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What will follow will likely become a Jomsviking/Norwegian Wank, though I’ll try my best to be realistic. (Though I'd have to assume that a BA Mercenary Warrior Order Wank is bound to be successful ) This is my take on the Vinland cliché, though this first post may not sound like that at all.
This is my first real TL. (See this for my first failed attempt at one that I knew needed help, due to my inability to research for a long enough time, and other doomed ideas ) Please only constructive criticism, as I am far from an expert, and also far from a good writer. What I will say may only make sense to me, and if so, I'm sorry. I hope I can clarify your questions. However, I will listen to your ideas. I will keep this timeline going for as long as interest remains in it. Also, please point out any ASB's that I might not have caught.
POD: Modern Day Pomerania (Wendland), 1000 A.D., King Olaf’s camp before departure
Early in the morning, Einar Tambarskjelve was taking target practice upon his good friend the King of Norway’s advice, as Olaf was worried of the coming war between him and his enemies Sweyn Forkbeard, Olaf the Swede, and Erik Hakonarson. A good shot, out of 50 shots, he got 10 bulls eyes. On the fifty-first shot, however, his bow broke, and Erik was dismayed. Wishing to continue his target practice, he approached the nearest tent, hoping to ask for their bow. The closest tent was the mercenary captain Jarl Sigvaldi’s tent, and he appeared to be having an intense conversation, sounding as if it should be quiet but gotten out of hand. As a curious man, and the only one nearby, Einar eavesdropped before entering.
Sigvaldi raises his voice; “OK Thorkell, again this is the plan that Sweyn laid out for me. We are to lead Olaf and his men to Swold and upon arrival, attack Olaf and kill all of his men. They are ambushed nearby, and will aid us in the attack. We will easily win; Olaf has only 10 other Norwegian boats than his own; we will have over 150! Our men have been told of the plan. Do you now completely understand the plan! It’s not any different then what I told the men earlier! Stop being such a damned idiot!”
Thorkell responds, “Yes, now I understand completely. Thank you for clarifying again Sigvaldi. On a side note, brother, you need not to be so angry with me; I couldn’t hear you very well at the meeting. You need to learn to speak up!” Arguing and shouting continued between the two brothers.
Einar was horrified by this. There was a plot to kill the king, led by these backstabbing traitors!!! And he would likely die too! Einar knew what he had to do; and it wouldn’t be pretty. He had to kill these men, and do it fast. At the moment, they were unarmed. Einar slowly walked into the tent, and snuck up on them. The brothers were still in the midst of their argument, and no one should be up, thus blissfully unaware the silent man walking inside to kill them. Einar drew his sword that he always carries with him, and cut off Sigvaldi’s head. Thorkell didn’t even have time to scream before Einar killed him too.
Einar was worried. How would he explain to Olaf why he killed the Jomviking leader! And how would the Jomsvikings react! Einar realized what he had done could’ve been a mistake. But, he had pride, and sheathed his sword, and walked over to Olaf’s tent. There, he relayed the events that had just taken place. Olaf sat, thinking hard. Finally, he spoke.
“Einar, I think, with God’s help, we can still salvage the situation. Please, tell everyone that there will be a mandatory meeting with everyone in one hour. I wish to speak about this before it gets out. I will place guards in front of the late Jarl’s and his brother’s tent. Please hurry.”
Einar hurriedly spread by word of mouth the speech that Olaf had planned for the army. Soon, everyone crowded around a hill, awaiting Olaf’s speech. Fortunately for the Norwegian king, word had not gotten out about the Jarl’s death yet, though speculation as to why he was not there was beginning to surface. Finally, Olaf began his speech.
“Jomsvikings, your leader is dead. He has been killed because he was discovered to be plotting against us, even though we have paid you well. You may hate me for this, and may rise against me. I don’t care. I will fight all of you who support the conspiracy to kill me. My death will lead to your destruction, as I also have a strong alliance with the Polish duke, Boleslaw. My men are prepared to die, for we know that we will be resurrected in death and walk alongside our lord Jesus Christ in heaven.”
Unexpectedly, the Jomsvikings were silently thinking of his words. Finally, Vagn Åkesson, a respected Jomsviking leader, spoke up.
“You all know me, and my relationship with that treacherous swine Sigvaldi Strut-Haraldson. I hated that man, for he was a coward amongst cowards, and utterly pathetic. I beat the man in a dual when I was 12! And his plan to kill you Olaf was not supported by me, though it is hard to organize any kind of disapproval, as you may not speak ill of others in our society.
He was a man of the Ancient religion, one who believes in Thor and Valhalla, as our people have believed for centuries. This man, King Olaf, is of a different religion, yet he shows no fear at all, even in the face of obvious annihilation. I respect him. I will join any religion that a man who shows such courage supports, and depart from any religion that such a coward is a part of. I will join Olaf, and kill his enemies.” He then walked over to Olaf’s side. Vagn attracted several followers to join him with Olaf, but not very many in the large group of Jomsvikings. Another stood up to speak.
“Vagn can do what he wishes, but I believe I speak for the majority of us. Though I too hated that coward of a man Sigvaldi, and disapproved of this plan, I still don’t see reason to convert to Christianity. How do we know that your God is the true God? I believe with all of my heart that Thor and Valhalla are real, and you're Jesus is false. If I see reason to believe otherwise, then I too, will convert to Christianity with you Vagn.” The man sat down, with almost all of the others nodding amongst the Jomsvikings. However, Henning, Thorkell and Sigvaldi’s brother, stood up to speak.
“I too did not like my brothers much, they treated me beneath them, and their plan to kill Olaf here was just too much. However, our rules make it tough for mutinies to occur. But, I also feel obliged to stick up for them, as I am confident that they would do to me, as I still love them. Instead of supporting either of your sides, I too like others of my family, take the cowards rout, and quit my service as a Jomsviking.” Henning walked away without any reaction from the Jomsvikings. He was never seen again, though he is thought to have made as of a life as one could ask within the Holy Roman Empire as a peasant.
Olaf pondered for a long time, as Henning made his departure. He was surprised that they took his speech as an attempt to convert them! Eventually, he came with an answer, then responded; “This is how you will know my God is the true God. As you know, we are to be ambushed at Swold in the upcoming days. If the battle goes in our favor, then my God is the true God. If we lose, I will die knowing that I converted unwisely. Even with you, odds are against our winning the battle.
However, if we do win, I will personally baptize each and every one of you who so chooses to join Christianity with me. I too was once a pagan man, and didn’t believe in Jesus or God, until a wise hermit showed me the light. I hope to be that man for you.”
The Jomsvikings nodded, agreeing with the counterproposal. The same Jomsviking stood up again. “I believe we have a deal, your majesty,” he said, smiling. The deal was set. Olaf smiled, and could not wait for the next day. If God should allow for victory, than he shall see his people be victorious over the infidel!