Chapter 314 Rugalf's Warning...



Salgard was called on by Rugalf, Rugalf knew the kind of man his younger brother was and it was his duty to keep him in place. 

He did not want him to extend his sadism to Tyr or things might get ugly, he already laid his hand on the son of Ragnar after he sensed his killing intent towards his daughter and that was the last act of aggression he wanted the younger Viking to face.

The expedition was in two weeks and Rugalf wanted everyone on good terms before then even though they were only sending a very small percentage of their forces. 

It would barely make a dent in their overall army, as Kattegat and his Kingdom were the only three going there. Each planned to allocate fifty men to this expedition as this should be more than enough. 

"My King…" Salgard greeted his older brother with his head bowed. 

"Salgard, we have a guest of the utmost importance. You understand the importance this holds for our Kingdom, don't you?" Rugalf asked.

Salgard was surprised his brother brought him all the way here just to say something so obvious. 

"I know, King Rugalf. I have taken extra measures to make sure our brothers behave," Salgard reassured his older brother but he was failing to see that it was him that Rugalf was worried about. 

"Frøygard, what did you do to him last night?" Rugalf questioned but Salgard raised a brow in confusion. 

He was not following, and he wanted to know what exactly his brother was talking about. 

"What are you talking about, King Rugalf?" Salgard asked, and one would believe he truly had no idea but something else occurred after the party last night. 

Someone had beaten Frøygard to a pulp and left him on the brink of death, and Rugalf instinctively knew this person was Salgard. 

Salgard has always been a sadist, he likes inflicting pain on others just for the fun of it and this was a trait that he exhibited for as far back as Rugalf could remember.

This was why his brothers were so frightened of him except his two older brothers as they were the only ones that Salgard listened to. 

Salgard knew the gig was up as Rugalf was not buying his innocent act. 

"I did as you say but I did warm him, King Rugalf. If someone disobeys me, they must be punished or it will happen again," Salgard said bluntly, there was no remorse in his voice. 

"And what if it is you that disobeys them?" Rugalf asked, he was trying to see how his brother's mind worked. 

"If they have the means to punish, so they may," Salgard said; he was the third strongest in their family after Rugalf and Grjötgard.

"I do not want you anywhere near Tyr," Rugalf commanded.

"I am sorry King Rugalf but that won't do. He may be a son of Ragnar but he is still an outsider until he weds Estrid. If you break your own rules, who punishes you then, big brother?" Salgard asked.

Salgard had a point, he was responsible for such things, it was his duty and he was not about to forsake it just because of a name.

Rugalf commanding him not to do so contradicts the very assignment he has given his younger brother but this tone, was it a threat?

No, it could not be a threat, Salgard might be a lunatic but he never forgot his place.

He was simply asking Rugalf a question in the same manner that Rugalf previously asked him.

Rugalf did not know what to say, Grjötgard could handle him better than he ever could but unfortunately, Grjötgard was not here. 

"Do not go overboard with Tyr," Rugalf admitted his defeat as he knew while he might be King, the Kingdom cake first and what Salgard said was sound. 

He could not be biased or his men might perceive this as weakness. 

"I will not, My King," Salgard responded with that same ol' creepy smile plastered on his face. 

-

Bjorn Ironside did not spend that night at home and instead, passed it at Ivan's house. 

Ivan lived alone, he did not have much of a personal life or even women to fawn over.

All he had was his obsession with Tyr but he was a skilled warrior nonetheless.

Bjorn knew he was an emotional individual, and a person driven by emotions will eventually become a liability.

Bjorn woke up to Ivan training outside, he always strived to become better and his work ethic was one of the things he respected about him. 

Bjorn knew he could not spend all day here and left the area, but Ivan's house was so far out that one would think it was not even in Kattegat. 

Bjorn was journeying back, the area was completely deserted as only a few people lived in these parts but Bjorn sensed he was being followed. 

This could be a simple coincidence but Bjorn did not believe in such things. 

He took an unnatural turn into a place that had no road, just trees and nothing else.

And whoever it is that was on his trail followed, confirming Bjorn's suspicion. 

Bjorn laid in wait, he was experienced in these things and the unfortunate person that was following him was soon met with a blade pressed against their neck. 

Bjorn did not recognize this person but he was so frightened the moment he felt the sword pressed against his neck, that he almost pissed himself as he thought he was going to die. 

Bjorn had every intention of defending himself should he be attacked otherwise, spilling blood in broad daylight was forbidden as prisons existed for a reason. 

"P-Please! Do not kill me! My father will give you anything you want!" The man pleaded, Bjorn already knew he was a high-class individual because of the clothes and pieces of jewelry he wore.

"A noble…" Bjorn muttered under his breath. 

What Bjorn could not figure out was what a noble wanted with him.