The Son Of Ragnar

Njal explained the current situation to his brother with impeccable details, Gissur was in disbelief because he could not believe the Ásbirningar clan dared to touch on their own.

Gissur knew he could not war on two fronts but this only made them warier of the Ásbirningar clan.

If they touched one of their own, it was clear that they were now officially joining the war and Gissur had no problem with that.

He knew a few of his men would be more than enough to dismantle the Ásbirningar's clan.

He had let them be because he did not see them worthy to be conquest and despite their supposed transgressions, he still did not worry about them.

Njal was going to join the main forces with part of their army, they had a little over 1,500 men and women under their command and there was no way he would give his brother the majority of his army.

"Gissur, I trust you have it handled, don't you?" Njal asked his brother and Gissur reassured him that he had it handled.

Gissur's wife was indoors all day but she came out to see Njal before he left.

In Gissur's eyes, she was a goddess, but in everyone else's eyes, she looked like a troll.

"Leave it to me, I will release the Mad Hound.." Gissur responded and Njal's indifferent face soon showed worry.

"The Mad Hound is in chains for a reason, brother. And it is only the missing brothers that could handle him…" Njal said but his only made his older brother chuckle like he knew something that Njal did not.

"Imagine how crazy he would go when you tell him that the Ásbirningar's clan killed his 'owner'." Gissur teased and Njal rolled his eyes because his brother did have a point.

The Mad Hound would be more than enough to tame the Ásbirningar's clan and kill their Chieftain if need be because his strength was unknown but he inherited this nickname because he had the habit of biting his enemies in the throat, often ripping it out, to damage the trachea and the major blood vessels of the neck.

-

Tyr was still sick but he could not stay idle, and Gudrun kept an eye on him.

Gudrun stayed in the room with Tyr even though he was constantly trying to manipulate her.

Tyr rested, back resting against the floor as he stared at the ceiling blankly.

Gudrun mounted him but Tyr showed no reaction to her sitting right on top of him.

"What do you think you are doing?" Tyr asked but Gudrun felt different as she placed both her hands on his chest.

"What does it look like I am doing?" Gudrun said, Tyr tried to get up but she pushed him back to the floor, hands firmly placed around his neck.

"How long have you been pretending?" Tyr asked her and Gudrun giggled.

"Why do men always fall for the innocent act?" Gudrun asked, staring Tyr right in his eyes.

"I know what you are, Tyr Ragnarsson…" Gudrun spoke but Tyr did not look intimidated by this.

"Have you betrayed your clan?" These were the only words that escaped Tyr's mouth but Gudrun giggled once more. There was no way a Chieftain's daughter could be as timid as she was considering they were a warrior tribe.

"Betrayed? Hell no! I just think it is about time a change in leadership occurs. What do you think?" Gudrun asked and Tyr simply smiled.

"I see you as the leader, Tyr. With your name, men will take up arms under your name and I know when you left that night…" Gudrun said and now, Tyr's mask finally cracked as a surprised look crept up on him.

"I followed you, you see. I am quite nosy and I want to know why you were meeting two people from the Haukdælir clan, our enemies… Are you a spy?" Gudrun asked.

Tyr knew he had been had with this revelation but he was not worried, Gudrun could have exposed him and all but secured his execution but she did not.

The clan's best interest was clearly not on her mind, or she would have reported any threat aimed at them. But what was her personal goal?

Tyr was not worried and it would soon be revealed why, the back door that he had snuck out of a few days ago silently opened.

Tyr kept quiet despite hearing footsteps inching toward him because it was clear whoever this was, was there to do something malicious.

He pushed Gudrun off him and managed to evade the attack but the assailant lost the element of surprise with this. He was covered from head to toe so no one could make up his physical appearance,

Gudrun froze in place, she was used to battle but there was a reason her father did not expose her to it. Tyr clashed blades with the assailant, but he was nowhere near full strength due to the sickness that weakened him.

"Gudrun! Go!" Tyr instructed her, he had not only saved her life but she knew if she left him that Tyr might die, and in her lost state. The assailant saw his opportunity to exploit the weak link and lunged right at Gudrun who was frozen in place, scared.

In actuality, Gudrun was the target of this man and he noticed

She tried to call for help but nothing could be heard, she choked on fear as she closed her eyes to embrace the inevitable. A warm liquid spilled on her face prompting Gudrun to open her eyes slowly.

It was Tyr, he had thrown his body in front of the sword, it impaled his right Pectoralis major and had exited through the back

"I-I told you I would protect you, no matter what, did I not?" Tyr said, turning back to greet her with a smile, Tyr's handicap state became obvious and Gudrun finally screamed for help.

The assailant immediately let go of his sword as Tyr reached for his wrist and fled before anyone could enter the room.

Tyr fell on one knee and Gudrun instantly went down to support him, she could not believe that Tyr was about to sacrifice his life for her. She did not know he was that kind of person.

Kolbeinn rushed into the room and saw the state Tyr was in.

"What happened in here!?" Kolbeinn barked.