With her allies gathering outside Cippanhamm after pillaging and fleeing Werham, Eivor took the time to finally ascertain the truth of Alfred the Great's claim that Ubba Ragnarsson had been killed. Quickly riding north, she arrived at the Afon Blockade where the Anglo-Saxons had fortified a position along the Afon. In the middle of the fort's courtyard, she found a note pinned to a tree by a knife.
Letter from Reeve Goodwin
Our scouts report Chieftain Ubba will be attempting to surprise us on the Afon river. Be ready, and do not spare him as he is considered a criminal in this trying war with the Danes.
Eivor:I am nearing the Afon river at Uffentune. This was where Aelfred said the battle with Ubba took place.
Eivor continued until she saw tents pitched at a bend just past Aethelnay. Entering the Norse camp, she immediately saw that everyone had been slaughtered as Alfred had said, with bodies and weapons littering the site before two similarly ruined longships. At the encampment's center was Ubba's body, pierced through the torso with two spears such that they had propped him up on his feet. Eivor's voice broke on seeing her dead comrade.
Eivor:Ubba. So Aelfred spoke true. May you join your brother, old friend. Wherever he found his final resting place. Rest well, my friend.
After paying her respects, Eivor read a note she saw had fallen behind Ubba.
Scroll with King's Seal
Lord Odda you are to attack the Danes docked near Uffentune at once. Act swiftly and with the fear of God in your heart. Send word once the battle is won and Wessex is saved.
Aelfred Rex
Simultaneously furious at Alfred's actions and grief-stricken at her loss, Eivor returned post-haste to the planning grounds at the riverbank southwest of Chepeham. There, her allies gathered from all over England.
Eivor took stock of the allies that had come and overheard some of their conversations before welcoming them.
Eivor:Ljufvina, my old friend! And I see you have convinced your husband to stumble southwards.
Hjorr:Couldn't let her carve all the glory for herself. Ljufvina was just boasting of her heroics in Suthsexe.
Eivor:She took the fort single-handed while the rest of us sat back and sipped mead. You should have seen her.
Hjorr:I have come to make sure my warrior-wife's enthusiasm for battle does not get her slaughtered.
Ljufvina:Have you ever met a woman less in need of a guardian than me, Eivor?
Hjorr:You will have one, nonetheless.
Eivor spotted Finnr mending a large wooden shield and spoke with him.
Eivor speaking to Finnr
Eivor:Finnr, stand tall. A light heart lifts all those around them.
Finnr:Ah, Eivor. Who would not be joyous, reaving at your side?
Eivor:And how you feel bringing sorrow to the Saxons on their holy day?
Finnr:It darkens my mood. I have learned some of the Christ-Lord's teachings. He preaches peace where our gods delight in battle.
Eivor:Let their delights be ours then. We have many battles to wage before the end.
Finnr:And I will be beside you for them all, my axe ready and my heart stout!
Eivor:Finnr! You have come far at my call, old friend.
Finnr:I have done all I can to help King Oswald find his feet. I leave East Anglia in good hands.
Eivor:You do not plan to return, then?
Finnr:No. When I heard of a mighty warrior in the west, who brings terror to the Saxons... I came to join you. If you'll have me?
Eivor:Once we have seen to Aelfred, we will raise a horn... not as allies, but as companions.
Finnr:If drinking and feasting be in my future, I will follow you to Hel.
Eivor heard Vili trading playful barbs with Eluric, while Hunwald stood next to them.
Vili:You soft-cheeked Anglo boys, have you brought your mothers with you?
Eluric:My mother is worth ten of your men.
Vili:I do not doubt it. I have seen those strong Saxon hens, clucking round the hearth as you farmers play with your cocks.
Eivor met with the youngsters at the docks
Eluric:Ha! And she'd welcome you in Colcestre, Vili. Better than those sour-lipped thegns who haunt our hall.
Eivor spoke with them.
