Askeladd - Thorfinn x reader -

55.

Chapter 55
Visitors 

That morning the rest of the conversation between Y/n and Estrid was nothing short of pleasant. They conversed on more lighthearted topics, gossiped a bit, and Y/n even teased the girl about Wulf's crush on her. 

Sadly, their conversation was interrupted by one of Canute's men who announced Y/n had been summoned by Canute himself to his study to discuss important matters. 

Which follows to the present moment, Y/n standing beside Gunnar in front of where Canute sat at his desk cluttered with documents and books. In her hands were stats provided by Gunnar, her eyes scanning over the documents carefully. 

Currently the three were tasked with the predicament of figuring out how to seize a new source of income for maintaining the danish army. 

"What have you two discussed before I got here?" Y/n exhaled sharply through her nose, placing the papers down neatly on the desk. 

"We expand our direct holdings," Canute began, picking back up the papers himself and briefly skimming over it's contents. "Not by cultivating new land but increasing royalty owned farmland through other means." 

"Taking what isn't yours." Y/n finished Canute's point, not needing him to further elaborate. Glancing over at Gunnar, and she could tell by his facial expression he didn't agree with the suggested method. In all fairness, even though she couldn't stand the conehead this time she sympathized with him. 

After living a life where all she did was steal and take what didn't belong to her Y/n grew to loath it. 

"Are you sure this is wise?" Y/n questioned made Canute raise his brow, clearly not expecting the objection. 

"At the end of the day we need money. Why spread discontent through an entire kingdom by raising taxes when sacrificing the happiness of a small number of people is an alternative?" Canute explained, "unless you have a better idea?" He asked but his tone was laced with sarcasm. 

Y/n didn't respond with words, simply placing her hand to her hip and turning her head away from the king. 

~

It seemed timing was in the kings favour as that same morning a rather wealthy man with rich land had just arrived in Jelling. 

Ketil, along with his son Olmar. 

While he arrived at the deck with boats filled with mountains of good to pay his respect to King Harald; he was delivered the news by Thorgil who came to welcome him about Harald's passing. 

Thorgril being Ketil's oldest son, as well as one of Canute's Loyal thegns. The tall built man carried an intimidating aura and always spoke with his chest out. 

Ketil was nothing but grateful to his son who promised to get him in contact with Canute to present his gifts so his travel wouldn't be in vain. But his relief quickly diminished once he finally realized the disappearance of his son Olmar; knowing the boy who'd wondered off into town was up to no good. 

His hunch was right, unsurprisingly Olmar had managed to cause trouble and pick a fight with someone just 15 minutes after arriving to Jelling. Because of the commotion and crowd he drew in it wasn't hard for Ketil to locate his spoiled son. 

He'd arrived just in time to put him in his place, making sure to apologize and compensate the man he'd troubled. 

The resolution leading to Ketil meeting the adoptive father of the man Olmar almost bumped heads with--