Thorfinn stood in the courtyard behind the longhouse, twirling a wooden training sword as he faced down Arwyn. He hadn't fought or trained in over a week, while that may not be a long time he didn't want to get comfortable. He planned to become the best warrior in Kattegat, and while he may be that with his strange powers that did not satisfy him. He wanted to beat them all in pure skill and technique, and until he did he would keep on improving. Though thinking on that there were likely warriors beyond Kattegat that were better than him. Could he surpass them all?
Yes.
Victory or Valhalla it was their way.
Arwyn was a good opponent, she possessed unnatural speed and power for her size. His loss to Mikael in the forest irked him, as well as his loss to Finn. While he may have beaten them he didn't do so with skill, they were both unnaturally strong and fast, not to mention skilled. Arwyn would make good practice for fighting those types of enemies.
"Are you ready?" Thorfinn asked Arwyn. She spoke no words only gracing him with a nod as she brought her sword and shield up.
Thorfinn returned the nod before lifting his shield up and holding his sword horizontally on top of it. Arwyn snarled at him before yelling out and charging against him; she swung her sword in a wide overhead arc her sword whistling through the air. Thorfinn used his shield to parry it off to the side, he felt his arm shake at the strength behind the blow as well as his shield reverberated. Had their swords not been crafted from the strong white oak he had no doubt she would've snapped it in half from that one hit. Arwyn growled at her miss and then pushed off her right foot trying to shoulder him.
Thorfinn blocked the blow but was pushed back, his feet skidding through the mud. She thrust her sword forward this time; using his own sword Thorfinn parried it off to the side before slashing diagonally at her, she ducked under it before trying to smash her shield against his knee. Thorfinn raised his leg and smashed it down, pinning her shield to the mud before drawing his leg back and kicking her in the face making her fall back. "Not every opening should be taken, be aware of your own position, I could've cut your head off just then," Thorfinn chided her as he kicked her shield off to the side before throwing his own down.
Arwyn rubbed her cheek as she stood up a scowl on her face as she did. Her grip tightened around her wooden sword and she roared again before charging. She slashed at him again and again from all different angles, she was both strong and fast and was taking full advantage of that trying to overwhelm Thorfinn.
This was what Thorfinn wanted, he could feel his bones rattle every time he blocked, even when he parried the sword to the side he felt the ache in his arms. Had Arwyn been more skilled then her attempt to overwhelm him mig by of worked, but when it came to talent in the sword there was more distance between them than the earth and the sky. Thorfinn sidestepped a thrust while letting his sword slide across hers, his elbow connected with her head before he drew his arm back and hit her again with the handle of the wooden sword.
Putting his foot behind her he gripped the shaft of his sword and twisted his body slamming the flat part of the blade into her nose which forced her backwards and made her trip over his leg. Thorfinn looked down at her as blood spurted from her nose, she was making good progress but for some reason she was angry, and she was letting that anger get the better of her. She was making mistakes she'd never usually make. "Stop letting your anger overwhelm you, the gods gave us a mind for a reason," Thorfinn said as he offered a hand to her.
Arwyn still had an angry expression on her face when she looked at him. He heard a crack as her nose which he seemed to have broken snapped back into place. She didn't take his offered hand and instead stood up on her own. "There is only one god..." she muttered under her breath.
Despite only whispering it Thorfinn managed to hear her. "There are many gods Arwyn, do not let your priests lie to you... there are more than even I thought..." he said as he looked down to the ground.
Thorfinn then looked back up at Arwyn making eye contact with her. "I do not know the cause of your behaviour as of late, but I do see the way you look at me sometimes..."
Arwyns eyes widened slightly and she took a step back while her fists clenched. Thorfinn noticed this and looked at her with something akin to curiosity. "Why would you step back like that? Like I'm going to attack you, you're readying yourself for a fight that isn't coming," he asked.
Thorfinn stood there for a moment waiting for her to answer, but she didn't. She stood there unmoving, the same expression on her face as before. Thorfinn went to open his mouth again.
