Grjötgard was not the only one who had noticed the dire situation unfolding; Rolf had also caught on to the perilous scene. With a surge of anxiety, Rolf swiftly rose to his feet and cast an urgent gaze over the water, desperately hoping to catch a glimpse of Bjorn. In his mind, Tyr held little significance, so saving him was not even a consideration.
"Bjorn!" Rolf's voice rang out in a desperate scream, and Hagen mirrored the intensity of his expression as he sprang to his feet.
"What happened!?" Hagen inquired, and surprisingly, Rolf's typically haughty demeanor seemed to vanish in that moment.
"I cannot see him! He fell over!" Rolf's response was laced with concern. As much as he wished to plunge into the water and assist Bjorn, he knew that would only seal his own fate.
Rolf had witnessed the dreadful outcome that awaited those who dared to venture into those treacherous waters. He was not about to jeopardize his life to save someone who wouldn't reciprocate the same sacrifice.
Yet, the urgency in Rolf's actions conveyed a crucial piece of information to Hagen - whatever Askild had assigned Rolf to do, it was intricately tied to Bjorn's safety.
Askild's intention wasn't as important as their current predicament, for there was no way that Ragnar wouldn't notice the ensuring chaos. Despite being seated, Ragnar's men diligently worked, utilizing their new invention and unleashing a barrage of arrows with a force surpassing that of a human archer.
The arrows proved to be not only powerful but incredibly swift as well. Baard took charge, dropping his hand, and the arrows were set loose from the weapons mounted on the boat, a feat made possible by Hagen's ingenious blueprint.
As Hagen observed his creation in awe, he couldn't help but wonder if Ragnar had somehow modified his design. The effectiveness of the arrows tearing through the shield defense erected by the men seemed implausible with his own design, yet it was happening right before his very eyes hence his conclusion.
"The bowstring! It was the bowstring!" Hagen exclaimed, his face lighting up with a smile. Ragnar had opted for a thicker string, significantly enhancing both the arrow's range and strength. However, this choice came with a downside - tying such a string required extraordinary strength, a feat his men seemed to possess, at least those in charge of the weapons.
But there was a catch; during the recharge process, they became vulnerable due to the intricacies of knotting the thicker string. Baard, though, wasn't about to underestimate the situation.
"Shield wall!" Baard commanded the men, and they promptly formed a protective barrier, shielding themselves from the incoming arrows.
Baard knew that this tactic would buy them some time, but they couldn't afford to linger. He retrieved the spear he had intended to throw at Bjorn's boat earlier, knowing they were about to make contact in less than two minutes. Stepping out of the defense line, he focused on the boat ahead.
Arrows descended upon Baard the moment he became visible, he was a hard man to miss. However, he displayed remarkable skill, effortlessly deflecting each arrow with his expertly wielded spear. The way he handled the weapon almost seemed as if the spears were magnetized, drawing the arrows towards them. But, in truth, it was a testament to Baard's unmatched proficiency with the spear.
"My turn..." Baard declared, taking several calculated steps back before sprinting forward and hurling the spear with all his might. The spear sliced through the air, defying resistance as though even the fabric of space couldn't hinder its trajectory. Upon impact with the boat, the spear cracked its hull, causing damage that led to water rapidly seeping inside.
Though the boat didn't split in two, it had taken enough damage, and the water flooding in posed a significant threat to the thirty men aboard. Baard realized that the challenge wasn't merely making contact with the boat; it was about boarding it with the least amount of casualties.
As the situation escalated, King Ragnar rose to his feet, grasping his sword firmly in hand. The time had come for him to take charge of his men himself.
-
"Hahaha! God is on our side, warriors! Do not let these Pagans get past you, even if it costs you your life! The holy land must not be desecrated by these vermins!" A man in light armor, undoubtedly their leader, rallied his troops, and their morale soared to new heights.
ραndαsΝοvεl.cοm In stark contrast, the Vikings found themselves at a disadvantage. The Christians were adept at engaging in combat with fewer numbers while still inflicting maximum damage. Bishop Calvin's strategic genius was evident, and the Vikings' lack of experience in sea battles was proving to be a costly weakness.
However, their well-laid plans were about to be disrupted. From the other side of the boat, an unexpected hand gripped its edge, catching everyone off guard. The focus had been solely on the Vikings in front of them, leaving no room for this unforeseen turn of events.
This hand undoubtedly belonged to Bjorn, and his other hand tightly clutched onto something - it was Tyr. Tyr had complete faith in Bjorn's abilities, especially in matters of strength, and he was right to do so. Bjorn's physical prowess far exceeded his own, making him perfect for the plan he had conjured up on the spot. Tyr knew he wouldn't be able to grab on to the boat's edge while submerged in water; he knew the limits of his abilities, whereas Bjorn had managed to do so despite the odds.
With a display of immense strength, Bjorn hoisted Tyr up into the air and out of the water, using the enemy's blind spot to their advantage. As Tyr landed, he wasted no time in burying both of his axes into the back of the first enemy in sight. The sudden attack drew all the adversaries' attention to their vulnerable backs. Behold, they saw two boys smiling menacingly at them, they were there to take their lives and the Christians knew it.
"Let us begin brother!" Bjorn urged his brother and the bloodlust he felt from Tyr told him that his younger brother understood the situation.
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