The Son Of Ragnar



King Ælla had made all necessary arrangements, he was ready for the Pagans but how was Northumbria in itself? 

It was a powerful Kingdom no doubt but were the citizens in support of how their King ruled?

Did they support the idea of a warrior Bishop for each had their own interpretation of Christianity?

"Fuck this man! King Ælla is doing as he pleases with no regard for how the people think about it!" A young man complained; he was approximately in his early twenties and his gentle features showed he has not had a hard life.

"Shush! Do not speak so loudly! Someone might hear you, young Lord!" An elderly man with the traditional monk aesthetic warned in a hushed tone.

This young man was dressed in an expensive robe, he had long brunette hair with golden eyes and he looked irritated by what was happening.

He was not a child and took an intense interest in what was happening around the world.

"He is not the rightful King!" The young boy called out but this was when the elderly man placed a hand around his mouth.

They were in a public place and with security amped up, soldiers were everywhere so he couldn't risk them hearing him or even he wouldn't be spared.

"You need to be quiet, young Lord! Do not utter such things carelessly!" The man warned.

"My father Osberht was usurped by that tyrant! Do not try to silence me, Bada," The young man's name was revealed to be Ecgberht.

"I will regain my father's owner," Ecgberht muttered, he was furious but the fact that he couldn't do anything about it further infuriated him.

He was a bastard so he had no legitimate claim over the throne and this was why King Ælla allowed him to dwell within the walls of Northumbria as a sign of good faith to his brother that he had usurped.

Osberht was in no way weak despite losing his crown, he was exiled but he had built an army that could threaten Northumbria should they rub him the wrong way so he was treated with the utmost respect.

But the reality of this was, Ecgberht was a coward that only used words to fight and never his hands for he thought violence to be against the will of God.

He was against the formation of the Warrior Bishop. Bada knew that he was all talk but talk like that could get him killed.

"I see Bada is still babysitting you, Ecgberht…." A man in his early thirties walked in, he had a scar above his eye and a neatly trimmed beard around his face.

"What do you mean by that? Have you forgotten your place?! Eadwig!" Ecgberht barked but the older man was not paying any attention to his tantrums.

He noticed that they were the only two in this tavern, this meant that Ecgberht had used his money frivolously to buy out the tavern so he could have this much privacy,

"Forget my place…?" Eadwig asked with a raised brow as he casually walked up to the man-child.

"I would rather forget my sword in your head…" Eadwig threatened and Bada could not believe the audacity.

"You bastard! Do you know who yo-!" A firm slam to his face sent the older man tumbling to the ground.

"Do not dare raise your voice at me, priest…" Eadwig said as his cold eyes descended on Ecgberht who suddenly forgot how to speak.

No warrior in Northumbria respected him because while his father was a great man, he was nothing but a disappointment.

It is believed that the exiled King had left his son here because he was too embarrassed to take him and who could blame him?

Ecgberht could not handle him and he hated that everyone disrespected him so openly despite the blood of a King flowing through his veins even though he had wealth and status.

He found himself wanting respect but that could not be bought unfortunately for him.

"You forgot how to speak?" Eadwig teased but Ecgberht kept his mouth shut because he did not want to be smacked.

It looked like it hurt because Bada was still not getting up, he was laying down in visible pain.

"Pagans would soon descend on this land and I was informed by our gracious King to inform you so you can hide like the coward that you are. Are you, not a coward, Ecgberht?" Eadwid asked and something told Ecgberht that if he did not respond then his face might be next.

"Y-Yes I am a coward. Thank you for bringing the King's message to me," Ecgberht said, his eyes looking to the ground and the mocking laugh that echoed in his ears made him feel disgusted with himself.

He hated the fact that he was weak but this in no way meant that he was going to take any of it lying down. Ecgberht was going to restore the honour of his father and once he did, he would kill everyone that had disrespected him.

Another man soon walked in and Ecgberht's body seemed to relax the moment he saw this new addition.

"Wealdhere!" Ecgberht exclaimed; he had suddenly found his voice back and the man that was bullying him mere moments ago was the one looking at the ground.

The man was heft, he was huge not just in size but weight and he had on heavy armour despite his frightening size.

"General Wealdhere, it is not what you think…" Eadwig quickly tried to dismiss what was going on to save his behind but a resounding slap soon rocked his head.

It was not Wealdhere that slapped him but Ecgberht.

"You fucking piece of shit! You have some nerve! Wealdhere! Take his head! Kill him!" Ecgberth barked like a child throwing a tantrum.

"My lord, we need to go to your safe house. The Pagans, I am afraid that they are on their way here and your safety is the reason why I live," The man said sternly and Ecgberht reluctantly agreed but not before spitting on the man.

Bada was on his feet and they all left the building but the rage on Eadwig's face was a perfect representation of what he thought about him.