"Congratulations," King Hjalmar said as he stood up. "Stigr get some of our men ready for the journey. And steal a few horses from the village next to the town," King Hjalmar Continued. "Yes father," Stigr said as he stood up and left the church. "What if he tries to kill you father," Hertha asked. "He won't," King Hjalmar replied. "They're defeated and now my guess is he wants to make a deal," King Hjalmar replied. Back in King Edwin's Kingdom, the messenger arrived with the news of the raider's. King Edwin was sitting on his throne talking to a servant about his dinner plans. "This is good news that you brought me," King Edwin said as he stroked his chin. "Servant tell my cooks to prepare a feast for our guest for three days from now," King Edwin continued with a polite smile,
"Yes King Edwin," The Servant said as she bowed and left the room. King Hjalmar, Hertha, Stigr, Olin and a few other men were with them when they arrived to King Edwin's kingdom on horseback. A guard saw King Hjalmar and his companions arrive at the gates of King Edwin's castle from the tower by the gate. "The raider's are here," The guard said. "Tell King Edwin the raiders are here to speak with him. Open the gate," The guard continued as turned around and climbed down the ladder attached to the latter. "I'll tell the king right away," The second guard as he ran towards King Edwin's home. "Opening the gates," The third guard helped the other guard open the gate. King Hjalmar and his companions entered the castle.
As they got off their horses people inside had mixed reaction seeing the raiders inside the castle some were filled with fear, few were disgusted that King Edwin would even invite inside his castle, Others were fascinated by the raiders because they saw nothing like them before. The stable boy took their horses to the stables. One of servants walked up to King Hjalmar as the stable boy walked away with the horses. "Welcome to King Edwin's castle," The servant said with a smile. "Please follow me and I take you to him," The servant continued. When they entered King Edwin and his family were waiting from in the dining room. They entered the dining room that was filled with food and drinks.
Queen Ada and Fulton were surprised to see the raiders in their home. "What are they doing here," Queen ada whispered to her husband. "To make a deal that hopefully suits everyone," King Edwin replied. "Why didn't you tell me about this," Queen Ada whispered with concern. "Because I am king," King Edwin replied as he lowered his voice. "I answer to no one," King Edwin continued. "This King Edwin Backus, king of Earleen Hold," The servant said. "Hello welcome to my home," King Edwin said with a smile."And your name is," King Edwin asked. "My name is King Hjalmar Borg," King Hjalmar replied. "These are my children Hertha and Stigr," King Hjalmar continued. "I am pleased to meet you all. But we meet under poor circumstances," King Edwin said. "This is my wife Queen Ada and my son Prince Fulton. "Please everyone come take a seat. We prepared a feast for this occasion," King Edwin continued. They were serving three types of meats, bread, carrots, and potatoes.
Three servants filled everyone's cup with red wine as they put food on their plates. After everyone filled the commander entered the dining room walking slowly to the chair. Queen Ada looked at him with worry as he got to the chair. "Did you see the way she looked at him," Hertha whispered to Stigr and Olin. "Who are you talking about," Olin asked as he lowered his voice. "That lady on the right," Hertha replied as she discreetly pointed at Queen Ada. "Yeah I saw what you saw sister," Stigr said with a wicked smile on his face. "What do you two see," Olin asked. "The way that she looked at him with worry tells him that there's something going on with them," Hertha said. The commander grunted quietly in pain as he sat down by Queen Ada. "Are you ok my love," Queen Ada asked with worry in her voice.
"I'll be ok Ada," The commander replied with a slight smile. "The healer said that i'll be back to normal in a few days. Let's just focus on what your husband has planned today," The commander continued as he filled his plate with food. Before they got to eat a priest entered the dining room. "Great Amos, thank you for this meal," The priest said as he and many others waited for the viking to bow their head. "And she may bless us with many more. Praise Amos," The priest continued as he looked up and left. Everyone started eating and drinking when the priest left. Hertha was eating Venison, Stigr was eating beef, Olin and King Hjalmar were eating rabbit.
A few minutes later King Hjalmar stopped eating and looked at King Edwin. "King Edwin, can we talk now and figure out what we're doing," King Hjalmar asked. "Yes let's get down to business," King Edwin replied as he stopped eating. Everyone stopped eating and looked at King Edwin, waiting for his next words. "You came to our land and destroyed one of our churches," King Edwin said as he raised his voice so everyone around the table could hear him. "You've conquered the town of Earmon that belonged to our people. And now we want it back," King Edwin continued. "What would we be rewarded for giving you back Earmon," King Hjalmar asked. "Yes we would give anything you want for Earmon," King Edwin replied. "What do you want," King Edwin continued.
"If we give you Earmon we would receive three thousand pound of gold and silver," King Hjalmar said. "That's what we would want in return," King Hjalmar continued. "Ok, let me get the coin together," King Edwin said. "When I get the coin together I want you and your army gone in two days. The town return to our people. Is that good," King Edwin continued. King Hjalmar thought hard about the offer King Edwin and him came up with. He wanted the money but wanted to see where the town could bring for his people. "May I have time to think on this," King Hjalmar asked. "Yes you can," King Edwin replied. "You may stay here in the guest room and give your decision tomorrow," King Edwin continued. "Thank you," King Hjalmar said as he continued to eat.
After they ate in the dinner room King Hjalmar and his companions went to the guest room. The guest room only had one bed inside and one couch. King Hjalmar took the bed and Hertha took the couch. The rest had to sleep on the floor. Five servants brought cover and pillows for the ones who were sleeping on the floor. Everyone was asleep except for King Hjalmar and Hertha. They were discussing the terms of the offer King Ewin is waiting for an answer to. "We need to be careful with this deal father," Hertha whispered to not wake anyone up. "King Edwin seems reasonable but the people around him are not trustworthy. Do not take this deal father. If we can keep Earmon, we'll have somewhere to stay if adventure further in the future," Hertha continued. "He'll retaliate against us Hertha," King Hjalmar whispered. "And you know we'll destroy them father," Hertha said as she chuckled. "You know that. They are unorganized and not ready for battle again. It will be foolish to attack when they are weak," Hertha continued.
