The Son Of Ragnar

Chapter 349 King Askild And Grjötgard

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King Tryggve was the one responsible for everything but what really happened?

The Kingdom of Ranrike that Tryggve led made contact with the Kingdom of Orkdalen led by Gryting. 

King Gryting initially had no interest in attacking Rogaland because he had nothing to gain from it but he was not the sharpest tool in the shed either. 

Tryggve was a cunning man and it took a little convincing but he promised King Gryting wealth beyond his comprehension and that was enough to convince the King of a struggling Kingdom to partake in this attack.

King Tryggve already ensured a fail-safe plan and that was what he did in Iceland, he was aware of the Gardssons' presence there and knew that they were watching. 

That was why he did what he did with his arm, this would further give credibility should he result to this.

But he did meet Ingólfur Arnarson and whatever he discussed with the man was unknown but that was not the first time they met and this whole plan was Ingólfur Arnarson's idea. 

The plan was to kill Estrid first by using Ludvig because they shared history and it would be a lot easier for him to approach her without anyone suspecting him but that plan went down the barrel the moment Ludvig disappeared. 

It was ironic but Ludvig's death is what delayed the attack until morning because they had every intention of attacking that night but the key component was gone. 

If they could kill Estrid, King Rugalf would be overcome by rage and a man filled with rage was bound to make questionable choices but that did not come to pass unfortunately for them. 

King Askild was not left in the dark, King Gryting had previously contacted him to aid them in their attack but Askild abruptly turned them down. 

Gryting worried he might tell King Rugalf of their plan but they were surprised that he did not, King Askild had no interest in whatever they had planned.

Well, not until he overheard what Estrid told Salgard.

Askild knew that Gryting was the weak link and with his son dead, the plan was already over before it could begin but there was an alternate route. 

Askild convinced Tryggve to betray Gryting by not partaking in the attack at all but this was not the only thing he suggested, Tor had to die. 

Askild thought that Tryggve would oppose this but he was down to abort his plan to kill the Gardsson.

Tryggve killed his son in cold blood but he never loved Tor, he was in every way inferior to his younger brother but at least he was useful in death.

The plan was no longer to kill the Gardssons but rather to gain their trust while making them question King Ragnar's loyalty. There was more benefit in gaining their trust at this moment in time as their deaths would greatly affect the expedition planned in England. 

Gryting was not even aware of the accusation against him before he launched the attack, he mistook Tryggve's actions as the signal, an intentional action from King Tryggve to get him to start attacking Rogaland and it worked. 

Rugalf did not suspect Ragnar's involvement but the same could not be said with Grjötgard.

Grjötgard knew Ragnar had the Kingdom to gain if they died through Tyr.

He entertained this possibility and with Askild gaining their trust to a certain degree, Grjötgard called him into his private chambers to discuss with him because Askild had far more information on Ragnar than anyone else. 

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"Grjötgard, I am surprised you want to see me…" King Askild said, seated right across Grjötgard.

"I had you wrong King Askild…" Grjötgard muttered.

"Hahaha! I get that a lot but I am glad that your family is safe," Askild responded with a warm smile. 

"What can you tell me about King Ragnar?" Grjötgard got straight to the point.

"King Ragnar is an excellent warrior and a good King. I think more people ought to be more like him…" Askild responded.

"Cut the bullshit. I know Ragnarbetrayed you and cut your influence in Vestfold. I am also aware that King Raganr has made plans to absorb the smaller Kingdoms," Grjötgard said bluntly and Ragnar was glad that his plan worked out the way it did because an opportunity to turn the Gardssons against him presented itself. 

"King Ragnar did betray me under a set of conditions that I, myself, could not blame him for but I do not think he is the threat you should be worried about. Ragnar is a man of his word and a cautious man so it would be quite ridiculous for him to dispose of the single thing that would implicate him so carelessly." Askild was surprisingly siding with King Ragnar because he knew that this was a test. If he spoke against Ragnar then Grjötgard would discover that Askild might have an agenda but defending Ragnar would prove the opposite. 

"Who is the person we should worry about?" Grjötgard questioned.

"King Signy of Vingulmark…" Askild said. 

Askild planned to give everyone a false enemy to focus on even though Signy had nothing to do with any of this; Signy remained a threat he was wary of. 

"King Signy? Tell me Askild, have you heard the name Ingólfur Arnarson?" Grjötgard asked, the conversation was surprisingly calm but Askild knew he had to be careful because this man was clearly a lot smarter than King Rugalf because he entertained every possibility regardless of the kind of individual the person in question was.

"The man who conquered Iceland and currently dominates the sea…." King Askild said to which Grjötgard nodded. 

"He also killed my brothers… You see, my brother thinks he should be left unpunished because of the potential aid he might be able to provide us but it seems like Ingólfur was not satisfied with killing a few of my brothers, he wants us all dead…" Grjötgard said sternly, Askild was surprised that he was revealing this information to him. 

".... I am tired of following my brother's command, King Askild and I know you are the kind of man that understands why…" Grjötgard was right in a sense, King Rugalf's need for peace was being translated as weakness by the enemies and Grjötgard knew he needed to send a message that showed Ingólfur Arnarson that they would not accept such transgressions. He got the gist of it from Vegard, Gryting met with Ingólfur Arnarson so that could only mean one thing.

"I do not know this King Signy but if you aid me in my little problem, I will be more than happy to return the favour. I believe this could be the start of a good relationship with you, King Askild," Grjötgard proposed. 

"What do you have in mind, General Grjötgard?" Askild asked as a partnership that had the potential to throw the entire Viking world into chaos was manifesting