The Story of Brae Lothbrok

Chapter Forty-Six

We were making excellent progress and I found more hope each time. For every kingdom that joined us, will meet in Kattegat for assembling. There is no true leader, but many great leaders. Many great men and women who were revered. When they enter Kattegat, they will be met with acceptance and hospitality. All of the people of the kingdoms will also leave with their rulers as well. For when Erik meets the next kingdom to victimize, he'll be met with empty streets and markets. Some even already did the job for him and burned their homes, for they could rebuild in their eyes.

Getting to Russia would be hard. It's not down the rode from Egypt and there is a lot of uncertainty. We traveled at night and hid during the day. It took us five nights and four days to reach the icy roads of Purssia where the Rus lived. The Russian King and I are old allies, but unfourtenly he had died, and now it's ruled by his son, Alexander. He is a difficult ruler, and he might be hard to persuade. 

To my surprise, he wasn't. He was humbled that we came to him for help, despite it more like being a plea to him.

"I've heard many stories about your family, most are told to our children at night..." he said. I chuckled, humbly. 

"Yes, we are a proud family..." I said, "But with all due respect," I said. I turned my head slightly, seeing Ingrid following closely behind me in the narrow hallways of the drafty palace.

"I've only known your father and his army and it was one of the finest," I said, "How great is yours?" We stopped by a curtain as the young King, maybe half my age, pulled a curtain back to reveal an ocean of an army. It is larger then mine and Egypt's combined. They stood in formation with the Russian flag held above them. I gawked, slowly walking out of the balcony. It will put Erik's few monsters to shame.

"I may not agree with your Pagan ways..." King Alexander said, "But anyone who makes such a fuss about how I live my life, will hear the ring of my sword!" He said, sternly. I turned to Ingrid who also could not believe the size of the army.

I came back inside the palace hall almost in hysterics, it was the most beautiful, hopeful sight I've seen yet. I turned to Ingrid who I hoped would share the same feeling, only to be met by a pale face. She leaned against the wall, holding her stomach tightly, and groaned.

"Are you alright?" I asked, holding her shoulders.

"Brae..." she sighed, "I do not feel good." She then collapsed on the floor as I caught her halfway. Alexander called for his doctor right away as he guided me to his chamber to place Ingrid in. I began to remove her armore quickly and untied her hair to allow it to flow down. 

The doctor came rushing in as he looked over her. According to him, it's nothing life threatening or serious. The extreme change from hot to cold air finally got to Ingrid and she could not adjust. The doctor suggest she rest for the night and not to wear any tight fitting clothing. 

I sat, holding her hand in mine, as beads of sweat came down my face. Tears filled my eyes as the many memories of deaths of people who I loved flooded my mind. 

"She is definitely a beauty," King Alexander said, standing over me.

"Yes, she is," I said, breathlessly. 

He heard the fear in my voice and said, "Do you...love her?" 

I looked up at him and whispered, "I have a confession..." "I did not cared if my kingdom burned, for I have said many times I would give it all up for her." 

"Love could cloud a man's mind..." he said, "It doesn't take a King to know that..." "Best be careful, King Brae, and remember what we will fight for in the days to come." 

I nodded, looking down at my beauty in front of me. "Do not worry about yourself in the meantime, you have my service, my army, and my friendship...it'll be my honor if you take my chamber tonight." 

--

I leaned over as I fanned back her hair slightly. She groaned as she began to open her eyes to me. I sighed sharply, feeling great relief. 
"I embarrassed myself?" She weakly said.
"You could never do that..." I whispered. My fingers grazed her cheek. 
"I miss Kattegat..." she said.
"I know, I understand, we'll be home soon," I whispered, licking my lips.
"We'll be?" 
"Yes..." I hesitated slightly, "You, me, and Lilja, all together." She smiled, I noticed she does not fight my affection like she used too. Although little by little I proecced her. 

I let her sleep. I walked around outside in the snow. The quiet vastness of the wonderland of white dust gave me a sense of peace in my spinning mind. I looked over to see a young man. He is half my age. He had big, brown eyes, and his hair was smooth to the side. His skin was white as the snow.

"Hello?" I said.

"You are Ivar's son?" He asked in a deep Rus accent.

"Yes I am, I'm King Brae Lothbrok..." 

"I knew your father when I was a young lad, he practically raised me..." He smiled gently as if to remember a memory.

"I'm Prince Igor of Russia..." "And you have my full service." He nodded to me. I knew many stories of Prince Igor, my father adored him like he was his own. I'm happy to know the Prince.