5 years later

As promised every raid, every battle that took place Ernak was there, so much so that Sigurd ended up using him to help plan the event and under his advice, raiding became much more efficient. His ideas were: Never loot a place more than once a year, send scouts ashore to assess the situation; specifically the defences and rich areas before scoring. Splitting into three groups: One goes Straight to the monasteries and richer houses, one attacked the businesses and homes and the others stood lookout and looted anything on the streets before focusing on defending the others whilst the others loaded the ships. Warfare on the other hand where he would try and outthink them what scared or intimidated the enemy the most was Ernak’s willingness to charge into battle alone or in impossible odds. Meanwhile at home tension between mother and daughter **** a drift larger than households apart. Astrid wanted to be loved and where Ernak refused to give it to her she went elsewhere with a lack of care on who with, this caused both political and social problems which Alfhild refused to help with and to Alfhild’s greater annoyance when Ernak found out he didn’t care but instead ignored it until a man spoke out of line or **** his attentions on Astrid then he would defend her, this was the only time Astrid saw any care from him but the tension between mother’s orderly and politically sociable appearance which and Astrid’s carelessness to it knowing that as long as Ernak was being “heroic” she wouldn’t have to worry about her actions.

“Can you please not try and get yourself killed this time!” Sigurd argued as they gathered around the table to discuss the plan, “Does it matter as long as it works?” Ernak responded studying the map in detail, “Exactly! Especially after all the threats he has made to your person?” Erik stated siding with him only because he didn’t want Ernak around, “Yes it does matter! I know my daughter, your wife doesn’t care but Alfhild and Lagertha does and I wouldn’t want them upset because you don’t care about yourself!” “The plan Sigurd!” Erik growled “They are weak on the left with inexperienced warriors, if we can attack from the side and push them sideways across the centre section, it would cause them to push right and disrupt the stronger section which is also ours!” “That is only if your scouts are actually right this time!” snapped Ernak which caused Erik to challenge back, “I assume Ernak is going to volunteer for the suicide part?” Ernak nodded with Torvi smiling adjusted her shield straps, “I’ll go with him! I promised Lagertha that I’d look out for him and... I like to be next to him on the battlefield anyway!” “Agreed, what is your idea Ernak?” “Don’t worry about that, you worry about maintaining shape when the others flood right!” “You don’t have to do this” Ragnor spoke stopping Ernak and pushing his hand away Ernak simply spoke, “No... it’s my choice to do it. And I don’t trust Erik’s advice!” Ragnor nodded before replying sincerely, “Just stay safe, Lagertha would hate me if you didn’t come back alive.” “Just get your forces ready!” “Don’t worry about us and Torvi don’t let him do anything stupid okay?” Torvi nodded before following behind Ernak stated, “So what’s the plan?”

“Still going through with the mad schemes I see!” Torvi stated crouching next to Ernak who saw the other army forming, “Why the detour anyhow?” he pointed to the well before stating, “Mild hallucinating toxin with a few other nasty side effects. It will kick in shortly before the battle and for those who aren’t killed by their own men or killing their men, it will cause panic amongst their ranks and to our advantage!” he studied the armoured warriors as they formed in order like a well trained army and knowing Erik was wrong started to think up of another plan, “Shit!” muttered Ernak who looking at Torvi nodded in agreement, “We can’t defeat that!” he studied the area seeing the terrain before contemplating it stated, “The poison will weaken them but not kill them and the cattle will cause chaos but nothing to harm their numbers... hmmm!” “What are you thinking?” he studied the scene a bit more before thinking out loud offered, “We wait for the the poison to take effect, then unleash the cattle, it may **** a wedge between the army and **** the right to move further right and...” “Into the river, in that armour they would drown!” “Exposing the left to the bulk of Sigurd’s forces. We will then aim for the leader... take him and without leadership they will panic!” “A sound plan if you can actually get in close and kill him!” a strangers voice called crouching next to them, hood up to cover her identity, “Who are you?” “Name’s Aife and no you can’t ask why I look like this all you need to care about is me wanting to kill the same target as you. Some more good news for you, they know I am around and will be worrying about me...” “You distract them and we will kill him!” “Good... you are smart!” he nodded before looking at her queried, “What will you do?” “Provide support until they notice me, I will get close enough for him to send as many guards as he dares; you will come from behind and land the killer blow. You will need these!” she stated plainly handing a pair of bracers with a mechanism attached, “I want these back after, you aren’t entitled to own them, one flick of the wrist like so...” she demonstrated, “Simple enough?” Ernak studied it before sliding it the other way flicked his wrist downwards to show the blade and Torvi doing the same laughed at Aife who retracted her blade hiding the missing finger, “I figured out the hard way!” their attention turned to the warriors who coughing slightly didn’t take make notice of it because standing opposite them now stood the raiders who weapons drawn stared at the opposition not phased perhaps slightly crazy to face a foe who themselves saw the “ravel” and smiled knowing their order and structure should make them prevail.

