novelraw Chapter 144: North's Sword
Chapter 144: North's Sword
Ch 144: North’s Sword
Order the shield-bearers to search the nearby beach, confirming there are no surviving berserkers. Vig announced the end of the operation, resting in a nearby village for the night, and returning to Tyne quickly the next day.
Having changed into a common coarse linen robe, Vig went to a tavern near the dock. This place gathers sailors arriving from various places, making it ideal for collecting information.
“A light beer and a pan-fried lamb chop.”
He placed five silver pennies on the greasy counter, noticing the barkeep’s surprised look, instantly understanding that he had given too much money.
Discovering the Master’s accidental slip-up, a shield-bearer similarly dressed in commoner’s clothing approached the counter, threw out half a silver penny to pay, and then handed over a silver coin as hush money.
“Sigh, having adapted to the life of a Grand Noble, I have neglected the prices at the tavern,” Vig sighed, finding a quiet corner to listen to the boasts of the patrons.
“Did you hear? Gunnar of Normandy, to celebrate the birth of his eldest son, is specially holding a knightly tournament on May 10th.”
“Of course I know. I’m planning to transport beer and a small amount of honey wine to Normandy, hoping to sell it at a good price.”
“Gunnar converted to the Roman Catholic Church, allowing Viking knights to participate?” “Most likely. He’s been doing business with the nobles of Britain, and he doesn’t have any taboo about this.”
After sitting idly for a long time, Vig still hadn’t heard what he wanted and began to doze off, chin in hand, until he was gently nudged awake by the shield-bearer.
Surveying the surroundings, a group of slovenly Viking sailors had just entered the tavern. Having been cooped up for too long during their voyage, they ordered a lot of meat and wine, loudly discussing trivial matters.
This time, Vig finally heard the information he wanted.
The warrior organization founded by Halfdan is called “North’s Sword.” Within the organization, they revere bravery. Apprentice warriors wear deerskin; after passing the assessment, they become full members and wear wolfskin.
The highest-ranking warriors wear bearskin and are called Berserker Warriors. The condition for promotion to Berserker Warrior is simple and brutal—to hunt a bear alone, skin it, and use the hide as a symbol of their bravery.
To inquire about more detailed information, Vig paid for a round of beer for these sailors.
An older sailor belched out strong alcohol fumes, “Burp, are you interested in joining North’s Sword?”
Vig lied, “No, I’m a merchant, planning to pool money with my comrades to buy a merchant ship, responsible for trade between Tyne and Gothenburg. I need to understand this warrior organization.”
“One drink isn’t enough, brothers need more meat and wine. The more they eat, the more news they share.”
Under the influence of alcohol, the sailors’ guard dropped quickly, giving much information whose truth was uncertain:
Based on their accounts, the size of North’s Sword ranges from 100 to 500 members, and it is still expanding rapidly.
To support these bloodthirsty and warlike professional warriors, Halfdan split the organization into squads of thirty or forty people, who go to various settlements to eat and recruit new members.
Because Lords like Leonard and Ulf have moved into Britain, their original territories are empty, and the residents dare not defy these ferocious guests, so they are forced to provide food to entertain them.
“What a vicious strategy.”
Vig realized he had underestimated Halfdan.
As a newly established organization, North’s Sword does not have the strength to directly wage war, so it uses this “bending the rules” approach to gradually infiltrate nearby villages, forcing villagers to regularly “sponsor” food, otherwise they will stay there and gradually consume the villagers’ wealth.
“Besides Leonard’s seven earldoms, many Northern European nobles have joined Ivar in recent years, becoming junior vassals under the Duke of Dublin, totaling fifteen territories. Plus the income from occasional pillaging, this could roughly support eight hundred non-productive warriors.”
Undoubtedly, this is only the first step in Halfdan’s plan.
After recruiting enough members, Vig guessed that this guy would target weak, unsupported small lords, gradually expanding his power. Even if King Eric realizes the threat, he wouldn’t dare to openly declare war, as Halfdan’s father is the High King of Britain, whose power is equivalent to the sum of all of Northern Europe.
“From a banished prince to this situation, was it Halfdan’s own idea, or was there someone behind him?”
Under Vig’s repeated questioning, the sailors’ information value was exhausted, and they could only exchange rumors for more drinks.
“Farewell, gentlemen.”
Vig got up to leave, the drunk sailors unwilling to let go of this easy mark, trying to get him to treat them again.
Instantly, ten shield-bearers in commoner’s clothing rushed to the Duke’s side, removing their cloaks to reveal the chainmail beneath.
Witnessing this gleaming armor, the sailors were stunned in place. Vig wasn’t interested in bothering these drunkards and went straight back to Tyne.
Two days later, the Raven Speaker came to pay a visit, mentioning the situation in Edinburgh,
“Sir, the local Shaman sent a report. Recently, several berserkers wearing animal hides have been recruiting members, called ‘North’s Sword,’ seemingly an organization set up by Halfdan.”
“What’s going on? They’re encroaching on my territory!”
Vig suppressed his anger and decided to take a compromise, “Write a letter to the county constable, asking him to find an excuse to arrest these berserkers, and wait for some time to see if there are also berserkers roaming in other nobles’ territories.”
Four days later, a mounted messenger arrived at Tyne. Vig opened the letter and learned that three berserkers had been captured. According to their confession, this action was spontaneous and without Halfdan’s prior consent.
At the end of the letter, the constable claimed that these berserkers had incited thirteen Viking youths and requested instructions on how to handle them.
Vig was helpless against these idle and reckless youths, so he ordered their release. Soon, the Raven Speaker, having heard the news, ran into the ground floor hall.
“Sir, we can’t go on like this. Young people are reckless and easily attracted by this so-called ‘glory of warriors.’ Instead of passive prevention, why don’t we create a new warrior organization ourselves?”
This suggestion, at first glance, seemed reasonable, but was rejected on the spot by Vig.
“Inappropriate. The temple mainly undertakes three functions: pacification of the people, transmission of public sentiment, and provision of medical care. It is unsuitable to manage a warrior organization.”
To avoid future disputes, he was firm in his attitude, leaving no room for compromise.
After dismissing the Raven Speaker, Vig came up with another method—”Bread and Circuses,” a key measure for maintaining stability in the Roman Empire.
Simply put, it is to ensure that the lower-class people of Rome are fed, and they are given opportunities to watch gladiatorial combats every now and then to distract them.
Compared to the bloody and cruel gladiator performances, Vig prefers sports and drama, subtly promoting his own ideology.
“Football. In the future, this sport will sweep the world, especially Western Europe. We’ll simply adopt the rules and let these idle young people spend their time on the football field, and it can also improve their physical fitness.”