Exactly 1 month had passed since their preparation for the upcoming battle as Magnus stood tall before his people while holding his iconic helmet in his hand which had two horns that symbolized his strength as a warrior.
" My people, today someone will dine here for the last time but it is for all children. We will drink their blood and paint this land with their flesh to show our enemies that we aren't trifled with. Those who will fall in this battle will be forever remembered as warriors that went to Valhalla."
He raised his horn to drink with his people as people cheered with excitement. They weren't afraid of death unlike most people because they learned to cope with it after witnessing dozens of deaths since their young age.
" To Jarl Magnus, to our people!"
Erik shouted while raising his horn with sorrow in his heart because as a hunter, he wasn't allowed to participate in this battle despite his strength. He was the only person who was knowledgeable enough to guide young children and elders to safety in the worst case.
" Cheers!"
The adults didn't think much as they drank with different expressions. Most of them had children back in their homes but this didn't mean they had to go with them.
Only cowards flee from the battle and they weren't fighting alone despite their numbers.
" Do you think we will be able to win?"
Freyja looked at her husband with worry, knowing it was difficult to win in spite of their geographical advantages since they had an absolute number advantage on the other side.
Magnus's face darkened a little bit with a hint of deep thinking. The first crackled in the back while he didn't look away from her face even though he was worried.
" I don't know, Freyja. Even bears can be killed by wolves if they have enough numbers. I know my people are strong as warriors, but we don't have enough people as our people count reaches only 200 heads."
Magnus knew Bjorn had allied with some chiefs to attack him and he had a limited number of people. It was tantamountly suicide battle to outsiders but he didn't have much say.
" Then we should leave from here before we lose our people. Have much blood did we shed to build this place? Countless, Magnus. I don't want to see our home crumble like old times. Remember, our home lies in where our people live. We don't have to protect her with our lives."
Hearing words made Magnus hesitate but he couldn't just abandon this place where he watched his people and his family grow fond of. He wasn't confident that he would find a place like this again without bloodshed.
" I will leave the battle if things go south, Freyja. I won't leave my child without a father and you without a husband."
He reassured Freyja to be calm as he would return like always. No one would be able to stop him if he wanted to return to his people even if it meant his death.
" I hope, Magnus. I really hope we will settle this crisis but gods don't allow us to be peaceful because we are the greatest warriors in our kind."
Freyja closed her eyes with sorrow, knowing the battle was inevitable in the end. Perhaps she would die with him in the battle but who would take care of her child? Who would watch their people and children if they died there?
They would either roam like them in their childhood or be captured by their enemies to become their people. She didn't want to see either of them.
" Don't worry. I will crush them before that happens."
Bjorn silently hugged his wife into his large chest while looking at his men with pure determination.
Meanwhile near the mountain ranges.
" Magnus should know when we will reach their home. He will be expecting us tomorrow in that cliff to ambush us but I want you to circle the mountain and catch their people off guard. Leave the children and women alone, but kill all men."
Bjorn raised his head to look at his men with a cold face. There was no mercy for men in his eyes and he didn't want to taint his hands blood of children and women which were shameful things.