41 Ch 41 From The Ashes
The men all walked meekly beside the cart as we reached the Great Hall where cheering and celebratiom could be heard.
I dismounted and walked up to it's large doors as the guard asked. "Who are these men Thenn?" The Captain asked.
"The Earl hired Mercenaries to assassinate me on my way home, twenty more are laid out in the cart.....I will go inside and demand Holmgang from the Earl." I spoke in his eyes widened....the man had known me since my first visit to Kattegat and he knew is was no liar.
One of his men moved to draw his sword but the Captain spoke. "Do not even try Ingnvild....Thenn, if what you say is no lie then you have every right under our Laws to demand Holmgang, you are permitted entry." He spoke and his men opened the heavy doors.
We walked deeper inside and walked into the Feasting hall where everyone who saw me cried out in cheers.
I drew my Great Axe and they knew something was wrong as everyone quieted down and even the Minstrels stopped their singing.
"What is the meaning of this!!!!" The Earl roared out as I approached his high seat, I noticed Siggy and Thyri were back in their chairs.
"I have come to call Holmgang on Earl Haraldson for attempting to assassinate me....behind me are some of the men whom the Earl paid to carry out the treacherous deed....just outside this Hall is a cart with Twenty who Ive slain before they surrendered.....I have suffered injustice....I have suffered treachery....and I will have my vengance Earl Haraldson." I shouted and everyone gasped in shock at the news.
My men moved and grabbed their axes from their belts just in case things got violent.
"YOU LIE!!! HOW CAN ANYONE BELIEVE YOUR WORDS AND THOSE OF THESE SUPPOSED ASSASSINS!!!" The Earl shouted out angrily and Irul Stepped forward.
"I am Irul Yornsonn, my men and I were paid one pound of Gold each to ambush Thenn Odinson by Earl Haraldson.....we failed and surrendered after losing half of our Men...I swear this to be true in the name Of Odin and Frigg." He spoke and placed a hand over his heart.
The Earl was about to shout out in anger but Siggy stood and spoke before he could.
"Irul speaks true...my husband is indeed guilty of treachery against his own sworn sword....My husband grew jealous of Thenn and wished to Kill him and take his knowledge of how to travel west from the Spying of Cnut.....Svein was the one who traveled to Bergen and offered the job to Irul and his crew.
Immediately the crowd exploded into outrage at the Earls Treachery and he looked around in anger at everyone around him, Siggy and Thyri rushed away from Earl Haraldson and he shouted out.
"WHERE ARE YOU GOING WHORE!!! GET BACK HERE!!!" He roared out.
"I will not be seen beside a treacherous bastard for one moment longer!!! You limp dicked bastard!!!" She shouted out and rushed to my side.
I pointed my Axe at Earl Haraldson and spoke. "Will you accept Holmgang or will I settle this as a blood feud?" I spoke and I saw his hands tremble.
"FUCK YOU!!! I ORDER YOU, AS YOU LORD TO CUT HIM DOWN!!!" Earl Haraldson roared out at his guards who liked the Hall but none dared to move.
I walked toward him slowly and spoke. "Earl Haraldson, you have forfeited your right to Holmgang then....You shall never see Valhalla when I am done with you." I spoke and he stood from his high seat and charged at me with his gold and Jewel encrusted sword, he knew he'd die but at least he'd see Valhalla.
"RAHHHHHHH!!!!" Earl Haraldson roared out and swung violently but was only met with a parried blade and a swipe to his legs.
He pathetically fell to the ground and I stepped in his hand which let out a sickening crunch as it was turned to mush.
He reached into his waistband with his left hand and drew a fancy silver dagger to stab at my leg but I caught his wrist and snapped it as he let out a horrific scream.
"AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!"
Then I looked around for his little fat bastard Svein and saw Balgrud had already snatched the man up by his shirt and was carrying him back to me after he tried to run.
"BOSS WHATS TO BE DONE WITH THIS SLIMY BALL IT GREASE?" Balgrud spoke as Svein trembled.
"Same fate as Earl Haraldson....We make them scream." I spoke and he smiled viciously.
After that I turned to everyone in that Hall.
