5 years later

“Better, it has been a chore but you are getting there!” “Well not everyone has steady enough footing to run across buildings like your scrawny body!” “You can fight, you can track, use stealth even with methods I disapprove, climbing and interrogate, your artefact has seen to that but you still look like a baby doe trying to walk for the first time on roofs!” “You just stare at my ass” “I do not... well I don’t mean to!” he laughed running across the branch of a tree adjusting his footing a few times before continuing in his path, “Mentor is blushing... What? Do you want me to ravage your withering body?” “I’m only 38. Boy!” he laughed before slipping heard her snap as always, “Concentration. You must always have concentration!” “Yeah! Yeah! I know, you tell me often enough” “And you still don’t learn” “Do I look like a guy who should be running in trees?” “That’s the point, no one is meant to see you in the trees. Be discreet and silent because...” “Because we are meant to cling to the shadows for both reducing the risk of innocents getting hurt and compromising the Hidden One’s but it’s also reduces the risk of detection and allows an quieter escape” “Well at least you know the theory behind it all!” “Then answer me this!” Ernak stated sliding down the tree before jumping onto the nearby roof, “Why can’t I use poison? It does the job, it’s silent and a lot of people use it making it hard for people to detect me?” “Because you can’t guarantee **** and that’s a cowards way that only the Order of Ancients use!” “But stabbing someone in the back isn’t?” he replied leaping to the next roof, “No one is stopping you from using it but just be advised that people In the group don’t particularly like it’s use!” Ernak sighed before leaping down grabbing the branch to swing onto the rock slid down to ground level to stand next to Aife who now was crouching down overlooking the village, “So who’s the target?” “This may interest you but also may make you walk in the other direction. You know this village?” Ernak studied it before realising the stables growled as Aife nudged him, “Concentration! There’s a target leading an clan to fight the one you call Sigurd! The job is simple: kill the target, find any recruits and for you to find closure” “Why should I?” “Because your Lagertha is there and she will undoubtedly be a target prisoner for her position but also her link to you!” “To me? Why me?” “They are after the artefact that you possess, their intel is old because apparently you are still there or maybe this is just a trap to lure you back!” “So I walk back into a trap? That’s your plan?” “No my plan is this... you join the battlefield and distract them. I sneak around and kill him, failing that you kill him!” “So rule one goes out the window? Me joining the battlefield exposes the brotherhood...” “This is an calculated risk. The person who would care about our association would be dead!” “So who’s the target?” “Helvik!” “Him? The seeress’ son? How did even get an army?” “Overthrew Ivar with lies and the Orders influence and took his warriors, Ivar and his remaining family fled to Sigurd’ protection! You enter from the main entrance and I will scale around and get in close!” “Understood!” “Oh yeah you are going to need this!” she stated tossing him the blade watching as he slid it on top of his arm before bending his wrist to reveal the blade slide over his hand, “Under not over!” “And lose my finger as well? We Norsemen believe in honour when killing an target, they should see or know how they have died. This honours tradition and protects all my fingers!” “Whatever you say boy, just don’t get yourself killed!” “Is that you confessing your love for me?” “No but if I want a quick roll in the hay later I’ll let you know. Anyhow if you die then I would have wasted 5 years on you for nothing!” “I’ll see you down there, you will know who it is by the number dead!” as he rode into battle his hood now up.

“Hold the line!” Sigurd ordered killing the next rival clansman. “Torvi. I said stay in the house!” “No. I will be like Örlendr and slay them!” “Torvi, Ernak was trained, you have only picked up tips from watching the others!” “You’re fighting!” “I’m a Shieldmaiden you aren’t!” Lagertha snapped but it was all academic they were boxed in, “Ragnor I told you to hold the left flank at all costs!” Sigurd barked sending a few men to support the depleted left. “We were losing too many men!” “Of course you were! That’s where it was most exposed!” “It’s a shame Ernak isn’t here, if they went anywhere near the horses he would have butchered them!” Erik yelled cutting the next one down with his axe, “Where’s your support?” Sigurd argued “Not here until tomorrow!” “It will be too late then!” Lagertha protested blocking a strike with her shield. Torvi killed her first target before engaging the next looked over at the burning houses which caused the battlefield to become cloudier and the visibility became harder from the thick clouds of smoke however in a distance she heard an horse wail before it returned to silence; something was coming. The fighting continued with the defensive line being breached splintering into two smaller groups: Sigurd, Ivar and Erik maintaining their shape whilst Lagertha, Ragnor and Björn struggled to cope with the influx of numbers coming towards them but the defenders knew if they could just hold them off until nightfall then they could get reinforcements from the mercenaries, they just had to hold.

