Viking: Master of the Icy Sea

Chapter 250: River Thames

May.

Early in the morning, riding the high tide of the River Thames, a two-masted brigantine sailed into the estuary. Bjorn handed the ship's wheel over to his first mate and leaned against the bulwark, taking in the scenery along both banks.

The river was wide, its shores lined with muddy, reed-covered flats where flocks of wild ducks, herons, and seagulls could be seen foraging for food.

"Looking back on the past, it almost feels like a dream."

Five years had passed since Bjorn's last visit. At that time, his father, Ragnar, had been lying comatose in a sickbed, and the Prime Minister and the Queen had even borrowed eight hundred pounds from him for an emergency.

Shortly after, the Kingdom's situation had taken a drastic turn for the worse. First came the highly suspicious succession ceremony where young Sigurd Snake-in-the-Eye unexpectedly became the new King. Then, Aslaug suddenly launched a violent uprising, assassinating Queen Sola. This caused the royal authority to plummet rapidly, ultimately brewing into a bloody and cruel civil war.

As time passed and they sailed further inland, the terrain along the banks gradually rose. Dense oak forests occupied the high ground, while expanses of farmland and pastures spread across the lowlands. The wheat fields rippled with golden waves, and the meadows were dotted with scattered sheep.

After another stretch of time, the river narrowed ahead. Two stone fortresses stood tall on the north and south banks. Noticing the approaching sailing ship, the fortresses began to hurl stones.

This section of the river was about six hundred meters wide. Large trebuchets and ballistae could bombard enemy ships from three hundred meters away; by firing simultaneously from both the north and south, they could perfectly blockade the waterway.

Watching the water splash dangerously close to the hull, Bjorn was forced to drop anchor and halt the ship, waiting for a small boat to approach. Soon, a non-commissioned officer climbed up the ropes onto the deck, demanding their identities."I am Bjorn, here to trade in Londinium. What is the meaning of this?"

Realizing that the bearded brute before him was the legendary navigator, the officer immediately showed his respect and explained the King's decree.

"Recently, Flemish merchants incited a domestic rebellion. His Majesty issued letters of marque, permitting private citizens to plunder Flandre, which resulted in both sides dispatching privateers against each other. Overall, we have the upper hand, but the enemy occasionally strikes back, sending ships to harass the coasts of Britain.

"Therefore, His Majesty decreed that every ocean-going vessel entering the River Thames must anchor at the Canvey Island fortress at the estuary. After confirming their identity, they are issued a flag to fly from their mast."

At the officer's request, the sailing ship docked at the northern bank. They registered their crew and onboard weapons, received a grey flag adorned with red stripes, and then continued their journey.

Further upstream, sporadic villages appeared along the riverbanks. The most conspicuous structures were usually the black spires or bell towers of the temples, serving as landmarks for every Viking settlement. Surrounding the villages were fields enclosed by wooden fences. Fishing boats and small rowboats were moored at the docks, either loading agricultural produce bound for Londinium or unloading goods like salt, ironware, and cloth brought from the city.

Occasionally, the residences of barons and knights could be spotted. Some were wooden forts, while others were small siege towers built of stacked stone.

By the afternoon, the sailing ship drew closer to Londinium, and the number of vessels on the River Thames increased significantly. There were fishing boats, passenger ferries, flat-bottomed barges for inland cargo transport, and massive ocean-going merchant ships. Dyehouses and leather workshops lined the shores, discharging their wastewater into the river and emitting a thick, pungent odor.

A stone bridge spanned the river ahead, bustling with crowds, while the water churned rapidly below. Ocean-going ships heading further upstream either had to take down their masts or wait for the wooden drawbridge in the middle of the stone structure to be raised.

Having no intention of going further upstream, Bjorn steered his ship to dock at the nearest pier on the north bank.

Before long, two customs clerks boarded the ship to register his merchandise. Afterward, they stamped lead seals onto the surface of the goods, a process that could not help but remind Bjorn of the customs in Constantinople.

It took over ten minutes for Bjorn to complete the necessary procedures. Under the numerous expectant gazes of his crew, he had his first mate distribute their wages. The sailors immediately scattered in an uproar, sprinting toward the nearest tavern.

Suppressing the restless urge in his own heart, he made his way toward the shipyard. The streets along the way were wide and clean, flanked by drainage ditches. Occasionally, he spotted public baths, hospitals, arenas, and theaters. These public facilities were all entirely built of stone, bearing a strong resemblance to Roman architectural styles. Bjorn was not surprised by this at all; having known Wigg for nearly twenty years, he was already intimately familiar with the man's temperament and aesthetic tastes.

Unknowingly, he arrived in the southwestern district of the city. Far removed from the bustling noise of the markets, this area was home to large tracts of school buildings and playgrounds. Walking down the street, he first passed the Royal Court Academy and the Southern Branch School of Tynefort Academy. He peered through the gates for a moment, noting that the students were no older than fifteen.

Following that were the Army Academy and Lundinium University. The former occupied a vast expanse of land, and the sharp trills of brass whistles and the high-pitched neighs of horses frequently rang out from within its walls.

The entrance to the university was crowded with carriages. Looking over the perimeter wall, he saw a peculiar stone building under construction at the top of a low hill. Driven by curiosity, Bjorn asked a nearby carriage driver about it.

"What are they building over there? A palace?"

The driver set down his beer flagon and burped before replying, "An observatory. It's for watching the stars at night and calculating the calendar. They say it cost a fortune. His Majesty even specially invited a few Arab scholars from Iberia to consult on the design of their local observatories."

'Where did Wigg get so much money?'

Harboring his doubts, Bjorn arrived at the southwestern corner of the city, where the Naval Academy and the Lundinium Shipyard were located. A two-masted brigantine was preparing to be launched.

Upon closer inspection, her structure was slightly different from older vessels. A triangular lateen sail had been added between the foremast and the bow, which would further increase her speed and windward performance.

"How much for this ship?"

Facing this bearded brute who had appeared out of nowhere, the shipwright replied impatiently, "This is a warship. She's built from the finest oak, and her hull design is vastly superior to current two-masted merchant ships. Her purpose is strictly for ocean-going voyages. She is not for sale."

Even after being brushed off by the shipwright, Bjorn still refused to give up on this new warship. He hurried to the new Royal Palace in the western part of the city to request an audience with the King.

Led by a guard, he crossed the moat, passed through the gates, and bypassed the main hall that was still under construction. He then entered an ordinary-looking mansion and finally met Wigg in a second-floor office.

"Long time no see, Bjorn. What would you like to drink?"

Seeing that his guest did not answer, Wigg poured two glasses of pale-yellow whiskey. "Compared to mid-to-high-end spirits like wine and mead, how does this taste?"

"It has a strong kick and a strange, distinct aroma." Under the influence of the alcohol, the slight estrangement between the two gradually dissipated. After chatting for a while, Bjorn explained the purpose of his visit.

"Over the past two years, I've tried to continue exploring further west. However, after sailing a certain distance, I always end up being pushed back by the waves. I need a sturdier ship with better windward performance."

'Waves?'

Wigg suspected it was the effect of ocean currents. He agreed to sell him a warship, while also suggesting that Bjorn's sailors undergo short-term training in Londinium to adapt to the new vessel's capabilities.