Chapter 172: Act of Submission

Helsita. Sven looked around and chuckled to himself. He knew she was arrogant when she renamed the town to carry part of her own name, but seeing the wooden carving of her image littered around was a new level. It was impressive and he wondered how someone could be so self-absorbed. That being said he didn’t dwell on it and walked through the streets.

His entourage got many strange looks from the people around who didn’t recognize him. As they were eyeing him he was equally doing the same. The faces of the simple civilians who took care of the stools and other jobs. Warriors who drank in taverns. But amongst them, he saw the cold eyes of men who all wore the same uniform. Helmets with face covering and black capes wrapped around their shoulders. They weren’t traditional bannermen. Sven could tell that much.

They didn’t share the same air that normal warriors did nor did they have the same relaxed air those who were resting had. They were on edge, constantly watching the surroundings.’I must be careful.’Sven quietly told himself.

Walking passed another tall wooden carving of Helga he saw people bowed before it offering prayer and small fruits. Once more those men with black capes lingered.’It’s not completely out of fear it seems.’He had assumed that the people only acknowledged Helga’s foolish claim to divinity out of terror but he could see true worship in the people offering prayer. Worship that rivaled the ones given to Hakon, Olia, and the rest of the Gods of Uppsala.

His entourage stopped before a hill and atop it, he saw the great hall that Helga claimed as her residence. He could only marvel at its amazing design. Along the path leading to it was a torch. Utop its doors the skull of a large bear. Sven smiled looking at it as he grabbed the small tribute he prepared and walked up to it.

Despite the torches, the air felt colder then down below and he sensed the oppressive air surrounding the building. Stopped before he entered, one of the two guards went in before quickly coming out and letting him in. They took the axe from his belt.

With one step through the double doors, he saw the sight that awaited him. A row of warriors and Jarls lined the sides, all of them with heads held low. Despite the display of submission that was captivating to him, Sven saw his true target.

Helga sat with a cold face at the end of the hall, adorned in an array of jewels. He could only marvel at her beauty but didn’t dare to express anything. He was deep in the dragon’s lair and it wasn’t smart to roast meat.’She has the Ancient Ones on her side.’Looking at the two people who resembled withered corpses flanking her side holding children he could only click his tongue.

It only meant that they recognized her. To question the wisdom of an Ancient One was foolish and Sven knew that any plans he had would be much harder than he initially thought. Standing before her, he placed the small box he had at his side and knelt down. "I greet the the rightful Queen." Sven made sure to speak respectfully. He had to play his cards right or everything could be over before he could even make a move.

His eyes met Helgas and he saw a playfully cruelty flash in them. "His head looks a little high." She said it dismissively but hearing loud footsteps from behind, he felt the heavy hand of a man push him down. Sven forced himself to keep a straight face and look down but hearing thew chuckle from the throne he was forced to clench his fists to contain his anger.

"Release him Ivar. He is simply not used to seeing the Gods before him. I will forgive him this one time." As if giving him God’s grace, the voice was filled with kindness and Ivar’s strong hand carefully removed itself. Sven looked out the corner of his eye at the one who pressed him down and seeing the same black cape those outside wore, he realized that he must have been the head of them.

Looking down at the ground he calmed his breathing and smiled. "Forgive me. It is as you say. I have not met a God before." It was hard to get the words out and Sven was proud he actually could. "But in respect for this eventful day, I have a tribute for you." Sven picked up the box at his side and held it above his head. He could hear Helga’s footsteps get closer and the box is taken from his hands.

"You may lift your head," Helga spoke and he watched as she opened the box, pulling out a gold bracelet. Lifting it up she put on a satisfied smile. Without a thank you she dropped it to the side. "Shall we move on to the main event?" Gently clapping her hands together he could see the playfulness in her eyes. "Make your pledge. For all to hear."

