King Hjalmar was talking and drinking by the firepit with his brother Eirik who arrived back to Asbjorn Island. "How was your raid on the west," King Hjalmar asked as he drank his ale. "It went very well," Eirik replied as he drank his cup of beer. "We have plenty of treasure from the west. The west is full of cowards who don't want to die for their families and their homes," Eirik continued. "How much treasure do you have," King Hjalmar asked. "Enough to fill three of our boats," Eirik replied as he took a sip of ale. "And of course i'll give you your cut of the treasure. After all you did give me the boats and half of the warriors," Eirik continued. "That's good to hear," King Hjalmar said with a smile. The guard walked up to King Hjalmar and Eirik after their conversation ended. "What is it," King Hjalmar asked as he looked at him. "You have some visitors who want to speak with you," The guard replied.
"They said that they had some news to tell you," The guard continued. "Oh good more news," King Hjalmar said sarcastically. "Bring them in," King Hjalmar continued. "Yes my king," The guard said as he walked away. A few minutes later the guard walked in with Even, Roscoe, and their men. "King Hjalmar I want to meet Roscoe who joined us to destroy Calder," Even said. "He also brought thirty two men with him to fight with us," Even continued. "That's wonderful to hear," King Hjalmar said as he took another sip of ale. "Is he the one with the news," King Hjalmar continued as he pointed at Roscoe. "Yes this man," Even replied. "What is it you have to tell us," King Hjalmar asked as he looked at him. "King Calder knows that you're planning to attack his kingdom," Roscoe replied. "One of your servants betrayed you and told him. Now King Calder has raised an army," Roscoe continued.
"Even if we win this war against your brother I want that servant back," King Hjalmar said. "Guard go fetch me my children," King Hjalmar continued. "Yes King Hjalmar," The guard said as he walked away. "Please join us for a drink," King Hjalmar continued. "Thank you King Hjalmar," Roscoe said as he sat down in a chair by the firepit. Sixteen minutes later Hertha and Stigr entered the great hall. "The guard said you wanted to see us father," Stigr asked. "Yes I want you two to speak with our allies across other kingdoms and tell them we require their assistance," King Hjalmar replied. "When do you want to leave," Hertha asked. "I want you and Stigr in two day," King Hjalmar replied. "I'll go with you two to meet these allies," Eirik said. "Some of these allies don't know your reputation as a warrior. They won't respect you. Not yet at least," Eirik continued.
Two days later Hertha, Stigr, Eirik and a few warriors were packing up the boats for their journey. A few minutes later Olin walked up to Hertha and put her shield in the boat. "Let me go with you," Olin said as he stood in front of her. "No i've already told you can't," Hertha said as he looked at him. "Our uncle is coming with us," Hertha continued. "I'm your bodyguard, I'm supposed to go where you go," Olin said. "You're not just my bodyguard you're also my brother's bodyguard," Hertha said. "I just want to protect you," Olin said. "You're going to other lands where someone might kill you for fame. Let me protect you my love," Olin continued. "Listen I can protect myself," Hertha said. "My father wouldn't send me out on this journey if he thought I couldn't defend myself," Hertha continued. "Then why is he sending you with your uncle," Olin asked. "My uncle offered to come with us," Hertha replied. "My father didn't ask him to come with us. The only reason our uncle is going with us is because they respect him more than Stigr and I. I'll be back I promise Olin will leave now," Hertha continued as she got in the boat.
Olin ran away in anger as Eirik hopped into the boat. "Lovers quarrel," Eirik asked. "Maybe," Hertha replied as she sat down. "This will be the first time that Olin didn't go with Stigr and I. He's just worried," Hertha continued. "He seemed more worried about you," Olin said as he sat down next to her. "He's in love with you. Do you love him in return," Olin continued. "Yes I do," Hertha replied. "I bet your father is not happy about how close you and Olin are now," Eirik said with a smirk on his face. "No he's not very happy about it," Hertha said with a smile on her face. "He thinks Olin is not right for," Hetha continued. "He'll get over," Eirik said as he looked at her. "He knows that you can protect yourself. So does Olin. This spat that you and Olin had will be forgotten," Eirik continued. "Thank you for this talk uncle," Hertha said.
"Anytime Hertha," Olin said as he stood up. Five minutes later the boat started to sail away once everyone was in. Ten days later Hertha, Stigr, Eric arrived to Akehold. Most of their allies arrived to Akehold before them. Other allies were a few days behind them. When they arrived to their allies' home a few of them heard about the success of the raid on Earleen Hold and praised Hertha and Stigr for their accomplishments and their fighting skills as vikings. The other wanted to see for themselves how well they can fight against vikings. They wanted to see what they could do against King Calder and his army. When they arrived to Asbjorn Island a few guards told Hertha and Stigr that Even and their father wanted to speak with them in the great hall. When they entered the great hall was filled with kings and jarls. "Welcome back my children," King Hjalmar said as he hugged them both.
"It's good to be home," Hertha said as he let him go. "Come sit down and have a drink," King Hjalmar said as he led them to a table. "We were just talking about how we're going to attack King Calder's kingdom," King Hjalmar," continued as they sat down. "What have you come up with so far," Stigr asked as he grabbed two cups of water. "We came up with a plan to attack from three sides of Gosta," Even replied. "It's a small place and the defence of it is not built very well. Calder knows so he'll probably send out a lot of his men to hold us from getting to Gosta," Even continued. "And that's why you want us to attack in three groups from three sides," Herha said as Stigr gave her a cup of water. "We should set up camp in the woods," One of the kings said. "But not too far from Gosta or the sea," Even said. "The first group will attack from the mountains and come down when the second arrived to the gates of Gosta," Even continued.
"That's the group who will fight his men who are outside of Gosta," King Hjalmar said. "Yes exactly," Even said. "The third group will attack from the hill. There's a way inside Gosta undefended and a faster way to get inside. It's an old tower that leads to the dungeons," Even continued. "When should we attack," Stigr asked as he drank the cup of water. "We should thirteen days," Even replied. "We'll get the weapons and armor ready in four days. We'll get the boats ready in three days," Even continued. "That is all for the night," King Hjalmar said. "You all can go to the tavern or the inn," King Hjalmar continued. A few minutes later Everyone left the great hall except Hertha. "Do you think this plan will work father," Hertha asked. "With the gods' help I sure it will," King Hjalmar King Hjalmar replied as he walked away.
