The rebels did not seek victory through conquest, they sought to cause chaos.
Every attack spread fear. Every village reduced to ash undermined confidence in the crown. Every successful raid made the people question whether the king could truly protect them.
Casilo had once compared fighting the rebels to fighting ghosts.
Ragnar could not even deny the comparison. Still, he preferred to call it exactly what it was.
Cowardice.
Gerard understood perfectly well that his men could not stand against the full force of the royal army. Because of that, they never even attempted it.
When Ragnar ascended the throne, part of him had expected the rebels to react aggressively and attempt some grand confrontation before he consolidated power.
Instead, they continued doing what they had always done. They preyed upon harmless civilians.
