Vikings Season 3 Spoilers
"Vikings" will raid our TV screens when Season 3 of the History Channel series airs Thursday, Feb. 19. History Channel

It seems like centuries have passed since we last saw Ragnar (Travis Fimmel) and the Lothbrok gang. But finally, in just a few short weeks, the hit drama series “Vikings” will return to the History Channel for its third season.

According to reports, episode 1, “Mercenary,” will focus on Ragnar’s new mission now that he’s been crowned king – and it involves invading the shores of Wessex. “With the promise of new land from the English, Ragnar leads his people to an uncertain fate,” the synopsis for the Season 3 premiere reveals.

But Ragnar’s restless mind and newfound power will lead him further than he ever expected. In Season 3, the warriors will find themselves in the “mythical city of Paris.” “Rumored to be impenetrable to outside forces, Ragnar and his band of Norsemen must come together to break down its walls and cement the Vikings legend in history,” the synopsis for the new season adds.

“Vikings” showrunner Michael Hirst explained that the attack on Paris won’t be a one-episode ordeal. Instead, he dished that Ragnar’s raid will be a continuous plotline in the 10-episode third season – and fourth!

"This isn't a story line that's going to go away in a couple episodes," Hirst explained to Zap2It. "It's a story line that's going right through the end of Season 3, into Season 4, and it has huge impact on several of our leading characters."

Speaking of leading characters, viewers will get to see their favorite warriors do more than just swing their battle axes in the Season 3 premiere. According to the promo photos of the premiere episode, fans can anticipate a father/son discussion to occur between Ragnar and Bjorn (Alexander Ludwig), some flirting between the king and Lagertha (Katheryn Winnick) and the Porunn’s (Gaia Weiss) preparation for her first raid.

Check out the 14 images from episode 1, "Mercenary," below:

Viking Season 3
Bjorn (Alexander Ludwig, left) and Ragnar (Travis Fimmel, right) in Season 3, episode 1 of "Vikings." History Channel
Vikings Season 3
"Vikings" will return with Season 3 on Thursday Jan. 19, at 10 p.m. EST. History Channel
Vikings Season 3
Porunn (Gaia Weiss) in Season 3, episode 1 of "Vikings." History Channel
Vikings Season 3
King Ragnar (Travis Fimmel, left) and Lagertha (Katheryn Winnick, right) in Season 3, episode 1 of "Vikings." History Channel
Vikings Season 3
Floki (Gustaf Skarsgard, left), Bjorn (Alexander Ludwig, center), and Rollo (Clive Standen, right) in Season 3, episode 1 of "Vikings." History Channel
Vikings Season 3
Lagertha (Katheryn Winnick, left), Athelstan (George Blagden, center) and King Ecbert (Linus Roache, right), in Season 3, episode 1 of "Vikings." History Channel
Vikings Season 3
Bjorn Ironside (Alexander Ludwig, left) and his mother Lagertha aka Earl Ingstad (Katheryn Winnick, right) in Season 3, episode 1 of "Vikings." History Channel
Vikings Season 3
Siggy (Jessalyn Gilsig), in Season 3, episode 1 of "Vikings." History Channel
Vikings Season 3
Queen Aslaug (Alyssa Sutherland) in Season 3, episode 1 of "Vikings." History Channel
Vikings
Bjorn (Alexander Ludwig, right) with Porunn (Gaia Weiss, left) in Season 3, episode 1 of "Vikings." History Channel
Vikings
Rollo (Clive Standen) in Season 3, episode 1 of "Vikings." History Channel
Vikings
Athelstan (George Blagden) in Season 3, episode 1 of "Vikings." History Channel
Vikings
King Ecbert (Linus Roache) in Season 3, episode 1 of "Vikings." History Channel

“Vikings” Season 3 will premiere on Thursday, Feb. 19, at 10 p.m. EST on the History Channel.