(Normal pov)

Nuffink felt as if he'd been cast into and locked inside of a box and then cast into the depths of the sea.

Bone-crushing pressure surrounded him, and his breath only escaped as raspy, anxious breaths. There was so much going on at once, and the young Viking prince felt completely out of control. Gripping his wife's hand tightly, they walked to the arena which had been synonymous with death and destruction.

Nuffink and Katerina's journey to save Scandinavia from destruction had turned on its head, to say the least. The current ruler of Kyiv and its occupants were not in favor of allowing Katerina to rule over them, because of her sins committed against their people, the nation of Rus', and in the eyes of God. Coupled with the looming threat of the Viking people's utter destruction, Nuffink was well and truly having trouble keeping his composure.

"Nuffink, please calm down," Katerina soothed, "the die has been cast, we cannot reverse the throw." Her fingers traced around his in comforting circles, feeling the anxiety almost radiate off of him.

"None of this was meant to happen," he whispered, "we were supposed to meet with our allies in this place, establish your rule over the Kievan people, assemble an army, and race to my father's rescue! Now I fear our endeavors here will not come to pass."

"We'll get through this, I promise you."

"But you're facing a hardened warrior to claim the throne! You're no warrior!"

"As I've said before, there's much I haven't revealed to you yet."

"What do you mean? Are you saying you've trained how to fight?"

"My mother and grandmother were once Viking shield maidens and taught me how to fight from the day I could stand. I assure you, I'm more than capable of taking care of myself."

"I... I'm sorry, I'm just finding it hard to believe that this is actually happening, and I don't want to offend you in any way, but if you do manage to defeat Borna in combat, who knows if the Kievan people will accept you as their new and true ruler."

Katerina's face grew stony as the arena came into view. Kievan people have already crowded around in anticipation of the fight to come. They both knew Borna and whatever hells lay inside, just ready for them. Nuffink ignored the disgusted and hateful looks being cast his and Katerina's way as they advanced towards the arena, the Kievan people had every right to hate them both, because they're the reason so many of their people died alongside Boleslav and Igor at Denmark's gates.

Nuffink's skin crawled with regret that his actions had cost the lives of so many just so that he could have Katerina for himself. In the Kievan people's eyes, Nuffink was indeed a monster and deserved to die for being the cause of the demise of their loved ones.

The Kievan occupants in the arena were already seated to witness the duel for control of the Kievan Empire when Nuffink and Katerina entered. Many of the people seated eyed Katerina with equal looks of disappointment and reluctance, primarily because she was raised as a Christian, and the fact that she committed adultery in favor of a pagan prince did not sit well with them. As for the rest of the occupants seated in the arena, they stared at Nuffink with a gaze that could only be described as murderous. Their faces were flushed with rage, and their eyes boggled in raw fury towards the pagan prince.

Nuffink winced and hoped that there was a way to make amends with these people.

"Everyone, settle down!" A royal game announcer by the name of Slavcho boomed out from the arena pulvinus. The usual cheer in his voice when announcing a fight was void, and he looked down into the ring with utmost displeasure towards Katerina.

Alone, in the center of the cold stone ring stood Borna draped in the armor of the Kievan warriors. Her face was stern as she glared at Katerina, and her bangs flowed angrily onto her forehead. In her hands, she wielded an iron shield and a battle-ax. The temporary leader of Kyiv looked towards the pulvinus.

"As I'm sure you all know, this harlot and her pagan husband have come here to take the Kievan throne in an effort to come to the aid of the Hiccup Haddock III, the vilest man on the face of this earth," Slavcho announced, causing the crowd to holler in angry enthusiasm, shaking their fists and cursing the pagan king and his empire, "Katerina Boleslav will pay for her sins, make no mistake! Despite this fact, Borna feels the need to ignore punishing the adultress for the time being and indulge in her challenge to compete for the Kievan throne." Slavcho said with no small amount of disappointment. Borna's lips thinned in concealed anger but otherwise remained rigid. "Those among us who descended from Vikings may have rejected their pagan ways, but duels are a part of our history," Slavcho stated with pride, "they must be carried out." The crowd quickly began to cheer, eager to see an entertaining show.

Borna's scowl deepened when she stared at Katerina. Nuffink could see the way her hand tightened around the very real and very sharp weapon in her hand. It only occurred to Nuffink then just how seriously Kyiv's ruler was taking this fight, she was hellbent on not only protecting the throne to the Ukrainian capital, but she also wanted to humiliate Katerina in front of those gathered before they punished her for adultery.

