"Alright i'll let him stay here and find him some work to do," King Hjalmar said. Six days later Even and his men arrived back to Geirland feeling defeated. Two hours later Even and his men entered the great hall dirty and tired. King Calder and Queen Gull were celebrating with their people when Even entered the great hall with his men. "Welcome home brother," King Calder said with a smile on his face. "What is this," Even asked as he looked around himself. "This is a celebration brother," King Calder replied. "My wife Gull is with child. And we're celebrating the god's blessing on us," King Calder continued as he looked at her with a smile. "Congratulations brother," Even said with a fake smile. "Thank you brother," King Calder said. "How was the raid on Akehold," King Calder asked as he looked at Even.
"The raid did not go as planned," Even said as his face filled up with disappointment. "Again," King Calder asked. "What happened this time Even," King Calder continued. "We were defeated by King Hjalmar's children," Even replied. "They were prepared for an attack. They had the villagers moved out and King Hjalmar's children ambushed us with a army. We tried to fight back but we had fewer men and they had over a hundred warriors with them," Even continued. "So you're the reason we lost the battles on the raids against Akehold," King Calder said. "It seems like all of your plans have failed brother. Maybe the gods are trying to tell us that you're the reason we failed on the other raids. Everytime we failed you've been there brother," King Calder continued. Most of the people in the great hall agreed with King Calder. The others knew what King Calder was doing, flipping the blame on his own brother Even. "That's true brother," Even said as his body was beginning to fill with anger.
"You wanted me to fail Calder. Because you know the people love me more than you. So you wanted to make me a failure just like you," Even continued as his face turned red from his anger. Before King Calder could say something Even left the great hall. Two hours later some of Even's men entered his home. Even was packing up his things as they walked up to him. "What are you doing," One of Even's men asked. "I'm packing up my things and leaving Geirland," Even replied as he looked at his men. "I'm going back to Akehold and i'm planning to make a deal with King Hjalmar," Even continued as he finished packing. "We're coming with you Even," The second men said. "And there's more of us waiting for your orders," The second men continued. "Then we're going to need a boat," Even said as he headed towards the door.
"The three of you meet the rest of us by the river. And make sure you're not seen by anyone," Even continued. "We won't be long Even," The third men said as Even opened the door. An hour later three of Even's men pulled to shore with the boat. While Even and the rest of his men hopped onto the boat and rolled away. While back in Earleen Hold King Edwin decided to visit his wife Queen Ada who was in the dungeons. When King Edwin entered Queen Ada was dirty, tired and had gotten thin since the last time King Edwin saw her. "I have some good news and some bad news for you Ada," King Edwin said as he sat down in a chair. "It turns out Fulton is my son. So he's my true heir to my throne," King Edwin continued. "What's the bad news you have for me Edwin," Queen Ada asked as she looked at him with sadness on his face. "You may be replaced by another," King Edwin replied with a vicious smile on his face.
"Since you're not a faithful wife to me," King Edwin continued. "If you do this I'll rot here for the rest of my days," Queen Ada said as she heard screaming outside her cell. "How is your time down here," King Edwin asked as his vicious smile grew wider. "Not well when our son is torturing the commander in the next cell," Queen Ada replied as the screams continued. "He's suffering is your doing my love," King Edwin said as he walked out of the cell. Back in Asbjorn Island three days have passed as King Hjalmar watches Hertha and Olin talk to each other. He saw how close they've gotten over the past three days. "What's the matter with the husband," Queen Kari asked as she stood by him. "Hertha and Olin have grown very close over the past three days and I do not like it," King Hjalmar replied. "She's in love with him. He's unworthy of my daughter's love," King Hjalmar continued.
"And who is worthy of our daughter's love," Queen Kari asked as she looked at him. "A king or a jarl of her choosing should be worthy of her love," King Hjalmar replied as he turned to his wife. "She's the first heir to my throne after all," King Hjalmar continued with a smile. He filled with pride when he called Hertha his heir. "If someone is worthy of Hertha's love it should be for who truly loves her back," Queen Kari said. "She loves Olin and I think that he loves her too. He always followed her around like a pup. Even before you made him Hertha's and Stigr's bodyguard," Queen Kari continued as she looked at Hertha and Olin. A few minutes later King Hjalmar walked up to Hertha and Olin. They sit at a table drinking and chatting. "May I speak with you privately Hertha," King Hjalmar asked. "Of course father," Hertha replied as she stood up and walked towards him. "What's the matter," asked as they walked away from the others.
As she looked at her father's face and saw nothing but disapproval and fear on his face. "I don't want you to continue your new relationship with Olin," King Hjalmar replied as he looked at her. "He isn't right for you Hertha. I don't want you hurt," King Hjalmar continued. "Father I can Protect myself," Hertha said. "It's nothing serious yet. If something happens between us everything will be fine," Hertha continued. Five minutes later Felman Hérou carrying wooden logs in his hands walked up to Hertha as King Hjalmar walked away. "Hertha, can I ask you," Felman asked as he put the wooden logs by the rest. "Yes," Hertha replied as she looked at him. "Before my father died he was teaching me how to fight and preparing me to go on my first raid," Felman said. "When He died I wasn't done with my training. The people talk about your skills as a warrior with such admiration. And I wanted to ask you if you could train me," Felman continued.
"Yes I will help you train Felman," Hertha replied. "We will begin your training tomorrow. Early in the morning," Hertha continued as she walked back to Olin. Two days later Hertha and Felman were still practicing using blunted swords and shields. As Hertha swung her sword towards Felman's face he blocked her sword with his shield just in time. "Good job Felman," Hertha said. "You're getting better at blocking in time," Hertha continued with a smile on her face. "Thank you Hertha," Felman said as he smiled back. "Now I can probably stop getting beaten up and bruised by you," Felman continued. "Probably if you keep training," Hertha agreed as she chuckled. Four hours later Even and his men arrived to shore unseen. Two hours later they set up camp close to the sea. By nightfall Even sent one of his men to send a message to King Hjalmar. Twenty four minutes later Even's messenger arrived to Asbjorn Island by horse.
