Weeks passed and the main concern by for the clans were Lagertha’s continued withdrawn attitude, Torvi’s growing opposition which was fuelled by Erik’s release and the famine that was coming their way. Alfhild couldn’t deal with the others apart for pleading to Torvi to abandon her anger. She could however, help with Lagertha and like most days she was sat at Ernak’s monument. It offered some comfort to the woman who continued to struggle with holding everything together but she was hiding something, almost like she wanted to tell someone but couldn’t and every time Alfhild or Ragnor went near her with the baby Lagertha pushed them away not caring for the safety of either of them. “How are Lagertha?” “What do you think? I just want to be left alone!” “No… that isn’t a good idea!” Alfhild replied sitting down to comfort her lifting her hands to show she was merely carrying some food and drink not the child but today was the day, she couldn’t hold it in anymore Alfhild had to know the secret. “Lagertha, I must know… what are you hiding? I understand you didn’t want Ragnor’s child but we dare leave him with you because you are more likely to **** him than cuddle him. That isn’t normal!” “Doesn’t matter!” “I demand an answer as Freu! Don’t make me get Sigurd to demand an answer” Alfhild warned, “Was it Ernak’s?” “No! I wouldn’t be like that if it was!” “Then tell me!” Lagertha looked back and in between tears that began to pour down her face Lagertha said, “I… I…” “Take your time child” Alfhild comforted and hugging the woman Lagertha cried, “You wondered why I have marks on my wrists… I…” “Did Ragnor do something?” Lagertha nodded and breaking down confessed, “He **** me, I tried to fight him off but Erik and the others held me down, the marks are from the injuries I suffered” “I… can’t believe it” “Ragnor regrets it but won’t confess to it. He keeps telling me it was for the Clan but…” “No it is not! Lagertha, don’t you ever think it was!” Alfhild looked to Astrid who seeing the woman being held in her mother’s arms Alfhild muttered, “And that’s why Ragnor stopped him getting on the ship… Ernak would have made the village run red.” Lagertha looked down and trying to wipe the tears from her hers replied, “I never even got to explain the truth he just... he just... he hated me in the end like Erik and the Ragnor. Broken and defeated, hurt because he thought I enjoyed being with Ragnor, that Bastard! I will never forgive myself for not fighting harder to stop that night or killing that bastard when it was growing; it’s nothing more than an symbol of our hate for each other and painful reminder to Ragnor of what he did to me!” “You couldn’t have stopped it, we should never have let you be in that position and the child… I don’t know what to say apart for it’s not his fault.” Alfhild looked over to Astrid before fiercely signalling her to come forward ordered, “Take Lagertha to the tavern and tell the owners, NOT to let anyone else near her until I come back. Take the child and put him in my room where you’ll stay with it until I come back!” “Mother?” Alfhild pulled herself up and pulling an knife out snapped, “I’ll end this!”

“Mother?” Ragnor called out seeing the disgusted look on her face and storming forward Alfhild yelled launching herself at her own son, “You piece of shit. I should have left you to die!” “Mother?!” Ragnor bellowed trying to back away from his mother swinging the knife towards his person, “What has gotten into you woman?!” Sigurd snapped snatching at the blade to wrestle it from her, “You piece of filth at least Ernak’s “filth” was because of his blood but you. You are just a vile human being. All of you!” “What are you ranting about?” Sigurd yelled forcing both of them apart before Alfhild wailing one more time this time at Erik, “And you… wanted that to happen. To your own daughter!” “Speak sense woman!” Sigurd ordered before letting her go Alfhild spat in disgust, “We both wondered why Lagertha hates her child. It’s not natural to show that much resentment to your child. To literally want it to die, a burden that you are **** to own and carry. The reason why she was soo withdrawn and hating of people, the **** need to find Ernak” “Yes we discussed it several times” Sigurd remembered but as she went to reply Ragnor spoke, “Yes she didn’t want the child and hates me for it. Sometimes that is too much for one person!” “I know the Truth Ragnor!” he gulped but Erik joining in shrugged, “Stories, rumours made us to weaken the friendship between us all” “Silence… by the reaction of you son, this is the last time I will ask you; is there anything you want to say?” “He doesn’t get the chance of forgiveness” Alfhild snarled, “He **** her Sigurd. The plan of you and Erik to create and Dynasty so we don’t have to deal with rival claimants fighting over Jarlship after our ****. He **** her but it wasn’t that simply was it son…” he looked down speechless and nodding Alfhild continued, “I expected as much. You see my darling husband. Lagertha fought and oh how she fought back violently. The knife mark in his side was from it; it makes sense now… but it gets worse. The marks on her wrists and feet we noticed; Erik and his followers held her down whilst he did the deed. That child is an manifestation of our son’s sick paranoia. The insecurity of him knowing Ernak was going to be the next Jarl” Sigurd glared at Ragnor and piecing it all together spoke, “Torvi’s suspicion of you purposely leaving Ernak in Britain was right” “Well let’s face it Sigurd, if he found out it would be a bloodbath” Alfhild stated, “Where is the child now?” “I took him off her, I said we’ll raise it as our own. She shouldn’t have to be reminded of it. Erik and Ragnor must be punished for this!” Alfhild yelled and nodding Sigurd snapped, “You’re right. Guards arrest them and put them under guard. I’ll decide what I want to do with them after!” Erik stormed forward and leaning in muttered something so only Sigurd could hear but ignoring his comments Sigurd spat, “Take them away!”

