Vikings: Lords of the Ice Sea

Chapter 261 Abandonment
Upon reaching the river, Nils' longship was targeted by Magdeburg archers. Fire arrows ignited the sails and masts, and in the ensuing chaos, the crew desperately rowed towards the nearest east bank of the Elbe.

Across the hundred-meter-wide river, Niels gazed at Uber's camp, where soldiers were orderly boarding boats to evacuate, as if they had anticipated this.

"Did they collude with the Franks?"

Niels was both shocked and furious as he watched the longships gradually leave. He never expected that Uber would go to such lengths to suppress his vassals.

"Oh no, I must get back to southern Denmark right away!"

In the following days, Nils led his remaining twenty guards through the forest. After losing five men, they finally seized a small fishing boat from the local fishermen and sailed downstream, swaying precariously.

Along the way, he occasionally encountered scattered Viking raiders, whose eyes were no longer filled with awe, but with undisguised greed and murderous intent.

"What did Uber say?"

The raider leader, weighing the strength of both sides, reluctantly curbed his greed. "Uber, announce your crimes: First, you have never paid homage to me in recent years, failing to fulfill your duties as a vassal. Second, you have abused witchcraft, using that evil gilded chair to bewitch people and desecrate Ragnar's reputation. Third, your greed for merit and recklessness have led your army into a desperate situation."

Therefore, Uber, in the name of the King, stripped you of your lordly title and permanently banished you from Denmark. Rumor has it that he is willing to pay a large sum for your head.

After hearing the leader's words, Niels stood frozen in place. He had made great contributions to Gnutz, but what he got in return was slander and betrayal.

After bidding farewell to the small fry who had plundered the village, Nils's ships reached the middle reaches of the Elbe River. Hafdan's army had already withdrawn, leaving behind an empty camp.

Before the incident, Hafdan was unaware of Ub's plan. After learning the details from his fourth brother, his first reaction was anger, followed by shame, and then helplessness.

With the situation having developed to this point, the feud between the fourth brother and Nils could not be resolved. At most, Hafdan could remain neutral, but he could not help Nils deal with his own blood relatives.

Moreover, Hafdan was also wary of Nils's military capabilities. This man was indeed a formidable fighter and made no secret of his desire to ascend the throne. If his fourth brother eliminated him this time, the situation in Northern Europe would be more stable in the future.

Returning to the Daniwijk defenses on the border, Niels saw new flags flying above the earthen mound, signifying a new lord in southern Denmark.

Without stopping for a moment, he changed direction and headed to Pomerania.

Unfortunately, the local West Slavic tribes no longer recognized his rule. Despite Nils's outstanding achievements, the people longed to enjoy this hard-won peace and were unwilling to continue fighting.

"Is this your answer?"

“Yes.” The tribal chiefs responded in unison, including Nils’ father-in-law.

Today, the West Slavs who were willing to follow Niels have died in Magdeburg, and the vast majority of those remaining are neutrals, along with a small number of opponents.

As the crowd dispersed, his father-in-law stayed behind to warn him, "There are ships in the harbor. You are not suited to stay here. Run away quickly and never come back."

Having said that, the old chieftain spurred his horse and charged into the woods, leaving only Nils and nine guards behind.

Having fallen from the pinnacle of his life to the depths of despair, Niels drew his sword and threw it to the ground. "Does anyone need silver? Cut off my head and give it to Uber; that will be enough for you to live out the rest of your lives."

No one answered.

After a long while, five guards left without a word, while four others insisted on staying by their lord's side, suggesting he take a ship to Britain or Normandy. Picking up his sword and sheathing it, Nils silently walked north. Judging from the current situation, Gunnar's chances of success in attacking Britain were too low; he was better suited to serve Vig.

A day later, he arrived at Rildorf on the coast, the busiest market in the area, which attracted many merchants to buy furs, amber and slaves. The settlement was surrounded by wooden fences and ships could sail directly into the adjacent lagoon to anchor.

The docks were filled with information that was hard to distinguish between true and false, and the people were talking about it, including rumors that Uber was colluding with the Franks.

"Have you heard? Uber has secretly offered to buy Nils's head for one hundred pounds."

"One hundred pounds? I was told it was fifty pounds, and a knighthood."

The situation was critical, and Nils boarded a Kirk ship that was about to set sail, requesting permission to go to Britain.

“You’re too late. Two British merchant ships left this place yesterday.” The captain’s face was slightly flushed with alcohol as he pointed to another Kirk ship not far away. “This British ship just arrived and will take at least two weeks to purchase its goods.”

Two weeks?

Niels didn't want to stay in this godforsaken place a second longer. "Where are you going? Normandy? Anything in the West is fine."

“No,” the captain shook his head, stating a completely opposite destination—the East, the mouth of the Neva River.

Sensing the unease and danger in the air, Nils had no choice but to pull out the last wad of silver coins from his waist. "Alright, let's go to the East!"

With Nils' departure, the Viking-East Frankish War ended abruptly.

In this battle, the nobles of central and southern Denmark suffered heavy losses, and Uber also took the opportunity to eliminate Nils, the most threatening figure, and strengthen his control over the entire country.

Despite the numerous vicious rumors circulating among the people, he paid no heed. He swept away any nobles with the power to rebel, and no one in the country could threaten his throne.

On the other side, East Frankish had three princes: Carloman, "Young Louis III," and "Fat Charles III." King Louis had been missing for some time, and they gathered in the Magdeburg church to divide the inheritance.

Louis III, the second son, strongly opposed his elder brother's proposed distribution plan:

"The sons divide the land equally, which has always been a Frankish tradition. Why do you claim the largest share? Isn't it enough that you've occupied Bavaria and the eastern frontier? You also want Lotalingia?"

Kaloman coldly observed his two younger brothers, saying, "Because I repelled the Vikings, which is the greatest achievement. Moreover, many nobles have agreed to support me in continuing our father's work."

Louis III turned his gaze to the nobles and clergy, “What’s so great about you merely defeating Nils? At first glance, one might think you killed Ragnar Rothbroek or Vig Tyenburg.”

You want to compare achievements? Fine, let's see whose achievements are greater.

In 848, the Bohemians rebelled, and the situation became critical. My father did not want his eldest son to take risks, so he sent me, the fourteen-year-old second son, to quell the rebellion, and I succeeded.

In 854, the nobles of Aquitaine plotted against Charles the Bald and invited my father to intervene. To gain their support, my father sent me as an envoy, essentially as a hostage. Luckily, I was clever enough, otherwise I wouldn't have made it back.”

(End of this chapter)