"Vikings" Season 4 Spoilers
"Vikings," starring (left to right) Clive Standen as Rollo, Alexander Ludwig as Bjorn and Travis Fimmel as Ragnar, will return on Thursday, Feb. 18. History Channel

The Northmen are back, and they’re ready to raid. In a new trailer for Season 4 of “Vikings,” fans are given an early peek at all the blood-soaked drama coming on the History Channel series. Grab your shield and sharpen your swords, because the battle is about to begin.

Check out six things we learned from the newest Season 4 trailer of “Vikings”:

1. Ragnar’s Sons Have Aged

Michael Hirst, mastermind behind the epic drama, first revealed during an interview in April that viewers should anticipate a time jump to occur in the new installment. "Some time has passed,” he confirmed to the Hollywood Reporter, noting that Ragnar (Travis Fimmel) and his warriors have been away from Kattegat for a “couple of years.”

That means while Ragnar was off raiding Paris, his youngest boys – including little Ivar the Boneless – were getting bigger and stronger. Fans are given a glimpse at the growing, blond-haired boys in the trailer for Season 4.

2. Ragnar’s Demise

Treachery was a theme teased for Season 4 when History Channel released its first promo image – one that was inspired by Leonardo da Vinci’s 15th-century painting of “The Last Supper.”

The trailer continues to hint that Aslaug (Alyssa Sutherland) may become Ragnar's foe when she asks the Seer (John Kavanagh) if a “woman will succeed to the kingdom of Kattegat.”

“You mean after the death of Ragnar?” the creature replies, hinting at what the future will hold after Ragnar meets his fate. But is Aslaug the woman that the Seer foresees ruling Kattegat? Or could it be Lagertha (Katheryn Winnick)?

"Vikings" Season 4 Spoilers
The Season 4 premiere date of "Vikings," starring (from left) Linus Roache as King Ecbert, Sarah Greene as Judith, Gustaf Skarsgard as Floki, Alyssa Sutherland as Queen Aslaug, Travis Fimmel as Ragnar, Alexander Ludwig as Bjorn, Katheryn Winnick as Lagertha, Ben Robson as Kalf, Clive Standen as Rollo and Morgane Polanski as Gisla, was revealed. History Channel

3. King Ecbert’s World Domination

King Ecbert (Linus Roache) is determined to rule even if he has to dance – or should we say dine? – with the devil himself to do so.

“I would sup with the devil if he would show me how to achieve my earthly goals,” the ambitious king of Wessex says, revealing just how far he would go to conquer. And it looks like Ecbert will get his chance to break bread with the so-called devil when he and Ragnar join forces in Season 4.

“He’s a fascinating character,” Hirst told Entertainment Weekly his thoughts of King Ecbert. “A good foil for Ragnar. There are many things they have in common, which they recognize. They may well, ultimately, get the chance to talk about some of the things they have in common.”

4. Rollo’s Betrayal

After marrying Princess Gisla (Morgane Polanski), Rollo will find himself even further removed from Kattegat and its people. In fact, during the trailer, viewers can hear one man shout that Rollo (Clive Standen) has “betrayed his own kind” for the people of France.

“Your brother is coming,” the man cries after being struck with an arrow. “Ragnar will avenge us.”

Could fans expect another Lothbrok brother battle to break out in the coming season?

5. Princess Gisla’s Hatred Grows Stronger

Princess Gisla’s disdain for Rollo was not kept quiet during Season 3 of “Vikings.” And the knife that she holds to the sleeping Northman’s head in the Season 4 trailer seems to prove that her hatred for him has only grown. Audiences will watch as Rollo and Gisla’s rocky relationship unfolds in the forthcoming season.

6. More Epic Battles

From the blood soaked into Lagertha’s dress to Bjorn’s (Alexander Ludwig) red-stained face, it appears that audiences should anticipate even more eye-widening fights to occur throughout the 20-episode fourth installment of “Vikings.”

“Vikings” Season 4 will premiere on Thursday, Feb. 18, at 10 p.m. EST on the History Channel.

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