Raid

The night came and whilst the night should have been spent peacefully with loved ones for the next few weeks they would be apart but despite people knowing this the feast was ate in an awkward silence Lagertha refused to talk to her father, Ragnor tried negotiate some conversation out of her but she continued to look over at the quiet Hun who didn’t look up; instead he just toyed with his food which in turn caused her to do the same, “Ernak you must eat something!” Alfhild pleaded but pushing the bowl away he just spoke standing up, “I’m not hungry!” “Nervous are you my boy? I thought it was in your blood to raid and pillage?” Ivar laughed playing with his beard, “No it’s just sitting hear with these Vámr‘s turns you off food” “Then find another table!” Erik spat which caused Ernak to slam his knife through his hand pinning him to the table, “Ernak stop it!” Alfhild pleaded, “The next time it will be your throat, you bastard!” before spitting at him retrieved his knife and pushing off Alfhild’s comforting hands, “Where are you going?” Sigurd queried which caused Ernak to look back and state, “Checking everything is ready for tomorrow!” he looked over to Lagertha who looking teary eyed at him as she cleaned her father’s wound looked down whilst marched away, “Okay... what the hell is going on? And are you two going to be a problem?” Ivar demanded glaring over to his brother who taking him to the side started to explain.

When morning came and the night spent by Lagertha and Alfhild trying to find Ernak, they stood at the beach to see Ivar standing their with his axe sheathed, arms folded with Sigurd next to him, “You can’t refuse my help!” yelled Erik confronting Ivar who calmly turning around spoke, “It’s my raid, I say who goes and who doesn’t! I don’t trust either of you to not try and kill each over there, okay after what you did I would claim Ernak’s innocence but that’s not the point. Ernak needs the experience so I picked him over you, he also needs to clear his head. Time at sea will be good for him and hopefully you can at least compensate him for this mess!” Erik grumbled before storming off in a huff Ivar faced the ship once more as he heard his brother ask, “What do I do about this I feel for him and the girl but I need the support which Erik can muster!” “You have two options... his support and lose: Ernak, my respect, a bit of support from sympathisers and my support and the loot I was entitling you or let them be together gain my support and lose Erik’s support and making him an enemy. Isn’t his youngest old enough to be married? Tie them all together... Lagertha with Ernak and Torvi with Ragnor” “Or marry Ernak to Astrid; it’s about time she settled down!” Ivar laughed before shaking his head spoke, “That’s worse than no one! I’m her uncle and she last night tried to seduce me 4 times, that’s just me!” “I know! I know... it would be just convenient it fixing a few of problems!” “He will not marry Astrid!” Alfhild scorned, “He deserves someone good not her. Do the right thing my love or he won’t be the only one leaving!” “Not you too!” Sigurd protested until seeing Ernak walk up his shield on his back with two swords in front of it and a bow sheathed in front of that was met by Ivar’s laugh, “Overpacked but hell at least I know who to throw at the Saxon’s. Say your goodbyes and meet me on the ship!”

“We looked for you for most of the night, where were you?” Lagertha queried, “I was worried!” confessed Alfhild, “I slept in the stables, it’s quieter and peaceful; I didn’t really want to talk to anyone after the dinner incident!” “Stay safe and don’t worry I will fix it!” Alfhild stated hugging him which he no longer returned, “I put my faith in you Alfhild, don’t make me regret it!” “You won’t!” he looked to Lagertha who standing their awkwardly spoke, “I... don’t know what to say or do. I know what I want to do but; I can’t!” he nodded before standing back spoke, “I know. I want to kiss you goodbye like we usually would but... but this changes everything!” she rushed up and giving him a quick hug and peck on his cheek stood back, “Just come back alive please!” “I’ll try!” before taking his leave walked towards the ship seeing Ragnor and his father blocking his progress it was Sigurd who spoke first, “Ivar will look after you... bring us honour!” “Stay safe brother. I don’t want this to cause rift between us!” “And stories we will want to hear them when you come back!” Sigurd proudly spoke, Alfhild glared at them both before coughing to indicate something Ragnor spoke, “I hope you can forgive us, I know it seems like we betrayed you but we are sorry. Can you forgive us both?” as they offered their hands he stared at the hands before shaking his head spoke, “I don’t think I can ever forgive you if you go through with this!” Sigurd retracted his hand as Ernak marched to the longship where he was helped in by Ivar who Sigurd and the villagers gathered to the shore to watch the ships sail away within a week they would be at the coast, “Right let’s sort this mess out!” Alfhild stated looking over to the rest of the family.