“Björn we need to rejoin the others!” Ragnor urged looking for a way out. It was then when their fighting was interrupted by an snarling from what sounded like a horse as the hooves charged towards them and then from the distance through the smoke arrows set ablaze came swirling through the air killing targets in their back. Some tried to turn around but being met by more arrows Björn used this as a chance to pry open an gap in the circle and Lagertha seeing this exposed the weakness by attacking it but the firing of arrows had stopped and what remained was the horse who charging at the warriors knocked some over as it fled the battlefield, there was silence before hearing the sound of two swords scraping against each other two beams of fire appeared. The flames shone through the clouds as it began marching towards them. The warriors charged towards him but dodging their swings the hooded figure expertly swung killing the warriors each time differently from the last in one maybe two strikes at most. Then he disappeared like he wasn’t there. The warriors bunched up their backs to each other as arrows came from all directions mowing them down, “A ghost, it’s a ghost!” one cried before coughing looked down to see a hatchet buried into his chest, another looked around before seeing the figure approach him cried out when the axe was buried into his skull and the others, spooked simply fled but not before being set ablaze by the burning hay that was quickly set alight by the “creatures” arrows.

They stood opposite the figure who simply looking at them was met by Lagertha crying out as a odd straggler came charging to his side, “Watch out” he didn’t flinch instead lifting his arm bent his wrist to send the blade through the warriors throat before glaring at Ragnor in anger heard Björn state, “We have to join with the others, we have the advantage!” “Not without my sister!” “She’s gone Lagertha, we warned her!” “She may be alive she was separated from the others, maybe she saw shelter in the stables!” Largetha protested heading forward but being dragged away by her husband the figure retreated back into the shadows.

“What do we do with this one?” the Norseman bellowed to the others who grinning down at Torvi tried to fight their hands off her, “Oh I think we can find a use for her!” the youngest one stated. He stepped forward unaware of the dark figure behind one of his men and in one motion broke their neck before burying two axes into the others used his blade to kill another as he threw a knife to kill the final warrior facing the leader who gulping turned around, he tried to protest but instead felt the blade go through his throat he fell to his knees and Torvi pulled herself to her feet, “Thank you!” he nodded before staring out the window heard her cry out in joy, “It can’t be!? Ernak?!” he looked back before staring out the window once more had a good view of the battle, “Torvi, remember how to fire a bow?” “Well of course!” he nodded before kicking opening the door stated as he mounted the horse, “Cover my back!” he pulled her up as she sat in reverse her back to his, her bow drawn as she fired at those who were cut off from the main band of fighters but she couldn’t help but look over her shoulder to see how the “Örlendr” carved his way through the warriors his swords covered in what looked like some sort of poison or toxin as each victim squealed in horror feeling the burning sensation covered their bodies until Sigurd was in sight.

“We have broken their left!” Ragnor barked covering the others who joined them, “Let’s tell them the truth. A mysterious figure did!” “I don’t care who did it, just help us defeat this rabble!” Erik snapped looking back at Ivar who clutching his bleeding wound looked over to see the horse gallop towards them and from the swords smiled yelling up to the sky motivating those remaining at their side, “ÖRLENDR’S WITH US!” the figure charged into the enemies who hearing the story felt uneasy by the presence of the legend who dismounting simply dodged warriors swings before making his strike. He used any of weapon that came to hand: spears, axes, swords even shields were used in killing them and with this confusion the others led by Sigurd tried to counterattack and **** the enemy back. Helvik yelled as he sent the rest of his forces in and Aife seeing her chance leapt off her perch to land the blow but unaware of the archer who lining his shot up fired sending the arrow through her chest wounding her and Helvik laughing dismounting dragged her wounded person the battlefield.