Sven took a deep breath and smiled. He lowered his head and faced the ground. He didn’t think he would be able to do it if he looked at her. "In the name of the Father Hakon, ruler of the Uppsala and the God above the Gods, I swear on my name, Sven Evenson, to pledge my blade and fealty to The Living God, Helga, The Bringer of the New Age." Through clenched teeth he got the words out and only then did he look up.

Helga’s beautiful smile blossomed but Sven could only feel cold seeing it. The immense pleasure that she got from just seeing his submission was something that very few could feel. It felt like he had spat on the graves of all his ancestors doing it. Helga could see he wasn’t truthful in it. Yet she didn’t care. If he dared act out she would remove him.

"Great." Hegla’s voice spread out across the hall. "Those of you who have had no further instructions, leave." The majority of the people inside bowed and left, sending a great chill throughout the hall as they opened the doors. Sven remained kneeling not wishing to be embarrassed again after Ivar had forced his head to bow. "You may rise Sven."

On his feet, he looked around and saw only a few people remained, including Ivar. He bitterly smiled but said nothing. Most of those who remained had eyes of worship when looking at Helga and he knew that at any moment those around him would cut him down in a heartbeat if the order was given. "Now. You said you had a plan to discuss."

He nodded slowly. "Yes. I know that your forces outnumber the two Jarls but I’m sure that your conquest will not stop with them." Sven got a nod of confirmation from Helga. "In that case, I wonder if I could provide a way to minimize the losses. The other Jarls got in touch with me to create a united front and I sent my offer to join them."

The air went cold and Sven could feel the eyes of everyone staring deep into his soul. The tension in the air was evident and Ivar moved slightly closer, his hand on the hilt of his sword. One word and his neck would fall.

Helga watched in amusement as Sven became more anxious. She let the silence linger and Sven wondered what his fate would be. It was like a deer in front of a wolf and Helga took great pleasure watching it. She debated whether to let Ivar loose on him but stopped herself. "What do you mean?" Her words stopped those around him from making a move, but Sven could tell his life wasn’t safe yet.

"Much like how Floki tricked the forces of the Titans at the last moment, I wish to do the same. Whilst the enemy attacks from the front, my bannermen will attack from behind." Sven smiled as he spoke. It was a risk but he took all the precautions. Hardly anyone knew of his departure and even those who did believe he was meeting traitors in Helga’s lands.

’If it works I can finally get rid of those two.’For Sven, they were the biggest annoyance in his life. One had killed his father and the other his son. The land would be a nice bonus but to have their heads on spikes came first.

"It’s strange," Ivar spoke from behind and Sven was confused that someone would actually speak in front of her without permission. "I’m,m sure you have a blood feud with those two. And yet they trust you. Suspious." Ivar’s words made Helga’s eyes go cold and Sven knew he had to think quickly.

Helga didn’t care for any of the squabbles of those beneath her. Yet she knew the extent a blood feud could go to. "It’s simple," Sven spoke quickly. "They know I want to kill them myself. An alliance against you ensures I can do this. If we won, I’m sure war would start straight away between us."

Helga looked at him for a while and Sven couldn’t tell what she was thinking. But in an instant, she laughed deeply. "Okay." She clapped her hands. "It all makes sense." Getting up she walked next to Ivar. "Does he have any children?" Her question made Sven freeze and he statically looked at her.

Ivar smiled deeply. "Two sons and a daughter." Helga clapped and spun around to look at Sven.

"Send your daughter. As a gesture of goodwill." Sven wished to protest but the raised hand of Helga and Ivar reaching for his sword stopped him. "Send your daughter. This is not up for debate."

His breathing went heavier and his eyes cold. Clenching his teeth and fists he nodded. "Of course." Helga smiled happily seeing it as she walked closer. Touching the artery on his neck she stroked it with her thumb.

"Don’t be so afraid. She will be safe. My divine protection is here after all." She spoke as if soothing her child but Sven couldn’t relax.