War

The army gathered on the beaches being met by their loved ones and friends who wished them luck, Ivar stood next to Björn his Axe freshly sharpened and Björn’s sword cleaned as they stood next to Sigurd who began wishing them luck, Erik bid his daughter goodbye but she didn’t care about his messages, she cared more about Lagertha who wasn’t either happy about it and wasn’t convinced they would succeed and rather thought this was just a ploy by her father to get rid of Ernak, her and Ivar opposition to his plan and Alfhild looking with her looked up to see Ernak alone waiting for the off. The priestesses prepared the ritual for the others but up from the shore elevated from the others Ernak knelt preying to his own gods; Athena for wisdom, Ares for the strength in battle and Poseidon for a safe voyage to Britain’s shores. He preyed to Victoria for victory and Vitrus for military strength and bravery and finally to Logi to bless his weapons with the fire to defeat the enemies and Hela to bless the dead who fall to his blade. To many it was an mismatch of gods but he had his faith and to him he knew who watched over him and who didn’t. Most would call him an heretic but something had to be on his side with the luck and skill that he had but now as he finished his worship he looked back to see the six people respectfully keeping their distance waiting for him to finish. When he was ready he stood up and bowing to show respect turned to face the group who now watched. Both sides waited for the other to speak but finally it was Sigurd who broke the ice, “Still worshipping then I see!” “They bring me comfort and are yet to fail me like so many from your faith!” he nodded before trying to manifest the words to say what he wanted, he was met by Ernak who stated, “I know why you are here; it’s to say you are sorry for everything, to wish me luck, say I’m a part of your family and you would hate to hear of my **** or some trivial rubbish like that! If that’s the case then leave!” Sigurd looked to the floor before stating, “I know you don’t believe me but it’s true; I will miss you and I will prey for you even if you won’t for us!” “Yeah please don’t... my faith and my skill will keep me alive!” he nodded before turning away spoke with one final line, “I hope in Britain you get what you desire; happiness!” Ragnor looked back before looking at Ernak stated, “He really does care for you!” “And if it wasn’t for your ill-timed raid there wouldn’t be a war!” “I understand you hate me or is part of your plan to get rid of us and that’s fine, do what you want but just stay safe please, you are still a younger brother to me and I care for you as one! Lagertha... do whatever you like!” she nodded but being interrupted by Alfhild she spoke, “Ernak, I know you have your faith but please for my sake, accept this blessing from mine. At least to give me peace of mind!” he sighed before nodding waited for the priestess to utter her prey and bless his cheeks with the blood of the sacrifice, “Thank you! Now you go there and kick them up their asses. Teach them not to challenge our clan!” Ernak looked over to Lagertha who looking at the remaining people spoke, “Could you leave us?” Ragnor nodded guiding his mother away leaving the two former lovers together and throwing her arms around him pulled him into a deep hug, “Please don’t go!” “Lagertha I must... if I don’t, Erik would just use it against me!” “He’s doing this on purpose; you, my sister and Ivar out of the picture, I don’t know what to do...” “My love be strong! You can do this!” “Not without you! Come with me!” “Where?” “I don’t know where, just anywhere; me and you! I can get us some money and we can be free of this!” he looked down at her hands who held his and kissing her cheek spoke, “I will see you again and when I do, we will be together. Whether it’s there in Britain or back home here. Until then remember I love you!”

“Ready?” I asked and nodding Torvi simply responded with, “There’s nothing here for me! Let’s go!” “Ready old man?” Ivar laughed before stretching spoke, “Just watch me lead the charge young blood!” we pushed the boats out and climbing in looked ahead towards the destination ahead, Torvi smiled feeling the breeze blow against her face as she rowed alongside Ernak, “I always love feeling the wind against my face!” “Well enjoy, it ceases when we land and on the shore there won’t be no pleasantries!” “I know, I know! Just think of the plan and we will do the following” “I would hate to disappoint!” she looked back to the rowers ahead before asking after a few moments of silence, “Going to miss her aren’t you?” “If I can just secure a area in Britain and then she can come with me!” “You think so?” “I got hope Torvi without it, I wouldn’t be able to continue fighting!” “Well let’s go and get you that kingdom, then if I must I will bring her to you personally!”

The longboats drew closer to the shoreline and Ivar looking over stated, “Plan?” “When we hit the shoreline we have the two ships furtherest out take the flanks and go far out. I want them flanking around and then attacking from the sides. We and the next boat will meet them straight on; but hopefully we can get an idea of the numbers beforehand” “Of course” Torvi stated trying to see through the fog, “It’s going to be hard seeing anything through this fog” Ivar barked but as the boats were merely metres away from the beach they looked up to see the blazing lights in the sky lighting it up like a fire would light your way at night. “Shields!” Ivar shouted they threw them up and seeing several warriors fall into the boat or water caused everyone to disembark and charge forwards, “Forward!” Ivar barked looking to Björn who nodded beginning to flank right and looking back to Torvi looked back to Ernak who pulling some of the wounded to the shore before wailing out feeling the arrow pierce his chest and fell backwards into the water, “Ernak?!” Torvi screeched trying to return was pushed forward by the other warriors trying to join the battle, “Torvi, not now later!” Ivar yelled and meeting the enemy straight on and now seeing the vast number of the army opposing them.

