The Son Of Ragnar

Tyr and Bjorn were fighting, the difficulty increased because they could not kill them.

But they too did not try to kill either Tyr or Bjorn, these were valuable hostages if they could be caught.

"Bjorn, this is not working. They have the advantage in numbers and we have the advantage because they are not trying to kill us!" Tyr said. He was confused about why Bjorn wanted this.

"EVERYONE STOP!" Bjorn screamed, his echoing voice shaking the eardrums of all those present.

"W-What the fuck is wrong with you!? Did someone stick a fucking sword up your ass!" Tyr shouted at his older brother because his screaming created a lapse in concentration.

It could have proved detrimental if they had nefarious intentions.

"When did you get so foul-mouthed? I blame that Erik…" Bjorn was disappointed with his brother's use of profanity.

Everyone, however, had stopped and listened to the brothers bickering and some even cracked a smile but Bjorn knew how important his next move was. With the house burning, he had limited time to sway them.

"You people… I know you all! I played with you when I was younger but now I am your enemy? I say that is ridiculous! We went to fight a war, we fought to protect you and your families! What about those that died in battle? Was their death in vain? The man you serve took advantage of the war and betrayed your King! I am not surprised a foreigner betrayed King Askild, but I am surprised you people allowed it!" Bjorn barked, Tyr understood what his brother was trying to do and chipped in.

"My brother is right. Commander Sven fell in battle, and so many others and we succeeded. We conquered our enemies but do we have to consider the people we protect as enemies too?" Tyr added, he hoped that this would work and the men they were speaking to were mumbling among themselves, their heads hanging in shame as they could not believe they were being schooled by children, it felt shameful.

"Raise your swords and fight for your King! Fight for King Askild!" Bjorn screamed at the top of his lungs, they knew they had gotten to them but now they were waiting for a positive response. They did not have to wait long as one person raised his sword, and the others around him were hesitant.

"Tha-!" Bjorn stopped speaking abruptly the moment he saw a sword protruding from the man's chest, and behind him was the man with a broken wrist.

"What is this?" The man asked, looking around to see that the resolve of the men meant to be under him had been peeled away like a face mask by these children.

"Children of Ragnar, it is an honor to meet you. I go by the name Brynjar and I would love it if you followed me." Brynjar had not only introduced himself but established his need to take them captive.

Bjorn looked at Tyr, before giving him a nod as both boys ran toward Brynjar. Bjorn ran in front of Tyr, his size concealing the smaller boy who was yet to regain his weight.

Brynjar did not panic, he unsheathed his sword, ready to fight them because he understood in the end, they were just children and that came with physical limitations.

"Now!" Tyr shouted from behind Bjorn and his brother ducked immediately. Tyr tossed a handful of mud right into Brynjar's eyes, but he had no intentions of allowing his enemy to go free and moved for the killing blow. Swinging his ax right for his jugular but Brynjar managed to kick the smaller boy away before regaining his sight.

"You are a naughty one, are you not?" Brynjar said, slowly opening his eyes. He managed to close it in time and that was why his blindness was only momentarily.

"Heh! I accomplished my task," Tyr said. Just then, he noticed that Bjorn was nowhere to be seen, he had run into the burning building.

Brynjar was surprised his men did not stop him, and he shook his head as he understood it could not be helped. He would have to discipline them later.

"You wish to throw your life away? Very well, I will send your head to your father as a gift from Askild," Brynjar said, his stance changed completely. A stance that made Tyr uneasy because he could not see any opening.

Tyr knew he could not worry about Bjorn right now, the fire had worsened and exuded dense black smoke.

"I challenge you to a duel to the death, Brynjar," Tyr said, and this was because he did not want anyone interrupting as it would be bad if the men behind Brynjar decide to attack him.

"I will be honored to be the one to kill you…. Kingslayer," This surprised Tyr, there was no way Brynjar could know this, meaning his knowledge extends to what occurred in the war.

He gripped both his axes, eyes squinting to focus on his bigger enemy like an archer narrowing his aim on his target.

"Come!" Brynjar said and Tyr's feet instantly left the ground, like a god that was ascending into the sky, his eyes full of resolve and his axes calling for the blood of his enemy.

Brynjar did not seem impressed by this, side-stepping the attack.

Tyr watched his attack meet thin air, and he was about to fall on Brynjar's blade, it was coming from beneath him in a bid to slit him into half from beneath but Tyr showed excellent footwork.

Stepping on the flat surface of the sword right before leaping backward, using the momentum of the swing to his advantage.

"Not bad… Not bad at all." Brynjar praised the nimble dark-skinned boy and everyone watched in admiration, this war had turned Tyr into quite the warrior and his serving under Erik had proven to be useful.

The moment Tyr's feet touched the ground, he noticed that this man was fighting with one hand yet he was this strong or was he simply too weak?

"You are not so bad yourself, but one of us dies today…." Tyr said, pointing his ax at Brynjar.

"..... And that person is you," Tyr said, and behind Brynjar was Bjorn with his brandished blade.

He was not only in his blind spot but Brynjar had not perceived him yet and what followed was the earth welcoming the blood of someone but who?