May the gods keep him

                                    

                                          
The candlelit halls of Kattegat were overwhelming for young Igor, the men who surrounded him triggered fear, a suppressed feeling to run. He stepped closer to the Crippled King who stood fast among them.
"I sent you down the Silk Road not to get captured and make enemies and friends with another ruler. I ordered you to scout for a place to raid! Now look at what you've done!" The tall, blonde Viking king stood before Ivar, his tone raised as he threw his hands about in the air, in angry gestures while speaking. It was clear to Igor that this brute was in charge, not Ivar. 
"It was not my intention to do so, believe me brother." Ivar's voice was kept low, he knew he was at the king's mercy.
"And what is this, huh? You bring a Christian child into our home?! A prince no less! Do you know what will happen if his kin finds out about this? Besides this Oleg you speak of."
"I brought him here to protect him... He will not be missed at home, I assure you. We will deal with Prince Oleg in a more private place, hm? Bjorn, all I am asking right now is to offer Igor a place to stay for the time being, he can even stay with me."
"Do you really think that? I'd like to hear it from his mouth. Tell me, Prince Igor, why are  you here? To start a war, huh? Or perhaps to lead an army to Kattegat?"
Igor whimpered softly, too afraid to answer the Viking. He moved closer to Ivar, wrapping his arm around the cripple. 
"That's enough, Bjorn. He's just a boy." Snapped Ubbe. "He is clearly frightened."
The cripple offered his hand to the child. His blue intense gaze never left the king's vengeful eyes.
"Igor will speak when he is ready. He has been through a lot..." Ivar's voice softened, his eyes now drifting to the floor, pondering on his next words, thinking on them, wanting to choose them carefully.
"There is something else.."
  "What is it, Ivar?" Snarled the agitated Viking King. 
"It's about Hvitserk.." The cripple's gaze met Ubbe, and then Bjorn. "He's dead."
Ubbe bowed his head in response as he muttered to himself. "Oh no. Poor Hvitserk...may the gods keep him."
Bjorn remained silent for some time before speaking, his voice cracking as his sadness grew. "My little brother is dead? How?"
"It was not my fault." Barked Ivar, but he could see in his brothers eyes they saw through his lie. "Prince Oleg tortured him and then killed him, he then used our dear brother for bait against Igor and I."
"Then this man is more ruthless than you, Ivar." Ubbe drew his hand away from his face. 
"I agree." Bjorn folded his arms in front of his chest. Blue eyes locked on the cripple. "And you think this child is in danger because of him, correct?"
Ivar felt rage burn inside him, pulling the child closer in an attempt to keep his head about him. "That is correct." He rolled his shoulders and bowed his head. 
The hall fell silent again as Bjorn thought for a while. Igor trembled softly next to Ivar, fearing the outcome. Finally, after what seemed like minutes had gone by, Bjorn's loud voice filled the room. "He can stay here with us. But he is your responsibility. Whatever he does, it's on you, brother." 
***