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(Jarl / Siggy POV)

- Why did you do this, you couldn't wait and kill him quietly?

- Siggy, I did not challenge Ulf to a duel, he challenges me. I was supposed to show that I'm afraid of him? Once we tried to kill him discreetly and he delivered the heads of these people to us.

- No, you were supposed to pay Ulf one tenth of goods and slaves, you already know the way west. Next year you wouldn't need Ulf during the raids... and now you can die ... you have not thought what will happen to me then.

- If I die, it was the will of the Gods ... I will see our beautiful sons again and you my wife, will come with me to the Hall of the gods ...

- And our daughter? What about Thyri?

- She will be safe, in case of my death, Olafur is to take Thyri to my friend Bjarni who is Jarl of Svealand.

(End POV)

The duel was due in three days, but I didn't care about the outcome. Of course I can lose and die, I'm not immortal, but Jarl's chances aren't great. To pass the time and for relaxation, I decided to go hunting and work on one project in the forge.

As soon as I got to the clearing where my dugout was located, the weather changed immediately ... but I ruled out the presence of Weles because time did not stop, the only logical possibility remained that it was Wiła's doing... I could go to the forge first, and now have an afternoon with a crazy supernatural being.

- (giggle) ... Ulf you came to dance with me? ... your last time? ... you want my body?

- I didn't come to dance, or anything else ... say what you want or leave me alone.

- My full breasts ... slim waist ... milky white skin ... so pleasant to the touch ... touch me ... feel me ... taste me ... fill me (giggle)

- You are dead and I am not a necrophile ... although they say that necrophilia is a triumph of love over death... but I don't like cold women ... what do you want Żywia? You've been buried, I killed your husband, and Mira is safe ... nothing keeps you here anymore.

For a moment in Wiła's eyes there was a sign of common sense and intelligence, but after a while she returned to her crazy nature... I stopped paying attention to her behavior and returned to the my planned hunting. Unfortunately, after a few moments she was with me again.

-... say what you want, your charms don't work on me ... neither feminine nor magical.

It was as if the two personalities or the two minds were fighting with each other, once the personality of Żywia was in dominance, once that of Wiła, but never long enough for me to know exactly what she wants ... the only thing that the consciousness of Żywia has conveyed... was name... Olafur.

It's not hard to guess that she wants something from Olafur, the easiest way is to bring him and leave him to her ... and she will do whatever she wants.

I decided to go home and work on a project in my father's forge... The three days passed quickly, especially if they are spent smelting gold, silver, copper and tin.

Lagetrha accompanied me on the way to Kattegat, on the way we were joined by Leif, Erik and Elisef, Leif's mother and Erik's wife.

In Kattegat, I met all my crew members, hundreds of people, and whole families. Everyone came to see our duel ... each of them hoped to see an interesting show.

Lawspeker stepped out into the middle of the square.

- This is a personal duel. I will be fought until the death of one of the participants. Each side has two shields at their disposal, when one is destroyed, they can ask for the other. If both are destroyed, there is no more replacement. Either side can choose any weapon. Jarl Haraldson, without an heir, if you lose, Ulf Erickson can claim Jarl's position and everything you own. Ulf Erickson, if you lose everything you have, it will be Jarl Haraldson's property. This is the law.

Then a priest approached each of us and dipped the twigs of the tree in blood and sprinkled it on our faces.

I felt a strange pleasure when I felt the droplets of blood on my face ... maybe because it wasn't my blood.

Lefi handed me the shield, as did Olafur for Jarl. I threw my first shield to the ground, which, judging by the sounds, pleased the crowd. Jarl did the same, but the effects were worse ... a copycat. Leif handed me my second shield ... now it's time to start.

I wasn't going to play, a golden glow appeared on my hands ... and I attacked first. I hit with all my might and smashed Jarl's second shield. I wanted to show who of us is stronger and impose my rhythm and rules from the very beginning of the fight.

The force of the blow knocked Jarl to the ground, but I let him get up.

Then I let Jarl go to attack, he delivered a few weak blows with the sword, this way he wanted to test my defense, but I took all his hits on the shield. His next blow was stronger and that was what I was counting on, his sword hit the edge of the shield, but instead of bouncing back, the blade stuck in the wood.

I tilted my shield to the side and struck my sword against his, the force was so great that his sword cracked and mine bent.

Jarl was unarmed. I tossed my shield aside and straightened the blade in my hands ... started walking towards him.

- Ulf ...

Before he could utter any more words, I stabbed my sword into his stomach and, to be sure, I dragged the blade to the right, cutting several important organs.

Jarl's body fell to the ground, and I leaned over him and put my sword in his hand.

I didn't care if he made it to the Hall of the Gods or not. It was more about a show for the audience ... I showed bravado, showed strength and showed respect for the opponent. Suddenly I heard a scream.

- Kill him, kill him ...

It was Olafur who shouted to people to kill me.

Erik grabbed the ax and started walking towards Olafur.

- Erik, I want him alive.

At the same moment Siggy ran up to her husband's body, put her hand on his head and began to say something in his ear ... all I heard was Jarl's last words "My beautiful sons ..."

Siggy looked around the crowd and saw that one-eyed Arne had a hand on her daughter's shoulder ... Good thing I thought about such a safeguard beforehand, a subtle suggestion sometimes works better than an open threat.

Siggy knelt down before me.

- Hail Jarl Ulf! Hail Jarl Ulf !!!

Only after her second shout, the assembled people began to kneel and repeat after her.

HAIL JARL ULF !!! HAIL JARL ULF !!!