""Caesar had sent his cavalry a little in advance" ""and was following with the rest of his forces." ""The battlefront was not formed" ""according to rules of military theory," ""but as necessitated by the emergency" ""and the sloping ground of the hillside."" ""The legions were facing different ways" ""and fighting different actions." ""The 9th and 10th legions were on the left," ""and discharged a volley of spears at the Atrebates."" "Yes." "Always thinking, always using the terrain." "Go on." ""At the same time," ""the Roman cavalry and light-armed troops," ""seeming to appear from nowhere..."" "Ah!" "But he knew where." "They were in here." "And what of his person?" "What of he himself?" ""As the situation was critical," ""Caesar moved to the front of the line," ""addressed each centurion by name..." Hmm." ""And shouted encouragement to..."" "The fragment ends here." "Hmm." "We can imagine how it really ends." "We must do battle with Ragnar Lothbrok and his allies." "I cannot believe that Ragnar does not want to negotiate." "I know him too well." "He's looking for land, farming land, for his people." "His men killed all of my envoys, sparing only my son." "By which they sent me a simple but clear message." "Why not send me to speak to him?" "You are already too dear to me, and too important." "Which is why, I think, they would kill you." "When?" "When will you attack?" "As soon as King Aelle returns with his warriors." "I'm sure you would prefer that Earl Ragnar and I made peace." "Perhaps then you could be at peace with yourself." "King Horik, your behavior has made it very difficult to talk peace or to negotiate with King Ecbert." "I never had any intention of negotiating with King Ecbert." "I thought you were aware of that." "I only want revenge." "I want to kill King Ecbert." "And then, perhaps, I shall talk to him." "If we defeat Ecbert in battle, he may be prepared to offer us more, in terms not only of gold, but of land." "This was a gift in good faith." "What is good faith?" "Why should there be good faith between us and Christians?" "What do you say, Floki?" "They worship a false god." "They're fleas and vermin." "I will go myself and talk to him." "You will not divide our forces, Earl Ragnar." "You seem to forget, I am King." "We will strike camp tomorrow, and armed and ready we will go to seek battle, as our father Odin has taught us." "Erlendur." "I can't sleep." "I am thinking about what it is like to die." "Only those who have died would know." "The Seer would know." "He is not truly dead." "That is his curse." "He told me something about you." "That you would marry the daughter of a King, or else sail round a sea that has no tides." "Then I shall not die tomorrow?" "Not according to the Seer." "Bjorn reminds me of Odin's favorite son, Balder." "You know the story." "The gods made everyone swear an oath that he would be safe." "Fire swore an oath." "Water, iron." "Even the stones." "Nothing could injure Odin's favorite son." "The gods even tested the oaths." "They threw stones at him, darts, struck him with axes, and slashed at him with swords, but it seems nothing could harm Balder." "Everyone rejoiced that it was impossible to harm Balder." "All except Loki." "The sly one watched with distaste and impatience." "Suffering and pain were meat and drink to him." "And it sickened him to see how Balder was immune from all sorts of attacks." "Yes." "The sly one knew he had to find a way to kill him." "I pray to the gods that the Seer was right." "That our son will not die tomorrow." "No." "You are Ragnar." "Who knows what the gods have in store?" "Do you want to have sex?" "Goodnight, Ragnar." "Help me, Lord." "Who are these gods who haunt my nights and wreck my peace?" "Odin, Thor, Freyr." "You have taught us not to worship false gods, but I have seen them." "I have seen Thor in the sky." "I have seen the sparks from his anvil." "I felt the sea heave with his anger." "Why is this false?" "Things I've seen with my own eyes." "Things that Ragnar believes." "Whatever happens, do not let Ragnar die." "Nor yet Lord Ecbert." "This is the place." "How do you know?" "Because they are already here." "A large force, but not large enough." "We will go down to them." "I think we should wait." "I'm not waiting." "The enemy is there." "We have the advantage of the hill." "Forward!" "Let's be having you!" "Saxons!" "Ragnar!" "Forward!" "Form!" "Behind the wall!" "Move!" "Why are you stopping?" "The gods are with