Ragnall ua Ímair sat by his fireside at Strandhall, reflecting on the last couple of years. Undoubtedly, his lone raiding had been successful, accruing him wealth and a smattering of new followers. He sighed heavily and stared into the crackling fire where a log, like a blazing roof beam of a torched house, finally ceded and fell in a cascade of sparks. It did not distract him from brooding on his future. I’m no nearer to achieving my dream of conquering Jorvik. Over the years, I have informed myself of events over the sea. The new King of Wessex, Edward, needs to be taught a lesson. What a shame that weakling Aethelwold failed in his revolt. By all accounts, the Northumbrians kept the field of s*******r in East Anglia, but Aethelwold and other lords fell. They say that Edward was forced

