章 41: The Sweet Whispers Of The Devil

Ulf knocked at the door of Birger but got no response, he did not expect a friendly reception and would have broken down the door on a normal day but King Askild trusted him with such a task and this might be his chance to gain the trust of King Askild, a chance he was not about to lose because of his impatience.

He knocked once more, but once again got no response as he could feel the mocking glare of the Vikings around him creep up on him like a shadow.

This was embarrassing, but then the door was unlocked from within with Ulf heaving a huge sigh of relief.

Despite being a prisoner to say, he was still allowed the rights of an average citizen and this included his privacy because while he might be dangerous, he was needed by Askild so they had to be very careful to not make him angry.

Ulf opened the door and gained entry into the house, shutting the door behind him. He expected Birger to be hostile but this was not the case. He had on his iron mask, and Ulf was taken back slightly by this but there was also a very prominent stench that broke him from his dazed state but he had to get into character quickly.

"Greetings Birger, I go by the name Ulf and I have been assigned to make sure no harm comes to you so you may use me as you please," Ulf said, slightly bowing his head as he knew that this might not work but showing he was not a threat was the most important thing to establish.

"Ulf… Such a familiar name. Does the name Ragnar Lothbrok ring any bells?" Birger asked, this was a familiar feeling to Ulf as he was completely disregarded and instead, interest was shown towards his brother.

He rose his head in slight shame, assuming his neutral position as he cleared his throat in the process to answer this question.

"Yes, Ragnar Lothbrok is my brother." Ulf's mood changed with this response.

"A man that lives in the shadow of his brother, a disposable Viking, and warrior…" Birger said as he picked up his axe, this inadvertently put Ulf on his guard but he had no way of defending himself as he had left his weapon outside.

"But I can promise you something, Ulf Lothbrok and that's a name that far surpasses that of your brother," Birger said, tossing the axe towards Ulf, who snatched it out of the air.

"What do you mean?" Ulf questioned because he was confused about what he meant by calling him a disposable warrior.

"I see you do not know who I am but you know me through the stories you have heard…" Birger said.

"Do you think you're the first your king has sent to do this task?" Birger asked and the moment this question was asked, the stench he initially smelled when he entered had gotten worse and it looked to be coming from a room. Birger noticed the wondering eyes of Ulf and snickered.

"That's right, Ulf. I have killed everyone that came before you and judging by your face, you thought this was some honorable task that that shrewd man could only entrust you with…" Burger's words hit deep and Ulf hated he was made to look like a fool in such a manner.

"I recognize that look in your eyes, you are a warrior with a lot to prove but I can promise you one thing if you pledge yourself to me…" Birger's words of seduction danced gently on the earlobe of Ulf.

"I will not treat you as something or someone disposable, Ulf Lothbrok will be the name all Vikings will fear and respect," Birger concluded.

King Askild might have tested the waters with Ulf, but this might soon be a mistake he would love to regret as Birger not only had charisma but knew how to seduce the mind of a Viking. It was for this exact reason, he was feared and hung on to his life for so long.

Asger was injured, he was still drifting in and out of consciousness as the healers had done all they could do. The rest was up to the gods and Asger himself.

He kept whispering the name of Arvind, it was a sorry state to see him in but Ulrik stood by his side and watched the Viking fight for his life.

It was an interesting thing to see for Ulrik, the only reason Asger got injured was because of his sentiment towards Arvid, that single lapse of concentration put him in this current state.

"Asger, what a sorry fucking state you are in.." Ulrik muttered in annoyance, this was a shameful way for any warrior of his status to go but he did not think such a thing could kill him for Asger was stronger than this.

The healer came in, she was an elderly lady that used herbs to lessen the effects of the poison but it was left to Asger to fight it.

The poison Arvid used was rare, and the chances of survival were minimal despite the best efforts of the healer.

"How long is he going to stay like this?" Ulrik questioned her, as she changed the damped rag on his forehead.

"He might wake up today, he might wake up tomorrow or he may never awake. It all depends on the will of the gods." The lady said, her answer did not help in any way to reassure him and this pissed Ulrik off but there was not much he could do so he bit his tongue.

"Do not worry child. The gods have decided his fate, the same way they have decided our fate." The elderly lady said as he made her way from the room.

"You don't think I know that, you old hag! There's no way the gods would let such a great warrior meet such a pathetic end!" Ulrik muttered but Asger moved immediately these words escaped the lips of Ulrik.

A smile crept up on his face as Ulrik inched closer.

"Hey, Asger! You there?" Ulrik asked in a hopeful tone but this movement soon became chaotic as Asger began thrashing around in his bed.

Ulrik called out to the healers frantically as the mouth of Asger foamed. Asger was having a convulsion.