Have a Sit my son, Erik said to Leif, slowly he sat at the wooden bench his mind was still puzzled as he wonder why his father had sent for him at this time of the night.
"I got word from my spy, Eyjolf the foul is preparing for an attack on Völsung, it's no longer news and after all this years he still seeks revenge" Erik the red, King of Völsung said nodding his head in disgust.
"I'm not certain how true this is, but we could be facing an attack at any moment."
He turned slowly looking at Leif.. " I urge you to spread the word to the warriors: we must double the guards stationed at the dock and remain vigilant. It's crucial that we maintain a high state of alertness and prepare for any potential threats."
"You have absolutely nothing to worry about Father, you know this is not the first time he's trying I'll make sure this will be his last" Leif said.
Everyone was aware that Eyjolf had expanded his forces, now commanding a larger army time ten of that of Erik's. A war with him would mean sending countless warriors to the great door of Valhalla. It was a reckless gamble that would cost dearly.
"I heard his army has grown wide we cannot afford to be caught off guard. Ensure that everyone is aware of the situation and ready to respond swiftly. Our safety depends on our preparedness and unity in the face of danger.
"Yes Father" said Leif as he walks out,
Leif was not frightened; instead, he kept, his heart steady and his mind clear, ready to face whatever challenges lay ahead. He felt a surge of courage, bolstered by the knowledge that he had trained for this moment and was prepared to defend his people and to prove to his father he is fit to ascend as king of Völsung.
He await the moment he would bring Eyjolf head back to his father. he imagined the glory, the praises and the feast that will be for his honor he imagine the respect and how it will make him feel defeating their greatest threat he was ready to lead the army to war. He wasn't bothered about the odds of the war that was against them
The young Prince walk up straight to Aegir, who was the head soldier, he requested all the army to assemble in the morning
Aegir did as instructed, the armies were gathered. A loud sound of murmur and metal clanking fill the air as they were confused and in eager to know the reason for the gathering.
"My brothers.." Screamed Leif and immediately they was a total silence
"I know you are wondering why we are gathered today, you have shared mead and meat with me, reveling in the warmth of friendship and brotherhood. But now, my brothers and warriors, we stand on the brink of something far greater—a call to duty that beckons us toward Valhalla, where the bravest souls gather for a purpose beyond mere revelry…''
He picked up his axe, its weight familiar and reassuring in his grip, and began to walk, looking steadily over the ranks of his assembled armies. He displayed courage and bravery as he walks amoung them, inspiring those who stood ready to follow. Leif, known far and wide for his fearlessness, stubborness and hunger for battle, he had faced countless battles throughout his life, each one a testament to his strength and resolve. He was a living legend, a warrior whose name struck fear into the hearts of his enemies and ignited hope in the souls of his allies.
As he move forward, Leif's mind raced with memories of past victories and the faces of those he had lost along the way. Each battle had forged him into the leader he was today, but the war ahead promised to be unlike any he had encountered due to the odds of the battle, they are likely to lose, they are outnumbered greatly and the enemy was not merely a foe; it was a dark tide, a force that threatened to swallow them all. It demanded more than brute strength; its called for wisdom, strategy, and an unyielding spirit.
Leif armies were mixtures of warriors—young and old, seasoned veterans and eager novices, each one driven by a shared purpose. They stood shoulder to shoulder, united in their determination to protect their homeland, fight for their king or feast in valhalla. Leif paused for a moment, allowing the weight of responsibility to settle in. He could feel their eyes on him, their hopes and fears visible. He lifted his axe high, a symbol of defiance against the upcoming darkness, and called out to them.
"Brothers and sisters! Today, we do not fight merely for ourselves, but for our families, our homes, and the future of our people. We face an enemy that seeks to divide us, to break our spirit. But together, we are unbreakable. Each swing of our axes, each cry of our hearts, will echo across the land as a testament to our unity and our resolve!"
