Vikings: Lords of the Ice Sea

Chapter 200 Homecoming
In early February, several explosive news items reached the north. At this time, the Duke of Tyneburg was inspecting the five counties of the north. With the biting cold wind blowing, he fell into deep thought on the bumpy horseback.

Suddenly, Vigler ordered the gray horse to stop, had the guards behind him bring over a stretcher, and lay down directly on it.

"My lord?" Utgard was puzzled, wondering what new trick the duke was up to now.

"Announce that Vig Tyneburg was attacked by rebels during his inspection tour, was hit by five arrows, and is currently recuperating in Stirling County. All government affairs have been handed over to Herigif Tyneburg."

The situation was unpredictable, and Vig had no intention of going to Lundinium to meet the new king. Who knew what that crazy woman Aslachi was thinking? It would be troublesome if he got detained.

As they were talking, the old gray horse suddenly bent down and licked Vig's cheek with its wet tongue, prompting the latter to complain, "Grey Wind, leave me alone."

The grey horse snorted in dissatisfaction, exhaling a puff of white mist into the air, as if mocking the humans for their meddling. After a few minutes' delay, the caravan set off again, slowly making its way towards Stirlingshire, not far away.

Vig's excuse was that he had been hit by five arrows, and the other nobles had similar ideas:

Some claimed to have fallen from their horses while hunting, while others complained of dizziness and being unable to endure the long journey. The most egregious was Ethelbad, who sent a messenger to Londinium in his place, claiming the Duke had suffered heatstroke!

More than half a month later, a ship from Norway docked in Edinburgh. Despite the harsh sea conditions in the North Sea, they specially brought some effective medicine for snake venom to treat King Ragnar, who was in a coma.

"His Majesty has passed away; Sigurd is now on the throne."

Upon hearing the news circulating at the docks, the messenger was stunned. He had heard that Vig was recuperating in Stirlingshire and rushed to visit him as quickly as possible.

"My lord, what do you think? Are you willing to submit to a weak and frail boy and let Asura rule the country?"

Vig sat on the bed reading a book and replied casually, "This situation won't last long. Let's wait and see."

He received news that Asraci had strengthened security at the palace and, following the advice of the shaman and priest, arranged his son's diet and daily routine—the two sides had vastly different styles, which was undoubtedly tormenting the new king. If this continued, he probably wouldn't last much longer.

With things having come to this, the envoy was at a loss. Vig advised him to turn back home, saying, "Asraci killed Sora, your king's aunt, and ordered the arrest of Horst and Uber. The two countries have completely broken off relations. Go back sooner rather than later, lest you and your crew lose your lives."

Finally, the warship Coke, having endured many hardships, docked in Edinburgh, disposed of its furs and amber, purchased woolens, beer, pig iron ingots, and other products, and then returned to Norway along the same route.
March, Londonewum.

After Sigurd recovered, Aslaci's mental state fluctuated. She abandoned her gorgeous clothes and received the cabinet and visitors in armor. As the newly appointed Sheriff of Landineum, Pascal the Younger saw the Queen Mother pull out a short axe to threaten him more than once. Fearing for his life, he devised a plan to escape on the advice of his advisors.

"Are you going to escort Ragnar's coffin to Gothenburg?"

Asura was in a good mood today. She sat on the throne, frowned, thought for half a minute, and then agreed to the young county magistrate's request.

Pascal left the palace in disbelief, listening to the servants' gossip. He learned the reason for the Queen Mother's improved mood—a new and powerful rebellion had broken out in western Ireland, and Ivar was too busy to contest the throne of Landineum. "Thank God, thank Ivar, thank the Irish rebels, I can't stand this wretched place any longer."

Pascal the Younger packed his bags, had the stench-filled coffin placed in the hold of the Kirk, and thus escaped Rendinium.

After burying the late king, he planned to travel by ship to Norway, and then cross the sea to northern Britain. Using the excuse that he had been traumatized during the journey, he sent someone to deliver his resignation to the Queen Mother.

"Tess and Lundinium are far apart, and Aslaci will not mobilize the Royal Guard to attack me. God above, from now on I will stay in my territory in peace, and I will even borrow money to hire stonemasons to build a tall and sturdy castle, far away from this dirty and endless power struggle."

Following the sea breeze, the fleet arrived in Dover. The port was filled with twenty French warships flying the flag of the iris. A large number of emaciated and dejected prisoners of war staggered out of the cabins. Many of them knelt down on the ground after going ashore, holding the soil in their hands and crying loudly.

After a six-month delay, the families of prisoners of war from both countries grew increasingly anxious. Through their joint efforts, Goodwin and Lambert reached a compromise:

The two sides exchanged prisoners of war, with the Kingdom of Britain paying 1,500 pounds to make up for the difference in the value of the prisoners. In addition, the Kingdom of Britain promised to continue to protect monasteries within its territory and to allow farmers to voluntarily pay tithes.

The signing of the peace treaty marked the end of the Second Viking-West Frankish War. Charles the Bald, initially defeated but later victorious, also suffered severe losses and was unable to organize an army to launch a cross-sea offensive.

Currently, King Charles's attention is focused on Brittany. After this summer's harvest, he plans to launch another offensive to eradicate the families of those rebellious nobles and completely subdue the region.

"The French army can't get through for the time being, and we're in chaos ourselves. Sigh, life is getting harder and harder." Ulf went out to greet Pascal, and as usual, muttered to himself as he looked at the pitiful prisoners of war.

Inviting guests to dinner at Candlecastle, Ulf took the opportunity to inquire about Lentinium.

"I heard that Asura threw an axe last week and killed a talkative country gentleman. Is that true?"

Pascal the Younger was dejected. “I was standing right there when the blood splattered all over me. The late king had never killed anyone in the main hall during his more than ten years on the throne, but now that the Queen Mother is in power, she has broken precedents time and time again. I can’t stay in Lentinium any longer.”

After a moment's thought, Ulf realized the reason why the Queen Mother had arranged for Pascal the Younger to preside over the funeral:
Ragnar enjoyed immense prestige in Viking society, and presiding over his funeral was tantamount to inheriting a portion of his influence.

The problem was that Pascal the Younger was an Anglo-Saxon and a devout Roman Catholic, and therefore unable to use this opportunity to enhance his prestige in Viking society. Asraci's thinking was that it was better to waste this influence than to strengthen the prestige of other nobles and ultimately jeopardize Sigurd's rule.

After listening to Ulf's explanation, young Pascal nodded repeatedly. Ulf smiled at this; the boy was a bit incompetent, but honest by nature, and might come in handy in the future.

As fellow sufferers who had struggled together in western Frankish times, Ulf decided to help him out and proposed:

"Once His Majesty's funeral is over, remember to change course and return to Britain via the northern route. Then stay in your own territory. Aslaci won't have the energy to send troops to attack you."

(End of this chapter)