Petulant ✔︎

19

The people around him were quiet. The silence that surrounded the clump of people was defeating. It made Gorm swallow nervously. The finger cutting that Irvina commanded wasn't done before everyone, but it was already carried around in a whisper. When Irvina stepped into the middle of the clearing, her soldiers surrounded her. Soon the Ragnarssons clamped next to them. He knew why she did that. To show force, that she had powerful allies.

"I know that many of you would rather be enjoying your peace and quiet," her voice boomed over them. Gorm could see people straighten when Ivar dragged Frode through the crowd.

Irvina continued ignoring the commotion, "I have been gracious, kind, and patient with you all. And it saddens me that some of you cannot return it." Her eyes slid over the crowd pointedly. She waited for Ivar to drag Frode before her. Everyone waited with bated breath.

"But that stops now, no more mercy," her eyes dueled with Frode's, "You will become a skógarmaðr, you will own nothing, and you will be nothing. Anyone who will be seen helping you, will be executed." Her eyes left him and trailed over the crowd once more.

She gave Gunnar and her father a hard stare. Her father was staring at the ground, shoulders slumped. He barely looked good enough to stand.

"I am your Queen, and anyone who disagrees with that can gladly follow my brother. If anybody of you has something to say to this matter, you can say it to Gorm's sword!" Few people turned to him with wide eyes, but he made no move to deny it.

Irvina was desperate for people to finally listen, and he could see that. People followed her to battle, but if one of her brothers proclaimed himself King they wouldn't disagree. She was pushed into a corner and pointing to him as her executioner.

She nodded at Ivar, who pulled the metal from the fire. The little prince was going to wear a brand for the rest of his life. "You can all leave now." She waited only for a few seconds before nodding at Ivar. The man's face twisted with a sickening smirk before he pushed the brand under his eye. The bloodcurdling scream must've been heard even by the Gods.

Not that it brought any change on Irvina's expression. No, the Queen looked as cold as years ago. It seemed that she sincerely was done with sparing people. His eyes focused on Gunnar.

His face scrunched up painfully. Gorm understood, of course, he did. Even though he grew up without a family, he knew how close Gunnar was to Frode. They were brothers, raised side by side. Fighting enemies together and then Frode supported his decision to leave. It was painful for Gorm to watch those green eyes close in pain. His brother was declared no one. He could only wander and not own anything. Frode was free meat for anyone who wanted to hunt him down. It made his stomach twist even though he had no relationship with the little prince.

*

Hvitserk pulled the strands of grass. It was already peaking from beneath the heavy snow. Hvitserk couldn't remember ever seeing this much snow in Kattegat. He ignored the man that sat next to him. Had to keep himself from not picking up the axe next to him.

"I hate the snow. Everyone can hear you coming," Ivar's voice broke the silence. Once again, Hvitserk ignored him. His eyes pointedly looked over the horizon, and his mouth sealed shut. "I'm happy that I'm finally returning home."

Even though he made no move to answer, Ivar spoke again, "Not that there is much to miss. Gunnhild is nearing birth, and I have never seen a man more scared of his wife. Bjorn is a dog." Hvitserk had to hold himself from chuckling.

"Found him tied in their bed naked when the messenger arrived, it was disgusting!" The exasperation in his tone made him smile.

Ivar groaned, "Don't get me started on Ubbe. He and that lady are sickening." Hvitserk smirked, "Still haven't learned how to say her name?" From the corner of his eye, he could see Ivar turn to him.

"It's a horrible name," Hvitserk chuckled. "And Ronja is wholeheartedly enjoying Gunnhild and that lady commanding everyone around."

Hvitserk turned towards him with a cheeky smile, "I think she's also among those who command everyone around." Ivar met his eyes, bright blue eyes melting into his pale once.

"You should see her. It's worse now that Ragnar started to crawl around." Hvitserk smiled at that. The mention of his child made Ivar's whole face brighten. It saddened Hvitserk that he wasn't there.

Ivar spoke again, this time with some difficulty, "I am sorry for how I've wronged you." Hvitserk nodded.

"Is there still a place on your ship?" Ivar's eyes glinted, almost like in victory, "Always."