To war

“He said we would know soon” Sigurd stated calmly entering the barn to which Ragnor with Alfhild swore back, “I swear I saw Skadi ride off not too long ago!” they walked in and seeing how it was empty; Skadi was gone along with his weapons and necessities he would need in the upcoming fights. “He has gone and joined them, that traitorous Bastard!” Ragnor growled, however offering another suggestion Alfhild commented, “Unless he has just left…” “Why would he?” Ragnor once more bellowed in hatred, “Why betray us knowing he may need us if the Norwegians refuse his help? His weapons could just be for protection or for his crazed plans to rescue or abduct her” “Possible but unlikely… Don’t inform the others yet, not until we have proof that he is involved. For now let’s be ready for anything!”

Meanwhile after two days of travelling North of Denmark:

“Birger, a stranger has come to our camp offering his assistance” “Knud why?” “The “King” as he calls him took his lover and those he called family betrayed him” “Why would I want one man?” “He claims to be a popular and famous in the South, was known for his expertise in traps and ambushes, is ruthless on both foot and horseback and knows at least four of your opposition’s leaders” “What does he want in return?” Birger questioned standing next to Harald; his advisor and the other leaders; Sten and Njal but pushing past Knud, Ernak spoke with his hood already up, “Lagertha, her and let me take care of the South; my clans lands” he considered it before nodding opened the map to reveal their plan, “Alright, we’ll give it a try and if we win then what you demand is yours” Ernak nodded before studying the map began to layout the expected route Sigurd and company would expect them to take and suggesting an alternative, Birger smiled knowing that he could become very valuable in the nearby future.

Over the next few weeks the mind games had started from Ernak and his new found Allies. To much of the Danish Clans acceptance the North started to fall and the next main concern was whether “King” Frode was going to let his land be taken so they could make a stand against the pressing Norwegians or stay and defend it, however the decision was going to be soon made for them.

“We can’t stay here… the north has been ravaged with stories of brutal murders taking place” Erik urged encouraging them to head South, “Exactly. These are my people! I need to defend them!” Sigurd sighed studying the map seeing how the reports showed a series of defeats and ambushes and by the angry expression of Björn knew something had developed. “We have lost my lands; the docks. Whilst we were worrying about defending this land or not. We have lost an valuable asset” “But how? They are right there. A 1000 miles away! We would have seen them and so would half of the remaining clans” Erik protested and laughing Björn stated, “They took a ship, used our clans colours and invaded… apparently after a brief encounter the numbers grew too many and they offered to join them” “A growing trend” Sigurd responded marking another place off the map snapped, “We. We need to find a way to halt the advancement but any means, otherwise this will be a very short war.”

“Good work as per usual Örlendr!” Birger cheered joining the cloaked figure who like most nights chose to drink alone, “Pathetic… they are just pathetic… almost makes me concerned for when the army actually fights an organised opposition” Birger nodded before asking, “You know this area well?” “Well? I was the one responsible for taking this land for Ivar’s clan. Killed the nephew because he was going marry Lagertha’s sister by ****. When I find Erik, he’s going to suffer soo much for this. It wouldn’t have been like this if he just kept his word!” “We’ll find her and when we do and after we have won this war; you’ll be together and this land yours; but for now what next?” Njal questioned, “I go back to the Northern half and get ready for the attack. You keep making trouble when the others arrive; they’ll send more men here to hold you off and we’ll slip in and take Frode’s lands. He won’t last much longer as Jarl when he doesn’t have any lands. If you find Erik… I want the pleasure!”

Two months later:

