051

I woke up in the morning, got dressed and went downstairs. Lagertha was already hanging around the kitchen with Mira and Itta. I walked over to my wife, grabbed her by the waist and started to touch her breast. Mira looked at me irritably.

-🤚👉👌👆🤫👂😴

- It's in my own house, in my own kitchen, I can't touch my wife ... and we still have to be quiet at night because you can't sleep.

Mira amused me by complaining that we are too loud and that if we want to have sex, it is not in the kitchen but in our room. I patted Mira's head and asked Lagertha.

- And what about the priest?

- Mira took him to the forest and killed him. Although I still don't know why you wanted it so much.

- My dear wife, most of the slaves are farmers or artisans. Even if someone learns their language, it won't do much for him. However, the priest is an educated man who knows the world, and it would be bad if anyone except me had this knowledge ... and the dead do not reveal secrets... I'm going to Jarl's house to collect my share of the raid loot, and I'll eat it when I get back.

- Be careful my love, Jarl might be planning something. He certainly did not forgive you for that insult and Knut's death.

- I hope he does. If he doesn't do something, I'll be disappointed... Look in the chest later, I left something there for you.

Before leaving, I smacked my wife's ass, went to the chest and took two knives from it, which I hid in my clothes. I had my hatchet by my side, but the knives were for unexpected occasions... and I put inside chest the golden brooch I had brought from the raid. She will have a surprise.

Slowly, it took me almost an hour to reach Kattegat. In the settlement, I met several people from my crew, including the one-eyed Arne, Leif and Ragnar. They were also going to Jarl's house, though only out of curiosity. They were not entitled to anything of the loot.

- Let us thank the Gods for a successful raid and let us drink for the health of the fallen comrades who are now feasting in the Hall of the Gods. Skål !!!...

Everyone gathered raised cups or horns and drank a toast.

- ... The time has come to divide the acquired goods among us. As the ships were mine, I also provided supplies for the expedition and I also know that the raid was not difficult or dangerous ... So it would be fair if I let you take one thing.

There were voices of opposition and that this is not fair ...

- You are lucky that I let you take one thing ... you can not complain because you will be richer than you are now.

I expected a similar turn of events, but this dispute did not concern me yet. I went to the center of the room.

- Before this loot is split, I'd like to get my share back. By agreement, a tenth of everything is mine. I don't think Jarl Haradlson will back down on his promise, I'm right?

- Ulf, the deal was that you would lead my boats to a raid and lead them to settlements worth attacking ... but as far as I know, you brought a lot of wealth on your ship, and now you want even more of my ... you are greedy Ulf. Just like others, you can choose one thing...

- I'm not like the others. If others want to be treated like slaves, it is their will and their lives. Perhaps tomorrow you will want someone else's land or a wife and your slave will not oppose you ... My crew was given two-thirds of the total loot to share, although I only had one ship. You had eight ships, and you feed people with crumbs from your table, eating yourself to your heart's content and I am greedy?

I saw Olafur giving the signal with his hand and after a while twenty warriors enter Jarl's house ... well, the more witnesses the better. I went to the pile of looted goods.

- One thing?

I began to look at the pile and chose a candlestick, a meter long and 5 cm thick, made of metal. I took it in both hands, a golden glow appeared on them. Using all my strength, I bent it first and then broke it. I threw both pieces in front of Jarl.

- Keep it ... it will be one of the treasures you will take with you to Valhalla. Your breaking the word and the agreement between us and treating me like a slave ... I treat as a personal insult and I challenge you to a duel in the presence of all these people. I hope you keep some honor and don't send more people to burn my house at night.

I challenged him and had a lot of witnesses, so Jarl can't publicly hurt me. I also talked about the night attack and the attempt to set fire to the house, so if anything happened to me, he would be the first suspect.

Without looking back, I left his house, and a large part of the people followed me. I summoned Leif, Ragnar, and the one-eyed Arne.

- First listen, if you talk to someone about this event, you can assure them that all the loot from this raid will go to them. I'm not taking even a pound of rags for myself. Of course if I win.

- Ulf, do you want to be Jarl?

- Three of you were with me on two raids, you earned more than a few years of expeditions to the east, I did not deceive you in the division and I may say it immodestly, but in Kattegat and the surrounding area there is no one stronger... If you follow me, glory, wealth and perhaps death in battle await you ... but in a thousand years, people will read and talk about our accomplishments. We will be immortal.