Chapter 175: Sven’s Plans

Esmond softly knocked on the door and hearing Alfred’s command to enter he let himself in. He gave a quick bow before taking his seat and pushing the work to the side, Alfred gave his full attention. He knew Esmond wouldn’t come unless it was important.

"The Church has begun to move. I know they sent word to begin elections, and a couple of their bishops have arrived." His voice was calm and Alfred sighed, giving a slow nod.

"I know all this. But there’s more isn’t there?"

"Another one has arrived. Separate from the rest. The church is split on how to deal with us, that much is obvious by the delay, but it seems the opposing forces have made their move."

"When did this happen?" Alfred grabbed the bridge in his nose and rubbed the corners of his eyes.

"A week ago. A ship came in, carrying a Bishop. I could only get his name so far. Bishop Blackwood. Right now he is an enigma. He is not like those who make themselves known or have a lot of wealth. I don’t have ways to put people in the Holy Seat so I can only go off rumor about their people." Esmond sat quietly after finishing and watched Alfred as he fell into thought.

With a sigh, he smiled. "We already knew that some of those who arrived were sent to keep a balance, but I assume this one must wish for a more... heavy-handed approach." He let out a little chuckle. "It’s fine Esmond. Just keep an eye on him when he arrives in Brookhaven. After all, in the end, it doesn’t matter what happens. I’ll get my way in the end, even if I have to use force."

He spoke with unwavering confidence but his eyes showed a deep concern. Despite that Esmond’s lips curled slightly. "Of course, Your Majesty." He gave a deep bow, looking to the ground.’Whatever it may be the Underwells will do it.’It was a silent pledge yet his eyes radiated a powerful light.

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Hushed voices. Rumors. Private meetings. They were all Ivar’s weapons whilst in charge of Helstia. In the first days of his regency, he had quickly realized the limitation of his black cloaks, The Blessed of Nott. People were wary of them. Whilst it was good for keeping the peace, it became hard to learn of any traitors.

It was annoying but it was half the goal for Ivar. Fear was a good control device. But physical fear was one thing. A sinister idea had flashed through his mind. Intimidation was good, but making the people believe that even their own thoughts weren’t safe would make everyone toe the line.

The Gods were truly a great source of inspiration for him. Steffan whilst being the guide of the Gods played another role. The all-seeing eye. Not one part of their lives went unnoticed by him. Ripping his feathers off, he turned them into thousands of crows and had them watch Uppsala for him.

Why couldn’t Ivar do the same? Using his connections he silently built his crows. The street merchant who sold fruit secretly listened to the conversation across the road. The tavern owner kept a log of every customer who came, marking those of interest. The blacksmith tracked every order. All came back to him, and his gains in one day proved it.

Nothing in Helstia went unnoticed by him anymore and every detail of the people’s lives would soon find its way to him. He had to show results. He had to prove he was fit to be by his Lord’s side. Only then could he truly bask in her glory. To make the people believe she knew what they thought; that was the true power of the Gods, and he would create that for Helga.

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Sven pushed open the heavy door with a frown as he threw his items on the ground. he had rushed back home but now regretted it when he saw his daughter round the corner. "Father." Reaching for a hug, Sven met it, taking a deep breath.

"Where are your brothers?"

"They are meeting Bannermen. They wait for your command." Sven nodded as he took a seat at the side. He could see Frida wanted to ask something. "Are you seriously going to join those two? They killed Grandfather and brother."

It was a tough question and he wondered if it would be better to actually join them instead of sending Frida to Helstia. Yet whenever the thought surfaced a deep rage surfaced. "No. These aren’t matters you need to concern yourself with. Leave that for me and your brothers." Tapping the seat next to him, Frida took a seat with Sven taking her hand, gently tightening his grip.

"Forgive me, daughter. But I need you to do something for me." Frida tensed up at his words. She saw his conflicted eyes carrying a burning anger. "To ensure everything is right, I need to send you to Helstia."

His words confused her at first, but a bright smile bloomed. "The land of the new Queen." It made him shudder to hear the excitement in her voice, but he knew it was because she didn’t know anything about her. But her excitement quickly disappeared.

"Frida," Sven remembered his short time with her. "Sorry. But you can’t go there expecting one of those heroes from the stories. That woman." He paused, thinking about the right words to describe her. The blue eyes looked at him like a pet, whose only use was her enjoyment. The humiliation he suffered at her hands.

His fist curled and the grip on Frida’s hand tightened causing her pain. He quickly realised he hurt her and let go. "She’s a demon. Do not trust her or her people. Only focus on one thing. Your survival." Frida gave a soft nod and looked to the ground in disappointment.

