Chapter 59 Winner takes all

" I accept your allegiance, Albert of Sussex. From now on you will become a brother of us and you will die with us whether you are in hell or heaven."

Halfdan took his sword, slashing his palm with a single motion as he put droplets of his blood in the wooden bowl. Then he placed it in front of Albert, looking at him with calmness that sent chills to Gustin's back because once Albert chose to drink this blood, he would have no choice.

He wouldn't betray him in the future for he swore with his and his people's life in front of God. No amount of blood and wealth could wash away his oath.

" I swear with my life."

He took the bowl with his two hands, cutting his palm with his dagger while dropping the blood into the bowl to mix it. He then without hesitation drank half of the blood, almost gagging with disgust from the taste.

" Terrible, right?"

Halfdan took the bowl from his hand, drinking the remaining blood in a single breath. His mouth was smeared with blood from the bowl as he wiped it with his sleeves.

He handed Albert's sword to him, signaling Horace to release Gustin from the capture as Magnus nodded calmly.

Horace untied Gustin from his bindings, handing him water to quench his thirst. He silently apologized with his gaze, knowing this was inevitable and he saved a good man from death.

" Son, I will hand over the territory to you. I am too old for this."

Gustin didn't say a word, closing his mouth with his eyes while he imagined the possible future. If only he wasn't foolish, maybe Sussex could have fought for their survival but he naively believed in Horace and lost his territory.

He didn't take things easy, mounting his horse with a hunchback. His hair grew whiter, aging in a few moments before the eyes of his son.

" Sussex will not betray you and you shall recall your promise. We will be your sword and you will be our shield."

Albert glanced at Halfdan, prompting him to keep his words as he mounted his horse. The Vikings nodded at his words, bashing their chest with their weapons to show their respect for him. The knights sighed with relief when they saw their eyes, believing they would keep their word.

" Come, I will guide you to Brighton."

Albert led the group to the lord's estate, zipping around the forest with their utmost speed because they couldn't afford the lord's estate to be empty. Especially when it came to frontier territory like Sussex which was located in the foremost of the Isles.

The time was their enemy since they had to battle against either pirates or Franks every month. Hence, the lord must not leave the estate unless the king called them. Also, Sussex was a very rural and poor territory, so no lord bothered to invade it.

No one was willing to take over a frontier territory and empty their pockets to save this pothole. Thus, Sussex was often left out to fend against enemies on their own. Who would have thought, they would manage to kidnap their lord and exchange him for surrender?

" This is Brighton. It might be shabbier than other territories but this is the first defense line of the kingdom."

The soldiers surrounded the Vikings but Albert stopped them with a gesture. He looked at his frightened citizens, waving his hand to calm them down. The children who saw their beloved lord anxiously ran toward him with flowers in his hand.

" It is alright. We have won."

The children's faces brightened at his words, giggling with the voices of angels as they handed the flowers to the knights and Vikings. The Vikings took the flowers from their hands with gentle faces, hugging them like they were the most precious items in the world.

" Uncle, why are so big? Did you help my dad? What happened to your arm?"

Magnus burst out with laughter at the girl's question, raising her up with his huge hand whilst placing her on his neck.

" Yes, I did. This uncle will protect your people with your dad in the future."

Magnus spoke cheerfully, looking at the lord's house with a big grin.