"Lord!" Someone yelled as they walked around the longhouse to where the two of them stood. Thorfinn turned to see one of his men —Higurd— rushing towards him in an almost panicked state. He stopped in front of Thorfinn panting heavily as he bent over trying to catch his breath "L-Lord, t-the... market... it's..."
"Catch your breath Higurd and calm yourself," Thorfinn said as he helped the man stand straight. Higurd nodded, looking at him gratefully as he did as suggested and took a few deep breaths.
"Lord, there is an issue in the market, more people seem to be afflicted..." the man said with a slight tremble in his voice. Thorfinn breathed out in frustration and took one last look at Arwyn before nodding to the man.
"Lead the way."
...
It didn't take long for them to reach the marketplace as it was relatively close to the longhouse and Kattegat wasn't a big village. Thorfinn was surprised he didn't hear the commotion from where he was as it was incredibly loud. Turning a corner they came into a square where the main market was, this was where most people would peddle their wares, it was near the harbour and in front of the smithy owned by Orm.
However people did not browse wears or make purchases, they simply watched as three people laughed, they laughed until they were red in the face and then they laughed some more. Thorfinn watched one of his men try and grab one of them, but the man grabbed him by the neck and tackled him to the ground all while laughing. More men funnelled through the crowd as did Thorfinn. "Restrain them now!" Thorfinn instructed, he then rushed over to the man assaulting the guard and booted him off.
He didn't stop laughing, not even to grunt in pain he just continued while laying on the muddy ground. "Silence!" Thorfinn shouted at him, but he didn't remain silent. None of them did, even as they struggled against the men restraining them.
"Why are you laughing, what is funny!?" Thorfinn asked as he grabbed the man on the ground by the collar.
"Hahahahaahaha... she is coming!" The man said.
*Thud*
Thorfinns fist connected with the man's face breaking his nose. The laughing didn't stop so Thorfinn hit him again, this didn't silence him either and so with a final punch Thorfinn knocked him out. His anger bubbled beneath the surface and he stood up barely even acknowledging everyone around him. "Restrain everyone afflicted... I don't care if we have to build cages in the streets, separate them from everyone else!" He commanded, not just to his own men but to everyone.
Thorfinn looked down at the bloodied man beneath him, he still had a wide grin on his face despite the punishment he'd taken. Thorfinn turned away before he succumbed to his anger once again. He needed to deal with this affliction, it seemed that it wasn't just a one-time thing and would be a plague if he let it continue. Thorfinn walked out of the market and headed to the only person in Kattegat that he thought might be able to help him.
He walked for less than ten minutes before he found himself outside of a familiar shack. The door was open so he walked inside pushing past the wooden beads that hung from the ceiling.
"Thorfinn Fjallsson comes to visit me... or is it Thorfinn Helbane, or Thorfinn Jotunsbarni, or perhaps Jarl Thorfinn."
A raspy voice called from inside.
Thorfinn narrowed his eyes as he sat down. "I am in no mood for your riddles seer, speak clearly lest you invoke my anger."
"I speak no riddles, merely the words the gods whisper to me," The Seer replied as he was carving what looked to be something made out of bone.
"Then speak of this affliction, how do I stop this sickness that spreads through Kattegat, one or two people I can accept, but not more, I can't allow this to grow any more," Thorfinn stated.
"What if this is an affliction with no cure?" The Seer asked.
"I do not accept that, there is always a remedy, it just hasn't been discovered yet," Thorfinn replied.
"Ancient words you speak Jarl Thorfinn, but not yours are they?" The Seer said as he stopped whittling and looked up at him.
Thorfinn narrowed his eyes at him, they were not his words, he had read them in one of the ancient texts he had studied from a healer of the old empire. "It does not make my words any less true," he stated.
The seer looked back down and continued whittling. "Perhaps... perhaps not," the seer replied.
"Tell me, how can I treat this sickness that has spread through Kattegat!" Thorfinn said a lot more sternly. The seer didn't answer and kept whittling with his knife. "This is your home as well, unless you wish to stay here alone you will help me."
"If that is the plan of the gods who are we to argue," he replied with a shrug. "But I will answer your questions, as it seems the gods wish to speak..."
