Ragnar Vs His Sons

The turn of events saw the tables turn with Bjorn and Tyr now faced against their father, an opportunity to prove they were ready for the battles ahead.

"You better come at me like you are trying to kill me," Ragnar said with a devious smirk that made both boys nervous because they did not prepare for this mentally but they were excited nonetheless.

Ragnar had unsheathed his blade, he did not look like he was playing. Tyr knew this, he had never seen this look on the face of Ragnar in all their spars and nudge Bjorn slightly.

"Can we get 5 minutes to discuss our strategy, father?" Tyr asked, and Ragnar heaved a sigh before granting him this request.

"In battle, you won't be allowed to get the opportunity to form a strategy," Ragnar said but Tyr was quick to counter him.

"Every warrior or unit abides by a strategy, for they have plans in place for when the unexpected happens," Tyr said with Lagetha chuckling, he got Ragnar there and Ragnar could feel a sense of pride welling up inside of him.

"As expected of my son," Ragnar said before letting the boys have their battle strategy.

They spoke for 5 minutes exactly and returned to the field where Raganr was waiting with his blade in hand, they knew winning against Ragnar was an insurmountable task but it was not impossible.

"Are you ready?" Ragnar asked and both boys nodded with the much larger Bjorn stepping in front of Tyr, and it looked like they were going to go at it one at a time. An idea that Ragnar did not oppose nor support but it showed their naivety as well.

Ragnar waited for Bjorn to make the first move, which he did as he jumped up and attempted a vertical slash, gravity adding more strength to his strike. Ragnar easily parried it with his blade and focused his eyes past Bjorn, but he could not see Tyr. Bjorn was a decoy!

Tyr had snuck behind him and attempted a horizontal slash to nick the legs of Ragnar, his position made it impossible for Ragnar to block this attack, and Bjorn's attack above made jumping up impossible. They got him or at least so they thought, the idea of the two-pronged attack was a well-thought-out one but it had its flaws as Ragnar simply sent a foot into the face of Tyr to send him scrambling back but once again, his attention had shifted to yet another of his sons' leaving himself wide open for Bjorn's follow up assault because he was practically on one leg now and this left him in a vulnerable position as Bjorn performed a sweep on his father and this one did connect.

It was enough to make Ragnar unbalanced but it was not enough to send him to the floor as he barely maintained his balance before crashing his free hand right into the face of Bjorn to send him scrambling back. Both boys were bleeding but this did not concern Ragnar.

This did not have the feeling of a spar, it felt way more intense than that and Lagertha momentarily thought she should step in and stop it. But the look on all their faces made her think twice, they were enjoying themselves despite blood running down the temple of both children.

"That was clever, but not clever enough. You did not even touch me." Ragnar bragged but noticed his trouser had been nicked and this brought about a snicker from him.

He was getting pumped up and was ready to show them just how strong he was and since their strategy had failed to draw blood, it was a failure as it could not work a second time on him.

"The next one will draw blood, father," Tyr said as Bjorn readied himself by taking an attacking pose.

Ragnar was in their middle, Ragnar was positioned in their middle and he theorized that their attacks would be simultaneous from both sides.

"Someone is getting cocky," Ragnar remarked, waiting for their move.

It came as expected, but Tyr, faster than Bjorn, reached Ragnar first. As Ragnar turned to meet him, Tyr flung sand into his eyes, effectively blinding him from Bjorn's follow-up attack. Though Ragnar managed to evade danger, the move drew blood just as Tyr had promised.

It was a dirty move, a move neither Bjorn nor Ragnar anticipated.

"Tyr, that was dirty!" Bjorn shouted, he was not happy with his younger brother and made it known he did not support such tactics but Ragnar stopped him quickly.

"That is enough Bjorn," Ragnar said, placing his hand on his shoulder as his eyesight was back.

"But father, he-!?" Bjorn shouted but Ragnar silenced him.

"Deception is an important aspect in battle, there is no such thing as a righteous deception," Ragnar said and this calmed Bjorn down but Bjorn did not approve of his younger brother's fighting methods.

"Let's call it a wrap. I have seen what I need to see." Ragnar Lothbrok said, but he knew what his sons wanted to hear.

"Individually, you're average. Together, you're fearsome. I'll take you both on my next raid."

The boys erupted with joy, Bjorn even forgetting his earlier frustration with Tyr. They hugged, celebrating this small victory.

Lagertha smiled, this was the epitome of a bonding moment between father and sons.

"Where did he learn to fight like that?" Ragnar wondered as he walked away, pondering Tyr's underhanded tactic. It hadn't been his teaching, but Ragnar let it go, seeing it as a reflection of Tyr's determination.

Grabbing Lagertha's ass, he made his way into the house with her.

"I am proud of you boys!" Lagertha shouted before the door shut behind her and both boys gave each other a knowing glance before whispering.

"Fucking..." In unison.