When the horn blew for war Ernak rushed to the nearby cattle heard whilst Torvi began to drop the oil in a line to herd the animals towards the army; when they rushed passed the start of the large river Ernak opened the gates shooing the animals who seeing the fire panicked as they rampaged towards armoured soldiers and began to splinter the armour in two; men panicked as they were either trampled or were **** towards the water and fell in feeling their armour grow heavy and allowing the equally surprised army of the Vikings to react and open a gap for the cattle to run through, Sigurd seeing the change of plan ordered Ragnor’s men to finish off the weakened flank whilst the others concentrated on the intact left flank who were only weakened by health, they coughed and vomited which made Sigurd laugh even more now knowing of Ernak’s “surprise” and pushing forward started to use his stronger fighters to create a larger dent through the front.

*Whistle* Ernak blew summoning his mount seeing Torvi follow suit drawing her bow waited for his signal whilst Aife made her appearance painfully obvious and almost like a charm brought the attention of most of his guards towards her which now allowed the target to study the situation, “Now?” Torvi queried waiting for his signal, “Four guards left, two each... closest to the head has drinks brought for them by the loser!” “You’re on!” the horses galloped past the strays of the army before drawing nearer fired their first shots at the guards to the general before taking the next two out; during this time “The General” as he was called saw the situation grabbed his axe and imbedded it in Torvi’s mount as she ventured too close and watching her fall to the ground in a thud he immediately dismounted his horse retrieving his weapon from the dead creature. Ernak seeing this turned his horse around before rushing towards Torvi who was trying to block the “General’s” strikes with her shield his attention was soon distracted by an arrow in landing in his exposed knee. “Back away from my stepsister!” Ernak growled drawing his swords to meet the enemy in direct combat allowing Torvi time to get up to fetch her shield. Ernak swung but seeing his swords did little to penetrate the armour saw Torvi creeping closer and in seeing this Ernak waited for his chance to block the axe and trap it then with a head butt caused “The general” to fall surprised back wobbly kneed and Torvi to slam her shield over his head bringing him to his knees, “Ready?” Torvi asked flicking her wrist to bare the blade, “Ready!” Ernak confirmed slamming his blade in time with Torvi through the man’s face, “We should help in the battle!” Torvi exclaimed seeing the dead behind her, “Agreed, take his horse and draw your bow, we’ll attack though the rear!”

“So much for my fathers help!” Torvi snapped before lining up her first shot behind Ernak who choosing the sword instead rod into the group hacking away at them, “Forward!” Sigurd barked charging into the remaining army who now had to worry about the horse riders hacking away from behind. Ernak came back for another strike killing three more in swings and providing the necessary distraction to allow the Sigurd’s men to make an quick kill. Doing this caused the well trained army without an chain of command to splinter into smaller groups who were isolated from the remaining bulk and was perfect for Torvi who lining her shots up simply plucked them out one at a time and Ernak to simply dismount and attack the bulk.

