126

Our journey back to Jorvik was quite enjoyable, the wind filled our sails, the ship swayed gently in the waves ... but nothing lasts forever, less than two weeks later we were in England.

We started unloading the slaves and the looted goods when Trygve showed up in the harbor.

- Lord, a messenger from King Ecbert arrived a few days ago and waited all the time for your return. (Trygve)

- Then lead me to him. Don't you know if Leif notified King Offa of the planned Wessex attack? (Ulf)

- I know that he sent merchants, but I don't know if they succeeded. (Trygve)

I went to Leif's quarters, and Trygve went to fetch the royal envoy ... The messenger turned out to be Ealdorman Eadric, after the usual greetings and all the boring diplomatic ceremonies, we started talking about the plans for the attack.

- So what is King Ecbert proposing? (Ulf)

- Lord, as you wanted our troops will attack the Kingdom of Mercia first, and then your troops will enter ... (Ealdorman Eadric)

- It's good news, as King Offa's forces prepare to fight you, we'll hit him from behind. How soon could Wessex troops be near Tamworth? (Ulf)

- As soon as we have London, then we'll go north... (Ealdorman Eadric)

- London? Why do you want to attack London first? This will only extend the war unnecessarily. If we imprison or kill King Offa, the entire Kingdom of Mercia will surrender. (Ulf)

- King Ecbert considers London to be strategically important ... (Ealdorman Eadric)

- Important? We conquered this city last year, there is not much left in it ... only a shell remains of old London. Even if people and trade returned there, you can still get it after defeating King Offa. (Ulf)

- This is King Ecbert's decision, we attack London, then you attack from the north. We'll join your army in two or three weeks. (Ealdorman Eadric)

- We are supposed to fight the entire army of Mercia alone, and after two weeks you will join us? Do we look like fools to you? King Offa will not come to the aid of London ... he will not risk one city when the entire kingdom is at stake. (Ulf)

- As I said, the decision of King Ecbert ... Your son is doing quite well, although when I left I heard that the guard you left was seriously ill ... let it not be contagious. (Ealdorman Eadric)

- Are you threatening me? Remember where you are ... it's Jorvik, not Wessex. (Ulf)

- Your son... (Ealdorman Eadric)

- Even if I kill you, King Ecbert will do nothing. Maybe he will be displeased, but he will sacrifice one man in return for an army. (Ulf)

- King Ecbert ... (Ealdorman Eadric)

Moments later, Ealdorman Eadric was already unconscious on the floor. He thought he had the trump card but it turned out to be a bad bluff. I looked at Leif.

- What do you want to do with him? (Leif)

- I want to teach him respect. Let our men tie him to a tree and throw twenty lashes on his back and twenty on his legs, but he must survive. Then sprinkle salt or salted water on his wounds. (Ulf)

- You think it will teach him respect? (Leif)

- Maybe, but the more important thing is that he will return to Wessex and, like a good dog, he will whine at his master's feet for justice. Ecbert will find out that I reacted emotionally to the threat to my son's life ... (Ulf)

- You want to convince him that this kid is worth something? (Leif)

- I want to see Ecbert's face when he thinks he has a precious stone in his hand, and it turns out to be just a lump of mud. I just feel sorry for Tostig. (Ulf)

- They killed him? (Leif)

- You heard that he got seriously ill ... maybe it's true, or maybe they poisoned him ... no matter how, but I think he's dead or will die soon. (Ulf)

I picked up the cup and drank it for his death, as did Leif.

- What are we doing with the attack on the Kingdom of Mercia? Ecbert wants us to kill each other and then he'll come and grab everything. (Leif)

- What would you do, if you were me? (Ulf)

- I'm not you. Since the first raid, when we sailed west, I am with you and that will not change. (Leif)

I had to think about my next steps ... I knew from the beginning that you couldn't trust Ecbert ... I can join forces with King Offa and defeat Wessex together, but I wasn't convinced of it. I needed to relax to think calmly.

I left the room, called a few people and ordered them to take the unconscious messenger ... He was tied in the courtyard to a wooden pole. His clothes were torn off, a leather whip was soaked in salted water ... the first blow brought him back to consciousness. A scream of pain and terror escaped his throat ... second, third, fourth ... his back was covered in blood. It's been a long time since I heard anyone begging for mercy. Tears were running down his cheeks ... that was what I needed to relax.

- I know what we're gonna do. (Ulf)

- You have a plan? (Leif)

- Something like that. We'll send twenty ships south when Ecbert goes with his army to London. We will attack Winchester. If we're lucky, we might take his son prisoner. (Ulf)

- What about the attack on the Kingdom of Mercia? (Leif)

- Of course we will attack, but since Ecbert is attacking London, not Tamworth. We can also attack other cities and settlements. (Ulf)

Our conversation was interrupted by the soldier who whipped the messenger.

- Lord, seventeen blows of the whip on the back, the prisoner may not survive the next. (Soldier)

- Sprinkle his back with salted water, then see if you can whip his legs ... or pour boiling water over his testicles. Leif what's gonna be funnier? (Ulf)