The oars rowed each one time with each other as the hours passed away, the wind was favourable helping them in their journey and the smell of the ocean was calming at least distracting Ernak from the troubles at home for a short while, “Ernak why do the villagers call you Örlendr?” “Because I am not native to your clans. I’m a outsider with multiple different blood lineages that it causes them to despise me. I’m a mongrel in other words!” “But you are treated as Sigurd’s son, do they care?” “Not really but don’t you worry I fight like a Scandinavian!” “That’s all we care about, right lads?” which caused the others around him to cheer as he slapped Ernak on the back, “I’m Björn, son of Ivar, Ragnor’s cousin!” “Ernak, some say I am the great grandson of Attila and the great nephew of Alaric but they say that because they don’t know any other Goth’s and Huns!” “You should claim that, imagine the fear you would have over the enemy!” he laughed returning to the rhythm of the others, “Could scare your little cousin and Erik!” “Erik? Erik the gutless? Massive bastard, inherited it off his father Eric, Eric the bastard! Funny that. What happened?” “It’s a long story!” “Well we aren’t going anyway fast... come on it’s something to do instead of staring at the sky every few seconds!” “Okay fine!” “That’s it lad. I won’t judge!”

“Bastard! Fucking bitching bastard dung heap, Assholing bitch!” Björn spat, “A promise is a promise, you arrange a deal and he has to honour it!” Björn continued with some of the others nodding, “A virgin bride for the prince! The priestess proclaimed!” “Enough of your shit Helvik!” Björn protested which caused Ernak to laugh as he spoke in a smirk, “Virgin? No see isn’t an virgin...” “Wait you two... as in...” Björn fished, “Well at the time we thought with no suitors left and the dowry amount set, that we were going to be together so we had sex; I know the tradition but we didn’t care at the time!” “At least you can rub that in Erik’s face! Hang on a minute if... one of the conditions was she is a virgin then Erik has broke this term and the engagement is off; he won’t want her around and will accept the current figure from you!” “Why did you even have to pay Erik, he should be paying you!” “Our village has a rule about “Örlendr’s” we must prove our worth and pay the brides father a set sum to show we can afford to look after her, in exchange the brides father pays double my amount in his dowry. Say I payed 20 pieces of silver Erik would pay me 40 but I doubt he would actually pay me that even if it is an legal requirement!” “Enough talking!” Ivar interrupted standing up to look out at the sea, “We came to distract Ernak from this shithole of a situation, what has happened has happened so we must make him forget, Ernak come here!”

Ernak stood next to Ivar who looking out at the sea simply spoke, “I heard what happened and I despise the situation, furthermore to someone I consider a son or at least a friend. What Erik did was shameful and a clear attempt to humiliate you!” “Well it worked” “You are young and he knew it. Erik is a bastard as my boy said but I can’t believe my brother who once had more honour than me bent his knee to that type of person but enough of that. Alfhild will handle it. Look over there it’s only faint but can you see the tops of the mountains, that’s where we are heading; a place called Britain. The rules to a raid is simple. We hit them hard and fast; get in and get out. We dock, steal everything of value and flee before the warriors come to defend the village. We loot Jewels, gold, fine fabrics, weapons but virtually anything is able to be taken. Killing and wounding is permitted but I advise against harming children and women; however if you wish you can “**** your intentions of women” some of the men do but considering your current situation it wouldn’t make sense!” “Do we have any targets or specific locations?” “We will sweep the village, whilst the main bulk loot the town; we will push up and storm the monastery, strip everything and kill anyone who opposes; then retreat to the boat! Anything else?” “Warriors... if they get there before we leave, do we engage or run?” “We aren’t an army, we defend ourselves as we retreat. Do not ever turn your back to them. Got it?” Ernak nodded before returning to his spot Ivar smiled, “In a days time we will be on land!”

