"Revenge, the sweetest morsel to the mouth that ever was cooked in hell."

~Walter Scott

"They've been attacking our docks regularly since Sigurd's death. First they took Ritland then they took Nyland. Floki and Rollo are at Kattegat right now making sure it's not overrun. Father," Björn leaned forward setting his hands flat on Ragnar's desk. "We need to make a move."

Ivar tsked. "As much as I love disagreeing with Björn he's right. We can't just sit back and let the Saxon kings make fools of us." Björn shot Ivar a scathing look but kept his mouth shut.

"Sigurd has just died. We haven't even buried him yet and you want to talk about retribution? Priorities, brothers. I think you should reevaluate them." Ubbe chimed from his position by the fire. Ivar snorted and shook his head.

"The longer we wait to retaliate the bolder they will become. First, our brother, then the docks. What's next? A home invasion massacre? No thanks. We need to strike while the iron is hot." Ivar insisted. Ubbe rolled his eyes and sat back, his melancholy mood thickening the air.

Hvitserk sat forward, silent until now. "We should kill one of their brothers. It's only fair. That's what they've taken from us." Ivar shook his head and stood.

"We did that already, Hvitserk. Remember? Aethelwulf was what started this whole mess anyway." He turned his back to the room and stared out the large picture window overlooking the back garden. He could see Aaline and Thora walking a shaky Sibylle around the grounds. They made it a point to get her outside at least once a day.

"No, if anything this started when you married Aaline." Björn accused. Ivar whirled around to face his oldest brother whose face had turned a wicked shade of puce.

"And what, exactly, is that supposed to mean? You're saying this is her fault?" Icar exclaimed. He pointed a stiff finger at his brother and rounded the couch. Hvitserk stood up and pushed his hands against Ivar's chest, stopping him. Ubbe stepped in front of Björn, a barrier if needed.

"No. You were out of control. Killing anyone who annoyed you or even got in your way. You married Aaline because it was the only way father could control you. Aelle and Ecbert formed an alliance that night and they've been working against us ever since. It's your fault all this has started." Ivar snorted and tried to move around Hvitserk but Ubbe was there, creating too much resistance.

"They were attacking us long before my marriage. Who's to say they wouldn't have done it anyway?" Ivar yelled.

A loud crash silenced the room. All four men turned to look at their father.

In an uncharacteristic display of emotion, Ragnar had swept the contents of his desk onto the floor. Several glass ornaments shattered and littered the hardwood. Papers floated serenely to the ground. Pens rolled softly across the floor and came to rest under the chairs in front of his desk.

Ragnar looked up. His fingers were steepled in front of him. He had been sitting in quiet contemplation, taking in all the arguments his sons presented. Once they began to turn on each other, he had had enough. He took a deep breath and pressed his hands to his desk, standing.

His sons backed up, distancing themselves from each other, creating space in the already cramped room.

"As compelling as all of your arguments are, only one thing matters. Retribution. Aelle needs to pay for what he has done to us." He came out from behind his desk and crossed the room, taking Ivar's place in front of the window.

"He needs to feel my pain. This is the second child I have lost. No parent should have to outlive their children. It is worse than death. Aelle needs to feel what he has done to me." He turned and faced his sons. "To all of us."

"Are we going to kill his son?" Hvitserk asked. Ragnar smiled and shook his head.

"No. I would not deprive a father of his children." He looked at each of his sons, studying them. "But I will deprive a child of his father." The brother's exchanged apprehensive glances but remained silent. Ragnar had turned back to the window and settled his hands in his pockets.

"Do you remember the story of Jarl Borg?" Rangar asked. He kept his back to his sons. Björn was the one to step forward.

"He was an ally. He betrayed you. Took Kattegat, tried to kill Aslaug and Hvitserk and Ubbe and Sigurd. Killed many of your men. Tried to kill you." Ragnar nodded and Björn took this as encouragement to continue.

