Meanwhile in Mirholme ...

... the forces of Gunnar Broadaxe and his wicked uncle Olaf Squinteye face off against each other in yet another of their interminable peace talks. It is certain that Olaf will not hold to the terms of the treaty and that Gunnar and he will have peace talks for as long as both can hold an axe.

Mirholme is a tribal society. Each of the provinces is ruled by the most powerful chieftain there (Gunnar and Olaf at the moment) and Mirholme will only ever rise to greatness if a powerful king can unit the nation and lead it to victory.