Vili:Look, you Saxon bed-wetters! Here is a real warrior.
Eivor:Vili, what tales are you weaving for these soft-downed Saxons? Don't make me regret supporting your jarldom.
Vili:Eivor, you know I will take your childhood scrapes and secrets to the pyre.
Eivor:Good... I would hate for something to happen to you in the coming fight.
Eivor:Vili, leave these poor boys alone. Their ears are too delicate for the filth you pour in.
Vili:Boys is right. This streak of cat-piss is barely of his mother's tit. And the Essexe boy has hands like a milkmaid.
Hunwald:Ha, such fiendish ribaldry between you two. You laugh in the face of fear, tweak Old Man Death's beard.
Eluric:I will do my mother and my Lord proud today, Eivor. The Lord knows I have not been the best of sons.
Eivor:Good to see your spirits high. Fight well, my friends, and we will feast together in victory.
Eivor spoke with Tewdwr, who was polishing his sword.
Eivor:Tewdwr. It is good to see you.
Tewdwr:I gave you my word. Besides... Aelfred's faith is strict, and he has no love for pagans.
Eivor:You have changed much from that God-whipped boy. That is good to see.
Tewdwr:And you taught me a lot, Eivor. Our time together was... well, it taught me much.
Eivor:I am glad, Tewdwr.
Tewdwr:In fact, I composed a poem for the occasion. Would you like to hear it?
Eivor:Later, Tewdwr. I have many allies to greet before the battle. Stay safe and well, until then.
Tewdwr lending his assistance
Tewdwr:I was always him, but my faith was like a veil. I am glad you helped me lift it.
Eivor:And now another education. You'll see how we Norse bands fight.
Tewdwr:I am all aquiver with anticipation.
Up the hill, Eivor heard Soma and Guthrum talking.
Soma:Do you believe the Saxon lord? Is Ubba really dead?
Guthrum:Aye, a few survivors found their way to us. The great man is gone, the last vestiges of Ragnar's legacy begin to fade.
Soma:We have lost many fire-bloods. This land has sapped our strength. There will be too few of us to settle when we are done.
Eivor spoke with both warriors after their chat.
Guthrum:Eivor! You made it unscathed.
Eivor:They came... from all over England.
Eivor meeting with Soma and Guthrum
Eivor looked down as her allies saluted her.
Soma:I never thought it possible, Eivor. That you would rally Saxons and Norse under your black-feathered banner.
Guthrum:They see the tyranny of this elf-king. He would crush them all under heel, and plug their hearts with his god.
Soma:So, what is the plan, Eivor?
Eivor:When is their feast day?
Guthrum:A few nights from now. But their revelry has already begun. We should attack now.
Soma:That is unwise. Soldiers pace the paths of the village.
Eivor:Then the night of the feast, under cover of darkness. That is when we will strike.
Soma:Ubba will not have died in vain.
Guthrum:We await your instructions, Eivor.
Eivor:Let us plan our approach. But whatever happens, Aelfred is mine.
Eivor:I will greet my allies first.
Guthrum:Good, come find us again when you are ready.
Eivor left Guthrum to speak with the rest of her allies.
Guthrum:All is ready, and your allies have arrived. Speak to them if you like. I'll be here when you're done.
Eivor finished speaking to her allies and returned to Soma and Guthrum.
Guthrum:Eivor! You made it unscathed.
Eivor:Let us speak of our plan to take Cippanhamm.
(returns to choices)
With their forces gathered, the Viking leaders formed their plan.
Soma:They are not expecting us. We should not meet much resistance on the way.
Guthrum:Then quietly, through the fields? It will be already too late once they see us.
Soma:Your young Saxons can be our eyes to the west. Better to keep their soft hands away from the conflict.
Guthrum:My scouts reported that a few nobles have arrived for the festivities already.
Eivor:Good. If we capture the thegns, they will be no danger when I confront Aelfred.
