The first thing Halfdan did when he returned to the camp was get one of his men to call Helga for him. He didn't wait long when the woman arrived at a secluded part of the camp, hidden from view by most. She stood there with her cold detached eyes, looking at the man waiting.
Halfdan pulled the blade out and flipped it handing it to her. She took it analysing being impressed with its craftsmanship. "To earn his trust he gave me one task. Kill Frode. Said he needs him dead for when he moves forward."
Helga flipped the knife back around passing it back to Halfdan. She was confused. "Why Frode? That thing is nothing." The disgust was apparent to anyone who heard her talking about him.
Halfdan gave a light chuckle at her words. "Frode is not the problem. Sure he's loyal and him being dead would help him, but it's his men that are the issue. They are too much hassle for him to bother dealing with. Kill Frode and make it so they won't surrender to him. Then he has just cause to wipe them out." Halfdan shrugged his shoulders, talking about the human lives that would be lost like it was nothing. "That being said I will need your support to do this. I can never get that man alone, but you. He would jump into the fire if ordered."
Helga nodded. Frode disgusted her and his attempts to get her favour always made her skin crawl. It was a shame to lose a good warrior and loyal soldier but to be rid of his disgusting eyes was something she was more than happy to help with. "Tomorrow I will give you the opportunity. For now, I must make that a reality."
Halfdan gave a nod and the queen walked off. He looked at her back and couldn't believe how easy it was. She knew that she hated the man but to be so ready was strange. Was it pure hatred or her desire for Alfred? Halfdan didn't know and couldn't guess. He pushed the thought to the back of his mind and left to prepare.
Helga was quick. She went to her tent to touch up a little. It disgusted her what she was planning to do, but if it meant she could be rid of the lecherous man then she was more than willing. Walking through the camp, she strode to Frode's area. The two guards outside the room straightened their backs in her presence. "Leave. I wish to see him alone and undisturbed." Her voice was seductive saying it and the guards knew that if they didn't leave they may die. Running away, Helga walked in unbothered.
Forde sat there shirtless. He was holding his weapons, but the sound of the door opening caused him to stand, pointing it at the door. Seeing Helga he quickly dropped it, his angry eyes quickly being filled with lust. "It's odd for you to find me, queen."
Helga gave a kind smile. "I have a matter that only you can help me with." Once more she put on a seductive voice. Frode felt himself becoming excited hearing it. His eyes wandered down her body. Normally Helga would do something about it but today she let him. Moving closer, she cupped the man's face, forcing him to look up into her eyes.
"The Gods showed me." In an almost silent voice, she brought her mouth to his ear, giving it a gentle bite. Frode was almost unable to contain himself but held off, not wishing to lose his neck being impulsive. "The future. My.. no our child. His golden hair reflected the sunlight, as he stood atop mountains of bodies. His handsome face was full of pride as the Gods opened the gates for him. The world trembled at his name."
Helga pushed Frode onto the bed. He was in a trance thinking about the words she said, unable to believe that the Gods finally gave her the visions he had been seeing for months. He was ready but her next words felt like a drop of ice water on him. "Tomorrow. They will bless us tomorrow. Find me on the east wing when the moons are at their highest. I will have it cleared and we shall create the future King of the world." With a teasing voice, she hurried out of the room. Frode lay annoyed at having to wait, but it was quickly overshadowed by his desire. He had waited for her to accept him and now the Gods let it happen.
Helga left the room. She found a nearby bucket of water. Once in her room, she called one of her servants over to scrub her body clean. She hated how he looked at her and it was a disgusting sight to look at him, but she knew that it worked. The man's trust in the Gods and his blind lust for her meant that his already stupid mind couldn't see the trick. All she had to do was tease him a little and he was ready to act like a beast.
Helga spent hours trying to clean her body. She eventually felt clean enough before falling asleep, excited for the next day. Halfdan was the opposite. Helga had not come to see him yet and he had no clue what the plan was. He had hoped she reminded him in time and wouldn't be distracted in her fantasy of finally having him dead. Realising nothing would come, he went to sleep not bothering to worry.
The day was long and went on normally. Helga sent a man to find Halfdan and explain where to be. The two went on normally and once midnight hit the castle was full of noise. Helga had hosted a feast. No one complained about it and were willing to enjoy the food and alcohol. The camp outside was even louder, drowning out the noise within the walls. Halfdan looked at it and couldn't help but think it was the perfect cover. People going missing for the night during a feast was nothing new and any noise made was drowned out.
Hearing the drunken stumbling coming from the hallway, Halfdan retreated into a shadow, staying out of sight. Helga also heard it, getting herself ready. Although she didn't wish to, she took the few clothes she wore off, revealing her toned body. It was the one time she was thankful for Halfdan's indifference to her. She knew the man would be too busy thinking about the kill to even bother looking at her.
Frode walked forward. He saw her under moonlight and a wide grin spread on his face. He couldn't believe what was happening but knew that it must be due to his faithful worship of the gods. Helga walked over and placed a hand on his chest. "Before we begin. We must give our offering to the Gods. Only then will they bless us with a child."
Frode didn't bat an eye at her statement. It was common for Kings and Queens to give an offering to the gods before the first time. It was a blessing not only for a child but also for a future marriage. The offering excited Frode about a future prospect. Leading him over, she stopped the man from stripping. Getting him to kneel under the moonlight, Halfdan walked out in silence. Helga's chanting had Frode captivated as he sincerely prayed. He was confused about where the offering was but pushed it aside thinking it was placed elsewhere for now.
Looking up at Helga, Halfdan gave a nod to her, as he took the final steps. He was quick and he realised Frode must have sensed the danger. The large man tried to turn and defend himself, but the blade pierced through his neck before he could act. Halfdan didn't stop. He knew about his fortitude and repeatable stabbed him, his face unchanging.
Helga was different. She watched with pure bliss seeing the disgusting man dead. Every stab brought a new rush of joy through her. She couldn't believe how much joy she would get from just watching and assumed if she carried it out herself she might have died from happiness, that is why the Gods saw fit for Halfdan to do it. That being said she did do something. Seeing the man long dead from the multiple stab wounds she took the knife from Halfdan.
Plunging it into his eyes, she pulled them out. Looking at his confused face she smiled sweetly whilst playing with them. "This thing looked at me too many times with these disgusting eyes. I won't let him take them with him to see the Gods." Dropping them on the ground, she brought her foot down. Halfdan watched and said nothing.
"Sort this out. I will head back." Helga got dressed, knowing she needed to clean herself longer today. Halfdan sighed but said nothing. He quickly left, closing the door tightly behind him. Putting on a drunken face he found a woman. Inviting her to follow, he led her to the body.
The two walked in and the suffocating smell of blood quickly assaulted their noses. Halfdan was quick. He covered her mouth not letting her scream. Slicing her neck open he dropped her body. Stripping off her top, he threw it to the side, before dropping the knife out the window. He organised the bodies and made it seem like Frode put up a greater fight.
It was the perfect scene. Frode had gone away for some fun with a random woman but found himself unlucky. The girl was first to die, followed by Frode who put up a fight. Halfdan put his hand in the blood and opened the door, bloodying the inside handle. He quickly wiped it clean with water, before closing the door. Leaving them to be found the next day.