23 The Second Raid

For the past three days, Thorfinn sat around a campfire doing nothing but stare into the flames. Arwyn rested her head on his lap, she still sometimes wept because of her sister but for the most part, her years had dried. Thorfinn didn't much care about Eowyns death, but what he lamented was that her death meant that his child would never be born into this world. This filled him full of regret and increased the anger that he felt towards Eowyn, if she hadn't poisoned him then she wouldn't have been taken.

These were the thoughts that constantly ran through Thorfinns mind as he stared into the flames of the campfire. Arywn was more just upset at losing her sister, Thorfinn had not told her what Eowyn had tried to do; Arwyn was loyal and didn't deserve the conflict that such knowledge would cause. Blaeja had been worried about the two of them as it had been two days since the incident at the camp and they had not spoken since, even when she had tried to engage them in conversation.

This was not how she imagined her adventure beginning, seeing Thorfinn massacre a group of people had shocked her, but thinking about it a bit more deeply she realised she didn't much care for these strangers, and if they wronged Thorfinn he was within his right to take revenge. Right now she sat by the campfire reading one of her books, or at least trying to. The language in this bound book was unlike anything she'd seen before. Blaeja was able to speak a number of other languages but this one truly puzzled her; usually, she wouldn't bother with books she couldn't read, but the wanderer who had sold it to her said this book instructed someone in the art of changing one thing into another.

"I think it's time I went home," Thorfinn said out loud, his voice echoing across the forest. Arwyn moved up from his lap and looked at him and Blaeja put her book down.

"What do you mean?" Blaeja said, asking the question on Arwyns mind as well as hers.

Having fatherhood ripped away from him so soon after learning about it had left Thorfinn feeling slightly melancholic. He wanted to go home and take solace in the arms of the woman he loved, he missed Rebekah, he missed Gyda and he even missed Hild. He didn't want to be in this foreign land anymore, at least for now. "I have spent enough time in this land, I have acquired wealth and knowledge, now it is time I went home and put it to use," He explained.

"You are free to go, I will give you some silver to make your own way," he said looking at Arwyn. She had been loyal to him since the beginning, he would reward her by giving her freedom.

Arwyn shook her head "I do not wish it, my place is with you," She said a little desperately. She did not want to be abandoned by her lord, especially at a time when he needed her the most —and when she needed him.

Thorfinn nodded "You are welcome to join my household as a free woman, I will not take you as a slave," he said, Arwyn smiled and pressed herself closer to him. Thorfinn then looked to Blaeja who had a smile on her face as well.

"I came with you to see new lands, I would like to see your home as well as what you plan to do with your land," She said to which Thorfinn nodded.

"My people should be coming back to this land soon, we will set up near the coast and wait for word of their arrival," Thorfinn stated.

He then leaned forward and gave Blaeja a serious expression "We will most likely raid and pillage your land when they come, are you prepared to witness this?" He asked.

Blaeja didn't respond for a moment but nodded soon after "I don't like seeing people in pain or being hurt, but I do not feel any responsibility to the people of this land, I won't do anything to stop you," she stated. She was only really interested in travelling, she felt no attachment to this land or its people and wouldn't shed a tear if it were to burn down. If the greatest empire in the world was able to fall so low then a Kingdom like her fathers could disappear in an instant.

Thorfinn nodded, he was looking forward to Ragnar returning. He needed to fight something and joining their raid sounded just like what he needed to get out of this state he was in; it would also hopefully cast away the thoughts of Eowyn and the babe that had constantly been plaguing his mind. For now, he would have to distract himself by reading; one of the books he had been given by Blaeja had been of much interest to him.

'The Book of Shadows'

He did not know how she came across such a book, when he asked her she said that she found it during one of their visits to the old stones. Based on what he knew of Christians, if they knew she had a book they would likely execute her or make her repent by becoming a nun. Magic and witchcraft were frowned upon in this land, though for what reason Thorfinn didn't know. Those who had the gift of magic in his home were revered, it was proof they could be descended from a god.

