Good News?

Tyr and Bjorn were summoned by Ragnar Lothbrok. He knew they were already aware of the situation, so he didn't bother explaining the impending war.

"I think it's time for you boys to get your arm rings," Ragnar said. The looks on his children's faces were priceless. They couldn't contain their excitement, nor did they try. This was the moment they had been waiting for their entire lives, but the thought of swearing allegiance also weighed heavily on their minds.

"I think you will make names for yourselves in this battle. The gods have already decided your fates, so do not fear falling in battle. It has been written. But make sure you die a death worthy of entry into the great hall that is what we Vikings live for!" Ragnar declared. Lagertha, dressed in her armor, stood nearby, watching as Ragnar motivated their children.

She was glad he had told them this. They needed to hear such words from their father. Bjorn and Tyr, covered in light scars from training, were eager to prove themselves. Ragnar encouraged them to take it easy; with war on the horizon, they couldn't afford to be less than their best.

"What about Uncle Ulf?" Bjorn asked. Ragnar paused, his expression thoughtful. It had been some time since he'd seen his brother, and he wasn't sure how to answer.

"Ulf… Where is Ulf, I wonder…" Ragnar murmured, lost in thought.

Come now kids, your father needs to rest." Lagertha said the moment she noticed Ragnar murmuring to himself.

The children followed her as Ragnar was not a fan of how he and his brother grew apart.

He knew that Ulf was assigned to watch Birger meaning he was closer to the danger than any of them, this thought unsettled him but he trusted the skills of Ulf to at least survive should a fight break out. He was however disappointed that he did not hear it directly from his brother because no one knew what fate had in store for them.

-

Birger was out of the house and the warriors watching him were dismissed by Ulf as this gave not only privacy with Birger but far more freedom for them.

Birger was surprised that Ulf was comfortable alone with him even though he knew all this was all an attempt to build trust, the trust Birger had no intention of reciprocating, but he did appreciate the gesture.

"Ulf Lothbrok, it seems you have quite the reputation in this city," Birger remarked. No one had seen Birger's face, not even Ulf due to the mask he always wore. It made identifying him nearly impossible, though Birger didn't mind the anonymity.

"I am just the brother of Ragnar Lothbrok to these people. Nothing more, nothing less." Ulf said with a tone either of shame or indifference but Birger did press the matter.

"They are probably looking at you, they call you all sorts of names," Ulf continued. Birger wasn't thrilled about being back in Kattegat but it was a chance to take the head of the usurper, Askild.

Erik walked into them, Birger was wary the moment he saw Erik due to his appearance. He had a very interesting build and an even more intimidating size but he was not worried.

"Ulf, where have you been?!" Erik shouted, ignoring Birger entirely. Unlike the contemptuous stares Birger was used to, Erik's gaze held no malice.

"You too cool for me now since you are hanging out with your little friend?" Erik teased, looking Birger right in the eyes, this was an intimidation tactic by Erik.

"What if I killed your little friend?" Erik threatened, his playful tone turning deadly serious in an instant. With Erik, it was impossible to tell if he was joking.

"Stop messing around Erik! Now is not the time!" Ulf warned, but Erik persisted.

"Hey you, take off that mask!" Erik said, and without even waiting for a response reached to remove it himself but, the next moment, Erik was on the ground, staring up at the sky. Birger had swept him off his feet so swiftly that neither Erik nor Ulf had seen it coming. Erik landed with a loud thud, leaving the onlookers stunned. Birger, a man half Erik's size, had taken him down with a single move. The nearby warriors bristled, ready to intervene if Birger went further.

"W-What just happened?" Erik questioned because the last person to do such a thing to him was King Askild, it could be argued that it was because he was injured but Birger just demonstrated the gap between them both with a single move.

"Let's go, Ulf," Birger said, walking past Erik who was frozen in place. He was surprised because this brought memories. Erik was the kind of man to submit to the strong and right now, Birger had struck a nostalgic cord in him that had his hair standing.

"That man.." Erik muttered to himself in ecstasy, Birger stirred up something in him and this made Erik eager to know just who he was.

Erik's eyes fell on the children of Ragnar and with them was…

"Lagertha?" Erik muttered to himself with a sinister grin as he began walking towards them moments after getting to his feet.

"That is not a good idea, Erik." A voice said behind him and this voice was enough to make the vile Erik hesitant as he turned back instinctively taking a defensive stance.

"You bitch!" Erik spat when he saw her. His veins bulged with rage, his skin radiating heat. The source of his fury was none other than Herfjötur.