The Son Of Ragnar



Tyr willingly divulged the information Salgard sought, recounting not just the answers he sought, but also sharing the tale of his rise through the ranks. As the words flowed from Tyr's lips, a spark of genuine admiration flickered in Salgard's eyes, impressed by the intricacy of Tyr's journey. Yet, amidst the fascination, a seed of caution began to grow within Salgard's mind.

The elaborate scheme Tyr had orchestrated to climb the ranks left Salgard wary of how cunning Tyr was. If Tyr could mastermind such a complex plan, who was to say what other elaborate schemes he might have in store, especially when it came to Rogaland. Salgard couldn't ignore the possibility that Tyr's intentions might not align with their interests.

Tyr was careless, he lost himself in the narrative, momentarily forgetting the delicate balance of trust and suspicion that existed between him and Salgard. He was taking a risk, exposing vulnerabilities to a man who could easily become his enemy tomorrow. However, this was Tyr's subtle way of conveying to Salgard that he was willing to let down his guard, hoping to build a foundation of mutual trust between them.

"I knew you could not best them in combat alone with your current skills…" Salgard spoke, disappointment evident in his voice, as if expecting more from Tyr.

"I heard you beat them alone, how did you manage something that ridiculous?" Tyr inquired, this was why he chose to open up to Salgard with the hope of gaining valuable insights in return. Salgard's smiled in response but this seemed different.

"Sighvatur was a strong warrior, but his son was the real freak of nature," he acknowledged, giving credit where it was due, although he had initially belittled these warriors when talking about them to Tyr.

Tyr couldn't help but wonder about Salgard's own strength, realizing that it could never match that of his older brothers. The idea of fighting as a team was deemed a weakness by Salgard, a notion that Tyr understood all too well. When fighting together, they had to rely on one another, and if the team lacked synergy, they became vulnerable as they dragged each other down.

However, the conversation took a turn when Tyr confronted Salgard about something that had clearly unnerved him in the past. The question was direct, and Salgard's interest in the conversation seemed to wane, perhaps hinting that certain matters were best left untouched. Tyr sensed the shift in Salgard's demeanor, realizing that he had touched upon a sensitive subject.

This was the question about the thing that frightened him during that journey.

Despite the momentary tension, the exchange between Tyr and Salgard had revealed more than just stories of their past. As the voyage continued, the unspoken understanding between the two men would shape the course of their future actions, and whether it would lead to an alliance or an eventual clash of wills remained uncertain.

-

King Ragnar was taken aback by the sudden, piercing scream that echoed through the air, but he quickly reassured himself that there was likely nothing to worry about, given that his sons were also on the boat. As a King on this expedition, he felt a responsibility for the safety of all those aboard his vessel.

Among the boats in the fleet, King Ragnar's stood out as the most unique, boasting mounted arrows that served as unconventional cannons.

While he was pleased with this addition, he hadn't anticipated encountering any combat while at sea. The prospect of violence on the open waters was not a welcoming thought.

However, Baard, one of the men in King Ragnar's crew, seemed more agitated by the situation. He gripped a spear, ready to launch it towards the boat from which the scream had originated. Yet, King Ragnar intervened, uttering just a few words that were enough to quell Baard's aggressive stance.

"They are not a threat," Ragnar calmly stated, relying on his authority and wisdom to sway the impulsive man. He knew that if Baard followed through with his spear-throwing idea, it could lead to disastrous consequences, potentially capsizing the other boat.

Baard was known for his unpredictable and rash behavior, but under King Ragnar's guidance, he respected and obeyed the King like a child would heed their father's word. Ragnar was thankful that his authority held sway over Baard's wild impulses.

The unsettling noise had certainly left an impression on them all. Baard, the more vocal one, commented on the strangeness of the sound, while a lady who was part of the duo remained silent. Her gaze was fixated on King Ragnar, almost as if she could cut through the very air that surrounded him with her intense stare.

King Ragnar felt increasingly uncomfortable under her unyielding gaze, trying to meet her eyes in a contest of wills, but she refused to back down. Unaccustomed to such direct and penetrating stares, Ragnar found himself breaking eye contact multiple times, not being a fan of this sort of unnerving intensity.

As hunger gnawed at them and the fatigue from their journey weighed heavily on the crew, Baard appeared to be the only one who managed to maintain his energy and alertness. 

-

Hagen and his companions were startled by the loud, piercing scream that tore through the air. Even Rolf, who seemed stoic and composed until then, was shaken enough to leap to his feet, trying to catch a glimpse of the boat where the sound had originated.

As Hagen observed the situation, he couldn't shake the feeling that this was not a mere coincidence. Someone was intentionally keeping a close eye on Bjorn, and Hagen suspected that it was none other than King Askild who had ordered Rolf to do just that. This discovery only served to pique Hagen's curiosity further.

"You are a jumpy fella," Hagen remarked, but his words went unnoticed by Rolf, who remained preoccupied with his unwavering vigilance over Bjorn. It had been days since Rolf uttered a single word, leaving Hagen uncertain whether the man even slept. The last image he saw before falling asleep and the first upon waking was Rolf keeping a hawk-like watch over Bjorn, leaving him to wonder if Rolf ever rested during that time.

Hagen finally grew impatient with the enigmatic stranger and decided to confront him about his behavior. He rose to his feet, positioning himself squarely in front of Rolf, who appeared to be agitated, attempting to peer around Hagen.

Undeterred, Hagen adjusted his stance to block Rolf's line of sight.

".... Move," Rolf finally spoke, his tone authoritative and commanding.

"Ha! I knew you spoke," Hagen retorted with a light-hearted jest, trying to ease the tension, but Rolf remained stern and unamused.

"Move or I will kill you," Rolf issued a direct threat, but his words did little to unnerve Hagen. He had seen his fair share of battles and challenges, far surpassing the experiences of this young man, which only added to Hagen's irritation. Rolf's arrogance rubbed him the wrong way, and he felt the need to bring him down a notch or two.

Despite the brewing tension, Hagen chose not to engage in a physical altercation on the boat. Instead, he decided to keep a close watch on Rolf, recognizing that this man had other motives.

Their boat, larger than the others accompanying them, afforded Hagen some room to move around.

"You are a hot blooded one, aren't you?" Hagen said as he found himself stepping away from Rolf, knowing that fighting amongst themselves on this voyage would be foolish and counterproductive.