Fighting, Honour and Valhalla || Vikings x The Originals x TVD

Assassination

The sun began to set over Kattegat, casting long shadows across the town. In the Jarl's longhouse, the main hall was filled with the remnants of the day's activity, but now, silence reigned. Magnus sat alone, his anger still simmering despite the hours that had passed since Thorfinn's return. His room lay in disarray, furniture overturned and items scattered. In his rage, he had smashed several pieces, leaving a trail of destruction.

Magnus stormed into the main hall and sank into his father's throne, the weight of his frustration heavy on his shoulders. He snapped his fingers at a passing slave girl. "Bring me a drink," he ordered curtly.

The girl scurried away and quickly returned with a cup of mead. Magnus grabbed it roughly from her hands, barely acknowledging her presence. "Where is my sister?" he barked at one of the guards, the same one who had urged him not to make a scene with Thorfinn earlier.

"The men following her said she went with Thorfinn. They're still at Rollo's house," the guard replied.

Magnus scowled, his grip tightening on the cup until it cracked. "Go and get her. I don't want her being seen with him anymore."

"Yes, lord," the guard replied before leaving the hall, leaving Magnus to stew in his thoughts. His mind churned with anger and jealousy as he thought about Thorfinn. He had loved Rebekah since she first blossomed into a woman. He had showered her and her brothers with gifts, yet she did not even give him a second look. He had to urge his father to arrange a marriage between them. It would have been perfect, but Thorfinn had come and stolen it all from him. He had come and bloodied her flower, putting his seed in her and making her grow heavy with his child. The cup cracked further under his tightening grip. "What's so damn special about him? Why do the gods favour him so?" he muttered to himself.

Just then, Jarl Bjarni walked in with several members of his party. The man was loud and obnoxious, his presence filling the room with an unpleasant aura. He grabbed a slave girl, pulling her close and feeling her up with greasy hands.

"Why is there no feast?" Bjarni bellowed, his voice grating.

Magnus, in a poor mood, gritted his teeth. "There will be no feast tonight," he replied, his tone barely concealing his anger.

Bjarni frowned, his face contorting in a spoiled grimace. "I wanted a feast. It's the only thing that's fun in this shithole."

Magnus had to stop himself from lashing out at Bjarni's disrespect. "The people of Kattegat have had their fill. They would likely not show," he said through clenched teeth.

Bjarni scowled and ordered a slave girl to get him some food. When the food arrived, he ate disgustingly, ripping chunks of meat and letting the grease drip down his beard. "What's wrong with you, boy? You look like you've had a hot poker stuck up your arse," he laughed, bits of food flying from his mouth.

Magnus found the man before him repulsive, to the point where he actually felt some sympathy for his sister. "I received some bad news this morn," he replied, his voice low.

"Bad news? What, are those annoying followers of Ragnar stirring up trouble?" Bjarni asked, looking up briefly from his meal.

"In a way," Magnus replied. He paused, gathering his thoughts. "A young man, Thorfinn Fjallsson, he was sent away on a task to slay the leviathan. In return, he would earn Rebekah's hand in marriage."

"I've heard of Rebekah Mikaelsdottir. Even in Svealand, they say she is as beautiful as a Valkyrie. I regret I never got to see her on my visit," Bjarni said, adjusting his trousers and licking his lips lecherously.

Magnus couldn't help but let slip a look of disdain, but luckily Bjarni was too enthralled with thoughts of Rebekah to notice. "Thorfinn returned today with the heart of the leviathan. He has won Rebekah's hand in marriage. He has taken what was rightfully mine," Magnus continued, shouting the last part and throwing his cup across the room.