The Son Of Ragnar

Asger knew that he had to get the children away. He was sure that they could do something because of the feat they had accomplished during the war.

"Bjorn, Tyr…. You need to get out of here. I do not know where they are taking us, but I cannot let them get their hands on you…." Asger whispered to the kids, away from the ears of those around them, because he was wary of the dangers that came with such conversations.

"I cannot leave you alone, sir," Bjorn responded, but it was clear these two boys did not realize that they were no longer average warriors but the children of a King, the children of King Ragnar.

They were far too powerful a bargaining chip because the person that did this was knowledgeable, and there was no telling what he would do with the children.

Tyr, however, caught on. He did not say a word, but the look in his eyes told Asger all he needed to know.

Tyr had grown so much in the past month, and Asger was glad to witness it.

"I will cause a distraction; you both have to get out of here," Asger said, but he did not wait for the children to respond as he immediately tackled one of the guards.

This created an opening that Tyr and Bjorn exploited as both boys ran.

Asger did not resist much, and his being here meant they could not chase them or risk Asger getting away. Of course, this did not mean they would not give chase as three guards chased them.

Bjorn was a lot slower, but this was no problem for the young warrior before he could even react to the men chasing him. Tyr jumped over his brother and slammed his ax right into the forehead of the man about to get his brother.

This killed him instantly as Tyr tumbled to the ground, but he was not done. He yanked his ax out of the corpse and threw it right into the neck of the second man behind him.

Bjorn watched his brother take down these men like they were nothing; this was a lot different than when they sparred because Tyr took these lives like he was brushing his teeth.

"Bjorn!" Tyr screamed, Bjorn had spaced out, and the man had closed in on them.

"N-No more…" Bjorn muttered, clenching his fist as the man was within striking distance.

Bjorn's eyes burned with fury. He looked at the man with a renewed resolve because this was the life he had chosen; how could he compete with his brother if he could not take the lives of his enemies?

Bjorn managed to dodge the thrusting sword of his foe before slitting his throat with a smaller knife on him, forcing the man on his knees to choke on his own blood before falling face first, dead. They had managed to kill their pursuers but what next?

-

Askild was impressed by Birger's intelligence; Birger had been plotting for years for this exact moment. The fury of a patient man was a force to be reckoned with.

"I have taken the very thing you killed for, King Askild. But you still have more to lose…." Birger said. He returned to touching Liv, but what Askild's wife would feel something pressed against her neck was cold and hard; it was his sword.

"I will count to three, Askild, and if you have not decided, you will lose a second," Birger warned, but the feeling of control, he loved it.

He loved how helpless Askild was and how he had to play his games, but Askild did something that surprised both Liv and Birger, pointing his blade at Liv.

"You make one mistake, and that is thinking I care about her. I will stain my blade with her blood as I can always marry a prettier and more competent wife." Askild said, and Birger's lips curled up like some Disney villain.

He slowly withdrew his sword and gestured for Askild to come forward, Liv was used to Askild saying harsh words to her, but this felt different; he meant these words, but she did not plead for her life as hers was less significant than Lagertha as it stood.

"That is close enough," Birger said. He did not want Askild to get too close because he did not know what he had in mind, but it could not be good.

"Can I say my last words?" Askild asked, and Birger gave his go-ahead; there was something poetic about this.

"Liv, you are a strange woman. I do not understand how you could love me after seeing just who I am; you knew I was a man that would do anything for my ambition. I killed your brother, yet you love me? I have never understood this insanity, but I did not want to, so you became my biggest weakness. I know weaknesses are meant to be purged, but you are a weakness I want forever embedded in me…." Askild finally said. He had openly shown affection to Liv, and this moment overwhelmed Liv with emotions she could not control.

"I love you, Liv…." Askild said; Liv smiled with contentment.

He was right; she knew her husband, but she had forgotten for a brief moment that Askild was not a man to let his emotions stand in the way of his dreams.

"I love you too, Askild…." Liv said, and Askild moved to thrust his sword at his wife, but it was parried. Askild looked up to see Birger standing in front of her, and he had a look of ecstasy.

"Hahaha! You said it. You actually said it! Do you know why I could sway Arvid to do what I wanted him to do even though he was so scared of you? It is because I promised him I would wound you the same way you would him…." Birger said, looking at Liv sobbing profusely.

"Oh, sweetheart, you think this is bad? Wait until you see what I have in store for you. Your husband is familiar with it," Birger teased with a sickening grin. Askild's eyes widened in horror, he knew the fate that awaited Liv and tried to lunge at Birger, but the hole in his leg gotten by the arrow in the war made his movements a lot slower as Birger blocked his blade.

"You have mistaken my motives, Askild. I have no intention of killing you now… That would be too easy," Birger warned, and Askild soon felt his legs buckle, and an arrow had pierced his thighs from behind.

"You see, I also have a show for you, my dear usurper," Birger said right before knocking Askild out, but Birger noticed that his shirt had been cut, showing that despite Askild being injured, he was still a formidable fighter.