Chapter 21: Hidden Powers

The question hung in the air with silence as Harald's narrow bloodshot eyes pierced at his lord.

The Baron finally managed to heave himself to his feet. Dusting himself off to buy time for someone to rush in and help him. "Harald, you overplayed your hand. Did you not think I knew by now what you planned to do? A famed warrior as my Marshal with no ambition for my title? I'd have to be foolish enough to believe that you didn't want greatness for your family."

Harald's gaze shifted from anger to shock, glaring at the Baron. He realized the Baron wasn't as stupid as he looked for the first time. Like a veil being pulled back, the Baron had been acting dense as a front for everyone to relax around him. When in reality, he had kept his cards close to his chest for no one but him and his daughter to see.

"Since, when?" Harald questioned as his palm flicked out the same 4-inch blade used to kill Sigurd.

The Baron shrugged, his gaze shifting to Harald's palm and back while maintaining the same outward appearance of nonchalance. "You were drunk, said you had great plans for your life ahead. I pieced it together eventually. And since then, I've been in talks with the Church, Harald. If you kill me, I'm one of the few Christians on this soil, and you ask for the wrath of the Church to come upon you." The Baron finally raised his arms in triumph, a cruel victorious laugh echoing in the tent.

"You fools, kill me now and watch what happens! It will be the end of you and the 'Sigvald family'. He mocked.

The Baron suddenly froze as his life flashed before his eyes, a knife coming straight for his head. A few choice thoughts flitted through his brain as he came to terms with his death in the next few seconds. He couldn't believe his reign would end like this, not when he had visualized himself as Duke of the entire territory within a year. His plan included the Church's support, along with the aid of the French King to finally take down Duke William and place a Christian on the throne of the Dukedom.

The thought brought some clarity back into his eyes, which shifted to rage as he looked at his killers in the eye for one last time.

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With the knife about to sink into its target, Ragnar watched as a blade spun from the sidelines into the air, knocking his father's blade off its course. Causing the two blades to clatter to the floor.

A skulking dark figure arose from the corner of the room, covered from head to toe in black ceremonial garb. Only his yellow teeth were visible from under his hood as he grinned in joy.

With a snap, a stiletto knife appeared, this time in the palm of the cloaked man.

Ragnar realized what was happening but was too slow to move as the garbed man exploded with immense speed, placing one palm on the desk as he launched himself toward's Harald.

Blade extended, reaching for Harald's throat only thwarted an inch away from sweet victory as the Marshal bobbed his frame out of the path of the stiletto.

His joy quickly turned to panic as Ragnar's massive fist came through the space given by Harald, filling up the garbed man's vision as it flew towards his face.

The assassin raised his forearm to take the brunt of the force as Ragnar sunk his fist into flesh and bone, twisting his knuckles to inflict maximum damage.

Ragnar watched on as the nimble man spun in the air with the force of the punch, grabbing hold of Ragnar's arm for support as he attempted to redirect himself to another target.

For the second time, the assassin's life flashed before his eyes as Ragnar tried to grab and hold him still for long enough to allow Thorkell to cut off his head.

As quickly as the assassination attempt began, it ended as the cloaked man pushed off the end of Ragnar's fist and away from his open palm, landing back on the solid ground next to the Baron.

"We must leave at once, milord, for I'm afraid I cannot fight these men." He winced as he gripped his broken forearm.

The Baron, who'd been watching the entire show from the sidelines, retorted, "What?! No! You must kill them now, before they gather an army, and embolden themselves."

The garbed figure paused for a moment before nodding in agreement, "While it is true that these men must die, it is also true that I will not be able to kill them alone. You have served your purpose milord, I have realized that my role now is bigger than just protection."

He turned to face Ragnar and his family before hissing, "The Church is always watching. We will be back!" as he burst off the backside of the tent, disappearing into the sunset.

Slowly turning towards his captors, The Baron watched on in horror, as his only lifeline had just run away. "Please, I had not planned this. The Church insisted that I keep one of their men next to me at all times. I do not wish to die! I will do anything!"

The Sigvald family calmed down, taking deep breathes of air as they flushed the battle nerves away.

Harald grunted, "You had protection from the Church all along, eh? I've underestimated you, milord. And for that, I'm sorry." He stated with purpose.

The Baron, noticing the large figure walking up to them, started stating rewards one by one, losing his previous cool as all avenues died out. "My daughter! I'll give you my daughter, Eve! Surely, one of your boys desire her? I've seen the way they look at her."

Harald grabbed the Baron by the scruff of his shirt and patted him down in a mocking manner, "What's to say we can't take her for ourselves." Harald raised his eyebrows in question.

The Baron whimpered as he looked at the three demonic figures staring back at him with large white grins spread across their faces.

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