087

There was a festive atmosphere in Kattegat, there was a great feast in my house to which I invited everyone, even the opposition ... Keep your friends close, enemies even closer.

- As you were informed beforehand, I am planning a big raid to the west. Again, I invite everyone gathered here to participate. May each of you send as many people and ships as possible to Kattegat. We're leaving in a month ... if anyone has any doubts Jarl Harald (former king) can tell if the raid was profitable. (Ulf)

I raised my horn and made a toast to the Gods, to my wife Queen Lagertha, and to the guests ... then Erik stood up and toasted me ... to King Ulf Erikson. After drinking the mead, I leaned towards Erik.

- For now we will leave these eight alone, if they go raid with us ... We will kill them in England, and if they do not sail in person, but only send people, they will leave their settlements weakened ... then you will attack them. Now we are waiting. (Ulf)

- And if they neither go to the raid in person, nor send people? Should we also attack? (Erik)

- Then you will wait until we come back, when my new subjects have a taste of English gold and silver ... they will be more willing to help and will not be willing to bite the hand that feeds them. (Ulf)

- I understand, do you have any orders for us in your absence? (Erik)

- Expansion ... we will need more houses, farmland, toilets, farm buildings ... Prepare also one of the islands, it does not have to be large. In the near future, I intend to put up more watchtowers and an additional stone wall. You have your guidelines... and after returning, I expect you to recommend someone to your place. (Ulf)

- Do you want to replace me? (Erik)

- Yes, you are not getting younger, but your responsibilities will increase ... I'm going to make you Jarl in Hordaland. (Ulf)

Erik thought about what I said, it was a promotion for him, it gave him more freedom to act and make decisions ... and I needed someone who could think. The mere development of Kattegat is not enough ... I also have to strengthen other regions of the country and Hordaland was the perfect place to start with. It was close to Kattegat, the ocean, a lot of islands, the second largest fjord, which could take you deep into the country. It gave a lot of possibilities.

A few hours later, the feast was over, the guests were too tired or drunk and didn't have the strength to keep going... The next day, when the guests had recovered, they came to my house again, this time to make a declaration of how many ships and people will be sent.

Someone said two longships and eighty men, someone else five longships and two hundred people, I was going to send twenty longships and eight hundred warriors myself, plus five merchant ships, although they were slower, they could carry twenty tons of cargo.

In total, my fleet was to consist of one hundred and sixteen ships and over 4,500 men... While it was a powerful force, the largest viking fleets in history numbered seven hundred or even a thousand ships.

The preparations for the raid were in full swing ... Although each leader had to prepare the supplies for his people himself, I decided that I would take more food and supplies. I didn't want my people to start gnawing the bark of the trees halfway through the raid.

Days and weeks passed, and with each passing day more ships appeared in Kattegat. It did not escape the attention of traders who, seeing such a large fleet, began to come to Kattegat to sell their goods or buy local products.

There was also another problem, so many men in one place ... I ordered to choose the hundred least attractive slaves that were in my possession and set up a brothel, for a small fee every man hungry for a woman could use their services ... of course through the work that was very demanding, they were given larger portions of food. So the income from the brothel was not high, maybe I didn't even make any money on this business ... but the most important thing is that everyone is happy ... men have women, women have more food, and I have no problem.

At the end of April, all ship commanders were informed to follow the course of my ships and the last two days before departure I spent with Lagertha and Hild and the children ... I definitely preferred the company of Lagertha and Hild.

- How long will you be gone? (Lagertha)

- A few months, I have some plans that I want to test ... maybe we'll be back for harvest ... but you don't have to worry about me and Hild can live in our bedroom ... and don't pretend, I know you like it. (Ulf)

Twenty-five ships with a wolf's head and black and red sails sailed out. Then more boats joined us ... Five hours later we were already at the ocean, the view was majestic. I have never seen such a large fleet with my own eyes.

We are heading towards the coast of the Kingdom of Nortumbria, but not to rob. I was just curious to see what was going on with Queen Ealhswith. I wasn't sure if she could handle governments and nobility and ambitious opponents ... but if she still sits on the throne, I have ways to help her.

It took us three days to cover almost 900 km and get there, the weather and the wind were my quiet allies ... I stood on the ship and looked around ... and I recognized the familiar shape of Lindisfarne Island.