A year and a few months had passed since that day. Kattegat enjoyed a fragile peace, with its neighbors refraining from making any moves. This was due not only to their mutual disdain but also to Kattegat's formidable military prowess.
It was survival of the fittest, and for now, Kattegat held that title. King Askild struck fear into his neighbors ever since the capture of Egil Iversen, a feat accomplished with nothing more than a raiding party.
However, King Askild was no fool. He knew that alliances were essential, as even he could not withstand a well-coordinated invasion from his rivals. What troubled him most was King Asmund's silence. No attempts were made to retrieve Egil Iversen, as if he had been abandoned or left to fate.
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The year brought significant progress. Ragnar bonded with Tyr, teaching him how to speak Old Norse and honing his combat skills. Tyr seemed unnaturally adept with a blade, as if the skills Ragnar taught him came second nature. This begged the question of Tyr's origins
Bjorn, however, started to feel neglected and began training extensively with his uncle, Ulf.
He did not have a problem with Tyr being labeled his brother but he did have a problem with his father treating him like more of a priority than him.
This was no longer some pebble-throwing rivalry, it took the form of a true rivalry with Bjorn taking his training far more seriously, and Even Ulf acknowledged that Bjorn's potential exceeded both his and Ragnar's. His growth over a year was nothing short of breathtaking..
"Uncle Ulf, I'm headed home," Bjorn said after a sparring session. He had managed to nick Ulf, a feat most Vikings couldn't claim.
Was Ulf going easy on him? That couldn't be it. There was something behind Bjorn's blade and a resolve Ulf couldn't quite place.
"Alright Bjorn, greet your father for me," Ulf said, sending Bjorn on his way.
Bjorn had grown taller and more muscular, far exceeding other children his age. His combat skills had advanced to the point where he could hold his own against an average Viking warrior, a remarkable achievement for a twelve-year-old.
He arrived home and saw Tyr, Tyr had a single tattoo strip on his forearm to cover up the stamp of a slave, he was now the son of Ragnar Lothbrok and was treated as one but people did find it blasphemous that an outsider was given the name of one of their sacred gods.
In contrast to Bjorn, Tyr was of average height and much slimmer. Though Bjorn looked stronger, did that translate to skill?
"Hey, Bjorn!" Tyr called out but Bjorn did not respond.
"BJORN!" Tyr called out again and Bjorn responded this time, he did not hear him the first time due to the distance and instantly ran to Tyr.
Despite all this, the two kids were not on bad terms and shared a strong bond despite their rivalry.
"Hey Tyr! I managed to cut uncle Ulf," Bjorn immediately gloated about his little victory to his younger brother and Tyr was awestruck by this news, with his mouth opening in admiration.
"You did!?" Tyr asked him in admiration, he was not surprised about his brother's little victory, he knew Bjorn was strong as he had never won a spar between the two, Bjorn's fighting style was unique, tailored to counter Ulf's attacks. It evolved with each loss, as Bjorn incorporated new ways to counter techniques he couldn't before. This constant adaptation made him stronger after every defeat., he knew he was years too young to win a battle against Ulf but this did not mean he would not try to, because he knew that Tyr's potential was great but he did not know what the seer told Ragnar, only Lagertha was aware of it.
"Of course I did, the awesome Bjorn fears no man beneath the heavens!" Bjorn exclaimed in an excited voice, with Tyr chuckling.
"My rival is truly strong, you will be a great warrior!" Tyr said but Bjorn was quick to respond.
"As will you, the sons of Ragnar will have to do our father's name proud!" Bjorn said, with Tyr looking in admiration. He looked up to Bjorn, he was strong and the first person to accept him, even when he once had his status as a slave and when he became his brother, he treated him as an equal.
They had grown close, and Bjorn finally got the brother he always wanted but Tyr was still cautious.
The Lothbroks' might have accepted him but this could not be said for the other Vikings, he had to somehow prove himself to them or he was just a slave in their eyes regardless of his ties to Ragnar.
He knew deep down that he was not a true Lothbrok but he also knew he owed his life to them because if Ragnar did not buy him, he would not be free to this day.
"I hope I can join father in his next campaign," Bjorn said, he wanted to be on the front lines and who could blame him, real battle experience forces growth in warriors due to the life and death terms attached to it, one mistake will result in the death of him or his enemy.
This was something you could not get by just training and Bjorn realized that but Ragnar still saw him as unprepared, him and his brother.
"I want to go too but father is strict," Tyr said with a sigh.
"What if we snuck onto his boat, brother?" Bjorn suggested mischievously, but Tyr knew this was near impossible.
"I have a better idea, let's meet Hagen!" Tyr exclaimed. He knew the boat maker might just make this near-impossible idea of Bjorn possible.