"I WILL HAVE MY VENGANCE BUT ONLY AFTER A TRIAL...ALL THOSE WHO BELIEVE THEM INNOCENT STEP FORWARD." I called out and not a single person moved an inch.
"AND THOSE WHO BELIEVE HIM GUILTY." I asked aloud and immediately calls of anger began resounding through the Great Hall as bread and food were tossed into the Earl by the drunken and upset mob.
"Earl Haraldson, Stivardur Svein Ingson, how do you wish to be executed?" I asked aloud and I could see the sweat running down their faces.
Svein was the first to answer. "T...Th..Thenn....I wish...I wish to die by sacrifice...at U..Upsala...." The bald impish man spoke and immediately people began to agree.
"Good, Although you are Treacherous and Evil perhaps the Gods shall forgive you when your life is Offered..Your wish will be granted Svein Ingson." I spoke and he sighed in relief, At least this way he wouldn't die a dog's death.
Then I turned to Earl Haraldson who was groaning in pain at his crushed hand and wrist.
"Answer me Haraldson or I shall have the people decide." I spoke and he snarled at me.
"YOU HAVE NO RIGHT TO EXECUTE ME!!! THE GODS SHALL SEE ME AVENGED!!! YOU ARE THE TRAITOR IN OUR MIDST!!! NOT ME!!!" Earl Haraldson roared in anger and the most unexpected thing happened.
A black crow flew down from the rafters and landed on Earl Haraldson's Chest.
Everyone watched on with wide eyes while frozen in shock...
Earl Haraldson saw this as his chance to survive. "SEE!!! THE ALLFATHER HIMSELF SIDES WITH ME!!!" Earl Haraldson shouted and immediately the Crow pecked at his face hard several times as fresh blood gushed out from the violent pecks.
After the Crow had it's fun it's large black wings flapped and it flew out of the hall through the main door.
There was a deafening silence as everyone looked at the Earl....Even the Allfather condemned him in front of all.
"Earl Haraldson....The Gods have denounced you in front of all....You are undeserving to reach Valhalla....you shall not be offered at Uspala." I spoke and everyone in the room murmured their agreement.
"I ask all of you here in this Hall how to take this traitors life." I asked aloud and immediately cries of punishment began to ring out from everyone present.
"BURN THE TRAITOR!!!"
"CUT OFF HIS BALLS!!!".
"DROWN HIM IN PISS!!!"
"STONE HIM TO DEATH!!!"
"CUT OF HIS ARMS!!!"
"BLOOD EAGLE!!!"
"PUT HIM ON A SPIKE!!!"
"FEED HIM TO THE PIGS!!!"
The drunken and angry people in the hall began throwing bowls and cups at Earl Haraldson as he cursed them with all his strength.
Eventually Thyri walked up and nudged on my arm to speak.
I raised a hand and immediately the hall went quiet.
"Although I love my Father he is guilty of the most heinous of crimes...he not only tried to have Thenn murdered....he also broke the laws of the Gods since they were bound by sacred oath...for such an evil act only the Blood Eagle is proper..." She spoke and her soft voice spread throughout the Hall as everyone nodded in agreement of the beautiful Thyri.
"Tonight the punishment shall take place in this very hall....Bring rope so we may begin." I spoke coldly and one of the slaves scurried off and returned with a length of rope so I could tie Haraldson up.
A stand was brought and the people all began tearing at Earl Haraldson's clothes and spitting on his face while cursing him to oblivion.
Soon he was shirtless and dragged to the stand at the center of the room.
Tostig walked up and tied Earl Haraldson down as I sat down on a nearby stool.
Once the Earl was tied down his angry curses and wicked words could be heard from everyone around.
I looked around the room and could see the bloodlust and hatred in the people's eyes when they looked at Haraldson...in their eyes his crime was so deplorable that Odin sent one of his birds to show his anger at the Earl.
Then everyone sat down and went silent as only the groaning and cussing from Earl Haraldson could be heard.
I stood from my seat and began to walk forward as every eye looked at the wickedly sharp dagger in my hand.
Floki scurried up to me and handed me his Axe to use on the Earl, I thanked him and he giggled madly as he slinked back to his seat.
