Old Friends

Ragnar lunged at his guest and tackled him to the ground right before cackling like a madman.

The man was Hagen, it has been months since Ragnar saw him and he was excited.

"You let your guard down!" Ragnar teased the man he was on top but Hagen just took a sigh.

"You never change, Ragnar," Hagen muttered with a smile. The voice was familiar, prompting both Bjorn and Tyr to run outside to see just what was happening with their father and Hagen.

But all they saw was Ragnar pinning Hagen to the ground and this drew suspicious stares from both boys but Ragnar did not care.

"Boys, come greet Hagen," Ragnar called, motioning them over. The boys eagerly piled onto Hagen, nearly suffocating him in their enthusiasm. Ragnar chuckled before pulling his sons off, shaking his head at their boundless energy.

"What brings you here, Hagen?" These words escaped the lips of Ragnar but his eyes were fixed on his children, who were trying to cause trouble for Hagen. The sons of Ragnar had forgotten about their request but it did not matter because they had gotten what they wanted already.

Hagen pushed himself up and dusted off his clothes. "I'm here to discuss something important, Ragnar," he said, his tone suddenly serious. Recognizing the gravity of his friend's words, Ragnar instructed the boys to go inside. He and Hagen took seats outside to talk privately.

"What is it, my friend?" Ragnar started off the conversation with a question, and Hagen's face turned serious.

 "It's about the expedition. I want to know more about it."

Ragnar hesitated but eventually relented, trusting Hagen enough to share sensitive information.

"King Askild's ambitions extend beyond Kattegat. He wants Norway. Little by little, he plans to absorb the neighboring kingdoms." Ragnar informed Hagen of the plan of Askild, and Hagen did not look surprised at all.

"Norway? That's an audacious plan. If one kingdom falls, the others will unite against Kattegat. I don't care how strong Askild is; he can't survive a war like that," Hagen responded, he knew that this was not some simple expedition as Ragnar had been saying.

"We follow our king, if his ambitions damn us all to our death then we shall feast with Odin but it is not in our place to question his decision. Kattegat has only stood this long because we follow the decisions of our Kings." Ragnar responded in a firm tone but Hagen did not look happy with his response.

It was almost like he had become yet another loyal lapdog to King Askild but saying anything other than that could be considered treason and as such, Hagen played along.

"You are right! Enough of that, have you decided to make your sons men?" Hagen quickly changed the topic because he did not want to let his true thoughts slip through.

"Make them men? They've shown no interest in women," Ragnar joked, snickering at his own comment.

"That's not what I mean, Ragnar. Your boys are ready for battle," Hagen clarified.

Ragnar nodded in agreement, pride swelling in his chest. "You're right. That's why I'm taking them on this expedition. Those boys will become great warriors. Kattegat's future is in good hands."

"Have they earned their arm rings yet?" Hagen asked, genuinely curious.

"Not yet. I just decided to bring them along. King Askild is preoccupied with King Asmund right now, so it'll have to wait," Ragnar replied, his tone filled with determination as the two friends continued their discussion.

-

Ulf answered the door but what he saw before him was Erik the berserker. He immediately put his head outside to see if anyone followed him but from what he could see, no one did.

He then dragged the giant into his house, with little to no resistance from Erik.

"What the hell are you doing here, Erik?" Ulf demanded, his voice rising.

Erik simply smiled, his eyes scanning the modest home. "I'm starving! Got anything to eat?" Erik asked nonchalantly.

Ulf groaned inwardly. It was Erik, after all a man whose actions were dictated entirely by his whims. Knowing he couldn't win against Erik in a fight, Ulf decided it was best to keep him calm.

"Fine, I am coming. Do not move!" Ulf warned as he went to retrieve something for him to eat.

He got some bread and ale for Erik, which he devoured with the enthusiasm of a caveman. This was befitting of his appearance but why was he here? This was what Ulf was about to find out.

"This is delicious!" Erik exclaimed, crumbs falling from his mouth.

"It's just bread and beer. It's not that good," Ulf muttered, taking a seat across from Erik. "What do you want, Erik?"

"Why am I here? I want you to return the favor you owe me, little man." The voice in which Erik conveyed this message was anything but friendly but Ulf knew this day would come.

"What do you want?" Ulf asked him but Erik was once again too distracted with the bread in his hand.

"I almost forgot what food tasted like, Ulf!" Erik said, gulping down the full cup of ale in front of him before slamming it into the table but the force he used broke the cup.

"I want you to talk to your brother, I want to join his expedition, Ulf!" Erik declared, his voice booming like a prophet delivering a sermon and judging by Ulf's face, he was not a fan of this idea.

"You are far too unpredictable to be on a battlefield, this is not just about rampaging, Erik," Ulf responded but it did not matter what he said, he owed Erik one for saving his life back in the day.