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I gathered a crew before leaving the settlement, a church was burning behind my back.

- Listen ... First we will escort the slaves to our camp, and then we move to the next settlement. Five people will be there to watch over them. You, you, you and two more ... The slaves are to be bound all the time, you can have fun with them, but do not damage the goods ... let's go... Anyone who lingers in the march must spend the night with this slave that Leif captured.

- Ulf, why don't we kill her, no one will buy her ... she's ugly.

When we were leaving the settlement, I also looked at Knut, who had not yet made his life decision.

- Be well Knut. I hope we will meet in good health in the future, drink a beer together ... and take what happened as a good joke.

And waved him goodbye... One day my mercy will destroy me, anyone else in my place would kill him. I gave him a chance for life, not a big one, but maybe it will be his lucky day.

It took us longer to return to the camp than I thought. People, loot, and a few livestock for consumption to save our supplies.

We sat by the fire and everyone told what he had done, the stories turned into a fight for life ... I listened to them and I was disbelieving ... killing a few villagers was not worth my attention, and you create sagas.

- Ulf ... Ulf ... ULF !!!

- What? ... it's you Floki, I thought for a moment. What were you asking about?

- What is this?

Floki showed me the book, it was the Bible.

- It's a book, more precisely the Bible, the holy book of their God. It describes the history of the world and more.

- But what is it made of?

- It's paper, I don't know how it's made ... I heard something that was made of wood or plants ... I don't know how.

- I have not seen such material before, light, thin ...

I grabbed a bit of a page and tore it off, held it against the fire.

- and flammable, Floki.

- Ulf, and those symbols?

- They are the letters of a language called Latin, written in words, something like our runes.

Then I had to read the passage to them, I started from the beginning ... I read to them the parable of the creation of the world and Adam and Eve.

But then I had no intention of getting into the discussions, let them decide their own thoughts.

- My love, are we going to the tent?

- No, I'm on watch today.

- Then you'll come later.

I got up from the fire, walked a bit further and climbed the tree to have a better field of view.

The next morning, I left camp disguised as a monk and headed north-west towards the seaside settlement. My crew was supposed to leave a few hours to pick me up, so I didn't want to waste any time returning to camp now.

The settlement was much larger, it had over forty houses, which can be converted into 150 people, there was also a church and a small garrison. There were two ships in the harbor that looked like cogs, but smaller and more primitive. The church looked promising, it even had stone elements. The interior was also more richly decorated, on one of the walls there was an image of Mary and the baby... and the best news was that tomorrow is Sunday and everyone will be attending mass.

I returned to my crew who waited about two kilometers south of the settlement.

- We are attacking tomorrow, mass is tomorrow ... this is their weekly feast and everyone will be in the church. I don't expect much resistance. It is inhabited by about 150 people, there are also two ship crews, about 40 people. Try to limit the killing, we'll need crews of these ships and maybe there are people here who can build boats. We will take the ships home with us, and artisans may help us improve our ships.

(Lagertha POV)

Ulf avoids me, does not talk to me, and if he says something, then only short sentences ... I know that it is about Knut, I attacked him ... I saw myself in this woman's place, if Ulf had not saved me then ... I must talk to them and explain it all.

(End POV)

I was fumbling with a stick in the fire when Lagertha sat down next to me.

- Ulf, I know I shouldn't attack Knut, but it was stronger. I couldn't help but see myself in her place ...

- If Erik hadn't saved you, it would have been you. I understand you felt an inner need to save this woman ... but you endangered yourself and us. Knut was Jarl's brother and even though we have a witness, Jarl will still want to take revenge ... The next time you see something you don't like ... close your eyes and I made a spectacle of Knut's execution so that no one would even dare to look at you with evil intentions ... but the life of slaves is not worth yours.

- Ulf ...

- There are two kinds of people in the world - wolves and sheep. Never be a sheep, because the wolves will eat you ... go to sleep, we'll show our fangs tomorrow.

- Will you come to the tent?

- Yes, but today we will only sleep ...

- Ulf, you can't lie. I can see you looking at me ...

- Like a wolf to a sheep

In the morning I went to the settlement disguised as a minch, the gate of the settlement was closed during the mass, but opening it was not a problem. I let my crew inside and we headed towards the church ... the villagers had left their weapons outside and the sounds of prayers were heard outside the door.

We broke down the door and ran inside, one of the men attacked Leif ... the next thing I saw was a dead body with an ax in its head. I spoke Latin.

- If no one moves, no one will die. Father, please translate it to them.