Eivor and the jarls planning the attack
Broder entered the conversation.
Guthrum:And we could persuade them to support a new king of Wessex. I will subdue the lords.
Eivor:Take Deorlaf and Tewdwr with you. They could prove useful in convincing the thegns. Broder, take Erke and Stowe and capture the garrison. Make quick work of any Saxons that dare cross into the village.
Broder:Gladly, Eivor.
Eivor:We each know our parts. May they blunt their swords against our might.
Night fell, and Eivor rallied all of her allies one last time.
Eivor:Tonight, Wessex's last resistance will crumble.
Her allies cheered.
Guthrum:I follow you, Eivor.
Soma:And I.
Eivor nodded and smiled.
Eivor:Be ravening wolves and croaking ravens. Stand firm, your axe-arm strong, and together we will win this final battle. And remember... Aelfred is mine. Soma with me. Everybody else go quickly to the village.
Eivor leading her allies into Chippanhamm
Soma and Eivor left to confront King Alfred as her allies rushed to their positions.
Eivor:Advance. Be on the lookout for any stray guards.
They ambled up the hills between the wheat farms. Ljufvina joined Eivor and Soma's advance party.
'Ljufvina. Hjorr, keep a strong flank.
She ordered the rest of her allies to continue.
Eivor:Get to the village and wait for my signal.
They entered the village of Chippanhamm proper, under the nose of patrolling Saxons.
Eivor:Let's smoke the rat out of his god's house!
Eivor, Soma and Ljufvina searching for Aelfred
As the residents ran screaming, Eivor went inside the church in the village, alongside Soma and Ljufvina.
Eivor:Aelfred! Face me and I will spare the last of Wessex from my torch.
Goodwin came out.
Goodwin:Did you think my king would turn his back on you, Eivor? When your knife is smeared with the blood of Werham?
Eivor:Stand aside, Goodwin. I come for Aelfred.
Goodwin revealing himself in place of Alfred
Goodwin:Aelfred is long gone. And this good Christian feast, a cup of honey-wine to trap some wasps.
Eivor:Where is he?
Goodwin:Calling his allies to his side. All those who wish to see Wessex under one God. You cannot win England with your sorry crew of deluded farmers and godless fools.
Eivor:At least I would not leave them to die as I scurried through the cornhusks like a rat.
Goodwin:You have no understanding of duty, the loyalty I freely give. His plan for England, for the world, is worth the cost of my life.
Eivor:Then sing your tuneless hymns.
Goodwin:Come, Raven-Feeder, do your worst.
Eivor and Goodwin began to fight each other.
Goodwin:Such empty fury. It does not matter if I die as long as Aelfred is safe.
Eivor:Your life means so little?
Goodwin steeled himself for more of Eivor's wrath.
Goodwin:I have no fear of death, for this battle is only the beginning.
Eivor:Only darkness will come to claim you.
If Goodwin landed some hits, he taunted Eivor.
Goodwin:For all your boasts, warrior, I scratch at you like a cat.
Eivor:You yap like a dog.
He condescended to her, sure that he would overcome her.
Goodwin:We could have been allies, but now you'll fall by my sword.
Eivor:I will never bow to Aelfred.
Ultimately, Eivor parried his sword strikes, broke through his defenses, inflicted grievous wounds, and exhausted his sword arm. He staggered away, no longer holding his greatsword and heavy shield, longer able to fight.
Goodwin defeated
Eivor:You are beaten, Goodwin.
Goodwin:Beaten? No, not so. By my death, my lord may live.
Eivor:Aelfred used you, fool. He threw you in my path. For what? He only delays what is inevitable.
Goodwin:Kill me then. It makes no odds. For here you stand. Bloody and breathless, no closer to my king, no closer to the throne. This island will never be your home, Eivor. You will not subdue her with vicious force, or win her with cocksure words. We Saxons will always stand firm. Shoulder-by-shoulder against thieves and tyrants, whose envious eyes fall upon England.
