Chapter 57 Nonetheless

Gustin burst out with a laughter-filled hint of mockery for them and, most importantly, for himself. The irony of the situation was real, and there was nothing he could do. He wouldn't betray the king, not because he wasn't loyal to him, but because he was loyal to his people. He wouldn't dare to damn his people to the tip of spear that stab their hearts without mercy.

" I won't betray my people. Kill me, boy. I want to die as a lord."

Halfdan clicked his tongue with annoyance as he turned back to his men. Then, without hesitation, he hit his cheeks with the back of his hand, grabbing his collar with anger in his eyes.

" Don't be foolish, lord Gustin. If I wanted to kill your people, I would have already burned this place to ashes.

Do you think Sussex is valuable territory to the king? Stop being foolish and stubborn. I am giving you a chance to redeem yourself.

Either way, Sussex will be conquered tomorrow without your cooperation as long as we keep you alive."

Gustin tried to bite down his tongue instantly, trying to foil his plan, but rough fingers of Arne got blocked it as he felt the taste of iron in his mouth.

" You aren't the first person to think about suicide."

His other hand pinched his jaw down, freeing himself from the saliva of the lord. He pulled out cotton from his clothes, pushing it into his mouth whilst Horace tied his mouth with another thin cloth. Then he kicked his knees to push him on the ground, placing his knee on his back to immobilize him.

Cold feeling of darkness shrouded Gustin's mind, plunging him into the world of dreams while Halfdan watched him with coldness in his eyes.

" Grab him carefully. We will go to the lord's estate. Father should reach us soon."

Halfdan commanded his people to continue their mission as he threw Gustin into the small wagon that was enough to hold a person in it.

" It will be real pain in the ass to carry thus through the woods. Horace, can you help me?"

Arne smiled at Horace, winking his eye to persuade him, but Horace coldly turned his head around, following Halfdan while leaving him there with Harold, who was laughing with amusement. He hit Arne's shoulder, gesturing him to hurry up.

" I will steal his berries in the future. I swear it."

Arne gritted his teeth, witnessed anger in his tone, swearing to steal his treasured item in the future. A little did he know that this would create a whole chain of mess in the future.

Meanwhile, near the lord's estate.

Magnus raised his head to gaze at the brightly lit town with a calm face. He took out a sack from his back, quenching his thirst with the sweet taste of mead.

Neigh*

A knight with a horse approached his camp, holding a parch in his hand as he stood before Magnus without fear. He pulled up his helmet, revealing a youthful face behind the armor. His emerald eyes scanned the surroundings, looking for something or someone among the crowd.

" Where is my father? What have you done to him?"

The knight spoke calmly, trying to maintain his spirit through his temperament. His hand was an inch away from the handle of his sword as he locked his eyes with Magnus.

" Brave, young one. You are standing in front of the great chief of the Viking, yet you stay calm.

You are father is fine. I will give him to you at dawn if you surrender peacefully."

The young knight didn't say anything except to leave the area with the dust of his hooves. The Vikings watched him leave, minding their own businesses as they sharpened their weapons. Tomorrow, they would either burn this place down or conquer it peacefully.

" Do you think it is an honorable way to conquer this region?"

Tove asked Magnus, but latter didn't answer. He silently clasped his hands together.

" Does honor matter to you? We are fighting in a war that we started a long time ago."

Tove nodded his head, sitting next to him while taking the sack from his hand.

" Freyja sure knows how to make good mead. I wouldn't mind giving her money to make it bigger."

He smiled, tasting the sweet taste of honey.