Chapter 190 Whispers Of The Night
Tyr rounded up his conversation with Kolbeinn and he had finally had a moment to himself, the skies were dark but the moonlight illuminated the path he traversed.
He wanted to go for a walk, he wanted to take in his environment in case something happened, Tyr wanted to be prepared for the worst possible scenario because he did not trust these people, not in the slightest.
"S-Stop," This was no doubt the voice of Inskan, Tyr rolled his eyes as he turned to face the man. It was dark and there was no one around, surely he wanted to revenge for what he did to him earlier, or at least this was what Tyr thought.
"What do you want?" Tyr was blunt, and he was ready to kill the man where he stood should he make a move, but Inskan dropped to his knees with his head bowed.
"Your fighting technique! I have never seen anything like it! Please teach it to me!" Inskan looked to be prideful yet here he was, on his knees and begging for a younger Tyr to train him.
This certainly was not what Tyr was expecting but he appreciated the gesture nonetheless.
"T-Teach you? I am not a teacher," Tyr quickly dismissed his proposal by disqualifying himself, this was the most harmless way to reject someone.
"I do not think your Chieftain would like that one of his men is asking me to teach him, especially when it means your loyalty will be to me," Tyr further said as he continued on his walk but Inskan was not about to give up.
He towards Tyr and Tyr immediately went into defensive mode, restraining Inskan the moment he got within proximity.
"Those reflexes! Do you have eyes in the back of your head!" Inskan could not get enough of it, Tyr's reaction was extraordinary but he knew he would have to stop there because he did not want to risk offending him.
Tyr kept walking for minutes, surveying the area but something was strange, he saw footprints in the snow leading away from the camp. Kolbeinn had a rule, and that was no one was to cross the perimeter but someone had done that, catching Tyr's interest.
Tyr trailed the footsteps, he had it in the back of his mind that this might be a trap, Birger had taught him to be cautious of everything for what may look ordinary might be a web someone has woven.
He soon heard voices, speaking in a low tone, there were two people but only a single trail of footsteps was on the ground he traveled. It was clear that a meeting was arranged but with who?
He wanted to get closer to see what was happening but he also knew he could not be seen as he did not know if Kolbeinn trusted him enough to believe him over one of his own.
"A little closer…" Tyr muttered; he peeked over the horizon and even he gasped the moment he laid eyes on the people his eyes registered/
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A couple of days passed and Tyr had settled in well in his new environment even though he knew they were still wary of him, it would be stupid if they were not but Kolbeinn did his best to make him feel welcomed. He kept the fact that he was Ragnar's son a secret as well because even they had heard of Ragnar but the information was limited in these parts because they were cut off from that world.
It was clear that Kolbeinn was not born in this world, like Skol, he conquered this clan but he did not know for how long he was.
But the other two clan heads were born and raised here, they were true warriors, and this was why they were so feared, even by Kolbeinn.
Nora arrived with the remnants of his Clan, Tyr was glad that Finn was alright because their divided numbers were worrying hence why this alliance would prove beneficial.
He did not tell anyone what he had seen that night and kept it to himself for reasons best known to him but Tyr knew now was the time to gain the respect of Kolbeinn's men and if he had their respect, it would be easier to lead them when the time came but first, he needed to make them undermine Kolbeinn's ability to rule them.
"Chieftain Kolbeinn Ungi Arnórsson," Tyr called out in a less than subtle tone, downing the ale in front of him so Kolbeinn just assumed he had too much to drink and did not think much of this.
"Tyr! I see you!" Kolbeinn responded with as much energy, raising his cup to Ragnar's son.
"Kolbeinn Ungi Arnórsson, the third strongest Chieftain," Tyr blurted out, despite Nora trying to hold him back. Nora noticed his cup was not even half empty, she was his cup right before Tyr spilled his supposed drink over, prompting it to pour all over him.
The smell not only exaggerated the alcohol stench on him, Nora bit her tongue because she knew Tyr was being intentional about this.
"I think it is best you sit back down, Tyr," Kolbeinn warned, everyone kept quiet because they knew Kolbeinn was serious right now but this did not deter Tyr whatsoever.
"Come on Kolbeinn! I know your men are tired of sitting around at the mercy of another man. What if they decided to attack today? What then? Do you think the All-Father would allow such wimps into his hall?" Tyr shouted and he had gotten the reaction he wanted from them as he could see the shame in their eyes but he could also see the rage in Kolbeinn's eyes.
".... Kolbeinn Ungi Arnórsson is the man that will break this cycle!" Tyr said. This eliminated the illusion he had created moments ago that hinted at Kolbeinn being a coward but instead now put him on the spot for him to take action. Everyone's head turned in Kolbeinn's direction as they raised their cups to him.
"You will face victory on the battlefield this winter as long as I am beside Kolbeinn, we will live and die like warriors!" Tyr said, before holding his mouth and running out as the other warriors laughed. Kolbeinn never discussed the timeframe for which he planned to attack but Tyr had imposed that on him indirectly and if he opposed it right now, he would be proving Tyr right.
"Hahaha! He is a loud one when he drinks!" Kolbeinn teased as his men laughed, he could not be angry at Tyr as he had been informed in one of their many conversations that he is quite talkative when he drinks but that was a lie to set up this exact moment.
Nora followed after Tyr and he was still not 'sober'.
"What was that? That was dangerous." Nora said in a passive-aggressive tone because he had risked their lives but a look into Tyr's lifeless eyes was enough to shut her up.
"Nora, who did you meet that night?" Tyr asked in a blood-curdling voice.