"The front gate is off-limits now." Rolf sighed seeing the massive blockade going on around Helstia. It made his life much harder trying to get in.

"There will be another way in. A gap in the wall or something." The old warrior said, getting a nod from the two. "It’s quite dark and they have their hands full focusing on any movements going on in sieging force right now." 𝕗𝗿𝕖𝐞𝐰𝗲𝕓𝐧𝕠𝕧𝗲𝐥.𝚌𝐨𝚖

"We make a move now then."

"I don’t see any other option." The Old warrior sighed as he pulled the hood of his cloak over his head. The other two followed along and finally came out of their hiding place, quickly running to the wall.

They pushed themselves up next to it and caught their breath again. Rolf crouched down and tried to dig his hand under the wooden wall. He wobbled along like a penguin trying to get a good feel and shook his head. "It’s deep. We ain’t getting in underneath unless we are lucky."

The Old warrior took a step back and looked up. "To thigh to push ourselves up." Rolf looked at the distant camp.

"Wait here. I’ve got a plan."

"Rolf." The old warrior called out seeing the young man walk away but he turned and flashed a small smile.

"We need to get over and we ain’t got the tools to do it. I’ll get some." Rolf didn’t let the two voice an opinion and quickly ran off, taking a long way around to not arouse suspicion in his comrades.

’In and out. All I have to do is be quick.’ Rolf circled around taking ten minutes, and quickly slipped into the back of the camp. The chatter and laughter were deafening and reminded him of the past. ’No need to dwell on these things.’ He let out a bitter smile as he made his way around, grabbing a few pieces of food for the two while he was at it. Stuffing it into his bag he carried.

"Hey." A voice called out from behind. The man was obviously drunk and wrapped his arm around Rolf. "What are you doing?" Rolf’s mind ran as he reached for the dagger in his pocket. he didn’t wish to kill anyone here, but if they were suspicious then he had no choice.

"What do you mean?" He didn’t pull it out yet and asked politely.

"You not heard. We’re having a pit fight. The chief and King Astrom said it would be a good thing. Come." The man began to force Rolf to join along.

"I can’t I have matter to attend to."

"Ahh shut up. This is a bit of fun. We need to break the ice somehow." He let out a small laugh. "I assume you’re Astrom’s man, ain’t seen ya before."

Rolf’s eyes went cold but he sighed and let himself be dragged along. The notice got louder as they approached a large crowd surrounding two people, brawling. Their bodies were covered in blood and bruises as the men around cheered. Rolf looked around and saw Astrom sitting with a lanky man.

"I really got something to do." Rolf tried to walk away with the man grabbing his shoulder.

"I didn’t know King Astrom’s men were actually cowards." The man smirked not letting Rolf go. It hit a breaking point when Rolf finally had enough. His grip on the dagger loosened and he swung his fist, breaking the man’s nose as blood exploded from his face.

"FUCK OFF!" Rolf kicked him again in the stomach pushing him to the ground. Before he could bring his foot down again, a couple of men pulled him back. "Get your hands off me!" Rolf fought to free himself as everyone’s attention was quickly brought to him.

"I’ll kill you." The man who Rolf punched got himself up and reached for his weapon, barely being held back by another group of men.

Astrom watched from the distance and got up with annoyed eyes, as he pushed past everyone; Leif followed quickly behind. "Stop." His voice was calm but frosty as he looked at the two men. His eyes landed on Rolf once again.

"Who are you?" Astrom turned to Leif who shook his head. Asrom with the confirmation was quick as he reached out and grabbed Rolf by the throat. "One of the woman scouts." The chill turned murderous as the grip around Rolf’s neck tightened.

Rolf reached for Astrom’s hand trying to pull it off, but his grip tightened seeing his resistance. Throwing him to the ground, Astrom reached for the spare sword on his waist.

"STOP!" Rolf cried out seeing it about to be brought down on him. "I don’t work for that bitch." Astrom paused with Leif finally stepping forward.

"So are you one of Sven’s men? Did he finally make his move?" Leif asked his lips curling as he imagined having foiled one of Sven’s plans.

Rolf stroked his neck and cleared his throat. He knew that he had to give the correct answer or he would die in an instant. "I am the final son of King Knut." Rolf’s eyes were defiant with Leif’s smile falling.

"TORSTEN!" Astrom called out with the little dwarf seemingly appearing out of the air. "King Knut. You mentioned him before. Kid claims to be his son."

Torsten analyzed Rolf. "Helga wiped out Knut’s lineage from what I heard. For one to be alive is strange."

