After Ivar lost the battle for Kattegat, he found himself roaming around kingdom of Kieavan Rus where he meets a beautiful, but mysterious princess of Kiev.
This is the story of war they fought together, and the love they shared.
(Timeline is set i...
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"Where is prince Askold?" Daria demanded, clearly she was unhappy.
"His Highness will be here very shortly, princess Daria. He begs your forgiveness for his late arrival." The servant answered bowing his head down in fear.
"Дай мне вина." Daria ordered him and the servant quickly poured some wine for her, and for Ivar who was sitting at the table next to her. Everything was prepared for the Prince Askol's arrival. The food was warm, the wine was served, the musicians were playing, as the guests from Novgorod were dancing happily. Only Daria had a slight frown on her face.
"You don't look happy princess." Ivar noticed.
"Him being late is offending me."
Ivar chuckled and took a cup of wine, he brought it to his lips, about to take a sip of it, when Daria stopped him from doing so.
"That wine does smell a bit odd, don't you think so Ivar? Maybe we should leave it to my guest to try it first. I wouldn't want something to happen to you." Daria said, putting on such a sweet and innocent smile on her face, that Ivar hardly resisted laughing. Of course the great princess Daria of Kiev was up to something, why would that even surprise him even the slightest bit? But he still wasn't so sure what were here intentions. He didn't even have the time to ask, when the door opened and two people walked inside. A dark haired, tall man, holding a hand of a boy that was walking beside him.
"Dasha!" The boy yelled and run to Daria, hugging her tightly. Ivar could see that Daria was happy to him as well.
"Игорь, я скучалa по тебе!" Daria said happily, warping her arms around the boy, Ivar watched the as some nostalgic and beautiful scene that he wanted to save in his mind. For a moment, he was sorry that she wasn't able to become mother.
Then Daria spoke on Norse in Norse language again, she spoke it so often for the past month, she was getting used to it. And Ivar was getting used to listening her lovable accent, that never failed to make him smile. Then Daria looked at the tall man, and hugged him for a small moment.
"Permit me to introduce Ivar the Boneless, he is a Viking. Perhabs, we should speak in Norse." She said. Ivar slowly got up from his chair and looked at them.
''This is prince Igor." Daria introduced the boy that was standing close to her and watching her with so much happiness.
"Ah prince." Ivar said and he bowed slightly to Igor.
"I hear you are famous, Ivar the Boneless, scourge of all Christians. Leader of the great army that ravaged England and killed two Christian kings." Askold said, as he sat on the chair with Igor, across Daria and Ivar.
"It is true." Ivar said with a smile "But what is fame Prince Askold? A chimera? An illusion perhabs?" Ivar asked, making Daria chuckle. With a corner of her eye, she noticed Ivar playing with Igor showing him a trick with coin, and Igor seemed so fascinated by him.
"Is it true dear Daria, as I have been told, that you plan to invade Scandinavia?" Askold asked her.
"Of course. I have been considering it for some time. I took King Ivar's arrival as a sign that I was meant to proceed with my plans. After all, I will only take back what is rightfully ours." Daria said. Askold seemed unsure, indecisive. Did princess Daria, gone completely insane?
"Don't you agree?" Daria asked, this time her tone seemed more friendly, and more scary as well. Askold was nervous but he was trying not to show her that.
"I will contribute whatever I can to your army. I hope you recognize me as your family, and that you know that you can trust me princess Daria. After all I made a promise to my poor brother Oleg, that I will protect you and help you lead the kingdom, and I intend to keep that promise. I will wait for your command." Askold said.
"Oh dear, sweet Askold." Daria said and then looked at her servants. "More wine." she ordered.
The servants brought the wine.
"Skol!" Daria said raising her cup. Her guests did the same. Daria brought the cup to her lips and looked at Ivar, she didn't drink from the cup, and Ivar was slowly understanding the ruthless play of power he was about to witness.
The music was replaced by the horrifying screams that were heard outside. Everyone froze and became so silent as the fear was swallowing them. Ivar was amused, while Daria had a big smile on her face.
"Why did you stop dancing? I want to hear the music now! Play Korobushka" She ordered, and the musicians quickly started playing the famous folk song she ordered them to.
Askold held his burning throat, he understood what was going on. The woman was indeed insane, she ordered his guards to be killed, and she poisoned him. Perhabs she already knew, that he will betray her in this war, after all she was a prophet.The blood was coming from his nose, and his face became so pale. But his eyes were the most frightening, the eyes of a man who was scared for his own life, the eyes of a man who realized that he was about to die, and who feared the death so badly.
"God...Please...Help me!" Askold begged.
"Your God is here Askold. I decide shall you die or shall you live today." Daria said and took a cup from a table "Here is the antidote. But I will not give it to you unless you sign this." She said and the servant brought a paper and an ink.
"When you sign it, you will give everything that you have to me, your land, your gold and your army. Hurry up, because you do not have much time." Daria said. Askold didn't think much, with a shaky hand, he took an ink and wrote his name on the paper they given to him.
"Give me that...Please..." He begged. He was so afraid for his own life, Daria found it funny, she loved the power she had over him, she could end the sad life of a man who was probably ready to betray her at any moment. But to live with humiliation like this, could be probably worse. If Igor wasn't there, she would probably let Askold die, but she didn't want the boy to watch this. He was already scared enough. Daria gave Askold an antidote, and ordered the guards to take him away, and make sure he is healthy.
Now Ivar was sure that she was as unpredictable and smart as he was, or even more. This woman in front of him was so powerful, so strong, and he was absolutely enchanted by her.
As soon as Askold was taken away, prince Igor run to her lap, and she warped arms around him caressing his hair.
"You see Ivar, this is how you become a God. All this man, are scared of me, and they wish me burn in hell for my sins. But I can see it in your eyes, you are worshiping me." Daria said to him.
"You are right princess. I am completely and entirely yours."
Дай мне вина-(dai mne vina)-Give me wine
Игорь, я скучалa по тебе (Igor, ja skuchala po tebe)-Igor, I missed you
Hello everyone, thank you for reading my story. I would really love to know do you like it so far, so the comments would be highly appreciated! :)