"You overtook him. Took back your land and your people. Captured him." Björn spoke softly in the tense room. He could feel his brothers' eyes on his back. He was the only one old enough to remember the events of that night. His brothers had all been too young. Ivar hadn't even been born.

"What did I do to him, my son?" Ragnar drawled, his voice low. Björn glanced at Ubbe whose gaze was laser focused on their father.

It was moments like this where Björn was reminded of his father's power. These tense, quiet moments where all Ragnar had to do was lower his voice and speak softly and the whole world would stop to listen.

"You blood eagled him." Björn whispered. Ragnar nodded slowly.

"Yes." Ragnar breathed. "A fitting punishment, don't you think?"

.

"Sir, there is someone here who'd like an audience." Ecbert looked up from his paper, cursing internally at the stupidity of his companion. Sigurd Lothbrok was dead in a drive-by shooting, his body undergoing an autopsy but Ecbert only needed one guess to figure out who was behind it.

He'd told Aelle to be patient. The fool just couldn't do it.

"Tell them I'm not seeing anyone at the moment." He waved carelessly. He looked up when he didn't hear the door close. His attendant was still standing in the doorway, his body tense with nerves. Ecbert sat back. "Well, what do they want?"

His attendant cleared his throat. "She says she has information about Ragnar Lothbrok that might interest you." Ecbert arched a perfectly shaped brow before waving his hand forward.

"Send her in then."

The woman who entered was tall and thin with flowing blonde hair that reached her waist. She carried herself with a dignity seen in the upper class but dressed in a way that implied she was more middle or lower class. Her hands were clasped in a loose knot in front of her and her face betrayed little. It was her eyes that stopped Ecbert short. Her eyes gave away her sanity or lack thereof.

"What can I do for you, Miss…" He tapered off, waiting for her to offer her name.

She didn't.

"I know how you can stop Ragnar Lothbrok." The confidence in her voice was astounding. Ecbert snorted and shook his head.

"Pray tell, how exactly can I stop Ragnar Lothbrok? He is already the richest man on this side of the country and he has powerful allies in all areas of the government. Tell me, what do you know that I do not that will help me get rid of Ragnar Lothbrok?"

If she heard the sarcasm and scepticism in his voice, she didn't show it.

"His children are his weakness. He does everything for them and with them in mind. Get rid of the children and he'll have nothing." She did show emotion then. Ecbert laughed at her and she looked affronted.

"I am well aware of Ragnar's attachment to his children. But I will not kill them. Not so soon after the death of their brother. Now please, William will show you out."

As if called, the door opened and the attendant appeared, his arm outstretched behind him, waiting for the woman to leave. She made no move to do so.

"You don't have to kill them all in one fell swoop. Just one at a time. As one falls, Ragnar will grow weaker with grief and the rest will be easy." She insisted, a hint of desperation behind her words.

Ecbert stood, his anger pulsating through the room. "Do you take me for a fool? Hm? I know that Ragnar's weakness is children. But I have enough respect for the man to let him grieve one son before depriving him of the next. Or are you just trying to get me killed? Killing them all at once would be worlds easier than one at a time. I'm more likely to survive that way.

"Now, you've said your piece. Be gone from my sight before I feel you've overstayed your welcome." He looked towards William at the door who moved forward and took the woman by the arm. She jerked against him, causing them to stumble. She took the chance to pull herself from William's grasp and slam her hands on Ecbert's desk.

"You're a coward." She snarled. Ecbert reared back like he'd been slapped. Never had anyone, let alone a woman, dared to speak so to his face.

"Madam, you have overstayed your welcome here. Be grateful that I do not strangle you here and now for your insolence. I have killed stronger men for less. Remove yourself from my sight." He hissed.

"You're afraid of the retribution that will rain down if you act now. That makes you a coward."

"I would be an idiot not to fear Ragnar's retribution. You must be desperate if you've come to me with so little. I'll not ask again. Leave. Now."

"Ivar is the problem." She said with confidence she had no business feeling.

