raven ↠ vikings

TWENTY-ONE

Aslaug gave birth to her fourth son three weeks later, but something was wrong. The baby, who they had named Ivar, was a cripple. His life would be a constant struggle, and many people would always look at him like he was a freak. I felt bad for him, and for Aslaug, even though I couldn't stand her still. Having a crippled child wouldn't be easy for her. She would be one of the only things he could rely on in the world. 

Ragnar spent most of his time waiting for Lagertha to return with her warriors and ships. King Horik was growing more and more impatient every day. He was constantly asking Ragnar how much longer it would be until we went West. Nothing Ragnar said ever seemed to satisfy him. It was really getting annoying. 

Then, on a windy afternoon, as clouds gathered above Kattegat, ships were spotted in the distance. Shouts of excitement filled the streets, and I waited by the docks with Bjorn. Lagertha stepped out of the first ship, embracing her son with happiness. She greeted me with a friendly hug before pulling back and smiling.

"It's so good to see the two of you again."

"We all missed you," Bjorn glanced at me before turning his gaze back to his mother. "I'm sure father and King Horik are eager to speak with you."

The thick wind blew my black hair in my face as I turned with Bjorn to walk to the Great Hall. Lagertha followed, filling us in on all her adventures as a new Earl. People doubted her because she was a woman. What else was new?

As Lagertha talked with Ragnar and King Horik, I sat on the porch of the house beside Bjorn wondering about what would happen when we went back to England. King Ecbert would be expecting us. He probably had a large army waiting for our arrival. This was all for King's Horik's ego, and a battle for ego never ended well for anyone. In the past, we raided England for gold and silver and other treasures. Now, we were going for vengeance and blood. How could there ever be peace after this?

"What's on your mind?"

Bjorn pushed against my shoulder lightly as my grey eyes flickered to his face, "Ragnar wants more than gold and blood in the West. He wants to set up a colony for our people. The land there is rich and vast. How can that ever be accomplished when all anyone else wants to do is fight?"

"Peace has never been a common idea among Vikings," Bjorn answered. "War and blood dictate our culture. It's how people prove themselves worthy to the gods."

I shook my head. The gods. All this for wooden statues and faith, "There should be more to life than just killing each other when we disagree."

Bjorn knew I doubted the gods, even though everyone said I was 'chosen' or 'favored' or whatever. I didn't believe any of it. My life had been too much of a struggle for any of it to be true. How could gods put someone they favor through so many horrible things?

Bjorn lightly pushed a piece of my hair behind my ear, "I wish more people would think like you, but the truth is that our people will always resort to war. It's our way."