Just as I felt my strength leaving me, I heard one single word that revived my hopes.461Please respect copyright.PENANAbz6CWTXwUH
"Reinforcements!"461Please respect copyright.PENANAUmkPALbSRP
In the heat of the battle, I failed to realize that there were no troops of ours left to fight alongside us. I turned around to where Asger was pointing, with my senses operating at their peak. And then I saw him.461Please respect copyright.PENANAC52aRJJauM
"Orre's storm! It's coming!"461Please respect copyright.PENANANho0Y3rWzM
Eystein Orre. King Hadrada's son-in-law. He was left behind to guard the ships at Riccall! How could he possibly be in my sights at this very moment?461Please respect copyright.PENANAAVNMXKzsXu
Behind Eystein, a fully armed for battle group of warriors was unwinding. "FOR NORWAY!" Eystein screamed upon reaching the battlefield. His men replied by shaking vigorously their weapons and cheering him at the top of their lungs. Then, they lunged forward to the Englishmen.461Please respect copyright.PENANA77nDtW2mvC
Some of them just collapsed, before even colliding with enemy warriors. Death from exhaustion was very likely after carrying this kind of heavy equipment all the way from Riccall. But Eystein Orre was still standing there, fighting bravely, chopping up whoever stood in his way without flinching. An unstoppable force was now checking the English advance.461Please respect copyright.PENANAygQTClsILq
I threw myself at the battle with even more passion. Feeling fearless and empowered by the presence of Orre, I devoted myself to fighting by his side, helping him in any way that I can. Any man wearing the English colors was a target that I needed to hurt in the worst way possible. I swung my axe, hitting everything within its reach, sending souls either to Valhalla or to Niflheim. 461Please respect copyright.PENANAd4QaY4Iqkf
The mayhem lasted until the sundown. I could tell that our forces were losing ground, but as long as Orre was standing, there was still hope. Little did I know that the Gods were not feeling merciful on that day.461Please respect copyright.PENANAcrFUYjXPBr
"Torsten..." 461Please respect copyright.PENANAQr5jWxeljz
It was Orre's voice calling my name, but it was not Orre. Orre was always powerful and majestic. This sound that I was hearing now was coming from a weak man. I turned towards the source, to witness the proof of the Norwegian's army annihilation. 461Please respect copyright.PENANAwpj0qjMc6N
Orre's dying hands kept clutching pointlessly at the spear that had penetrated him in the abdomen, trying to get it out. The lust for fight was filling his eyes as blood was filling his mouth. 461Please respect copyright.PENANAVahCodDTHF
Acting on instinct, I threw my shield at the spear-bearer with all my might. "Torsten..." I heard this weakling that had taken my leader's place begging me. "Kill... Me."461Please respect copyright.PENANAZoZp6ct4Sn
I looked around. Most of our warriors were dead, and there was no hope of turning the situation around. "You'll live", I lied to him.461Please respect copyright.PENANAIdQG9IeOsP
"KILL ME!" he yelled using up all the air that was left in his lungs. His eyes were fixed on our enemies, who were closing in on us. "They... want me... alive."461Please respect copyright.PENANAKYdcbMhNvQ
It was true. I was a no one, but he was important. I could not let them torture him, or use him as leverage. He deserved to die like a warrior, not like a pig. And he surely deserved to be remembered at his mightiest moment, not bound and gagged at the hands of the enemy.461Please respect copyright.PENANAphx30xoP3q
I swung my sword and I knew it would be the last time. I hit him hard and fast, right where his heart was. Moments after, the darkness enveloped me as well. 461Please respect copyright.PENANAFU49ts2qS6
Valkyries would escort both of us to Valhalla. The majestic, enormous Hall of the Fallen, located in the heart of Asgard. Among the Gods. We would aid Odin once Ragnarök rained upon us, because we had proven ourselves by dying heroically on the battlefield.461Please respect copyright.PENANAS1JRlgKM5z
He did not deserve to be tortured. He did not deserve to suffer.461Please respect copyright.PENANAcvhRG20CEi
He deserved to die.461Please respect copyright.PENANAzZeakvKs1P
461Please respect copyright.PENANArzWKqIJeMj