Chapter 48 Good News?

Tyr and Bjorn were called by Ragnar Lothbrok, he knew they already knew so he did not bother telling them about the war.

"I think it is time for you boys to get your arm rings," Ragnar Lothbrok said and the look on his children's faces was priceless. They could not contain their excitement and did not bother trying because this was the news they have been waiting for forever but they all thought about who they will swear their allegiance to.

"I think you will make names for yourselves in this battle. The gods have decided your fates so do not worry about falling in the battle for it has been decided but make sure you die a death worthy of getting you into the great hall. That is what we Vikings live for!" Ragnar said, Largetha was dressed in her armor as she watched Ragnar motivate their children.

She was glad that he told their kids this because they needed to hear these words from their father. Bjorn and Tyr were covered in light scars but Ragnar encouraged them to take it easy.

War was coming and he could not afford for them to not be at their best.

"What about uncle Ulf?" Bjorn asked but Ragnar stopped to think because it had been a while since he had seen his brother so he could not even answer this question.

"Ulf… Where is Ulf, I wonder…" Ragnar said in a whisper as he was lost in thought.

Come now kids, your father needs to rest." Lagertha said the moment she noticed Ragnar murmuring to himself.

The kids followed her as Ragnar was not a fan of how he and his brother grew apart.

He knew that Ulf was assigned to watch Birger meaning he was closer to the threat than any of them, this thought did not sit well with him but he trusted the skills of Ulf to at least survive should a fight break out. He was however disappointed that he did not hear it directly from the mouth of his brother because no one knew what fate had in store for them.

-

Birger was out of the house and the warriors watching him were dismissed by Ulf as this gave not only privacy with Birger but far more freedom for them.

Birger was surprised that Ulf was comfortable alone with him even though he knew all this was meant to gain his trust, the trust he had no intention of gaining but he did appreciate the gesture.

"Ulf Lothbrok, it seems like you have quite the reputation in this city," Birger said. No one had seen his face, not even Ulf so it was hard to point out what he looked like because of that damn metal but he did not mind not knowing what he looked like.

"I am just the brother of Ragnar Lothbrok to these people. Nothing more, nothing less." Ulf said with a tone either of shame or indifference but Birger did not mind it.

"They are probably looking at you, they call you all sorts of names," Ulf continued. Birger did not like that he was back in Kattegat but it was a chance to take the head of the usurper, Askild.

Erik walked into them, Birger was wary the moment he saw Erik due to his appearance. He had a very interesting build and an even more intimidating size but he was not worried.

"Ulf, where have you been!?" Erik shouted but Ulf did not respond to him. Erik completely ignored Birger, his eyes looked neutral. Unlike the stares he has been getting from others, Erik's eyes held no contempt.

"You too cool for me now since you are hanging out with your little friend?" Erik teased, looking Birger right in the eyes, this was an intimidation tactic by Erik.

"What if I killed your little friend?" Erik threatened, his face changed from playful to stern in the blink of an eye that it was hard to tell if he was joking or he was being serious.

It was Erik however, and there was no way to know if he was being serious or not.

"Stop messing around Erik! Now is not the time!" Ulf warned, but Erik kept pestering them.

"Hey you, take off that mask!" Erik said, and without even waiting for a response reached to remove it himself but the next thing Erik saw was him looking up at him. Birger swept him off his feet so fast that neither Erik nor Ulf saw what he did. Erik landed with a loud thumping sound and everyone watched in awe as Birger brought the man twice his size to the floor with a single move but the warriors that saw this were ready to strike him down should he do more than that.

"W-What just happened?" Erik questioned because the last person to do such a thing to him was King Askild, it could be argued that it was because he was injured but Birger just demonstrated the gap between them both with a single move.

"Let's go, Ulf," Birger said, walking past Erik who was frozen in place. He was surprised because this brought memories. Erik was the kind of man to submit to the strong and right now, Birger had struck a nostalgic cord in him that had his hair standing.

"That man.." Erik muttered to himself in ecstasy, Birger stirred up something in him and this made Erik eager to know just who he was.

Erik's eyes fell on the children of Ragnar and with them was…

"Lagertha?" Erik muttered to himself with a sinister grin as he began walking towards them moments after getting to his feet.

"That is not a good idea, Erik." A voice said behind him and this voice was enough to make the vile Erik hesitant as he immediately turned back in a defensive stance.

"You bitch!" Erik muttered the moment his eyes settled on her. The veins on his bulging as heat escaped his skin, this was undiluted rage and the person responsible was none other than Herfjötur.