Chapter 18: Resolute Victory

Staring at those now pale eyes, Ragnar braced himself for what was to come.

He immediately raised his axe and twisted around to make sure he kept everyone in view. But to his surprise, no one lifted a finger.

Utter silence resonated among the Viking crowd. The deathmatch had stunted them to the core, never having witnessed such a spectacular battle before.

On several occasions, both fighters were inches away from death, but Ragnar's physical prowess struck down Eric's figure like Thor striking down an enemy with lightning.

Ragnar stood in the middle of the square, blood pouring down several cuts, yet he stood proud and tall with a mighty axe in hand. From the perspective of the Danes, Ragnar looked like a god among men.

The silence stretched out Ragnar's senses to a thin before one person walked up to him and knelt onto one leg.

Finan was the first to react to Ragnar's overwhelming victory. "Ragnar the Almighty, I wish that you take me on as your humble servant milord." He stated with a bow before the giant warrior.

Ragnar was equally flabbergasted by the display. The men surrounding Finan, looking on at the display, suddenly spurred into action as more and more of them knelt. Leading to a huge chorus of over 300 men, all pledging their allegiance to Ragnar as their Chieftain.

Not before long, the chorus turned into clamoring as everyone looked towards their new leader, waiting for either acceptance or rejection by their liege. If he rejected them, they'd be a band without a leader or purpose. Most likely, they'd all attempt to return to their homes in Daneland come next summer when the weather was better.

Finan looked back at the crowd and then at his new liege in nervousness. He was unsure how the warrior would react, "Eh… Milord? The entire crew would like some response." He rubbed his palms anxiously.

Ragnar gazed at the boy's one keen blue eye before nodding and looking up to the men around him. He hefted this axe up, pointing it to all his men, "This! Is what has won your loyalty. My ability to fight is what has seemed to rally you to my side. I do not desire such fickle-minded warriors, nor will I support such a large crew at this moment. I do not care for men by my side. All I desire is my prize."

As Ragnar finished his speech, he walked over to the bound Erika, who was in tears and afraid at the display she had just witnessed.

"Those who wish to follow me can come with me to the Norman camp and await judgement while the rest are free to leave back to Daneland."

The entire place roared in disbelief, 'Almighty' was on the lips of everyone who spoke Ragnar's name. Which warrior didn't desire a group of men behind him that he could call his own? Only a god wouldn't care for men.

Ragnar ripped off the gag and ropes binding her wrists and feet before caressing Erika's face, wiping away the tears.

"Erika, I wouldn't have given you up for anyone else, alright. You are my prize, and I will defend you on my honor. For that, you have my word."

Erika's heart swelled, listening to his gruff voice as she stared into those large, dreamy green eyes. In her opinion, Ragnar was the most attractive man she'd seen on this continent over her five years of following the Earl's camp, and never had she once noticed a man that fought as good as him.

Not hearing a response for over half a minute, Ragnar thought she was still be under the emotional shock of losing her family. And as such, caressed Erika with care until she nodded in response.

His priority now shifted to finding his father and brother, along with stopping the incoming army from clashing with his own group of Vikings.

He immediately bounced up to his feet before grabbing Erika by the palm and leading her through the camp.

Through his peripherals, he noticed several men following him from a distance. Ragnar smiled in pleasure, as it seemed he'd have some loyal men following him from now on. It was a good thing that he'd let go of all those warriors because he didn't want a large crew that required food and shelter following him everywhere he went. It was a big responsibility, and he wasn't ready for that yet.

His stint as a search and rescue officer meant he was better suited to smaller tactical crews than huge hordes of men. Which was his real reasoning behind letting most of the men go.

It had long since been 10 minutes since the fire had started, and the tent was still blazing strong, yet to be put out. And as Ragnar was walking through the mess he had created, the piles of bodies strewn all over the place, he started to wonder where the Baron's men were. They should've been here by now.

He'd pushed the thought to the back of his mind as he stumbled across a large clearing with a mess that was even larger than his own. The number of bodies was almost triple, and two men stood in the middle of it. His father and brother, both heaving themselves like drunken warriors, exhausted to the bone due to the fighting with no reprieve.

Ragnar immediately became enraged as he picked up Erika and tossed her on his back once more before charging straight at the men still surrounding his family.

The ground shook as Ragnar came barreling into the crowd of men. Killing the man unfortunate enough to be directly in front of his path before thundering out to everyone in the vicinity.

"Enough! This fight is over! Both Earl Sigfried and Eric Bloodsword are dead. There is no one left to command you, men. As prisoner's of war, I demand you seize this before I kill you all!"

Silence stretched out as the haggard Harald and Thorkell looked at Ragnar with a grin.

Things were soon about to change.

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