After the celebration almost the whole camp was asleep or cleaning themselves off. A few hours later Hertha, Stigr, and Olin went inside the tent to come up with the next step of getting rid of Even and his men. "I'm going to take some of our warriors and check on the other village in the morning," Hertha said as she sat down on the bed roll. "Olin, I'm going to need you to make sure Even and his men leave our land," Hertha continued. "Of course Hertha," Olin said as he left the tent. "Brother, will you help the others pack up the camp," Hertha asked as she looked at Stigr. "Yes sister," Stigr replied. "I'll have the camp packed up when you and Olin come back," Stigr continued as he left the tent. A few minutes later Herther laid back and went to sleep. The next morning Hertha and Olin left the camp with most of the warriors in the camp.
Olin headed to Even's camp and saw that it was empty, after searching the outdoors of the village he had the warriors search the inside of the houses. Ten minutes later they found nothing in the villager's homes but old food and bloody rags. "These rags are filled with fresh blood," One of the warriors said as she handed Olin the bloody rags. "Which means they're close," Olin said as he inspected the bloody rags. "Look for blood on the ground or tracks leading to where they went," Olin continued as he dropped the bloody rags on the ground. Four minutes later another warrior found the footsteps and more blood. "Where does the footsteps lead to," One of the warriors asked as he looked at Olin. "Into the forest which is the quicker way to get back to their boats," Olin replied. "Everyone follow me," Olin continued as he followed the footsteps into the forest. Twenty minutes later Olin and the other warriors stumbled upon a dying warrior.
"This must be the man who's bloody rags we found," Olin said as he looked at the dying warrior's wound and bloody hands. "Help me," The dying warrior said as blood came out of his mouth. "They just left him here," One of the warriors said as she looked at the dying warrior with disgust. "How loyal Even and his men are," Another warrior said sarcastically as Olin got closer to the dying warrior. "Please end my suffering," The dying warrior said as Olin crouched down by him. "It will be over quick I promise," Olin said as he pulled out his knife. Olin stabbed the dying warrior right in the chest. "Let's move on," Olin said as he pulled out his knife out of the dead warriors chest. Ten minutes later Olin and the other warriors reached where Even's boats were docks.
When Olin and the other warriors arrived Even and his men were in the boats rowing away from Akehold. When Even saw Olin and the other warriors he felt defeated and embarrassed. He got beaten by children and his brother will make him feel guilty about it. On the bright side Even had some treasure from the villages he raided. It's more than his brother brought back and the people will be happy with it. While Hertha was checking the other village and they were unharmed except for the two villages Even raided. The people of the villagers were happy to see that King Hjalmar and his children were protecting the villages from raiders. Two hours later Olin, Hertha, and the other warriors went back to camp. Stigr and the other warriors at the camp were all packed up.
"Did Even and his leave or is he still here," Hertha asked as she walked up to Stigr with Olin by her side. "Even and his men left on their ships when we arrived," Olin replied. "We can tell father that it was King Calder's brother Even," Stigr said as they walked up to the horses. "Let's go home," Hertha said as she got on top of her horse. Four hours later Hertha, Stigr, Olin, and the other warriors arrived back home. It was nightfall and they arrived back to Asbjorn Island. When Hertha, Stigr, and Olin entered the great hall King Hjalmar and his wife were entertaining some guests. "Welcome back," King Hjalmar said as he stood up and walked towards Hertha, Stigr, and Olin. "Did you do what I told you to do," King Hjalmar asked as he hugged Hertha and Stigr. "Yes father," Stigr replied as he let go of King Hjalmar.
"And we were right about who was the leader of the raiders," Hertha said as she sat down at a table. "It was King Calder's brother Even. Stigr injured him but got away and ran like a coward," Hertha continued as she poured herself a cup of water. "One of Even's men got in the way before I can finish him off," Stigr said as he sat down by Hertha. "I have a feeling that King Calder will try again until he truly fails or have an success," King Hjalmar said. "Hertha send some men to villages to protect them. Also send some scouts to watch over the sea," King Hjalmar continued. "Yes father," Hertha continued as she drank her cup of water. A few days later Even and his men arrived back to Geirland. Four hours later Even and his men arrived to Gosta.
King Calder was sitting on his throne thinking about his father's legacy and how he could contribute his father's legacy. A few minutes later Even and his men entered the great hall. Some of them brought treasure inside the great hall. "So the raid on King Hjalmar's kingdom was successful," King Calder asked as he looked at the treasure. "Sort of," Even replied as he sat down at a table. "When you left for the raid two hundred and thirty of our men left with you," King Calder said as he looked at the men who entered the great hall with Even. "Now you have less than two hundred men with you. What happened to those men," King Calder continued as he looked at Even. "They were killed by King Hjalmar's warriors and his children," Even replied. "The bandits failed me if you fought his children," King Calder said.
"How did King Hjalmar find out you were there raiding," King Calder continued. "A child was in one of the villages I raided and I couldn't kill him," Even replied. "I kept picturing this boy who died in this last village and his lifeless eyes. So I let him go and I guess he told King Hjalmar what happened," Even continued. "You did the right thing brother," King Calder said. "No child deserves to die. And the good news the raid was sort of successful," King Calder continued. "Thank you brother," Even said with a smile. "But I am going to need you to go back to Akehold and raid again," King Calder said. "I want you to go back and raid a smaller village in the next two days," King Calder continued. "Ok, I will assemble some more men and get the boats ready," Even said as he stood up and walked out of the great hall.
A few minutes later after Even left Queen Gull entered the great hall. "Do you really think Even can succeed on the next raid," Queen Gull asked as she sat down next to King Calder. "No I do not my love," King Calder replied as he looked at Queen Gull. "Even though he succeeded I still want him to fail. My people love him more than me. I need him to fail and make them love," King Calder continued as he walked away. Three days Even and his men were in their boats. King Calder was watching Even leave from the mountains as Queen Gull walked up to him. "Your brother left with more men this time," Queen Gull said. "I know," King Calder said as he turned around. "You still want him to fail don't you," Queen Gull asked as King Calder walked away. "Yes I do," King Calder replied. "If he fails I can blame it on Even. Then I can prove to everyone and myself i'm a great leader and he's not," King Calder continued