"Borna, don't do this," Nuffink reasoned, his face pleading, "you two don't need to fight. We can come together and forge peace--"

"You dare speak to me about peace, boy?!" She snarled out in disbelief. "It's because of you that thousands of sons and daughters of Kyiv are struck from this world and that Katerina is an adulteress!"

"Katerina was deprived of love, affection, and respect!" Nuffink boomed out. "That animal, Igor treated Katerina with disrespect and abused her! I saved her from years of hurt and torture!"

Before the situation could escalate, Katerina grabbed Nuffink's arm and stood between him and Borna. "Nuffink, let me handle this. This fight is between me and Borna, remember," she said gently, her eyes hardened when they met Borna's murderous gaze, "do you really want to do this?" She asked lowly at Kyiv's ruler.

"I've wanted to fight you from the moment you've been in a pain in Boleslav's and Igor's side," was her sneered reply.

"Very well."

Two of Katerina's former servants then stumbled through the arena entrance. Both of these servants held a large sack and Katerina didn't need to guess what they held.

"We wish you the best of luck Mistress Katerina," one of the servants panted, dropping the satchel at their feet and removing Katerina's armor from it.

"Don't die too quickly," the other servant gasped for air, clearly less fit than the other servant. Katerina then retrieved her old dual swords and whirled them in her hands with minimal effort, "so, do you believe you stand a fighting chance against Borna?" the second servant inquired.

"I can and I will," Katerina answered bluntly, "I just hope that she's ready."

"From the look on your face, she won't be," The first servant snickered out, "do you two have any allies within these walls?"

"We did," Nuffink answered, "but the guards greeted us with the severed heads of those who had pledged their allegiance to my father."

"Then consider us allies you can rely on," the first servant said, "I'm Dusek, and this is Sanja." He said while gesturing to the second servant, introducing themselves to Nuffink and Pouncer, who both had uneasy looks in their eyes towards them.

"We can trust them," Katerina reassured her husband, "they've been my servants for years and some of my closest friends in this world. If I survive this day, I will ensure they have a position by my side." She promised her old servants while sliding on her armor pieces and attaching them to her body. The crowd soon quietened to a brief silence as Katerina finished her preparation, and faced Borna with her armor on.

"This is the last time I ask, Borna," Katerina warned, "do you really wish to fight?"

"This is the last time I say, whore," Borna mocked, twirling her sharpened weapon, "yes, I do wish to fight you."

"Good," Katerina brushed her hair from her face and slid her helmet on, completing her vicious appearance, "I was hoping you would." Her voice was distorted and deeply muffled. The lack of emotion made Nuffink shiver.

Katerina looked to her husband and companions. "You'd best get out of here," she said simply. The three humans and Night Light didn't need any further encouragement. Picking up what was discarded by her in preparation and took their leave from the arena.

She took a deep breath and looked back to Borna.

"You stand no chance against me," she said with a ruthless smirk, "your reputation is already tainted, I will see to it that you receive the punishment for your sins. And once you and your pagan "husband" die, surely the death of his son will break Hiccup Haddock further, leaving him vulnerable for us to finish what Boleslav started and wipe away the blight that is the Viking people."

Katerina could feel her anger coming off in waves, and was struck with a certain sense of pride. She wasn't just Nuffink's wife, she was also Viking, and she would fight tooth and nail to ensure the lives of those she cares about in Scandinavia do not die, even if the threat of obliteration came from her own countrymen.

"Fighting me won't change anything, Borna," she said calmly, but quiet enough that only they could hear it, "you will taste no victory today."

"We'll see about that," Borna then added, "after I beat you."

"Indeed we will," Katerina shrugged, "indeed we will." she then reached to her back, where she had strapped her sword sheaths. In a single motion, she drew both her gleaming black weapons and waiting in a fighting stance.

"Let's get this over with!" Slavcho called out across the arena. "This is a duel to settle who shall take command of the people of Kyiv, and although we are no longer Vikings, we still cling to their ways, settling disputes is a Viking tradition and we should never forget the ways of old."

Borna banged her battle-ax against the large shield in proud agreement. Katerina stood motionless, awaiting the signal to fight.

"This will be a battle of submission, decided by the challenger," Slavcho said, gesturing to Borna, "the first fighter to call for mercy... or slain in battle, will be the defeated." He stared gravely to Katerina, expecting some sort of reaction for her life being at risk.

There was none. Instead, Katerina gave her limbs one final stretch and made sure her muscles and joints were loose.

