Funeral

Despite the calls for heroic send off of sending him off with a burning ship they followed Ernak’s request of being buried and given back to the land he had defended. Sigurd himself looked down embarrassed by when they brought his possessions and valuables to the funeral pyre saw how little he actually had. Hell the last funeral, the baker had more than him and he was royalty. “He really didn’t have much, did he?” Sigurd muttered and glaring at him Torvi spat, “And he won’t have the chance to own much… you never did understand why some of the older clan members disliked you or Ragnor, did you? At least all the village remembers him. Remember what he did for them both on and off the battlefield” Lagertha shook her head before explaining, “He never cared for valuables. Just the tools in his hand and weapons on his back, what he wanted was a family and his horses” Sigurd nodded as Alfhild glumly replied, “He got nothing in the end. All for nothing” “His luck ran out” Ragnor replied and seeing him already in his new clothes showing off he was heir Lagertha spat, “Go away. I don’t want you anywhere near his funeral. Wouldn’t surprised me if you set it up!” “I would never do that” “But Erik would and you listen to him all the time” Lagertha snapped throwing off Alfhild’s comforting hands, “I have said hundreds of times and I will say it one final time i did not want him killed; he was brother and had no interesting in being Jarl, all he ever wanted was you and Skadi” Alfhild nodded before looking to her husband who was drinking another ale said, “Should we sort out what he did have first?” “Let’s get it over and done with” Sigurd muttered escorting them to the house.

“So he had Skadi, stables, blacksmith and two merchants, spare set of weapons and house” Sigurd read out “And that bow” Ragnor pointed out but glaring at him Torvi fired, “That stays with him! It’s his and is needed in the afterlife. No other man should wield it!” “But the damage…” “It’s not for you to use” Sigurd agreed with Torvi on, before addressing the room asked, “Anything to add?” Alfhild nodded before saying, “Yes he said multiple times and for once we are going to honour his wishes; he said that Lagertha and Torvi inherits it all. It appears he was going to harbour his hatred even in the next life” Torvi nodded before explaining, “It’s true. It’s the main reason he is in Elysium and not Valhalla. He didn’t want to be near any of you. It’s why I now pray to Greek gods, in hope one day I will join him again” the room fell silence and sighing Alfhild muttered, “I hope he has an eternity of paradise because he life he had none.”

The room fell silent before eventually speaking Sigurd said, “His house is yours Torvi, the tree and it’s area is yours Lagertha giving its significance. Merchants are also yours. Stables and blacksmith is yours Torvi and Skadi. To whichever one she lets ride her. I wish there was something more personal for each of you” Torvi nodded before turning to Lagertha said, “Come maybe there is something in the house for you. I won’t have you leaving empty handed.”

As they left Sigurd looked down and said to Alfhild, “I never wanted any of this; I have failed” “Yes we all have. He was the son I chose not the son I birthed. I loved you both equally but he didn’t have what Ragnor had. The right kind of blood, skin and possessions. You payed people off to stop doing things or saying things; he settled everything with his whit or his fists” “A person who does things versus a guy who pays for things” Sigurd exclaimed pouring another drink and sitting down on his seat, “Was his **** really for nothing?” Alfhild questioned and nodding Sigurd explained, “We have won a war that’s it. As far as I’m concerned, those girls will need all the love we can give them. Alfhild… just try not to antagonise them” “Agreed. Now let’s get ready for the funeral.”