The Norse warriors had one great advantage and that was their brutality. They came at the Saxon army with great ****, speed and anger, their axes slicing through the enemies heads, their swords buried into the Saxons heads or through their chests and they weren’t afraid to use any weapon to kill the enemy but seeing the wave after wave of Saxon men come Ivar began to feel the pinch as did the others and eventually Norse warriors were met by a yell from Ivar who feeling a spear impale him stabbed the Saxon who did it before seeing the sword go through his chest looked over to Björn who threw his axe into the Saxon and running over felt to his knees feeling the arrow wound him in the stomach before looking down to his fathers lifeless body placed his fathers axe on his chest before closing his eyes feeling the final bow to his head.

Ernak pulled himself up through the mud and clawing his way up to the bank saw the arrow imbedded in his armour looked over to see the armies collide and the Vikings faltering, it was like the fight was gone from them and now it was just fighting for the sake of it but it wasn’t over yet; Ernak knew that, he just had to motivate them. He drew his swords and cutting the nearest Saxon down looked forward to see Torvi glare at the general who was ordered to finish them off by what must have been the benefactor or advisor to the army. The man walked menacingly to her, her head was down and Ernak knew he had to get there and fast, he charged through the battle slicing them who dared to oppose him and looking over saw the Norse men start to look over and cheer for him getting up to fight harder and now more determined.

Torvi growled seeing the metal general dismount and grabbing his longsword marched forward the men around her were almost subdued and it looked like they were going to fail, “Please Odin help us!” she retracted her sword from the next dead Saxon and acknowledging the gods weren’t there stopped when she saw a vulture scream as it flew past her and target directly the lord who watched from his horse attacking him and pushing him of his mount and then behind her heard a wolf howl causing her to look back and smile seeing the man whose marching forward, slicing his way past the Saxons who tried to oppose him yelled so the other could clearly hear, “Örlendr’s with us!” the warriors looked back only for a brief moment and cheering fought back to the surprised Saxons who saw the arrow firmly in his chest but like an demon he was unphrased and seeing him fire an arrow at the giant of the general who throwing Torvi to the floor marched towards him and Ernak coming to meet him with his dual blades ready to combat his opponents sword.

Ernak struck at the armoured man who laughing seeing only a dent in his armour snapped, “Try again boy!” Ernak aimed for his leg but seeing how it barely flinched dodged the retaliation as he reanalysed the situation. The armour was too thick and strong to pierce and his blade couldn’t go through the helmet but seeing the weakness waited for the right time, “We will show you Nordic Barbarians what us Saxons can do!” and laughing Ernak ducked an swing and slammed his sword under the brutes armpit and pushing it further in grabbed his second sword to knock the longsword out of his hands. Ernak looked at him before sweeping the leg so he fell to Ernak’s level, Ernak looked over to the Lord who pulled himself up to his feet and flicking his wrist the benefactor saw the blade go through the Generals skull. Ernak pulled his blade out before lifting his sword yelled with the renewed confidence of his warriors behind him, “They dare question our gods, question our ability and our resolve. Let’s show them what we can do!” he grabbed his bow before firing at the nearest Saxon warrior led the charge and the Lord who sending the last band of warriors in tried to back away felt an arrow clip his shoulder and now seeing the bloodstained shieldmaiden flick her wrist to reveal the blooded blade who readied itself to kill his guards.

The Lord looked around and seeing no help was coming now saw more clearly the figure called Örlendr. His skin was tanned and partially glowing the arrow still in his chest and on his wrist was the mounted knife waiting to finish the job, “Who are you?” the man crouched down to his level and simply spoke, “I’m the great grandson of Attila the Hun, great nephew to Alaric king of the Visigoths and descendant of a the Vandal king Gaiseric. I’m an mongrel and tainted in blood and they call me Örlendr but to you, I’m your executioner!” the blade slid into his throat and leaving it there for a few seconds the blade retracted before standing up he watched the Saxon troops retreat smiling at what they had began to accomplish but this joy was met by an painful truth; behind him lay the dead and especially the bodies of Ivar and Björn next to each other. Torvi looked over to Ernak before joining his side spoke, “It’s just you now. You are our leader and we’ll follow you to Valhalla and back!” the warriors nodded as he just stood there respecting the dead before stating, “I want an message sent to Sigurd. Tell him of the deaths, our success but demand more men. We won’t last without the reinforcements!” “But where now?” Torvi asked raising her arms up to the vast land unexplored by them, “We take care of the dead whilst we send scouts. If we can just find a village to take or even stay in we can plan; perhaps play their kings against each other and ally with one of them; I don’t know yet but Torvi I want that letter gone as soon as it has been written!”