Ernak grew adapt to the new blade quite quickly but if Aife saw how he was using it, she would have tried to kill him for it. A lot was a simple sword to deflect the enemies strike then blade in the throat and it was effective. Five, ten, twelve all died by his hand, it was then when it happened. “Erik we need help!” Björn snapped, “Just keep swinging. We don’t need help!” it was too late however because leaping up Ernak sank his blade into the first’s throat and grabbing his dropped axe threw it into the next before grabbing his own weapons killed the next with his axe. “Need help?” Ernak grinned, “Of all the people, why does it have to be you!” Erik snapped unaware of the arrow aimed at him, “Watch out!” Ernak snapped stepping in front of the arrow before throwing his axe at the archer staggered back to study the arrow, he closed his eyes before snapping the arrow in half through gritted teeth struggled to hold his sword with the wounded shoulder, “We need help!” Sigurd called and running one armed Ernak responded burying his other axe deep inside the nearby’s skull. Ernak struggled with his weaker hand to maintain the grip of his sword but still fighting heard Sigurd bark in anger, “Ernak you are wounded, get out of here!” “Not without dragging your ass from the battlefield alive! This isn’t how you die” “Damn it. This isn’t time for one of your “I don’t care if I die” attitudes” Ernak killed the next before seeing Sigurd was unaware of the threat looming behind him pushed Sigurd out of the way as the warrior slammed his axe into Ernak’s chest and shoulder, Ernak flicked his wrist drawing the hidden blade and impaling him on it felt another sword being entered into his side used, he coughed before pulling an arrow from his quiver **** it into the warriors exposed neck before grimacing to pick the hatchet up killed the next he continued further with blooded hatchet in hand to Torvi who trying to fight off three saw Ernak bury the hatchet through the guys neck and using the hidden blade to kill the next fell back slumping against the bodies blood trickling from his wounds with Ragnor rushing to his side, “We need medical treatment! Leif! Here now!” Leif killed the remaining opposition around him before sliding to Ernak quickly removed the remaining part of the arrow, “How bad is it?” Ragnor asked covering both Leif and Ernak with his shield, aided by Torvi and now Ivar, “What does it look like?!” he felt Ernak’s hand push him away before stating, “Leave me, this is how I said I would go, this is how I will!” Leif’s hands faulted falling to his waist before grabbing Ernak’s sword went to lower it in the persons hands but Sigurd yelling at him snapped, “Don’t you dare stop treating him. He lives or all our lives aren’t worth living!” “Sigurd please!” Ernak pleaded, “You will not die here. Not today. Never! I owe you that much! You are my son and I’m not ready to lose you, any of you! Björn ride to the village, tell them we need immediate help from everyone who can help. Leif patch him up. Ragnor load him to the wagon with Torvi, Torvi go with them and protect the healer! Now!”

The villagers looked out from their stalls or stopped in their duties when they saw the single horse return with an man yelling from it, “Help, we need help. Every healer anyone who can help we need you!” “Björn what’s wrong? How many injured?” Alfhild worried encouraging them out, “The usual but it’s Ernak...” “What’s wrong?” “Injured... pretty bad. Sigurd needs everyone they can to help him!” “What happened?” Björn smirked slightly before confessing, “Saving Erik’s life he took an arrow in his shoulder, close to his arm. Then pushing Sigurd out of the way took an axe in a shoulder and a sword in the gut. Torvi will be here soon with Leif” “When he gets here take him to the house, we need hot water and bandages. Hurry! I want no excuses, he is helped straight away now move!”

The wagon raced in and in a matter of moments Ernak was on the the table **** and his pulse weak with his armour torn off and the multiple healers working on him with only Leif not doing so, instead herding the rest out immediately slammed the door behind them after, “I’m sorry but we require silence, rest assure we will try our best to save him!” Torvi unwashed still covered in his blood and Alfhild paced around waiting for news whilst storming in through the doors and breaking free of her husbands grasp Lagertha snapped, “No! I will wait here for him!” “It’s not pretty!” “I don’t care! I’ll wait! Go and do whatever your are required to do!” “Mother I will check up on him later, let me know if there’s a change!” before rushing out organising a smaller **** to go and help finish any remaining opposition. “Torvi why don’t you wash the blood off? Nothing will change in the next few minutes?!” Alfhild spoke but shaking her head Torvi spoke defiantly, “No. It reminds me that at least I tried to help Ernak where father wanted him to die!” “He what?” Lagertha snarled, “Yes, I know of what he has done to him and I know we don’t see eye to eye over father but not even a thank you for taking an arrow in his back! Erik just left him whilst Sigurd demanded he leave the battlefield. Then when me, Björn and Ivar defended the healer and Ernak Erik went the other way ignoring his need for assistance! As far as I see it, Father should have been the one to die NOT Ernak!” “He is not dying!” Alfhild reassured them unconvinced by her words but sitting down she simply spoke, “We’ll just have to wait for the report and Ernak before deciding on a conclusion but until then we wait!”

