The Son Of Ragnar

Chapter 388 War At Sea

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As the first light of day broke, the Vikings lay in slumber, oblivious to the imminent danger that lurked nearby. Abruptly, their peaceful rest was shattered by a piercing scream from one of the warriors.

"ENEMIES AHEAD!" The cry rang out, jolting Ragnar from his sleep. His eyes snapped open, a mix of confusion and concern filling his gaze. How could they be facing foes while still at sea?

Reacting swiftly, King Ragnar sprung to his feet, scanning the surroundings for any signs of threat. Ahead, an unfamiliar boat with a distinctive shape blocked their path, serving as a barricade against their advance.

What set this boat apart was the dense wood used to construct it allowing it to withstand blunt force, it wasn't created for sailing and the assault began.

These warriors had coated the arrowheads with oil-soaked cloth and set them ablaze, launching a deadly rain of fire down upon the Viking boats. The accuracy of their attack was uncanny, leaving the Vikings with little chance to avoid the loss of a few vessels.

A few were forced to abandon their boats  and take to the water, the Vikings struggled against the powerful currents. Their foes wasted no time and swiftly attacked with spears, ending the lives of those who couldn't help but be washed up right in front of them.

Recognizing the dire threat posed by the enemy's strategy, Ragnar sprang into action, determined to rectify the situation. However, during this momentary distraction, an arrow descended menacingly upon him from above.

Yet, King Ragnar was never one to leave his fate to chance. He had surrounded himself with loyal and trustworthy individuals, among them, the dependable Baard. In an astonishing display of bravery, Baard leaped into the air, catching the descending arrow between his teeth and extinguishing the flames with his tongue, despite suffering burns that didn't seem to bother him.

With the arrowhead spat out shortly after, Ragnar's composure remained unshaken, for he knew he was surrounded by people who would go to great lengths to ensure his safety. The battle raged on, and as the clash of steel and war cries echoed around him, Ragnar stood firm, ready to lead his loyal warriors into the heart of battle.

"These bastards!" Baard's expression contorted into a mask of fury as he witnessed the audacious attack on Ragnar. This was precisely what Ragnar had anticipated – he had deliberately left himself vulnerable to provoke such a reaction.

Baard had little tolerance for insolence, and hiss lack of comprehension of sarcasm or the unique relationship dynamic that Ragnar shared with his friends; most especially Skarde, would have cost Skarde his life long ago if not for Ragnar's intervention to send him away.

Those who dared to be rude or insult Ragnar often met a swift end at the hands of Baard's blade. He seemed like a man possessed, with "Ragnar" being the only word that triggered his wrath.

Though Baard appeared enraged, the lady by his side eclipsed his fury. She was livid at the mere sight of an arrow aimed in the direction of her King.

With a newfound assurance, Ragnar settled back into his sitting position. He realized that the threat might not be as dire as he initially feared, especially with the loyal and ferocious warriors at his side. The enemy had chosen an ill-fated day to launch their attack, for Ragnar's defenders were not to be trifled with.

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"Shield Wall!" Salgard's powerful command echoed over the tumultuous sea, and the warriors acted with swiftly, forming an impenetrable barrier with their shields. The shower of arrows harmlessly rebounded off this formidable canopy, cascading into the waters below. It was a calculated defense, sparing their lives and preventing needless casualties in the face of the enemy's deadly assault.

Among the determined warriors, Thorgard's fervor burned brightly. He sought not only to impress Ragnar's esteemed sons but also to earn the respect of his own brothers. He yearned for more than just physical strength; he aspired to be the mightiest among them. Secretly, he envied the reverence and admiration others bestowed upon his brothers, as if they were gods reborn. Such respect held immeasurable value in his eyes.

Bjorn and Tyr found themselves taken aback by the sight of the enemy's boat. It served as a devastating blockade, causing multiple boats to collide into it. The number of spears and skilled archers on board thwarted any attempt to board their foe's boat, denying them any foothold to engage in combat.

Tyr's mind raced as he assessed the rapidly deteriorating situation. Each passing second added to their peril, and the entire fleet's fate hung in the balance. The gravity of the threat was something they couldn't afford to underestimate, and Tyr felt the weight of responsibility pressing down on him.

"This is bad...!" Tyr muttered to himself.

In the face of this challenge at sea, Tyr acknowledged the necessity of trust and the council of others. But he also recognized that, as a leader, he must consider all possibilities, no matter how improbable they seemed. Even the unthinkable, such as the fall of his father, Ragnar, had to be entertained. The burden of leadership demanded not only trust but also independent action incase that trust should fail.

"Brother! What can we do!?" Bjorn's voice brought Tyr back to the present. The urgency of the situation required quick thinking, and Tyr was determined to leave no stone unturned in his quest for a solution.

Tyr's mind raced, and though uncertainty clouded his thoughts, he knew they must act. Trust and camaraderie were vital, but now was the moment when his own ingenuity and decisiveness would be put to the ultimate test.

As they rapidly approached the boat, Tyr knew they faced the same peril as their comrades. Leaping onto the enemy boat would surely lead to a deadly encounter with the spears, and even he, as a valiant warrior, could not emerge unscathed. It was too early to be reckless, for caution and strategic thinking were important.

On the other hand, Grjötgard seemed unperturbed by the unfolding crisis. He viewed the enemy blockade as an opportunity, knowing that once they closed in on the opposing vessel, a close-range assault would be possible. He understood that this blockade aimed to diminish their fighting power, but he had witnessed their success in mitigating this thus far and maintained his composure.

However, Grjötgard's calm demeanor quickly shifted to worry as he caught sight of Tyr and Bjorn plunging overboard. Perplexed, he rushed to their aid, determined to get them out of the water but he was too late.

"Search for the Ragnarssons!" Grjötgard's urgent cry resonated, but anxiety gnawed at him as he realized that neither of the brothers resurfaced. A deep concern took hold as he slowly grasped that their dive might not have been voluntary. 

The fact that they weren't resurfacing could only mean one thing, that they had drowned.