You make way for Kattegat to fight alongside the Sons of Ragnar as they plan to avenge their late father's death.
You are known amongst your people as a fierce warrior and great beauty. Having fought for your earldom since your father's death, you...
Cheers of victory echoed through the streets of York and down into the sewers below. Here in the sewers where you all laid stowed away and ready to attack...
The cathedral bells begin to ring above, indicating that the Saxons have fallen for Ivar's deceptive plan. They believe that your forces have indeed abandoned York as they suspected when they saw the black smoke rising from the city walls. Trudging through the dimly lit waterways, you hold a burning torch in front of you as you lead your force further into the largest of the tunnels.
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"Shhh, now quickly...move to the far end of the tunnel" you speak in hushed tones. Standing to one side, you motion for them to file into the tunnel, behind Ivar and Hvitserk's forces.
Siv and Frigg stand with you, helping you to guide the men and women into position. Before you three move to follow behind them. Pushing past the crowds of warriors now in this cramped tunnel, you finally reach the front. Ivar curls his finger for you to stand with him and his brother.
He places that same finger over his lips as you join him, looking at you through his glazed eyes. You nod, before gazing up to where his finger now points. Beams of light shine and disappear rapidly down through the holes of a grate above you all, as the Saxon soldiers move about the streets above. You smile evilly before turning back to Ivar...who in seeing your expression, mirrors it back to you.
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"Come here" he smiles at you as he walks to the side of the tunnel towards the back and away from the crowd of ready and waiting warriors.
"What is it my love?" you question, looking very confused. You did not want to lose the element of surprise. So you assumed whatever Ivar had to say was very important.
"I want you to wait here until the archers have set the Saxon lines back far enough for us to attack" he speaks quietly to you. Before affectionately stroking your cheek.
"But we agreed..." you state. Ignoring his affectionate gesture, which he no doubt strategically placed to try and stifle your anger.
"I know what we agreed! But I'm telling you...that you will wait Sigrid!" his voice turns coarse, but is still quiet.
"And what if the archers should fail? What if we underestimated the Saxon force above us? Then what hm?" you grow annoyed. You knew he was only trying to protect you, but sending the archers up first was a real gamble. The time it would take them to loose each arrow may prove to be too slow depending on the amount of Saxons already in the street.
"Do you really have that little faith in my plan my love?" he tilts his head sarcastically and his eyes glisten...warning you.
"You know that's not what I meant! I just think..." you try to let Ivar see your point of view but Hvitserk, who has watched this whole encounter take place from across the tunnel, walks across and grabs his brother's shoulder.
"Brother...it's time, everyone is in position..." he quietly says before looking to you. Trying to hide the smug look begging to show through.
You glare at him, fists clenched in anger. Ivar was none the wiser, and it seemed to you as though Hvitserk loved every second of this. Perhaps he thought that because you had not told Ivar, you felt something for him. But you most certainly...did not. Especially at this moment.
You bring your gaze back to Ivar, trying to control the fury burning inside you. But Ivar has seen this all unfold in front of him. And much like he had mentioned to his brother yesterday... 'he is a cripple, not an idiot.'
Ivar tilts his head to Hvitserk, eyes narrowing before he flicks his hand for his brother to move back into position. His eyes then snap to yours. Glazed with all-knowing, teeth-grinding anger.
"What was that! And do not think...you can avoid what I ask this time Sigrid!" the words drip like venom from his tongue. The hairs stand up on the back of your neck. You knew you would have to explain yourself. But not now, and not here. There was far too much at stake...for everyone.
"I don't know what you mean..." you try and deflect, one final time. but it is to no avail, and you should have guessed that.
"You are a terrible liar Sigrid!..." his jaw clenches in rage. If you were not here, having to be silent to hide away from the Saxons, he would be roaring his words. The built-up fury inside him was causing him to shake violently. You reach your hands out to steady him but he shoves you off.
"We will speak after the battle. I will tell you everything. But I want you to know that I love you Ivar, and only you!" you look at him with a loving and honest smile. This smile cools Ivar instantly. You both knew each other very well. And he was right...you were a terrible liar. So he knew, that what you had just told him was the truth...