“Ernak! Ernak!” a familiar voice cried out almost haunting him but he could place where he had heard it before. He woke up to reveal the wooded area before groaning moaned, “Am I dead?” “Not quite but this way allows me to communicate you fully and not merely fragmented!” “Artemis?” she nodded helping Ernak as he looked around to see it was peaceful and the animals sat disciplined almost like they were ordered to leave him, “What do you want with me?” “I was trying to tell you the story of what happened to me, this me is merely a part of Artemis which was imprinted on the bow and with the right person’s touch would unlock it. The bow is yours now like it was hers and with that brings enemies and potential allies but whatever they are it’s important it stays in your possession until your eventual passing!” “So Artemis is what exactly? God?” “We are Isu an superior intellectual species who created humans, you too is an Isu, a hybrid likely from a human-Isu relationship but that doesn’t matter; what matters is this warning to you... Don’t trust Aletheia; she is nothing more than an tool by Juno to find a way to release her from her prison back onto your world. We need you to find a way to stop her and Juno!” “Juno’s bad? And who even is Juno?” “A mad scientist who wants the Isu to regain control over the earth and the humans, she will use every and any tactic to achieve this and in the future will use Aletheia to control Layla; we must prevent this and inform your ancestor of it! He will experience your life and your path and follow your story to learn from you and learn how to stop her. Questions?” “So this artefact it’s purely a bow?” “It improves your senses among other things but also acts as a key another item that will be revealed at a later date; there is other abilities but these will be locked from you until the right time has arrived until then feel free to explore, this woods will be the last bit of peace that you will have for a while!” Ernak laughed before looking up saw she was gone but yet the woods remained, “Hel why not?!”

The doors swung open and walking out hands still bloody Leif looked at the room which now also had Ivar, Ragnor, Björn and Sigurd in, he felt the eyes desperately watching for his reaction, “How is he?” “He’ll live somehow. We aren’t sure how but something unexplainable is aiding his recovery. He’s weak and currently resting but I believe a few people there for when he wakes up would be beneficial!” “I’ll go!” Alfhild said shoehorning herself in with Lagertha who ignoring Ragnor’s protests once again spoke, “I should be next to him! I don’t care about anything else!” and Torvi who still having her weapon sheathed to belt spoke, “I’ll go. It means I can protect him if anyone dares try anything!” Alfhild nodded but scoffing Lagertha asked closing the doors behind her, “Like who?” “Erik doesn’t like him and currently he is an easy target to get rid of. Funny to think that there are three women by his side and none of them are his wife...” Torvi laughed “Well she never cared for him in the first place and “his child” she really thought we wouldn’t know it’s not his. He hasn’t touched her affectionately since they held hands at the wedding, he got closer to me and I’m his stepmother!” Alfhild began to mock causing Lagertha to laugh taking a seat next to him holding his hand lightly to let the sleeping person know that she was there for him and the others were.

