Ragnar met with King Rugalf Gardsson, and this man was the most intimidating man Ragnar had seen; he was covered in tattoos from head to toe, with the whites of his eyes pitch black.

He was easily bigger than Erik The Berserker and far more muscular, defined as a giant.

"King Ragnar, it is most refreshing seeing another reputable name on that throne..." Rugalf said. He had manners despite his appearance, and Ragnar did not know if his confidence was admirable as he came alone to a hostile kingdom.

"Welcome King Rugalf, you have to forgive my tardiness, I was not expecting you," Ragnar said, sitting on the throne that now belonged to him.

"It was sudden. I apologize for not informing you, but I just had to meet the new King of Vestfold. The man who nearly killed K?re..." Rugalf said with a smirk, and Ragnar was even more surprised that he had this information.

Ragnar remained quiet and listened to him speak, but it made him curious about who K?re was because he did not understand why it held such importance.

"K?re? Who is that? They all look the same to me." Ragnar joked, and Rugalf smirked upon hearing this, but he was also interested in one person.

"Erik The Berserker, does he still live?" Ruglaf asked Ragnar. This was a strange question as he had no business with Erik, but Ragnar again chose to play the fool.

"Who knows with that man, one minute you think he is dead, the next he is chopping off someone's head, but I want to know what brings you here.." Ragnar not only dismissed the question but countered it with one of his own.

"I know you are weakened, Kattegat and Vestfold alike. You need all the allies you can get right now because I fear the smaller kingdoms will soon start merging. After all, they know they stand no chance alone. King Askild taking Vestfold and not simply raiding has ruined the balance that once held the kingdoms together." Rugalf said, but this was something Ragnar was aware of.

"And what do you want in return?" Ragnar asked. He would not mind the alliance but understood far too well that such things always came with a price.

"You catch on quick, King Ragnar. I want our children to be wed when they come of age to solidify our union; I would be honored to be associated with your name, not by mere association but through the family." Rugalf said, and Raganr was speechless because he had not even thought about such a thing despite knowing arranged marriages were quite popular between kingdoms.

"W-What? Is that not a bit too sudden?" Ragnar asked. He was confused because he did not understand what was going on. Bjorn and Tyr had hit puberty but showed no interest in girls as far as he was concerned; all they thought about was fighting and getting strong.

"There is no question your children would grow up into warriors just as great or even greater than you, no king would not want to bask in that fame, but in return, you have my sword, King Ragnar, whenever you need it." Rugalf continued. He looked to be in his mid-thirties; despite his brutish appearance, he did not seem like Erik, quite the opposite.

"Hahaha! You flatter me! I am not that great!" Ragnar said with a goofy laugh, flustered because he was not used to such compliments.

"Do we have an agreement, King Ragnar?" Rugalf asked. He needed an answer to this crucial question, but Ragnar also knew the gravity of such promises.

Rugalf did not mind which of the sons Ragnar offered up, but what if the child of this man was not on the attractive side? Ragnar did not want his grandchildren to look like mini goblins and hoped his kids looked nothing like him.

"I will have to think about it, King Rugalf," Ragnar said, and Rugalf understood his decision.

He did not expect an answer immediately and instead chose to give Ragnar his sword while he thought it over.

King Rugalf planned to show Ragnar why he deserved to be part of his family, and with this alliance, Ragnar knew the insecurity Vestfdol faced was gone.

-

Skarde was in a room with a few powerful men, but his lack of sight meant he could not perceive them physically; they had a few problems regarding trade, as a few kingdoms were hesitant to support this new regime, including work.

This interested Skarde; he was a bit disappointed with how these men thought it was a miracle that Vestfold had the finances to sustain itself after seeing what these men were.

They were greedy and only interested in trades that grew their personal wallet as opposed to businesses that benefitted Vestfold. Of course, they did not lay their intentions for all to see and hid them behind fancy words, words that Skarde saw through.

"You are the figures that hold Vestfold together? I do not doubt your influence, but I doubt your competence." Skarde shot down all their ideas; this was why Ragnar had chosen, for this exact reason.

"At a time like this, you suggest we cut ties with people we traded with only because they did not aid you in the war? That is rash and short-sighted." Skarde said, and he was not done.

"Trading is trading, Vestfold does not need the loyalty of neighboring kingdoms, but we need their business. I do not care if they hate us with the fury of a thousand men as long as they keep trading with us. Remove your sentiments; you aren't children!" Skarde finalized, and the room fell silent.historical

"Did I overdo it?" Skarde thought to himself; considering this was their first meeting, he knew he had to make a strong first impression.

"Mr. Skarde is right," A voice said; she was clearly one of the political figures, but the moment she agreed with Skarde, like ants serving their queen, the rest agreed as well, making Skarde question just who this woman was.