“The lands have fallen son” “I feared as much!” Frode head dropped upon hearing the news, “Furthermore they have taken the bridge preventing crucial support. They are barely 200 miles away from us” Ragnor grunted passing comment as Torvi pushed passed him before reading the last report out to the now gathering committee of people, “Devastating loses. It appears they were attacked all sides and burnt out of their homes” “Where were your men to defend it!” Frode snapped at Ragnor who defending himself with the fact they were there it was Torvi who finished her statement, “Dead in their beds. Throat’s slit. Reports now believe they were infiltrated and murdered whilst they slept. This corresponds with the reports of an ally, the mastermind behind the attacks…” “Who is it?” Sigurd queried and head dropping Torvi stated, “Someone called the ‘All-Father.’ He is vicious, barbaric and yet smart and by the sounds of it looking for you… Sigurd if the reports are accurate… I think it’s Ernak” Sigurd nodded in agreement and explaining his reasoning to it stated, “Has to be. Only one who would be able to give them an advantage on the battlefield and strategically. We also know that before he left he was calling himself Odin and was more brutal. It sounds like he was looking for someone, who else has ‘lost’ someone like he has?” Alfhild wept knowing the prospect they could be facing, “He would massacre us all just to get to Lagertha” Sigurd explained to Frode who responded with, “He’s persistent I give him that!” “And winning the war. We need him but he won’t join us unless we give him Lagertha!” “Are those his demands?” “Scouts who were able to get near have stated he wants Lagertha returned unharmed and the lands in the South” “Tempting; I must admit but I don’t trust the damn Norwegians” “We can still win this!” Frode urged and looking down it was Helvig who stated, “Based on what evidence… I don’t know about the rest of the men but Ernak or the Örlendr being here would have given us hope. He went and saved Ivar and Björn after riding a horse into a crowd of soldiers and then after getting wounded held the armour off killing maybe 40 men; then when we traveled with him raiding, we found out that he IS a god reborn. That is a morale booster and what probably drives everyone else to join their banner. Your “godly” powers funny enough haven’t even shown or been proven. We only fight because they are OUR lands that they threaten” “Then fight for that!” Sigurd pleaded which caused Ivar to comment, “Why should I? Porunn has been taken if bringing Frode’s head and Lagertha to Ernak means safety for the family then I will accept the trade I would follow him as Jarl over Ragnor any day; your boy is just ill!” the tension now rose between both allies and being **** apart it was Frode’s mother who tried to ease the tension.

“Well get Ernak back then, he’ll know of an way!” Frode’s mother snapped and looking down Sigurd stated, “It won’t be that easy and we don't even know where he will be next” “Find out immediately and whilst you at it I want you check who is actually on our side and whose lying because if we are losing because of your lack of ability to recruit loyal men then this will be the end of any treaties in the future!” Ragnor growled trying to respond but pushing past them Lagertha spoke clutching her small bump, “Enough all of you. This is an direct retaliation for what has happened. Your clan for not fixing your wrongs and going back on your promise and you, husband for taking me. The land he has taken, the side he has chosen is all because I am here and not there, my beloved is angry and that is bad for all of you. He is smarter than you, craftier and deadly than before; however unlike before he is more brutal” Frode nodded before staring at the bump spoke, “How is the baby?” “He’ll be alright but you won’t be and I fear neither will I… this… this thing is the biggest act of betrayal he could ever find out. Duty or not, “I am no longer pure or his” and that… that hurt could send an man mad” “He won’t hurt you, I promise!” Frode insisted and nodding Lagertha stated, “I know, he would never hurt a child and me… it won’t be physical it was just bring us emotional grief; knowing that I went through this” Björn nodded offering his condolences to her making the others listen, “I sorry… he told me before about your dream. A house near the coast, married with children together, a dog and he working in the stables and owning business; both happy and content” “Thank you Björn but let’s face it after this war we won’t be having any of this” “I wish I could say something to help Lagertha. I’m sorry” “Don’t be we live with our mistakes. The problem is, if he finds this out that may make him even more determined to destroy us and specifically you” “Too late” Torvi stated trying to finish her report, “The last report I had from our informants stated, he was asking around for her location and out of fear people told him of it and that you were in fact pregnant. The also state that he didn’t take the news well even reports that his allies were trying to calm him and he threatened to butcher all of you. I think to gain his help we have to take child the child away after birth, release her from this situation, give him the South and let him execute Erik” “Or we must give him all your heads and Lagertha” Ivar explained “Traitor!” Erik fired back at him too which Ivar responded, “We are only doing what you would do in our situation. We are looking out for ourselves” “Brother please!” Ivar sighed before stating, “Fine but if Ernak comes for your blood hear this: We’ll escort him straight to you and let him have his vengeance. Start praying all of you!”

“We need to find and execute him” Erik snapped believing in this course of action however Sigurd speaking practically stated, “We are getting outmanoeuvred at every attempt to fight back, we are now getting outflanked and have lost majority of our strongholds we are facing an uphill struggle and you want to execute the only person who either has a plan to stop them himself or know how to defeat them?” Lagertha nodded before explaining to her husband, “He is always four steps ahead of you. Even now he is probably planning at least 3 endings to this and it’s because of me!” Frode listened as Sigurd spoke plainly to the room, “Ernak is one of the smartest men we had and he also has two gods leading his way, give him Lagertha after the child is born and leadership of a clan or whatever he wants as compensation for Lagertha and he’ll fix the mess! He won’t stop otherwise and I don’t fancy our chances unless we can offer them a stupid amount of loot.”

