Chapter 49: Budding Intrigue

Ragnar stared at the woman before him, "That's a big revelation you've let out to all of us present," as he stroked his chin.

"Once relayed to the Duke, it will shift his focus as he realizes the impediments from all angles. May even cause him to become more aggressive." Ragnar said with a sly smirk.

He then turned to Erika, "Get this woman out of my sight; she'll be kept captive to relay these words as proof to the Duke. Astrid, you may choose one person in your stead to escort your people back to their homeland."

Astrid pouted as the desire to rebuke the warrior for his uncouth behavior festered, but she finally nodded in approval as Ragnar's deadpan stare stopped her in her tracks.

With the lady now gone, the atmosphere in the room relaxed as Eve giggled incessantly, "Ragnar, I've rarely seen you lose your cool like that. What caused you to nearly kill the lady in front of all of us?"

Ragnar gazed into the freckled Vixen's eyes with his eye's narrowed, "I'd be loathed to explain, but such information is very dangerous. People will kill to silence us, and the Duke must receive the details of this conversation or else it could spell the doom of our Duchy."

Eve lost her jovial expression and nodded sincerely, "Alright, and what did you request I be here for? Was it to witness the interrogation?" a slow smirk forming on her lips, "Something that you'll be doing to me tonight?"

Harald coughed, taking this time to step in before Eve made things awkwardly sexual, "Actually, the reason for why you're here is to discuss ideas that'll expand our territory."

The Vixen pondered with a finger on her lips, "And you desire knowledge of where my spy network has been placed at the moment?"

Harald nodded as he glanced at Ragnar curiously, "Precisely, that would help expedite the process. We'll need some form of provocation from nearby Baronies. We are one of the strongest in the area, yet the tight reign that Duke William holds on us prevents the Barons from settling conflicts through war. If we want to avoid repercussions, it'll have to be initiated by the other party. A whisper in the ear of the Baron, talking about how weak our Barony is due to the recent coup, will be enough to set some balls on fire."

Eve courtesied as she cheekily glanced at Ragnar with her head lowered, "Your wish is my command, Milord. I'll begin procedures at once when I talk to my contact in the Duke's capital. We should be able to spread out from there. How I perform will vary depending on which target we have. The closer the target, the more men and women I have already placed in their operations."

Harald walked around the room, his boots creaking the wood as he pondered for a moment, "Caen would be a good start. That greedy bastard has always been one to take an opportunity when it presents itself. Plus, based on Ragnar's info, it would be a site for good Iron ore deposits, and the territory is our adjacent. Making it a prime location to conquer."

The Vixen nodded, "It shall be so, Milord. It will be on my list of priorities for when we reach Rouen, among others such as shopping." She giggled as she glanced at Ragnar longingly before turning away and exiting the room.

Ragnar shook his head and sighed, "It is unfortunate that we can't kick Eve to the curb, or she'd die in this era. Now that she's with us, though, I'd rather make full use of her intel."

Harald roared with laughter, "I've told you not to focus on women, young blood. But, such things are for one to learn by themselves. From the way you carry yourself, I can tell that one manipulative woman will be the least of your worries.

The Baron patted Ragnar on the back in comfort, "Come lad, let's fight the woes out of our bones with some sparring. I haven't personally fought with you in ages."

The thought of Eve got pushed to the back of his mind as the passion lit amongst his eyes, and the two headed out to spar in the wilderness.

"Make the pit here, boy" Harald pointed to the area he'd decided to spar. They'd picked a relatively desolate area, a quiet distance away from all the hubbub of the camp.

"We will set out early in the morning, so let's keep it civil aye, lad?" Harald grinned mockingly as the two stared at each other inside the stone laden pit.

"Oh, I sure won't be the one to hold back," Ragnar said with a smirk as the two of them started to circle each other. There was always a risk with using real blades over training swords, yet that was where one learnt the most.

As such, Harald brought out his axe, half the size of the one used by Thorkell, allowing him to manoeuvre quickly yet still deal enough power to kill someone in one blow. On the other hand, Ragnar slowly unsheathed Zention, drawing in deep breathes as he relaxed his pounding heart.

Harald grinned with an evil glint as he took an explosive stride forward, the wind rustling as his axe hurtled towards Ragnar's body.

His father had quickly closed the gap with the swing, forcing Ragnar to take a step back as the axe thundered into the ground, sinking deep into the clay soil.

Ragnar halted his backward momentum with his powerful legs and stamped onto the axe, forcing it deeper into the soil with a counter aimed at Harald's head.

Harald chuckled as a power struggle ensued over his axe. While he simultaneously brought his gauntlet up at an angle, lifting the blow of the falcata up and over his head as sparks flew into the air. The flow of battle causing Harald to throw a brutish kick at the midriff to force Ragnar off his axe.

Ragnar blocked the blow with his forearm, gritting his teeth under the pain as he was flung a few feet to the left. "Looks like you've still got some power in those legs of yours, old man" Ragnar grinned as he shook his forearm.

"Oh, this old man has still got some energy left." Harald roared as he hefted his axe from the ground to charge at Ragnar with a wild grin on his visage.

--------------------------------

I'm feeling pumped after this chapter:3 Hope everyone enjoyed the fight and intrigue dynamics. I'm looking for members who play CK3, to join my discord and create a map of France with the various counties and baronies. Those who are interested in contributing join the community here: https://discord.gg/PEMhnYCvHR