Sigrid the Haughty

To Battle

You stood at the bottom of the slope. Breathing deeply, something that you practiced before every battle. To steady your nerves and hands. The sheer volume of warriors stood behind you took your breath away. A see of flags and shields of every colour. You stood alongside Björn, Ubbe, Hvitserk, and Sigurd. All with their eyes ahead watching as around fifty warriors were sent over the hill. The game you were playing with King Ælle...had began. No doubt he would believe it to be the full force 'Great Army' he had so greatly feared.

Björn raised his arm towards Floki, signalling for him to move into view. You see Floki, move towards the brow of the hill. Watching his reaction, trying to gauge the size of the King's army. He walks confidently into his position, leading another fifty or so warriors, his confidence is reassuring to you and the brothers.

Ubbe looks to the opposite flank of the army. Raising his arm and signaling for King Harald and Halfdan to lead the right flank into position. They both walk across to the centre of the field, growing closer to Floki. The army in view has now doubled in size. You turn and give Frigg, Saga, and Siv a reassuring nod. The way in which they are stood shows you they are not afraid, but eager to fight. You smile proud of how you had trained them. The Gods are truly with you all.

A rumbling begins to emanate from the left flank, it roles closer and your grin grows wide. 'Ivar'. The front line is now full, warriors standing shoulder to shoulder, staring daggers into the enemy lines ahead of them. Flags billowing in the wind. Ivar pulls his chariot into position, centered. Just infront of where you and his brothers are standing behind the slope. He pulls his axe up in his hand and holds in steady, looking ahead to King Ælle. Björn, leading his brothers does the same...drawing his sword. You follow, standing slightly behind the brothers.

Frigg, Saga, and Siv stand in a triangle behind you. The clattering of metal and wooden shields behind tells you the rest of the Great Army is beginning to climb the hill. You watch across the field and see King Ælle and his men begin to stand less ferociously.

"Their Christian God has abandoned them...they will all perish here on this day, in the sight of the all-father" you mutter to you maidens.

Hearing this King Harald chuckles to his brother. Raising his shield and letting out an almightly roar. This action causing every warrior to do the same, a sea of shields bashed by axes and swords. The battle cry of each warrior sends shivers down your spine. Ubbe, Hvitserk, and Sigurd follow suit, their cries filled with fury. Björn, shaking with anger, eyes poised ahead...is silent.

You look to Ivar, who is already looking in your direction. As your eyes meet, he lifts his hand to pull down his masked face revealing a proud smirk. You can help but smile over to him and with this, he turns. Swinging his axe over his head, his battle cry rumbling like thunder across the field.

Seeing this causes a change inside you. Something animalistic erupts from your soul. You scream louder than any battle had caused you to before. Adding another tone to the symphony of screams around you. One word brings you out of your murderous rage for a split second.

"RAGNAR" Björn bellows at the top of his lungs.

Suddenly a red haze begins to take you over...you welcome it. You followed the brothers at great speed as they began to run into battle. You and your maidens screaming furiously, overtaking Sigurd and Hvitserk. Every successful battle you had fought, this red haze had guided you through. Your father had told you it was Odin, the God of war and death, the all-father clouding your thoughts and focussing you to only think, move and breathe to kill...