Chapter 40 Scylding

A large burly man sat on the fur chair with a calm expression while puffing out smoke from his nose. He gently put down the pipe from his mouth, looking at Magnus with a serious face.

" I know you will be defeated since 3 Jarls united to deal with you but not this miserable. I even dare to say you are as good as dead with your arm. Do you think others would pity you with that arm? The alien people will kill you because you became weak."

He didn't hesitate to say the truth before his eyes, cleaning the pipe with some cloth. His large arms were covered with scars and tattoos while one of his eyes was covered with black cloth.

" I know, Scylding but this is the best bet that I have. Even Bjorn showed me mercy, others will try to hunt me down with my men and you are strong enough to drive them away."

The man didn't say anything his words except raising his pipe to smoke once again. He sighed with a helpless face, pulling out something from his chest while throwing it to Magnus.

" This is the map for the island nation. I pray for your safety for your upcoming journey but you have to be careful. Ocean and others will bring forth calamity to the unknown and I saw it plenty of times. Gods aren't merciful in that land."

Magnus didn't say much while placing his remaining hand on his chest to show his respect to his fellow brother.

Scylding scoffed at his gesture with silence, remaining silent until his departure. He looked at his back with a complicated face, knowing they would meet someday but he didn't know if that would be a good thing or not.

" May the gods bless your journey, my brother."

The silent gray snake coiled around the tent while covering the eyes of the sky. Nobody would truly know what happened here and nobody would dare to question him for he was a great warrior.

Meanwhile outside the tent

Freyja looked at her people with a calm face. She took a deep breath, knowing this was a temporary farewell to some of them while permanent to someone. Death and life always accompanied them, so she didn't dare to promise.

" Listen to me, my people. As you guessed most of you will stay here under the banner of Scylding to survive but don't worry we will return someday. Until then live with determination and prepare for our glory, we are the great village of the north and we will never abandon our family."

The people showed various expressions but most of them understood her dilemma. It was inevitable to abandon them here and they understood that because they were Vikings. Only strongs were allowed to live while weeks died early, yet Magnus embraced them all without discrimination and this was their time to pay that debt.

" All hail Jarl Magnus and Freyja. May Odin and Thor bless their journey."

Bryn said loudly while other warriors followed his suit. The people chanted their names, believing in her promise that they would follow them in their deaths.

" Such a great view."

The guards of the Scylding clan didn't stop them from shouting their names because they understood their hearts and they respected their wills. This showed how Magnus and Freyja were great to their people.

" Helena, I promise that I will bring you back."

Halfdan looked at this scene with a serious face, recalling the image of his childhood friend in his mind.

Meanwhile in Bjorn's village.

Bjorn sat before Helena with a calm face.

" Your father was a great man. He was probably one of the best hunters and warriors but unfortunately, he fell in the end. Do you know why?"

Helena didn't say anything to him except glaring at him with hatred in her eyes.

Bjorn didn't mind it rather he enjoyed it because he believed hatred fueled her growth.

" Because he was kind. Kindness and mercy are privileges for the strong and your father had no right for it, yet he forgot that. Remember this well, girl. You are nothing but weakling before my eyes. So, try your best to kill me and Yandal."

He laughed out loud, throwing her food to her.