This book of shadows had much information on the people who lived a long time ago. There was much to learn from this book though Thorfinn wasn't entirely sure how much he could learn, he was sure he didn't have the gift of magic, a lot of the book were different rituals and spells as well as the power held within objects and celestial events. Though the part that interested him the most was the herbal recipes, the way they mixed ingredients was strange, to say the least, but they also included an additional step which was to empower ingredients by using certain spells and crystals. It was all so strange, he wondered if he was reading their language correctly; he had spent the last two days learning it from Blaeja who was just as amazed as Judith at his comprehension of new languages.

He would need to try and do this, if he did have access to magic, even a small amount then it would help him immensely. He could enhance the soil in his farmland to help grow food, or he could make his tonics much more potent. Blaeja would regret giving this book up, she did not believe in magic or craft thinking it was all tricks, but once she saw proof of it she'd know she was wrong.

After reading for a few hours longer Thorfinn closed his book before lying down next to the fire and closing his eyes. Arwyn curled up against his body as she usually did and fell asleep quickly after him. Blaeja stayed up a bit longer but recognised the futility of trying to decipher such an unfamiliar language.

———————————————————-

"Do you see it, the new land, and we are here together my love," Ragnar whispered to Lagertha as they stood at the bow of the ship looking at the shores of Northumbria.

"It seems we are not alone Ragnar," Floki said as he leaned over the edge of the ship. It looked as if a detachment of Saxon soldiers were waiting for them "There will be no trouble, as long as you animals can behave yourself!" Ragnar shouted with a laugh at the crew, getting some shouts and cheers in return.

"We should kill them, they might attack us as soon as we land," Rollo said from next to them.

"They don't know who we are, they have no reason to attack us," Ragnar said as he shook his head.

"Then what will we tell them, Ragnar?" Lagertha asked.

"We are traders from the north, the priest told me King Aelle welcomes all traders in his Kingdom," Ragnar explained. From the look on Rollo and Floki's faces, they did not look convinced and very much still wanted to slaughter the men waiting for them. Further down the ship Elijah and Niklaus sat together; Niklaus was excited about this raid, his blood thrummed with excitement and he could barely still his hands enough to continue the wooden carving he was working on. Elijah in contrast was stoic and kept his eyes on the ocean, he had been on many raids before and so wasn't as excited as the others were. He was more concerned with finding Thorfinn once he arrived, something he knew would be difficult as he didn't know where he would be and didn't know where their ship would be landing. His thoughts were also drawn to Rebekah, he was somewhat comforted by Hild being there for her but he was still concerned for her safety.

"Brother why do you have to have such a glum expression, think of all the riches and glory we will find in this land!" Niklaus said as he clapped him on the shoulder.

"We are already rich Niklaus, more silver will not make me happier," Elijah replied.

"What about the chance to battle against an unknown enemy, you must admit the eastlanders were getting boring," Niklaus stated

"Killing bores me, it is fighting that I find exciting and based on what Ragnar said the first time he returned there will not be much battle to be found here," he replied.

"Do you suppose Thorfinn has survived then? He must have a good amount of treasure by now," Niklaus asked.

Elijah nodded "He better be alive, to fall to an enemy like this would shame me as his trainer," he replied making Niklaus laugh. Their conversation was stopped as they heard the orders to draw in the sails and start rowing, with the type of ship they had they would be able to go close to shore and even beach the boat if needed.

"Come on boys let's go!" Rollo shouted to everyone and they all cheered as they grabbed their shields and axes before jumping off the boat into waist-deep water. Ragnar and Lagertha led at the front with Floki and Rollo behind them; Niklaus waded through the water at a pace much faster than the others. His grip tightened around his sword and his blood urged him to charge at the men waiting for them on the beach. The Saxons on the beach looked nervous when Ragnar and his men emerged from the water; even the tallest amongst the Saxons was shorter than the shortest Viking, and Rollo who was the tallest amongst the Vikings looked like a giant in the flesh.

