Askild's move to overthrow Xenophanes was gaining a foundation and he had recruited one of the most ruthless killers but his plans would have to wait as they were sent to curb an attempted incursion by a neighboring kingdom. There, Askild almost lost his life but was saved by Ragnar. This was the battle that made Ragnar and the commanders of the present stand out as they had defining contributions to the success. Lagertha was a well-known maiden but a maiden that was far less famous was a lady known as Ulfhild, who was the wife of Asger.
She was a lady with unparalleled beauty, making Lagertha look ordinary beside her.
Asger was smitten with her and made her his wife at a young age, every man wanted her but no man could have her except Asger.
Birger was interested in her like every man with blood in his body but he did not make a move on her because she was married.
The incursion was pushed back, the strength of Kattegat was simply overwhelming in every aspect and their enemies stood no chance.
"Ragnar, I want to thank you for saving my life, I will not forget it…" Askild showed his gratitude. Ragnar tried to play it cool but in reality, he was flustered, and he did not know how to compose himself.
"I saved your life? I can't remember the faces of everyone I saved…' Ragnar bragged loudly but an arm grabbed his shoulder.
"You did not save anyone else, brother!" Ulf countered his brother's bragging.
"ULF! YOU ALWAYS SPOIL MY SHINE!" Ragnar barked and Askild could not help but chuckle at the brother's interaction.
"You are Askild, are you not? You always hang around King Xenophanes…" Ragnar asked, he was interested in conversing with Askild because he was the only one that was close to their king.
"Yes, I am. I am glad you have heard of me." Askild said with an embarrassed smile.
"Heard of you!? You are famous!" Ragnar exclaimed and Ulf had to calm him down because he was sounding far too excited for something as simple as an interaction.
"You are embarrassing me, brother," Ulf said but he also noticed Askild's lack of interest in him.
It always happened, and he had gotten used to it as Ragnar was the fun one to be around.
But someone soon covered his eyes, and a whisper followed.
"Guess who it is?" A feminine voice asked Ulf.
"I will always recognize that voice. If it isn't Lagertha…" Ulf said, prompting the lady to remove her hand. Ulf looked back to see Lagertha pouting, she tried her best to disguise her voice yet Ulf could easily tell it was her.
"You look pissed…" Ulf said but Lagertha did not respond and held her face.
Out of nowhere came Ragnar, he was walking with Askild and this was the first time Lagertha caught his attention.
"If you keep your face like that you will get wrinkles, no one likes wrinkles…" Ragnar outright insulted her. She was perplexed by his rudeness and audacity, Ulf tried his best not to laugh and despite accomplishing this goal, he could not hide his goofy face.
Lagertha had seen Ragnar around but she had never bothered in knowing, all she knew was that he was Ulf's brother.
"Who do you think you are!?" Lagertha shouted, prompting Ragnar to jerk his head back.
"Ulf! I will see you later!" Ragnar said, before continuing his walk. He had completely ignored Lagertha and this had her fuming, it took everything in Ulf to calm her down.
-
Xenophanes' health suddenly started to decline, it was unexpected and sudden but it did not stop him from his daily activities despite no one knowing what was wrong.
King Xenophanes was being given medicine made by his sister, Liv, and that was part of the reason he lasted so long, to begin with.
"Liv, am I dying?" Xenophanes asked, but he did not sound worried because he knew that even if he was dying, it would take a couple of years for whatever afflicted him to kill him.
"I do not know but it is not looking good," Liv responded and Xenophanes' face lightened up the moment he heard this.
"Liv… I have something to tell you…" Xenophanes whispered in a dire tone, gesturing for his younger sister to come closer, which she did. Fear danced in her eyes as she had never seen Xenophanes look this serious before.
"What is it, brother?" Liv asked and Xenophanes coughed faintly before saying.
"I am your father…" Xenophanes muttered and Liv wore a disappointed face.
"This is why no man has come for your hand, Liv. You do not have any sense of humor." Xenophanes teased his little sister.
"I hope you die sooner." Liv retorted and Xenophanes could not hold in his laughter, he burst out laughing like a madman. Even in the face of death, Xenophanes remained fearless.
It continued like this and it got to the point that his joints stiffen and his overall health plummeted. Soon, the medicine stopped walking altogether, and Xenopanes was on a steady decline toward death. Askild knew that this was his chance to challenge Xenophanes. He did just that, challenging Xenophanes to a battle for the right to rule over Kattegat.
Xenophanes accepted despite Birger urging him to decline, but he refused.
He bested Askild despite his handicapped condition but could not bring himself to land the final blow despite taking one of his eyes in the duel, offering Askild a hand to help him get to his feet but this moment is what cost him his life as Askild impaled him clean through the heart. Everyone witnessed it and no one could believe it, no one could believe that Askild dug his blade into the man who made him who he was. It was a duel and by all rights, Askild did not do anything wrong as Xenophanes had gotten sentimental.
He could not kill Askild because he still saw him as the kid he raised, for a brief moment that shy boy was all he saw.
This was how Askild killed Xenophanes and became king but there was a twist to this story. He lost an eye but gained the crown.
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