"You're getting there, but you've work to do." —Ragnar to Bjorn
Kattegat, 791 AD
The yard in Kattegat was wet with rain and muddy under the gray sky. Bjorn stood facing Ragnar and Rollo, holding two axes that were wet from the drizzle. Each axe weighed about a kilo. At ten and a half years old, Bjorn was 1.55 meters tall. He had challenged both men to fight him at once, with no rules, to prove himself as a warrior and to measure his growth against 2 veterans.
"Are you sure about this, Bjorn? Two of us might be too much for a boy," Ragnar said with a teasing voice, though he seemed proud. He held his red shield that showed marks from previous fights, and his axe was pointed downward.
Rollo moved to Bjorn's left side. His cloak was soaked with rain, and he held up his shield and axe. "You better hit like a man, kid, or don't bother swinging at all," he said in a deep voice, his broad shoulders were tense with energy.
"I'll make sure you eat those words, uncle," Bjorn replied while planting his feet firmly despite the mud. The air smelled of salt and iron.
Rollo attacked first. He swung his axe in a slow arc toward Bjorn's ribs. Bjorn turned quickly and blocked the attack with his right axe. The impact sent a shock through his arm as he struggled to hold against Rollo's strength.
"That all you've got?" Rollo asked while pushing forward with his shield to force Bjorn back.
Bjorn's feet slid in the mud, but he ducked under the shield and used his left axe to pull down on Rollo's guard. Rollo stumbled slightly, his balance thrown off and his shield lowered.
"Slippery little shit," Rollo said with a reluctant smile.
Ragnar attacked next, swinging his axe low at Bjorn's knee with precision. Bjorn quickly lowered his left axe to block it, and the wood made a groaning sound from the impact. Though cold and tired, Bjorn pushed back against Ragnar.
"Too slow yourself," he said, throwing Ragnar's earlier taunt back at him.
Ragnar laughed. "Keep talking, boy. It'll make this sweeter." When Bjorn's right axe came down hard on his shield, pieces of the red-painted wood broke off. The clash of weapons made a loud metallic sound.
They moved apart and circled each other. Mud covered Bjorn's legs, and he was breathing heavily, but he was thinking carefully about how to counter Rollo's powerful but wild attacks and Ragnar's calculated strikes. He pretended to attack Ragnar high, then quickly changed to a low strike that cut Ragnar's thigh slightly.
Ragnar stepped back, his smile replaced by a serious expression. "Close," he admitted.
Rollo yelled and charged at Bjorn with his axe raised high above his head. Bjorn ducked, feeling the wind from the swing, and hit back at Rollo's shield with his left axe. The shield bent from the impact, and Rollo stumbled, his boots sliding in the mud.
"You're not that good, kid," Rollo said, but his voice shook slightly.
Bjorn saw his opportunity. He threw his right axe at Rollo's feet as a distraction, then jumped forward and grabbed Rollo's shield arm with both hands. Using his unusual strength, he twisted until Rollo's elbow made a cracking sound and his shield was trapped. Bjorn kicked Rollo's knee, causing him to fall hard into the mud, knocking the breath out of him.
"Hell, kid," Rollo gasped from the ground, looking up at Bjorn with surprise and respect.
But Ragnar didn't stop. His axe came down in a fast, deadly thrust. Bjorn rolled to the side, splashing mud, but Ragnar's shield hit him hard in the chest. Bjorn fell to the ground, unable to breathe for a moment, as Ragnar's blade stopped at his throat.
"Got you," Ragnar said, looking stern but proud, his expression softening.
Rollo got up, covered in mud and laughing through clenched teeth. "You dropped me, you bastard," he said, shaking his head. Though frustrated, he clearly respected what Bjorn had done.
Ragnar lowered his axe and offered Bjorn his hand. "That toss? It was crazy, but it worked," he said, smiling. "You're getting there but, you've got work to do." He put his hand on Bjorn's shoulder. "Rollo and I are going east with Haraldson's raid, along with other men. In our absence, it is your job to protect your mother and Gyda, and the farm." His voice carried the unspoken: I might not come back.
Bjorn stood in the rain, thinking about Ragnar's words.
Ragnar and Rollo turned, their silhouettes blurred by drizzle. Ragnar walked with purpose, already planning the raid that will start everything.
Rollo trailed with his shoulders squared but his heart restless, craving a saga of his own.