Ragnor pushed through the tavern doors and being met by the nodding respect of his position saw his sister at the counter took to the owners son. “Come on Prankit, he won’t be back for ages and you know he doesn’t care!” “He’s still your husband!” “Who doesn’t love me like he should...” she looked back to see what had caused the room to fall silent and seeing Ragnor glare at her she didn’t hide behind what she did but instead openly spoke, “Yes, so what?!” “Have you even looked out of the fucking window recently? The crowd outside? The rushing around?!” “You won the war woo hoo!” she mocked rolling her eyes, “And have you even talked to Ernak?” “Why would I? You forget we may be married but we do not speak to each other or do anything together!” “Astrid... maybe you should speak to him!” Prankit suggested but now she was met by her eyes who glared at him for that suggestion but it was Ragnor who worried for his brother-friend snapped, “You can’t... he...” “Ragnor?!” Astrid asked not used to seeing him devastated, “He’s severely wounded, I don’t even think he will make it this time” “What happened?” Astrid queried standing up to wrap her arm around his slumped shoulders, “I...he saved our lives. He took an arrow to the shoulder for Erik and Axe to the shoulder saving father and then a stab wound but even then pushed himself to Torvi to save her!” he glared at Prankit before punching him snapped, “You! Like your father are cowards at least I know why you wouldn’t fight!” “Ragnor it’s not like that!” “It’s not like that!” Ragnor mocked before pointing at him spat, “You will always been known at Prankit the niðing!” “Brother wait!” Ragnor’s brushed her off before looking back stared, “Stay with this niðing, at least Torvi and Lagertha is with him; people who care for him. I’ll see you later... maybe!!!” it was three hours and 6 pints later when Astrid finally came to the door heavy footed before timidly knocking walked in to see the **** figure laying in her mother’s bed, the bandages smothering his shoulders and chest and his waist now had an massive stitch where they had sealed the wound. On the table held a bowl of water, candles and a mixture of herbs but as she stepped forward she stopped to see the three pairs of eyes glare at her, “Where were you?” Alfhild queried, “Ragnor found you three hours ago!” “I was hoping I could check up on him alone...” Astrid lied, “Bullshit I can smell the **** on her!” Torvi growled her face finally clean, “I knew this was how you were going to react so I hoped to dodge you all, clearly failed there!” “The fact still stands you didn’t even care to find out about him and then when you did find out waited three hours to see him. Look at Lagertha and Torvi. They haven’t left his side once and neither have I!” Alfhild barked which yelling back Astrid shrieked, “That’s because Lagertha loves him and always will. They should be together, I have always said this! You think he is the brave and honourable son that isn’t afraid to speak his mind that Ragnor doesn’t have and Torvi... she just fancies him, hell she would probably sleep with her sister if it meant she could lay with Ernak!” “I wouldn’t, and no I don’t... I just... respect my mentor!” “How sweet ‘my mentor’ I love this role playing!” “Shut it!” Alfhild snarled before ordering the guards in spoke, “Take her away and put her to bed. Listen to my words PUT. HER. TO. BED nothing more. Astrid I will deal with you in the morning!” Alfhild returned to watching over him regained her seat as she teased, “So Torvi this crush you have; we could arrange something if you are interested...”

Night came and yawning Torvi grabbed her sack laid it out down by the bed preparing to bed down for the night whilst Alfhild looking at Lagertha’s sleepy frame nudge her to wake her, “Lagertha. Get some rest, we’ll let you know if anything changes. Promise!” “No! I’ll be fine. I can sleep after he is awake and back with us!” “At least bed down like Torvi!” “No!” “He wouldn’t want you to be waiting for him whilst he slept, you know that!” “With all due of respect but shut up. You don’t know what he would say so stop acting like you would” “I wasn’t assuming...” “Leave us. Got to your bed with your husband whilst I’ll wait by Ernak’s!” Alfhild nodded kissing Ernak’s head as she muttered, “Please tell this stupid girl to get some sleep. She needs it!” before closing the door Torvi called up from the floor, “Let me know if anything changes sister!” “Yes, get some sleep, I’ll wait for him!”

Four hours later Ernak’s eyes shot open and in a painful grumble he felt something holding his hand tightly so daring to look over to it smiled seeing Lagertha sleepily began to doze off her head resting against their hands. Ernak groaned silently as he **** his bandaged arm to cup her cheek and her to struggle to keep her eyes open smile, “Hey Ernak!” “What are you doing awake?! You should be asleep!” “No, I wanted to, no I needed to see you were alright!” she muttered looking down at the sleeping figure of Torvi which Ernak now seeing spoke quieter to barely a whisper, “But look at you, you can barely keep your head up!” “Are you alright? I can give you something for the pain!” “I’ve felt worse but I’ll live. Will you get some sleep for me? Please!” “I will in the morning...” Ernak grimaced as he moved over before looking at her looked down at the space in the bed, “Get in!” “What?!” “You want to be near me and refuse to leave my side. Then you can sleep next to me!” “The others?!” “I’ve saved their lives, they can do this one favour for me!” she nodded as she slid under the cover cuddling down into the pillow whilst Ernak joined her, “Can I rest my head on your shoulder?” he nodded before mocking his own injuries spoke, “Of course just don’t use my crippled side!” she smiled feeling her head hit his shoulder and smiling wider cuddled in closer when she felt his hand pull her tighter to him, “Good night Ernak!” “Now sleep my love! You need it!”