“We’re here!” Ivar barked being the one to lead people off the boats, “Work in pairs and loot everything you can see. Björn, Ernak with me!” they jumped off drawing their weapons killing the nearest men who tried to hurriedly find somewhere to hide, “Blacksmith on the left!” “Go! Take anything of worth!” they nodded before kicking the door down leaving the family to cower, “Please! I have a family!” the man pleaded, “Don’t harm them!” “Ernak what’s he saying?” “We. Take everything but leave tools and family?” he nodded to his wife’s gratefulness, “Thank you!” Ernak nodded before turning back to Björn spoke, “Leave stuff he needs for a living and the family. We take and duplicate tools, weapons and valuables. Oh and this!” he grabbed a apple from the table before taking a bite from it continued his task throwing the smith a sword from his stock, “The added protection!” “Why aren’t we having sex with her again?” “A deal is a deal and **** her wastes time on raiding and doesn’t gain us anymore wealth” “You know English?” “Yeah, we had a saxon stay with us a while. Sigurd thought some of us learning the language would help with captives at war and finding out where loot is on raids. I took it an step further and learned a great deal more! Anyway a merchant just a bit further down the road let’s hit that.”

The village burnt whilst the men who tried to resist were slain, “We should head to the monastery!” Björn barked studying the carnage around them, they walked down the road before taking the next corner Ernak out his hand out to block Björn’s path to allow the fallen and panicking woman some distance as she threw her arms over her young child, “Do you have anywhere safe?” she stared at him before looking over to the stone building which laid across the way he nodded helping her to her feet, “Go and take this!” he handed her his knife before encouraging her to make a run for it felt her place a gold brooch in his hand, “Thank you! May god bless you!” “Go on and hurry!” she nodded running as Ernak stopped the others from touching her as he bellowed, “Leave that building alone. The children need somewhere safe with their mothers, everything else is lootable!” they looked over to Björn who nodding supported his “friend’s” statement, “Agreed. I want two guards there, my father will reward you handsomely for this!” before rushing after Ernak who now followed the screams of a woman in the next street.

“Please stop! Not in front of my daughter!” the voice screeched, “Girl leave!” the Viking snapped until being hit on the back of the head by the hilt of Ernak’s sword they watched as he was confronted by the others, “No. They will think we are monsters if we act like one. The next time guards will be here to fight us!” “But look at her...” Harvod teased, “And your wife...” “Fine! I just Hope next time you aren’t with us!” Ernak grabbed a knife from Björn’s belt but picking a sword up the woman spoke cautiously, “You aren’t like the rest!” “Björn even she notices...” Björn chuckled as he helped checking over her daughter, “They would claim it’s my “Gothic roots” or something; we won’t harm you. My name is Ernak, his is Björn!” “Bernia, my sister’s name is Devona... I’m a warrior; well have to be, so I can protect my sister. The men despise this; treat me as an outcast” “I know what you mean me being a Hun in a village of Scandinavian does raise its problems. We have shieldmaidens... come with us and you will be respected!” “Like the others do?” “No, you will be treated equal and looked after!” “We can’t just offer her a place, Ernak!” Ernak looked back at the raiders bodies before stating, “No but three raiders are dead there, it’s a replacement!” “*sigh* Ivar said to let you do what you want, since it’s your first! Get your belongings and meet us at the boats! I just hope you can row!” “No but I will learn fast!” “Now can we go to the monastery?” Björn barked, Ernak nodded before following Björn’s lead headed to the monastery with its door already being taken off it’s hinges.

