Chapter 184: Searching for the Truth

Helga rode at the head of her army. Looking around her eyes caught a glimpse of something that was out of place in the snowy expanse.’Finally, they begin to send scouts.’It had been a cause of headache for her, the unpredictability of her opponent. They had already let a few villages burn because of their actions.

Raising her hand the convoy stopped and Ketil took to her side. "What is it, my Lord?"

Pointing her finger into the distance she spoke. "Scouts. Have the men be alert for any ambushes going forward. We are now deep into their territory." Ketil gave a small nod before passing the order down the convoy. Whilst she waited Helga fell into thought, her hand resting on her chin.

’There luring us in.’After being given such free reign in the initial invasion it was obvious.’They don’t have the numbers and the landscape is suited for pitch battles, ones they would lose.’Crouching down she rested her hand over the snow.

Taking the dagger out from behind her she played with it in her hands whilst thinking.’If we march forward we will eventually fall into their trap. Even with Sven turning traitor, I’m sure he will wait for the last moment to weaken me as much as he can.’It was a thought that made her click her tongue.

’We won’t be able to draw them out. All the important things are deeper inside.’She flipped the dagger around between her fingers quickly. Looking down at it she stopped trying to find an idea from it.

’We outnumber them. If we split our forces... no, then we leave ourselves to be attacked individually.’Looking behind her she smirked,’Besides no one is fit enough to lead them. Is a frontal assault the only way?’

She took a deep breath and stood back up. Putting the dagger back she looked out. Her eyes fell north as she looked, squinting. With a smile, she formed an idea.’I never sent those two kings an offer of surrender.’

"KETIL!" Helga called out to the man who ran over to her side. "Get me a crow that can go to the Northen King and set up a table for me." He nodded quickly preparing her equipment.

Her hand shook slightly as she hovered the quill over the paper. They had plenty since the great raid. Taking a deep breath she stopped the shaking. It was only temporary what she wanted.

’King Astrom. I, Queen Helga Erikdottier, offer you a marriage under the condition that you help me in my war against, Jarl Oluf, Jarl Leif, and Jarl Sven. I hope you consider my proposal and one day our lands be united.’

She felt sick having even offered a marriage proposal but calmed herself once more- telling herself it was only temporary. To destroy her enemy was the only thing that mattered right now.

Tying it to the crow’s leg she threw it North and watched it fly away.’It will take a week at most for it to return. We can rest for now. Keep them on edge.’

"SET UP CAMP!" Her cry called out and along the convoy, the preparations were made.

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Frida walked around Helstia with analysis eyes. She watched the people go about their daily business. On the surface, everything seemed normal. People carried out their work, some placed offerings to the wooden carvings of the gods, and others watched their children run around.

It was almost a normal town. Almost. She saw deeper. The wariness that never left their eyes. The peeks from their eyes towards her Black cloak guards and the voices became more quiet on their approach. It was strange. She could tell a great amount of fear was present in every action they took. More than was usual.

Either those who did nothing wrong made sure to be wary. Shaking her head she politely asked her guard to stay back as she walked over to a shopkeeper. The black cloak gave a small nod remembering Ivar’s orders.

"Excuse me?" Frida called out having the shopkeeper look at her before looking behind her. His back ever so slightly straightened and Frida saw a noticeable change in his eyes.

"What can I do for you girl?" Frida looked at the small trinkets and household items he soled.

"Can I please have that and that." Pointing at two random wooden dolls the shopkeeper nodded handing them over. Reaching into her pocket to pay he quickly raised his hands.

"Its fine girl." He was almost scared to take her money and it made her more suspicious.

"No its not." She placed the coins down before leaning in closer. "Tell me. What is the queen like here? I don’t live here after all and have been wondering."

Once more a change occurred. A deep respect filled his eyes that overshadowed his terror. "She’s a great ruler." He said quickly looking at the wooden carving of Helga in the distance. "We have gotten richer with the goods she brought back from the great raid and the amount of food from it saved us from starvation."

He let out a sigh. "It’s a shame I couldn’t go along, but I was never a warrior. Never good enough."

"But why do you all look so scared?" Her question came off full of innocence one could find in a child and froze the shopkeeper in place, not expecting it. Frida already could guess, but hearing it and seeing the reactions of the people when asked was more important.

"Isn’t it normal?" He put a polite smile on. "Our Lord wants order and we must make sure to keep it." His eyes kept peeking towards the black cloak not going unnoticed by Frida who smiled at him.