us!" "Forward!" "Forward!" "Charge!" "Hold your position!" "Lock shields!" "Brace!" "Together!" "Brace!" "Attack!" "Shield wall!" "Forward brace!" "Brace!" "Hold!" "Hold the wall!" "Stand!" "Stand your ground!" "Sound the advance!" "Attack!" "Ha!" "Run!" "Run!" "Horik!" "We're getting away!" "Come on!" "Father!" "Help." "Friar, the cross." "Please!" "There's another." "Come, brother." "Come." "Come." "No!" "Wait!" "Stop!" "Athelstan, who is it?" "Do you know this man?" "I know this man." "His name is Rollo." "He's Ragnar Lothbrok's brother." "We baptized him, but it made no difference." "It is unfortunate that he's dead." "No." "He's still alive." "Father." "This is an important man." "See what you can do to save him." "Yes, Sire." "He's badly wounded." "There." "So." "Do you still think that we should not have talked to them first?" "You always think you can second-guess the gods, Ragnar." "What has happened today was fated." "It had nothing to do with you or I." "You fought well today." "I was fortunate, that is all." "You were favored by the gods." "Favored?" "We were defeated." "We live to fight another day." "We lived, but my uncle died." "We do not know if he is dead." "It would take a lot to kill him." "Since no ax, spear or blade could touch my son today, he will now be known as Bjorn Ironside." "Bjorn Ironside." "We must make some decisions and we must make them quickly." "Do we leave tomorrow and abandon this raid?" "Do we go home or do we sail up the coast and find some richer, easier pickings elsewhere?" "If my uncle is captured and wounded," "I want to stay in this place, as long as it takes until he is free." "Well, King, what are we fated to do?" "Victory over the Northmen!" "Now your father surprised them with his tactics, hmm?" "He surprised me, too." "How does he know these things?" "Who knows, Sire?" "Maybe he read something somewhere which helped him." "Reading, for monks mostly." "Very little use otherwise." "Rollo." "Rollo." "Priest?" "Look at you." "Horik was right." "You betrayed us." "These are your folk." "Christians." "You look like them." "What am I to you?" "Hmm?" "You are my family." "If I had enough strength to kill you now," "I would." "Allies!" "Hmm!" "Allies and friends, huh?" "When shall we attack again our wounded foe, huh?" "And wipe them out?" "That might not be a good idea." "Of course it's a good idea." "We've won half a victory." "Now, with God's help, we'll annihilate our enemies, hmm?" "Forgive me, King Aelle, but I might suggest that even the complete destruction of one Northern army will not lead to the end of their incursions." "Probably quite the opposite." "Motivated by greed and by the need for revenge, they're very likely to return with renewed strength." "And not just once or twice, but again and again, times without number." "The only way to bring an end to these incursions is to negotiate an agreement that is good for both sides." "But, in the meantime, King Aelle, buying the services of these Northmen as mercenaries will certainly help us to overcome Mercia." "Mmm." "Very well." "As you say." "But someone has to take this offer to the pagans." "That is if they have not yet already sailed away." "Indeed." "Considering their treatment of our envoys so far, you're not going to have too many volunteers." "I have a suggestion." "I think we should send Athelstan." "But they may kill him." "Oh, I doubt that." "In any case, would it matter?" "Hello, Bjorn." "Do you remember me?" "Of course I remember you." "I wanted to kill you when I was a child." "And then I loved you." "I know you were close to your uncle." "I want you all to know that Rollo is alive, wounded, but alive and being taken care of." "King Horik." "Why have you come, Athelstan?" "Did you escape?" "I came here to talk to you." "King Ecbert sent you." "You do his bidding." "You are one of them." "He offers you a chance for peace." "He wants to talk of many things with you." "Good things." "Yes, and then kill us." "No." "He will not, I swear." "I know him." "You are his dog." "You lick his fingers." "You lick his asshole." "I really like your new clothes, Athelstan, and your hair." "Very nice." "Is he prepared to offer us a hostage?" "Yes." "He wants to reassure you, in any way he can, of his honest intentions." "Then we will meet him." "Who are you to say?" "You do not need to come." "Ragnar and I will go, and if Ecbert means to kill us, so be it." "I will give him your answer." "I will accompany you." "Part of the way." "It