The next day, Nils secured a loan.
From the five hundred warriors who had come with him, he selected three hundred to serve as sword-and-shield infantry, equipping each of them with two short javelins.
Over the following month, his life became busy but fulfilling.
Besides training the guard, he frequently had to accompany the emperor to public events—especially the chariot races, the most popular entertainment among the people of Constantinople.
The Hippodrome
The racetrack measured roughly 400 meters long and 200 meters wide, shaped like a closed U.
It could hold up to sixty thousand spectators.
In the center of the arena stood many precious monuments, including:
statues of previous emperors
an Egyptian obelisk
the Serpent Column of Delphi
a gilded chariot pulled by four bronze horses
(After the Fourth Crusade, these horses would later be taken to Venice and displayed at St. Mark's Basilica.)
The rules of the race were simple:
Eight chariots, each pulled by four horses
The first to complete seven laps won the race
During the breaks, various circus performances entertained the crowd.
Sometimes the emperor would also distribute gifts to the public, triggering waves of cheering.
Thousands shouted the name of Michael III, making the purple-robed figure seem almost like a god.
"At first, I thought this was an interesting spectacle," Nils remarked.
But his comment immediately drew a warning from Titus.
Dangerous Entertainment
"My lord," Titus said quietly,
"your focus should not be the race, but the emperor's safety."
"In the year 532, spectators here became furious with Emperor Justinian's policies. The resulting riots spread across half the city, and the flames even reached the Hagia Sophia."
He sighed.
"These games are chaotic, but they are an essential part of Roman life."
"In the past, people watched gladiator fights. Because of their extreme brutality, the Church strongly opposed them, so they gradually evolved into chariot racing instead."
"But chariot races are hardly safe."
At the dangerous turning points of the track:
chariots often collided
drivers could be thrown to the ground
they might be trampled by horses
or dragged to death by tangled reins
Some drivers even used dirty tricks:
deliberately ramming competitors
throwing irritating powders to panic rival horses
Nils glanced at the emperor seated in the distance.
"Why not establish rules to ban such behavior?"
Titus gave a helpless smile.
"Because the audience enjoys the bloodshed."
"If a race ends without casualties, the spectators actually feel dissatisfied and boo loudly."
"Some fanatics even rush onto the track to interfere with certain chariots."
Trouble on the Northern Frontier
By February, just as Nils had begun to grow accustomed to his new position, alarming news arrived from the empire's northern frontier.
A nobleman had attempted to rebel, planning to bring his territory under the allegiance of the Bulgarian Kingdom.
Faced with this delicate situation, Emperor Michael III immediately consulted Co-Emperor Bardas.
After a long discussion, an attendant named Basil suddenly spoke up.
"The terrain there is rugged and unsuitable for cavalry."
"I suggest sending the Varangian Guard, who excel in infantry combat."
"If they move quickly, they can reach the area in two days. If we suppress the rebellion before Bulgaria can react, we may avoid a larger war."
Bardas considered the suggestion and nodded.
Privately, he had always viewed Basil as nothing more than a sycophantic favorite of the emperor, someone who accompanied Michael in indulgent pleasures.
He thought to himself:
"This ambitious flatterer wants greater power. Unfortunately for him, he's foolish enough to involve himself in dangerous affairs."
"Never mind. When he dies, I'll simply recommend another companion for the emperor."
Under the persuasion of both Bardas and Basil, Michael III approved the operation.
Nominal command would be given to Basil.
"Do well," the emperor told him.
"After the campaign, I will appoint you Protospatharios—an imperial sword-bearer."
Basil bowed respectfully.
"Thank you for your trust, Your Majesty."
The March
Upon receiving the order, Nils led the Varangian Guard out of the barracks.
Under Basil's arrangements, the entire force boarded supply wagons and departed Constantinople along a well-paved road.
During the journey, Basil sent riders ahead to notify towns and relay stations, demanding:
food supplies
fresh horses
This allowed the convoy to maintain maximum speed.
By the next afternoon, the force crossed the Maritsa River and reached the western bank.
As the terrain became more rugged, the wagons slowed significantly.
Fortunately, Basil proved extremely persuasive.
Through a mixture of threats and incentives, he temporarily acquired 1,500 horses—including warhorses, draft horses, and pack animals.
On the third morning, the guard switched to horseback travel, keeping only twenty wagons carrying assault ladders.
Ignoring the freezing weather, they pressed forward.
By noon they reached the mountain region controlled by the rebel noble.
The Rebel Fortress
A light snowfall had fallen the night before.
Under the sunlight, patches of snow still lingered along the mountain road.
After rounding a bend, they saw their destination:
A stone fortress stood to the north, guarding the narrow mountain pass.
At its top flew the red banner of the Eastern Roman Empire.
"We've arrived," Basil said.
He ordered the soldiers to dismount and assemble thirty assault ladders.
Meanwhile, a messenger was sent to the fortress demanding that the noble disarm and travel to Constantinople to explain himself before the emperor.
Moments later, the envoy's severed head was thrown over the wall.
A new banner rose above the fortress—
the flag of the Bulgarian Kingdom.
"The reports were correct," Basil said coldly.
"This man truly is a traitor."
He exhaled a cloud of white breath and turned to Nils.
"My task is complete. From here on, you command the attack."
"As you command," Nils replied respectfully.
He dared not offend the emperor's favored courtier.
The Assault
Time was critical.
Nils had no opportunity for elaborate tactics.
He ordered an immediate assault:
three companies advanced with ladders toward the walls
another company attacked the gate with a ram
For the next ten minutes, the Varangian Guard suffered heavy punishment.
Defenders poured boiling water from the walls and hurled stones, inflicting severe casualties on the soldiers battering the gate.
"Seventh Company—forward!" Nils shouted grimly.
Meanwhile, the troops climbing the ladders faced brutal resistance.
Every soldier who reached the top of the wall was attacked from multiple directions.
Although Viking armor resisted most slashes and thrusts, defenders targeted vulnerable points:
the face
the armpits
the lower legs
Sometimes several defenders would swarm a heavy infantryman, pinning him down and stabbing through armor gaps with daggers until the body stopped moving.
"Companies Ten, Eleven, and Twelve—replace them!"
At this stage of the battle, Nils realized his strategic command mattered little.
The fight had become pure attrition.
He seized an opportunity to shoot down an enemy officer with his bow, but it did little to change the situation.
Lowering the bow, he turned toward the remaining troops resting nearby.
He reorganized the fit soldiers into new units and sent them forward for another assault.
Gradually, the defenders' strength began to fade.
Exhaustion spread among them.
More and more heavily armored Varangian warriors climbed onto the walls.
From that moment onward, the outcome of the siege was no longer in doubt.
—------------------------------
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