I started Mira's training just like Lagerth's training, with the correct use of the shield, then I added the methods with which I was trained by Jacek Dydyński, long runs, pulling a sandbag, hitting the water with a wooden sword ... The training started in the morning and lasted so long, until Mira's hands started to bleed, after short rest, Mira was given another set of exercises that she had to do.
Her anger was fresh, she wanted to prove her worth at all costs, or so I thought ... She put more strength and heart into training than I used to, I didn't even have the opportunity to punish her for being lazy. In addition, she did all the household chores, or at least she tried to do them ... I was proud of her in my own way, and always thought that hard work deserves a reward.
One day, while Mira was training, I went to my workshop and made a relief of Żywia's face. Mira was surprised, but also very happy, she placed it on a table in her room... Now each day her sister's face will remind her of the oath that she made... Sometimes my kind heart surprises me.
The case of Svein's disappearance was almost unnoticed, no one liked him. When I was in Kattegat a few times and if anyone mentioned his name, I casually mentioned that I heard that he had debts and that he hardly earned any money from his farm. Then others repeated the same thing ... and the lie became true. More attention was paid to the disappearance of a prostitute, she also had a small child ... Life can be difficult. Months passed, Lagertha came to my house almost every day, and apart from helping me at home, she also began to participate in Mira's training as her partner during sparring. Life was good, but monotonous and I wasn't going to change that.
It's March of the following year, and all the adult residents of Kattegat and the surrounding area have gathered at Jarl's house to discuss the upcoming raid season. As an adult male and local resident, I also attended this meeting, but I was not interested in participating in these raids. As always, settlements on the eastern Baltic coast were targeted. Since the last attacks of a year ago, these settlements haven't gotten richer or more populated ... One homeless, trying to steal a beer can from another, that's how it was and although it was not logical, everyone got used to it. The longships were Jarl's property, and he decided the direction of the raids and ship crews. Only sixteen years from now, Ragnar will be the first who to sail west and he will succeed.
After the meeting ended, I met with Ragnar, Floki and the rest of the gang and we went out for a beer, they were too young to attend the meeting, but were very curious about it.
- Ulf, what did they decide?
- The same as a year ago and a year earlier. We go, attack and rob the poor, hoping that this time we will get rich.
- Ulf, but it has always been like that, our fathers also used to go raids, we have to get better somehow. Our land is not that good and fertile.
- Ragnar, only a fool or a madman does the same thing all the time and expects different results. Sometimes you have to take a risk, like send ships to the west and try our luck there.
- Nobody has done that yet.
- But someone has to be the first.
I focused on drinking my beer and the gang discussed what I said. Ragnar and Floki were dreamers, the prospect of being the first and perhaps the rich had captured their imaginations. After a few moments, Rollo sat with us, but I didn't listen to them anymore, my attention was focused on Siggy, who was now in her third pregnancy ... first she gave birth to two sons, now she should give birth to a daughter ... I have to admit that she looked amazing ... I had my strange preferences for pregnant women, milfs and breastmilk ... and a few others. Unfortunately, in those days, most MILFs weren't attractive... My contemplation was brutally interrupted by Rollo's voice.
- Ulf, you have such a beautiful fiancée, but you keep your eyes on Siggy. What would Lagertha think?
- Rollo, I don't know, but you can ask her ... I look at Siggy because she has a beautiful dress and I think to make a gift for my fiancée... and Rollo, sometimes it's better to keep an eye on your own affairs, and not get involved in someone else's. Not everyone is as understanding as I am.
I remember from the show that Rollo had an affair with Lagertha while she was still Ragnar's wife, there was even a situation that Rollo confessed to Bjorn that he was his father. Despite my presence and the changes that I caused, Rollo still had some feelings for my future wife ... and what's worse Lagertha from the series was not an angel, she cheated on her husband, she had several partners including women ... I will have to keep an eye on her... if she will have an affair with a woman, I will even literally keep an eye on her.
But another man ... this is unacceptable. I would have to kill him after that, his brothers and sisters, parents, neighbors and it's not a metaphor ... that's exactly what I would do.
I finished drinking my beer, said goodbye to the company and headed home. I gave Raganr and Floki the idea of going west, which will now sprout in their minds, but unfortunately the idea that my wife might betray me will sprout in my mind. When I got home, I called Mira.
- Mira, when I'm not home, pay attention to whether Lagertha is behaving differently, now and in the future, but do it discreetly.
I may be acting paranoid, but paranoid people can also have enemies.