He was backed into a tight corner, unable to move forward or back. Why was he being forced to defend a marriage he never asked for? Ragnar knew of these trials and its staggering death toll. If he participated he could die, if he didn't he would lose his only leverage over Westeria.
Damned either way.
Was this the queen's way of finally getting rid of him or just one of her humiliation tactics? Surely they all saw how absurd this all was. Surely one of them would speak up but when he looked back at the gathered lords and ladies, only their blank faces stared back at him, some could barely hide their glee. They weren't on his side and even if they were, they were too afraid to publicly speak against the queen.
