Chapter 29 Prepare For War

A day passed since that fateful meeting, and all of Kattegat was aware that there was going to be a war and soon. There was panic, but the Vikings rejoiced for they were ready to fight to the death and gladly give their life to the cause.

Kattegat was their home and they would lay their life down for it, they carried about their day normally but they were training and preparing for the inevitable war.

"King Askild, I have prepared the defenses." Asger had set up a defense consisting of timber covered with projecting spikes and strung with barbed wire.

But Askild raised a brow upon hearing this because he knew that Asmund was not attacking anytime soon, but this was not why he raised the brow.

"Why are we setting up defenses in Kattegat?" King Askild asked but all he got in response were confused looks from Ragnar, and Asger. The only two men present here in the throne room.

"It will help us better defend Kattegat, my lord," Asger responded with an unwavering voice.

"Do you think the war will be fought on the shores of Kattegat?" Askild questioned Asger but Asger did not understand the question because it felt rhetorical.

"That is what we all thought, King Askild," Ragnar interfered because he could sense the unease of Asger, Askild's focus shifted to Ragnar.

"It will be foolish to allow Vestfold to march her. We are not defending, we are the ones going to desiccate their homes." Askild responded, now was the time to discuss these things among themselves.

"Is it not advisable to recall the others, King Askild?" Asger suggested, he was very careful with how he phrased his words.

"I have sent word to them, we need all the strength we can get," Askild said, before commanding the men to get up and permitting them to speak freely. He needed that right now, their honest opinion because he knew that they might have ideas to swing the war in their favor.

Ragnar was curious as to why Askild did not clash blade with Asmund, he was right there for the taking but instead chose to take his son hostage.

It was a strange decision but he knew that Askild had far more experience than himself when it came to battle and that is exactly why he was king. He was not only strong but great at politics.

"I think your idea is sound, my king but we do not know the terrain of Vesfold." Ragnar started the moment he got off his knees, shooting Asger a glance.

"Asger nearly lost his life because of this same miscalculation," Ragnar concluded and Askild nodded because what he said was true.

"This is why I have granted Birger amnesty and asked him to return to Kattegat," Askild said and the moment these words left his lips, Ragnar and Asger had a look of dread on their faces.

"K-King Askild, I do not think that is a good idea. He was exiled for a reason!" Asger said but Askild simply smirked because he was the only man that knew the terrain of Vestfold and there was no denying his skills when it came to combat, skills they were very much in need of right now.

"I think you should reconsider this, King Askild," Ragnar suggested. Askild understood their worry, Birger was a dangerous man and the only man to lay a scratch on King Askild. The man that went after the life of Askild relentlessly before he became King and had him and his loyalist exiled from Kattegat 5 years ago. He is very skilled and Askild knew he must have gotten stronger over the years and he would make an attempt to take his life should he be allowed into Kattegat.

"Birger should not be allowed into Kattegat," Asger said once more, but Askild was not changing his mind because of Birger.

"I am aware he killed your son and had his way with your wife before killing her too," Askild said but his voice was not sympathetic. Asger tried his hardest to recollect his cool but he could not.

"May I be excused, King Askild?" Asger asked and Askild nodded to grant him his request.

Asger stormed out and everyone in that room understood his anger but the moment he left, a woman entered.

She had on fur made from a bear, she was extremely muscular, and was approximately the same height as Asger. She was bulky and with an axe strapped to her side, heh did not wear armor and despite her build, still had a pair of large breasts. One side of her hair was shaven, and her brown eyes complemented her masculine frame. She went by the name Herfjötur, she was named after a Valkyrie.

Ragnar was surprised to see her, but Askild was not because he was the one that summoned her.

She was one of the many people in charge of her unit, the first woman under Askild that he recognized as a leader as well as a formidable warrior.

She dropped to one knee to greet Askild but he gave her the same right he gave Ragnar and Asger.

She has been away from Kattegat for 2 years, she was sent on raids to establish a base in nearby smaller kingdoms where they carry out continuous raids and send the spoils to Kattegat.

Askild explained his strategy to her for her input but she did not say much because she agreed with the plan og Askild. It would be foolish to let their enemies get close to their homes but even more stupid to storm blindly into unfamiliar territory.

"My lord, if we stormed Vestfold it would not matter if we have a million men. If we march in blindly we will be killed. Asmund is a veteran when it comes to war and we can not underestimate him." Herfjötur contributed and unlike Ragnar and Asger, she was fine with letting Birger return to Kattegat. This was why Ragnar did not get along with her, her ideal was on the extremist side but it was needed in these trying times.