historical

The blood on the floor was revealed to be that of Bjorn, Brynjar had stabbed him right through his torso. It was a clean stab through his stomach.

Tyr's face went numb but his brother did something that surprised him, he had no intentions of attacking Brynjar but Brynjar doing this eliminated the rule of the duel allowing Bjorn to get involved.

Bjorn grabbed his wrist with both hands, and he could see the calm look on Brynjar's face crack.

"D-DO IT NOW BROTHER! I WILL GLADLY DIE HERE IF IT MEANS KATTEGAT STANDS FOR EVEN ANOTHER SECOND!" Bjorn screamed and Tyr, who had tears in his eyes, ran towards Brynjar with such speed that it looked almost blinding.

It was a lot faster than his previous attack, and Brynjar struggled in vain to break free from Bjorn's grip. Bjorn knew this might be his last act and wanted it to be a fruitful one.

Tyr swung his ax in a bid to take off Brynjar's head but Brynjar sacrificed his broken arm to act as a defense, watching the ax dig into his arm but this was the reason why Tyr used two axes.

Brynjar was more desperate in his attempt to break free but Bjorn did not flinch.

And this allowed Tyr to deliver the fatal blow, the flight of his assault sliced his head into half vertically, starting from his jawline.

Brynjar fell dead and the place fell silent as Bjorn fell as well but he was not dead.

Everyone could not believe what just happened, Bjorn had selflessly given his life to protect Kattegat and the sons of Ragnar had taken down someone as strong as Brynjar.

Tyr wept with his tears trickling down Bjorn's face.

"I-It feels like you are peeing on me.." Bjorn said, cracking a joke and despite their dire situation, Tyr laughed.

"So much for being called Bjorn Ironside, you are not invulnerable to swords, my stupid brother," Tyr teased and Bjorn chuckled in response. Tyr did not know how to process this but for some reason, he just knew that his brother would be okay and he was right.

It had triggered a change of heart in those that had turned their blade against the sons of Ragnar, Bjorn's act was not in vain.

A man moved forward, applying pressure on Bjorn's wound, instructing the men around him to get him a cloth so he could stop the bleeding. Luckily, Brynjar's sword did not hit a vital organ but it would not matter if Bjorn bled out. Tyr was surprisingly calm and watched as they somehow swayed these men back to their side, increasing their fighting chance.

Herfj?tur and the others were safe, the smoke had knocked them out and Bjorn could somehow snatch them from those that had carried them mainly thanks to the element of surprise, waiting until they were outside to do so.

This was done swiftly as only seven men were carrying them as they had slipped through the backdoor, with the rest of the forces regrouping with those watching the fight with Tyr.

"Tyr Ragnarsson..." A man called and Tyr looked in his direction but he did not see anyone, he had to look down to see a man on one knee but he was not the only one.

They had their sword in their hands, outstretched like they were offering them to him but they were in a metaphorical sense.

"W-What is going on!? Go help my brother, you dimwits!" Tyr said. He did not have time for whatever this was.

"Tyr Ragnarsson, we offer you our sword and strength," The man reiterated and Tyr's jaw dropped literally, he was known as a kingslayer and that title gave him a certain level of prestige even in Kattegat but this was a big surprise to him and he did not know what to say or how to process this.

Because Tyr at this moment, had his own unit.

-

Birger was an expert in manipulation and he had somehow gotten into Lagertha's mind even though she was not swayed 100%, she still doubted his story but the name Erik seemed to be her kryptonite. Liv was quiet, it was more accurate to say she was unconscious and the moment she regained consciousness, she began to struggle.

Lagertha snapped back to reality and decided to ask the important question.

"What do you plan to do with Queen Liv?" Lagertha asked in a gentle tone, she knew that Birger had all the cards and talking calmly was the best course of action even though she hated the man before her as much as she did Erik but of course, Birger was not aware of this fact as Lagertha was a splendid actress.

"Liv.. I have a lot of things I plan to do but I do not want to bother you with the details," Birger said casually, one would think he just wanted to talk to her but Birger's plan was worse than death.

"What do you plan to do with Kattegat?" Lagertha quickly changed the subject, sweeping the conversation under the carpet. Birger's face turned cold the moment she asked this, a strange reaction considering how fluid their conversation was until now.

Birger put her gag back on, and Lagertha was left puzzled by this drastic reaction.

"Lagertha, I want you to watch. I want you to see what the man you serve does to his citizens for having a will of their own... If you close your eyes, I will bring in four more men making it worse for your friend here." Birger said, clapping his hands as four bulky men walked in.

Liv looked in horror because she had an idea of what was about to happen.

She was about to be violated, and she could not take her life because of the gag in her mouth.

Lagertha was about to see her trauma reenacted on another person and the thought alone was heartbreaking but there was nothing she could do at this moment.

"Now then ladies, shall we begin?" Birger said with a sickening smile as the four men took their position around the bed.