Vol. 1 Chapter 7 - The Bastard of BebbanBurg’s Big Debut

Lands of East Anglia, Church of Eoforwich

/pov Ubba/

This statue of the Christian's dead god being crucified on a cross confuses me.. Christian's.. they confuse me.. "Guthrum do you feel that..? By the all-father this statue keeps staring at me.. I don't like it Guthrum." I was feeling uncomfortable after watching the weak king die from the arrows piercing though his gaunt weak body.. "Storri! Someone find Storri NOW!" I yelled.

Guthrum was awfully quiet since the king died he finally spoke "No more waiting for signs that may never come Ubba we must attack soon the men grow restless staying here does us more harm than good."

"I know Guthrum let Storri throw the runes one more time we will decide then. Glory will be ours and all the wealth we could want trust me my friend I can feel it." I tried to reassure myself best I could.

I hear steps coming from outside the church as the doors fling open to reveal one of the largest warriors I've ever seen I could see death in those miscolored eyes staring at Guthrum and me and the men. Before we could react the man pulled 3 throwing knives from the front of his leather vest with dark metal chainmail peeking out of the gaps of his armor the knives thrown one handed by this warrior flew and split to penetrate the throats of the 3 soldiers Guthrum and I had in the hall we immediately ready our stance with my axe and Guthrum's sword now drawn I gulped wondering if this would be my final battle before Valhalla.. Before we could take Wessex and taste true glory.. no it can't be.. not yet.

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/pov Guthrum/

What the fuck just happened one second I'm contemplating this so called god that supposedly was hung on a cross by nails stabbed through his limbs for whatever reason he was.. to just hang there for days to suffer till he died.. now they worship statues of him.. for what? Dying..? I don't understand how that could make someone a god.. I would think that made it the opposite right..?Gods can't die.. right..? Anywho now it looks like I could very likely be feasting in the feast halls of Valhalla soon.. Im struggling wondering how a man could make someone feel like they were being stared at by some apex predator that would leave no chance for survival of their prey whatsoever..

I imagine this is what Odin the All-father would look like handling his enemies and going about his work day.. I should have never have came to this gods forsaken island they call Brittania.. should have just settled and went to Ireland with my kin Sygtrygh and Thorkels or fucks sake even going to Scotland or Wales would be better than coming here to die just before I could have the glory every true warrior seeks all his life no matter how long that life may be. I've only lived thirty winters.. it can't be my time yet.. All-father give me strength!

There's a pause after the last soldier's corpse hits the stone floors of the church making a sick thud sound.. I look around the church at everything.. these decorations.. these confusing and eerie paintings and sculptures of a man they call 'god' being tortured by his own people only to beg his father, who they believe created everything that ever was and ever will be by himself.. to spare his people that were busy nailing him to a cross.. haha to spare them.. thats what they say.. ridiculous something like that would take a whole half score atleast of powerful gods working together as one to do.. and they believe he could do it by himself.. the likes of these statues and paintings.. gods even these glazed windows.. the colored glass.. I've never witnessed in all my years of raiding treasures like these.. I doubt even my fathers ever seen anything like these treasures.. nor his father.. nor his father before him and so on.. Im sure of it.. 

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/pov MC/

"Greetings Earls Ubba and Guthrum.. apologies for dispatching your men to Valhalla without informing you or atleast asking your permission beforehand.. but I don't have time.. and this is important.. I don't want anyone to know I've been here besides you two and your Seer Storri.. who I have taken hostage.. don't worry Ubba he will not be killed.. do as I ask and he will even be returned to you safely.. here are his runes if you don't believe me.. I will return Storri once I have left this city's walls and am on my way back to Winchester.. you have my word on all the gods old and the new." I let that sink in for a second.

"Fine I do not want to fight you today stranger I will listen to what you have to say." Guthrum clearly the wiser of the two replied to my words. Ubba of course was of slower thinking more of brute strength so it took him a good 15 second of thinking and moving his eyes around.. they looked like they might burst they and the veins covering his entire head and neck and arms. Eventually he opened his mouth to speak, I cut him off before he could say anything with "Ubba take as much time as you need to think I know your head needs longer than most.. remember I'm not insulting you before you answer me your men had to die.. everything I do is for the gods.. your gods.. so careful how you respond to me Ubba I'll only say it once.. now you may speak".

This obviously threw him off track but he did exactly as I said and waited a solid minute before finally saying "I still feel like you are insulting me.. but agreed.. I will listen.. not that I am slow because I am not slow I am very smart.. you can ask anyone..I agreed to I will listen to what you have to say warrior not that I am slow.. remember this…"

I just look him in the eyes and smiled it must have been a creepy smile with my scars that could still be seen from my almost-slave status days growing up back north.. I don't miss those days.. anyway back to him twitching noticeably twice all over his body like he was convulsing for a moment only to hear me say "good Ubba I like you trust me I mean it.. all I need for you to do is tell Ragnar the 'Younger' son of Ragnar the 'Fearless' when you see him his brother Aehtred the 'Bastard of BebbanBurg' wants to see him.. tell him I'll be in Winchester or around there somewhere in Wessex.. whenever he is ready to see me.. you have my thanks Storri will be returning here on horseback with his hands tied.. he will need help to untie his hands but he will be fine you have my word.. I will leave now.. may you find glory in the name of our gods friends.. goodday to you both." I turned and left to meet up with my siblings and send Storri back to the earls.. of course with the branch inserted haha.. glory here I come.