Days passed and the news broke out from there riots took place but despite the rumours Torvi’s aims were far different, her’s was **** and the same for her army of 15. Over the time with Ernak she learned a lot especially dealing with the number disadvantage and as everything around her burnt except the stables she knew despite the success it wasn’t going to last. The problem with destroying everything in sight is; eventually you boxed yourself in and Erik’s new mystery warriors were proving too much for her tired veterans, “Torvi we need to leave. Let’s go to Ivar’s widow’s clan. She’ll support our case if we convince her of the treachery from the clan” Torvi looked over to the clan’s longhouse and nodding said, “Go. Take the men and families with them and explain what you saw the evidence we have gathered. I’m going for Ragnor and Erik now!” “It’s suicide! They’ll be expecting you and will be well prepared for it!” “Then so be it. I’ll join Ernak in Elysium by the days end” “Just… just get him for us all please!” she nodded before waking down the burnt out path spoke, “Take care of your family.”

“Everything is a mess. Fucking Torvi, always believing in these lies; Ernak got in her head!” Erik spat but dodging a swing from Alfhild Sigurd spat, “Enough you two. I said I’ll deal with this later!” “Do what you want Sigurd. I’m taking Lagertha and we are leaving!” Alfhild retaliated only to be stopped by the new guards who wore the silver masks, “Let her go Erik!” Sigurd warned before laughing Erik replied, “With what ****?” *twang* and crying out he began to clutch his arm seeing the arrow of Torvi’s impale itself in the man’s flesh. “Stand down Torvi!” Sigurd demanded but killing the guards who had Alfhild restrained snapped, “Give me justice for Ernak by handing Erik and Ragnor over and then I’ll walk away” “I can’t let you do that Torvi!” Sigurd muttered half tempted and feeling herself be restrained and then from Erik’s nod her legs be kicked away from her forcing her to the ground Alfhild yelled, “Leave her alone” “She has tried to destroy the clan over one man. She deserves ****!” “Sigurd?!” Alfhild retaliated and almost conceding to Erik, Torvi laughed, “I always knew you were in on Erik’s plans. Go ahead and kill me; I’ll get what I want. Reunited with Ernak. You’ll lose out!” Erik held his blade up and screeching Alfhild cried, “She’s your daughter!” “I would do anything for the Order, even if it means killing my own blood! You have seen what I would do!” “Please father don’t! Lagertha cried, I’ll do anything for sparing her. I have already lost Ernak, not Torvi to!” Torvi looked at her before spitting, “Do it. I don’t want to owe that lying scum anything. After what you did to Ernak I won’t you to suffer!” “Torvi it wasn’t like that!” Alfhild insisted, “You were in on it to I see… what was it? Erik told Sigurd to tell Ragnor to make a child before the end of the week and you bargained with Lagertha that she could be a secondhand hand over to Ernak?” “No!” Alfhild yelled but it was Lagertha who in between tears cried, “Ragnor **** me Torvi. Can’t you see? Why would I want to lay with Ernak’s brother? You knew I would never accept an deal because that would disrespect both Ernak and our relationship!” “That’s low even for you!” Torvi spoke head butting Lagertha who crying presented the marks around his wrists, “Erik held me down because I didn’t go down without an fight. Ragnor still has the wounds to show where I wounded him. I didn’t fight hard enough I know, I should have done more but I was trapped and they watched luring over me whilst Ragnor did it and all I could do was cry!” Torvi looked down to see the marks and hugging her sister muttered, “I’m soo sorry, I didn’t know and didn’t care to listen. Forgive me.” Lagertha returned it as she wept, “And Ernak never found out the truth, he died assuming I did it willingly and in joy!” “Bastards!” Torvi yelled breaking free and launching herself at Erik felt the arms of his new ‘Friends’ pull her back and hitting her so she fell back to the ground Erik once more yelled. “You don’t understand. You’ll never will. Our family has god blood in it but it won’t activate… the Order have tried for decades and multiple family members to make it active and find out what we are missing. The missing link and the knowledge we have lost and this is it. Ragnor is descended from the Gods as well. He hear’s their voices and see’s their visions. The Seer said Sigurd’s boy has mentioned this and we tried to make Ragnor become who he truly is. It failed but if we combine both Ragnors bloodline and ours it will work. It has to work; that child will be the key for the clan, the country and the world. He could lead us into the new world. All Lagertha had to do was let one child or maybe two be born and then she could of had her mutt. Sigurd saw this and agreed that we could operate within the clan and in exchange he would get support, resources, everything but Lagertha wouldn’t play ball and we had to take business into our own hands!”

