The Reign of King Ragnar
Tensions were high in the hall on election day, and rightfully so. All three candidates for the throne were strong, powerful kings and they received broad support from throughout the union. Many of the jarls were placing bets on who would be elected. All the votes were tallied by the most senior jarl. When he finished, he marked his own vote and smiled. He stepped onto the table and spoke, With eighteen votes, King Gudfred. Gudfred's supporters gave out halfhearted cheers, but they knew eighteen votes would not be enough. With twenty-four votes, King Horik. Horik's supporters hesitated and began to count how many votes were left for Ragnar. Before they could reach a conclusion the smile returned to the jarl's face, With twenty-six votes, King Ragnar. All hail King Ragnar. The room became a mix of excitement and disappointment. The new king made his way through the crowd, trying to hide his smile. He stepped up onto the table next to the older jarl who congratulated him and stepped down. Ragnar calmed down the crowd and spoke, I know not all of you wish me to be king, but by the end of my life I hope that you change your minds. To those who did vote for me, I thank you, and I promise not to disappoint you. Now I want to raid the isles in the west, and that is why many of you voted for me. But now is not the time to raid. Launching a raid across the North Sea is not only treacherous, but also expensive. Instead, we will wait. We will wait for our armies to grow. We will wait for our coffers to grow. And most importantly, we will wait for the isles to grow richer so we can plunder even more. Once we finally do raid, I may no longer be king. Hopefully whomever succeeds me wishes to carry out the raids as well. I want to raise an army so large that we take on both the islanders and the Carolingians with ease. I hope you stand by me in my goal. He stepped off the table and went with his exuberant supporters to celebrate. There was much drinking by both those who won and those who lost. King Horik drank cup after cup of mead in an effort to drown out his failure. He kept looking over at Ragnar and his comrades celebrating and each second he stared made him more angry. Then Horik cracked; he finished his cup, threw it on the ground and marched over to Ragnar. He slurred out, King Ragnar, may I speak with you in private. Ragnar was drunk as well, Of course Horik, anything for the King of Denmark. He stepped away and let the celebration continue. Out of earshot of the loud, drunken party goers, Horik chuckled out, Even though it made it you king, you have to agree that all this election stuff is idiotic, right? Ragnar laughed, Horik, you are very drunk. The elections are the best thing that has ever happened to this union. Even your father admitted that. Horik shoved Ragnar back and scowled, Don't you ever speak of my father like that or I will kill you. Ragnar's smile disappeared, Is that how you treat your king? You push him around and threaten to kill him? I hope this is the mead talking or I should kill you here and now. Horik refused to back down, You are not my king, you are not even a jarl. Your father seized the throne of Södermanland, and now somehow you are the king of the union. Ha elections, the worst thing to happen to the union. Ragnar drew his ax, Might I remind you Horik, that I am your king. If you insult me, my father or my validity one more time I will kill you; mead or not. Horik drew his weapon and a large drunken smile curled across Horik's face, I'll tell you what you are Ragnar. Ragnar offered one last warning, Do not test me Horik. Horik spit at him and slurred, You are nothing but a vargdropi! Ragnar let out a yell and swung at Horik, but he blocked the strike. This attracted the attention of the jarls who rushed over to watch the duel. The two men were drunk and fought sloppily. Each weak strike was blocked with ease and the men began to grow tired, but the jarls egged the men on. The combination of alcohol and rapid movements finally got to Horik. He blocked another one of Ragnar's strikes, keeled over and vomited all over the ground. Ragnar raised his ax above his head and announced to the crowd gathered, It is fitting that a man with so little respect and honor die in the least respectful and most dishonorable way. Ragnar brought down the ax into Horik's back. His body fell flat on the ground and never got back up. The jarls cheered for their once again victorious king. They returned to their party and continued on as if nothing had happened.
As promised, Ragnar began to raise an army that could invade Francia and the isles twice over. He began recruiting soldiers from all classes from Sweden, Denmark and later, Norway. He gave the new soldiers brand new bronze weapons from the forges of southern Sweden.
Viking explorations south of Francia came across another Christian kingdom called Castile, led by a woman named Isabella. Like the Byzantines, they were fighting wars with a people known as Moslems, but according to Isabella, they were fighting a completely different group than the Byzantines.
