Chapter 11 Kingdom Of Vestfold

Vestfold had no intentions of showing weakness, King Asmund was not quiet because he did not want revenge. He was quiet because he was building the military strength needed to crush King Askild once and for all.

King Asmund was a smart and loved king and this unprovoked transgression was not something he would allow for it would make his kingdom look weak but he could not attack Kattegat carelessly either because while King Askild might be younger than him, he was no joke when it came to battle.

Both tactically and combat-wise, he earned his place on the throne and Asmund knew if he was to hit Kattegat, he needed the support of the surrounding kings, an alliance but it was easier said than done as they hated each other and Askild was counting on this.

"King Asmund, the Prince is here to see you." Asmund was informed by one of his guards, and Asmund permitted him with a gesture, prompting the doors to swing open, and in came a fairly slim man with narrow pale-blue eyes and short black hair, with pointed bangs hanging between his eyes. He has a small, vertical scar over the right side of his mouth. He wore the typical Viking outfit but without armor with a black sash and a pair of black fingerless gloves. He wasn't tall neither was he short.

"King Asmund, I have returned." The 16-year-old boy said and King Asmund looked at his son with great pride.

"My son, how was it?" Asmund questioned, getting up for m his throne as he walked towards his son.

"It was great, my king. As the heir to the throne, you can expect nothing but excellence from me for I will uphold our name with my life." The prince reaffirmed his resolution.

He was just 16 yet carried himself like an adult.

"I do not see Egil Iversen, my king. Is he not in the Kingdom?" Prince Signy said. He was not aware of the fate that met Egil Iversen because he had gone on a journey to hone his swordsmanship skills and had been gone for 3 years and Asmund did not want to sully his mood for he just returned home. He put his arm around his son and kisses his cheek.

"Worry not about Egil, my son. We must celebrate your return tonight." King Asmund said but the Prince did not bite.

The man before him might be the king but he was still his father, and Asmund knew he was not the same kid he was 3 years ago.

"I am afraid Egil has been taken," Asmund said, gesturing for his guards to leave them.

"Taken? Who dares touch one of our own?" Signy questioned, despite being angry his tone betrayed him as it was as calm and smooth as the ocean.

"King Askild, the man who rules Kattegat," Asmund responded, and Prince Signy's face creased in shock.

"When was he taken, is he dead!?" Signy asked. Asmund understood his concern seeing how close his son was with Egil but this was out of his power.

He knew he could not win Askild in a confrontation and war with Kattegat will leave his kingdom vulnerable to attacks.

"Egil lives for now but I can not imagine him being the same after a year," Asmund said, returning to his throne and before Signy could cuss out he realized that this must hurt his father just as much as it did him and swallowed the words he was about to spew.

"I will get Egil back, even if it means challenging Askild to a duel," Signy said but Asmumd just sat on his throne and looked at his son in disappointment.

"You have not grown at all, Signy. You may leave now," King Asmund said, and Signy realized his mistake at that moment. He had let his emotions get the better of him.

King Askild has never lost a duel and his kingship has been challenged so many times but the challengers always ended up dead.

He was not king because the people wanted him, he was king because no one could defeat him and such a king is the king needed for warriors.

Loyalty inspired through fear rivals loyalty through love.

"I am sorry, my king. It was not my intention to be so outspoken." Signy said. The way he spoke was far too formal even by Viking standards.

"You will tell me about your journey after we celebrate your return, you may leave. I am glad you are back, my son." Asmund said, not letting one heated exchange ruin the atmosphere.

"Yes, father." Signy left but Asmund understood his rage and he knew waiting this long made his kingdom look weak but this was far from the case.

-

"Father! Father!" Bjorn called out to Ragnar, who sat with Lagerta resting on his lap.

"Yes my son," Ragnar responded with his piercing eyes focused on Bjorn. Tyr waited for the punchline excitedly and Bjorn finally dropped it like an MC.

"I have challenged Tyr to a spar tomorrow and I would like it if you could be the overseer of our battle," Bjorn said with Tyr smiling sheepishly.

They knew the best way to convince their father might be a spar between both of them but Ragnar stared right in the eyes of Bjorn without blinking.

"Do you think battlefield is a joke, Bjorn?" Ragnar asked in an attempt to unnerve him but Bjorn stood his ground.

"No, father and that is why we want you to oversee it. We are not children anymore, father and you will not deny us Valhalla." Bjorn responded. He had grown balls because even Tyr gulped when these words left his mouth.

Ragnar gently removed Lagertha from his lap and walked towards Bjorn with a stern look in his eyes.

"....Ragnar?" Lagertha called out but Ragnar didn't answer her.

"That's my boy!" Ragnar said, roughing up his hair, with Tyr breathing a sigh of relief as their father accepted Bjorn's proposal.