June 12th Morning
I wake up in my tent my warband is already up making ready for the journey ahead of us, but i have a feeling the journey will tak us elsewhere today. I had a dream a vision I actually think: In the dream it was dark but i could see enough to see the burning village sorrounding me the smoke was thick in the air. In the village i meet an old man in a grey cape. On his head he wore a black hat with a large shade, it looks as if he lost an eye, in his hand he held a spear. I realised that in my dream the norse god of war and death Odin has come to me terryfied I look around for an escape route but before I was able to run Odin starts talking to me. He wanted me to stop fighting his followers instead he wanted me to switch side and fight for his king and people he had been following me and seen i was a great warrior and leader of men he wanted me to serve him.
So now Im in a dilemma, either I continue my fight for the swadians against the Nords or I join their ranks and fight the upressors. Last nights dream made me look at the things another way.
Unable to come to a descision i went to Jelkala to sell of my huge stock of foods, Jelkala also seems as a good place to disband the swadian troops in my party I hope they will be able to get hired as mercanery by some caraven master.
During the day Ive made up my mind ill help the Nord Odins word is still on my mind!
Later in the day i found some unlucky deserters wich I just had to talk with.
After they were dealt with i decided to make my way into the north through the Swadian guarded mountain pass. I had to go and see how much damage my swadian services really had done and of course getting to King Harlaus and renounce my oath.
The kingdom of the Nord were worse than I though every second nord village were looted the population broken they needed someone to lift them up from were they had sunk.
June 13th Morning
Finally i got the King tracked down! It appears he is sad to loose me, apperently he liked my services.
June 15th Morning
After my breake with the King I start out my journey for King Ragnar on my way I am able to find a few lads who have lost their future because of the war and my warband grows steadily.
June 18th Evening
As the men prepares camp a messenger comes to the encampment. It appears the young boy has a message for me, as im handed the sealed document i see the seal of the crow and I know the king must have been looking for me as well. Either he wants me to stand trial for my violations towards the Nord or he wants me to be his vassal. Luckily it seems to be the last, but it appears to be harder than just kneeling before him. The young boy tells me hes the captive of the Rhodok scum they even hold him prisoner in a former nord castle known as Knudarr Castle! So now I must free him to be able to truly serve the Nord. Me and my most trusted companions discuss how we should grab the situation through the night, and the conclusion: An elite band of huscarls and Vaegir marksman should be able to punch through the 120 strong Rhodok garrison. Knowing we only have 30 days to expand the party capacity from 56 to 70 and train the sufficient elite soldiers we hurry onwards the next morning.
June 19th Morning
We have been increasing the party drastically it seems people are eager to join our noble affair the party is back on full strength I just wished my leading capacity were greater the party consist of young veagir and nord recruit who are eager to get into the fray of battle. Its in the late afternoon and weve just recruited a handfull recruits when we come by a battle between the swadians and a Nord lord. Immediately we join the Nord! Instead of aiding him right away we turn to the 70 strong party. Knowing the swadian lord will try and rush us we sit back on a hill ready to take his horsemen down. The plan works out fine now the men-at-arms are dead and gone now we can take care of the peasant rabble theres left of his force. Victory is at hand! Now we must aid the allied lord in his struggle at wich we also win. A swadian raiding army has been beaten back! We are also able to free the famous Nord leader lord Turegor
After this battle i decide spending my 16000 denars on something and i invest in a bardich so I better can chop down em horsemen.
June 20th Morning
The Rhodoks are attacking! Im at Chalbek castle far to the west the bastards are preparing ladders to assault the walls there is more of them than i can count! We just have to sit tight and hope for reinforcements. Its late in the evening and they are preparing their assault we are able to take down a large part of their army but they are to many and im struck down and taken prisoner unfortunately another Nord castle falls.
June 23th Morning
The days goes by and im rotting in the stinking hole of a prison when they finally agree to let me go for 1050 denars.
After this the days melt together and im building up a new force my party leading skills are increasing and on the 27th June I fine my self at Hrus castle a former Nord stronghold now occupied by Swadia. I descide to attack the place since the garrison is only at 70 strong. The work goes fine and we are ready to assault ufortunately the first assault fails and we prepare for a last attempt this time we beat the kolort out of them and we have won a castle for the Nord. A couple days before this another lord had retaken Thelrog castle from Swadia. Things are lucking bright and with my new castle im able to amass an elite army a lot faster.
July 6th Morning
The power of the Nord is increasing but not as much I have hoped to. In the late afternoon the band is coming by Alburq Castle were king Harlaus is besieging the castle quickly I join my allies and we beat the bastard back. During their retreat i catch up with him and hes at my mercy. A most valuable prisoner! During some of my latest skirmishes against the Swadian nobility Ive been able to get myself some lordly prisoners wich im making good money on.
July 7th Afternoon
Im lying in my tent bleeding from a wound.... For the first time I was beaten in an open fight with the Rhodok scum the shame is to big to describe fortunately my men was able to win the battle without me. The army is in good shape afterall and my garrison is growing with good and confident warriors. Soon ill be able to free Ragnar!
July 12th morning
This morning is particularly foggy! Ive assembled the finest men I could train in the time I was given and we are ready to besiege Knudarr Castle and free the King. The worst men im having in the band is Nord veterans the others are huscarls and Vaegir marksman. As the ladders are being prepared the scum is having reinforcemnts send to them! The battle is 1:3 Now my elite band will stand their test in combat. Victory is once more ours! We lost 20 good and cabable men in the battle but the enemy is beaten! I hurry back to replace the lost men from my garrison at Hrus Castle and the siege at Knudarr continues. My huscarls charge ahead of the other men an soon the garrison is beaten by the finest infantry in all of Calradia. We find the King in the castle dungeon he is most pleased to see us and he thanks me for freing him.
Its been hard work but the Nords are getting back on their feet but it still requires hard work to restore their former glory and to protect themfrom both Swadia Rhodok and the kerghits. I feel I have done my part... Who knows what the future will bring?