"You are sending me as a hostage to someone you call a demon. What is wrong with you?" It was a natural question and Sven had expected it. He thought about the answer his entire travel home. But he knew there was only one answer.

"I must. I have no other option. I’m sorry."

"No, you’re not. It’s unfair and selfish." Frida pulled her hand away. Getting up she looked down at him with anger. "You tell me she’s a demon and then expect me to go there. I won’t. It’s obvious you don’t even care about me. It’s always about my brothers or the blood feud." Walking away she scoffed. Sven knew this was likely to happen but sometimes sacrifices had to be made.

Getting up he rubbed his eyes and took a couple breaths to recop himself. His eyes flashed a cold gleam for a second.’She will go.’Taking another second to clear his mind he walked to the courtyard where he saw his two sons chatting with a few others. He knew it must have been his commander’s and putting on a hearty smile he walked over with his arms spread. "Everybody. Thank you for coming."

They looked towards him and a greying man walked out spreading his arms and embracing Sven. "We are sworn to you, my brother. If none of them came themselves I would have dragged them here." The good mood between the two was short-lived as a man, who looked like Sven angrily walked over.

"What is the meaning of this father? You really side with those two. Have you forgotten the blood they spilled?"

"Endre, you forget yourself, " Sven said harshly. "But I understand your anger." Raising his hand, he flicked his finger at the people to gather around him before crouching on the ground. With a circle formed, Sven picked up a small stick.

Carving into the snow he began talking. "If you even thought I would entertain the idea of working with those two, then you are mad. No. I have been doing away with something. It’s why none of you could find me."

He drew a small outline of the surrounding Jarldoms. "I met the so-called God Queen and we have decided to feign an alliance with those two." He worded it in a way to not let himself look weak.

Drawing a line across the border that curved around the back, he created a large hole in the snow and tapped it. "Most of our force will go along with them, whilst a splitter army will take the back by surprise and begin pillaging every settlement. When we encounter the main force of the God Queen, we shall use the confusion to join her side and begin an attack from within."

It hardly went into detail, but everyone around understood. The greying man, Brede, grunted. "There is no honor in this."

"Do you think I care about that?" Sven shook his head. "Floki is considered a God despite being diabolical scum. I simply followed his teachings." Pointing to Endre he smiled. "You will lead the splinter force. You are my blood and my eldest. I can trust no one other than you with this." Sven kept his belief in it being safer hidden. He knew that when his surprise attack started many would die.

"Gather good, loyal men to take with you. A good amount. You won’t be able to do anything with 20 men after all."

"Of course father."

"Good. The rest of you. Get your affairs in order. While they will expect me not to join them straight away, if we delay it too much those two will get suspicious. We leave in two days. Endre you leave in four." Leaning closer to Brede’s ear he whispered. "I need to talk, alone." The old man nodded as everyone got up, quickly leaving to carry out the orders.

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A strange creaking made Frida open her tired eyes as she raised herself from her bed. "Mmhhhh." Her eyes opened wide as a cloth was forced into her mouth. A powerful pressure held her down tying her arms and legs together.

Tears welled up in her eyes as she tried to fight back, terrified of what was happening. She tried to cry out but the gag only made muffled yells. Brede looked down at the girl and sighed before picking her up and throwing her on his shoulder. It was a strange order from Sven but he knew Frida’s personality. If the girl said she wouldn’t do something it was nigh impossible to change her mind.

Whilst he didn’t agree with the means, he knew that her becoming a hostage for Helga was necessary. That being said, he did wonder how Sven would repair his relationship with her after this.

Walking through the dark halls he felt Frida fight to free herself, but to no avail. Pushing the wide doors of the house open a small carriage waited at the bottom with a hay bedding. Throwing her into it, Brede took the reigns and quickly left.

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"You asshole." Frida cried out as soon as the gag was removed. He quickly pulled his fingers back seeing her go to try and bite them off.

"Forgive me, girl. But you wouldn’t have come otherwise."

"I told father I don’t want to go. Take me back now." She called out like a spoiled child, but Brede couldn’t blame her for acting like that. Having been kidnapped in her sleep to be sent off as a hostage would make anyone act that way.

"That’s not happening. So just shut up and get some sleep. It’s not a long journey but it will be if you complain the whole time."

Brede’s words were met with a fury of shouts directed his way forcing a sigh to escape his lips. He would have much rather joined the war than be put in charge of her journey. He drowned out her complaint remembering his conversation with Sven. Whilst he was against the way of taking her, it gave the opportunity to protect her whilst away. He knew Sven didn’t wish to send her, but it seemed his hand was forced, and if the tales he heard about Helga were true it was a small sacrifice that had to be made.