" Put that down and take the essential. You there, don't take more axes!"
Magnus commanded his men whilst wearing his helmet as he put his axes behind his back. Then, he grabbed his shorts, taking his sack along with it to show his preparation to Freyja who was watching from the side.
" One hatchet, one bow, and one short sword are enough. Maybe I should pack more dried meat and berries."
Halfdan murmured with a calm face, placing a few pieces of dried meat in his sack while putting another leather pouch in it. It was filled with wild vegetables and fruits that he dried up during heat. He carefully dried them using sunlight while placing cloth above them to absorb moisture which worked perfectly.
Furthermore, he boiled sweet crops like turnips and berries to make a liquid that crystallized into sugar afterward.
" Who would have thought making sugar would be that easy? Now, we can make decent foods."
Tove put one piece of dried apple in his mouth with delight, feeling a burst of sweetness from it. It was much more pleasant than meat that was covered in salt. Besides, making soup out of jerky was a terrible idea in his heart, knowing how salty and bland it was.
" Don't whine now. We have to carry our things this time, Tove. Did you take the animal oil?"
Tove raised oil which he made from the fat of animals. Despite its terrible smell and look, this item was vital to their ambush. It could be used both as lighting and fuel.
" Sussex is near woodlands, so don't hesitate to burn the area but you mustn't do it in wind direction, Halfdan. It will cause more destruction to the environment."
Freyja advised Halfdan to use oil as a last ditch resort and he had to be careful when he would use it for it was an extremely fatal item in the land that was covered in woods or grass.
Halfdan nodded with a serious face, trailing behind Magnus who led the 200 Vikings. Most of them were experienced warriors in both sea and land. They weren't afraid of infamous knights or royal guards for they were terror.
They conquered the entire region in one week and they were confident enough to do the same even if the enemy was stronger.
" Spread out into 10 men group, men. Don't wear your helmets early because it is hot outside."
Magnus could feel the burning heat of the sun. In the isles, it was extremely rare to see the sun and if they saw one, it would be either hot or cold which would result in extreme consumption of perishable resources.
" Halfdan, when we enter their territory, I want you to go to the meeting point as quickly as possible.
Secure their leader and our knights will do the remaining job. Make no noise along the way for it will attract unnecessary attention. Your father will scream like a giant goat to bleed their ears."
The Vikings laughed at Magnus's humor as they sang their war song. The fearsome dots that were clad in armor were slowly approaching Sussex to swallow it.
Meanwhile in Sussex
Horace silently looked at Albert who was drinking with him in the banquet while singing a song that was about Sussex. He had terrible singing talent, yet he didn't stop his singing since he loved it.
" You look lost, young merchant. Why do you think all the time? Life is short for young boys like you.
Take him away and make a seat for me."
The knights took Albert away from his seat, leaving lord and Horace in the hall as they looked at the messy tables.
" Lord Gustin, do you think is it alight to survive by stabbing others?"
Gustin rubbed his chin for a while, he then opened one of the wines while drinking it from the bottle.
" You remind me of my brother. He was a wise person like you. A man who was intelligent enough to threaten neighboring territories but in the end all bright flames die out.
He lost his life for his cause and I don't blame him for it even my parents accused his decision as foolish. I knew he was smarter than anyone and the most responsible person in our household."
Gustin sighed gently as the flames flickered behind his back.