Eyes of Fire

War Goes On

  "You were too clever for your own good, Ivar." King Harald stated as he walked up. We were back in his kingdom, tending to the injured and regathering our strength for our next move. "We had the advantage....and we lost." He looked down at the man lying across a bench.

  "As I remember, you approved the plan."

  "Up until that moment, you proved yourself a good tactician." Harald took a seat while waving his hand. "I believed in you. I might not be so quick to indulge your plans next time."

  "You do as you see fit, King Harald."

  "Ivar, Uncle Rolo once told me on a ship on our way back from the Mediterranean- he said that if I ever needed his support all I had to do....was ask." Hvitserk spoke up, and Ivar was quiet as I took a drink from my mead.

  "What do you think?" King Harald gestured before leaning forward when no reply came. "Come on. What do you think? You want the French to help us?"

  "I think you are to leave at first light tomorrow." Ivar droned, and Hvitserk excitedly got up from his seat and left to get ready. King Harald paused to study Ivar for a second but glanced at me before also leaving. Silence fell as it was now only Ivar and I left at the table.

  "You were scared, weren't you? Frightened?"

  "What are you talking about? There's nothing to be scared of."

  "I mean with what happened. You were overthinking because of Bjorn. You've said it yourself that he was the only one to worry you. He used your caution against you." I looked straight ahead and took another drink from the carved horn. Ivar said nothing, and I couldn't see his reaction from where I sat. "Your uncle....what kind of man is he? Will he actually help us?"

  "Rolo is a traitor and not to be trusted....however, he can be useful."

  "And you're certain he won't try to take Kattegat for himself?"

  "He has no need when he has such a rich kingdom already."

  "....Is it wise to send Hvitserk on his own?"

  "What, are you his mother?"

  "No, Ivar. I just don't want him to die."

  "He'll be fine. From what I hear, our uncle quite likes Hvitserk."

~

  I couldn't even count the number of Frankish soldiers that marched up from the port. Their marching feet beat to a rhythm as their scaled armor clanked with their movement. Their colors were a soft blue like the ocean, but their helmets looked absolutely ridiculous.

  "Where is Rolo?"

  "Rolo couldn't come. He had too many responsibilities. But he also told me that he'll come back and celebrate with us. Afterwards." Hvitserk smiled, and I grabbed the end of the blue cape fabric he wore draped around his shoulders. It was undoubtedly a gift from the Franks, and it was woven in such a way to keep the wearer warm.

  "Mm-hm."

  "He only asked for one thing." Hvitserk's smile dropped as he ignored me while I was inspecting the garment he wore.

  "And what was that?"

  "That we spare Bjorn's life." The older brother replied, and Ivar glanced at Harald and Astrid. They nodded and left, going back toward the market.

  "Perhaps we will." The youngest smiled, and there was a glint in his eye.

  "Get that look off your face." I piped up while dropping the cloth in my hands.

  "What look?"

  "That look."

  "I don't have a look."

  "Yes, you do. If sparing Bjorn is the only price for this army, you better fucking do it." I rose my eyebrows at Ivar, and now both brothers were looking at me.

~

  "Where is Rolo? Where is my uncle?" Bjorn questioned while looking between Hvitserk and Ivar.

  "I went to see him. He sends his love to you, Bjorn Ironside. Hopes you're not willing to fight against his forces." Hvitserk replied while sitting on the edge of a table.

  "Then why would he ally his forces to you?"

  "He didn't tell. That's the truth. Only that he was prepared to do so."

  "I can tell you." Ivar raised his head, looking up at his eldest brother as he sat on the floor. "Rolo sees justice in our cause. Lagertha murdered our mother and usurped her kingdom."

  "All that is in the past now, Ivar." Bjorn sighed.

  "I must avenge my mother's murder. And I think you would do the same if it was you."

  "For the sake of our father....for the sake of our father's legacy, everything he believed in, I am asking you, Ivar....do not put our people's lives at risk."

  "The only reason why you're saying this is because you see all the might gathering against you. If you still thought you could win, you would not be here, Bjorn. The fact is you're afraid."

  "I am not afraid. This changes nothing."

  "Well." Ivar waved his hand, and warriors came in.

  "What is this?" Harald stood from his chair before turning to the youngest Ragnar son and pointing. "You know as well as I do that this is not our way. It's not our way." Sighing through my nose, I got up from my seat and went to the table Bjorn was sitting at. Stomping up onto the table, I drew my sword and locked eyes with Ivar.

  "You know where I stand, Ivar. Don't push it."

  "....It was worth a try." Ivar rolled his head before waving the warriors back. Glancing over my shoulder, I saw Bjorn looking at me with a calculating gaze.

  "I'm sorry Rolo had to involve himself in our quarrel." Bjorn got to his feet and turned away. "Doesn't he have enough worlds to conquer?"

~

  I awoke in a cold sweat, panting as I heard a cry that it took me a second to realize was my own. Garmr was quick to hop onto the bed, licking my face to make sure I was okay.

  "I'm fine. I'm fine." I panted while rubbing my hands over my face as the wolf backed up and laid down to rest his head in my lap as he whimpered. Taking a deep breath, I let it out and dropped my hands to pet Garmr's ears.

  The door suddenly slammed open, and my head jerked up to see Ivar standing there, leaning on his crutch while having an ax in his other hand. He was quickly looking around the room but saw no one but the wolf and I.

  "I heard you shouting." He seemed a bit out of breath, and his shoulders were tense. "Why were you shouting?"

  "You can lower the ax, Ivar. It was just a dream." I sighed, and Ivar visibly relaxed before closing the door and coming to sit on the edge of the bed.

  "Who would have thought Hel could have bad dreams."

  "It actually wasn't a bad dream." I scoffed while looking down at Garmr as he was now content from me petting him. The man raised a brow at me, and I pushed my hair out of my face. "It was my first battle." I told him. "The first time I was drenched in enemy blood." Grabbing the collar of Ivar's shirt, I felt a grin pull at my lips as I looked at him. "Ivar....we're going to win."