Chapter 46: Pure Diamonds

The tension between the two groups strung out for a couple of seconds as the men beside the fair lady looked at each other, considering their options.

Astrid gazed into the eyes of this mysterious, emerald-eyed giant riding a black stallion with both curiosity and trepidation, "We will be open to surrendering, but we have terms that need to be met before we give ourselves to you freely."

Ragnar's eyes narrowed as he wondered what angle the chieftain's wife was playing at, "Go on, we'll allow you to state your price, but remember who holds the cards."

Astrid nodded in submission, "We'd like to use our boats to travel back to our homeland. Our loot we've gathered up until now shall stay with you."

Marquise looked to Ragnar and whispered, "That sounds suspiciously generous," as he glanced around the forest to see if men were sneaking out.

Ragnar nodded. They hadn't expected the Viking's to give up on their many years worth of loot, "How many boats do you have in total? And also an estimate of your numbers. I want no lying because if I find out you have fewer men than you led me to believe, we'll start executing your numbers by the amount you lied."

Astrid held Ragnar's scrutinizing gaze, "We initially sailed out with six boats. Though one got destroyed, leaving us with five. Our total population inside the camp is around 25. Mixed with women and old men, along with my four house guards," sweeping her hand out to the men surrounding her.

Ragnar stroked his chin, which was littered with growing stubble, "Then I'll allow you to squeeze onto two boats. That is the best I'll offer you. If you refuse, then the women come with us, and the old men shall die." He threatened the woman nonchalantly.

Astrid bowed her head to acquiesce, "Very well, may I at least have your name?" Her ocean-blue eyes locked with Ragnar's as they searched for an answer.

"It is Ragnar Sigvald of Norway." The warrior stated with his chin held high as he motioned his horse forward, his father and crew following close behind.

"Norway? Which part?" Astrid glanced at the group approaching her with trepidation, her horse slowly backing up in fear.

Ragnar's stone-cold expression sent a chill down her spine, "All of it." As his black stallion powerfully strode past with his entourage in tow as he barked out commands.

"I want the war chests out in the courtyard, with not a single grimy hand opening them but my father's and mine. We shall also conduct a headcount of the people in this area immediately. If we are lied to, we will kill them!" Ragnar bellowed to the dispersal of his men.

The people in the settlement were dragged out of their thatched houses and held in the central courtyard beside the growing pile of war chests.

One large war chest stood proud among six miniature ones, all heavy and filled to the brim.

Ragnar nodded as he talked to his father and Marquise, "This will be a good haul for our town, father."

Harald sneered as he gazed upon the sizeable chests that lay clustered together and spat, staring down all the men in the courtyard, "Most of this haul will be silver and gold taken from commerce between our Barony and the Duke's capital. God knows how much they amassed over the years of trade. Judging from the books, the Baron would pay them off to ensure that they didn't target our merchants, but rather specifically the Duke's. Weakening the strength of the Duchy due to constant hampering of trade."

Ragnar chuckled as he watched his father stomp around the courtyard, fuming about one problem or another, "Regardless of who's it is, it is loot. And this loot is now ours!" He raised both his arms in the air. His men gave a cheer as they thought of all the women and booze they could purchase with this plunder.

With a snap, Ragnar commanded the opening of the chests, "Right, Marquise. Pop the first one open. Let's start with the smaller ones."

Astrid watched on as their two years worth of hard work went down the drain. They'd considered leaving this place altogether after they'd heard the news of the Baron falling, but never had she thought their retribution would arrive so swiftly.

Marquise slowly approached the first of the mini chests, about the size of a large fist, slightly unadorned with a simple metallic clasp to lock the latch in place. Marquise managed to pop the rusted clasp with a grunt, snapping it off the hinges as the lid flew back. The sudden shine from the sunlight caught the contents inside, making Marquise do a double-take.

"AHAHAHA!" Marquise roared, losing his mind as he pumped his fist up in the air with joy. Dancing around as he struggled to contain his laughter.

"Oh, Marquise, stop blue balling the lot of us and move aside, would ya." Frode, the new Baron Harald's accountant and bookkeeper, shoved the bulky Marquise. Ink dripping from the point of his pen, ready to take note of what he saw as he, too, took a double-take, pushing his glasses up his curved nose, "Milord, it's pure gems. We've got fine rubies, red like a pomegranate not well ripened. Emerald bright as any green could be. Topaz, shining a brilliant sun's gold. Sapphire with a good azure pigment and.." He reached in further to pull out a glass-like gem with sharp points. Feeling around its edges and attempting to check how hard it was. "Pure diamonds Milord!" He raised his hand as the group of Ragnar's men roared in joy. Some of them hugged each other in shock at the contents of the first chest.

Ragnar grinned as he received a happy slap on the back from his father, "How much do you think the chest is worth, Frode?"

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War chests galore! Obviously we'll have to keep the haul reasonable. Can't have the MC becoming rich beyond belief after only the first plunder. Though this will be the foundation of kingdom building!

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