The roar of his troops filled the air, a powerful chorus that reverberated through the valley. Leif could see the fire igniting in their eyes, the determination swelling in their chests. He felt an ancient energy coursing through him, a connection to the warriors of old who had fought and died for the same cause. This was a legacy he would honor with every breath until the war was over
As he continued walking, Leif reflected on the importance of the victories no matter their differences or reason to fight. He knew that every man and woman had their own reason for fighting—some for glory, others for love, many for revenge and some old to finally be slain in battle and be taken by valkyries to the hall of valhalla, where there will be feast, lots of mead and meat on the same table with fallen warriors and the gods. Each story added to the tapestry of their cause, binding them closer together.
They were not just soldiers; they were a family forged in the fires of hardship. And as they prepared to face the greatest threat of their lives, Leif understood that his role was to nurture that bond, to instill hope, and to remind them that they were not alone. They would fight as one, side by side, and together they would face whatever darkness lay ahead.
With renewed vigor, Leif raised his axe once more and shouted, "Let the world remember this day! Let them know that we stand united, ready to face any challenge! We are warriors, and we will not falter!" The ground trembled beneath the roar of his armies, and in that moment, they felt invincible, ready to charge into the fray, with Leif leading them toward their destiny.
Leif incited hope, courage and strenght into the hearts of the troops, but many were weary and frightened due to the odds of the battle, they have heard the tale of Eyjolf the foul, how ruthless he is, how he has won battles taking their daughters as sex slaves re branding their sons as soldiers, killing their old.. he is known for his collection of kings head, he would cut off the head of any king he went to war with and hang it up at the entrance of his throne room .. his war victories has traveled wide and far and gotten to Volsung, and to the ears of Erik his sworn enemies.
The tale of his ruthlessness and his unbelievable amount of armies had fan the flame of fear into the hearts of some of Leif warriors and had taken over his word of courage and bravery.
'' we have to be prepared, double guards on the dock and the mountain watch. Double nights watch, be extremely vigilant this enemy is no less than what we have conquered but he is also smart, he has war strategies and wise men on his councel... so my brothers lets bve prepared
Leif left the armies to heed his father's summons to the round table, where the weight of their future would be determined. The air was thick with tension as he entered the grand nk hall, a vast space illuminated by flickering torches that cast dancing shadows across the stone walls. The round table, polished and ancient, stood at the center, surrounded by the elders, nobles, and warlords—each a figure of power and respect in their own right
As Leif took his place among them, he could feel the gravity of their discussions pressing down like a storm cloud. The elders, with their weathered faces and deep-set eyes, exchanged knowing glances, while the nobles whispered among themselves, their voices low and urgent. The warlords, clad in armor that glinted in the torchlight, leaned forward, eager for the debate to begin.
His father, the King, presided over the assembly with a commanding presence, his voice steady as he called the meeting to order... "We gather here today not just as leaders, but as guardians of our people. The challenges we face require not only strength but wisdom."
Leif listened intently as the elders spoke of the ominous signs, shadows creeping along their borders, whispers of an enemy gathering in the north. The warlords outlined their strategies, their fervor igniting the air with passion. Some advocated for immediate action, urging a show of force, while others cautioned restraint, warning of the potential for catastrophic consequences.
As the discussions unfolded, Leif found himself reflecting on his own role in this gathering of minds. He was not merely a soldier; he was the bridge between the old ways and the new, a voice for the younger generation who would one day bear the weight of leadership. He weighed in with his thoughts, advocating for a strategy that combined strength with diplomacy—a path that sought to unite rather than divide.
The room fell silent as he spoke, the gravity of his words resonating deeply with those present. The elders nodded thoughtfully, and even the warlords, known for their brashness, considered his perspective.
As the night wore on, decisions began to take shape, and plans were laid. The round table, once a mere piece of furniture, transformed into a crucible of ideas, where alliances were forged and destinies shaped. In that moment, Leif felt the weight of history upon him, understanding that their choices today would echo for generations to come.
As the meeting drew to a close, the fire crackled softly, and Leif knew that whatever challenges lay ahead, they would face them together, united as one people under the banner of their shared hopes and fears.