Thorfinn whose anger was building up at that moment felt it dissipate, he took a deep breath and unclenched his fists. "Tell me what this sickness is, and tell me how to treat it?" He asked.
The see put down the knife on the table, before holding up a small bone figurine of what looked like an eagle. "This is not a sickness you will find travelling with the seasons... it is an oddity."
"So what is the remedy for this?" Thorfinn asked leaning forward in his seat.
"This is an affliction based in magic... deep powerful magic Thorfinn, they are simply part of the dream at the moment, to return them you must kill the dreamer..." The seer warned him.
Thorfinns face scrunched up in slight confusion. "A magical affliction? The dreamer? Who is responsible for this? Tell me?!" He asked.
"I am tired now... the gods exhaust me," the seer said as he shifted onto his bed lying down. Thorfinn clenched his fists, he stood up and went to walk out.
"Jarl Thorfinn..."
Thorfinn turned back as he stood at the entrance to the shack.
"Be careful in using ancient knowledge, there is a reason they call it the 'old' empire..." the seer said before laying his head back down and going to sleep.
Thorfinn looked at him for a moment before turning around and leaving the shack. He took a deep breath as he stepped out into the crisp air, he rubbed his hands over his head pushing his hair back. He had not learned much from the seer, simply more riddles that gave him more questions than when he had first gone inside. He did pause for a second however, the seer had mentioned that this affliction wasn't natural, that it was one of magic. He wasn't knowledgeable about magic, but there were two people in Kattegat who could be.
Thorfinn walked down the road taking a familiar route, one he had taken many a time the past spring. He could try to find an answer to this affliction in his own book of sorcery, but he didn't put much faith in finding an answer, nor did he believe his magic to be strong enough to work. His magic was growing at a fast rate, ever since he had devoured the flesh of the Leviathan, perhaps in a few years he would be able to, but now he would have to rely on someone else.
It didn't take him long to get to his destination, the Mikaelson home was large and the land within its chest-high walls would easily fit a dozen homes. As he approached the gate the guards parted, they were not his men but they had seen what he could do and did not know to want to antagonise their Jarl. Thorfinn entered and approached the door of the main house, drawing back his fist he pounded on the door.
It didn't take long for the door to be answered. Thorfinn looked down and smiled. "Henrik, it has been a while," he said.
Henrik returned the smile and giggled "I saw you a few weeks ago," he said in a childlike manner.
"So you did... it seems a lot longer," Thorfinn replied smiling at the young before ruffling his hair. He stepped inside with Henrik walking down the corridor with his arm on the young boy's shoulder. When he walked into the main hall he saw Mikael and Finn both sitting by the fire pit with a slave serving them.
"Father! Thorfinn is here," Henrik said as he ran back over to his older brother.
Mikael looked up at Thorfinn anger was barely concealed behind his features. "Boy... why have you come here, have you returned with my daughter..." he spoke in a low growl.
"I am here to speak with your wife," Thorfinn replied ignoring the other comment.
"Not satisfied with your first theft, come for more?" He asked with a sour expression.
"No... I don't know if you've left your home but there is a strange affliction spreading through Kattegat, I believe it to be magical in nature, I need her help," Thorfinn explained.
Mikael paused for a few moments, he then drew his cup up to his mouth and drank deeply. "My wife is not here," he simply stated.
"Where is she then, I will go and speak to her?" he asked.
"I do not know, she left without informing me," he replied.
"When will she return?" Thorfinn asked
"She did not say," he replied.
Thorfinn stopped a scowl from forming on his face, while Esther had not been here when he had left for Darkmoon forest he had expected her to be back by now. Since she was not here he only had one choice left, one that he knew would make his blood boil. "Then it seems I will be needing your son's assistance," Thorfinn stated before leaving the room.
He walked directly down the corridor and turned left, Kol's room was the first on the right. He knocked, but this time the door wasn't answered. Kol was a cunt and Thorfinn wouldn't put it past him to ignore the door knocking, even if it was his father or older brother doing it.
