Itzvar was on a small chariot, leading his men to their destination to kill Ragnar. He also couldn't wait to have Sophia back. She was plaguing his thoughts. He couldn't stop thinking about her, even with all the women he slept with. She would disobey and talk back against him, which would have cost her life. However, Sophia didn't care. The young woman cared about her dignity. The need to conquer and control her was strong, and he would get her again. Once he did, he would break her to submission and overrule her. 

His thoughts were interrupted when Forde rode next to him. "We should have asked all our men to come. The more we have, the possibility to destroy Ragnar and the others."

"Silence, old frog. I have the final say. We will attack from afar. We have more arrows. All we need is one strike, and Ragnar will be no more. We will almost be arriving. Inform the men of what they must do."

Frode glared at Ivan but commanded his horse to back. "Curse you, Itzvar. Once this is over, I will kill you with my bare hands!"

A couple of hours later, night arrived, and the people in the small city were completed with the preparations for the Yule celebrations. A huge bonfire was built in the center of the city. The people were dressed in their best. Some had handmade masks of creatures or gods that danced around the bonfire. Music echoed throughout the city, and many people danced or spoke to one another. 

Houses were decorated; children had fruit baskets and gifted them to the people. 

Sophia was in the house with Estrid. The two were getting ready for the festivities. "It has been so long since I have been in a celebration. It feels like I am returning to my childhood!" squealed Estrid. 

"I agree. I love how the community comes together. By the way, I made this for you." Sophia went to her cot and took out a plain handmade scarf and gloves made from wool. "I know it's not perfect, but it can protect your neck and hands from the cold! Happy Yule Day!"

"Oh, Sophia, it is lovely. I had never seen such a thing! I also have a gift!" Estrid also took out something from her cot. "I made you a nice blanket. I made a moon decoration. Maja helped me."

This made Sophia raise an eyebrow. "Really?"

"I know Maja looks serious, but she is filled with creativity. I wanted to make a gift for her, but she refused to have anything. She says that it wouldn't matter anymore."

"Well, thank you! It is beautiful, and I will thank Maja as well. Come on! Let's go celebrate!" The women left the house and went to the city's center, where the vast bonfire warmed the people. Sophia felt at ease as she saw people having a great time. However, she knew that this would not last. She decided to take advantage of the fun as much as she could. "Come, let us dance to the music!"

"Oh, uh. I'm not much of a dancer, Estrid."

"Come now, let the music guide you as you let the sword guide you." Estrid grabbed Sophia's hand and led her to the center. Sophia looked at the dancers and how they danced. She also met many people who were looking. She felt embarrassed, but Estrid motioned to follow her lead. Slowly, Sophia got the hang of the moves and began to dance to the beat of the music. As she danced, she saw Fridleif with his sisters handing fruits to the people. It was a tradition for children to give fruits as gifts to adults.

The young woman saw Ragnar from afar, speaking to Golm. Lagertha was nowhere to be seen. It made Sophia feel relief since they were on bad terms. Sophia didn't want it to be that way but couldn't let Lagertha disrespect her. Sophia eventually got tired and decided to sit on a long close to the bonfire. Estrid was asked to dance by a man and looked to be enjoying herself. Sophia smiled as everyone enjoyed the celebrations.

"May I join you?"

"Oh, Arne. I didn't see you. Are you enjoying yourself?"

"I am as much as I can. One might never know if this may be my last."

Sophia gently hit his right arm. "Don't say that! You're going to be alright! You're a good Viking."

Arne chuckled. "I don't fear death. It's a normal part of life. It is a Viking's dream to go to Valhalla."

"Yeah, but don't get yourself killed just to get into Valhalla. I know you're meant to do great things here."

The two were silent until Arne got something from his left side. "I had this made for you."

Sophia gasped as she saw a sword with beautiful carvings on the handle and the steel. "It's beautiful. A-Arne, you shouldn't have."

"I had the blacksmith do some touches." 

"I also got something for you." Sophia dug into the first section of her dress and took out handmade gloves and a scarf. "I didn't know what else to make, but these are to keep your neck and hands warm."

Arne raised an eyebrow but smiled nonetheless. He took them and put the gloves on. "They're perfect and warm. Thank you for the gift. Did you make anything for Ragnar?"

She was surprised that Arne would ask her that. Sophia bit her lower lip. "No, I can't. I already have bad beef with Lagertha. Also, Fridleif came to visit me earlier. He asked if I had feelings for his father. I told him that I didn't." Sophia didn't notice that Arne's smile got bigger. "I feel so bad for causing trouble."

"Stop blaming yourself for things that are out of your control. Lagertha made her own trouble. Ragnar and Lagertha had their problems even before your arrival."

"That's what Fridleif told me. Children shouldn't see that side of their parents."

The two were silent as they watched the people. The cold made Sophia sleepy, and she slowly put her head on Arne's shoulder. This surprised the young man. Sophia's eyesight was getting blurry. The people around her looked to be going slow. The fire was moving slowly and suave. Her eyes were on Estrid, who smiled at the man she was dancing with. From afar, Sophia heard a soft noise. 

It was coming from the sky. She slowly turned around and saw a light. The light was getting closer, but something was off with the light. It looked like fire. Sophia's eyes became wide as she noticed that it was a fire. No, it was an arrow filled with fire from the sky. Sophia got up as everything around her was in slow motion. Arne was slowly getting up in slow motion, but Sophia didn't wait for him. The arrow looked as if it was going to hit Estrid. She ran toward her friend. 

Everything seemed to go in slow motion; everyone didn't know what was happening. Sophia ran as all around her was going slow. "E..ST...RID!" Estrid looked at her friend with a smile still on her face. She didn't know what was happening as she saw Sophia running toward her. Sophia looked above, and the arrow was slowly coming toward Estrid.

Sophia hugged her friend and slowly dragged her to the ground. The slowness disappeared once the women landed on the ground; the arrow landed on the ground and almost hit Sophia in the head. "THEY'RE HERE! THE ATTACK IS HERE!"

Everyone stopped what they were doing. Everyone ran to their homes and walked out with their shields, or others had their shields already beside them.

The attack had begun.