Kingdom of Leinster, Ferns in County Wexford
Bjorn stood at the prow of the lead longship as the coastline of Ireland rose on the horizon. Two weeks of steady sailing had carried the small but formidable delegation from City Titan across the narrow sea.
Behind him, fifty of the empire's most disciplined Grenadiers stood in perfect formation. Crates of freshly forged Bessemer steel... swords, spearheads, plow blades, and reinforced armor plates filled the holds, each piece stamped with the roaring Lion Banner.
Bjorn's thoughts turned inward with the methodical precision his brother had taught him. Ragnar had not sent him on a simple wedding journey. This was a political conquest executed through silk and steel rather than blood and iron.