"I AM HIS SON!" Rolf got up and moved closer to Astrom, looking into his eyes. Astrom smirked seeing the madness in them. "I was there when she butchered my family and I swear to all the gods I won’t rest until I’ve done the same." Reaching for the dagger he pulled it out.

Astrom grabbed the dagger with his hand, pulling Rolf in. "So why are you in my camp then?"

"I just need rope. It’s all I came for." Pulling his dagger was an empty threat, everyone knew it. His best chance at survival now was just hoping that Astrom didn’t kill him.

"Why do you need rope?" Torsten was the one to ask as Rolf looked down at him.

"There is no entry into Helstia without going over the walls. We don’t have the tools to get in and thanks to your seige we can’t go through the gate." Astrom looked at him for a couple of seconds eventually letting go of the dagger blade.

"Get him the rope." Turning his back he walked off and retook his seat.

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"I’m back," Rolf said in an exhausted voice.

"What took you so long, we got worried."

"I got held up by something, but." He quickly threw the rope on the ground and handed the small bits of food he had stolen to the two. "We have a way in at least."

"Well done." The old man quickly stuffed the food down his throat before bending down to the rope. "Hand me your axe." Pointing out to the third man with them, he quickly handed a spare, with the old warrior tying it around the end of the rope.

Throwing it up, he missed the first time, nearly hitting himself. it got a chuckle out the two getting a glare in return. Huffing he threw it once more, it going over the wall. He pulled hard, securing it on the top, before climbing slightly.

"It’s secure. You two ready." Rolf stuffed the food down his mouth hand and nodded. Seeing it the warrior smiled and began to climb. He was slow but once he reached the top, he jumped over disappearing from sight. Rolf was quick to follow behind and as he sat on the top of the wall he saw the dim town of Helstia.

’I’m so close father, mother, brothers, sisters. If I fail at least I’ll see you all in Uppsala.’ Rolf took a final look at the entire town before jumping over, his smile the biggest it had been in a long time.

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Gunnar walked around the Helstia. He had been trying to get a chance to slip into Helga’s manor but nothing had worked, and her return made it near impossible. His plan to cause strife had failed aswell, quickly dealt with.

’I need something more.’ Despite everything he knew that the situation in her camp wasn’t as unified as it appeared. Whispers of dissent plan to desert, some brave ones even voicing rebellion. He didn’t know what happened, but Helga had lost the faith of a lot of people.

Despite that, Gunnar knew he could use it. He already got numerous innocents killed, and whilst he felt sorry about it, he felt a weight in his heart vanish. ’I have to be as cruel as her to win.’ He didn’t even know if Rolf or the rest were alive anymore, but it was his job to finish what they started.

Walking down the road he saw a couple of black cloaks sitting around watching. Gunnar’s approach was strange with them getting up and quickly confronting him. "What is it?"

’Politer then I expected.’ "I’ve been hearing some strange things. Things which the queen would not like." The black cloaks looked at each other, touching their weapons.

"Of what nature."

"Treason." Gunnar smiled as he said that with the black cloak’s demeanor becoming cold. "A few of them have said they should open the gates for those outside."

"Go get the others, now." The one who could only be called the commander gave the order with the rest running off. It didn’t take long for them to return with ten men. "Where was this."

Gunnar nodded and led them to a tavern by the port. A group of warriors sat drinking and eating with Gunnar making sure to hide himself.

"It was those men. They come here every day." he didn’t lie about anything but watching as the black cloaks walked over he felt slightly bad. ’It is a necessary sacrifice.’ Gunnar silently told himself as he watched.

It started off peaceful with the two groups talking but it all fell apart in minutes as one started pushing a black cloak away and yelling at him. The one who was pushed drew his weapon causing the others to do the same.

Gunnar gulped and watched. The felt heavier with the standoff. "ALL OF YOU ARE TO LAY DOWN YOUR WEAPONS AND SEE THE QUEEN! SHE WILL JUDGE YOU OF YOUR CRIMES!" The black cloak gave a final chance to them. With the seige outside it was better to have as warriors as possible.

Despite that, his words sounded like a death sentence to the warriors. To be sent to Helga was to have a gruesome death. They all remembered the mutineers, all the people burnt alive,, and the numerous others who suffered horrid fates. They exchanged knowing looks with one another.

"DEATH TO THE FALSE QUEEN AND HER DOGS!" They had enough. If they were going to die it was better to do so on their terms. Gunnar watched as the fight broke out with a smile, before slipping back into the town and hiding himself again.