"Even wolves bleed like sheep."

chapter VI, act I ✧ 𝒕𝒆𝒂𝒔𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒈𝒂𝒎𝒆𝒔

dealt with the situation at hand pretty dismissively. They were not yet done avenging Ragnar, and she would stick with all to the end, no matter how injured she was.

The wolf had been laying on Ivar's chariot, falling in and out of sleep, but she refused to give up and when the girl finally climbed off the chariot and her feet touched the floor, Odin smiled.

Her ankles burned with the effort, her legs trembled. Her face remained stoic. Watching the ghost town where they hoped for Aethelwulf to be. He couldn't have run away, he couldn't have been that huge of a coward.

"It's empty. They've gone," Halfdan announced, bringing her out of her pain-induced trance.

She pulled tighter on the rags that sealed her wound, whining as she did before she walked over to Björn, her hand on his shoulder for support.

"Why... are they celebrating?" Nero questioned, her eyes filled with annoyance as the older boy looked at her, her reaction reflected on his face.

"They do not know of revenge."

She nodded, looking back at him as she followed the other's further into the village.

Ragnar's revenge was not about destroying villages. Raiding places. Ragnar's revenge was about bringing pain to everyone who had ever brought him pain. Achieving what he couldn't achieve.

They weren't hurting Ecbert nor Aethelwulf by thrashing one of their many towns. Nero understood that.

Something shifted suddenly inside the girl. Her mind traveled to Ivar while she walked in between the burning corridors. The warm feeling of the flames around reminded her of his touch, of him.

The boy felt every second of their kiss, over and over, cold sweat dripped from his body every time he saw her after that night, she became his drug, he got a taste of her love and he couldn't stop himself from wanting—needing more. He knew she would soon become an obsession he wouldn't get over, he was bad at rehabilitation, yet he was willing to suffer.

The way their tongues danced and played together with such gentleness in the midst of their roughness, it felt like a cold breeze in the middle of summer. Warm furs during a cold winter night. His nightmares were always about losing her because he knew deep down he had her all along.

Nero's body shivered. She wanted to melt into his kiss like she had done before. She wanted to be surrounded by him, by his power, by his strength, by his insanity. She loved and envied every patch of skin on his body.

There was no way one could forget the way he held her neck, her life in his hands, willingly, trustfully. Loving him was like loving the sun. Loving her was like loving the moon.

As the tales told, they were like Sköll and Hati. One chased after the sun, the other chased after the moon. And once those two wolves caught their prey, one they finally caught each other, the end of the world would come, Ragnarok would be upon them.

"No... Helga!" the thrilling scream brought the girl back to her reality, away from her thoughts. She ran towards it, her body acting on instinct as she recognized the voice as her father's.

The wolf stood at the end of a dark hallway. Light burning slightly from the flames, her legs trembling with effort, her wound oozing with blood through the rags that patched it up.

She was paralyzed at the sight. Helga was in Floki's arms, her body lifeless and eyes glazed. Nero's eyes teared up, no. She had never been close to Helga. Ever since the beginning, Floki made sure everyone understood the girl was his responsibility, nobody else's.

But she felt her death nonetheless, the woman deserved so much better. The couple deserved better. She bottled up her own sadness, knowing it would be no good for Floki to see her weak, not when he needed her stronger than ever.

The poor boat builder had already gone through so much. He lost Ragnar to Athelstan, he lost his daughter to sickness, he almost lost Nero to war, he lost Ragnar again... and now Helga. Floki had gone through enough.

The small girl walked over to her father, falling to her knees next to him and hugging his body as he cried. She cooed his cries, softly telling him she was now in Valhalla. Softly telling him this was not goodbye, softly telling him they would meet again, they would love again.

His body slumped against his daughter's and he cried, holding onto her shoulders as Helga's body laid lifeless on his lap. The scene was heartbreaking. The small, scared girl, dead, near to the woman who was only trying to love her, to care for her.

