Chapter 41
Chapter 41: The War for Novgorod
Þorfinn sat on his throne in Kalmar. His wife, the Empress Liudmila sat beside him. The Council stood at the ready, and all dignitaries around were invited for the announcement. Ambassadors noted specifically that Svanhildr, his older sister, was present, despite not having an official role at court.
The Emperor spoke:
"Sixty-five years ago, Sigfroþ the Trapper King brought together the Godis and prepared the Sagas, the great stories of triumph of the Norse and the Viking ways. Men came from vast distances to pay their respect, and our kinsman Rurik took the lessons in the Sagas and founded the Kingdom of Garðariki, a great Viking kingdom in the lands of the Rus. The lands were great, plentiful, but his neighbors coveted Rurik's fortune, and sought to destroy them. Because of this weakened state, Volodar the Monster, Jarl of Pskov, saw fit to claim the title away from Alfgeir, son of Bagge Rurikid and Inga, daughter of Ivar the Tenacious, son of Sigfroþ the Trapper King."
Þorfinn threw his hands up in despair. "Yet Volodar could not lead the people of Garðariki. The craven hedonist fled into hiding at the slightest hint of trouble, and has cowered in fear ever since. He claims to follow the call of Odin, but is this the way to Valhalla? No! The steadfast people of Garðariki deserve better, a warrior to serve them!"
He gestures into the crowd and a middle-aged man, slender but hardened like an iron poker, stepped forward. "I present to court Björn the Frog, Jarl of the Rhine. He is the son of Gnupa Ulfing and Þora the Shieldmaiden, daughter of Rurik. He carries the claim to Garðariki in his veins, and it is he who is destined to return Garðariki to glory! I, Emperor Þorfinn, rightful ruler of Sviþjod, Denmark, Norðrriki, Tyskland, and Skotland, joined in union under the figure of Ivar the Boneless, father of Sigfroþ and Guðfrið; the Emperor Philosopher and Bearer of the Bloodaxe, do hereby declare war on Volodar the Monster to return the lands of Garðariki, so-called Novgorod by Volodar, to Rurik's line through Björn the Frog. May Tyr guide us."
The ships in the Northern Colonies raced home to Kalmar, filling with eager warriors from across Ivarland. All the vassals pledged their men and ships to the war, and the men began gathering in Kexholm. Large numbers started marching south from Kexholm into Novgorod, and the lightly defended tribal lands fell quickly to the heavily disciplined Ivarish troops. The initial battle of the war took place on the shores of Lake Ladoga, with a decisive Ivarish victory.
Yet, Ivarland suffered their first defeat in the forests of Gdov soon afterward. Novgorod could still rally armies of nearly 8,000 men, so it was folly to think that Novgorod would fall easily. Kol the Lame was sent to Pskov to ensure that intelligence of warband movements throughout Novgorod would reach Þorfinn's ears. Svanhildr, in the meantime, whispered secrets into Þorfinn's ear about the people of Garðariki which she had gathered when she was Spymaster for the kingdom.
The message of the advancement of Ivarland into the Rus reached the other tribal chiefs quickly, and Briachislav of Kiev asked to convert on his death bed.
The retinue in the Northern Colonies made the fateful decision to march across Vologda to join the second battle for Ladoga. Many froze in the Vologdan cold, but they arrived to join the levies and win the battle:
The battles were many, but the land could not possibly repel those blessed by Þordis Valkyrja, and Volodar was forced to send a courier to Kalmar, delivering no message, but the Crown of Garðariki.
And so, Volodar abdicated, Björn was crowned by Fylkir Hasten, and swore fealty to Þorfinn.
Back in Kalmar, Svanhildr and Taknang looked over the charts and Kol's reports. "Those eastern tribes will have no idea what will hit them."
Þorfinn sat on his throne in Kalmar. His wife, the Empress Liudmila sat beside him. The Council stood at the ready, and all dignitaries around were invited for the announcement. Ambassadors noted specifically that Svanhildr, his older sister, was present, despite not having an official role at court.
The Emperor spoke:
"Sixty-five years ago, Sigfroþ the Trapper King brought together the Godis and prepared the Sagas, the great stories of triumph of the Norse and the Viking ways. Men came from vast distances to pay their respect, and our kinsman Rurik took the lessons in the Sagas and founded the Kingdom of Garðariki, a great Viking kingdom in the lands of the Rus. The lands were great, plentiful, but his neighbors coveted Rurik's fortune, and sought to destroy them. Because of this weakened state, Volodar the Monster, Jarl of Pskov, saw fit to claim the title away from Alfgeir, son of Bagge Rurikid and Inga, daughter of Ivar the Tenacious, son of Sigfroþ the Trapper King."
Þorfinn threw his hands up in despair. "Yet Volodar could not lead the people of Garðariki. The craven hedonist fled into hiding at the slightest hint of trouble, and has cowered in fear ever since. He claims to follow the call of Odin, but is this the way to Valhalla? No! The steadfast people of Garðariki deserve better, a warrior to serve them!"
He gestures into the crowd and a middle-aged man, slender but hardened like an iron poker, stepped forward. "I present to court Björn the Frog, Jarl of the Rhine. He is the son of Gnupa Ulfing and Þora the Shieldmaiden, daughter of Rurik. He carries the claim to Garðariki in his veins, and it is he who is destined to return Garðariki to glory! I, Emperor Þorfinn, rightful ruler of Sviþjod, Denmark, Norðrriki, Tyskland, and Skotland, joined in union under the figure of Ivar the Boneless, father of Sigfroþ and Guðfrið; the Emperor Philosopher and Bearer of the Bloodaxe, do hereby declare war on Volodar the Monster to return the lands of Garðariki, so-called Novgorod by Volodar, to Rurik's line through Björn the Frog. May Tyr guide us."
The ships in the Northern Colonies raced home to Kalmar, filling with eager warriors from across Ivarland. All the vassals pledged their men and ships to the war, and the men began gathering in Kexholm. Large numbers started marching south from Kexholm into Novgorod, and the lightly defended tribal lands fell quickly to the heavily disciplined Ivarish troops. The initial battle of the war took place on the shores of Lake Ladoga, with a decisive Ivarish victory.
Yet, Ivarland suffered their first defeat in the forests of Gdov soon afterward. Novgorod could still rally armies of nearly 8,000 men, so it was folly to think that Novgorod would fall easily. Kol the Lame was sent to Pskov to ensure that intelligence of warband movements throughout Novgorod would reach Þorfinn's ears. Svanhildr, in the meantime, whispered secrets into Þorfinn's ear about the people of Garðariki which she had gathered when she was Spymaster for the kingdom.
The message of the advancement of Ivarland into the Rus reached the other tribal chiefs quickly, and Briachislav of Kiev asked to convert on his death bed.
The retinue in the Northern Colonies made the fateful decision to march across Vologda to join the second battle for Ladoga. Many froze in the Vologdan cold, but they arrived to join the levies and win the battle:
The battles were many, but the land could not possibly repel those blessed by Þordis Valkyrja, and Volodar was forced to send a courier to Kalmar, delivering no message, but the Crown of Garðariki.
And so, Volodar abdicated, Björn was crowned by Fylkir Hasten, and swore fealty to Þorfinn.
Back in Kalmar, Svanhildr and Taknang looked over the charts and Kol's reports. "Those eastern tribes will have no idea what will hit them."
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