“Ivar?!” Björn yelled seeing the bodies of the dead monks whilst raiders looted everything in sight, “Father?!” “He went down into the crypt!” Helvig called back to the boys as they headed down to the end of hallway “Come on let’s catch up before he starts moaning!” Björn laughed. “Ambush!” Ivar cried out fighting the Saxon warriors as the others around him were killed in surprise, “We got to help him!” Björn snapped but Ernak was way ahead of him, he drew his bow and firing his first arrow through an attackers head, fired his second before Björn could even attack the enemy. The ambush had to turn their backs to Ivar and his remaining two warriors, who using this to his advantage launch an staggering blow into their backs whilst Ernak and Björn attacked the other side boxing them all in. “What the hell was that?” Björn moaned watching Ernak slaying the last of them, “They were protecting this” Ivar motioned to the box now in his possession. He flipped the lid and seeing the glowing bow shrugged unsure on why it was being protected, “A bow? Maybe gold, okay it’s fancy but this?” they studied it closer but seeing nothing different it was Ivar who broke their stares, “Ernak, you use a bow, it’s yours!” Ernak’s hand reached in to grab it and feeling the warmth from it gasped when he saw flashbacks or pictures of a woman running through the woods, her arms glowing as she took a shot at a running elk. Then there was another one of her fighting and killing three targets with one arrow. Ernak’s eyes opened and now seeing the faint glowing line that matched or was at least similar to the woman he began to feel stronger than before, “Are you okay Ernak?” “I’ll tell you on the way back” he nodded as they looked around before hearing the horn to retreat, “This was a set up... there is no way they would have mustered forces this quickly!” Ivar yelled, “We need to leave! Now!” Björn panicked running up the stairs seeing the smoke from the chapels fire, “Ernak, stay close!” Ivar spoke running out behind him rushing through the doors skipping past the burning benches trying desperately to keep Ivar in sight failed to notice the burning building as he was hit on the head by falling debris fell **** as his body rolled down the stone steps.

Ernak’s eyes fluttered open as he looked over to see the dead raiders and Saxon warriors, who; by the armour and weapons were more than just a local **** raised by the local king. His head ached from the bump but seeing the battle rage on with a lot of the clansmen focusing on filling the ship and climbing aboard left a small portion of the best fighters to try and repel the defenders, Ernak knew he was cut off from them and had to desperately get there. He contemplated his next move but hearing a cry from Ivar saw the spear being wedged in the back of his shoulder, “Björn, get on the ship!” “Not without you father!” “I’ll hold them off!” Ivar barked killing the next Saxon, “I need a distraction to lure their attention away from the group...” he looked around before seeing an horse smirked as he mounted it, “Yah yah, come on boy!” Ernak barked galloping towards the group firing arrows in quick succession, before drawing his swords sliced the Saxons in a quick deadly cut across their backs terrorising the men slaughtering as many as his arm swings could manage switching occasionally to his new bow that seemed even when his aim was off find a way to hit its intended target, “Ivar look!” Björn cheered which caused Ivar to smile at the sight before him but this wasn’t to last, he must have been at his 18th kill when the sword was struck in the horse leg which caused him to come to a sudden halt, Björn pulled him to his feet before crying out Björn looked to see the sword impale both of them in Ernak’s shoulder and Björn’s chest, but this didn’t stop Ernak, he tore the sword out from him before drawing his blades yelled at the warriors who stood surprised by his yell, he drew his swords and to both their curiosity and concern watched as he poured a liquid over them and in one quick motion scrapped them against each other to create a spark and what now defended the raiders and intimidated Saxons was Ernak who brought the fight to them, his swords burning in the air and each injury to the Saxons let out a more violent shriek, he pushed them back or more like the fire did as the one was struck they fell to another withering in pain begging for the others help which in turn set their compatriot ablaze until it was deemed by the figure who sat on his horse that it wasn’t worth the trouble, the retreat began but not before the man behind the defence of the village glared in disgust at him and Ernak smiling drew his new bow firing one quick shot through his chest causing him to fall silently of the horse meeting the thud of the soggy mud his heading tilting towards the ships seeing the young man simply slam the swords into the sand of the beach to extinguish the weapons and carry Ivar to the ship before returning once more for Björn.

