Whilst this rural idyll goes on Sven is a worried man. Throughout the day the sound of axes ring through the forests, trees are cut, trimmed and dragged to his camp, shelters and palisading rises daily as his men enjoy the easy life.
This must soon end, The local fyrd are raising fresh troops from the countryside around, whilst he waits in vain for the arrival of Ivar Redbeard and his men, reports have arrived that the troops have arrived in the home vik, but troubles have arisen in equiping them and fitting out more longships.
More bad news arrives daily, today one of his scouts arrives with information that he has found a pathway to the mainland, this ford would seem only passably at extemely low tides, but these are approaching and his enemy must know of them and even now be preparing an attack.