Vol. 1 Chapter 4 - Wolf of Old Ragnar’s Farm

A.D. 872 Kingdom of Northumbria, Old Ragnar's Farm

Another 3 winters on the farm passed since the day I made quick work of the raiders and left their corpses to decorate stakes on the edge of my lord's lands to serve as a warning to all who would dare think of invading. It was my 21st year in this world I already had twins they were both two a beautiful girl and a handsome boy. Uhtred and Brida were both 16 making the twins 13 this year. I had everything ready to head south once Kjartan's betrayed the Ragnar's. We had everything we would and need and my little family was ready.

I knew it would be happening soon so I kept the kids on alert and prepared to move out once it was time. Sure enough one night I was woken up out my sleep by Fenrir poking me with his nose alerting me something was wrong and enemies were here. I woke up the kids and helped them get the wagons and the animals ready for our trip. I told them to stay with wagons and Fenrir then left to hopefully end Kjartan's bloodline for his betrayal. If my uncle has any men here I would make them into a nice message for him.

By the time I had made it near the woods it was already done I saw old Ragnar's corpse still on fire holding his sword still even after a horrific and painful death he will be rewarded with entry to the feast halls of Valhalla there is no doubt. I could see them celebrating looking for the families wealth but it was buried and well hidden I knew they wouldn't find it for I was planning on leaving none but one alive to spread my legend across the lands. I did just that.

I aimed my bow at Kjartan I would strike the leader first and reap their lives while they were in confusion and stunned by the death of their leader "Kjartan!!!!" I yelled as I let the first arrow fly true straight to penetrate Kjartan's skull through his open mouth out the back of his head. By the time my first arrow struck true I already had my second and third on the string. They flew across the open space like missiles to only split and penetrate the necks of two unlucky fools standing on outside the hall. That was all it took for their cohesiveness to crumble as they looked around full of fear from not knowing how many were attacking them or who was attacking them or where they were attacking from.

By the time they had finally found me I was upon them dual-wielding my 2 handed bastard sword called Helfir in my right hand and my trusty seax named Nelfheim in my left. I cut through the rest like cutting cake shout out ol' Selmy after I finished them only two were left. Scallion my uncle's man and a young Dane I didn't ask him his name I told him after he watched what I would do to Scallion to leave a message for my uncle he would be free to go all I asked of him was to spread the truth of what happened here tonight and let everyone know the fates of the enemies of Aethred the Bastard of BebbanBurg.

Poor boy had to watch as I drew the blood eagle on Scallion's back leaving him with his lungs stretched out from his chest to drape over his shoulders like an eagles wings. I appreciated my handiwork before turning to dig up the family's silver to return it to Ragnar the Younger once we found him. After that I found Thyra had fainted during the skirmish so I picked her up to take along with us what would one more little sister hurt anyway?

Once it was all said and done I had us start out on our path south while I told Uhtred to carry Scallion's head I had separated from his blood eagle'd corpse to our uncle at BebbanBurg to let him know we were still alive and know that one day soon we would be back to kill him slowly and as painfully as possible in the future. Hopefully that would make him lose sleep and make dumb decisions we could take advantage.

When Uhtred caught up to us we were a glorious sight looking like a small caravan making us a target but I wasn't worried I trained the children until they turned into competent enough warriors to make our trip to Wessex. Brunhilda already being pregnant with our next set of twins I prayed to the gods to let us make it to Wessex before she gave birth. Achilles my firstborn son we a beautiful little boy wise for age same as his beautiful twin sister Andromeda. They both had my eyes with their mothers long blond hair looking like little angels sent from the Christian's heaven.

Fenrir and I would lead the way in front Brunhilda and Thyra would take care of the kids in the wagon while Brida and Uhtred watched our rear with the twins Aeric and Aestan. When we would pass through small villages and market towns I would keep my eyes and ears open hearing any information of the forces around the kingdoms and what they were all up to. I also paid attention to the worth of different goods and foods and paid attention to what would sell well and where. I had an entire family to support I planned to have lands and an army to protect them every penny counts.

3 months later we had made the trip all the way from the north of Northumbria to the capital of Wessex the city of Winchester home of the King of Wessex King Aethelred who would be killed by the Danes soon and the throne would pass over his son Prince Aethelwold to his brother the future King Alfred the 'Great'.