Kingdom Of Vestfold

Vestfold had no intention of showing weakness. King Asmund wasn't silent because he didn't want revenge; he was silent because he was building the military strength needed to crush King Askild once and for all.

King Asmund was a wise and beloved ruler. This unprovoked transgression was not something he could overlook, as it would make his kingdom appear weak. However, he couldn't attack Kattegat recklessly. While King Askild was younger, he was no less formidable both tactically and in combat. He had earned his throne, and Asmund knew that if he wanted to strike Kattegat, he needed the support of the surrounding kings. Forming an alliance was no easy task, as these rulers despised each other, a fact Askild was counting on.

"King Asmund, the prince is here to see you," a guard announced. Asmund gestured for him to enter. The doors swung open, revealing a slim young man with narrow pale-blue eyes, short black hair, and pointed bangs falling between his eyes. A small, vertical scar adorned the right side of his mouth. He wore a typical Viking outfit without armor, accented by a black sash and fingerless gloves. He wasn't particularly tall or short.

"King Asmund, I have returned." The 16-year-old boy said and King Asmund looked at his son with great pride.

"My son, how was it?" Asmund asked, rising from his throne and approaching him..

"It was great, my king. As the heir to the throne, you can expect nothing less than excellence from me. I will uphold our name with my life," the prince declared with determination. Though just 16, he carried himself with the bearing of an adult.

"I do not see Egil Iversen, my king. Is he not in the kingdom?" Prince Signy asked. He was unaware of Egil's fate, having spent the past three years honing his swordsmanship. Asmund didn't want to sour his son's return with such grim news. He put an arm around him and kissed his cheek.

"Worry not about Egil, my son. We must celebrate your return tonight." King Asmund said but the Prince did not bite.

The man before him might be the king but he was still his father, and Asmund knew he was not the same kid he was 3 years ago.

"I am afraid Egil has been taken," Asmund admitted, gesturing for the guards to leave them..

"Taken? Who dares touch one of our own?" Signy asked. Despite his anger, his tone was calm and composed, like the still ocean before a storm.

"King Askild, the man who rules Kattegat," Asmund responded, and Prince Signy's face creased in shock.

"When was he taken, is he dead!?" Signy demanded. Asmund understood his concern seeing how close his son was with Egil but this was out of his control

He knew he could not win Askild in a confrontation and war with Kattegat would leave his kingdom vulnerable to attacks from other kingdoms

"Egil lives for now but I can not imagine him being the same after a year," Asmund said, returning to his throne and before Signy could cuss out he realized that this must hurt his father just as much as it did him and swallowed the words he was about to spew.

"I will get Egil back, even if it means challenging Askild to a duel," Signy declared.

Asmund looked at his son with disappointment. "You have not grown at all, Signy. You may leave now," King Asmund said, and Signy realized his mistake at that moment. He had let his emotions get the better of him.

King Askild had never lost a duel. His kingship had been challenged countless times, but every challenger ended up dead.

He was not king because the people wanted him, he was king because no one could defeat him and such a king is the king needed for warriors.

Loyalty inspired through fear rivals loyalty through love.

"I am sorry, my king. It was not my intention to be so outspoken," Signy apologized, speaking with a formality rare even among Vikings.

"You will tell me about your journey after we celebrate your return, you may leave. I am glad you are back, my son." Asmund said, not letting one heated exchange ruin the atmosphere.

"Yes, father." Signy left but Asmund understood his rage and he knew waiting this long made his kingdom look weak but this was far from the case.

-

"Father! Father!" Bjorn called out to Ragnar, who sat with Lagerta resting on his lap.

"Yes my son," Ragnar responded with his piercing gaze fixed on Bjorn. Tyr waited for the punchline excitedly and Bjorn finally dropped it like an MC.

"I have challenged Tyr to a spar tomorrow, and I would like you to oversee our battle," Bjorn said. Tyr smiled sheepishly.

They knew the best way to convince their father might be a spar between both of them but Ragnar stared right in the eyes of Bjorn without blinking.

"Do you think the battlefield is a joke, Bjorn?" Ragnar asked, attempting to intimidate him. But Bjorn stood firm

"No, father and that is why we want you to oversee it. We are not children anymore, father and you will not deny us Valhalla." Bjorn responded. His boldness startled even Tyr, who gulped at his rival's audacity

Ragnar gently moved Lagertha off his lap and walked toward Bjorn with a stern expression

"....Ragnar?" Lagertha called out concerned but Ragnar didn't answer.

"That's my boy!" Ragnar finally said, ruffling Bjorn's hair. Tyr let out a sigh of relief as their father accepted the proposal.