"I guess that makes sense." Taking her goods she walked off, quickly followed by the Black Cloak who shot a pair of hard eyes at the shopkeeper.

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’Everyone gives the same answers.’It was frustrating as she walked around. Everyone spoke of Helga’s greatness as if they were programmed to do so, whilst always being wary when the questions diverted.

’They are terrified.’She couldn’t help but sigh. It told her nothing but everything at the same time. The people may have liked, even loved Helga, but they equally feared her, perhaps more so.’Was the stories of what she done true then.’

Walking to the butcher her Black cloak guard once more held back and let her go about her way. Before she could talk, a man came over slamming the body of a deer on the table.

Frida looked up at him, but held her breath, recognizing as the man Brede helped escape through her window. "Ahh, you’re back so soon. You had me worried the other day."

The butcher happily called out to him and he returned the pleasant greeting. "My friend’s kid has just been born and I thought he needs a little gift. If you don’t mind could you get this one done quickly? I’ll take the whole body back with me."

The butcher nodded, taking the body deeper into his shop. "It’ll take an hour roughly. Make sure you come back this time. Before I go, is there anything you need, girl?"

Frida went to talk but stopped herself shaking her head. "I’ll just look for now." He nodded going deep into his store leaving Gunnar and Frida alone.

"We meet again girl," Gunnar spoke quietly and Frida put a forced smile on. Despite this, she didn’t walk off straight away. She could tell the man before her was different from the rest of the people in Helstia. He had neither the worship nor fear they carried. Whilst a wariness did exist, it was different.

"Yes. And yet you don’t apologize."

"You’re right. Forgive me for the other day." Peeking behind him, he saw the black cloak and watched them intensely. "I assume you’re Sven’s daughter then."

"I guess Brede told you."

"Yes. He’s a good man."

Frida scoffed. "If you say a kidnapper is good then I don’t know your definition of good."

"He brought you here like that then." Gunnar let out a playful laugh. Getting Frida to look at him with annoyed eyes. "I’m sorry but you must understand, it was the best call he could make."

"And how would you know?" Frida almost blew up at his words but contained herself, knowing she may not get an opportunity like this again. She couldn’t let the black cloak pull her away yet.

"Because your family would have been wiped out otherwise," Gunnar said casually. Seeing a bit of smoked meat on display, he took it dropping a few coins on the table, before taking a bite.

"You seem confident that’s what would have happened?"

"Of course. It wouldn’t have been the first family she wiped out after all." Gunnar looked at her confused eyes. "You know about Knut’s house right?"

"Of course. But it’s not that strange. My father would have done the same. I’m sure he would have as well."

Gunnar placed his hand on his chin before nodding. "Probably. But would your father kill babes in their bed?"

Frida paused but eventually shook her head. "No. There’s no need after all."

"Exactly. But she did. Happily as well. Even if your father could do that, would he skin his enemies or burn them alive."

"That’s a rumor made by her enemies."

"Oh. And who told you that? The regent. The town folk." Gunnar laughed again. "Look at them. Do you honestly believe they will tell you things truthfully?"

"And you will?" Frida snapped back and Gunnar shrugged expecting that.

"I tell you what I saw. I didn’t see Knut die, but I saw his kids and wife. Poor woman burned to death. The kids, the lucky ones died quickly. His eldest truly had a horrid fate. Skinned alive and left tied to a tree for the crows to peck at."

"That’s... horrible."

"Yes. But that’s just who she is." The sound of footsteps from behind came closer and Gunnar thought quickly. "But that’s just how it is when you hunt deer. You go for the weaker of the herd. The slower ones are easier to hit. Not as good meat obviously but..."

"We must go back." A hand rested on her shoulder and Frida looked back at her Black cloak guard. Smiling and giving a nod she turned to Gunnar. "Thank you for telling me about hunting. My father never does. Says woman doesn’t need to know."

Gunnar smiled. "It’s nothing girly. You should go back. I think your escort wants that now." Firda thanked him once more as she walked off. The Black cloak looked at him with strange eyes for a couple of seconds before following behind. Only when he was out of sight could he sigh in relief?

’She could have got me killed there. Thank goodness.’Despite the shaking hand, he hid by his side, he smiled.’They aren’t with her.’If it had been Brede, he may have still been suspicious, but Frida was not good at masking her emotions. He could see right through, even up to the hesitation before she lied in front of her escort.

"We have a chance, Rolf. Someone on the inside." Quietly muttering to himself he leaned against the butcher counter and waited for his deer.