Eivor:If I must strike down all of England to subdue her, let it begin with you.
Goodwin:O Lord, into your hands I commit my spirit.
Eivor pulled Goodwin off his knees and stabbed in him in the stomach, killing him.
Eivor:No, I will use you, as you used me. A few hours in the company of my men and you will lead us to your sparrow-king.
Goodwin:That I cannot allow.
Goodwin killing himself
Goodwin took out his dagger and slit his own throat.
Eivor left Goodwin's body and headed outside.
Outside, the village was in flames and her allies fought overwhelmed by a massive host of Anglo-Saxon soldiers.
Eivor:Soma!
Soma:The men of Wessex! They came from every house and hovel!
Soma and Eivor faced off incoming soldiers.
Eivor:Soma! Fall back!
Soma, on the ground, stood up and fought an enemy soldier.
Soma:For life!
The soldier impaled Soma with his sword but Soma used her axe to kill him up close.
Soma:For death!
Bleeding heavily, Soma fell to her knees while enemy soldiers came behind her.
Soma:For glory...
Eivor:Soma!
Soma's death
Eivor could only watch as Soma was instantly killed from behind in the midst of her battlecry.
Soma:For Valhal—
Eivor:No!
Fending off her enemy, Eivor went to help her allies across the battle.
Eivor went to Ljufvina and Hjorr, to see if they tracked Aelfred.
Eivor:Did you see Aelfred?
Ljufvina:No. But your Saxon boys were ambushed. One lays wounded.
Eivor:Hold these men back, I'll find them.
Hjorr:Go, Eivor. They will not better us.
Eivor finding Eluric and a wounded Hunwald
Eivor found a wounded Hunwald and started to carry him.
Eivor:Hunwald... come, get up. This is no time for weep-wailing.
Hunwald:I... I cannot. And there is a blackness closing in around my eyes. It frightens me.
Eluric:Forgive me, Hunwald. I should have been quicker.
Hunwald:No, no... you were my staunch protector, Eluric.
Eluric:Eivor, have you seen graver wounds?
Eivor:I will carry him from the fray. To that farmhouse there.
Eivor repelled any nearby soldiers and slinged Hunwald over her shoulder.
Eivor:I will get you to safety, Hunwald. Stay calm.
Hunwald:I... I may be all right. There is so little pain just now...
Hunwald struggled for breath over the next several seconds as Eivor carried him.
Eluric:Please, Eivor. We must get him to the farmhouse.
Eivor carrying Hunwald to safety
Eivor carried Hunwald into the farmhouse and laid him down, while Eluric looked over.
Eivor:Hunwald, listen to me. You survived the battle of Botolphston. Do not let this scratch best you now.
Hunwald:I'm so cold. Has winter come so soon?
Eivor:You will warm yourself with mead and dancing yet, my friend.
Hunwald:Perhaps not, Eivor. It may be I will sit besides my father soon. Will he be proud of me?
Eivor:He will pull you to his breast, sob bright words of welcome... and tell you no man ever had a worthier son.
Hunwald:I am glad to have known you, Eivor. My truest...
Hunwald's death
Hunwald died from his wounds as Eivor and Eluric stayed with him in his final moments. Eivor walked outside the farmhouse and began to whimper from her loss.
Eivor:(sigh)
Eivor:I should check on Guthrum at the feast hall.
Eivor spoke to Eluric before she departed.
Eluric:I will not leave his side, Eivor. I owe him that much at least.
Eivor:There was nothing more you could have done. Friendship has a hollow ring if there is no threat of losing it.
Eivor left Eluric behind in relative safety with Hunwald's body. She passed by Ljufvina and Hjorr again on her way to her other allies.
Ljufvina:Do not waste your efforts here. Go help the others!
Eivor:I need to see if Broder has taken the garrison.
Eivor spoke to Eluric before she departed.
Eluric:I will not leave his side, Eivor. I owe him that much at least.