is good to see you." "I feared that you were dead." "There were times that I wish I had been." "I gave into despair." "So have you returned to your faith, renounced ours?" "I wish it was so simple." "In the gentle fall of rain from heaven, I hear my God, but in the thunder, I still hear Thor." "That is my agony." "I hope that someday our gods can become friends." "I have something to return to you." "You are safe to go now, but I will see you very soon." "Thank you, friend." "It would be strange to come face to face with Ragnar Lothbrok again." "After he raided my kingdom for the first time," "I swore eternal enmity, and promised God and all his angels that I would be revenged on him." "Gates!" "So, who have you chosen for our hostage?" "Your son again?" "No. it did not seem just or right to place him in danger for a second time." "Who, then?" "Actually, you, King Aelle." "Me?" "Well, except for myself, there is no one that the Northmen will place a higher value on than you, and they are bound to know the consequences if they should harm you in any way." "Of course, if you do not wish to place yourself at risk..." "No, no." "I will play the part." "Riders!" "Riders approaching!" "Do you not think you should prepare yourself, King Aelle?" "This is a mistake." "What do you say?" "I say this will end very badly." "Now you've had your say." "All this for your brother." "We're all put in danger for your brother." "Why must we save your brother?" "He killed Arne, he nearly killed me." "He betrayed all of us." "This is not just about Rollo." "No, it's also about the priest who lured us here." "How can you trust him?" "You talk about trust." "You!" "What are you saying?" "I am a trustworthy person." "King Ecbert desires me to set before you, outline possible terms of a treaty." "He is completely sincere in his wish for peace and cooperation, and believes that Ragnar Lothbrok shares his wish." "The King will agree to pay you monies and/or treasures to prevent any further depredations of his territories." "More importantly, he is prepared to offer 5,000 acres of good land, for farming, in peace." "Finally, may I present to you Princess Kwenthrith from the kingdom of Mercia." "King Ecbert and the Princess are willing to pay any of your warriors a fat fee for fighting for her." "What about my brother?" "The King will agree to release Rollo upon your acceptance of his offer, and upon the safe return of King Aelle." "I accept the offer." "As do I." "It's all here." "Hello, brother." "Whoever among you wishes to act as mercenaries for Princess Kwenthrith, come forward now." "lam taking my brother home." "Will you come back with us or will you stay here with your people?" "I want you to come back." "Stand your ground." "Good." "Strong grip." "Yes." "Shield up." "That's enough." "Who told you to do that?" "No one." "I am doing it for myself." "I want to fight in a shield wall." "I want to be like Lagertha." "Why does everyone want to be like Lagertha?" "Don't worry, I understand." "I know what you meant." "I have decided to make you a free woman." "You are no longer my servant or bonded to me." "You will only serve me and my household if you choose, as a free person." "That is impossible." "And yet it has happened." "This is a gift." "So, these are the Northmen who've agreed to fight as your mercenaries to help you gain the crown of Mercia." "And Ragnar Lothbrok is not here?" "Alas, no, but..." "Doesn't matter." "They're violent men, hmm?" "They are great warriors, yes." "All of them." "They are very strong." "Well, they live hard lives." "They farm and they fight." "And they do not fear death." "Oh." "You know, I always knew I would love these Northmen." "Hmm." "I should like to breed with them." "I think we would produce giants." "Good to see you, my friends." "Welcome home, all of you, and thank the gods." "Lagertha, you are most welcome." "Please stay." "And you, you came back." "I did." "I came back because you and Ragnar, all of you are my family." "Drink, Priest." "Princess." "Bjorn." "Porunn?" "I have made her a free woman." "She is no longer a slave." "Welcome back, Bjorn." "Thank you." "Ragnar." "The leg, Sissy" "Lift." "That's it." "Splint." "Splint." "Floki." "We can be honest with each other, can we not, hmm?" "We know each other well enough." "We know the things we like and those we hate." "We share many things." "Many ideas, feelings, about the Earth and the gods." "Am I not right?" "Yes." "I have a proposition to put to you."