The Younger Son

This is a work of fiction

There was much he could have done, but nothing else he would have done. 

War had been declared between the Angles and the Jutes on terms of sacrilege. Those on the northern east coast of the peninsula they called home had, during a blood feud struggle, burned the temple dedicated to the goddess Freya. The contents were taken back north to the land of the Jutes. The family, whose home was burned and temples sacked, called upon promises of old which brought many tribes of the Angles, who had once sat out the struggle, into it. His was one. The younger son of one of the kings of the Angles was sent in as not to bring shame to his father’s family for turning on oaths given by his father’s father. War is not a new thing, but, before this, his experience had been limited. In the course of the war he had repelled assault on a fortification by the Jutes yet instead of remaining behind the walls he followed the retreating force, harried them, and been responsible for the death of a prominent Jute chief. He cut supply lines and took captives, though, because haste was of the essence, he put many to death without proper notification of superiors whom had been chosen by a vote of chieftains in his own clan. 

As a prince, he would not be given the highest punishment for his actions but there was a general call for the stripping of his field command. He was greatly popular with his men who followed him into the gravest of danger and took on any task he named. His victories and ability to defeat those before him garnered him their love and admiration. When the word came around that he was to turn back and that his men were to disband, there was a general consensus by the troops that they would not obey. Much land and wealth had been acquired and should rightly go to him as the one who took them. He was also fair to the common man who toiled to see food given even in times of war. His popularity bought him respite as in a second vote he was allowed to retain his command lawfully. It was commonly thought, even, that the land gained in this struggle would be given to him since his actions in a large part were the reason for success.

A second infraction led to the debate at hand. His elder brother had joined the war effort as a part of the campaign and was to join him in campaigning. His elder brother was first in line to inherit the throne and was given respect accordingly. He was competent but not as bold as the younger, often pulling from dealing vital blows as the act would be dangerous. The event occured when the younger brother joined his elder in a battle along the coast. He arrived swiftly through the aid of longboats to circumnavigate the enemy force and strike from behind. The action left the enemy weak and broke their ranks. He advised pursuit but his brother ordered him not to do so as it would leave themselves weak to flanking maneuvers. The younger brother disobeyed and followed the retreating force, capturing a son of the enemy king and garnering a strong bargaining piece. However, his insubordination once again brought on the scrutiny of the chieftains who had been called by the elder prince to weigh on the matter. 

His claim to the land he had acquired was in question and now a decision would be reached. To whom should the lands go?