"H-Halt..." The leader of the detachment stuttered out. Sweat was already pouring down his forehead as Ragnar and Rollo approached him. He had never seen men like these before, they looked as if they could crush stone with their bare hands. Ragnar was the only one who could speak their language, he understood what the man said and urged the men to stop. This calmed the guard captain down a bit and gave him the confidence to confront them.

"S-State your business in these lands," The Guard Captain instructed though his voice was still shaky, especially when Rollo stepped forward.

"What does this weak man say, brother?" Rollo asked Ragnar as his eyes never left the captain.

Ragnar put his hand on Rollo's shoulder stopping him from continuing forward. "He asks what our business in this land is," Ragnar replied to him but also said it loudly enough for the rest of the men to hear.

"Tell him we are here to steal his silver and fuck his wife!" Rollo shouted making the men cheer.

Ragnar chucked but shook his head "We... are traders... from the north," Ragnar said gesturing to himself and his men.

The guards relaxed slightly some even laughed at the ridiculousness of their own fear "What do you bring to trade?" The captain said a bit more sceptically.

"We bring... fur and wine," Ragnar replied. While the Saxon guards were a bit more relaxed, Rollo and the other men were not as trusting.

"King Aelle invites you to his palace, we would like for you to come with us, we will help transport your goods as well," The guard captain stated.

Ragnar silently cursed, this was not what he wanted to happen, fighting before they had a chance to raid would not be in their best interests. "Ragnar, what did he say?" Lagertha asked as she grabbed his shoulder from behind.

"They want us to go with them to see their king," Ragnar responded.

Rollo shook his head and stepped forward "I do not trust these men brother, let's kill them and be done with it," he said.

"What is he saying!?" The Guard Captain said in a bit of a panic. The other guards became nervous as well due to Rollo's threatening behaviour.

"Rollo is right they have no business being alive," Floki giggled as he unholstered his axe.

Ragnar sighed "Be calm we don't need to get into a fight so early," he said to both men.

"Aahaha and why not Ragnar it's why we are here after all," Torsten said as he prepared for battle.

Elijah and Niklaus moved through the men to the front "I agree we should kill them, they will probably lead us into a trap," Niklaus said.

"What are they saying!" The guard captain shouted.

"We do not want to exhaust ourselves before we even begin our raid," Elijah cut in.

Rollo barked out a laugh at that "I could kill these men without winding myself, they will pose no challenge," he stated.

"What are they saying!!!" The captain shouted again.

Ragnar turned back to the Saxon "My brother, he does not trust you and your men," he replied.

"You have our word on God that we shall grant you safe passage to-"

*Squelch*

The Captain's head was split in half by Rollo's axe. The Saxons stood there in shock as blood splattered onto the giant man.

"Odin!!!" Torsten yelled as they charged against the Northumbrian men. What proceeded was a slaughter as the unprepared soldiers were overrun by Ragnar and his men. Niklaus was one of the first to charge as he shield-bashed the man in front of him and brought his axe down on his head. The Saxon next to him recovered from his shock quickly and tried to bring his sword down on Niklaus's neck, but Elijah parried his sword before pummelling him

With the butt of his sword, tripping him up and stabbing him through the neck.

A few of the Saxons tried to go for Lagertha thinking her to be an easy target, but she was able to deftly avoid their blades while carving her sword through their throats. With blood splattered on her face, she looked every bit the shieldmaiden everyone knew her as. Ragnar just shook his head as he started cutting down the Saxons in front of him; he had hoped it wouldn't come to this, he was interested in meeting this King Aelle, Athelstan did not know much about him —only being a monk. 'I suppose it can wait,' he thought to himself as he leaned away from a wild swing before sinking his axe into the soldier's chest.

