Ragnar issues the challenge to Earl Haraldson who initially declines on the grounds Ragnar is a criminal. He remembers what the soothsayer told him however and decides to accept. A pregnant Lagertha, fearing that Ragnar is too weak to win, thinks they should just run away.
Incumbent. The incumbent, in politics, is the existing holder of a political office. This term is usually used in reference to elections, in which races can often be defined as being between an incumbent and non-incumbent.
adjective. 1  Imposed as an obligation or duty; obligatory: felt it was incumbent on us all to help. 2  Lying, leaning, or resting on something else: incumbent rock strata. 3  Currently holding a specified office: the incumbent mayor.