Siggy held Thyri tightly while the girl cried, they were both years of happiness and sadness..... Even if Haraldson did a wicked deed he was still her father.
But then she looked at the beautiful ring on her slender finger and her heart was calmed.... Even Odin cursed her father which meant this punishment was more than just.
My blade rose and touched Haraldson's back as he froze in terror.
"PLEASE....PLEASE DON'T....I WAS WRONG...I WAS WRONG.... DON'T KILL ME!!!... NOT LIKE THIS!!!!..... AHHHHHHH!!!!!.....AHHHHH!!!! ....AHHHHHHH!!!!" His pathetic screaming echoed through the hall and everyone looked at him in disgust.
I ran by blade slowly down the middle of his back as a bit of blood began to pour out and drip downward, the cuts were in the rough shape of wings so they'd extend outward.
Before long I grabbed one corner of the cutout and pulled hard while running the blade alone the underside of his skin to peel it off as his haunting screams echoed through the hall.
I peeled one flap completely off and laid it down to one side but before I could even begin he went limp.
"Throw some water in his face." I spoke aloud and a little girl only about six or seven ran out and poured her cup of water on the Earls head and he opened his eyes and let out a scream as the little girl ran back to her parents.
I grabbed the other flap and peeled it slowly as he sobbed and begged for mercy as blood sprayed occasionally while I worked the sharp blade back and forth slowly.
Once the skin was peeled off I grabbed Floki's hatchet and lined it up with beside his spine and swung down.
*SWISH
*CRACK
"AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!"
"MERCY!!! HAVE MERCY!!!!"
*SWISH
*CRACK
"AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!"
I continued until all the ribs were broken then I set the hatchet down and reached in.
I grabbed his ribcage and began spreading them apart as his screams and haunting cracking noises were heard by everyone in the Hall.
I reached in and grabbed hold of his lungs and pulled them out as he slowly suffocated on us.... Everyone looked at the pathetic Earl in disgust, but now justice was done.
A slave Woman ran forward with water and a cloth as I wiped my hands clean.
Once I was done the Earls heart stopped beating and everyone looked on at what had just happened in silence.
Then Siggy walked to me slowly and knelt down on the bloody floor.
She lowered her head and spoke.
"Hail...Earl Thenn." Siggys voice was soft but it entered the ears of everyone in the Hall.
Immediately after a cacophony of thuds were heard as hundreds of people dropped to their knees before me.
"HAIL EARL THENN!!!" Balgrud shouted loudly and everyone began to repeat it.
""Hail Earl Thenn!!!""
""Hail Earl Thenn!!!""
""Hail Earl Thenn!!!""
""Hail Earl Thenn!!!""
""Hail Earl Thenn!!!""
Their voices were loud and jubilant as they looked up at me.
I raised my hand and they quickly quieted down to hear what I would say.
"I accept the position as your Earl....I claim all of Earl Haraldsons Lands, His Treasures, His Slaves, His Homes, His Titles, And His Family for my Own....Is there any man or woman here who would speak out against this?" I asked aloud and none made a sound.
"Very well, Siggy shall become my servant as is my Right....Thyri Shall become by Wife if she is not against it." I spoke and immediately everyone looked to Thyri for an answer.
When they saw her blushed cheeks everyone snickered at the Shy girl in amusement, before long she spoke.
"I...I..w...wo...would not be against b..becoming your W...Wi..Wife Thenn Odinson if you do not mind having me..." She spoke and twiddled her thumbs cutely.
I walked up to her and grabbed her soft cheek and raised her face as I looked into her beautiful soft eyes.
I leaned in close and kissed her softly as everyone in the hall began to cheer their congratulations.
After that Balgrud asked aloud. "BOSS...I MEAN...MY LORD, WHAT DO WE DO WITH THE TRAITORS CORPSE..." He asked while patting his belly.
"Feed his body to the pigs, I curse him, may he never enter Valhalla." I spoke and immediately a few of my men moved and cut Earl Haraldson loose and walked outside with him as if he were some garbage.....my men did think he was scum.
Outside they walked to the my new private Pig Pen which recently changed owners and chucked him in.