“Your alright Örlendr, you know that?” Helvik joked seeing the wealth they had obtained, “Will you stop calling me Örlendr now?” “No way, your a legend, it’s no longer a insult but a title, a legend. They will tell stories of you, each more elaborate then the last. If it doesn’t work out like you hoped back home at least Erik has to kneel to you like Sigurd, what you did back then was impossible. Many have already started telling others of your actions!” “How’s Ivar and Björn?” “I’ll live to tell the tale and Björn is just being a wuss. We owe you though what you did was crazy and brave!” “You needed a distraction!” “Yes and killing 20 on horseback then another 15 at least on foot is really impressive but who’s she?” he queried pointing to the young girl who sat looking over the sea, “Devona, she and her sister Bernia are on their own and were rejected by their community; Bernia is what we all call a shieldmaiden, they don’t have female warriors in their lands so as you expect causes problems, I saw her as an opportunity to go somewhere where she would be respected and looked after!” he nodded nursing his shoulder before kneeling to Devona’s level pointed out to the land telling her a story like a father would to his daughter, “Björn, get back to rowing!” Ernak joked nudging him he glared at Ernak who simply laughed at his sorry state before hearing from behind Bernia state, “I’ll row if you need it!” “Alright! Let’s see what you can do!”

“Sigurd...” Alfhild stated looking from her window at the sea that now had the tattered sail of their longships heard Sigurd respond somewhat childishly, “Finally talking to me. I said I’m sorry but this isn’t necessary!” “No I’m still not talking to you but look!” she pointed out as the ships began to draw nearer to the shores, “They are home early!” Alfhild began to rationalise but it was Sigurd who grabbing his coat and sword for protection who spoke, “It went wrong!”

The ships docked as the locals gathered to see the heavily damaged ships and the depleted warriors disembark to help the wounded off, “Ivar what happened?” Sigurd queried not phased by the sight of the wounded whilst Alfhild desperately searched through the people to find the only one who would stand out in the crowd, “They were expecting us or we interrupted something important at the time. It was going all smoothly until we entered that monastery; we were attacked by armed guards and then the ambush. We should all be dead!” “Ernak? Ernak? Where is he Ivar?” Ivar looked back smiling as Ernak casually jumped off to the ground whilst a stranger to the others followed suit her sword attached to her belt and now sheathed on her back his old bow, “Who’s she?” “Long story, no it’s not what you think but if it wasn’t for your “Örlendr” none of us would be back!” Alfhild smiled seeing a young girl quickly follow behind the stranger and as she stopped stood well behaved next to her but Alfhild looking up saw Ernak desperately look for Largetha, “Should we tell him?” Alfhild asked, “Let’s sort it out and then tell him; he’s not going to like it...” “And resent us either way!” they stopped before looking at each other watched as the boy marched straight towards them with the question they knew was coming, “Where’s Lagertha?”

“Ernak, we’re glad you are alive!” Alfhild greeted, “And by the sound of it have stories of heroism!” Sigurd praised, “More like stupidity but that isn’t what I care about. Where’s Lagertha?” “We have sorted it out, she will be back later but for now come we have a lot to discuss” he pulled away from Sigurd before asking, “Where’s Ragnor?” “We will explain it later!” he looked down before shaking his head stood his ground, “Where are they?” Alfhild looked to Sigurd who sighing nodded leading him somewhere private with Ivar quickly in tow.

