Reborn into the Viking series

Chapter 14

KINGDOM OF NORTHUMBRIA, ENGLAND

As the man bends down to scoop water from the tranquil pond, his actions come to an abrupt halt as his gaze fixates on a massive ship gliding towards the shore.

—

Waves crash on the shore, their relentless rhythm matching the tense atmosphere. Seagulls cry overhead as water splashes around the Vikings, their longships grounding on the sandy beach.

Rollo spots something in the distance and calls out to Ragnar.

Rollo: Ragnar, look! Over there!

A group of armed men, two of them on horseback, were approaching them.

Ragnar turns to Hildr and whispers urgently in her ear.

Ragnar: I know you speak their language. Hildr, we need you to communicate with them.

Hildr's eyes widened in realization.

Hildr: Athelstan.

He nods.

Ragnar: Speak in my stead. I can only communicate so much.

Hildr nods in understanding.

As the armed men approach, two on horseback, the Vikings stand their ground. The men stop a few meters away and dismount from their horses, nodding their heads in a show of respect.

A Saxon Man addresses them with curiosity and caution.

Man(Saxon): Good people, welcome.
Who are you?
What do you speak?

Hildr steps forward, her imposing figure towering over the Saxon man, and points to herself and the other Vikings.

Hildr(Saxon): We are Norsemen, and we speak Norse. But I also speak your language.

The man nods, relieved to have found a common ground.

Man(Saxon): Traders?

Hildr nods in agreement, playing her part.

Hildr(Saxon): Yes, traders.

The man smiles, reassured by their response.

Meanwhile, Rollo, ever skeptical, turns to Hildr and questions her.

Rollo(Norse): What is he saying?
Who is he?

Hildr, annoyed, ignores Rollo's skepticism and signals for the Saxon man to continue.

He points to himself.

Man(Saxon): I am the Sheriff here.
If you want to trade, then you must meet our King Aelle.

He notices Rollo's strange and intense gaze directed at him.

Sheriff(Saxon): We will take you to meet him.

Rollo repeats his questions, his mistrust evident.

Rollo(Norse): What is he saying?

Hildr, growing impatient, responds to him.

Hildr(Norse): He wants us to meet his king.

Rollo, still unconvinced, warns Ragnar.

Rollo(Norse): Ragnar, It's a trap.
Don't listen.
They will kill us.

Hildr rolls her eyes, frustrated by Rollo's constant skepticism.

Hildr(Norse): Shut up Rollo.

Rollo glares at her, but Ragnar intervenes, considering the situation.

Ragnar(Norse): Wait. It might help us to go along with them.

Eric approaches Ragnar and whispers in Ragnar's ear.
Eric(Norse): I'm with Rollo.
I say we kill them.