Ecbert sighed and rubbed his forehead. "Ivar has always been the problem. This is not news to me." His voice was clipped and short.

The woman straightened and crossed her arms over her chest. "I know how to get rid of him."

Ecbert opened his eyes and stared at the woman with trepidation. She continued. "Once Ivar falls, the rest will soon follow." Ecbert shook his head. He couldn't believe he was about to listen to her. He was either stupid or desperate. Maybe it was a little of both.

"What did you have in mind exactly?"

The grin that overtook her face was just this side of insane.

.

Aaline leaned against the door jamb, watching Ivar dress. It was late in the evening and he was preparing for his raid on Aelle.

He had spent the better part of the last two days holed up in his father's office discussing what needed to be done to avenge Sigurd. She could see the lines of anger and grief in his face every night when he came to their bed. He struggled to keep his eyes open long enough to kiss her goodnight before he was passed out.

He was gone by the time she woke and she knew that he was busy plotting.

It seemed they had finally devised a plan.

"How long will you be?" She asked, feigning casualty.

Ivat stopped lacing his boots and glanced up at her.

Her arms were crossed over her chest and she was looking down at her feet.

She was just as exhausted as he was if not more so. She had come to their bed every night physically and emotionally drained. She had taken the lead in Sibylle's care and had spent the last two days tending to her.

Making sure she ate, making sure she bathed, consoling her and helping Lagertha. Lagertha had taken it upon herself to plan the funeral. Sibylle was in no position to do so. She struggled daily to get out of bed and Torvi and Aaline had to drag her out of bed and to the back garden just to make sure she got some exercise.

She was in no place to plan her husband's funeral.

Lagertha had planned a day long celebration of life with a massive feast. There would be wine, food, music, and dancing. Of course this would all take place after Sigurd's funeral pyre. Sigurd's body would be burned on a pyre that Ivar and his brother's would build. Offerings and ornaments would be placed on the Pyre so that Sigurd would have things to take with him into Valhalla.

Ivar had the utmost faith in Lagertha, though he felt that the funeral should take place after their vengeance on Aelle.

He sat up and sighed.

"It is hard to say. Our timing depends on Aelle and what he'll do." She nodded and looked up, meeting his eyes with watery ones of her own.

He drew his eyebrows together and took a deep breath, letting the air fill his chest, feeling the strain in his lungs, before he exhaled. "Why are you crying?" His voice was soft in the space between them.

She laughed once and pressed her hand against her mouth, afraid it would turn into a sob if she continued. She shook her head, unable to look at him for fear of breaking down. He said her name and she sighed, resigned. "Because I am afraid." She could not speak louder than a whisper for she knew her voice would break.

"What are you afraid of?"

"I'm afraid you won't return."

Ivar stood up and approached her slowly. He stopped in front of her and, with tender hands, took her face between his palms. "Aaline…" He searched her eyes, looking for what, she didn't know. He seemed to find it because the next minute his lips were on hers, hard.

She moaned and brought her hands up to his shoulders, clenching her fists in his shirt, pulling it tight. Ivar sucked in a sharp breath and pulled away, locking eyes with her again.

"I will never leave you." He whispered against her parted lips. She sobbed once, tears streaming down her face, and pressed forward, molding herself to his body.

.

Ivar crouched low behind the bushes in Aelle's backyard. His hips protested the position but he ignored them in favor of watching Aelle's bedroom window. The light was still on. He cursed when Hvitserk came up behind him.

"Nothing yet?" Ivar glared at his brother before shaking his head and turning back to the window.

"What are they doing anyway? It's after midnight." Hvitserk looked at his wrist for a watch that he wasn't wearing. "I bet they're getting freaky. You think Aelle's wife still lets him stick it in her every night? Can he even find it? I mean, he's so…"

"I know what you mean." Ivar cut his brother off. "His wife is a night owl. She reads." Hvitserk side-eyed Ivar before snorting.