“Ivar what are you doing here?” “Just ensuring he isn’t being screwed! I owe him that much at least!” they stood in silence before pouring a cup of mead for them all Ernak snapped, “Stop wasting time!” Sigurd looked to Alfhild who began breaking the news, “We tried to renegotiate it with Erik and even marrying Torvi to Ragnor with a large sum as compensation, he refused so we looked for alternatives... I don’t know how to explain this in terms you may accept it but it went ahead, Lagertha is in another village currently with Ragnor on her honeymoon and keeping them from harms way; you have to understand it protects the village from enemies who would see us as weak!” “So what? The village is going to compensate me? Offer me all their daughters is it? And you! what have you “agreed” to?” “Ernak please, Ragnor doesn’t like it just as much as you do!” “Bullshit!” “I need his support; if it wasn’t for the threats we face I wouldn’t have done it; honestly. You are a son to me!” Ernak looked back to Ivar who nodding waited for the weeks of anger be unleashed and he aimed to start with Alfhild but Sigurd tried to immediately “resolve” it as he often did with “poor practice”. “We discussed it and decided in a two to one vote that you should marry Astrid and make it official; you will earn citizenship and right to rule as an heir” there was silence for a few moments before glaring at Alfhild in utter betrayal snapped, “You promised no, but you are just as bad as him. I hate your daughter; she is nothing more than the village whore, a vile despicable woman who will equate to nothing and you want me to marry her for the legal jargon; no. You bitch! You set me up, you are the only mother I really knew and you do this to me. I hate you!” “Ernak please, I didn’t want this it was Ragnor and Sigurd who voted for it!” “Tell Ragnor he is dead when I next see him and you!” Ernak tried to draw his sword but being restrained by Ivar, “You don’t want to do that! Trust me!” “Listen son... we know this. You can discipline her anyway you see fit, you don’t have to consummate it, you decide what happens to her!” “I should kill her just to piss you off!” Alfhild cried rushing to his side trying to calm him, “You don’t mean that!” “What do you want Ernak? To lead your own raid? Done. To own your own house? We have one. Gold? Here take this as a starter, a new horse? New armour? Another woman? We can make this temporary until you find one? That new girl... we will arrange it!” “I won’t be bought off!” he broke free landing a fist at the Jarls face before being pulled back by Ivar, “I won’t forget this or forgive you!” “Sigurd...” “What Ivar?” “Let him come with me; it will stop this or at least let him calm down” “No. I don’t want any of this. I don’t deserve this!” he lifted his hands before taking a breath stated, “Alfhild, the Saxon girl’s Devona and Bernia! Look after them for me, I promised I would!” “Where are you going?” Alfhild fretted not wanting him to leave, “I’m going to leave; I said I would and I don’t feel comfortable living with any of YOUR kind anymore!” he grabbed the pouch of coins from his belt and handing it to Ivar dictated the words he wanted spoken to Erik, “Tell Erik, I kept my word even if it doesn’t mean anything to him, then give Lagertha the dowry; it’s the closet we will ever get” “May Odin guide you in your path, Örlendr!” he nodded before walking back in disgust heard Sigurd plead, “Please just consider it! Seek the Seer for guidance on the matter!” he looked back to the door before walking out in silence. “You know something Sigurd!” Ivar replied for Ernak “WHAT?” Sigurd yelled; Ivar remained calm before stating, “That upset and frustrated boy, saved my life twice; the second time he should have died. I have never seen someone do what he did for both mine and your band of warriors and you treat him like this... do you not have any honour anymore” “What happened?” Alfhild wept searching for comfort in his words, “He mounted a horse and attacked the army from the rear killed maybe twenty-five men, when the horse died he got up and fought off the enemy despite being wounded by a sword to save both mine and Björn’s life and provided the people with an opportunity to leave, it was an heroic deed seeing him, swords on fire engage and butcher them. He did that for OUR people and now he may never help us again! You should ask the other raiders what he is like; hell even I look up to him! If you ever need support don’t bother coming to us!” “Brother?!” “The day you listened to Erik the gutless is the day you became an untrustworthy acquaintance!”