Ulf knocked on Birger's door but received no response. He hadn't expected a friendly reception and might have broken down the door on a normal day, but King Askild had trusted him with this task. This was his chance to earn the King's trust, a chance he wasn't about to lose because of impatience.
He knocked once more, but still, there was no response. Ulf could feel the mocking glare of the Vikings around him creep up on him like a shadow.
The situation was becoming embarrassing, finally the door was unlocked from within, with Ulf heaving a huge sigh of relief.
Despite being a prisoner to say, he was still allowed the rights of an average citizen and this included his privacy because while he might be dangerous, he was needed by Askild, so they had to be very careful to not make him angry.
Ulf opened the door and stepped inside, shutting it behind him. He expected hostility from Birger but was met with an unusual sight. Birger was wearing an iron mask, which startled Ulf slightly, but the strong stench in the room quickly broke him out of his daze. Ulf composed himself and got into character.
"Greetings Birger, I go by the name Ulf, and I have been assigned to make sure no harm comes to you. You may use me as you please," Ulf said, slightly bowing his head as he knew that this might not work but showing he was not a threat was the most important thing to establish.
"Ulf… Such a familiar name. Does the name Ragnar Lothbrok ring any bells?" Birger asked, this was a familiar feeling to Ulf as he was being completely disregarded, while interest was shown towards his brother.
He raised his head in slight shame, assuming his neutral position as he cleared his throat in the process to answer this question.
"Yes, Ragnar Lothbrok is my brother." Ulf's mood changed with this response.
"A man that lives in the shadow of his brother, a disposable Viking, and warrior…" Birger said as he picked up his axe, this inadvertently put Ulf on his guard but he had no way of defending himself as he had left his weapon outside.
"But I can promise you something, Ulf Lothbrok and that's a name that far surpasses that of your brother," Birger said, tossing the axe towards Ulf, who snatched it out of the air.
"What do you mean?" Ulf asked, confused by the notion of being called a disposable warrior.
"I see you do not know who I am but you know me through the stories you have heard…" Birger said.
"Do you think you're the first your king has sent to do this task?" Birger asked and the moment this question was asked, the stench he initially smelled when he entered had gotten worse and it looked to be coming from a room.Birger noticed Ulf's curious gaze and snickered.
"That's right, Ulf. I've killed everyone sent before you. And judging by your face, you thought this was an honorable task, something only a shrewd man like King Askild could entrust to you," Birger taunted, his words hit deep and Ulf hated that he was made to look like a fool in such a manner.
"I recognize that look in your eyes, you are a warrior with a lot to prove and I can promise you one thing if you pledge yourself to me…" Birger's words of seduction danced gently on the earlobe of Ulf.
"I will not treat you as something or someone disposable, Ulf Lothbrok will be the name all Vikings will fear and respect," Birger concluded.
King Askild might have tested the waters with Ulf, but this could turn out to be a grave mistake he could live to regret as Birger not only had charisma but knew how to seduce the mind of a Viking. It was for this exact reason, he was feared and hung on to his life for so long.
-
Asger, injured, was still drifting in and out of consciousness as the healers had done all they could do. The rest was up to the gods and Asger himself.
He kept whispering the name "Arvind." It was pitiful to see him in such a state, but Ulrik stood by his side, watching the Viking fight for his life.
It was an interesting thing to see for Ulrik, the only reason Asger got injured was because of his sentiment towards Arvid, that single lapse of concentration put him in this current state.
"Asger, what a sorry fucking state you're in," Ulrik muttered in annoyance. A warrior of Asger's status shouldn't have been brought so low, but Ulrik doubted this would kill him. Asger was stronger than this.
The healer came in, she was an elderly lady that used herbs to lessen the effects of the poison but it was left to Asger to fight it.
The poison Arvid used was rare, and the chances of survival were minimal despite the best efforts of the healer.
"How long is he going to stay like this?" Ulrik questioned her, as she changed the damped rag on his forehead.
"He might wake today, tomorrow, or never. It all depends on the will of the gods," The lady said, her answer did not help in any way to reassure him and this pissed Ulrik off but there was not much he could do so he bit his tongue.
"Do not worry, child. The gods have decided his fate, the same way they have decided our fate." The elderly lady said as he made her way from the room.
"You don't think I know that, you old hag! There's no way the gods would let such a great warrior meet such a pathetic end!" Ulrik muttered but Asger moved immediately these words escaped the lips of Ulrik.
A smile crept up on his face as Ulrik inched closer.
"Hey, Asger! Are you there?" Ulrik asked in a hopeful tone but this movement soon became chaotic as Asger began thrashing around in his bed.
Ulrik called out to the healers frantically as foam spilled out of Asger's mouth, he was having a convulsion.