"If I was her, I wouldn't let him anywhere near me. I bet it's like a shriveled old pickle." Ivar rolled his eyes as Hvitserk laughed at his brilliance.

"Tell me the plan again," Ivar demanded. He needed to get Hvitserk back on track.

Hvitserk huffed but relented. "You and I watch the back and wait for the light to go out. When it does, we text Ubbe and Björn who will wait 20 minutes, and then they'll use the French doors on the side patio to enter through the kitchen."

"Security cameras?" Ivar asked only half-listening.

"Disabled. Björn's got the jammer in the car. It's good for ten miles."

"Security system?"

"Ubbe called the company. Said that the area has been experiencing connection problems and that they're working post haste but some systems may go off unexpectedly. He's got the decoder in his bag."

"Guard dogs?"

"Unconscious."

Ivar looked over at Hvitserk who didn't look at him. "I stole some of Margrethe's Xanax and stuffed it in some ground beef. They'll be out for hours." Hvitserk elaborated.

Ivar snorted. "If they wake up."

He waited only a few minutes before he spoke again. "What happens after 20 minutes?"

Hvitserk groaned and hung his head. "Must we go over this again? Björn made me recite it until I didn't leave anything out."

Ivar ignored him. "What happens after 20 minutes?" He spoke through clenched teeth.

"Björn and Ubbe enter through the French doors and disable the silent alarm. They have 30 seconds before it's not silent anymore. If it goes off, we take off and hope they make it out. When it doesn't go off, we wait for Ubbe's text and we break in through the back door.

"We sneak upstairs, inject Aelle with a horse tranquilizer and haul him out of the house like used furniture."

He turned to Ivar as if he was expecting some kind of commendation but Ivar just slapped his shoulder and pointed to the bedroom window. Hvitserk turned and saw that the light had gone out.

"Text Ubbe." Ivar hissed.

Hvitserk rolled his eyes but did as he was told. Ivar kept his eyes on the window for any movement. He could feel Hvitserk shifting beside him. He was building up to something so he left his brother off the hook. "Was there something else, Hvitty?"

Hvitserk opened his mouth to answer but no words came out. Ivar turned to look at him and smirked. "Cat got your tongue?" Hvitserk narrowed his eyes and landed a solid punch to Ivar's shoulder. Ivar chuckled and looked back at the bedroom window.

Hvitserk finally found his courage and asked, "So, you and Aaline, huh?"

Ivar slowly turned to face his brother who had no shame. "Well, she is my wife, Hvitserk. It comes with the territory."

"No… well, yes, but… what I meant was…"

"I know what you meant. And yes, me and Aaline."

Hvitserk grinned and he was trying so hard not to show his teeth that his face was tight with tension and his eyes nearly clenched shut.

"I knew it. It was only a matter of time. No one believed me. They all thought you would run her off. Said she was too smart for you but I knew you'd make it work. I knew it the minute I saw her. You can't resist a challenge."

Ivar had turned back to his brother and stared at him through narrowed eyes. "They all thought I'd run her off?"

"Well, yeah, but you didn't," Hvitserk stated like it was obvious.

"What else did they think?" Hvitserk looked over at Ivar and seemed to sense the danger he was in because he suddenly looked down at his nonexistent watch and hummed.

"Oh, look, it's been 20 minutes." Ivar watched Hvitserk stand and head towards the backdoor on tiptoes. He growled and followed swiftly behind.

They pressed back against the siding and waited.

Ivar glanced around the backyard, his adrenaline pumping. Hvitserk nudged him and jerked his head inside, indicating Ubbe's signal. Ivar turned to the door and, with quick hands that won him Ragnar's praise, he unlocked the door and shoved Hvitserk inside.

His brother cursed but otherwise did not react. Ubbe and Björn were in the kitchen.

"Everything's set. We do this quick, we do this perfect. We're in, we're out. No one gets hurt." Björn said.

"Except Aelle." Hvitserk snorted. Ubbe slapped his arm and Hvitserk shrugged.