“Örlendr we meet again. I should have guessed you would have come back for Lagertha; I know you. I thought you despised hiding in the shadows!” “A kill is a kill!” the figure responded, “This person here... she’s your partner?” Örlendr looked down before nodding stated, “What is it that you want?” Helvik drew his axes before swinging them in an attempt to intimidate Örlendr who crouching muttered, “Forseti guide my blade and Ares bring me the anger to strike my enemies down!” Helvik laughed before glaring at him stated, “You pray to those gods who do not answer your cries, with honour. Me and you!” Örlendr stepped forward drawing his sword and grabbing a shield launched it at Helvik who fell backwards growled as he ran towards his enemy, who in turn simply dodged him and landed a long cut in his chest, Helvik swung his axes but dodging once again Örlendr stabbed him forcing his sword through the chest and then in one motion flicked his wrist to send the blade through the back of his head as the body fell to the ground, “Aife are you still kicking old girl?” “Well it seems the boy finally became an man!” she pushed the help away before standing up holding the wound as best as she could he simply spoke, “Come on let’s get you old girl some help!”

“Torvi! You’re alive!” Lagertha cried hugging her sister who in turn frantically hugged back, “Ragnor claimed yours were dead and we didn’t “have time” to save you!” “Ernak saved me!” Torvi excitedly responded, “I can’t believe he actually saved me!” Lagertha smiled seeing the man now standing in the same room after five long years with her taller and bulkier but without a doubt the same man, his concentration being on the other woman who he spent insulting whilst the village healer worked, “I’m not that injured!” “Almost dying isn’t that injured?” “Yes! Yes I do know... if dying is going to hurt this much then I think I will live forever...” she joked before hearing Sigurd laugh he stated gingerly moving his arm, “And have Ernak saving your ass again and again?” he stopped before tapping Ernak’s shoulder as a sign of “thank you” he was met by the cold shoulder of Ernak who stated bluntly, “I thought Erik was meant to bring stability... seem’s he brought nothing more than chaos!” “We had hoped by now to have secured our position by now but everyone and anyone is trying to attack us” “Ernak?” Lagertha queried as she pushed past Erik who was arguing with Torvi about training. Ernak turned around smiling as he pulled his hood down to reveal his face and the golden lines faintly showing on his neck and chin, “Hello Lagertha!” she smiled before throwing her shield to the floor and undoing her belt to let the sword drop leapt into his arms her legs wrapped around his waist as they hungrily kissed each other, her hands brushing through his hair and his tongue penetrating her lips, “I’ve missed you!” Lagertha muttered breaking the kiss still in his arms, “Lagertha... mmm, you in armour, you should wear it more often...” she smirked before jumping down started to slightly twirl around and matching his lines with her own spoke, “Ssshh not in front of my father, you remember the last time I wore this right?” he nodding before remembering back, “We had defeated a clan, it was your first battle and you got a heroes reward” “Me, you and your bunk!” “Good times!” “Wait... you aren’t a virgin?” Sigurd queried where she shook her head and stated, “I did try and tell you... I had slept with Ernak a few times prior” “We believed we would be together and thus fooled around!” “Bastard!” “Quite possibly but I saved your ass, remember that!” “Why didn’t you tell me?” Ragnor snapped, “Because it was none of your concern, I don’t see our marriage as a marriage just an inconvenience that will eventually pass. I’ve told you as such” “But we promised to tell everything to each other!” “Yeah... I didn’t write those promises, Alfhild did!” Ragnor looked down before glaring at Ernak snapped grabbing his knife, “You!!” Ernak flicked his wrist to hold it out to prevent Ragnor for getting any closer with the knife he now wielded, “Drop it!” Ragnor looked down before raising his knife up Ernak stated one final time, “Drop it. Killing you free’s Largetha, I don’t want it to end like this but I will do it!” “Let’s just calm down!” Alfhild stated lowering both persons blades, “She’s right. We should all celebrate our victory. You of course are welcome!” Sigurd spoke pushing a larger gap between them, “We owe you massively again Ernak. We can’t offer much currently but name your price and we could try and find an adequate solution!” “Well since Erik has failed in his promise and I saved your life’s; there’s a woman who I hold dear to me that I’d like to marry; all I am asking for is a divorce between Ragnor and Lagertha!” “No, we have failed only once! It won’t happen again!” Erik protested “You would have died if I wasn’t here to fight for you!” “You have to ruin everything. Why can’t you just stay away?” Lagertha growled before pushing her father back yelled, “Leave him alone, I chose to sleep with him. I chose to love him like he did me; he is not to blame for this, I asked you for only thing even if it meant losing everything and you still said no!” “You will be soon ruling this village; you can do what you want then!” it was Alfhild however who breaking it up stated glaring at them all, “Enough, Erik go to the tavern to chill off, Ernak the stables. Lagertha to the house and you... Sigurd you are going for a walk with me!”

