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The next two days Aslaug spent in our camp, although I avoided her as much as I could, it was not always possible ...

- I have always admired and dreamed of being a fighter like my mother, but my father had a different opinion... (Aslaug)

- Princess is never too late to realize your dreams, if you want to be a fighter ... I'll give you advice, Ragnar fights well so he can teach you. (Ulf)

She tried to tease me, seduce me in a more or less subtle way and charm me with her personality ... although it was flattering, I knew that the Princess is ambitious.

In the series, she became Ragnar's lover while he was Jarl, then reappeared in his life when it was revealed that she was pregnant ... she was drawn to fame and position... Right now I was King and Ragnar was just a member of my hrid, perhaps to pair them up, I would have to give Ragnar a position similar to Erik ... send him to some province and let him be Jarl in my name.

- Why do you want to match Ragnar and Aslaug? (One-Eyed Arne)

- It's been over a year since Thora's death, he'll need a new woman in his life, and though she can be annoying, Aslaug is not a bad woman. (Ulf)

- If she's not bad, why don't you marry her? She is interested in you. (One-Eyed Arne)

- How can I explain it to you ... Why should I look for a cup of milk somewhere, when I have a cow at home... and second, I'm not interested in her. (Ulf)

That evening, I summoned Ragnar to my tent.

- Remember those eight chiefs and Jarls who voted against me ... They lost some men in the raids in England. After returning to Kattegat, you will take some warriors and invade their settlements. (Ulf)

- But Erik was supposed to do it? (Ragnar)

- He preferred to wait until we came back from England, he also dealt with the expansion of the Kattegat ... but never mind. Once you conquer their lands, I will make you Jarl in one of the provinces. You'll rule on my behalf. (Ulf)

- Why now? You know since she died ... (Ragnar)

- That's why ... it's been over a year. You spent the whole year in Kattegat and did nothing, it is about time you do something, look for a new wife ... so that you can start living. What do you think of Aslaug? (Ulf)

- Beautiful, intelligent ... you can see that she comes from a significant family, she gives the impression that she is better than others ... haughty and proud. (Ragnar)

Our stay in Uppsala came to an end, the Princess returned to her camp, and we packed our things and headed back home ... another 1,300 km.

In fact, this trip did not give me much, although the priests treated me with the respect that belongs to the king. By calling me to Uppsala, they showed that although I am the King, I must also take into account their opinion and power ... Secular power and religious power ... sooner or later there is always a conflict of interest... Religion is a dangerous weapon, but luckily the priests were not greedy, all they wanted was to keep their position, and this is something that I could guarantee for them at the moment.

Less than two weeks later we were already in Kattegat ... and I returned to my family life and the administration of my kingdom.

One of the first things organized after our return was Ragnar's expedition to hostile leaders and jarls ... Ragnar took with him fifteen ships and seven hundred men. He had one job ... to kill everyone. I let all the loot be kept by my men and ordered some of the captives to be brought to Kattegat ... I did not want to get rich on this trip, but only punish my opponents.

The following weeks passed, and as the season changed, merchants from all over Scandinavia began to come back to Kattegat. They brought all kinds of news about who had become a jarl, who had ceased to be ... Who had died, who had killed whom .... News about Ragar's actions reached me this way.

After his initial successes, news of his actions spread and several chieftains joined forces to resist him ... I wondered whether I should send him backup, but felt that his strength was sufficient... His opponents were only a few already weakened Jarls.

Ships from Jorvik also came and some of the people who stayed in England returned. Of course, the local garrison was not weakened, a new group of warriors took their places. The ships, apart from people and news, also brought silver, various kinds of goods, and quite a lot of iron, copper and lead. Now I can fulfill my contract with Skarde.

From the news I got from Leif, I found out about several smaller battles with the Scots. They wanted more land ... Leif launched a retaliatory strike and raided several villages i the north. He took women and children prisoner, and killed the men. Their heads served as a warning ... Leif impaled them on the spear and set them on the previously agreed border.

Wales has also fallen victim to attacks by my people, according to the messenger's words. Wales was completely beaten.

King Offa kept silent and didn't try to attack us directly, all he did was forbid his merchant from going to Jorvik. As bothersome as it was, such rules were easy to get around.

Unfortunately, the messenger did not have any news from Wessex. All I found out was that King Aell's son had died hunting, and his daughter was engaged to King Ecbert's son.