Viking: Master of the Icy Sea

Chapter 94: Iron Chain

Ch 94: Iron Chain

Having made up his mind, Vig ordered the interrogation of six thousand prisoners, selecting three hundred with connections to Rouen.

Before departure, he confirmed with the translator, “Is that all?”

“Yes.”

Vig said nothing more, ordering his direct troops of sixteen hundred soldiers to carry supplies and prepare to board ship. Suddenly, a large number of figures appeared on the north bank of the Seine River, approaching the south bank in longships.

Before long, he spotted a tall, familiar figure standing at the bow, surrounded by Ivar and Bjorn.

Ragnar?

Upon learning that their commander was safe, cheers erupted on the south bank, countless warriors spontaneously rushing into the shallows to greet his arrival.

As the High King of Britain, a living legend renowned throughout the Viking world, Ragnar’s prestige within the army far surpassed that of others. Even though Vig, Ivar, and Gunnar had distinguished military merits, it seemed that the three of them together could not replace his status.

Jumping off the longship, Ragnar spent half an hour chatting with many warriors, even able to recall the names of many he had met only once. “Ævar, is your brother feeling any better?”

“Wessex, last time in York you drank with others, getting continuously drunk for a whole day. Has your drinking capacity improved recently?”

“Harald, your eldest daughter is of marriageable age. Do you have a suitable suitor? After capturing Paris, I will give her a gold necklace as a wedding gift.”

After calming the warriors’ moods, Ragnar summoned the high-ranking officers for a council, taking the opportunity to explain his experience of two days prior:

“Initially, I had no intention of rushing the attack on Île de la Cité. Unexpectedly, a bald man wearing a crown walked out of the walls alone, holding a shield in his left hand and a sword in his right, assuming a dueling stance.

I was quite surprised at the time. Since Charlemagne’s grandson proposed the duel, I really should have given him a chance.

Alas, unexpectedly, Charles the Bald was not honorable, actually using a siege engine to ambush me, the High King of Britain. He completely disgraced his grandfather’s memory.”

Hit repeatedly by oil jars, Ragnar fled in desperation to the north bank, then spent two days hiding in swamps and forests, cornered by pursuers in the bell tower of a stone church.

A direct assault failed. The pursuers piled firewood at the base of the bell tower, preparing to set it on fire. However, the next scene stunned everyone. In just a few minutes, dark clouds gathered in the sky, and a torrential rain poured down, extinguishing the newly ignited flames, buying Ragnar and five guards more time until Ivar and Bjorn’s rescue team arrived.

Having finished speaking, Ragnar raised his goblet. “Haha, it seems Odin has a greater mission waiting for me to accomplish.”

Seeing this, the nobles unanimously raised their goblets. “All hail the High King!”

The council ended, and Vig led his direct troops by ship to Rouen.

Landing on the north bank, he used three hundred prisoners, including the lord’s only son, as leverage to attract the garrison’s attention. Then he ordered a small team of soldiers to breach the city walls at a weak point in the northwest corner, capturing the town in less than two hours.

Arriving at the riverbank, the north end of the river barriers remained fixed to the rocks, while the other end had been damaged a few days earlier, causing most of the chain to sink to the riverbed.

“Medieval iron production was low; this iron chain could be sold for a considerable amount of money.”

Once order was restored within the city, Vig had his subordinates bring many oxen and horses to pull the chain that had sunk to the riverbed ashore.

Returning to Paris, he utilized the “dry land boating” method he learned in Eastern Europe, towing many ships upstream along the Seine River, establishing camps on both the north and south banks, and then stretching a river barrier across the river surface.

Thus, the river to the east of Paris was sealed off, intercepting supply fleets from upstream. The bridgeheads on both the north and south banks were also sealed off. The Viking army was working with full force to build siege weapons, planning a general assault in mid-June.

“Damn Normans, they actually used the iron chain I forged against me!”

Behind the battlements, Charles the Bald looked out at the river upstream, filled with resentment at the scene before him. To consider a plan to defeat the enemy, he had his guards summon two people—Lambert and Ælla.

The official Lambert had once been sent to Wessex. He had personally witnessed the Norman army’s advance into Winchester and was familiar with Norman tactics.

Ælla, the Crown Prince of Northumbria.

Two years ago, he fled from Britain to the continent, traveling throughout various regions of Francia, seeking funding from nobles for his restoration, but unfortunately, few paid him any attention. After repeated setbacks, Prince Ælla’s attendants gradually dispersed. Helplessly, he could only shamelessly rely on the court of Charles the Bald, being ridiculed by some minor nobles as “Fat One” Ælla.

Soon, both arrived.

Charles: “What is your opinion on the pagan army outside the city?”

Since the exposure of his embezzlement in the sale of warhorses, Lambert had been idle. To regain the king’s favorable impression, he spoke before Ælla:

“Your Majesty, according to the information I have gathered, there are three of the most capable nobles in Ragnar’s army: Vig, Ivar, and Gunnar.”

He pointed to the serpent flag, the wolf flag, and the brown bear flag on both banks of the river. “Vig excels at siege warfare, nicknamed the Chosen One, the Serpent of the North, and the City Breaker. The towns he has captured include York, Dyfflin, Repton, Tamworth, Winchester, and, uh, Rouen.”

Secretly glancing at the monarch’s expression, Lambert continued:

“Ivar is Ragnar’s eldest son, claiming to possess all of Ireland. Two days ago, he led his troops to defeat my army’s left wing. He is skilled in the use of heavy infantry.

As for Gunnar, he met Ragnar twenty years ago and has seniority over everyone else. Originally not very famous, his talent in horsemanship became evident. He was therefore appointed commander of the cavalry. Two days ago, he led his troops to break through my army’s formation. You should remember him.”

Charles the Bald’s face darkened, but he did not interrupt Lambert’s speech, allowing the greedy and cunning fellow to continue.

“In short, with Ragnar and these three together, plus their seven thousand troops, capturing Paris would be no problem. I suggest we negotiate a peace as soon as possible.”

“Let me think,” In the past few days, many people had approached Charles, urging him to negotiate peace and redeem their families. However, he worried that the Normans would not keep their word, so he had not yet made up his mind.

Lambert: “Your Majesty, the situation in Britain is currently unstable. Ragnar cannot afford to station a large army on the continent for a long time. He can only choose to negotiate peace; otherwise, he cannot even preserve his hideout.”

That makes sense.

Charles stroked the rough surface of the battlement, accepting his subordinate’s point of view.

Indeed, West Francia is vast, and nobles in various places were building wooden forts. Some even spent vast sums building stone castles. It would be difficult for the Vikings to capture these outposts, and they could not spare enough troops for garrisons.

His eyes gradually brightened, and his voice returned to normal. “You go out of the city to negotiate with Ragnar. I am willing to pay to get rid of these poor devils. But there are two conditions: first, release the prisoners; second, swear an oath to our respective gods not to attack each other for five years.”

Thanks to book friend 20191019202329614 for the reward.