Skjalgi

Skjalgi was one of the Viking warriors who invaded England as part of Ragnar Lothbrok's Great Heathen Army and fought under Geirmund Hel-hide's company, the Hel-hides.

Biography

Early life

When he was young, Skjalgi was raised by his father, who worked as a farmer instead of as a warrior like others. After his father's death, he found himself under the tutelage of Steinólfur, a former Wolf Clan warrior, who swore an oath to the young Geirmund.

Living in Avaldsnes

In 870, Skjalgi, Steinólfur, and four other riders found Geirmund carrying his injured brother, Hámund Hel-hide, back from their hunting expedition. He was ordered to retrieve medical equipment for quick aid. Once he returned, he helped Geirmund atop his horse and escorted him back home to Avaldsnes. While riding, he mentioned that jarl Guthrum was heard traveling the oceans in search of allies to invade England and defeat the Saxons.

After his conversation with shieldmaiden Eivor Varinsdottir of the Raven Clan, Geirmund enlisted Skjalgi and Steinólfur to find a crew loyal to him while he found a ship. Although they found a crew, there was still no ship. After Geirmund's fallout with his family over joining Guthrum, Skjalgi and Steinólfur were told to escort him to his grandfather's grave first and then inform Guthrum about joining his war. After meeting with Guthrum, Skjalgi and Steinólfur were met by Hámund, who gave them a sword for Geirmund. After Geirmund came back from visiting Ágáða, Skjalgi gave him the sword before departing with Guthrum on his ship.

Waiting in Jutland

After arriving While the jarls discussed their war plans, Skjalgi stayed with his group especially when Geirmund had an intense argument with Rek, Guthrum's ship commander. At night, he asked Steinólfur and Geirmund about how the war started but received no clear answer. In the following two days, he trained with Steinólfur as Geirmund bought them all shields. At the end of the day, Guthrum called for all his men to set sail.

Traveling around England

Aboard the Wave Lover, Skjalgi rowed through a tough storm along with Guthrum's men, Steinólfur, and Geirmund. When the rest of the crew accused Geirmund of their bad luck, he and Steinólfur saw Geirmund throw himself overboard to save them from being killed. After Geirmund's sacrifice, both men continued under Guthrum's army. To their fortune, when they arrived at Readingum, they heard that Geirmund survived. They discussed the losses after the Battle of Ashdown as Geirmund told them, Eskil, and Guthrum about his journey and the arm-ring Hnituðr.

At his behest, Geirmund challenged Rek for ownership of his sword but lost as Skjalgi and Steinólfur carried him off to rest. Within days, Skjalgi trained further under Birna Gormsdóttir, a former shieldmaiden of the late Jarl Osbern, who had died in the recent battle. While both Guthrum and Halfdan Ragnarsson went southward, Geirmund and the other warriors built defenses against a possible naval attack. With his fellow warriors, Skjalgi fought the Saxons, who tried to attack by river and held them off. Due to his correct intuition, Geirmund was offered a company of his own. Joining Steinólfur and other warriors of Osbern, including Birna, Skjalgi officially began to follow Geirmund's lead.

Following Geirmund's plan to capture Wælingford, Skjalgi and his fellow warriors took the stronghold without any bloodshed. Under the company's new namesake, the Hel-hides, Skjalgi and his comrades followed their leader and Guthrum to fight the Saxons at Bedwyn. They won the battle despite some losses. After the Battle of Meretun, the Hel-hides followed Guthrum's leave of Wessex after a truce was made between him and Halfdan versus King Alfred.

Stationed in Lunden

After leaving Wessex, they all found themselves in Lunden, where they temporarily made their own homes. However, it came crashing down once a kinsman of Ubba Ragnarsson, Krok Uxiblóð, declared a blood-feud against Geirmund and fatally injured Aslef. When Geirmund told them he had to leave, Skjalgi, Steinólfur, Birna, Rafn, and Vetr agreed to join him on the run. After leaving Thorgrim in charge, Geirmund and his small troupe left the city to save the Hel-hides' lives.