Alfhild looked at her husband in shock before yelling, “You knew and didn’t tell me. What’s even worse is you made Lagertha go through it!” “I knew of the Order and it’s aims. I did say the one child and that’s it. It’s why I sent Lagertha to Britain. I thought they both could stay there and get away from us all; that I truly did. I didn’t know about how the child was conceived and what was making Ragnor sick. It must be the artefacts they have given him. You don’t have to believe me anymore but please believe me when I say I would never have let her go through it if I knew.” Lagertha hid next to Alfhild who seeing her husband fall to his knees said, “If Torvi wants to take lives then let it be mine first; it should never have gone this far.” The group looked at Torvi who feeling herself once again be released Torvi smiled understanding it all basing it from what she knew and what had been told and laughing at the Order members then laughed at Erik before punching him in the face knowing he had messed up.

The Order’s men drew their swords but dropping hers Torvi said, “You are all fucking idiots. The child won’t be of any use to you! Sorry, a waste, an waste of time and angrily all this trauma, pain and destruction for nothing!” “What do you mean?” Erik groaned clutching his bleeding nose. “Let me tell you about the missing piece of information. The truth and the fact the Seer probably lied after just to save her own life. May I?” Torvi said gesturing to the crate, the guards nodded before going back a few years Torvi asked, “Do you remember Ernak’s first raid?” the group nodded and laughing harder knowing they missed the glaringly obvious point Torvi stated plainly, “You have the wrong ‘son.’ The Seer said ‘Sigurd’s boy’ but you never waited to find out who. You see Erik, Ernak was adopted by Sigurd and therefore was Sigurd’s and Alfhild’s son. He was the man with the godly blood as you call it” “She’s playing for time!” Erik snapped rolling his eyes but turning to the members she said the words, “The word Isu mean anything to you lot?” they froze and signalling for them to sheath their blades the now emerging figure who dressed unlike the others; less armour more fancy clothes and notably a woman spoke, “Go on” “Before I do. Aim your blades at Ragnor and Erik for me?” she nodding and following her command the woman said joining her on the crate, “Continue.”

“I assume you lost a valuable Isu artefact or a branch of your group did. A Bow of Artemis, Ernak called it. Now according to Ernak’s story the bow was handed to him from Ivar who had no reaction with it. However, when Ernak touched it and until his **** he developed everything Erik has claimed. He was hearing voices, became smarter; knew things we didn’t know, he knew words and languages that I have never heard of. He even had visions that developed into hallucinations; soo much so that the Isu himself was there in the room with us most of the time offering advice” “Anything else?” the woman spoke and nodding Torvi stated, “Apart for the dreams of the past he had golden lines and markings on his body. Ernak said to me one night that the bow was needed to trigger his memories, an catalyst to for the rest and in exchange he got abilities from the artefact.” “If this is true then who was this person he was talking to?” Erik fired back, “When it began Artemis, she warned him about his ancestor and of both the Order and Hidden One’s same groups throughout time just remained. Then it was Logos!” “Rubbish” Erik spat “All this meddling by you all and you could of had your desired aim if you just left the two be together. They would have been married, had children and you could of had your final reward but you refused to listen. The marriage, the ****, Ernak in Britain all of this for nothing” “And now he is dead” the leader spoke, “We’ll have to find another and that could take years” “I know Vidar” “Clean house and start again?” she contemplated it before stating, “No… it appears we have overstayed our welcome” “Orders, Mother?” “The Sword of Logos will remain here whilst we try and find Ernak’s body. Torvi will protect it in exchange she won’t be punished and we don’t kill everyone here” “And what about me?” Erik squeaked seeing the leader stand up, “The Order has no use of you. It’s Sigurd’s decision on what happens to you, Ragnor, the baby and everything else” “And Ragnor’s illness?” Sigurd asked, “We acted on false intel. Punish the one who gave it! Unless you do want to die. Vidar let’s go!”