Torvi sat up yawning looking for her drink that should often took to bed with her and rubbing her eyes she couldn’t help but smirk seeing that her sister had fallen asleep next to Ernak and perhaps it was her doing it or him in his sleep felt her near him and out of instinct wrapped his arm around her but eyeing the room free next to him smiled before cautiously climbing up pulled her blanket over him whilst laying close to him not wanting him to feel any discomfort if he woke up.

Morning came and the small group of men that consisted of: Ragnor, Erik, Björn, Sigurd and Ivar walked to the door with Alfhild following quickly behind. “A quick check up on Ernak’s condition and then when will talk business!” Sigurd declared pushing the door open and in a mixture of shouts, laughs, gasps and annoyed sighs which caused the both women to shriek sitting up before Lagertha looking over saw Torvi looking at her questionably before looking down at Ernak who pretended to sleep so he could listen to this argument Lagertha spoke, “I was tired, so I slept next to him in case things changed!” “Did you really have to get so close? We don’t even cuddle that close in our own bed!” Ragnor snapped, “His arm?! it’s the first time that I have noticed it” Sigurd glared at Torvi who unlike her sister didn’t care about what he said, “There was space and since Lagertha climbed under the covers why shouldn’t I? I care for him to!” “Get off!” Erik growled which Lagertha simply responded with, “No. I won’t leave his side!” “You are in another man’s bed!” Ragnor puffed “No, I’m in the right man’s bed; yours is the others and a bed I don’t want to be in. This village would have respected that years ago!” “I said get out!” Erik yelled grabbed her by her hair attempting to drag her with Björn, Ragnor, Sigurd and Ivar all trying to stop him however it was a knife aimed at his throat that stopped him, out of nowhere Ernak had grabbed it from Torvi’s pillow as he now standing up straight spoke still moving gingerly, “Back off!” “Wow calm down Ernak, lower the knife he pushed it closer so Erik could feel the knife’s point and nodding he backed away, “So how long have you been awake?” Sigurd queried stepping closer, “Early hours of this morning. I woke up to Lagertha holding my hand as she struggled to keep awake, I told her to get some sleep in her room, this was our compromise and Torvi... I actually have no clue!” “There was space so why not?” “Fair. Is it time to discuss our next actions?!” Ernak asked groggily struggling to keep to his feet, “No, rest. We have things to discuss but nothing you need to worry about. Rest!” “I’m fine!” “The healers have already said no fighting or heavy work! You lost too much blood to be reckless. Now sit down and rest!” Ernak swore but hearing the others laugh Alfhild stated fetching warm water and a cloth, “We need to wash you!” “I can do it” “And how are you going to do the side that your arm can’t lift?” he smirked before looking at Lagertha she nodded grabbing the bowl off Alfhild, “Of course?!” Erik grumbled, “Afterwards, elevate his arm!” Alfhild ordered to Lagertha’s eyes rolling, “I do know! Torvi give me a hand here.”

Hours later and Ernak was missing, Alfhild and Sigurd had news for him. They immediately thought of Lagertha who changing her outfit into something lose fitting revealed that: “He was never going to lay there and rest unless she was in bed with him.” She was going to meet him in the stables with Torvi as they brushed the coats of the horses, “I told him to rest!” Alfhild stated but laughing as she did her shirt up, “You think he would listen?” she laughed again before heading to the stables nosily asked, “So what do you want with him?” “Sigurd has gone ahead, pushed forward and granted the divorce of him and Astrid, he has also made it known that we have adopted him and he will be now called Ernak Hring or Ernak the Örlendr” “And Astrid?” “She won’t care it means she can do whatever she wants whenever she wants but it does have an condition a new fiancé or woman to settle down with. Sigurd is even open to listening to an offer for you two” “Really?!” Lagertha shocked asked where she was met by a simple comment of, “Your fathers influence is fading, last three wars and raids and his has failed Sigurd. First it was the wrong location where we were ambushed and Ernak broke off to sneak around and take down the archers who ambushed the men. Secondly it was the reinforcements coming too late and guess what Ernak with Torvi held the small narrow pass with Ivar by themselves whilst Sigurd regrouped where Ernak ended up setting the trees on fire to block their advance and grant them more time. This time... well from the reports it was a mess: no reinforcements, terrible intel and then has the balls to blame Sigurd; as far as he is concerned he has washed his hands with him” Lagertha smirked before starting her descent down the slightly steep hill asked, “So he wouldn’t care about me and Ragnor divorcing?” “He wants children from his son which you will never grant him, this is beneficial but yet works out well.”