Running north and from Krok, they all made their way to a Saxon village, where Geirmund realized it was an ambush by Krok. Skjalgi, Vetr, Rafn, and Steinólfur were told to scout the area for a quick escape as Geirmund and Birna met with the "blacksmith". While the rest faced Krok's warriors, he and Rafn found a quick escape trail and led the rest away from Krok's men. They all then found their way to Medeshamstede, which was constructed as a monastery, and met with friendly hands by Abbot Torthred, a former acquaintance of Geirmund. There, they fortified defenses in exchange for shelter and food. However, their agreement came to an end when the Danes were heard to invade Mercia again.

They all were notified that Torthred's sister Tova was taken by Krok for a ransom. Luckily, Geirmund successfully rescued her from Krok's men. Afterwards, the monks and Tova parted ways with the Hel-hides after thanking them. Following Geirmund, the Hel-hides tried to corner Krok but were noticed too quickly. They all ran to a river nearby and was met by Eivor and her longship crew. After a brief argument, Geirmund challenged Krok to a holmgang, which he won. After Geirmund sent Krok to Valhalla, Krok's men tried to attack but Skjalgi, the Hel-hides, and Eivor's warriors killed them instantly. Soon, they were all invited to Ravensthorpe.

While they all feasted and celebrated in Ravensthorpe, Geirmund decided to leave for York to meet his parents. While their leader was away, they made their way to Grantebridge and reconvened with Thorgrim and their fellow Hel-hides. When Geirmund arrived and talked with Guthrum, they were all tasked to raid along the River Thames to distract Alfred. They agreed on the promise on land and ten pounds of silver.

Fighting against Alfred

With the Hel-hides, Skjalgi fought alongside Geirmund as they conquered villages, but too easily as they were mostly unguarded and abandoned. After their last village raid led to losing a soldier, Skjalgi, Rafn, and Vetr were sent to scout and find Alfred's homeplace. However, they ran into five soldiers and killed them, but with Rafn becoming injured. They informed Geirmund of Wanating as they all marched towards it. However, the location was abandoned but filled with food. While they feasted, Geirmund and Skjalgi talked about the notion of honor. However, he noticed an army approaching. Upon further look, he noted to Geirmund that Alfred's army was 3,000 strong. Holding them off, they all withstood the Saxon army, but Geirmund noticed them heading west afterwards.

After sending their dead, including Thorgrim, to Valhalla, they followed a trail of dead Vikings and found four bandits. From interrogating them, they learned Ubba Ragnarsson died as Geirmund led them towards Wayland's Smithy. While Birna led the warriors forward, Skjalgi and Steinólfur accompanied Geirmund towards a mound, which happened to be from his dream. However, both he and Steinólfur were told to wait as Geirmund went further in alone. After some time, their leader came back as they headed to meet Guthrum.

On their travels, the Hel-hides were met by Eskil, who informed them of the upcoming battle at Chippenham as well as Guthrum's change in attitude and demeanor towards the Saxons. At Selwood, they made camp and readied themselves. However, Rafn fell over due to his festering injury on his arm. While Geirmund gave Birna military control of the Hel-hides to fight in the battle, he, Skjalgi, Steinólfur, Eskil, and Vetr stayed and treated Rafn. Performing an emergency amputation of Rafn's arm, they held him down until the procedure was over. After Vetr vowed to stay with Rafn, Skjalgi joined the rest to join the battle.

However, while riding to the battle, they soon turned their eyes on Alfred fleeing the battle and tracked him to a different stronghold. Making their way back to Selwood, they picked up a recovered Rafn and Vetr and then headed to Chippenhamm. Once they arrived, the battle was done, and the Vikings had won, but Guthrum isolated himself because the Hel-hides began to question his oath. Nine days later, Geirmund learned of Guthrum's betrayal to all of them and confronted them. Geirmund came back to them with Hnituðr as he promised to his Hel-hides they were done with the war and that they should forge their own paths.

Later life

Skjalgi, with the Hel-hides, joined Hámund Hel-hide on the seas for trade and raids and gained renown for their ventures. Standing by his oath, Skjalgi stood by his leader as their reputation as the Hel-hides was well known across the seas.

Appearances

• Assassin's Creed Valhalla: Geirmund's Saga