The Governor's Palace, York
The palace was quiet. Ragnar, sat at the head of the long oak table. He was wearing a simple linen tunic, though he still had his notebook open next to his plate of eggs.
Across from him sat Gyda, the Prime Minister. She was dissecting a sausage with the same clinical precision she used to dismantle the budgets of incompetent Jarls.
The rest of the "family"—King Horik and his various hangers-on—were notably absent. Since the "Hostile Takeover" of East Anglia, King Horik had been sulking in his chambers, claiming he was "meditating on the burden of the crown".
This meant Ragnar and Gyda had a rare moment of peace.
"Has the 'Decorated Cow' responded to our offer?" Ragnar asked, taking a bite of toast.
He was referring to Princess Judith of Wessex. The diplomatic letter Gyda had sent via the "Raven Flight" was a gamble. Gyda dabbed her mouth with a napkin. "The Raven returned this morning. Judith accepts the monopoly on Jernheim Velvet."
