The Man That Escaped Death

A few days passed and Asger regained consciousness. He was stable now but woke to no one by his side despite Ulrik being there throughout his recovery.

The healers did not say a word regarding this as this was the wish of Ulrik so they respected it as it did not concern them but they felt Asger somehow knew he was there.

"Asger…" A voice called out, it was the familiar voice of Ragnar with Skarde following behind.

"Ragnar Lothbrok, I apologize for my pitiful state," Asger said as he tried getting up to show his respects to the two Vikings. However, Ragnar told him it was fine and encouraged him to stay in his bed as he was still recovering from the effects of the poison.

"How is Arvid?" Asger asked as he rested his head back on his pillow.

Ragnar kept quiet, prompting Skarde to shake his head in a sorrowful manner, this meant that Arvid was far from doing well and Asger was hoping to hear that they had killed him.

If he was still alive, he knew death was the one thing he wished for right now even if it meant him not getting into Valhalla.

"Damn that fool! What could make him do something so stupid!?" Asger said in anger, he was angry because he did not see this coming and his heart sank the moment Arvid raised his blade at him. He was angry that he could not grant him Valhalla as he too had denied another that same grace so it was only fear that this was his fate for no warrior should be denied the halls of Odin.

"King Askild, it is that simple," Skarde said and Asger raised his brow in question as his attention shifted completely to that of Ragnar for an explanation but Ragnar looked clueless.

"King Askild, there is no other reason why he would start a war and attempt to take your life," Skarde said. This was common sense because there was no other reason why such a thing would happen if not for King Askild as he had family in Kattegat. The fact that he was relocating them, however, meant he intended for Kattegat to burn to the ground.

"I heard Askild killed his family as well, I do not think you want to hear about the details," Skarde continued and he was right, Asger did not ask for the details for they were resting and they should be allowed to rest.

"How are you feeling?" Ragnar asked, changing the topic as he sensed that this was a sensitive topic that should not be discussed right now and he was right.

"I am good, Ragnar. I should be back to myself in a few days. How are the war preparations going?" Asger asked back as both Vikings sat down.

"It is done, we are ready to strike but I do not know if we will win this war if I am being honest with you," Skarde said in doubt because he has heard stories of the forces that gathered in Vestfold as it is believed they are not fighting alone and if this news was true then it would prove troublesome for Kattegat.

"Where is your faith? Do you believe the gods will desert us in our time of need?" Ragnar said with a disappointed tone, they needed morals and he was not surprised that this came out from the mouth of Skarde as he was a realist.

"I have no doubt we will win but the cost will be heavy, are your sons joining us Ragnar?" Skarde asked and Ragnar went quiet the moment these words left his lips. Asger felt him tense up and took a loud sigh to change the focus from Ragnar to him.

"I think the sons of Ragnar are ready for this war, they will make their names in this war and if they fall, Valhalla will be their destination but I do not think they will fall before Ragnar," Asger said, and Skarde thought this was a bit too far but Ragnar just started cackling.

"Asger… You have always been bad at telling jokes!" Ragnar said as Asger joined in on the laughter, Skarde was lost but that was partly because he did not understand the dynamic between both warriors.

"I will tell my sons today, but I think they already know. Bjorn and Tyr have been training non-stop for days now." Ragnar muttered, he was more surprised that it took them this long to find out but he also understood how they would feel a sort of betrayal from him not telling them but he did not think of it as anything serious.

He knew he needed to talk with them, but not now.

They continued speaking and got all caught up as they understood that this might be the last time any of them could speak like this again.

-

Tyr and Bjorn trained vigorously, with Lagertha watching. She noticed that they both went at it like they were trying to kill each other and she instinctively knew that they were aware of the war brewing. She did not know Ragnar's reason for keeping it away from them as they would find out eventually but she knew he had his reasons and did not question it.

"Mother! Did you see that?" Bjorn shouted, he bested Tyr in their little duel and he was proud of this but he was out of breath. Bjorn had greater stamina yet Tyr managed to make him this tired despite ultimately losing this duel. She noticed that Tyr was inflicting more injuries the more they sparred. This surprised Lagertha because it showed that Tyr was improving at a significant rate alongside Bjorn but Tyr was adapting to combat at a much faster pace.

He was not just fighting Bjorn to win, but he was fighting Bjorn to study his movements.

She had watched them fight numerous times and it felt like Tyr was not interested in winning but in learning. Who is to say he could not win if he tried seriously?

Lagertha had her doubts but she knew that Bjorn earned his victories as Tyr would not disrespect his brother's honor that way.