073

Me, Floki, Ragnar, Rollo, One-Eyed Arne, Torstein, Tostig and a monk went to meet the King ...

- Ulf, why are we taking this priest with us, you know their language.

- Floki, I know Latin, and the language of this kingdom very little ... and second, they don't need to know we understand them. Let them think of us as stupid barbarians.

- Ulf, I don't trust this priest ... he had to be killed.

- If he betrays us, he will die, but if he is still useful, he will live.

Bamburgh and the surroundings of the castle resembled a typical medieval village ... wooden houses, animals walking freely in the alleys ... though they were more like mud roads, dirt and stench. The castle and the surrounding wall were made of stone and gave the impression of being solid.

We rode our horses through the gate, Ealdorman Edgar greeted us and asked us to get off the horses. The news of our deeds and arrival reached the locals who began to gather to see us.

Stern faces of the inhabitants, hostility in the eyes, several men spat in our direction, Ealdorman Edgar noticed this and, not wanting to escalate the conflict and arouse our dislike, ordered the guards to punish these men... I had to look away, I don't like to see people beaten up... if someone else beats them.

Then we were led to the castle, the torches in the corridors gave little light, there was a red carpet on the floor ... every few meters there was an armed guard. In the throne room, fortunately, there were many more candles, King Aelle was sitting on his throne, two armed men and a bishop stood next to him. There were also a dozen other men in the room ... I suspected that they were local nobles or court officials.

Ealdorman Edgar stepped into the center of the room.

- Lord, this man is Ulf Erikson and his men. They are accompanied by a monk they have captured, he knows their speech.

- Yes ... Ulf Erikson heard that name before. We are glad you decided to talk to us.

Athelstan translated each word. The king looked at me with open hate in his eyes, and I looked at him with a certain amusement ... Only Ealdorman Edgar broke the sinister silence.

- Lord, perhaps you should invite them to a feast.

-... Forgive me ... let us feast together, and then we'll talk.

We were led to the tables where food was waiting. The king went to bring his family.

- This table is very well made (Floki)

- So are their women (Torstein)

- giggle (Floki)

Suddenly everyone stood up and the king entered the hall ...

- Ulf Erikson, let me introduce you to my wife Ealhswith, my son Ecgberht and my daughter Judith.

Floki scared his son off with his goofy behavior, One-Eyed Arne wanted to give him a beer to drink, and the rest of my men didn't even look at the King and his family, but only ate ... I was proud of them. They didn't have to pretend to be barbarians, they were.

I didn't pay attention to the children, but the Queen was definitely my type ... well, no big breasts, but ... my penis acted like a gentleman, got up so she could sit ... I had Athelstan translate my words to the Queen.

- I see that the King keeps the most beautiful treasures in the castle, maybe after the feast the Lady will show me ... the surroundings and more.

My words made my people laugh, the king looked angry, and the queen embarrassed.

More food was brought into the hall, my people pounced on it like hungry wolves, the bishop got up and began to pray, and with him the rest of the Christians. A few monks started singing ... which surprised my people. They had never heard this kind of music before. When they finished, the king's men began to eat.

- What horrible noises. (One-Eyed Arne)

- They are weird. (Tostig)

Floki and One-Eye started looking at the pottery dishes ... Floki sniffed them, bite and then smash them on the table, Arne smashed the plate against his head, others started doing the same. Everyone looked at us as if we were savages.

I gave the sign of Athelstan to translate my words.

- King, why don't we talk?

-... Well ... What do you want in return for my brother's release and my Kingdom?

- I, personally, would be satisfied with your wife, King, but I must think of my men ... two thousand pounds in gold and silver.

The hall was up and down, people were looking in our direction.

- Can you repeat it, I don't think I heard ...

- Three thousand pounds in gold and silver ... or two thousand and your wife.

I sat back down and began to eat. The castle guards started to approach us.

- Your Majesty, get your dogs on a leash. There are not many of us ... but ...

I grabbed the knife from the table and threw it at the bishop, the blade digging into the back of the chair a few inches from his head.

-... personally I prefer smaller targets ... like a baby's head.

King Aelle was no fool and understood my threat, "We may perish but your heir too." He restrained his guard with a gesture of his hand.

- I agree, Ulf Erikson, but first I want you to free my brother ...

- King, there will be gold, there will be a brother ... there will be no gold, there will be no brother.

- You must give me time to accumulate this amount of gold and silver.

- I agree, King.

- Ulf Erikson, until I collect the ransom, your men must stay in the camp and cannot attack my subjects.

- It's fair. You have my word.

Suddenly a man rose from the table.

- Lord, are we to take the word of the heathen?

After a short while and consultation with the bishop.

- Ulf Erikson, we have one more condition. One of you has to get baptized.

The monk translated the words of the King to my people, which caused a burst of laughter ... after a while, Rollo got up from the table and said.

- I'll be Christian.