Chapter 73 He, Who Leads

Ragnar requested to speak with King Askild outside of the dining hall, an audience Askild granted him because they could not risk anyone eavesdropping on their conversation.

"King Askild, there is something off," Ragnar told Askild but this news did not look like a surprise to Askild. He knew exactly what Ragnar meant.

"Birger's ambition is bigger than he let on, I expected this much but I know one thing is for certain and that is him coming for my head," Askild responded with an unbothered face.

Ragnar was worried because Birger risked his life by even coming to Kattegat.

There was no way he did not have contingency plans should things go south.

"We have to bid our time, we have a war coming up but I have a question for you Ragnar…" King Askild said, turning to face Ragnar.

"Is your brother, Ulf, trustworthy? I will take your word for it," Askild asked Ragnar, this was a difficult moment as Ulf has had his questionable moments but so has everyone.

It would not be fair to paint his brother as a bad person when that was far from the case.

"Ulf is trustworthy," Ragnar said without hesitation, Ragnar's word was something Askild valued, and his asking this question implied he had doubts regarding Ulf.

Who could blame him? He was hanging around Birger all day and there had to be a reason why Birger kept him alive, it that reason was not something as superficial as him liking Ulf.

"The food was not poisoned so I guess they do plan to help us out. This is a war, no one joins if there is nothing to benefit them." Askild said. A sentiment that Ragnar Lothbrok shared with him.

"When the war is over, we will be depleted and surrounded by enemies that became allies under this single goal, do you think these enemies will remain allies or will they turn their swords to their old enemies?" King Askild asked, he was already thinking about the conclusion of the war despite it not be guaranteed that they would win yet losing was never a part of his discussion.

There were no plans for if they lose nor were there any talks of retreating, Askild was sure o victory, and Ragnar admired this sort of mindset from the man he called his King.

"What is your plan when Vestfold falls, my king?" Ragnar asked because he did not know what Askild intended to do after conquering Vestfold.

"I will hold it, I will assign an Earl to watch and rule over it in my stead," Askild said in a suggestive tone, hinting that Ragnar might be that person.

He knew Ragnar did not like the idea of himself ruling but it is for this very reason that he would be a good ruler, but the fact that Askild thought he could hold Vestfold was nothing short of arrogance as there was no way they would accept a foreign power to rule them.

"King Askild, we do not have the men to hold both Kattegat and Vestfold, our forces will be split and we will be weakened on both fronts," Ragnar responded but judging from Askild's unchanging expression, he had already considered this.

"The Vikings of Vestfold are different from Kattegat, that old man has managed to instill in them a type of loyalty I never thought possible…" Askild began talking, these sounded like words of admiration towards Asmund, something that surprised Ragnar.

"So what do you think they would do if we take their King alive? Their loyalty will decide if he lives or dies…" Askild said with a smile, almost like he could not believe the words coming out of his mouth.

"He will rather take his life than let that happen, won't he?" Askild asked rhetorically because he knew the answer to the question already.

This plan would not work but he looked far too calm for someone that did not have it figured out prompting Ragnar to think that there was something he was not telling him.

But he was not surprised, he did not expect King Askild to tell him all his secrets at the drop of a hat. The conversation came to a natural conclusion and King Askild was about to go back inside when Ragnar asked about Ulrik and why he was left in Kattegat.

"That man has an instinct for danger, I have learned not to question. It is probably more useful over there than he is here either way," Askild said, entering the hall back.

Leaving Ragnar to ponder on the conversation they had just discussed.

-

Ulrik was snoring like a mannerless dog right beside an unconscious Herfjötur, who was fighting for her life. This was hardly appropriate but everyone knew better than touching him in such a state. Tiril watched awkwardly but then she saw a sudden movement from Herfjötur, so subtle that she thought it was just in her imagination but then it happened again.

"Herfjötur!" Tiril shouted rushing towards her, her body temperature had gotten back to normal and she was glad because it looked like the worst was over despite her still being out of commission. They did not expect her to bounce back anytime soon leaving Kattegat in the hands of the foul-mouthed Ulrik but this relieved Tiril because now she could forfeit authority.

She could not bare the responsibility of leadership, a role that she knew she was not suited for due to experience despite Herfjötur's best efforts to pass on more responsibility to her.

Ulrik's eyes gradually opened as he sat up from the bed, clearly dazed and lost.

"Where the fuck am I? Have we arrived in Vestfold yet?" Ulrik asked, half asleep as he tried to compose himself, after a full 5 minutes of silence. He looked around and was surrounded by familiar faces, and this place was the same as the one Asger was in.

"Fuck, I overslept again, didn't I?" Ulrik muttered under his breath.