Leadership is a burden

[ash]

Ragnar

How many days has it been anyway? Roan couldn't exactly tell anymore. To be fair he didn't exactly care either. Things had changed so fast, he hadn't yet fully caught up with them, but at least he had caught up with the essence of it. And that meant he had to stand and strengthen his position further. He had to make sure that the loyalty of those that actually mattered laid with him, not with single people, who could usurp him if they wanted to. He could not let that happen. With what he knew, with how delicate relative peace was, he had no choice but to plot to strengthen his position. Having only a spy as advisory would ultimately not serve him.

And so he had called the chiefs to him, one in particular. He had asked for Ragnar to be brought to him, ready to offer him this role more than the others, because his loyalty, strength and tactics were unparalleled even when Roan was still just a prince. He could be trusted - if he swore loyalty to him. But his position could easily do that.

When the door entered, Roan smiled at the man brought to him. It was after all a beneficial proposal had for him. "Ragnar. You arrived fast."

[Ragnar]

The warrior had never agreed with the banishment of their prince, although of course he would never have dared voice his opinions out loud. Even as a respected Village Chief, one could never know if there might be ears around listening to each of his words and trying to catch something that could be used against him. Those people he trusted enough to lay his life down for could be counted on one hand so he was careful about each one of his sentences when he wasn't sure who might be listening.

The king's messenger had been spotted by the archers posted around the village's limit. They'd raised their bows, arrows already strung up for their flight towards their target, ready to be released at a gesture of his hand. Once Ragnar saw the king's emblem, he'd made his men stand down with a downward motion of his right hand. The dark horse had stopped at the gate inside the town's fencing and the rider had bowed his had slightly when Ragnar had faced him. This wasn't the first time he'd met the messenger and he'd started by showing his hospitality, making sure the man was fed and had a chance to rest. As soon as the rider delivered his message about king Roan wanting to see him, Ragnar had one of the fighters in training pack some provisions and told two of his warriors to get ready for the ride ahead. He instructed his second to take over the leadership while he was gone and one hour later, the group was on their way.

They rode through the night, only taking short stops to water their horses and get some fluids into themselves. Ragnar jumped off his horse as soon as they arrived at their destination, handing the reigns to one of his men before heading off to the king's domain.
„My king!“, he spoke out when he spotted the monarch and got down on one knee, bowing his head in submission.

Tag: ash

[ash]

Ragnar kneeled before him, without prompt. That was quite a new one. The transition between him and his mother had not been an easy one. And it was due to the circumstances that it had been like that. Skaikrus interference with basically everything had complicated everything. But now order was a possibility, with the flame firmly in his possession. Hell, for some weird reason he almost treasured it. He would not betray wanhedas trust by letting it go easily. If they survived again, then there was no reason why there should not be more natblidas and a new commander should rise. Until then order was the best way to try and ensure survival of most – and the appointment of more advisors. One whispering in his ear was one thing, but he needed more information, more opinions to make good calls. That desire was one of the last inheritances from his father, his words still ringing in his ears, though he’d never admit to that. It was way too dangerous. 

“Ragnar. It is good to see you in good health. Get up, please.” Establishing this, would be shaky, but he figured with what he had been through, he could elevate his advisors, allowing them to walk in his presences, head high, not having to fear his uncontrolled rage. He desired a certain balance – and order after him.

“I imagine you already figured you are here for a reason.” And why the hell should he not figure that out? In the past none of the Azgeda royals did anything without an elaborate plan behind him, so the new king summoning someone would obviously hold motive – even though he had summoned all chiefs, he had been singled out. “We have taken control of the coalition. Polis and every clan are under my rule now. I want it to stay that way. For that I need loyal advisors. Does anyone from your village come to your mind?” 

