We headed east to the city of Rheims as the Emperor wasn't at the court in Paris at the time and we had to hurry for all we knew, we didn't have much Emperor was not exactly pleased in seeing us. I always knew he was self righteous but he seemed more interested in the matters that involved the conflicts with his brothers in the neighboring kingdoms than he was in facing external threats. I was sure that this vision was from God but seeing how he wouldn't extend the same Christian courtesy to the heathens that he made a pact with, I wondered if he even had the love of God in his heart at all.

"I'm telling you, your majesty, this is a matter of security and a warning from God Himself," I said. "Ragnar isn't going to let his unnecessary banishment go easily, and he could be sailing up the Seine river now as we speak."

"You know as well as I do that Ragnar is an ignorant heathen fool and as he's already made enemies with the other Viking raiders, I'm sure that he would have his hands full in fighting other Viking raiders," Emperor Charles replied.

"If you do not heed the warnings, your rule will continue to crumble as it already is," Father Armonde declared.

"And that is another thing!" the emperor scolded. "Why should I face imaginary threats when I already have so many unruly nobles in the south and west along with a potential invasion force from my brothers in the east?"

"A wise ruler does not take chances and should you ignore this warning, this could cost us all dearly," Father Armonde declared.

Just then a soldier ended up coming into the court.

"Your majesty, we've received word that a fleet of Viking ships are sailing up the Seine River!" the soldier exclaimed. "They've already devastated Rouen!"

"It is as I said," I declared. "God Himself warned us."

"We don't have much time!" the emperor exclaimed. "We must prepare for battle! I don't want the Abbey of Saint Denis to be destroyed!"

As he headed out to "counsel" the generals, I declared, "He's an arrogant godless man. He's so unlike his father who was a godly man."

It was later on that he had gathered some of his military officials as well as the royal guest, Fergus, in hopes that he could get some "advise." In reality, he was only hoping of making it look like he was listening to those of military experience but he would only pick and chose what he'd like to hear as to boost his popularity with the nobility. The Celt like inhabitants of Brittany and the Romanesque inhabitants down in Aquitaine were not fond of him and given that most of them had no Frankish ancestry, I could see why they didn't want to be a part of this realm, especially with an incompetent such as himself. Surprisingly, one particular merchant was there as he seemed to have some vested interest within the Frankish realm.

"We must prevent the destruction of Saint Denis at all cost and we have no idea on which side of the river the Vikings will attack," Charles declared.

"We don't even know what side the Vikings will attack on and it could be unpredictable," said one of the generals.

"I might suggest that we have all villages evacuated and then fortify Paris as Paris is a tempting prize for the northerners and it would be best to defend from Paris," Fergus replied.

"But imagine the plunder that they could make off with which would only encourage more raids in the future!" the red haired merchant exclaimed. "It could help them outfit their army with better weapons and for all we know, there are three allied factions who may all have different goals allowing their army to attack on three different points which could be on two sides of the Seine river!"

"That's preposterous!" another general said. "We should meet them as one united force!"

"I for one suggest that we flank these two ships on both sides of the river and before either one can land, and then we set up the catapults to sink their ships," a third general declared.

"If you divide the force, they'll pick off one side leaving the other side vulnerable ye galoot!" Fergus shouted. "I've seen their ships, they are far too…"

"Enough!" the emperor exclaimed. "I will have my forces spread out on both sides on the Seine and we will go with this general's plan."

"But your majesty," Fergus requested.

"I have spoken!" Charles shouted. "When I want a Celt to advise me on how to defend my kingdom, I will ask for it. Till then, you had best let me defend my home the way I desire."

"It's no wonder the Bretons cannot stand your over lordship!" Fergus exclaimed. "You degrade those of the Celtic stock and it shows. I will help to defend Paris as I know they will defeat your army with your foolhardy tactics!"

Many of had gone back to Paris and gathered for prayer but sadly, many were more concerned about spending the time for hiding their goods or getting out than putting trust in the Lord. In the meantime, the Frankish army was marching on two sides of the Seine. It turns out that the merchant was working for the Viking heathens to begin with and had even hoped to get a bit of the spoil and trust from the Northmen.

"How did you get the Franks to divide their forces in two for one to be on each side of the river?" asked Ragnar.

"I have a man on the inside," Stoick replied. "Trader Johann will also be pleased to have a few slaves working for him."