A single fat hog wandered over and sniffed the Dead Earl for only a moment before squealing happily and begging to tear at his cheeks and lips ravenously.
The pigs happy squeals woke up the entire herd and they rushed over to see what all the commotion was about.
Before long they began tearing off his flesh with their short tusks and savoring his still warm flesh.
One young pig bit into the loose lung of the Earl and yanked hard a few times before it tore off and it ran off with it happily.
My men watched this while laughing happily at the pigs new feast.
Inside the slaves were cleaning the floor as every man came forward and gave me their Oath on their arm Rings....it took a while and the Sun quickly fell from the sky.
We continued Feasting and drinking in celebration until it was time for everyone to leave.
I had Balgrud and Anguy stay here permanently along with the Guards since they were single.
I moved through the halls and rooms while inspecting all of my new things while Thyri was latched to my arm and smelled my scent greedily.
Soon enough we moved into the cellars and saw the sheer extent of supplies, Food, Wine, Mead and more that the Earl had.
"All of this is only a fraction of the wealth you brought him....just wait until you see the Treasury." She spoke and took out the key from between her breasts and unlocked the heavy metal door.
We walked inside and saw chests of not only gold and silver but silk, glass and Crystal, and so much more.
"He buried most of his wealth in a secret spot for his journey to the afterlife....I can show it to you later, only Haraldson, Svein, and I know if it." She spoke with a smile and I kissed her cheek.
"Good to know, Both of you stay here for the night....I will return with my family to move in soon enough." I spoke.
Siggy nodded like the good slave she was now, but Thyri held me tightly and snuggled up to me. "Don't Go...Please..." She asked cutely.
"Why don't you come with me, You can spend some time with your new sisters." I spoke and she nodded.
After that I walked out to where Irul and Pvetu were waiting along with their men.
"All of you are free to return home, take the bodies of your fallen as well....If you ever wish to join my crew show up and I will take you in." I spoke and they all bowed low and thanked me before leaving.
After that i walked to the Earls Stable and found twenty horses, there was one that stood out from the rest and caught my attention since it was far larger than the others, probably the only one that would carry me without complaint.
I walked up to its stable and immediately Thyri spoke. "That's Ignu, My father bought him for a half pound of Gold but never got to ride him...he's just to unruly." Thyri spoke and I smiled at the majestic beast....it was entirely black except for the mark of Cain on its forehead.
I walked up and it stomped its legs angrily and snorted at me until I grabbed it's throat tightly and held it with all my strength as it whinnied and tried to bite and kick me.
It continued for a few minutes until it finally realized it couldn't break free or attack so it just stayed still and glared at me In a rage.
I brought my mouth to it's ear and spoke.
"I will only say this once.....You allow yourself to be ridden....or I will turn you into stew....I don't care how much you cost because a horse I can't ride is useless to me...." I spoke coldly and I could feel it trembling at my words.
Then it's body stopped being tense and it neighed at me but stopped fighting as I let it's thick neck go.
I turned to the stablemaster and spoke.
"Saddle this one up now." I ordered and the old slave man scurried and began to saddle the horse up cautiously just in case it kicked or bit him....but it reluctantly behaved and soon enough I climbed on and pulled Thyri up with me as she sat sidesaddle while her little arms wrapped around me tightly.
The horse beneath me felt like taught steel and power...as it walked out of the stable, I could sense it's displeasure at being ridden but it didn't feel fighting back was the smart thing to do.
We headed on out the gates and as soon as we hit the dirt road I spoke to the unruly beast beneath me.
"Show me if you're worth what that Earl paid for you Ignu....I hope you aren't a disappointment." I spoke and it turned back to look at me in displeasure.
It snorted at me and stomped its thick and heavy hoof down and whinnied as if issuing a challenge.
I wrapped one arm around Thyri to keep her safe then kicked my legs against the beasts sides.
Immediately its powerful legs kicked down hard and sent the soft earth flying behind us as we rocketed down the road.
Thyri screamed loudly in fear at the beasts speed which only seemed to make it run harder and faster down the road as I headed for home.....
(It's a birthday in the family, I'm very drunk so I hope the mistakes weren't too bad.)