"Last bedroom on the left end of the hall," Ivar said, leading the charge. The rest of his brothers followed behind on quiet feet. Ivar kept close to walls to limit the noise on the floorboards. As soon as he reached the landing, he took out his gun and attached his silencer. Björn glared as he passed him down the hall but Ivar ignored him. Hvitserk stopped beside him and took out the tranquilizers. He had three full syringes in his hand. Ivar gave him a look and he just shrugged.

"Better to be safe than sorry." Ivar rolled his eyes and followed Ubbe.

Björn jerked his head towards the door and Ubbe nodded, wrapping his hand around the knob and turning. The door eked open and Ivar was the first inside.

He came around the left side of the bed, the side that Aelle's wife, Ealhswith, slept. He watched as Ubbe and Björn came in, one standing at the foot of the bed and the other standing on Aelle's side. Hvitserk was the last in.

He stepped up and knelt beside Aelle, removing the plastic covering from the first syringe. He smirked down at Aelle before plunging the needle into the side of his neck. "Sleep well, Aelle. It will be your last."

As if his words were a trigger, Aelle's eyes snapped open and his hand wrapped around Hvitserk's throat.

Hvitserk spluttered and choked, his own hands coming up around Aelle's wrist. Björn and Ubbe jumped forward, Ubbe helping Hvitserk tug against Aelle while Björn latched himself to Aelle's back.

Aelle jerked forward, knocking the contents of his nightstand to the floor, waking his wife. She jerked up but was quickly met with the business end of Ivar's gun. She didn't even have time to scream before Ivar spoke.

"Scream and I'll shoot you." She snapped her jaw shut and stared at Ivar, tears streaming down her face. Ivar did not look away.

Aelle roared and yanked Hvitserk closer, spittle flying from his mouth. Hvitserk was turning a dangerous shade of purple.

"Hvitserk, the needles." Björn grunted.

With help from Ubbe, Hvitserk plunged the two remaining syringes into Aelle's neck. The Saxon flagged just a bit but his hold on Hvitserk didn't lessen.

"Ivar! Help us!" Ubbe cried.

"Aelle." Ivar called, his voice calm and soft.

The Saxon king turned his head and saw Ivar with his gun pointed at Ealhswith's head. "Let him go or I'll kill your wife."

Aelle narrowed his eyes and pulled Hvitserk closer to him, his fingers flexing around his neck. Ivar watched the hand tighten around his brother's throat before he turned cool, empty eyes to the weakened king. "You don't believe me?"

With no preamble, Ivar fired a single shot between Ealhswith's eyes.

The other men stopped, frozen as her body collapsed back onto the bed. A pool of blood leaked out onto the bed. A splatter pattern decorated the wall behind the headboard.

Aelle roared and released Hvitserk. He lunged toward the bed but Björn kept his hold tight and, with three horse tranquilizers in his system, Aelle was out in no time.

Hvitserk heaved and gasped in the corner, Ubbe hovering over him. Ivar glanced once to the body of Aelle's wife before he stowed his gun.

"Ivar, we said…"

"I know what we said." Ivar looked up at his oldest brother. Björn liked to stick to plans and it frustrated him when Ivar uphending these plans.

"We didn't agree to kill his wife." Björn hissed, his teeth clenched and his eyes hard.

"I know what we agreed but plans change. We didn't plan on him waking up. We didn't plan on him fighting as hard as he did. Frankly, I think this works in our favor."

"A dead woman works in our favor?"

"Yes, he saw her die. He knows what we're here for. He'll beg for death in no time now that he knows what we're willing to do."

Ivar kept his gaze on Björn for a few more seconds before turning to Hvitserk who was standing now but with a ring of thick bruises already forming around his neck. "Alright, Hvitty?"

Hvitserk nodded, coughing, and clasped Ivar's shoulder.

Ivar looked back at Björn before jerking his head towards Aelle's body. "Let's move. It'll take time to drag him down the stairs and we don't want anyone to see us leave."