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- It's been two weeks, how long are they going to besiege Jorvik, Ecbert and Offa don't see that this tactic is useless? (Leif)

- Their soldiers, time, let them do what they want. So far, we have repelled each of their attacks, and we will repel the next. (Ulf)

- I know, but you don't feel trapped behind these walls? (Leif)

- No, I even like it. They lose dozens of people in each attack, we lost a handful. Their will to fight weakens, it rains on their heads, we have a roof over ours, we have women, alcohol and other entertainment ... their entertainment is frequent funerals. (Ulf)

- I know, I know ... you told me this before, but I hate that feeling of lack of freedom ... when our people come back? (Leif)

- It's been fourteen days, so at least another seven more. (Ulf)

If our messengers found other armies, in a few days we should expect Ragnar, Kauko, Trygve, One-Eye and Torstein to return, or if not all of them, at least some of them ... Ecbert and Offa may find themselves between the hammer and the anvil, 2,000 warriors behind them and before them we in Jorvik.

In those days, repelling the assaults on the walls was relatively easy, especially since the enemy army only had a battering ram and ladders, if they had catapults or ballistae, we would have a big problem. Therefore, I was not concerned about the course of the situation when the Anglo Saxons attacked, it only took a few arrows, rocks and hot water to stop them ... they were like flies, irritating but not a serious threat.

To ruin the morale of Ecbert's soldiers, I came up with a nasty idea. There were women in Jorvik that we captured in the capital city of Wessex, some of them wives, daughters and mothers of soldiers in Ecbert's army. I ordered that during the English storms they were taken to the walls ... and used in various ways, sometimes as toys, sometimes instead of stones or hot water... I tried to imagine what the soldiers storming the gate feel when a relative or neighbor from above suddenly comes to visit.

(King Ecbert / King Offa POV)

- I agreed to your terms ... but why don't you live up to yours. You promised me to help me defeat Ulf and his barbarians, but it is my men who die in the next assaults on the city, and yours rest in the camp or shoot the walls from a safe distance. (King Ecbert)

- I gave you 200 of my soldiers once, you said you would take Jorvik, most of them died. So don't blame your failures on someone else. If you want to try new tactics and ideas, do on your troops. I have come here to win, not die under the walls of this city. You only read these Roman parchments and it seems to you that you are a great commander. (King Offa)

- I need your soldiers, mine lose their heart to fight, each assault is defeat and new casualties, they know they have lost their homes and families in Winchester, their relatives are toys in the hands of these pagans ... Your people have no such thoughts or worries. (King Ecbert)

- Since they lost everything, then they should fight better, since the only thing they have to lose is life, God will reward them in heaven. (King Offa)

(End POV)

The next ten days brought another three attempts to capture the city, but again they were unsuccessful. We were sitting in Leif's quarters as always, maybe because he had been here for two years, his quarters were nicer ... My quarters were simple, and you could even say Spartan in decor. A table, a bed, a chair and nothing else, but Leif treated Jorvik more like his new home.

- I have a job for you, rather dangerous. You will take a few men and leave the city, check the area if our armies are nearby ... (Ulf)

- And if I find them, what do I do? (Rollo)

- When the opportunity arises, you will carry out a night attack on the English camp ... we will watch from the walls if you attack and then we will attack ... try to catch Offa or Ecbert alive if you have the opportunity. (Ulf)

- When should I leave? Ragnar and the others may be quite close now. (Rollo)

- I know, that's why the sooner the better. Pick ten or twenty people and you will go out at night, the English patrols are lazy and predictable, they always patrol at the same time. You will descend from the walls by ropes ... and I don't have to explain the rest. (Ulf)

Although I was fine inside the walls, Jorvik had been besieged for almost a month, there was still food for two, if we stop feeding the slaves, maybe another two. But I wanted to avoid it, eventually slaves had some value too, and Arab gold tempted me.

The next evening, Rollo and ten other warriors left Jorvik, he decided to take a smaller number of people with him to make it easier for them to sneak around.

- He can do it? (Leif)

- Rollo may not be of the best character, but when it comes to war, attacking, fighting ... he is always reliable. (Ulf)

- You know he's ambitious? Since Ragnar became Jarl, it becomes even more evident. (Leif)

- After defeating the English and selling the slaves in Spain, when we return to Kattegat it will make him Jarl. (Ulf)

- Jarl ?! Are you sure? Do you think he can handle it? He fights well, but can he manage? (Leif)

- I'm sure, and your other two questions ... I don't know. I'll make it Jarl in Vestfold, it will be bordered by Sweden, so he can fight. (Ulf)