Onto the city!

After you get the info, you get back to Astrid in the city and return to the ships together with the supplies. You ask around if anybody knows where that city could be, but nobody has a clue. Save for Robert!

Robert: A city at the coast just north of the Pyrenees huh? I know of one such city, it's a well defended one, had to serve a few years in the castle nearby, often visited the city on our days off. It's a well protected one, wouldn't be easy to get inside, should the locals not open their gates!

Astrid: We won't be asking them nicely to do that! If they won't be doing it at the sight of our ships, they will be **** open with our axes and battering ram!

Lily: Let's just try to do a peaceful approach at first! Maybe we will get the before Sofia does and there won't be need for any sieges!

{if Erik = true}

Erik: I concur with Lady Lily, let's not rush there waving our axes to them, try to talk first!

Astrid: What, you have gotten soft in the southern lands big brother?!

Erik: I wouldn't say soft, I would say careful. I have seen enough bloodshed in my lifetime, I don't want to cause more than absolutely necessary!

Astrid: Well, whatever you say, you have spent more time in these cultures than I have! I still consider them weak! e could easily raid their coastal areas for a long time without facing any serious resistance!{endif}

Robert: If she passed by here a week ago, she should be getting there a few days before we do... I fear a siege would be inevitable if she gets inside.

Lily: Maybe we will be able to convince the garrison to hand her over!

Robert: Hm, maybe, but I don't see a big chance for that! I wouldn't give any of my citizens to foreign invaders either! Anyway, we better head right there, there is no time to waste here!

Astrid: Who the hell named you leader of this operation?! By Thor's beard, I certainly didn't and I'm the commander of these ships! So... Khm... We better head right there, there is no time to waste here!

Robert (whispering to you): My lady this is an outright insult to my honour, please, at least allow me to request a duel of honour against her!

Lily (whispering): No, she wasn't insulting you, she was just...

{if Erik = true}Erik(whispering): Yes, she was...!

Lily(whispering): Erik, you aren't helping now!{endif}

Robert(whispering):: Than what was she doing exactly...?

Lily(whispering): She just won't let the command slip out of her hands, that's all! This is her tribe, let's play according to their rules! You don't have to tolerate them for a long now, we will be finding Sofia momentarily!

Robert (whispering): I hope so, because me oath about not starting a fight here is harder to keep as the days are passing!

You set sail, ready the rows and head right to the city Sofia was supposed to be in. You get to the city within a week's time. As you approach from the sea the city bells start ringing, alerting all residents of the danger that is coming.

Lily: So much for diplomacy and peaceful negotiations...

Astrid: Finally, a worthy battle! Prepare lads, we are going to capture a whole city!

Robert: The harbour is way too well protected, I suggest we land out of the range of the archers on the walls and set up camp there!

Astrid: For once, I agree with you. We aren't madmen, we won't storm a wall from the sea! On the other hand, there are many trees if I see it correctly, we could use them to build battering rams!

Robert: I was trained in military engineering too, have you heard of a trebuchet?

Astrid: Do you think we are barbarians or something...? Of course we did! How do you think we siege castles without those?! We are going to start building catapults and trebuchets too! Ready the chopping axes folks! Winter isn't the most ideal season for a siege, so let's win this one quickly!

Robert: By quickly, I assume you mean within months...?

Astrid (facepalming): Yes, what else could I have meant with it...? Are you stupid or something...?

Lily: We don't have that much time! We cannot allow her to slip out of the city one night! If she is even here... I'm going to infiltrate the city one night and attempt to find her on my own! If I manage to catch her we could avoid the whole siege thing!

Astrid: Do as you please, I sure won't be climbing into that city without having my men right behind me! I'll oversee the siege constructions here while you are looking for that whore! Have fun! Oh, and...! I don't promise you won't be hit by some stones from our catapults tomorrow! So make your way back swiftly before sunrise! I guess my men will be able to make the first one by tomorrow morning!

{if Erik = false}

Robert: I'm going to go with you my lady! That task is too dangerous to be done alone!

Lily: Thank you for volunteering! I was just going to ask you to do this for me!

Robert: This goes without asking!

{endif}

{if Erik = true}

Robert: I'm going to go with you my lady! That task is too dangerous to be done alone!

Erik: I'm coming too! I have pledged myself to your protection, I won't back down now either!

Lily: Thank you for volunteering! I was just going to ask you two to do this for me!

Erik: This goes without asking my lady!

{endif}

You land, make camp and the preparations for the siege begin. Trees are cut down, the city is encircled by Vikings and your men, as they are running regular patrols.