"I shall try to. As Vikings, my people respect those that are strong, who show no weakness in battle or in ruling their people. I shall strive to to as best I can." No one thought the teen capable of ruling a great army just yet. Ivar knew differently. This is what

"It's jealousy that plagues his mind. We were born only a year apart and my mother ignored him as soon as she had me because of my condition, paying me all sorts of special attention. He hated her and hates me still for it." Ivar snorts indignantly. "As if it was at all my fault that she loved me more." Ivar had never asked for the lion's share of his mother's love or attention. Indeed, more often than not it had suffocated him. But what was he supposed to do? No one else ever gave a damn about the poor little crippled prince.

Ivar's ice blue eyes go wide with surprise. It's hard to imagine a beast of such size. It would seem to be as big as a mountain. "I hope to see him someday. Why is this one so little? Was he born after the other?"