Eskil

Eskil
Biographical information
Species	Human
Political information
Affiliations	Guthrum (??? - 878) Hel-hides (878 – ???)

Eskil was a Danish Viking who fought under Guthrum during the Viking invasion of England in the 9th century.

Biography

Eskil' and his brother Rek were sworn to jarl Guthrum. As time progressed, Eskil became second-in command to Guthrum. After Guthrum gained an ally in Geirmund Hel-hide, Eskil and Rek started to work alongside Hel-hide and his men, Steinólfur and Skjalgi aboard the Wave Lover. Once they all arrived in Jutland, Eskil sat with him men and welcomed Geirmund, but he saw Rek causing an argument with Hel-hide. Eskil stepped in and stopped the argument by sending Rek back to his tent. On a journey to England, Geirmund chose to sacrifice himself to the waters when they became dangerous. Eskil even stopped Steinólfur from jumping in and trying to save him.

Fighting in England

Time passed as he followed Guthrum and battled alongside him. After the Battle of Ashdown, Eskil saw Geirmund alive at a meeting a week after the battle. With Steinólfur and Skjalgi, Eskil informed Geirmund that his sword had been taken by Rek due to his apparent death. Eskil was present when Geirmund and Rek fought over ownership of the sword, to which Rek won. Eskil followed Guthrum and joined many others at the Battle of Bedwyn, where they gained a victory as King Æthelred fell to Guthrum's attack.

However, some Vikings fell in the battle, including Rek. Eskil witnessed Geirmund sending Rek to Valhalla despite their tensions with each other. Eskil grabbed Hámund's sword Rek, took it, and gifted it back to Geirmund for his courage and honor. After years went by, Eskil saw his leader fall short of his promise of conquering England and beating the Saxons.

Joining the Hel-hides

On the eve of the Battle of Chippenham, Eskil rode out to give a message to the Hel-hides of Guthrum winning Wareham but spoke of a peace between Alfred and Guthrum, with the ring Hnituðr being given to the Christian king as a condition. Eskil stated that jarlskona Eivor Varinsdottir was counseling Guthrum and disclosed his distrust in Guthrum. Eskil asked Geirmund to march with him as Hel-hides agreed. However, the next day, Rafn fell over as he hid his putrid arm from his company. To help Rafn, Eskil stayed with Geirmund, Vetr, Steinólfur, and Skjalgi to treat Rafn while Geirmund gave Birna Gormsdóttir the authority to lead his warriors in the battle.

After treating Rafn, Eskil joined Geirmund, Steinólfur, and Skjalgi to go to battle as Vetr stayed with Rafn. However, Eskil noticed Alfred fleeing with thirty soldiers and thus they followed him to a defended hold, Sumersæte. However, they all rode to Chippenham as the battle had ended with a victory for the Danes. However, their victory was short-lived as Guthrum conceded to the peace and planned to surrender. Eskil soon left Guthrum's company and joined the Hel-hides on their ventures until their end.

Appearances

• Assassin's Creed: Valhalla – Geirmund's Saga