The Earl's decision

Sometime after setting sail, they start getting close to reaching Norway. Balder decides to walk up to Asmund " we did it brother, we did it". I just hope the Earl sees it that way. ( Balder nods his head and walks towards the monk he saved ) What is your name ? It is Sebastian. I am Balder, Balder Asger. What was that place called ? It is called Lindisfarne, England. Why did you not defend yourself ? your god is nailed to a cross he cannot save you or protect you. It was foretold that divine punishment would fall upon god's chosen people for all our grievious sins, and so it has happened. and that is why I am here. (Balder chuckles) No. You are here because I spared your life. Why did you spare my life ? I don't know yet, said Balder as they finally make it Uppakra's docks. A crowd forms as they all look awed by Balders return. As Asmund and Balder and the rest of the crew start unpacking and getting the slaves to march. A familiar man walks up to the crew as Balder walks up to him. " Halfdan, you're too late. You missed the boat" Said Balder in a very smug manner as the crew began to chuckle. " I came to tell you that the Earl summons you to attend him in the great hall" Said Halfdan as he couldn't bring himself to look the crew in the eyes. " It will be a pleasure" Said Balder as the crew marched the dozens of slaves, gold and silver with them, their heads held high as the people of Uppakra cheered them as they entered the great hall. Gourm and Asmund drag in 2 large chests filled with gold and open them as the crowd starts to rile up. " My lord, It was easy to take all of these things. The priests in the temple, they had no weapons. They were like babies. Here is one of their priests ( Balder grabs Sebastian by the neck) We captured several of them to sell as slaves (Balder looks towards the crowd) It must be true that there are many more such holy places in England and other lands to the west like wise filled with such treasure, and to sail there will benefit us all" said Balder as the Earl stood up from his throne.( CROWD MURMURING) How did you find this place of great riches when all before you had failed ? (Balder looks at the crew as the crew stare the floor) My lord, we were more fortunate than others. We had Thor on our side. (Balder chuckles) " (scoffs) Yes, then you were indeed fortunate. but you understand that all this belongs to me, by right " Said Haraldson as the crowd started to rile up. " My lord, me and Gourm paid for the boat. Surely we are entitled to some reward, and the crew...." Said Balder as he gets cut of by Haraldson. " You want me to pay you when you took these things as easily as from babies ? " Said Haraldson as the crowd laughed. (armed guards walk in the great hall) here's what I have decided to do. Each one of you can take one thing from this haul. Only one my lord ? Yes ! and you'll still be richer than you were before. Now, all the world can see how magnanimous and generous is your lord, especially since you disobeyed me. So, Balder Asger, what will you choose? (Balder walks up to the plunder and starts inspecting) all eyes were fixed on Balder waiting on what piece of gold he would choose. " My lord! i choose the priest as my slave" said Balder as the the Earl looks confused, but that is short lived as the crowd start to burst laughing and so does the Earl. The priest you say Balder? Granted! (Balder procceds to walk out the great hall as Asmund gives chase) Balder walks out of the halls and into an alley where Asmund follows him and shouts " why did you give everything away so easily?? we wasted our time! I never should have believed in you!" Said Asmund furiously. " He was looking for an excuse to kill us Asmund. why would we go to valhalla after such miserable and pointless deaths? Brother, Believe me, this is not the end, it's just the beginning " said Balder as he comforted Asmund. "Now Asmund go back to your home and wait for my signal I need to go back to my farm and meet my children and wife" said Balder as he walked away. Meanwhile back at the halls where the Earl lives, Aslaug is meddling with the fresh gold Balder and his crew plundered as the Earl stared her " what is it?" said Aslaug. " what a hoard of gold it is " said the Earl with a pinch of doubt in his voice ( Aslaug sits on Haraldson's lap ) see what you've done my lord, never doubt your power. With just a few words you've stripped Balder Asger of all his treasure. he's nothing to you, and you are all power, all authority. you can have whatever you want. ( Aslaug kisses Haraldson but there was no response) my lord? ( tears flow down Haraldson's face as he hugs Aslaug).

Back at the farm where Balder has finally made it to the farm, he sneaks up to his daughter ( Balder mimics a chicken and scares Gyda) Rollo runs outside the shed and runs to Balder and hugs him " Father! did you reach the west! " said Rollo as Ase walked out the shed and kissed Balder. " So, where's all the treasure you promised ?" said Ase. The Earl took it for himself. But I found it, and it filled the boat. ( Ase chuckles ) I believe you Balder. You ought to believe me. This is a priest from the temple to prove it. Priest! this is my family. His name is Sebastian. Although he's a foreigner, he speaks our language, don't you? A little, yes. " what is wrong with your head?" said Rollo disgusted. When we become monks, they cut our hair. It marks us out. If you're a priest, which god do you like best? "There is only one god" said Sebastian as the family stared at him, confused. Balder breaks the silence, Rollo and Gyda you can touch him, we are keeping him. As the kids walk up to inspect Sebastian Ase walks up to Balder. (ASE WHISPERS) I missed your smell and your body. Children are fine. but I am still a woman. Balder and Ase walk inside as the kids are occupied with Sebastian.

Sometime later in the night Sebastian is praying when he is distracted by Ase and Balder in the other room. He hears loud thudding but he continues praying as Balder and Ase come out of their room. Sebastian, we want to ask you something. Sebastian continues praying but can't seem to get his eyes of Ase. " Come and join us, priest" said Ase as she glared at Sebastian. " don't you want to ? you'll enjoy it priest" said Balder. I am a monk. I have taken vows of celibacy. I cannot touch a woman. I never have. ( Balder moves away from Ase and lays down by Sebastian as Ase slowly walks up to the priest) Sebastian struggles to keep his eyes of Ase so he starts reading his bible with his eyes shut tight. " Wouldn't you like to ? " Said Balder as Sebastian doubts himself " It would be a sin" said Sebastian. "who would know preist ?" says Balder. God would know. " What if he looked the other way? " said Ase as she slowly lifts her towel. Sebastian shuts his eyes and resumes praying. "Go to sleep then, with your god " said Balder as Ase and Balder walk back into their Room.

Meanwhile the Earl Haraldson is with a child as the child starts digging something out for Haraldson. " How old are you boy? " said Haraldson as the boy worked. " I am 13 sir " said the young boy. " 13, the age my boy would have been, the men will soon be going on the summer raids. are you looking forward to joining them?" Said Haraldson. " I dream of it. I'm already a good fighter, like my father was." said the young boy as he kept digging. " Thats why I chose you, because you're broad and strong " Said Haraldson as the boy stopped digging the hole. Halfdan, Haraldson's new advisor carries 4 bags and dumps them in the hole as the bags tear open and it was filled with treasure. " why are you burying all this treasure, my lord" Said the young boy. " don't you know anything, my boy?" Said Haraldson as Halfdan began to explain. " Odin promises that a man will have the use of everything he has hoarded up after he is dead and wakes up again in valhalla. but the hoard needs protection somebody to look after it in this life, and the next" said Halfdan as he walked closer to the boy. " you have already seen enough of this life, boy. " said Haraldson as Halfdan choked the boy out and buried him with the treasure.