Chapter 58 Do or die

" Where is my father?"

Albert stood tall with his men, looking at the Vikings without a hint of fear in his eyes. His breath was calm and steady as the cliff of the ocean, and he was ready to draw his sword.

Magnus didn't say much, raising his hand to gesture to Halfdan, who was standing in the back line. Then the Vikings made a way for him, opening a big road for him while he dragged Gustin.

" Father! Release him at once!"

Albert tried to walk toward his father, but the knight blocked his way with his hand, pointing at the Vikings who were watching him with calmness. He understood that they had been planning for a long time and they were aiming for this moment because the lord was their utmost importance. Both the young lord and the current lord were here, so it was obvious that they were in a big trap that was ready to swallow their entire territory.

" Young lord, we must get out of here. It isn't wise to stay here."

His gentle voice reached Albert's ears as he furrowed his eyebrows with deep thoughts, stepping backwards to reposition himself, but the Vikings were faster.

They circled the elite force with their full force, getting out of the bushes with painted faces.

" You shouldn't have come here, son."

Gustin spat out blood from his mouth, pondering what to do now in this situation. By the looks of Halfdan and Magnus, the entire area should be surrounded by the Vikings, and this was a fatal mistake for them.

" Too late, boy. You either give Sussex to us, or the whole territory will be burned down with you. Do you want that?"

Magnus threw the branch in his hand, tapping his sword hilt with his arm. His cold eyes were focused on the two targets who were still breathing at this moment. He was debating whether he should kill them or not.

The risk was too much to consider if they decided to fight.

" Father, wait."

Halfdan raised his hand, standing before Albert with his sword, locking his eyes. He then threw the sword to the ground, feeling the bloodlust from his enemy.

" I will give you a chance, Albert. I heard you are a good man from my person. Surrender Sussex, and I won't touch a single strand of hair of your people.

I will give you what you desire. The freedom and choice to live free from the crown. Your family won't have to worry about your people and future."

Albert's face was filled with hesitation as he pondered for a minute before the knight protected him with his sword. He placed his sword in front of Halfdan, right before his eyes, to warn and scare him.

" You are planning to stab the crown. Don't you fear the wrath of the royal army? They will tear your people to shreds and hang them on the wall with their heads bleeding out."

The knight's sword grazed his cheek, drawing a droplet of blood from his cheek. The Vikings brandished their weapons with a hint of anger in their eyes, wanting to massacre these fools who dared to lay their hands on their young leader.

" Kill me, and your people will die miserably. Your family will be burned to crisp and become fish food. Do you want that, Mr.Knight?"

Halfdan licked the blood from his cheek, spitting it out without fear. In a single moment, he pulled the knight down through his sword, placing his sword on his chest to prove that age didn't matter. If he wanted to kill them, he would have already killed him when he drew near him.

" Let him go. I will agree to your terms and hand over our family's crest to you. I will also personally serve under you."

Albert took off his helmet, dismounting from his horse with his sword in his hand. Then he knelt in front of Halfdan, raising his sword to him.

" Albert, no! What have you done!"

Gustin choked with a tone of sadness, hoping he would stop his son, but he couldn't do it. Throughout his life, he mentored his son that his people and family were the most important things in this world.