After the death of King Horik, Denmark adopted the Swedish election process and King Gudfred was elected as the new King of Denmark. Now Gudfred had the ear of King Ragnar. During Ragnar's recruitment campaign, Gudfred invited him to his hall in Roskilde for a feast. During the dinner, Gudfred spoke aside to Ragnar, You keep saying that your army will be able able to not only invade the isles, but Francia as well. Why don't you send half of the army there and half to the isles so we can plunder both? Ragnar finished his drink as spoke back to Gudfred, I just want to be sure that the raid into the isles is successful, before I commit soldiers elsewhere. Yes, of course. But what if build the army bigger, use slaves, build siege engines, as much as we can fit on the boats. We can do that, but is that what is best for the people of the union? My king, since when is more wealth a bad thing for our people? The two men laughed, Alright Gudfred, I have to admit you are right. Besides, I need a right hand man to help me out. If we are going to raid Francia, I need you to scout out the coast so we can see what we are up against there. Can you do that? Gudfred smiled, Of course my liege. He paused for a moment, wiped the smile off his face and stood up, I am Gudfred, son of Ulfgar, grandson of the mighty Eustein. From Skaggerak to Skye my sword is known, and in Holstein and among the Saxons they sing dirge-songs where I've slain their sons! Greater deeds than these shall I gain, garnering fame like grains of gold! In your service shall my ships sail to Francia and back, returning with reports of the Carolingian army. If the guardian of the union grants me the gift I ask, accept my oath! A smile came across Ragnar's face when he realized what Gudfred was doing and he called for a sword. He stuck the point of the sword into the ground, Speak your oath Gudfred! Gudfred knelt on the floor, I, Gudfred, make this oath: that I shall be the envoy of the union in my travels, bettering the union with my king and friend, coming to any war call carrying my weapons; and even if no battle causes the war horn to blow, I shall not forget my king's generosity, but will offer wise counsel as I may. And though I will gladly lay down my life than see harm come to my king, still should the poisoned point or aged edge strike him down, then I shall not flee a single footlength from his wishes, but rather shall advance with his desires in mind, slaying as I might, to avenge the protector of the people. And by Freyr, and by Njordr, and the Almighty Ase, may this sword smite me upon which my hand rests, may my own edge twist and turn against me should I fail to keep this oath. He kissed Ragner's hand on the hilt of the sword. Ragnar motioned him to stand up, I have heard your oath, as has the holy Aesir. Hear you then my vow to you: with red gold shall I gift you, granting good gifts as you merit, round rings rolling from my hand to yours; among the jarls shall you sit in the great hall, with sweet mead strong filling your cup; if to the lawcourt you are called, in legal tangles twisted and tied, then I and all of my jarls and kinsmen shall stand as oath helpers if you should need this; and finally, my sword shall stand between you and your enemies, my strength and my army beside you boldly, for we are now brothers. May Odin the Allfather, God of Oaths listen, may Freyr and Njörðr witness my words, let Frigga hold me faithful, may Saga keep this oath in memory, and may Thor, Almighty God hallow this vow! Ragnar handed Gudfred the sword as well as a ring from his finger. The two men embraced at their new brotherhood and the hall erupted in cheers. Every other jarl at the feast also swore their loyalty to King Ragnar, even some who had supported Horik in the election. The next day Ragnar left to continue recruiting for his army and one month later, Gudfred left with his ships for Francia.
Ragnar had much success in his recruitment efforts in homeland. He easily recruited two thousand soldiers from Sweden and equipped them with the improved bronze weapons. Wherever Ragnar went to recruit, the jarls swore their fealty to their king, with the exception of a few former supporters of Horik. Still, Ragnar held no grudge with these men as long as they remained a part of the union.
Many of the new weapons and armor were also given to the existing army stationed in Norway. Now the union's best and most experienced men fought with the best equipment Scandinavia could offer.
Ragnar took Gudfred's advice and began enlisting slaves for his army. Some of the slaves he bought, but many of them were donated by generous jarls. Ragnar had the slaves work the siege equipment due to their lack of battle experience. Ragnar also promised them that after serving in his army, he would let them and their families free.
Gudfred's scouting expedition along the French coast made its most important discovery on the return trip. While off the coast of Frisia, Carolingian foot soldiers were spotted moving north toward Denmark. Their intentions were unknown, but one thing was certain, the Carolingian cities were missing a large detachment of troops.
All people of the union eventually developed an incredible love of King Ragnar. By the end of his reign, every jarl in the union had pledged their loyalty to him and committed most of their armies to his cause. When Ragnar entered a town, the people would line the streets and proclaim, All hail King Ragnar, son of Odin. Ragnar was treated as a god; an honor previously reserved only for King Eadgils. Ragnar loved every moment of his reign and his people loved it too. Ragnar promised his people wealth greater than anyone could imagine and all they needed to do was join his great army. But Ragnar's reign had to come to an end eventually; at least he died doing his life's work. He was crossing the Baltic from Sweden to Finland to begin recruiting there. The ships got trapped in a large storm and Ragnar's boat was swallowed up by a large swell. Both Ragnar and his son Sigurd were drowned by the storm. Survivors of the other ships made it safely to Finland with news of the dead king. Ragnar's massive support was able to carry on even after his death. After the funeral in Stockholm, the jarls gathered in the great hall and four more candidates were nominated for the election. It was no coincidence that all four nominees were the Ragnar's remaining sons.
we have Horik and Ragnar in one place now, and their rivalry came to mind XD .
. Making an alliance to secure his position sounds like something Ragnar would do 
