Chapter 364 Selection



Tyr heard Uttredus talk a lot regarding their religion but he wanted to see just what kind of people Christians were. Tyr briefly looked around for Thorgard and Vegard but they were nowhere to be seen which was strange considering the monks had been found. 

Tyr knew he had Gudleif's support so what Bjorn felt was irrelevant but Bjorn began to sense that something strange was going on with his brother.

Tyr felt cold and unlike before, this coldness was now directed at him.

"Tyr Ragnarsson…." Gudleif called out beside him. 

"What is it Gudleif?" Tyr responded sternly, the way he carried himself was like a leader and that was to be expected considering the life he had to live when he was exiled. He had an idea of what true leadership looked like and now he could exude that aura like it was second nature to him. 

Skarde had no problems with what Tyr was doing and was rather impressed that he was able to take such a strong stance. 

This is how it has always been and Tyr did give them an out but Uttredus decline that help and the fact that he gave him a chance was kindness that most would not extend 

"I know you must have noticed it but these monks… We cannot leave any alive or we risk being found out, we do not know what lies further ahead but we cannot lose the element of surprise…" Gudleif whispered and judging from Tyr's face, he knew that this was Tyr's exact thought. Coincidentally, this was when Wychard made his decision, he chose to save himself and condemn the rest to death. 

Tyr's face creased into a smile, Wychard was the closest thing to a coward he has seen in quite some time and choosing self-preservation showed an innate selfishness that could not be overcome by faith or religion.

Gudleif watched to see what Tyr intended, was this some twisted game of reverse psychology or would he kill them exempting Wychard?

Tyr did not want to make it easy, he wanted to imprint this image into the mind of Wychard for eternity. 

Tyr equipped the axe hanging on his back as he casually walked towards one of the monks.

They had no idea what was going on but Tyr knew that if he was going to get Wychard's full cooperation he needed him to fear them with all his heart and if possible, more than he did disobey his God.

Tyr slammed his axe into one of the monk's stomachs, tearing it open so his entrails poured out but he was not done there, he began to slam his axe into the body of this helpless man, even after he had died. 

Tyr was covered in blood but the respect of those around him only grew. 

Tyr embraced something dark in himself that he did not know existed until recently.

He gestured for the Vikings behind him to do the same with the other monks and some of Gudleif's men found themselves obeying Tyr despite him not being their leader but they did this subconsciously, only realizing that the command was not from Gudleif after they had begun. 

Wychard winced, he closed his eyes as he could not watch them being slaughtered but Tyr forced him to watch. 

"I-I will tell you anything…" Wychard said but his voice was calm, it was almost like he felt relief at the death of the monks.

"You asked about how we made our fortune earlier? We partake in the slave trade, those that are willing to give their life to Christ, we save. But those that do not, we sell to be used. This was what Father Uttredus brought with his arrival and we prospered so no one opposed it… Well…" Wychard paused briefly as he raised his shirt to show a huge scar.

"... I did and nearly lost my life in the process, I was isolated but Fatter Uttredus liked my fighting spirit and took me under his wings to succeed him. I knew the only way for me to change this was to take control so I looked the other way until I could do that… These men were no Christian," Wychard said. These monks, he did not view them as people who went by God but he did not think they deserved condemnation, allowing them to live will only subject more kids to such treatment.

Unknown to most was Tyr's history and this story seemed to strike a cord within the dark-skinned warrior.

"Slavers?" Tyr asked, his body language changing the moment he heard this. 

Tyr wondered if there was any connection between these slavers and the one that captured him.

It would make sense, there was no doubt that those men were speaking Old Norse and if Uttredus was a former warrior, this would mean that those slavers' influence could very well extend to this new land. 

Was this the fate that awaited him if they did not throw him off? Tyr began to understand that Uttredus was using this Christian faith to cover up as Wychard showed signs of disgust. 

He had no reason otherwise to lie but Tyr was now getting information that might potentially have a link to his past. 

"Yes sir, slavers… They raid faraway lands and bring them here for Father Uttredus to see which he wants to keep and which he wants to sell…" Wychard responded.

"Would you look at that… You just became quite valuable to me," Tyr said loudly, catching everyone's attention. 

"No one touches him, this one belongs to me now," Tyr said and everyone compiled because they had just seen what it was like getting on the young warrior's bad side.

And at long last, Tyr just might be able to find the people that enslaved him many years ago and tore him from the world he knew but there was one big question, did the kids they took become monks or did a different fate await them altogether? Tyr had so many questions but there was enough time for now, they had to explore this land further for any more goods that can be taken.