Rollo was having the time of his life in this fight, much like Thorfinn he wasn't satisfied with the challenge the monks gave him when he first came to this land —Though the riches they found were enough to calm his blood. These men proved a greater challenge but they were still not enough. He parried off a sword to the side with the blade of his axe before smashing the head of the axe into the man's face breaking all his teeth. He then grabbed him by the throat and threw him towards a man who was trying to run away; with both men on top of one another, he grabbed one of their swords before stabbing it through both of their necks and pinning them to the ground.

Ragnar and his crew outnumbered the Saxons but only by a few men, and yet they had not lost one person to them. The Saxons were slaughtered too fast to even allow them to retreat. However, one of them managed to get on the captain's horse and was quickly galloping away. "Brother!" Elijah called out. Niklaus turned and unholstered his axe before closing one of his eyes and throwing it straight at the man on the horse. The men all watched as the axe sailed through the air.

*Thud*

"AAAAAAHHH!" The Saxon screamed as the axe sunk into his shoulder blade, though miraculously he managed to stay on his horse and was quickly out of side as he rode into the forest.

Niklaus cursed before spitting on the ground, Elijah let out a rare smile as he gripped his shoulder "Losing your touch Niklaus?" He said jokingly, but Niklaus shook him off and walked away to start looting the guards.

Ragnar walked through the bodies looking for anything of interest but instead found nothing. He approached Lagertha and smiled at her placing his head against hers "Are you having fun?" He asked.

"It's all you promised and more," she said as she wiped the blood from her face with a damp cloth.

"They should have a camp nearby, we can pillage their supplies before we leave," Ragnar said.

"This one's alive!" Elijah called out as he pressed his foot down on the Saxon's chest.

"Not for long," Rollo said as he walked towards the downed Saxon with his axe.

"Enough brother, we keep this one alive," Ragnar said as he grabbed Rollo by the shoulder.

Rollo shrugged off his hand before frowning at Ragnar "Saving another Saxon already, some might think you love these godless people, Ragnar," he said as he pushed his finger into his chest.

Ragnar just smiled at him before brushing his hand off him "Do you know the way to Hexham Rollo? If so by all means kill the boy," he said as he gestured to the soldier.

Rollo just growled before walking away from Ragnar barging past him as he went. Ragnar laughed quietly before crouching down next to the Saxon "Do you want to live boy?" He asked and the young soldier nodded his head rapidly.

"Lead us to Hexham and you shall understand?" He said and the boy once again agreed. A large grin formed on Ragnar's face as he remembered the riches they had taken from just a small monastery, Hexham was a large town and would have much more to offer. People laughed at him for choosing Aethelstan as his treasure, but his knowledge was already proving its worth, much more than any of the silver or gold they had taken.

———————————————————-

Thorfinn, Arwyn and Blaeja once again found themselves camping not far from a town. He did not want to stay there for the night as anyone recognising Blaeja would cause him trouble. Though the Saxon Princess doubted that anyone would recognise her as she hadn't been to Hexham before; it wasn't a chance he was willing to take. He didn't mind sleeping tough and liked the peacefulness of the forest.

"We will get supplies tomorrow and head for the coast, tracking down the Druids took us further west than I thought," He told both of the girls as they settled down. The sun had just set and the only light came from their fire and the moon.

"I am excited to see your homeland Thorfinn, it sounds like a harsh but beautiful place," Blaeja said as she lay down in the opposite direction of Thorfinn so their heads were nearly touching.

"That is a fine way to describe it, I find myself longing for it as well," he replied.

"Will we have to farm?" Arwyn asked as she lay on Thorfinns chest.

Thorfinn chuckled "No you won't, the way you serve me now will be enough," he assured her.

"When you meet my people do not mention your title to them, they will only see your worth in gold and silver if they know your identity," Thorfinn said to both of them. Blaeja didn't need to be told this, she knew her worth to any enemy of her father, he would be willing to pay a large sum for his daughters. While she didn't much love Northumbria she did love her father and didn't want to put him through that.