"When was the last time you've felt happy?" Floki sobbed, his thoughts clearly coming out of his mouth before he could stop them. She knew he was wondering about himself, he couldn't tell when had been the last time where he was truly happy.

He giggled breathlessly, rubbing his eyes with the back of his hands like a child would before he picked Helga's body up. His face curled up in a bitter smile.

Nero said nothing, standing up with some difficulty, she had come to the conclusion that her sword would be her walking stick for the moment. She knew the answer, and she knew it really was when Ivar pulled her head on his lap when she was under that bloody horse.

"Nero," Björn called and the girl stood to her feet as fast as one as injured as she possibly could.

Her entire body shook, but she was determined to not call her day over, her father was crying over Helga's death, she needed to be strong for him, she needed to at least look alright.

"I want to know your opinion."

Nero not so discretely groaned, holding up a hand before coughing out blood. She needed to try looking alright, "On what, prince?"

"King Ecbert has offered us great lands in his kingdom." Björn continued, his hand wrapping under the girl's arm as he supported her weight, she smiled up at him as he led her to the feast that was being prepared in the settlement. They were nowhere near done, but she couldn't be standing up for long either so waiting for food seemed just ideal.

"Under what conditions?" she knew there had to be a trick, the king wouldn't offer something without expecting return. Much like them, the Christians were sneaky, ambitious.

"He will not say until we accept."

"I say you refuse."

"Why? It is all Ragnar has ever wanted. All he wanted was to build a farming community here, and now we will have the lands to do so!" he snapped, his voice filled with slight sarcasm, he dropped her body and she held herself up using her weapon as support, sighing at him. She understood his anger and annoyance, but she couldn't deny the situation they were placed in.

"Because you see Björn... why would an entire kingdom evacuate, and only leave their king behind? With no protection? Why would they do that, huh?" she reasoned, her elbow resting on the butt of her sword, "You said it yourself! Saxons are smart! Does this..." the wolf chuckled, her arms opening to motion to the place around, "look smart to you?"

Björn scoffed at her. He didn't need yet another Ivar in his life. She knew he would consider her words, even if he considered her words after making the wrong decision. She stumbled towards the seats around the table, laying down on the bench as she waited for the feast to be served.

Her eyes were shifting in between the countless clouds on the sky, allowing her mind to wonder once again to the youngest Ragnarsson, she would never understand his actions, but she couldn't be mad at him for not wanting her either.

Odin... she imagined herself in Floki's place. Holding a loved one dearly in her arms as they died. Her gut wrenched at the idea of Ivar dead. Goosebumps cursed her body at the thought.

To say time had gone by fast would be a lie. But Nero enjoyed being left alone with her thoughts, even when all they did was make Ivar haunt her. The girl sat up, and by her, the King of Norway sat, his brother by his side.

"Wolf, how is your wound?" Harald asked, his mouth filled with food causing her to chuckle, the simple act was enough to send a fresh new wave of pain to curse through her body.

She held up a hand, growing fond of the way she could make people wait as her body doubled over in pain just before blood began seeping from her mouth. Unceremoniously, she dried it with the sleeve of her shirt.

"It will heal," she smiled, crimson staining her teeth as Harald laughed at the girl's strength, he sometimes wished she was a lady he could marry.

"Why won't you sit with the Ragnarssons?" his question took her slightly by surprise. All of them were borderline family, but she couldn't sit with them, as close as she was to Ragnar, they were to ones to carry his blood.

"Do you not wish to sit with me?" Nero held a hand to her chest, in fake hurt, causing the man to laugh as well. Halfdan shook his head, smiling.

She loved how the two were always side-by-side, how they trusted each other with their lives. She looked over at the Ragnarssons' table, grinning, Ubbe caught her eyes and grinned right back at her. His eyes inviting. She laughed once she met Sigurd's gaze, the boy looked so happy it brought her warmth. He sat on the floor playing his oud.