Thorfinn pushed the door open only to find it was locked. Taking a deep breath his hand glowed for a moment before the door started to tremble and the wood started to creak. Before they could break through it however the door swung open and Kol who had an extreme look of displeasure on his face glared at him. "What do you want? I'm busy!" He shouted before he even realised it was Thorfinn.
Thorfinn looked past Kol and saw one of the slave girls in his bed. "You can bed the wench later, I need you to come with me," he instructed.
Kol laughed. "Why would I come anywhere with you," he spat out.
"Because I am your Jarl, and if you don't I'll drag you out," Thorfinn replied.
The smile on Kols's face died down, he went to go and say something, an insult no doubt but he stopped himself before he did. "Give me a few moments," Kol replied with a strained voice before shutting the door and likely getting dressed.
Thorfinn crossed his arms and leaned against the wall. A few minutes later the door opened and the slave girl walked out of his room her cheeks red and her gaze aimed at the door. "Lord," she said respectfully as she passed him. Behind her was Kol who was now dressed.
"What do you want?" He asked slightly resigned. Thorfinn pushed himself off the wall and gestured for him to follow which he did. They both left the main house and walked down the path that led to the gate.
"Have you heard of the affliction that has begun to spread through Kattegat?" Thorfinn asked as they walked through the gate and out into the streets of Kattegat.
"No," Kol replied, "I don't much concern myself with what happens in Kattegat."
"An affliction has started to spread through Kattegat, though it is unlike any sickness I've seen," Thorfinn began to explain. "I've been told it's magical in nature, which is why I came to see your mother," he continued as they walked towards his longhouse.
"But since she's not here you have to make do with me," Kol chuckled.
"Yes... I may have magic but my knowledge is lacking which is why I need your help," he replied.
"Why would I help you?" Kol asked. "You can threaten me all you like but I know you won't kill me for not helping you, my sister would hate you for it," he added with a grin.
Thorfinn stopped walking and turned to look at Kol. The other boy actually stepped back a bit as he saw the look on Thorfinns face.
"Do not try to use Rebekah to manipulate me... I could kill you and your entire family and I would not lose a moment of sleep over it, nor would I lose her affection..." he said in a deep voice that sent a shiver down Kol's spine. It was easy to forget the man in front of him had killed the leviathan, he had seen the heart himself when Thorfinn had delivered it to their home. Kol stumbled back slightly when he saw Thorfinn take a step towards him.
"But I am not unreasonable, if you help me I'll allow you to read the book of magic I have been studying," he said as he crossed his arms.
"I'm not interested in—"
"It's a book from the west, where the new lands are," he clarified making Kol stop what he was about to say.
"I want to see the book now."
"No."
"Why not?"
"It's not in Kattegat, it's back at my farm, you'll have to wait until this situation is dealt with," Thorfinn stated.
Kol hesitated for a few moments, but in the end, the temptation of studying magic from a new land was too tempting. "Fine we have an accord," Kol said as he clasped arms with Thorfinn.
Thorfinn nodded before turning around and continuing his journey to the longhouse with Kol following him. In front of the longhouse in the courtyard were several polls where those afflicted had been tied up. "These are the ones with the sickness, they laugh and attack anyone who gets close to them," Thorfinn explained as they walked up to one of the afflicted.
"Interesting..." Kol said as he inspected one of them.
"Find me a remedy for this before it gets out of hand," Thorfinn instructed, he went to go and give him more detail until he felt the hairs on the back of his neck stand up.
"You'll have all the resources you need, speak with Ragnar to get anything," Thorfinn told Kol, but as he spoke to him he started to look around causally, trying to find the source of what was giving him goosebumps.
It was only a moment but he saw it, in the corner of his eye he saw the same hooded man that had been there when he had been at the harbour. Thorfinn thought it was more than a little suspicious, Kattegat wasn't a big place. Even if you didn't know someone personally you likely saw them enough times to remember them. Except Thorfinn did not know this man, and he did not like how he stuck to the shadows.
'Kill the dreamer.'
