Chapter 23 Crisis In Kattegat

Kattegat was put under lockdown the moment the death of Egil was known, but Askild kept it under control because he knew that Asmund had ears in Kattegat.

"HOW COULD THIS HAPPEN!?" King Askild shouted in his throne room, Asger was the only one present with his head bowed. He had never seen Askild this angry and it terrified him.

"I-I do not know, my lord," Asger stuttered in fear, it felt like his head would leave his body at any moment and that thought sent shivers down his spine.

"THIS IS BAD! DO YOU KNOW THE CONSEQUENCE OF THIS?" The king lost his cool, he was angry at the lack of security and already took those on watch as prisoners.

They were being tortured as of this moment for information but this would mean war with Vestfold. A war that King Askild was not prepared for but they have two more days before they had to worry about this.

"My lord, you have to keep your voice down," Asger advised despite the state of Askild, the silence that followed felt like the ground would turn into gnawing jaws and devour him.

Askild's killing intent was all over the place, it was not directed at anyone but everyone could feel it.

He did not think there was someone so brazen as to kill a captive because everyone knew the value of that single man, and everyone knew that King Asmund came because of him.

Despite the increased security, someone managed to slip through somehow but this was only possible if the person was of a higher standing than these guards.

King Askild sat back on his throne and took a deep breath to calm down.

"You are right, Asger. Anger will not solve this situation." Askild calmed himself down but he was uneasy because he knew a war with Vestfold will make the other Kingdoms wary of Kattegat and this might be the push they need to band together. And if they do band together, Kattegat will fall without a doubt.

No miracle will save them, there is no warrior strong enough to defeat an entire army himself and now they were about to break the fragile balance that held the other Kingdoms in check.

"Asger, you must find out who did this. Find them and bring them to me." Askild was sounding like himself again with Asger nodding in agreement to the command of his King.

He bowed before taking his leave and the moment he got outside, his breathing hastened.

-

That was relief, he was certain death awaited him in that room knowing King Askild but he was spared by the grace of Odin.

"Asger..." Ragnar called out and Asger jerked his head in his direction before strolling to Ragnar.

"Have you heard?" Asger asked his fellow warrior and Ragnar nodded.

"How could this have happened?" Ragnar asked because he knew Asger was trusted by Askild and hoped he had information to share.

"I do not know Ragnar but this means war with Vestfold." Asger's voice cracked as these words left his mouth but it was not because he was breaking down but because he too was angry.

"Do you have any suspects?" Ragnar asked because now they knew that a threat resided within the walls of Kattegat that effectively put their safety at risk but they did not know who.

Askild has far too many enemies within Kattegat but they all had a mutual understanding.

That was the safety of Kattegat because they had families in this kingdom and Askild was the best candidate to keep their families safe.

"Ragnar, we do not have any and I do not think you want to see King Askild right now. If you enter that room, you will not return." Asger warned him as he walked away leaving Ragnar in front of the door.

"I had no intention of seeing King Askild," Ragnar responded but he was talking to himself at this point. Soon after, he heard his name being called.

"Ragnar!" This was the voice of Hagen the boat builder.

Ragnar turned back, he had walked ahead of him despite both men leaving at the same time forcing Hagen to search for and luckily they were not far apart.

"Not so loud Hagen!" Ragnar warned with a finger over his lips to shush him.

"Where did you run off to?" Hagen questioned his friend.

"Go back home Hagen, the streets are not safe for you. Lock your doors for the night, and do not come out!" Ragnar warned Hagen before turning around and leaving too but not in the direction of his home.

He saw a giant, it was Erik The Berserker, and he looked down on Ragnar quite literally.

The weather was chilly, it felt like it danced with death, and seeing Erik made Ragnar feel uneasy.

"What are you doing here, Erik?" Ragnar questioned the giant.

"Kattegat is just as much as my home as it is yours, Ragnar Lothbrok," Erik said under his breath.

On a normal day, Ragnar would have questioned Erik but he was as loyal as they came.

He would never do anything that would potentially harm their king or Kattegat. He knew that Erik was the most loyal person he knew despite his madness.

​ "You are in my way, Erik," Ragnar said, looking right into the eyes of the much bigger man.

"Maybe it is you that is in the way, Ragnar." Erik retorted before chuckling and stepping aside.

"I am just kidding. But we will talk later, Ragnar Lothbrok," Erik said in a playful tone for he did not want to get into an altercation with the great Ragnar. Ragnar, on the other hand, had no problem with a little altercation as he walked past him and continued on his way.

Then the sky finally cried, and rain fell as it only increased in tempo and force prompting Ragnar to seek shelter out of the rain. The rain was terrible and Ragnar stood there until the rain pellets reduced, which did not look like it would be anytime soon as someone soon joined him in the shelter he had found.