They talked a bit more but as the night went on they each started to tire and fell asleep one by one with Thorfinn being the last to go. He had improved the past week but was still rather depressed at the recent events that had transpired, he knew better than most the mortality rate of babes having seen many of them perish through harsh winters, but he had a feeling that had Eowyn not died she would've birthed him a strong son. 'The gods will,' he reminded himself before casting all thoughts of it away and closing his eyes.

...

Arwyns ears twitched as she opened her eyes, with all her senses surpassing that of a regular person she was able to hear the sounds of boot-crunching grass. It was clear to her that whoever was approaching was trying to sneak up on them, and while their footsteps were quiet their smell was not. She roughly pushed herself off Thorfinn which managed to stir him from his sleep; she crouched down and looked at the bush where the closest smell came from and she charged at it. A man popped out of the bush with an axe drawn back, he didn't get to bring it down as Arwyn barged him sending him tumbling a few feet away.

Another man came from behind a tree and tried to grab her but she through a wild punch which caught him in the ribs making him shout in pain before falling to the ground. At this point Thorfinn was awake and he rolled backwards before grabbing his axe and throwing it at a man who was charging at them. He managed to avoid it but fell on the ground as he did.

Arwyn slammed her fist down on the downed man and heard a big crack as she did. "SAXON BITCH!" He shouted as he kicked her away. She tumbled into the arms of a giant man who pushed her to the ground restraining her. Though he was surprised that he was having trouble doing so.

Thorfinn heard the man call Arwyn a Saxon bitch and turned as it was said in this language. That's when he saw the man who was restraining Arwyn "Rollo?!" Thorfinn called out.

Rollo looked up and his frown turned into a smile "Thorfinn!" He shouted back.

It had been just around two months since they last saw each other but a lot had happened in those two months for Thorfinn. "Do you mind letting go of my Thrall," he said with a grin as he approached Rollo.

"She is yours? Where did you find her she has the strength of a bear," Rollo said as he stood up. Arywn immediately stood and went to Thorfinns side glaring at Rollo.

"She is one of the first people I met in these lands, as for her strength that is a different story," Thorfinn replied.

"One I will be glad to hear tonight," Rollo said as he clapped Thorfinn on the back.

Thorfinn was about to reply but was interrupted as he heard the yelling of the man on the floor who had been defeated by Arwyn. He looked at him closely and recognised him as Knut, he had only seen him once or twice in the Jarls hall but it was definitely him, he would never stray far from the Jarl.

"That fucking bitch I'll have her right now!" Knut said as he drew his dagger and limped over to her.

Rollo went to speak but Thorfinn held his hand up "Knut, she is mine you won't touch her," Thorfinn said in a serious tone.

Knut laughed "You don't even know what to do with your cock, get out my way boy," he said as he tried to push past Thorfinn only to get booted in the chest by the young boy. The other men that were with them readied to fight but Rollo held up his hands.

Thorfinn drew his sword and stabbed it between Knuts legs "You touch what is mine and I will unman you!" He growled out. Knut could only lie there helplessly, the smirk on Arwyns face infuriated him to no end and he promised that he would rape that bitch.

"That includes the other woman as well!" He said loudly enough for everyone to hear. Though when he looked over at Blaeja he saw she was still asleep which made him sigh. To sleep through an entire fight was just ridiculous.

When he turned to Rollo again the man was smiling "When did you become a man?" He asked in a joking manner.

Thorfinn returned the smile "Long before you that's for sure," he replied before they both embraced.

"Where is Ragnar and everyone else?" Thorfinn asked.

"They are at the camp not far from here, we saw the smoke from your fire and a small group of us decided to come and rob you," Rollo said with a chuckle.

Thorfinn nodded "Let me get packed and I will join you at camp,"

Rollo nodded "It's a mile or two east of here, we are by a stream you won't miss it,"

"I look forward to seeing everyone again."

(AN: So Thorfinn has reunited with Rollo, I know it's a little convenient that they met and very unlikely, but ah well. Plus Thorfinn has finally got a book on Celtic magic. Sorry this chapter is a bit late but I been working a lot recently you know how it is. I hope you enjoyed the chapter.)

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