The chaos in Kattegat was confined, Askild's rule had come to a supposed end as no Kingdom can be sustained with fear alone and Birger had just shown everyone in Kattegat that he was not some unstoppable force, this broke down the illusion of absolute power that Askild exuded.
The death of Xenophanes might have been accepted by most but it created friction.
Xenophanes was loved, and Askild took him away from them but Askild was not some helpless puppy, he still had cards beneath his sleeves.
"Erik…" Askild called out and Erik, who had a renewed interest in Askild, looked at the former King of Kattegat.
"I need you," Askild said, getting to his feet to which Erik licked his lips the moment he heard this. Askild had not said this in a long time.
Asger was curious about what Askild had in mind because there was no way breaking out was enough, they could not overpower the forces of Kattegat, not in their depleted state.
Asger hoped like Bjorn and Tyr, Ulf managed to escape the grip of his captors.
The other explanation was that he was killed but that was highly unlikely considering his importance.
"King Askild…. King Askild… You have shown me a wonderful world." Erik spoke, he had a manic smile on his face and Askild listened patiently as he did not want to interrupt him.
"I have grown strong, stronger than I thought possible but I can get stronger once I break out of my shackles…" Erik said; of course, this shackle was metaphoric as nothing was holding him back.
"... You are my shackle, King Askild…. I need to break free from you," Erik said and Asger was surprised by this. Erik was speaking like this to the man he idolized like a deity.
This was bad, the last thing they needed was to lose control of Erik, Askild was the only one that could keep him under control and if he lost it, there is no telling what Erik would do.
"I see, do you think you can break your shackle if I am the one that holds it?" Askild asked and the moment he did, Erik got to his feet and a stare-down ensued.
Askild did not flinch despite the size, Asger wanted to interfere but he knew that would only do more bad than good, everyone watched in anticipation, and this included the guards assigned to watch them.
Askild knew the moment his eyes met Erik that someone had changed the leash on his dog.
Erik did not hesitate to attack him, he swung his hand downward in a bid to squash Askild but Askild did not dodge the attack but instead caught Erik's fist.
ραпdα nᴏνɐ| сom Erik was surprised because Askild was not only much smaller but he had used his full strength.
There was something different about Askild, Erik could feel it.
He was nothing like the man he fought years ago because right now, Askild had something more important than himself to lose and that was Liv.
He kicked Erik's knee, forcing him to his knees with that single action and bringing him down.
"You do not have the right or power to look down on me," Askild said in a chilling tone before Erik could even react, he grabbed his neck and began squeezing the life out of him.
"I have no use for a rabid dog that has forgotten its owner." Asger listened to his King speak and he could feel the killing intent hanging on every word.
Erik struggled, but the look in his eyes was not fear but excitement. Askild was once again showing him why he was the one with his chain.
Erik could not break free, he felt life slowly leaving his body as his eyes closed.
He realized at that moment why Askild had him tamed all these years but Askild let go of him just before he lost consciousness.
Everyone looked in astonishment, they could not believe that Erik was defeated so easily but Askild felt different, and this made it clear he would kill anyone that stands in his way.
But this feeling was refreshing, this was the man his men needed to see right now and this boosted their resolve by extension.
Erik coughed, trying to catch his breath and he looked up at Askild with a wild grin, revealing his sharpened teeth.
"If you raise your hand at me again, Erik. Be prepared to lose it," Askild threatened him.
"Yes…. My King," Erik responded, there was no doubt in his mind now and he had devoted himself to Askild once again. Askild had one thought on his mind and that was escaping this prison but he could not be reckless or he risked losing Liv.
-
Herfjötur was the last one standing, Ulrik and Karl had fallen due to their lack of oxygen.
Being out of breath meant they could not hold their breath when the smoke came about.
She was surrounded and surprised they used such a reckless option but she was becoming light-headed, stumbling to her knee, as she looked up to see a man that had his wrist broken by her, she knew if she fell that would be the end.
Herfjötur established one thing however, they were trying to take them alive.
Birger was not stupid, he knew the importance of the commanders, and if he can get one under him, this, in turn, will make the soldiers pledge to that commander his.
Kattegat was weakened, Askild had taken a majority of their forces to war and Birger knew if he was going to be a King of any sort, he had to secure the safety of Kattegat from outside forces first. Herfjötur's eyes narrowed, she had held on as long as she could but she soon heard the dropping of bodies and clashing of weapons. A voice screamed.
"Hang in there!" Herfjötur recognized this voice as the children of Ragnar had come.
Tyr cut down his enemies, his size made it difficult for them, and he intentionally lowered his body to aim for their lower bodies. And the fact that they were crowded together meant that they could not swing their blades carelessly.
Bjorn, on the other hand, lured them into a more open space to not only diminish the enemies in Tyr's path but create an opening for his brother but Bjorn recognized most of these men.
Not because they fought on the frontlines, but because they volunteered to stay back to protect Kattegat.
"Tyr! Do not kill them!" Bjorn told his younger brother and Tyr was visibly irritated by this request because in his eyes, they all deserved to die the moment they turned their blade on Kattegat but he chose to respect his brother's request. Bjorn saw an opportunity that Tyr did not.
Because did these men betray Kattegat? One could say they were protecting it from Askild, for he was no longer the King of the Kingdom.
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