Sigurd stared at the burning village contemplating his next words carefully before nodding to his guards to let Torvi go stated, “I can’t bring the dead back and I won’t try to make a false promise. What I will promise is this: when the time comes I’ll send my best men on a ship to return to England to ask about his ending and if necessary kill those who murdered him” Torvi turned to him before pointing her knife at him yelled, “I take that now. Starting with you!” Alfhild pushed herself between the pair and encouraging her back issued, “The best we can do is offer you the same entitlement that a widow would have: his estate, money and belongings” Torvi punched her before walking up to Sigurd yelled, “The best thing you can do is end my life here, I would be able to join him in Elysium where he will be at peace!” Sigurd pushed her back before addressing the group yelled, “Enough, no more blood. We are an family broken or not, good or bad; it doesn’t matter. We one dies we all die together. So this is what’s going to happen: Ragnor you are not going to even touch Jarlship until you have earned the forgiveness from everyone you have wronged both physically and emotionally” Ragnor shook his head before protesting, “Torvi and Lagertha will never forgive me. At this rate we won’t have an Jarl when you pass on” Sigurd shrugged before stating, “So be it and if that’s the case then the villagers can react in how they see fit, you left the other heir to die and they can react in how they see fit. Erik you are going to be stripped of everything you own, you’ll continue in my council but one more mistake and I’ll put you down myself. Torvi, your hate is strong for us, just like his once was but don’t let it consume you like it did him; use it to better the village off!” Torvi glared at him before spitting in disrespect to the Jarl replied, “With all due respect Sigurd but you have no fucking clue about him. He forgave you years back and acknowledged the resentment will always be there but he would try with Lagertha move on from the events. All I want is Norse blood, your blood spilt! I want Erik blood eagled, Ragnor decapitated and your balls since you don’t have any. Ernak was right you are pathetic!” “Torvi like I said you are full of hate for us don’t let it cloud your judgement” “And you are full of dithering and uncertainty. But I will play nice… for now...” Sigurd nodded before continuing with, “Alfhild you are going to comfort Lagertha and we’ll raise the child together, perhaps we can reform the bond between mother and son or even us!” “No, I will not forgive you leaving him in a foreign land to die. We don’t even have his body, did he even have his weapon with him to help him in the afterlife? Was he even accepted by Odin because of what he was? It worries me to think you just brush it all off like it’s nothing!” Lagertha replied Sigurd looked down defeated before confessing, “I act like this so I don’t have to remember what we lost and who we lost. If I don’t carry on then I will be stuck in a pool of guilt that I can’t get out of; whether you hate me or not this village needs me for now at least” Torvi shook her head before firing back at his pathetic reasoning with, “It’s about time you learned to accept your mistakes and their consequences! Ernak did and became a good ruler; tried peace over mindless ****, helped when it was needed and he didn’t sit on his ass listening to the bad people in the world.” Sigurd looked at Torvi before pointing at the burning village yelled, “All that matters now is securing the future for our grandson!” Lagertha shook her head and glaring over to Sigurd snapped, “That child is not mine but a mere manifestation of the evilness in Ragnor and Erik, it represents my pain and anger, I will not be part of that anymore and that child doesn’t deserve love from a woman who can’t love it. My place is not by your family side but by Ernak’s and for that I would have to return to England and try and locate whatever remains from his body after the Saxons have finished with it!” Alfhild nodded trying to offer comfort but Torvi hurrying to her sister’s side offered, “The leader was a good man who respected us. If he was there then he would have given him his axe” “Maybe so but he died hating me and that’s something I can never forgive myself for” Lagertha trudged away and looking back Torvi aimed at the family, “You all deserve to suffer!” “I know we will rot in Helheim!” Alfhild confessed, “I hope not. Ernak likes Hela. He respects her and felt sorry for her so if he is in our lands of the dead then he’ll be there. Now if you don’t mind I have a sister to mourn with!”