A few hours prior, Bjorn was seen walking around Kattegat with Viggo trailing behind him like a dog.
Ragnar was here yet Bjorn was dealing with some shady person instead of spending time with his father.
It was a bit strange but he understood Bjorn's obsession with Signy because he thought it would lead him to his brother.
"I need to see King Askild," Bjorn blurted out, Viggo was surprised that he was actually giving him the time of day as Bjorn was rarely vocal with what was going on in his mind.
"Are you sure that is a wise choice? It is King Askild we are talking about…" Viggo said, Askild's reputation as a cruel King had somewhat changed after he showed "mercy" to Tyr Ragnarsson and forgave the Vikings that revolted against him but Viggo could feel it in his bones that Askild had gotten even more dangerous.
Evil is less evil when it can be perceived but now, Askild had learned to conceal that evil.
Bjorn was within sight of the throne room and he saw the men his father came with. They were five men and they all looked strong.
The moment their eyes settled on Bjorn, they began walking his way and Viggo immediately stood in front of his Commander in case of any potential threat.
"I did not mean to put you on guard…" A man approximately the same age as his father had said upon seeing Viggo's reaction to them approaching.
Bjorn walked past Viggo to see the men that had approached him in all their glory and a show of respect.
"Forgive his manners, what can I do for you?" Bjorn asked, had Viggo just smiled as his body loosened up?
"Forgive me saying, but you look just like your father, and to think a sixteen-year-old looks this intimidating, the gods really took their time creating you," The man joked, he had a softer face than Ragnar but a lot more wrinkles, this was what gave away his age but there was nothing special about his other features except his golden eyes, it felt like one was looking right at the sun.
"I would be frightened if I looked like my father! I look a lot more like my mom, the shield maiden Lagerha," Bjorn joked, and the men had a light laughter but Viggo stood there, with a creepy smile plastered across his face.
"This one… He is a good actor…" Viggo thought to himself as he focused on the man that was speaking to Bjorn. The man was approximately the same height as Bjorn but he had more of a presence than the younger warrior.
"What is your name?" Bjorn asked him, Bjorn did not need to introduce himself seeing as his reputation preceded him.
"I go by the name Gudleif," Gudleif said and Bjorn acknowledged this before nodding, effectively ending the conversation as he had no intention of wasting time with these people.
He understood why they wanted to meet him in person being the son of Ragnar and all that, that was the singular reason he granted them an audience.
Bjorn walked away but Viggo stared Gudleif down, Gudleif did not look away as he did not know what was going on. Not until Viggo whispered into his ear.
"If you ever think about harming him, I will kill you…" Viggo said and Gudleif's polite face soon contorted into something nothing short of repulsive but he did not say anything in response to what Viggo had said, watching the man follow after his Commander.
The other four standing behind him did not see Gudleif's face nor hear what Viggo whispered into his ear but it was unknown if Viggo actually sensed any ill intent from him or he just wanted to stir up trouble.
-
Bjorn had walked into the throne room and he saw King Askild and his wife, Liv beside him.
Liv was rarely in the same room with Askild, and it was rare seeing her beside Askild in the throne room ever since the day her father died but everyone thought she was simply grief-stricken.
Bjorn immediately got on one knee, a gesture that remained despite the supposed change in Askild.
"What brings Bjorn Ragnarsson here?" King Askild questioned, he was surprised that Bjorn was here when his father was in Kattegat.
One would think he would want to spend as much as he could before Ragnar returned to Vestfold even though they were allied now and he could visit Ragnar there if he wanted to.
"My king, I apologize for my tardiness but I request a favor…" Bjorn's voice was unwavering, Askild was surprised and assumed this favor had to do with his father.
"Go ahead," King Askild permitted him to continue with his request.
"King Askild, do you trust me?" Bjorn asked out of the blue and this surprised Askild because most people did not care if he trusted them or not as long as they were recipients of his grace.
"That is a strange question… Have you done anything to betray my trust?" Askild asked, trying to play a little mind game with the younger warrior but Bjorn was not about to take the bait.
"I want Signy's head, my king but I have a feeling he will lead me to something I seek the most in this life…" Bjorn was cryptic with his words and Askild naturally requested for him to clarify what he meant.
"What do you mean by something?" Askild asked but Bjorn had no intentions of telling him what.
"I need you to trust me, My King…" Bjorn said and Askild found that this might be an opportunity to make Bjorn indebted to him because a conflict of loyalty was sure to ensue with the presence of Ragnar Lothbrok.
But Askild was no dullard, he knew it was about his brother as Bjorn was not the only one that had information regarding him.
Askild knew that no matter what, he could not let Tyr return and he might just have the answer to that dilemma.
Askild could sense the hatred in Bjorn's voice, he knew that Bjorn's target was not Signy, it was Tyr.
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