Eivor:There was nothing more you could have done. Friendship has a hollow ring if there is no threat of losing it.
Eivor left Eluric behind in relative safety with Hunwald's body. She passed by Ljufvina and Hjorr again on her way to her other allies.
Ljufvina:Do not waste your efforts here. Go help the others!
Eivor proceeded in silence to regroup with her allies.
Eivor found Guthrum, with Tewdwr and Deorlaf, within the village's feast hall.
Eivor:Guthrum! I need you fighting with the rest.
Guthrum:These men will not surrender! And one little cock-flogger barricaded himself behind that door there.
Eivor:I will find a way in.
Eivor climbed to the rafters of the feast hall and found an opening above the sealed wall. She eavesdropped on the thegn and his bodyguards yelling at the Danes from the safety of their barricade.
Anglo-Saxon Man 1:You will regret this unholy interruption!
Anglo-Saxon Soldier 1:You attack us on our holy feast day?
Anglo-Saxon Soldier 2:Protect the thegns at all costs!
Anglo-Saxon Soldier 1:Cippenhamm will not fall to you scum.
Eivor defeated the guards, leaving the thegn at her mercy.
Anglo-Saxon Man 1:Leave me be! I am no threat to you.
Eivor capturing the thegn
Eivor tied up the thegn and left Guthrum with his prisoner.
Eivor thought to herself on securing the garrison.
Eivor:I need to see if Broder has taken the garrison.
She passed Guthrum on her way to her remaining allies.
Eivor:Good work, Guthrum. I hope the rest have fared as well.
Eivor thought to herself on the remaining task.
Eivor:If Aelfred has fled Cippanhamm, it may be Ljufvina tracked him.
She passed Guthrum on her way to her remaining allies.
Eivor:Good work, Guthrum. I hope the rest have fared as well.
Eivor proceeded in silence to regroup with her allies.
Broder:Eivor! The garrison has more defenders than we hoped. My men are being slaughtered.
Eivor:I will find a way to open the gates from the inside.
Eivor:Hurry! These waves of reinforcements are Hel-sent.
Eivor found a way inside and opened the garrison's gate. Eivor helped secure the garrison.
Eivor:That is most of them. Make sure the garrison stays under our control. I need to help the others.
Eivor left the garrison in Broder's care and proceeded back to the village proper.
Eivor proceeded in silence to regroup with her allies.
Eivor:I should check on Guthrum at the feast hall.
Eivor:If Aelfred has fled Cippanhamm, it may be Ljufvina tracked him.
With all areas secured, Eivor left to regroup with her allies for a final push to drive the remaining Saxons from Chepeham.
Vili:I am Vili, if you would know who cleaves your skull!
Eivor:They are weakened. Let us finish this!
Geadric:You fucking Wesexians will not move on Mercia.
Vili:For Eivor and the Raven Clan!
Geadric:This feast will end in blood.
Anglo-Saxon Soldier 3:You will not rout us, interlopers. Not on this Christ mass.
Anglo-Saxon Soldier 4:Stand true, God protects us on his day of feasts!
Anglo-Saxon Soldier 5:These Danes defy our God and king!
Eivor and her allies defeated most of the remaining forces.
Eivor:That's it, they are fleeing! The last of the Saxons are fleeing. The battle is won!
Guthrum:Cippenhamm is ours! Tend to the wounded and gather in the square!
All of Eivor's allies gathered after the battle.
Eivor telling Guthrum of Soma's death
Guthrum:They are routed! The city is ours. Wessex will follow!
Eivor:Guthrum Jarl, we are not without losses. Some of them grave.
Guthrum:Their king is fled, his patsy struck down. Defeat rings loud in their ears, and I will be their lord before the spring is here.
Eivor:Guthrum, hear me... Soma is... she is gone.
Guthrum:Soma?... Dead? She has gone to the endless feast. And is the better for it.
