Defiance

"Hemnar! Don't you dare walk away from your master!" Jarl Balduric's voice boomed across the hall, demanding my attention. I turned to face him, my expression unyielding.

"I don't see why I should heed the counsel of a mere philosopher," I retorted, my words dripping with disdain. "Drengr like us thrive on unwavering conviction, not buried in tomes like you, learning from those deemed Ergi.'' I continued.

Balduric's court of Thanes exchanged startled glances, taken aback by my audacity, but it was a truth that cut deep — too many of them preferred the safety of their studies to the peril of the battlefield.

Warriors like my cousin, Harod, were the exception, not the rule.

"You dare address me, your Jarl, with such insolence?" Balduric's tone turned icy, a flicker of disgust crossing his features. I met his gaze, unflinching. "I have little patience for your big words," I declared boldly. "You may revel in your words, but actions define true strength. You are Argr, and I stand by my "Insolence"." I continued proudly.

As we both exchanged glares, a cold look appeared in Jarl Balduric's gaze, it was like he had somehow instantly changed, as if he had snapped. "Well then, may you rot in Helheim" he says quietly. As silence fills the longhouse, regret has entered my mind because of the rules that I had just broken.

I was only a thrall, a servant to a distant Thane that didn't even show up to the weekly meetings between the ranks, but I was fed up with the cowardice of my clan, so I had to say something about it.

Balduric's eyes narrowed, his lips curling into a sneer "Such insolence will not go unpunished." His voice was low, but it carried the weight of authority. I felt a shiver run down my spine, but I refused to back down. I had spoken my truth, and I would stand by it, consequences be damned.

The tension in the hall was palpable, the air heavy with anticipation. I could feel the eyes of the other Thanes ramming into me, judging me for my defiance. But I held my ground, refusing to let fear dictate my actions.

"You may be Hjalmar's boy," Balduric continued, his voice cutting through the silence like a blade, "but that does not give you the right to disrespect your betters." His words stung a little, but I refused to let them break me. I had faced far worse in battle, and I would not cower before an argr Jarl.

"I speak the truth," I replied, my voice steady despite the tumult raging within me. "If you cannot handle it, then perhaps you are the one who should rot in Helheim." My words were a challenge, a defiance of everything he stood for. But I would not apologize for speaking out against the cowardice that had struck my clan.

Balduric's face darkened with rage, his eyes blazing with fury. "You dare to insult me in my own hall?" he roared, his voice echoing off the walls. "You are nothing but a lowly servant, unworthy of even the dirt beneath my feet." His words are relentless.

"Perhaps I am just a lowly thrall," I replied, my voice calm despite the storm raging within me. "But at least I am a warrior, unlike you, the womanly man I see before me." I continued in defiance.

The hall erupted into chaos, the other Thanes shouting and jeering at my audacity. But I paid them no mind, focusing only on the man standing before me. Balduric's face was red with rage, his fists clenched at his sides. I could see the veins pulsing in his neck as he struggled to contain his fury.

"You will pay for this," he spat, his voice barely more than a whisper. "I will make sure of it." With that, armed shieldmaidens emerged from behind him, bearing gold and iron plated armors with Odin's crest on them. "You have defied our Jarl, today is your last day on this earth." one of them spoke up, i was astonished by their armor and axes, i could tell they weren't for show at all, they were the real deal.

Without fear, I walked from the longhouse and took out my axes. They weren't exactly sharp because I hadn't really stopped to take care of them this winter. As I took them out, one of the maidens stepped forth and threw down her shield. "Valhalla calls to you early young man, your father will be proud." she said to me. My face curves in anger, "You know nothing of my father, so hush your mouth!" I yell as I lunge at her with my axes.

"Clank"

Our blades strike together, her clearly at the advantage, "Who is your father anyway?" she asked in concern, "Usually, they prefer to fight with their child in this kind of situation, no?" I smirk as she asks me this question.

"My father is Hjalmar, the Eagle.", I say proudly.

As I reveal to her who my father was, she and the other Shieldmaiden's freeze, not only have they stopped the attack, but they've stopped moving entirely, as if their bodies have been frozen in fear.

As the Shieldmaidens froze in place, a tense silence enveloped the clearing, broken only by the sound of the wind rustling through the trees. I stood there, axes at the ready, my heart pounding in my chest. The sudden shift in their demeanor caught me off guard, but I remained vigilant, wary of any sudden movements.

"You may leave, we deeply apologize for our actions," the Shieldmaidens spoke in unison, their voices tinged with a mixture of fear and respect. I hesitated, unsure of whether to trust their words or not. After all, they had just moments ago threatened me with death.

Slowly, I slightly lower my axes, my gaze fixed on the Shieldmaidens before me. "Why the sudden change of heart?" I asked, suspicion coloring my tone. "What makes you think I would trust you now, how would I know if you wouldn't condemn me to Helhiem if I lower my weapons fully?"

I ask with distrust

The Shieldmaidens exchanged uneasy glances, a hint of guilt flickering across their features. "We... we did not know who you were," one of them admitted, her voice barely above a whisper. "Your father, Hjalmar the Eagle, is a legend among our people. We meant no disrespect."

I frowned, still not entirely convinced. "And yet you were willing to kill me without knowing who I was?" I pressed, my voice sharp with anger. "What kind of warriors are you?" I continued

The Shieldmaidens hung their heads in shame, unable to meet my gaze. "We were acting on orders from Jarl Balduric," one of them confessed, her voice heavy with regret.

I felt a surge of anger coursing through me at the mention of Balduric's name. It was clear now that he would stop at nothing to maintain his hold on power, even if it meant sacrificing the lives of innocent people. But I refused to be his pawn any longer.

"Thank you for your apology," I said, my voice calm but firm.

With that, I turned and walked away from the Shieldmaidens, leaving them standing there in stunned silence.