They stepped inside with Torvi giggling like a young girl laughed as she saw the male horses erection from her grooming, “I thought you were a mature lady!” “I am but imagine if all women had to do was brush men, we would be ruling the world in no time!” “Just what we need Astrid ruling the world the only businesses left would be tavern‘s and prostitution!” she laughed again before saying, “I don’t know... it doesn’t sound that bad; ale to drink and men to fuck carefree, I would participate if you were one!” “Now! Now don’t say that it would annoy Lagertha since she is married to Lord Shitarse!” she giggled before saying, “Nothing beats Erik the gutless or Sigurd the brainless!” “Just to clarify they aren’t my creation it was Ivar’s clan who came up with them!” “Still Great names!” “Should I?” she indicated pointed at the cock, “Leave your horse alone, you will upset Philippa... you know I want them to breed! Hence the separate enclosures from the rest!” “Interrupting anything?” Alfhild queried but shaking their heads Torvi getting serious spoke, “No, no. I was just having a laugh with one armed Ernak here. What do you need?” Alfhild studied Ernak who rolling his eyes laughed, “I’m fine!” “I’m just checking. Anyway some good news...” Alfhild reiterated holding the form but Sigurd now walking in took all the credit, “Your divorce is final, the only thing left pending is your reason, you have two choices for the reason: Not-consummated or she was cheating on you. Of course non-consummated helps our family out more” it was then when Erik walked in leaning against the nearby support pillar to the barn, “I’ll tell you what divorce Ragnor and Lagertha and allow me to be with her and then I will use not consummated as an excuse if you don’t then I will damage your image even more by saying the truth that’s Astrid is the village whore!” Sigurd nodded before stating, “We can negotiate, what you want is pretty big, throw in an incentive and I could make it work if Erik is willing!” “Don’t bother because MY daughter will not be divorcing anyone any time. She will rule this village!” “Yes but Ernak has now been adopted by Sigurd and is now to be call as Ernak Hring meaning he has a claim to rulership!” Lagertha stated holding the form above, “So pissing me off could be very costly especially if Ragnor’s reign goes south!” Erik smiled before looking at Torvi pushed her forward, “You can marry my youngest, you get on well!” “At least we are in the same family region!” Lagertha grumbled, “Or maybe Ragnor with Torvi and Lagertha with Ernak?” Alfhild compromised, “No the better daughter should be with the most likely to rule it’s either Ernak and Torvi or nothing!” “Asshole!” barked Torvi who smacking Erik with a fist barked, “I’m not second best! In fact me marrying Ernak is the stronger combination. Ernak can rule and is independent he doesn’t rely on dodgy deals and isn’t led which is what Ragnor is and why they want him part of the family!” Erik contemplated it before looking at her stated, “Well enjoy then!” “Hey that if he agrees to it?!” Sigurd snapped which caused Ernak to shake his head and state, “Torvi isn’t cattle that can be traded and furthermore fuck you! I will accept the divorce but if you won’t allow me to marry Lagertha then I won’t be your son or political pawn! Now if you don’t mind get off my property. You are all intruding on my two horses!” “Can we stay?” Lagertha asked looking at Torvi, he nodded before smirking Torvi taunted, “Well if you get divorced then you are a free woman eh Ernak? Two women for the price of one!” he didn’t break concentration instead studying Loki’s legs spoke, “Torvi, your horse needs a new shoe!” “Well hurry up and get better because Loki can’t possibly perform under these conditions!” she laughed with Lagertha rolling her eyes, “Sex jokes is it? You are like a pair of kids!” “Torvi brings the child out in me and you bring my maturity a great combo don’t you think?”