Eivor:Many fought for us and died. They deserve peace.
Guthrum:Are you ready to honor them?
Eivor:Yes, there is nothing more to say.
Eivor said all she cared to say and began to prepare funeral rites.
Eivor:I must speak to those still living.
Eivor left to speak with her allies.
Eivor:I must speak to those still living.
Eivor left to speak with her allies.
If Eivor left to speak with her surviving allies first, she walked around the village square to speak with them one-on-one. With a short walk away from Guthrum, she found and talked to Broder.
Eivor:It is done, Broder. You fought well.
Broder:I saw him, Eivor. In my darkest moment, Brothir stood beside me, and all was as it used to be. Then the battle ended. I feel him no longer.
Eivor parting ways with Broder
Eivor:There will be other battles.
Broder:Aye. And there you'll find me, Eivor. In amongst the blood and death, Brothir at my shoulder. Until the Valkyries claim me.
Eivor:You have given me more than I would ever have asked for. How will I repay it?
Broder:Keep him in your thoughts. For when man is mourned, his deeds cheered and his songs sung, he cannot die.
Eivor left and spoke to Vili.
Eivor and Vili after the battle
Eivor:Do you think there will come a day when winning will not be enough?
Vili:You can always fight with me if you want to taste crushing and loin-soiling defeat.
Eivor:My very presence would make that impossible.
Vili:Enjoy this victory, Eivor, whatever it brings you. Only a coward thinks he'll live forever.
Eivor went to speak with Erke.
Eivor:Erke. You wear a furrowed brow.
Erke:Stowe is taking matters hard. You know how sensitive he is.
Eivor:A man of faith and stout morals. Small wonder he is tormented.
Erke:His support for you has taxed him hard. I'll take him back to Lunden. Maybe he will find some comfort there.
Eivor:You are his comfort, Erke, not the city you watch. He is in good hands.
Eivor spoke with Stowe next.
Eivor:My thanks, Stowe. You came to my aid, when you were free to turn away.
Stowe:And still it breaks my heart to look upon what we have done today. Was it the right choice? I do not know. But it is done now.
Eivor:If Aelfred had his way, there would never be friendship between Norse and Saxon. You fought for peace. Be proud of that.
Stowe:I wish I could be. And in time perhaps I will.
Eivor found and spoke with Eluric.
Eluric reflecting on Hunwald's death to Eivor
Eivor:Your first battle, Eluric. You fought well and with honor.
Eluric:Is the glory you Danes seek? You can keep it. I saw Hunwald die, the light dim in his eyes. That could have been me.
Eivor:You will never be the same. But you will be stronger for it.
Eluric:I have wasted so much time in pouting like a child. No more, Eivor, no more.
Eivor left and then talked with Ljufvina, who was crying in pain as Hjorr died as well. Ljufvina kneeled onto the ground, near the bodies of Soma, Hunwald, and Hjorr.
Eivor:Ljufvina... Gods, I did not know. Is he—
Ljufvina mourning Hjorr
Ljufvina:Hush. What good can words do, Eivor? Keep to silence. He is gone. For what days I was given to spend with you. For each breath that carried your sweet whispers, I give thanks. No more, your fingers in my hair. No more your arms around my waist. The days will be cold hereafter, all color dimmed. Goodbye, my only. My heart ends with you. What is left... will go on.
Up the steps to the church, Eivor talked with Tewdwr.
Eivor:You are not injured, Tewdwr?
Tewdwr:Bruises, that is all. I have taken the Lord into my heart and He watched over my sorry bones. Those who fell sit beside him now.
Eivor:And what of my heathen friends?
Tewdwr:I used to believe in damnation for all who turned from his light. But there is a wondrous communion in friendship honored.
Eivor:Even though your god-son preaches peace?
Tewdwr:And we shall do that, Christians and pagans, side-by-side. Never persecuted.
Further up the steps, Eivor spoke with Bishop Deorlaf and Geadric.