Ragnar

[Ragnar]

Ragnar stood up straight when the king told him to, his hand resting where his sword hung on his belt. One of the king's younger warriors wanted to relieve him of his weapon before entering the royal's dwelling, but the older fighters knew enough of the Village Chief to push the young man back and give Ragnar a nod, telling him he could walk on with his sword by his side. The Grounder himself had killed one of his own villagers who had openly spoken against their newly established king and the Chief's loyalty to him and he guessed that word had gotten around. He took a sip from the cup of Ale that was given to him by one of the king's men and listened to the monarch's words. He thought he recognized the suggestions underlying his words that Ragnar might take on the role of an advisor himself, but he wasn't sure so he kept his words innocent.

„Well, there's noone in my village that I trust more than myself, but I'm a sceptic person to be honest.“, he explained with that usual hint of a smirk on his lips. „But there are two or three warriors in my domain that might have enough experience and knowledge of tactics to advise you.“, he added and sat down on one of the wooden chairs close to the king's throne. It was true that there were many strong and loyal fighters among his warriors who seemed to respect him, but Ragnar's mind often worked ten steps ahead, imagining ways that his fighters could betray him. This kept him from fully trusting most of the fighters he surrounded himself with which could be an advantage and a weakness at the same time. The advantage was that he wasn't as easily tricked as others might be, but it could also hinder him from grabbing opportunities when it came to making allies.

Tag: ash

[ash]

“We seem to agree on this, then.” There was no one else he would trust more from his village than him. There was no one from a lot of villages he would not trust more than this man. He was loyal. He was clever, strategic. He was no spy, but knew how much intel could hurt and how important it was. Roan knew that he should keep him close in any kind. But, out of all the people, he had not once feared going through his village during his banishment. He had not once doubted that Ragnar would turn a blind eye to a hungry banished prince trading for supplies, as long as he behaved himself. And Roan did. Every time this became his last resort.

“I want you for this position, Ragnar. The chiefs value your opinion and I do, too.” He needed him here. He needed his knowledge of their people, their loyalty to him, his mind. “I want you in the position of my highest advisor. So many people whisper in my ear every day. I want someone I can trust, someone who’s loyalty I can be absolutely sure of. And someone who, in return, can be absolutely sure of mine.”

Ragnar

[Ragnar]

Ragnar smirked at the words of his king. Of course he'd known that Roan would want him to be the one for this position, but it felt good to hear these words of trust. Having someone to trust was hard to come by in such a position as Roan's but still indispensable. During the former prince's banishment, Ragnar had been sure to have his men know that anyone who harmed the exhiled member of their royal family, may it be by hurting him physically or betraying him, would face the hardest of punishments. Fortunately there had only been two cases in which the warrior had had to make his threat a reality, but those who'd been the target of his anger hadn't lived to tell the story.

„I'd be honored to take this position, but you have to understand my king, that I'll have to return to my village every once in a while. There are those whom I trust to run it in my absence, but as I said before, there's noone I trust more than myself.“, he explained as he sat in one of the chairs in a relaxed position. „Except for you of course your highness!“, he added, flashing one of his trademark grins.

Tag:  ash

[ash]

"There is no need for correctness here. It is wise to only trust in oneself and I understand your need to ensure your villages needs are met. Of course you will be granted that leave." He said. It was a no-brainer really. This was one of the reasons why Ragnar was perfect for the position. He wanted his people, their people to thrive and he had taken up responsibility in so many ways. He never once backed down from it. And Roan doubted he would. In a kingdom that was full of opportunists and up starters and potential usurpers, he was a loyal constant with ambition upwards, but enough responsibility to stall that in order to do what had to be done. And with enough loyalty to listen to a King. He could very much appreciate that.

"But in truth, Ragnar. I do not need your correctness. I need your blunt opinion on things. I have been raised by Nia, shaped by banishment and I have to admit I am aware that my own judgment might not always be the best. Which is why I need you to be blunt. And I can assure you, you will not be punished for that by me. You have free hand." And Roan just knew Ragnar would not abuse that in the slightest.

Ragnar