Chapter I The First Grand Council
I sat waiting in the council chambers, waiting for my loyal councillors to arrive. While I waited I thought about my brother and the scheme I was about to set in motion. I admit my brother’s hold on Norway was strong, the majority of his vassals respected him, but I was intent on bringing Norway to the forefront of world politics. I had a solid understanding of finances was more then willing to wait before springing into action, and was well known for giving alms to the poor and for my kindness to both the nobles and the common folk but my fighting skills left a lot to be desired.
I was interrupted at this point by my council entering the chambers. Rolf my chancellor was first, he was a man good at diplomacy when he actually did some work and was not willing to back down from a confrontation but overall was not a great chancellor.
Torstein took his seat next; he was a master of the battlefield and unyielding in the face of the enemy. He was an utter believer in the catholic faith and a fearsome man to cross but his greed was his weakness for he lusted after coin.
Hakon was a master of intrigue by all accounts, but was always slow to pick up on things and was a shy and ambitious man and was known as an advocate of justice and moderation which made him a decent steward.
Lodin had a martial education but was an utter failure in terms of warfare, he was a well known duelist in the lands of Norway and was a patient diligent and temperate man which made him well suited to intrigue.
Haldor was a decent enough priest an honest and just man with a basic understanding of theology. However he was a glutton and a total coward.
These were my thoughts of these men as they took their seats at the table, they would aid me in my taking of the throne of Norway. I placed my hands on the table and began to speak. “Gentlemen it is time to put my plan to rule Norway into motion and your duties need to be assigned but before that begins let us see if there is any thing of note that needs to be mentioned Hakon is there anything that needs to be said of importance”. Rolf who was slouched in his chair quickly drew himself up into a sitting position and sifted through his papers on his desk until he found the one he was looking for, “the king I glared at him ah your brother has given you the jarldom of Vikin to rule over as your own”. “Why? said Hakon who spoke in hushed tones. Because you slow witted oaf he is trying to placard our liege with this gift”, these were the words of Lodin who was sifting through a pile of papers in front of him.
“Lodin speaks the truth Rolf muttered but we should not dwell on it my lord if we can move on you should consider marriage” “Marriage!! indeed replied Rolf rumors abound of the good looks of Gunhild one of the many daughters of the king of Denmark, she is young and by all accounts fertile”.
“Very well I spoke, arrange the marriage is there anything else that needs to be mentioned” “the council said nothing in which case duties need to be assigned. “Rolf, head to the capital and improve relations with my brother”. “Torstien begin the training of men in the province”. “Hakon begin collecting taxes from the local populace”. Lodin begin laying the groundwork for a spy network in the capital. Haldor take a ship to Rome and improve relations with the papacy” any questions? None of my councilors said a word. “Very well this meeting is over.”
Well here it is the first chapter, I hope you guys enjoy my writing style. I'll try and cut down on the speaking in the next chapters, but the story will still be told first person,
