Chapter 222 Ulf's Guilt

Ulf had crossed a line and he knew that this would cause irreparable damage to their relationship.

But he was lucky that it did not escalate. No, he was lucky that Ragnar was not here.

The sun had risen and a messenger from Vestfold had arrived, Ulf knew he was from Vestfold because of the crest on his clothes.

"A messenger? What do they want?" Ulf was curious as this man was guided to the throne room where King Askild sat.

"What's going on?" Ulf thought to himself, he was not the only one that was curious about this.

"It seems Vestfold has made contact with Kattegat," A voice said behind Ulf, Ulf turned to see that it was Ulrik.

Ulrik looked a lot meaner, and with his wrinkled forehead showing he had grown older but maybe his face did not give an accurate representation of his age anymore as he looked older.

Ulf did not bother responding to him.

"You should be happy, you might get to see your brother soon if it is what I am thinking," Ulrik said with a broad smile but Ulf maintained his silence.

He kissed his teeth and excused himself.

"What's gotten up his ass?" Ulrik questioned but he got his response in the form of Reidar.

"It's what has not gotten up his ass, I believe, my liege!" Reidar was under Ulrik, he had changed his allegiance the moment Aksild reclaimed the throne because he knew that death was not worth the trade-off for a man that planned for years only to botch the final delivery

"Drop the liege Reidar!" Ulrik barked.

"Okay, my Lord!" Reidar said once again but now we understood why Ulrik's forehead had wrinkled.

Reidar was stressing the living shit out of him.

"Why do I even bother…" Ulrik said. He had taken Reidar under his command after seeing he had no ulterior motives or interest. He just wanted a stress-free life.

-

Ulf was anxious, he knew what would happen to him if word reached his brother.

Ragnar did not take betrayal lightly, betrayal of any form. He found himself fidgeting and paranoid.

What could the point of the messenger be?

What was he doing here after years of being at odds with Kattegat?

"Uncle Ulf." Ulf jumped the moment he heard Bjorn's voice.

"O-Oh! It is you, Bjorn." Ulf nervously said, but he soon composed himself.

"Did you see the messenger from Vestfold as well?" Bjorn asked his uncle and Ulf nodded to confirm.

"I am glad father is attempting to reconcile with Kattegat," Bjorn was happy with the development because he knew that this might bring his father back.

"I am glad too," Ulf said but Bjorn's eyes squinted at this response.

"Are you sure you are?" Bjorn asked and Ulf raised a brow to this question, why was Bjorn speaking like he knew something?

"What do you mean?" Ulf asked and Bjorn looked him right in the eyes without uttering a word.

"Hahaha! I am just joking around Uncle Ulf," Bjorn laughed it off and Ulf awkwardly laughed along with him but what he felt across his face was a fist jamming his lower jaw.

Bjorn had punched him right across the face, this was no longer the punch of a boy and the force that he hit Ulf with was proof.

"You are a pathetic man and I do not want to ever see you near my mother," Bjorn was disappointed because this was once the man he looked up to yet he could not even honor something as sacred as a marriage.

Ulf did not retaliate, he could not even begin to think about the consequence of his action.

"Bjorn…" Ulf said weakly but all he saw in Bjorn's eyes were disgust. Bjorn had become a lot colder, he was no longer the naive jolly boy he was four years ago and Ulf just learned that firsthand.

-

King Askild welcomed the messenger with open arms, he knew what would happen if he acted hostile towards him as Ragnar's cooperation was of utmost importance.

He was not going to screw it up, he did not hide that he needed Ragnar, everyone knew as he had tried to be in contact with him multiple times in the past.

This was the only time Ragnar was responding.

The messenger dropped to one knee, bowing his head to show Askild the respect due for a King.

"Greetings King Askild, I bring you news from King Ragnar!" The messenger was as polite as they came.

"Ah, King Ragnar, my old friend! Do tell," Askild gave him the go-ahead to deliver the message.

"King Ragnar has accepted your offer at an alliance but he has conditions…." The messenger paused, waiting for Askild to give him the go-ahead and it came in the form of a nod.

"He has requested that you allow him entry into Kattegat to see his family as well as free passage to them whenever they want to come to him in Vestfold for the two kingdoms are allies…." The messenger said. Askild knew this would happen, he was counting on it. This was part of the reason he gave Bjorn such an important role because a father could only stay so long away from his father.

"This is quite the surprise but you tell King Ragnar that he has a deal. I agree to his terms, he is welcome to Kattegat anytime to discuss the details." Askild said; this was a huge weight off his shoulders as this should stabilize Kattegat. A powerful economical move.

Fredrik's death left a vacuum, and the broken down relation with Vestfold made things even worse as Askild has defended his territories from minor incursions but the fact that they dared to attempt this only showed how far Kattegat had fallen.

Birger had taught him one thing and that was the flaws in his ruling system, he could not risk gathering more enemies outside his kingdom or they might collude with the ones within the walls.

An act he needed to avoid at all costs.