Bishop Deorlaf:He shall come to judge the living and the dead.
Eivor:Deorlaf. Geadric. There is a solemn air about you.
Bishop Deorlaf:To disturb such holy revels with blood and murder... I fear God may never forgive me for this.
Eivor:Had your God taken Aelfred's side, we would have not won. So it may be that you did his work after all.
Geadric:Aelfred still lives. And now I am twice his enemy. Give me one more fight and I will gladly make it a third.
Eivor:He is defanged and little of threat to us now.
Geadric:That slippery eel may yet surprise you.
Bishop Deorlaf:Atonement is a long and lonely path, and I must soon leave to take my first steps upon it.
Eivor:Your debts to me are paid. I wish you well on your journeys.
Eivor spoke to Guthrum again after talking with her remaining allies, having given him time to reflect.
Guthrum:My heart is heavy.
Eivor:Many fought for us and died. They deserve peace.
Guthrum:Are you ready to honor them?
Eivor:Yes, there is nothing more to say.
Eivor said all she cared to say and began to prepare funeral rites.
Eivor:I must speak to those still living.
She left to find any more remaining allies.
With the battle over and the living and the dead all accounted for, Eivor and her allies built funeral pyres for their fallen comrades.
Guthrum:Time to send our friends to their great reward. Will you do the honors?
Eivor:Nothing awaits them. They lived, they died. Now their bodies will burn to cinders. Their saga ends here.
Guthrum:Well, do not share that with them.
Eivor spoke at the funeral for all of the allies who fell, especially Soma, Hjorr, and Hunwald.
Eivor giving a eulogy to the deceased allies
Eivor:Victory is ours. But it came at great cost. Soma Jarlskona, who stood at Guthrum's right hand... She will live on in our memories. From now 'til the end of days. And to Hjorr... warrior, husband, and friend. He made the ultimate sacrifice. I here repay it. And to Hunwald whose kind heart has now led him to his father's side. May his god welcome him with open arms. Let us send them on their way, all our beloved dead, our fallen warriors. And speed them... to their end.
Eivor, Guthrum, and Vili set the pyres aflame. All mourned and watched as their fallen ones were given their last rites. Afterwards, Eivor bid her farewells to Tewdwr and Broder and then went back inside the village's church. Guthrum stood inside looking up at the crucifix as Eivor entered.
Eivor:Guthrum?
Guthrum:When the reeve died, did he take comfort in knowing he would soon see his god?
Eivor:He was strangely peaceful in the end. As if death meant nothing.
Guthrum:We stumble through our years, ravenous, grasping. Spilling blood, stealing gold, and it is never enough. This life is never enough. Would it not soothe you to know there is something beyond all this? Not war and valor, but quiet and peace?
Eivor:I think... I think the afterlife men hope for is only a reflection of their regret in this life. All I wish for now, is to live among the friends I have made. That is what counts.
Guthrum nodded in agreement.
Guthrum confiding in Eivor on the recent events
Guthrum:Aelfred made me swear fealty upon the cross of their god's son. He held such faith in it... a plain, unadorned thing. It burned between my fingers, as if I had pulled it from the fire. A feeling strange and powerful, but gone in an instant. I have not felt its like before.
Eivor:What will you do now?
Guthrum:Whatever, I must do. England is my final home, Eivor. And I will do what it takes to remain.
Eivor left and whispered to herself.
Eivor:I should return to Swanburrow, and tell her of Hunwald's fate. Better the news come from me than a stranger.
Eivor and her allies routed the Wessex soldiers as Eivor defeated Goodwin. Aelfred was driven into hiding, though the battle resulted in significant losses for Eivor and her allies. She set up pyres for those who fell, namely Soma, Hunwald, and Hjorr. Through this, Eivor's yearslong quest to pacify the hostile England had been completed.
