Always Be By My Side - Sequel to Always Return to Me (The Last Kingdom Fan Fic)

Chapter 38

Ragnar

Marching into enemy territory never holds a great feeling. But this journey of ours felt particularly unsettling. Per my wife's suggestion our war band was split into three columns to avoid anyone being ambushed and flanked by Aksel should the cowardly bastard have somehow raised an army. In addition, we kept eyes on Bebbanburg, to ensure there was no secret army deploying from there.

I rode with Young Ragnar by my side. Despite his mother's desperate stares, silent pleas, and clenched jaw, I allowed our son to march with us. Rorik promised to keep his eyes on him at all times.

I stared towards the upper ridge where while not being able to see them, I knew Nadia led her party. Cellach was with her, even though she had protested that he should stay behind in Dunholm. The young prince was determined to ally himself to us. Nadia thought he had a death wish. She made him swear up and down to his god that he would not engage in the fight, reminding me that should he die in our care his father would most likely being the wrath of the Scots upon us. Brida had the third group a little ways behind us to ensure we did not get flanked from behind. Her foul mood seemed to improve upon being given command of men. If not for our plan to hide the true size of our army, it would have been Rorik's right to lead them. Instead he rode with Young Ragnar and me.

As planned, our war parties halted within range of Grimsby. The attack would not happen until the morrow when we were better rested. My men and I dismounted and made camp in view of the lawless town. My banner with the fierce head of an eagle was struck into the ground and lit by torches. Nadia and Brida's camps were concealed further back in the trees to hide our army's true size. I settled down next to Young Ragnar before our newly started fire. I pitied the men who were not to have a fire as a chilly mist blew in, settling upon us.

"Are you sure he will not flee now he knows we are here?" Young Ragnar asked.

"No," I replied.

"But it is not likely," Rorik added.

"Unless he feels like fleeing by boat, which he won't, there is no escape," my wife's voice said.

"Why won't he?" Young Ragnar asked.

"Because your father sent a warship up the coast a few days before we marched," she replied. I watched her hooded figure sit down next to Rorik. My gut clenched ever so slightly. Her eyes met mine and she offered a small smile.

"Are you cold lady?" Rorik asked, shifting to look at her.

"I'm alright, thank you Rorik," she replied.

"What if he flees the other side we can't see from here?" Young Ragnar asked.

"The scouts will tell us," I replied. "And we will head him off."

"Grimsby is not a defensible town," Rorik said. "I expect some sort of surrender by tomorrow morning once they've sized up our troops."

"Aye," I agreed.

"We're being watched already," Nadia said, directing our attention to the edge of the town where dimly lit figures had amassed.

"So it begins," Rorik grumbled, throwing something into the fire.

"Get some rest. We have a big day tomorrow," I replied, standing.

Nadia followed suit and the urge to grab a hold of her as she walked by my side was strong. We reached the edge of my encampment out of sight of Grimsby. I pecked a kiss on her forehead and turned to go, not trusting myself to stop at that.

"Ragnar," she called to my back. With a hint of disappointment?

I smiled at the sound of her voice but did not turn. "Get some sleep," I replied strolling off. Curiosity got the better of me and I glanced back to find the space she had been standing empty. I chuckled to myself knowing she was somewhere in the treeline, satisfied she was still winning.

~~~

Nadia

Grimsby lived up to its name. Grim. I watched from the trees as a group of men rode out into the field, a white cloth blowing in the breeze.

"They want to talk," Cellach noted from my left.

"Aye," I replied. "And what do we have here?" I asked aloud, turning my attention behind us where Brida and a small band of men were holding a dirt covered man by the arms. His face was already bruised. I assumed courtesy of Brida.

"The scouts caught him trying to sneak away," Brida replied.

"And who might you be?" I hissed.

"I don't answer pagan bitches," he spat back at me. His accent giving him away.

I laughed at his comment a moment before backhanding him hard across the face. "Who are you?" I asked, my voice lowering.

He spat at me, missing. I scoffed and nodded to Brida who slammed the handle of her axe into his gut. He gasped for air. "I'll ask you one more time before I let her start cutting things off. Who are you?"

He refused once more. "I respect that you bastards are a lot less squeamish than the Saxons," I smiled. His face fell. "How many of you are there?" I asked. When he refused to answer I shrugged. "Kill him," I ordered Brida who took pleasure at this. 

She brandished her axe, running her finger along the blade, drawing a tiny bit of blood from her finger. "I can make this a quick death, or a slow one," she smiled wickedly.

"Gag him first Brida. We don't need him giving away our position," I called over my shoulder. I heard the struggle behind me and ignored Cellach chasing after me.  I approached the scout who was waiting nearby and ordered him to go to Ragnar, hoping we weren't too late.

Ragnar

I took Rorik, Young Ragnar, and a band of ten of my men with me to meet the small group exiting the town. The elected speaker for Grimsby was a stout cowardly looking man. His right eye twitched as he stared at my small band that had come to speak with him. "Lord Ragnarson," he quivered. His eyes barely meeting mine.

"And you are?" I asked.

"Wealdhere," the he replied.

"A Saxon name," I mused. "Well Wealdhere, I'm sure you know why I am here."

"You want the bastard called Aksel Kjartanson," the man huffed out.

"Aye," I nodded. "Give him to me and we can avoid bloodshed."

"I...We would gladly give you him, but we can't lord," Wealdhere replied.

"And why is that?" Rorik snarled from my side. The round man flinched.

"Answer him," I insisted.

"We've lost control of Grimsby," he sniveled.

I raised my brow and looked at Rorik who shrugged his shoulders before crossing his thick arms. Show off.

"And who then might be in charge of Grimsby?" I asked, smiling.

"I am," a familiar voice sounded. 

I felt chills run down my spine and my smile faded. My attention was briefly taken away by a scout who had ridden out of the treeline to my side. A moment too late. I waved him off and faced a man I had not thought I'd see for another several months.