“Poor girl, they’ve been neglecting you I see!” Ernak muttered seeing the ill horse, “They should have known about your special diet. I wrote it all down” he cleared the food away before preparing the correct feed smiled as the horse began to eat immediately when he walked to the next one checking its teeth, “Lost another one I see!” “Do you know them all individually?” Aife’s voice asked as she walked up to him, “Yes, they should have been sold by now but in a way it’s a blessing they haven’t because they wouldn’t know what I know!” “That’s true but not why I am actually here. The Hidden One’s have asked for my return, this task is yours!” he nodded returning to the horses before looking over spoke, “Thank you for everything!” “Not everything there’s one more thing you must do... you must resolve this; you and Lagertha, you and your hatred towards Erik and the rest. You are better then the petty arguments be the better man and resolve this only then you can be what you need to be!” with that her hood was back up and marching to the doors moved out of the way of Alfhild who eyeing her up stated, “Leaving already?” “Yes, it’s up to Ernak on how he finds closure, for me I would have have left the past behind me and moved on but Lagertha is special...” “It’s none of your concern!” “Of course, of course!” as she moved out of the way again to let Torvi rush in with Lagertha, “Out of my way Torvi!” “I must speak with him first!” “That can wait, Alfhild leave us!” “How dare you address me as such!” Alfhild barked, “I don’t care Ernak where were you?” Lagertha growled, “Training and learning, just surviving whilst you and Ragnor were together!” “No we are married in name only and that’s why I’m here now...” she stepped forward before rubbing her hand over his chest lustfully spoke, “I’m sweaty, wet and have a hole that needs to be filled!” “Lagertha you are married to...”Alfhild stated “Divorce me then and if you don’t leave now you will have to watch, it doesn’t matter what you choose!” Ernak smirked seeing the horses before whispering, “Maybe the horses can I learn a thing or two!” she began to undo her shirt but hearing the door go again groaned seeing Sigurd walk in with her father who standing in front of them began to address him about his “reward” and the questions of where he had been.

“Where have you been all this time?” Sigurd’s queried, “Training, I came back to recruit and get closure. Don’t bother asking about anything else because I won’t say!” “Are you a threat to us?!” Sigurd snapped and laughing he spoke, “If so then why did I help you fight?” “That was a stupid question!” Ragnor grumbled but it was Alfhild who now asked, “What do you want as a reward?” “Do you even have to ask?” “The answer is no!” Erik snapped, “Well lucky for you father I don’t care about what you want for me!” Lagertha spoke walking to Ernak’s side, “It just means we will do it without the support!” and nodding Ernak simply spoke in response, “We never used to have support so why bother now!” she took his hand before stopping in disgust heard Erik threaten, “When Ragnor leads this clan Ernak you will either fall into line like the rest of us or die and YOU! Lagertha you will do YOUR duty to Ragnor. You will sleep with him and have his children like you should!” Ernak rushed up and leaping over Sigurd’s arms to try and stop him from attacking took Erik down pinning him to the ground his blade against his throat, “I should just kill you right now, the rest of your family wouldn’t mourn your pathetic life!” “Ernak please!” Alfhild pleaded he looked back down before taking a breath threatened, “Lucky for you I’ve been taught restraint, I can’t kill a bastard for wanting more money over his daughters happiness, I’ll just wait for one slip up... then my blade goes through your throat!” he gulped before watching Ernak stand up looked over to Lagertha asked, “Me and you? Still up for that?” “Of course let’s go somewhere quiet!” unaware of the pair of silent feet behind them following their footsteps.