"Fighters, are you ready?" Slavcho barked over the growing number of cheers.

"I am!"

"Yes, I am."

"Then without further delay, as Odin witnesses, let the duel begin!" Slavcho bellowed out, and the cheers of the people grew louder.

Katerina cast one final glance out of the ring, and to Nuffink. He stood at the edge of the spectator stands alongside her two former servants. The Viking prince gave a single nod of the head to her as if accepting what she was about to do.

Turning back to her opponent, Katerina was grateful for the helmet's padding around her ears, the noise of hundreds of Kievan citizens was nothing short of deafening. She forgot all about her husband and surroundings and drew her focus to the one woman charging at her.

Katerina should have expected it. Borna was built like an ox, though she still held the femininity that showed those around her that she was still a woman, and Katerina knew that she fought dragons because Borna was among the Vikings who came to Kyiv long ago. The older woman screamed towards her at breakneck speeds— even with a heavy iron shield, battle-ax, and rather crude battle wear. Katerina knew her opponent's two strengths within the first moment, her complex fighting style and her strength.

Borna then reached for her belt, and Katerina saw the glint of a second blade at the woman's waist. Slashing in an arc motion, Katerina's blades severed a throwing knife hurled by Borna. The crowd gasped at both their leaders' unconventional attack and Katerina. incredible reaction timing. The older woman leaped the final yards between the two of them and lashed out with a sweeping strike with her ax. Katerina ducked back in a reverse tumble, and before Borna could launch a second attack she swung a powerful kick into the older woman's thigh. The kick buckled Borna, and her second swing of the ax missed hopelessly.

"Go Borna!"

"Punish the whore!"

"I want to see the sinner bleed!"

Katerina ignored the words the howling mob boomed out, she then twirled her two blades playfully and brought them down on Borna's head. With a huff of anger, she weaved her head clear of the strike and tried to slam her shield into Katerina's gut. The new member of House Haddock grinned at this, expecting Borna to make this move.

Knowing Borna's lack of balance caused little power, she eagerly shoved back against the shield, letting her armor negate any and all damage. The crowd gasped as Borna stumbled backward, recovering poorly with a reverse tumble while letting out an animal-like snarl.

Katerina jumped in the air and launched a powerful kick at her opponent. The older woman stumbled further as the power knocked her shield furiously.

"I thought you said you'd last in a fight," Katerina noted, the smugness evident, "the Kievan throne will be mine in no time if you continue to fight like this." Borna let out an enraged growl at Katerina's taunting words.

"You don't deserve to rule!" Borna seethed.

Katerina's blades blurred as she spun them in an almost artistic fashion. The gleaming black weapons flowed like water as she juggled them in the air, through her hands, and behind her back. She snapped into a fighting stance, knees bent and the weapons ready to fight once more.

"Don't you dare pretend to know a thing about me or my husband!" Katerina hissed out. "Heathen or not, the Viking people are human, who are on the brink of annihilation! Have you no compassion for human life?!"

"Those... animals are not humans, they are monsters who slaughter, rape, and pillage civilizations to grow in power," rising to her feet, Borna continued, "it's clear that you have chosen to side the heathens then your own people. So, when you fall this day, I will send word to Griselda the Grievous and inform her that the Kievan people and all of Rus' will aid her and those she's associated with to destroy Haddock's vile empire!"

Letting out a cry, Katerina held both her blades in a single hand she reached for her belt and mimicked Borna, throwing a vicious blade in her direction. Borna's eyes widened in surprise as she ducked behind her shield and the dagger wedged itself deeply between the wooden and iron seams.

Taking advantage of the surprise, Katerina did a rapid forward tumble to close the distance between them. With an animalistic growl, Katerina plunged both her blades far into the shield Borna hid behind, the older woman gasped in shock as the tips of two blades came within an inch of her skull.

"Gyyyah!"

Katerina wrenched the blade with all her might, and tore the shield from Borna's grasp. She kicked the shield off of her weapons like she was an infant bored of a toy, and rendered Borna with only an ax to defend herself with. Again, the crowd gasped in shock. Even Borna's eyes grew with disbelief that she was being bested by her young opponent.

She did a quick reverse tumble to give more distance and eyed her once-shield. "How did you...?" She demanded.

"What? You think these are normal blades?" Katerina asked, spinning the gleaming swords in her hands. "No, these are a little different. That shield of yours won't do anything to protect you." She said while pointing one of her blades at the discarded shield.

Borna looked at her shield in tatters on the floor. For once she didn't doubt Katerina's words.

