The town lay eerily silent beneath the thunder of iron hooves, horses trampling not just the earth, but the shattered pride of its people. Bo's jet-black eyes scanned the grim scene without flinching. Around them, peasants carried the dead with heavy hearts, while the wounded were tended by hastily summoned healers. Some wept openly in despair; others breathed sighs of relief, thankful the fight had ended.
"Bury the bodies with honor. Brave warriors deserve no less. If the earth won't hold them, burn them with dignity — let their souls find rest,"
Bo commanded, his voice calm and steady. Taking the battle-worn flag from a soldier, he handed it to Tove, who passed it reverently to the master clothmaker. The old man accepted the flag with solemn respect, knowing it would be transformed to bear the mark of their new territory.
"No looting. Take rations only from the lord's mansion. The peasants' stores are off-limits," Tove ordered, signaling his men to protect the frightened townsfolk. Slowly, the citizens exhaled, the weight of mourning lightened by this small mercy.
"How long must we remain?"
Bo asked, calculating the cost of the delay.
"TWO days,"
Tove answered gravely.
"Enough to mend weapons, rest the men, and maintain morale. After that, we move swiftly to join the main force."
Bo nodded.
"Good. We'll reach Maldon within five days, if all goes well."
His thoughts flickered to Magnus and Uther experienced commanders who would never rush headlong without reinforcements.
Near Chelmsford, Magnus's voice rose above the din.
"Burn the crops. Seize the cattle. Spare no one who resists, but the farmers who yield, leave unharmed."
The Vikings nodded to affirm his words, lighting up their torches one by one. Then they mounted their horses through the fields, starting a fire that consumed the entire field.
Pitch black smoke rose above their heads, signaling the farmers who ran to the fields to find them. Their faces paled with horror, realizing what was happening as they knelt on the ground while shivering with fear.
" Lord, have mercy on us."
Magnus didn't mind him except for gesturing for him to go home as they backed away in fear. Thankfully, no knights or Vikings attacked them with their weapons, and some even gave them some rations and seeds to help them.
" Crops will take a while to grow. This is the least we can do."
Freyja closed her eyes with pity. She didn't want to hurt or cause famine but it was no choice.
" As long as we can conquer Essex, we will give them a share and a land to live freely."
Magnus was inspired by Halfdan's idea to liberate the people from the aristocracy. He suggested that giving them land and capital to start a new life would make a country flourish by pointing to ancient countries.
He even said containing nobles wasn't that hard as long as they allowed them to have some free business or license.
" Our son is indeed a genius. No nobles would offer their lands for free but we will give people freedom through law."
Freyja thought silently, realizing how they could revolutionize the entire country. He was slowly transforming their territory for the people and the people supported him heavily for it.
Even Uther was convinced that Halfdan had an element for kingship.
" Lord, we found a group of knights approaching us. What should we do? They have Baron Noct's insignia."
The knight pointed at the east which wasn't that far from them. They would surely spot their army if they crossed the hill.
" Deploy, elite squadron there with archers. Kill them without hesitation."
Magnus knew capturing them was impossible with their horses unless Freyja shot them but in a short amount of time, killing their horses was impossible.
" I understand."
The knight signaled his men to follow him up as they reached the top of the hill with their flag.
The incoming knights frowned at their flag, not understanding what was happening because they were in the direction of the fire. They quickly stopped their horses to guess what was happening.
Unfortunately, Magnus's knights were fast enough to close their gaps as both sides engaged in close combat.
" What are you doing?!"
The knight leader shouted with anger, demanding an answer from them which left him nothing but silence.