It’s funny to think that people never used to care about things but as soon as it was announced to be official suddenly it’s all bad. Astrid used to get away with everything but now the cause of the divorce was official the villagers spat at her, threw rotten vegetables at her and now some had started to stand outside the houses of Sigurd who now came out trying to ease their tensions. “Quieten down! Quieten down! And tell me the problem!” the blacksmith brandishing his hammer yelled, “We’ve had enough of this fucking saga!” “What do you mean?” “Ernak, Astrid, Largetha, Erik. All of it, hasn’t he done enough!” Ragnor walked out next to his father as the tavern owner snapped, “And you. You had to take his love!” “Are we still going on about this. It’s been 5 long years! He is no longer married to my sister which I think we can agree is a positive!” the merchant stepped forward with his wife before stating, “Erik’s false intelligence has caused us to lose both our sons... we would have lost my brother if Ernak didn’t stand in his way and now look at him, barely alive all because of more false information and disappearing reinforcements!” the group laughed which caused Erik to walk out and state, “I have offered my daughters hand Torvi in marriage to him, I will not divorce Lagertha from Ragnor!” “Well at least Torvi doesn’t care about what you say and at least she can swing a sword” “Hey I can swing a sword!” Lagertha snapped barging past them, “I want to be with him more than anything. Maybe then he would stop risking his life so carelessly but Erik won’t approve of it and Ragnor won’t grant it!” “You will do what you are told!” “With all do respect that’s my job on telling her what she has to do and what she isn’t going to do!” Ragnor protested “No it’s neither of yours!” Ernak groaned trying to unsteadily pull him up to the elevated step his wounded arm hung low almost in an gorilla stance and from his shirt people could still see the bandages, “You’re awake, we told you to rest!” he nodded before clutching his shoulder snapped, “Yes back from the brink of **** and I have asked for one thing and I can’t even negotiate it with Erik!” the crowd booed at the others before rallying them up again Ernak spoke, “In my recent divorce they wanted me to save their honour and claim we never consummated the relationship where truthfully the main reason was Astrid is an fucking whore! Come on who hasn’t she fucked?” the crowd laughed at Sigurd snapped, “What do you want from us? Blood? Hell I would give you Lagertha if I could just to shut you up!” “Boys stop it!” Alfhild pleaded pushing them apart, “Just remember I almost died...” “For us, yes we know; you don’t have to remind us we can see it clearly!” Ernak shook his head before stating plainly, “No because of false promises and false intel. I almost died to protect my people who despite their past attitudes towards me; defend me and treat me better than you lot” Alfhild slapped Ernak before shaking her head snapped, “Don’t you ever claim we mistreated you!” Ernak shook his head before stating, “I did this for the people, to protect their families so they can be together where I cannot, I did it for my love and I did it for my horses who are mistreated by all your fucking nobles. That is what I was going to say...” Sigurd nodded and glaring at him Alfhild asked sternly, “What?” Sigurd looked at Erik and then Ernak before confessing, “Erik’s scouts said they were a large number but a large number of farmers and untrained warriors with little organisation. What we encountered was a large number of trained, armoured, well-disciplined and well-led men. They had archers strategically positioned alongside ordered shieldsman who brought the brunt of it and behind them were spearman whose spears protected the front due to their length. We should have lost but their formation wasn’t prepared for Ernak!” “What did you do?” Alfhild asked changing the subject instead of apologising to Ernak and smirking she was intrigued by his plot, “As Sigurd said, they were all big, heavy armoured guys and they hoped to box our forces in. A river to their right and a mile or two to their left was hills. So I used my head and betted they wouldn’t be able to swim in the armour. I unleashed the cattle and Torvi lighting a fire **** the cattle to run in our designated route. It **** a lot of their forces into the river and they drowned. They were also suffering from hallucinations from me poisoning the water which caused more panic between them. The bulk of Sigurd’s army attacked the larger group now overwhelming the opposition and Ragnor’s smaller part attacked the surviving decimated right flank. Me and Torvi simply came up behind them and killed them or **** them to face us where our army killed them” “At least someone was thinking!” “And we owe you for that; I’ve said. I’m trying to find the reward but it’s Erik who is refusing it. I don’t even see the point anymore. Everyone knows she would climb into your marriage bed if she could but we can’t afford another scandal!” Ernak looked over to him before stating, “Just remember to stay off my land!”