'Could he be the cause?' He thought to himself. It couldn't be a coincidence that this affliction spreads and a stranger turns up. He ran the last time Thorfinn tried to get to him, so he'd have to be faster this time.
Thorfinn continued talking to Kol as he walked describing what they needed to do as well as other things he needed from him. They were closer now, a couple of dozen feet away from the man. Thorfinn kept his eye on him the entire time he'd been speaking.
He slowly moved his hand towards his dagger however as soon as he touched the handle the man started moving, clearly trying to leave. Thorfinn grabbed his dagger and spun around throwing it with his full strength straight at the man hoping to cripple him and stop him from running. However as the dagger sailed through the air the flakes man turned and caught the dagger before it sank into his shoulder, he then flipped it and threw it right back at Thorfinn who had to jump out of the way.
"Don't let him get away!" Thorfinn shouted as he rushed after the man who was now attempting to slip away.
Several guards attempted to grab the man, but the stranger grabbed the man's wrist before smashing his knee into his stomach and pivoting on his feet throwing him into the other guard. He then barged past some others running down the street with Thorfinn running after him.
Thorfinns eyes widened as he realised how fast the man was. He easily outpaced the others and only he was able to catch up to him. One of Thorfinns men that had cut him off roared as he swung a large axe at him, but the stranger ducked underneath the swing while swivelling his body and kicking the man's legs out from under him which made him lurch forward. The man completed his 360 spin and brought his fist up smashing it into the other's face as he fell. In just over a second the man was out cold, but he had provided enough time for Thorfinn to catch up to him.
Thorfinn jumped pushing off the wall of the house beside them and slashing down with his sword. The stranger sidestepped the blow and then all the subsequent blows as Thorfinn continued to attack him. He thrust forward with his sword but the stranger sidestepped while sending his arm out and connecting a punch with Thorfinns face.
Stunned for a moment Thorfinn couldn't block the kick that connected with his chest and sent him through the wall.
The stranger hesitated for a moment cursing under his breath as he hoped he hadn't accidentally killed the Jarl. This hesitation seemed to be a mistake however as Thorfinn rushed back out of the hole.
The Stranger turned and tried to run but Thorfinn through a bundle of rope that he had grabbed from inside the house right at the stranger. A blade slipped out of the man's sleeve as he turned to cut down whatever had been thrown at him —not realising it was merely a bundle of rope.
"Ic þé geháta, searubunden!" Thorfinn spoke and his eyes flashed gold before the rope seemed to come to life. Following his hand movements the rope rushed towards the stranger who now took an actual fighting stance as he recognised the danger. Thorfinn grinned as he rushed with his sword in hand ready to injure the man as he tried to defend against the ropes he'd enchanted to bind him.
However the stranger did not seem panicked, and at a speed that could only be supernatural, he slashed through the rope, before throwing the dagger with enough power that it sunk into Thorfinns shoulder and managed to throw him off his feet.
"AHHH!" Thorfinn growled in pain as he pulled the dagger out, he looked up but the man had already disappeared into one of the alleyways. Thorfinn roared as he slammed his hand against the ground. His men came pouring down the street a moment later asking if he was okay, he waved them off not in the mood to deal with them.
There were many questions on his mind at the moment, he did not have the will to deal with anyone. "Keep on the lookout for a cloaked man, double the guards through Kattegat, I want patrols through the streets at all times, day and night, am I clear!" Thorfinn shouted.
"Yes, lord!!!" They replied.
Thorfinn grunted in pain as he moved his shoulder, that speed and strength was unnatural. For a moment he suspected the man to be Mikael, they had a similar build and were skilled warriors, but he managed to get a glimpse of beneath the hood. The man had long white hair beneath the shoulders as well as a white beard. This man was not from Kattegat, nor anywhere close.
Thorfinn walked back to his longhouse his hand grabbing his bleeding shoulder. Despite losing this was not over, not even for a moment.
(AN: So another chapter closer to the end. I reckon it's gonna be four more but who knows I'm making this all up to be fair. Anyways I hope you enjoyed the chapter.)
If you like my stuff consider supporting me.
Patreon.com/captainalfie78works