Shaking away any doubt in her head, Borna launched herself at Katerina, making the most of her speed advantage. She had to finish this.

With a snarl, Borna lunged forward with a kick to Katerina's chest, and the moment her opponent raised her swords in defense she slashed down with her ax. Katerina swore at the tactic, parrying the ax with one hand and being knocked back by the kick.

Katerina only took a moment to realize how she could beat Borna. With her weapons raised, she edged backward from the enraged woman. Borna lunged forward for a second slash, and Katerina met the powerful swing with one of her own.

Her sword cleaved Borna's ax head in two.

The now silent arena echoed with the sound of Borna's ax parts bouncing harmlessly against the stone floor. For several moments there was dead silence. No cheering, not even for Borna.

"It's over, Borna," Katerina said, loud enough that everyone could hear, "you're unarmed and without a shield now." She said with a ruthless glare. Instead of fighting to the bitter end, Borna's hateful glare dropped as she then lowered her head at Katerina, accepting her defeat at her hands.

"Go on," the bitter warrior said, "kill me."

Katerina lifted one of her swords to her face and looked at her reflection in the gleaming blade, she then looked at the kneeled Borna and then turned to face the people gathered. "Listen to me, all of you!" Katerina boomed out with authority. "What I've done... is unforgivable; I did commit adultery in the eyes of God, I sinned against you all and my sinful actions caused thousands of our people to fall at Denmark's gates. I am guilty, and I know why nobody here would want to follow me as their new ruler," Katerina then gestured outside the arena, "but out there is an enemy of warriors who will conquer the world! They are determined to destroy Scandinavia, but how long will it be until they turn their eyes to Kyiv? Or all of Rus'? I've seen the enemy Hiccup Haddock and his people face, and they are ruthless— they will grind freedom and liberty into dust if we do not stand together and defeat them before they rise against us!" Dropping her swords, Katerina extended her arms out and pleaded. "Please, I know that the Viking people do not follow the path of Christianity, yet they are people who deserve to live on and perhaps be led to Christ! Yet their existence will be cut short if you do not help me and my husband!"

The silence that followed was deafening, causing tears to swell in Katerina's eyes, she looked to Nuffink and he too had a defeated look on his face. However, those who held Katerina close to their heart stood and spoke up.

"Katerina speaks the truth! Christ showed compassion to mankind, we too must show compassion to those lost and lead them to the proper path!"

"We must listen to her!"

"Listen to her! We must help those in need, as Christ did when he walked among mankind!"

The air soon filled with words of encouragement towards Katerina's cause, so spoke out against the idea of aiding the Viking people, but many more spoke in agreement with lending aid to Hiccup and his people.

Hope and relief washed over Katerina like rays of sunlight, she turned around to see Borna rising to her feet and witnessing her people siding with the one who caused so many of their people to die with disbelief and awe. The older woman looked into Katerina's eyes and cocked her head slightly before speaking. "It appears the people have sided with you; setting aside their feelings of anger, hatred, and disgust for the time being," she then inquired, "do you intend to merely use us to aid the pagan king and his people, or will you return to us and be the ruler Kyiv truly needs?"

"I will not use Kyiv for the sake of aiding my father-in-law," Katerina reassured, "when all is said and done, I will return home and be the ruler Kyiv needs." Turning to her people, Katerina then boomed out. "Do you accept me as your queen and ruler?" Again, the Kievan people were silent for some time, until the two who stood as Katerina's former servants spoke words of submission; accepting her as their ruler. Soon enough, those who spoke supporting words too voiced their submission to Katerina and accepting her as their ruler, and then the entirety of the occupants in the area began to boom out.

"Da zdravstvuyet koroleva!"

"Da zdravstvuyet koroleva!!"

"Da zdravstvuyet koroleva!!!"

As the people's chants grew louder, Katerina nodded and then boomed out. "Prepare those among you who can fight and prepare every vessel that floats, we sail to Scandinavia at the earliest opportunity to lend aid to Hiccup Haddock and his people!" Looking to her husband, Katerina saw a proud smile grace his lips as he nodded in admiration at how she handled this situation.

Now that the people of Kyiv were on their side, they needed to be ready to sail and join Hiccup and his armies before Nikora and Eir's armies had a chance to weaken them further.

A/N: Alright, the next chapter shows Hiccup in Greenland where he meets up with Viggo and Ryker as well as the Scandinavians who chose to settle and farm. Hope you guys are ready, we're getting closer to the end!