The English subtitles, at times and depending on speaker, jump between spelling Cippanhamm with an "A" and Cippenhamm with an "E." Given the Old English spelling of modern-day Chippenham is the former, it is assumed the latter is a simple spelling mistake.
Ljufvina and Hjorr's dialogue is bugged; if she was present at Suthsexe—and therefore Erke and Stowe as well, due to the Lunden arc serving as a prerequisite to the Jorvik arc—the game may play the dialogue associated with her being absent from Suthsexe, and vice versa. This creates a glitch in which the game can assume Erke and Stowe were absent, by way of not completing Lunden until after Suthsexe, and that Ljufvina was present, which is not possible within the game's order of operations.
If Finnr remained in East Anglia—due to choosing to spare Rued at Burgh Castle and then letting Oswald duel and exile him at the wedding—his dialogue implies that he will be putting East Anglia behind him to join the Raven Clan. However, he does not join as a raider as he does when he joins the clan immediately. On this note, both Finnr and Vili can be recruited as raiders, however the game gives them each an "in-narrative ally" actor and a "raider" actor for these roles, with different weapons and behavior. This memory in particular can demonstrate this; by mooring the Sea-Chariot near the shore where the allies gather and angling the camera properly, players can clearly see all four actors in frame at the same time.
During the fight with Goodwin, he will have two comments if the player inflicts damage on him, and two if he inflicts damage. On higher difficulties, allowing him to do so just to trigger these comments can be a risky prospect, as he scales in level like an ordinary enemy rather than the Zealots and other "boss" enemies with predetermined levels, thus he will be able to consistently kill the player with a single combo. Further, the comments for damaging him trigger inconsistently—sometimes only when striking successfully, other times when glancing off his heavy shield. It also appears that it is not possible to trigger all four comments in one instance of the battle—regardless of difficulty, custom damage settings, or fighting style—as he stops talking once the fight progresses to the point of igniting his sword.
Any remarks to allies in passing after tasks will be disabled when the third task of the main battle is finished, as the game immediately resets all NPCs to engage in the final push. Players who want to see as much dialogue as possible should leave the garrison for last, as that task has no remarks afterwards besides Eivor indicating the next task to focus on. The memory's listed order of operations lists Ljufvina's, Guthrum's, and Broder's tasks in order, although the order of remarks prompts the player to go to the feast hall after either task if it is not done first, the garrison after the feast hall, and to Ljufvina after both. For the purposes of this page, the tasks have been organized according to the memory's listed order.
Sometimes after the battle begins, the NPC AI will break and characters will not be where the game expects them to be, and their comments will simply not trigger. In particular, destroying the wooden plank barricading the feast hall's rear room at any point in the game before the assault begins—likely from clearing Chepeham of treasure in general exploration—affects every NPC involved in Guthrum's task: Guthrum (and Tewdwr) may run off to fight random enemies instead of manning the door, making him much harder to track and advance his dialogue, while the thegn's bodyguards may be drawn into the main fight and cancel their dialogues as well. Their dialogue can be exhausted by vaulting back and forth through the rafters across the full length of the hall, so long as they remain in place and out of combat. In Ljufvina's task, one skirmisher-type enemy that spawns near her may not be designated as a valid target for Eivor, effectively making it immortal until it despawns after the battle. In Broder's task, soldiers will respawn infinitely until the garrison entrance is opened and enough are killed by Eivor specifically for markers to appear on the "remaining" Saxons, who will continue to respawn even after the task finishes. Lastly, under some circumstances, Geadric and Vili may not speak at all during the final push, though their remarks have been listed on this page.
Despite Eivor not realizing until later that Hjorr perished in the battle, it is possible to find his body near Ljufvina before regrouping with the others for the final push. Players can loot 100 silver from him, and this "discovery" does not affect upcoming dialogue.
The deaths of Soma and Hunwald can affect the dialogue of the Taken for Granted memory and the False Ealdormancy world event respectively, despite it making more narrative sense for these scenarios to have played out long before this battle.