The groups rushed in and out hurriedly formulating a plan whilst Lagertha sitting back on her chair stared out deep within her thoughts ignoring the conversations people tried to start with her before seeing the glowing cat stare at her lightly tapped her lap for it to hop on but not moving it continued to stare at her. Their eyes locking and feeling an eerie jolt from the interaction, shook her head to rid herself of the cobwebs looked back down to bow see the cat lay over her lap and her hand petting the purring creature. She continued reflecting on the events and trying to think of what she could say to disarm or at least soothe Ernak’s anger; knowing he would succeed but as she looked back down to the Cat it stared at her once again and this time almost smiling at her meowed causing the scene around her to slow down until it froze then watching the people and animals vanish Lagertha looked around feeling uneasy when she noticed everything was silent and she was alone.

Suddenly the room deteriorated leaving nothing more than blackish room with no light except one ball of light that occupied the centre of the room, just hovering there waiting for Lagertha. She cautiously took an step forward towards the light and reaching out towards it stopped hesitating at the final moment realising it was her necklace, the one physical thing she had left of Ernak however this was different and feeling for her neck noticed she wasn’t wearing hers. She retrieved it cautiously and finally put it back on her person gasped falling back when the figure stood opposite her, just staring waiting for reaction and this came in the form of Lagertha quickly taking the necklace off but it didn’t matter because the figure was still there almost judging her when Lagertha put it back on and finding her feet once more Lagertha waited for the person to speak and beginning she was met with one single word of, “Finally!”

“Who? Who are you?” Lagertha questioned and ignoring her question the figure circled her and simply stated, “Human, where’s Logos?” “Who are you? Tell me and I’ll tell you!” “Listen here… this can either take place smoothly or by **** I don’t care!” “All I asked for was your name?!” the figure pinched her nose and repeating the advice she was given spoke calmly, “It’s their world now, try and be nice!” and nodding she looked back over to the woman and state, “My name is Freyja the Isu of all that is fertility, love, warfare and by marriage **** and Decay. I’m also the Queen who loved a monster, supposed whore of Asgard but the only ever opinion I cared for was my third and only ever love Logos” “Lagertha. **** to marry my lovers brother, then an high king and my lover is… well he is tearing the country apart just to get to me!” Freyja nodded as Lagertha knelt down to show respect, “I forgot you human’s think we are gods! Funny that because it makes you one” “Yes your Sage” “Sage? Who do you know this term?” “My sister wrote to me discussing what they were and what it means for the host” “And what did she say to you?” “You could forcefully take control or Logos quoted “Merge as one” that is what’s happening with him.”

Freyja smiled knowing that is what he would say so circling the woman before her Freyja remarked, “And he gave you Brisingamen Necklace, my necklace… interesting. Young, strong muscles” Freyja trialed off lightly squeezing Lagertha’s muscles before grabbing her breasts continued, “Full, good and blonde. This is quite adequate but tell me who is Logos?” Lagertha smiled before “My lover Ernak is Logos. Somehow the fates have supported us” “So it worked, I hope Ernak didn’t have it too hard when he was younger, Logos did” “The bullied him everyday when he was younger and even now but I or shall I say we, were there all the way through it” Freyja nodded appreciating the gesture before curiously asked, “So tell me… our Ernak, is he dark and handsome like I wanted?” Lagertha smirked before winking spoke, “He’s tall, strong, caring and very very sexy” Freyja smiled bringing up an image of him from Lagertha’s memory and smiling at image and turning to the woman Lagertha ordered, “We need to start!” “Start?” “You need to remember my memories so your human mind will be willing to accept my presence. They are stored here subconsciously, waiting for you to remember them. I will in exchange experience yours. When this is down we will be one like your Ernak and my Logos! See your priestess… she’ll know!” Lagertha nodded seeing the light glow being generated from her body and turning back Freyja snapped, “Oh yeah… our body doesn’t belong to anyone else. Not even your husband!” she handed her a drink and taking control of Lagertha’s hand manipulated it so she was **** to drink the solution before stating whilst they scene grew faint, “I’m sorry for the pain but you’ll heal and Frode won’t get his brat!” Lagertha’s grew wide and trying to resist was suddenly back in the room being pestered by Torvi for an answer.