The heavy downpour subsided, and the night passed into morning relatively peacefully. The sun greeted them, but Ragnar told no one of the attempt on his life. He was uncertain of the enemy's identity or their potential connections within the walls of Kattegat.
He requested an audience with King Askild, a request that was granted. The throne room, as menacing as ever, reflected the majestic presence of King Askild.
Ragnar knelt on one knee with his head bowed, something that became an unspoken tradition among Viking warriors when dealing with King Askild.
"Raise your head, Ragnar. You, of all people, do not need to look away," King Askild said. He had fought alongside Ragnar in their youth, but their relationship never extended beyond the battlefield.
"Thank you, my lord," Ragnar replied. King Askild noticed the wound on Ragnar's forehead and inquired about it. Ragnar recounted the ordeal.
Askild did not look surprised and was now one hundred percent certain that this was being done by a Viking in Kattegat.
"Did you see anything that would help identify your attacker?" King Askild questioned Ragnar Lothbrok but Ragnar shook his head.
"I did not, my lord but he did not look to be a very skilled warrior," Ragnar said, this helped place a scale on the skill level of the warrior that might have been responsible for both the attack on Ragnar and the death of Egil.
This might mean that the person that did it might have been a guard that was assigned to protect him and this meant that he had to send a strong message to avert such a thing from ever repeating itself.
"This means it could be anyone, but the real question is, who gave the order? The kingdom of Kattegat does not breed traitors, and no one dares to defy me," King Askild said calmly, though the events contradicted his words.
"King Askild, Vestfold is likely behind this. It was their intention to create chaos. I can only assume they expect you to fall in the inevitable war with Vestfold," Ragnar stated bluntly.
"I know, but the wind blows in my favor. The Valkyries won't be taking me to Valhalla anytime soon." Askild's voice was still as cold as ice when these words left his mouth.
Ragnar was puzzled by this statement but he did not dare question or make further inquiry.
"What do you wish to do now, my lord?" Ragnar asked, seeking the King's direction. They had until tomorrow to prepare to face Asmund.
"We have to take the head of King Asmund tomorrow before the war can begin. Their warriors will lose their morale the moment they see their King's head separated from his body and mounted on a spike for all to see," Askild's voice stern, swaying his hand from left to right like he was riding a wave.
"What if we try a political approach first? I do not think we are ready for a war with a kingdom as vast as Vestfold," Ragnar suggested, and a momentary silence followed soon after because he was deep in thought about this suggestion.
A brief silence followed as Askild considered Ragnar's words. "If we fail, King Asmund will know his life is in danger. Taking him by surprise might be our only option, as even I am unsure of the outcome if our blades cross," Askild admitted, acknowledging Asmund's formidable strength.
Ragnar knew there was truth to this and had no choice but to see how things play out because killing King Asmund in such a disrespectful manner will deter other kingdoms from seeking the audience of King Askild. This would prove detrimental to Kattegat's dealings with other Kingdoms.
"I do understand your concern and will take it into consideration," Askild was always on his best behavior when talking to Ragnar despite his superiority.
Asger soon entered and was surprised to see Ragnar but Askild already instructed Ragnar that the attempt on his life be kept secret for he could not afford even more panic.
"Greetings King Askild..." Asger, on a knee, greeted before turning his head to nod at Ragner, with Ragnar acknowledging his greeting by nodding back.
"Welcome Asger, do you have any leads?" Askild asked but deep down he already knew the answer. The person covered their tracks well and left no loose ends. It was almost admirable.
"There is none, war with Vestfold is going to happen for sure. I have started making preparations for the upcoming war," Asger said and Askild was pleased with this news.
-
Erik and Ulf were deep in conversation, Erik spilled the beans and told Ulf what was going on in Kattegat because he trusted Ulf to a certain degree despite disobeying the instruction of King Askild.
Erik, however, did not take these instructions as a command and knew there were exceptions.
He was informed of the death of Egil and the brewing war as well as them having less than 24 hours to prepare for the war with Vestfold, time they did not have.
"There is no way war would be declared tomorrow and the battle would be fought that same day. We still have time to prepare for this war, because it won't be fought tomorrow." Ulf said, he chipped in his 2 cents that were worth more than that. He was not wrong that a former declaration of war simply means they are on hostile terms, and tomorrow will simply be for that declaration of war, not the battle.
"You are smart, I will give you that much praise... Ulf Lothbrok, brother of the great Ragnar Lothbrok." Erik said, the whore that they had fun with the day before was passed out on the bed with her semen drenched body.
Neither man held back, ensuring they got their money's worth of pleasure.