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It seemed Astrid and Declan felt the same, because when we joined them soon after, to formally meet our nephew, they said it again. Considering the chaos and near-war swirling around him upon his birth, little Lachlann, as they called him, was a calm babe, his eyes almost wise as he gazed up at us in wonder from his mother’s arms.

“He will know not just of my people but of yours,” Declan vowed to us, gazing lovingly at his son. “Of Scots and Norse alike.” Having come far from the man he once was, he held out the dagger to Knud, hilt first, met him in the eyes, and offered his arm in a show of peace. “You have my eternal thanks, my new brother.” He lowered his head in a show of respect. “Might you someday teach your wee ones what I intend to teach mine. That peace can be found among enemies, and new beginnings are always possible.”

Knud grasped Declan’s arm, hand to elbow, and lowered his head as well. “Always, my new brother.”

Somehow, I wasn’t surprised that thunder rumbled, and lightning flashed, reflecting off the blade when Knud took it from Declan. Nor was I surprised to see Lachlann’s eyes follow the transaction, with such peace and the hint of a smile that there could be no doubt all deities blessed this moment.

And that only became more apparent later that night.

Chapter Twenty

Knud

As it had been since arriving on the Isle of Mann, every day had been a whirlwind of unexpected happenings, and this day was no different. If anything, today could have become truly terrible had battle broken out between King Alexander and King Magnus, yet it hadn’t with the coming of Astrid’s boy, Lachlann. Since then, things had only improved.

At least for some.

Yet things had to unfold as the gods deemed, and that became ever clearer when Astrid insisted that we join the kings that evening after Declan returned my blade to me and we clasped arms as brothers, finding peace.

“Lachlann and I need to rest,” Astrid had said from her bed with her babe swaddled in her arms. She’d looked from her sisters to Declan and me. “’Twill be up to you four to act as I would, with words of diplomacy.” She had blinked back tears and offered us a small, wise smile. “We have come this far, my kin. ’Tis time to do what is necessary to bring peace to all shores, and ’twill be your actions and words tonight that do that.”

What I never could have anticipated was that it would be me who ultimately led the charge later that night. Nor that it would fulfill a prophecy when I fell to a knee in front of King Alexander, lowered my head, and offered my blade in supplication if it might prompt King Magnus to do the same.

“You have little choice in the matter,” King Alexander had said to King Magnus in the great hall when we rejoined them, however icy their behavior around one another. “Whilst I would prefer showing mercy on your people for the kindness you have shown Astrid and my warriors this eve when you didnae need to, I will attack and take back this isle if you dinnae swear fealty to me so long as you reside here.” He shook his head sharply. “There is no way around that. Otherwise, I will bring the whole of Scotland down on you, and we both know the new King of Norway willnae support you where his father, King Hákon, might have.”

Understanding how difficult the moment was for King Magnus, I knew when the blade warmed at my side once more that history was unfolding, and I was at the heart of it.

So, I stepped forward, announced who I truly was, King Knud Thorgard of the long-lost Thorgard tribe, and fell to a knee, paying homage to the Scottish king. “So long as I am on these shores, you have my fealty, King Alexander. Once on Norwegian shores again, my loyalty will only ever be to the King of Norway.”

Outside of the crackling flames on the sizeable hearth and the howling wind outside, all fell silent. Everyone looked King Magnus’s way when King Alexander lowered his head to me in acknowledgement and looked at the King of the Isles expectantly, waiting to see if he would follow my lead.

However difficult this might have been for King Magnus, who was grim-faced indeed, I could only pray he made the right decision for the sake of his people and for peace going forward.

A long, strained silence continued to reign as all waited. Watched. Wondered. Would he be able to set aside his pride? Centuries of his bloodline ruling these isles? It was hard to imagine. Would I be able to if I were in his position? Would I be that strong for my people? Or would I fight to the end?

Where I might have years ago, I knew better now. I had grown. Learned. Stood strong and grown weak. Risen up again. Become a defender against polar bears, then a caregiver. A friend. Lover. Husband.

Then I became a king.

And while most of my kingdom was lost to the ashes of time, I knew I would take the knee if only to save even one of my people, let alone as many as King Magnus watched over.

And it turned out, by the grace of the gods, he was of the same mind.

Despite how hard it was, King Magnus finally fell to a knee beside me, clenching his jaw as he lowered his head and offered his blade to King Alexander, swearing fealty to his new king.

Few moments were more impactful, and while King Alexander might have taken our blades in a show of being the ultimate conqueror, he did not. Instead, he urged us to rise so that we might start anew.

It was more than expected, given his previous rage at King Magnus, but that night, mayhap because of what Magnus had done for Astrid, or because of his show of goodwill toward Alexander and his men, he chose to be merciful.

“I will admit ’twas sad in its own way to see a dynasty fall,” Tove said to me later that evening while we shared our nightly ale in our lodge. She shook her head, marveling at it all. “Now we can only pray that Magnus and Alexander can manage alongside each other until the storm passes, and the Scots set sail again.”

As promised, the Scottish king had agreed to Magnus ruling here on behalf of Alexander, so that those who had long called this place home could continue doing so under a familiar liege. That was it, though. Magnus would no longer be a king but a lord, and all would pay homage to the King of Scotland.

Something told me the King of Norway would take no real issue with it, either. His sights were set on other lands and Scotland, and its isles were no longer worth the effort, especially with England bearing down on them.

As to the Scots who had attacked the mountain village, Alexander couldn’t say why they did it other than that there was still dissent among some of his ranks toward Norsemen who’d raided the shores at Largs. That meant anyone under Magnus’s leadership was vulnerable. While Alexander made no apologies for their actions, he did assure Magnus that it wouldn’t happen again under his rule.

“I think Magnus and Alexander will manage to get on well enough for the sake of the people,” I replied to Tove, addressing her concern that they might not, especially this first night under the same roof.