The horn blared, bringing everyone's attention to the princes' table. Nero sat up a little bit straighter. Björn stood from his seat, coming in front of their table, "Ah... Friends! No one will ever be able to doubt what we have achieved! An army of all our peoples, and we have defeated not one, but two English kingdoms!"

She cheered, holding her mug towards the sky along with Harald and Halfdan, who followed her movements, leading the entire table to do the same.

"For us, the sons of Ragnar, our first duty was to avenge our father's death. And that we have done. But also, we have achieved my father's dream. We have the legal right to the land, and to farm here!"

All Vikings roared in happiness, some even standing up to celebrate. Nero frowned, knowing Björn had accepted the deal, knowing it had been an unwise idea.

"It is up to all of you to use this opportunity to send over new settlers and young families! Unfortunately, I will not be here to see this new settlement grow and thrive. My fate will take me elsewhere. I always knew I had to return to explore the Mediterranean Sea," he continued, his eyes meeting the wolf's for a brief second as he nodded, inviting her to join him, could she deny? It was either exploring or farming, "and now I feel free to follow my destiny. But, my brothers will be here for you. Skol!"

Once the word 'brothers' left his mouth, Nero stared at Ivar. She knew he wouldn't be pleased with farming, not at all, and when her eyes found him, she knew she was right. The boy looked beyond displeased by the expectation that he would stay... and farm.

She could almost feel Ivar's anger bubbling up inside him. The boy turned to cheering crowd, his eyes roaming over everyone like a leader, "I will be here but not to settle down and plow! Who wants to be a farmer now?" he questioned, his voice thundering like a roar, "We have a great army and we should use it. There are many other places that I want to attack and raid! And those of you who feel like I do, you should come with me. And those of you who don't, ask yourself, 'who can stand in our way now?'"

The wolf couldn't help but feel extremely tempted at Ivar's offer, and by the screams of the Vikings, everyone else felt the same. It was their nature to destroy, raid, yet the brothers bickered in between themselves.

She would rather stay on land, raid, war, battle, she would love to know the world, but it wasn't for her, it never was.

"Who among you will follow me? Who will follow me into battle? For the love of fame and for the love of Odin, our All-Father?" Ivar's blue eyes gleamed with power, everyone could feel his presence, his strength. Of course his words were followed by growls of agreement.

Nero began moving her legs up and down, growing nervous. Ivar was basking on the crowd's acceptance and she knew he would kill anyone who dared to take that from him, who dared to strip him away from his pride in front of everyone, and she knew exactly who loved doing that.

Through everyone's praising of All-father, Sigurd screamed, "Don't do this, Ivar. We are all the sons of Ragnar. We have to stick together."

"Oh, Odin," the wolf whispered, her face falling into her hands, Harald looked at her in confusion. He knew not of how far the brotherly fights could go. She fought her urge to stand up and walk in between the two. Her insides spun, she felt something bound to happen.

"Frankly, dear Sigurd, I don't care what you say. The truth is, I wouldn't even piss down your throat even if your lungs were on fire." Ivar barked, his eyes trained on Sigurd like any predator would to a prey.

"Oh no, oh Thor," Nero peaked at the scene from in between her fingers, hoping any of the Lothbroks would interrupt before things got out of hand. The crowd roared with laughter at the youngest Ragnarsson's words.

"Well, maybe that's because you're not really a man! Are you, Boneless?" the blonde boy screamed right back at his brother.

The wolf choked on her own spit, the insinuation so clear on Sigurd's voice that she understood what he meant, she just couldn't believe he had exposed such to all Vikings. Her mind trailed back to when Ivar and her kissed, her eyebrows furrowed in confusion... but... he seemed to function as a man just fine from what she had felt.

"So... who is going to stay and farm?" Björn questioned, interrupting all murmurs and shutting them down with the single power in his voice.

Nero looked at Ivar, not with pity, but with understanding. Her eyes moved to Sigurd and she shook her head at him, telling him it was enough, he had done and said enough.