The man behind the fall of Kattegat was revealed to be Birger.
Aksild had so many questions, but he did not know how to ask them because how could he not know that the person with them was an imposter? It must have been why he wore the helmet.
"You look like shit, Askild, but I know you have many questions," Birger said, gently caressing the neck of Liv as she squirmed and whimpered.
"Do you remember what I told you? The day you see my face is the day our truce and your life comes to an end," Birger said, looking right at Askild as Askild watched his hand slowly leave the neck of his wife only to go lower towards her breasts but stopped just before he reached them, removing his hands from her completely.
"Hush now there, I might not like you, but you are still the sister of King Xenophanes even though I cannot believe you married the man that killed your brother," Birger said in disgust.
He noticed Askild was tempted to charge at him, but he was cautious because Birger had his wife hostage.
There was no doubt that this was Birger; he had the same eyes as Asmund with his wavy black hair.
"Birger, but I am certain you were the one I met on the first day," Askild asked this question, trying to stall for as long as he kept him talking; his wife should be safe.
"That was me, but it is easy to switch places when you don't have a face to show. Did you not find it strange that I wore a helmet despite having never done so before?" Birger asked.
Askild found it strange, but he did not bother to probe as long as he was helpful, which he was.
Before Askild could ask another question, Birger put his index finger on his lips to gesture for Askild to shut up.
"That is enough questions for now; I will answer all your questions later but now, let us play a game," Birger said. Askild could not believe he was fooled by something so simple.
But before he could process what was happening, a blade was tossed before him, landing right at his feet.
"What is the meaning of this? You wish to duel?" Askild questioned, staring at the blade.
"Duel? No, Askild. I want you to choose who lives." Birger said, forcing Askild's head up only to see the sickening grin on Birger's face.
"Yes, I want you to choose who dies here today. Lagertha, the wife of King Ragnar, or Liv, your wife." Birger reiterated, and Askild's gritted teeth told him how he felt.
-
Ulrik had managed to convince the guard to set him and Arvid free.
He carried Arvid on his back and escaped amidst the chaos; that was why it was possible in the first place because Arvid had information that most did not know about. And Ulrik was interested in it.
"Arvid, what have you done…." Ulrik said; there was no way information reached Arvid, and the fact that he reacted the way he did showed that this was something he knew about long before it happened.
Ulrik did not expect anything from him. He did not expect Arvid to cooperate after what Kattegat had done to him; no one in their right mind would, yet Arvid warned them to run away. It meant the threat looming was more significant than his hatred for Kattegat.
Night had passed, and they had hidden out in a cabin as there was no way his escape would go unnoticed. Ulrik was sure he would have been killed if he remained a prisoner as there was no way they would keep a commander alive; Ulrik was glad he listened to Arvid's warning, even though that was not why they escaped. He escaped to fight back, but by the time he came out.
Kattegat had already fallen, so he could only hide out until he came up with a plan.
Ulrik knew all his men could not be dead, and the cheer he heard earlier also signified that Askild was back as he could listen to his name being chanted, but what did this mean?
Now that he was back and right where the enemies wanted him, what would happen now?
Did they know he would be back today? Is that why they took the bold step of snatching Kattegat?
He looked at Arvid and knew that this man would be better off dead, but he had a role to play and maybe redeem himself as Ulrik already knew he would be in trouble for freeing him, but it was a worthy risk.
"Arvid, I need you to tell me everything you know," Ulrik said, but the stench from his body was overwhelming; he had to shower first.
"Let us get you cleaned up first," Ulrik said, helping him into the tub in the corner.
Arvid washed himself; he had found a new reason to cling to life.
He washed, but each scrub made him wince in pain. Ulrik was glad that Arvid was returning because he had more than paid for his sins with what Erik and Askild did to him and his family; that was enough psychological trauma to make even the strongest men buckle.
Two knocks on the door forced Ulrik into a defensive position, but the voice behind the door was familiar; it was the voice of Herfjötur.
Ulrik rushed to the door but was still cautious because he did not know who he could trust.
"Open the fucking door!" Herfjötur barked, and Ulrik instinctively did just that because things must be dire for Herfjötur to cuss out the way she did.
"These fuckers have Lagertha," Herfjötur said, barging at the moment the door was opening.
Ulrik was shocked because no one should be strong enough to defeat Lagertha.
He tried to shut the door, but a hand stopped it from closing; it was Karl and a new face.
"Karl, what the fuck is she doing here!?" The urgency in Ulrik's voice was telling, and the silence from Herfjötur told everyone that whoever was with Karl was not meant to be there.
"Hello Ulrik, or should I say commander…." The woman said, and Ulrik fell silent the moment she spoke.
"I am back.... cousin."
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