The Son Of Ragnar

Chapter 352 The Expedition To England

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Hours passed and King Ragnar returned to Vestfold but not before talking briefly with Askild in regards to Lagertha returning with him. 

King Askild allowed it because he knew that regardless of their affiliation, Lagertha was still his wife and needed to spend time with her husband.

King Askild returned to his Kingdom as well soon after because the event had concluded and unfortunately, it ended in casualties.

"It is finally over," King Rugalf muttered to himself.

"King Rugalf, what shall we do with the Kingdom of Orkdalen?" Grjötgard asked his brother. 

Rugalf was surprised by this question, he would think that things would end with Gryting's death but it seemed that Grjötgard was not satisfied.

"What do you mean? We leave them as they are…" Rugalf responded to his brother. 

"King Rugalf, as long as they exist they will want to have vengeance…" Grjötgard alerted his brother, hoping he would see reason. 

"That is true but the cycle will only continue. How many do you want to kill before you are satisfied, Grjötgard?" Rugalf questioned but Grjötgard had a disgusted look on his face. 

He could not believe that he was hearing this right now, Gryting dared to attack them in their home and this was all Rugalf intended to do?

"The cycle cannot continue if they are all dead. They need to understand the consequences of trying to attack Rogaland. Other Kingdoms are watching, King Rugalf. How we respond will be vital…" Grjötgard tried his best to remain calm because he knew the kind of person Rugalf was. 

He always tried the diplomatic approach before the violence but Gryting was once perceived to be an ally only for him to stab them in the back.

He could not trust their Kingdom anymore and Grjötgard knew the only way to be sure that they would not attempt something like this again is by burning it into the ground, killing everyone that resides there. 

It was extreme as this would mean killing hundreds of innocent people but Grjötgard did not care. 

"Enough Grjötgard! I will not hear any more of this!" Rugalf barked and Grjötgard kissed his teeth in irritation.

Grjötgard hated the fact that his brother made them look weak but he was no longer going to sit back and let Grjötgard dictate how they act. 

A man that had slaughtered their brothers was walking freely all because Rugalf was trying to place peacemaker and Grjötgard was fine with it but they crossed a line by attacking Rogaland directly. 

"King Rugalf, one of these days, you will regret your choices but I will never forgive you if another of our brothers should fall…" Grjötgard said bluntly.

The moment Rugalf heard this, he slammed his fist on the table in front of him.

"How dare you…!" Rugalf said; Grjötgard disrespected him so openly and this was one thing Rugalf did not tolerate but Grjötgard had had enough. 

Grjötgard realized he had overdone it and despite not believing he was wrong, he knew he had to apologize as he had disrespected a King, not just his brother. 

"I am sorry King Rugalf. I must be a lot more stressed than I thought. Forgive my words," Grjötgard apologized as he dropped to one knee. 

Rugalf sighed and recollected himself, he understood why Grjötgard was angry, they nearly lost Vegard. 

"That is fine, you sound go and rest up…" Kind Rugalf dismissed him but he had seen a side of Grjötgard he had not seen since they were younger and he feared what might happen. 

Rugalf saw sense in what he was saying but genocide was not the answer to this. 

"Grjötgard, do not do anything stupid…" Rugalf thought to himself. 

-

Rugalf announced that Tyr would be leading the expedition in England, no one had a problem with this and Thorgard was even glad because he would get to witness Tyr's strength in person. 

Thorgard was appointed the second-in-command, something that delighted him because he got to work hand-in-hand with Tyr Ragnarsson but Rugalf cut down the numbers he was planning to send there from fifteen in light of the recent development.

But this number was more than sufficient considering it was going to be a joint effort and Askild also reported that they were not fighters. 

Tyr was seen discussing with Thorgard, both of them looked serious as the sun settled on the horizon. 

"How do we even approach this? We do not know how many Vikings the other Kingdoms are approaching. Do we need to coordinate with them or individually?" Thorgard was bombarding Tyr with questions yet Tyr remained composed. 

"It does not matter what the other Kingdoms are doing, we are going to coordinate individually as I do not see other Kingdoms trusting us enough to let us in on their strategy. This may be a joint operation but do not mistake it as cooperation, they just want to use our numbers to scare the enemies, whatever happens after that is left to us," Tyr said, Thorgard was surprised he already thought that far ahead considering he was just made General. 

Tyr was right, they needed to coordinate their unit, that was their responsibility because whatever goods that is gotten in the expedition is to be shared evenly among all Kingdoms as a sign of good faith. Tyr knew how greedy man could be but something told him that King Askild would home true to his word because he was only starting to be looked at favourably by other Kingdoms. 

"It is really happening, we are going to England!" Thorgard said excitedly but Tyr did not share his excitement because he knew the devastating effects war had and he was also aware that the sea could rebel against them, killing them before they even reached their destination.

"We need to make a sacrifice…" Tyr muttered under his breath, this was his way to appease the gods and ask them for journey mercy.

".... A human sacrifice," Tyr was clearer the second time around.