Chapter 34

Chapter 34 - 1361 to 1371: The Reign of Densley

Deep in the dungeons of Thetford Castle, there lies a small trapdoor under which exists a small room 3 meters by 3 meters. Not much is contained in the room except an old, splintered table, a pile of hay, and what looks like a small collection of rags. The wretched being under the rags stirs suddenly as the trapdoor opens and a ladder is lowered. Wulfrun, daughter of the long dead Blitz the Dragon, raises her thins limbs to a standing position, or as close to a posture resembling it as she can manage. She has been imprisoned in this room for 8 years after she ordered the murder of Empress Peigi, having a scarcity of food for nearly a decade.

As she is taken by the guards out of the dungeons, she learns of Emperor Loup's passing. Emperor Densley Blair, who had no love at all for the 'wench' who seduced his father, has ordered her released. His true mother, Mafalda of Aquitaine, died 4 years previously at the age of 57 in Poitou. At long last, he is Emperor of all of Britannia. At long last, his father has passed on, leaving him what he knows he so rightly deserves!

Although Emperor Loup had inherited Britannia at a fairly young age, Densley ascends to the throne aged 43 with 2 children; one is a son named Loup, the other a daughter named Cuthburg. Young Loup is much like his father in Humbleness and kindness, and, despite his tendency to hide in the face of danger, he is not a bad commander. He is already married to a young woman named Effros, who is directly descended from DKM, son of Breselueu. Upon Densley's acquisition of power, his son is granted the Duchy of Orkney.

Cuthburg comes of age in August of 1362. She, like her mother, shows unnatural physical strength. Other than that, her gregarious nature makes her quite learned in the ways of diplomacy. She is married matrilineally to a Prince of Hungary, thus securing an alliance.

Determined to prove himself worthy of the legacy of Emperor Loup II, Densley declares war on Norge for the last of the northern islands: Færeyar.

The 5 thousand troops of Norfolk's standing army (built during the peaceful years of Loup II's reign) are sent to York where they are joined by 6 thousand levies from elsewhere in the Kingdom. They are loaded onto a Fleet and to the north.

They arrive on the island in March of 1363 and defeat the minuscule garrison located there. Despite a ratio of 35 Brits to every Norwegian troop, Densley calls the day a stunning victory for Britannia.

During the siege of the Fort Skansin, Færeyar, Densley Blair returns to Norfolk for a few months; the siege will take some time. In June, his wife Ingegerd becomes pregnant.

The siege of Skansin ends in October of 1363. Winter is on its way, and Densley orders half of the troops to return home to avoid losses from the cold.

The army left to take the remaining town of Torshavn faces several attempts by Norge to retake the island, all of which are repelled. In January of the next year, Ingegerd gives birth to a son they named Stingrex.

Then, in February, as the men are huddled in their tents from the cold, 10 thousand Norwegian troops land on the beaches and annihilate the Britannic army of 5 thousand. Luckily, Densley was in Norfolk for the winter.

This unexpected defeat forces the mobilization of another 11 thousand troops. Soon, 16 thousand troops stand ready to meet the enemy (Densley is taking no more chances in his first war). They are loaded onto the fleet and sent to the north in June of 1364.

They land and engage the enemy in July, just before the small garrison of Britannic troops left in Skansin could succumb to the enemy siege. It is a victory for Britannia, with nearly all 7 thousand of the enemy troops either dead or captured.

The final siege ends in November. Knowing he is defeated, the King of Norge surrenders the island.

In January of 1365, Densley's sister The Number 9 commits suicide. She leaves behind 3 de Gael sons and a husband who is Steward of Britannia.

In 1371, claims are made on the Norwegian island of Iceland. Before Emperor Densley, aged 53, has the opportunity to press them in war, he dies a natural death. His rule was short, accomplishing little more than the annexation of another Norwegian island, and he leaves behind only 3 children. His eldest, Loup III, now ascends to the throne.

Long live Emperor Loup III!