Chapter 43: Final Push

The news of Arvid's capture spread around Kattegat, no one could believe it as he was the trusted right hand of Asger, a very respectable man.

This was good because it sent a message to everyone that no transgressions went unpunished, he was brought out at noon and hung by the feet for all to see, it was disgraceful.

He was insulted and cursed out by Vikings and kids alike, but they did not know he was dead already. The offer of the man that took the honor of his wife rang in his head, this was his single ray of hope because even if it was a trap, a chance of escaping presented itself, and whatever they wanted to do could not be worse than they already did.

He could not sleep, his eyes remained open like a zombie as he lost the ability to close them thanks to Askild cutting off his eyelids.

Tyr and Bjorn saw the man, and they were surprised by the state he was in. It was a bit too graphic for kids but being aspiring warriors such a sight was nothing to them as they have seen sacrifices to the gods taking place.

"What do you think he could have done to get such a treatment?" Bjorn asked Tyr but Tyr was confused, he did not understand why he was being tortured but this was because he did not understand his crime, he was fascinated by the torture method because this way there was no way for Arvid to sleep.

"That man deserves everything he is getting!" A voice said behind them, forcing both children to jerk their heads back to see just who was talking, and there they saw a 15-year-old boy.

Despite his age, he was relatively small as Bjorn was much larger.

"What do you mean?" Tyr asked the stranger but Bjorn walked in front of his brother.

"Do you have a problem?" The boy asked Bjorn the moment he saw him do this.

"Do you not know it is rude to eavesdrop on someone's conversation?" Bjorn questioned him, squaring up as he was mere inches from his face.

"Maybe do not speak in public then. I know who you are, Bjorn Ragnarsson." The boy's voice was one of contempt, Bjorn noticed his nostrils flare and instantly knew that this boy was looking for trouble, the trouble he would rather avoid. Tyr luckily was there to control the conflict from spinning out of hand. He held Bjorn back and apologized for the behavior of his confrontational brother.

"I am sorry on his behalf. I am Tyr Ragnarsson, tell me more about that man," Tyr changed the topic as Bjorn reluctantly stepped out of the way for Tyr to continue his conversation with this boy, who did not bother introducing himself.

"That man is the reason we are going to war with Vestfold! He is the reason that Kattegat has been on high alert." The boy was angry and spat on the floor in the direction of Arvid when he finished talking.

"What do you mean war?" Bjorn chipped in.

"You are sons of Ragnar but aren't even aware of what is going on in Kattegat?" The boy asked with a raised brow, he was both surprised and disappointed by this revelation.

It was all the city was talking about but the lack of interaction Bjorn and Tyr had outside of themselves was minimal at best so the information they do receive is limited.

But they felt betrayed by this news because there was no way both their parents did not know about this meaning it was kept from them. The killings in Kattegat as well, despite both brothers noticing that their parents were a lot more opposed to them going out at night and the increased number of warriors around Kattegat. They should have picked up on this.

"W-We knew about it. Of course, we did!" Tyr cleared his throat, trying to save face but there was no need to lie because their facial expression gave them away.

The boy did not care much and returned to stoning Arvid, who was to be killed in 3 days but until then King Askild made sure he would do everything to strip away his pride as a warrior.

Whether or not he would grant him Valhalla was a different thing as King Askild has been shown to grant even past criminals this much. Egil was a first and that was because he was from an enemy's kingdom but with that possibility of sitting firmly at the back of

Arvid's head, this was the only reason he thought to consider Erik's offer.

He knew how Askild felt about traitors, he lost his tongue giving his king a heads up on Asger's possible betrayal. He showed King Askild he was loyal to him above Asger yet Askild did not appreciate this gesture and treated him instead like a criminal.

Arvid cursed them, his lifeless was full of rage as he began to struggle to get loose with the last bit of strength he had, everyone momentarily stopped what they were doing as he gnawed at the ropes in his mouth and growled like a wild beast.

The kids stepped back and the adults halted their verbal assault, the look in his eyes was one of pure undiluted rage. He looked like a person that was ready to slaughter everyone present and this struck fear into most of them.

Erik, however, appeared right there and then, and their eyes met. Erik at this moment knew that Arvid wanted to live and accepted his offer.

"Cut him down," Erik said, and everyone began muttering but no one dared speak out as they knew the kind of reputation Erik had, some lives were simply more valuable than others.

"Do I have to repeat myself?" The towering man asked, looking down at the person he instructed, they were hesitant but did so regardless.

They cut down Arvid, the blow flowing to his brain had caused his eyes to be bloodshot and his nose to bleed, he was in a dazed state but Erik had shown a rare side to himself, and that was compassion.