Rise of Rurik

Finally, at the end of April, the ice that covered the sea like a rock finally started to show a lot of cracks.

The wind has finally changed, and the people of Roseburg can finally feel the presence of the warm wind from the south, which offsets the coldness of the Arctic and brings hope.

The sea ice that once created the spectacle is disintegrating at a rapid rate.

Those huge ice packs that were once formed due to the stress of sea ice, they broke away from the ice layer, or were blown by the wind, or guided by weak currents, they were large floating icebergs, and they changed into a large number of "icebreakers". They rammed around in the sea, accelerating the thawing of the main sea area.

And south of Roseburg, in the Gotland location, things have improved considerably.

The freezing period, which is longer than last year, has caused great trouble for people in the south. Finally, the floating sea ice has left a navigable road. The Gotland fishermen can't wait to push their boats back to the sea. They struggled to fish, risking their boats being crushed by the ice.

Their food surplus is indeed running out, and if the sea ice still does not melt, the famine will kill many islanders.

The situation has become like this. As Gotland Islanders, how much more can they think about the new year's trade season?

trading? Of course trade is to be done. It's just that the bigger issue now is living.

If life gets really hard, just land in Gotaland and continue to attack the north with the local brothers?

The idea of ​​launching a military offensive to solve Gotland's internal plight quickly spread across the island. Facts have proved that the alliance of the Svia is not as stable as it seems, and most of those people's combat effectiveness is relatively weak.

In addition to the individual tribes in the alliance, such as the Melarens, such as the Ruth people are tough.

Since the Danes are willing to support the Gotlanders of the alliance and launch an attack with the help of the Danes' army, if they are fiercely retaliated by the enemy, the commander of the Danish alliance must lead the army to join the war.

Once at war, it's not just the Gotlanders themselves.

That's the way the Gotlanders think, and their thinking is quintessentially Viking, full of downright adventures, betting on the fate of the island.

The elders of the various families would get together for a meeting when the snow and ice were still there to discuss what kind of looting would be the most profitable.

Very coincidentally,

The Rus were thinking the same thing.

Those young people who followed Otto to the "Land of the East" and fought victoriously told their fellow villagers about their experiences. They exaggerated their achievements, boasted about the strength of the enemy and how many people they had killed.

The young men marveled at the feats of the heroes, clenching their swords and axes, eager to become new heroes.

There is one young hero most admired today.

Arik, he is really an elite of the young warriors of the Ross tribe, and a former "war chief" that young people are eyeing.

"We should keep fighting! We're gonna keep taking revenge! We're gonna get more food, leather, money, and women." Young warriors are always on boring winter nights, reminiscing about last year's glory and strengthening themselves These four major needs of men.

As the ice begins to thaw, calls for a new war have grown louder. Arik has undoubtedly become the voice of the young man's demands, and he has become so radical that Otto is a little disturbed.

Purely because this radicalization suddenly became a little out of place.

Otto did not completely reject Arik's decision. As the chief leader, he had already determined that his main work this year would be on construction. As for launching a retaliatory war, it is possible, but, like Arik's previous proposal, to dispatch a thousand excellent soldiers to sweep Gotland, don't even think about it!

Arik has become extremely belligerent, after all, he is a man of the Ross tribe, a fighting hero, and after his first honor, he longs for more. Even, to show a stronger self in front of his wife is a simple appeal of his.

Who can make Arik calm down a little and carry out revenge on a limited scale rationally? Otto naturally thought of Rurik. Because Arik really loves his younger brother.

The ice and snow continued to melt, and some of the merchants who paid a commercial tax scolded the Rus for their shamelessness, while others could only comfort themselves because of the loss. To make them clap their hands happily that the Rus taxation is exactly right, that's a crazy idea.

There are indeed some merchants who plan to go and never return. Most of the merchants are forced to return by boat in the autumn because of their livelihood needs. Because they are separated from the fur trade of the Rus, what else can they do?

All the people in Roseburg are welcoming the melting of the ice and snow in their own way.

Frozen Roseburg was lively, and all the streams that poured into the fjord became violent.

There are a lot of ice cubes floating on the sea, and the golden light of the rising sun shines on them. The ice floes are densely interwoven like a soldier's chainmail. Their dull crashing sound makes the Rus people full of hope.

The priests are organizing a large-scale sacrifice, which is also the largest festival of the Rus after Hanukkah on the winter solstice.

It must be the grace of worshiping God. The elderly high priest has endured the coldest day, and the south began to blow. She described the withered body as if it had recovered a lot of vitality.

Vilia continued to assign Rumia to serve as the high priest, and was responsible for a series of ritual activities.

Parla, who has been making soap for Rurik for a long time, is a priest in her own right, and she also began to lead a group of little maids under Rurik to take up the work of lower priests.

Compared with last year, this year's sacrificial activities will be more staged.

Not only the number of sacrifices has increased, but also that this sacrifice does not only belong to the Rus.

Those Kewen people and deer farmers, they have their own gods they worship. Even if they were forced to move to the territory of the Rus, they got the acquiescence of the leader and built the altar by themselves with stones and branches, and started their own sacrifices before the Rus.

Because they know that when the boat can sail, each will run to its own destination.

Even if those deer farmers know that Roseburg is the hometown of their ancestors, they don't mind if they live by water and grass. The only condition for deer breeders to obtain Rurik's shelter is to serve the deer belonging to Rurik well and multiply them. The ultimate goal is to achieve self-sufficiency in leather and venison.

This has never happened before! The Rus just watched the strange rituals of the aliens, or rather the alien slaves of Rurik. The so-called priests filled themselves like birds, and surrounded the campfire, beating two wooden sticks and imitating the birdsong.

Those "little warriors" under Rurik's command will also make their own sacred performances in the new sacrificial activities.

To put it bluntly, Rurik felt that this idea was too idealistic compared to dedicating sacrifices to the gods to get the blessings of the gods.

For so many years, Rurik has lived in such an environment. He believes that this is the real reality. There is also a God who created everything in the vast universe, and that God is the singularity of the Big Bang. God is God. As the saying goes, "Heaven and earth are not benevolent and all things are dogs." The Rus people cannot think that they can be favored by God in everything.

Whether anything can be done well, first of all, it depends on whether you make an effort.

The object of sacrifice is not the gods, but the vast number of people. To put it bluntly, the sacrifice is for the clansmen to see. Since everyone believes in this, it is normal to have a ceremony to make everyone feel at ease. Based on this mentality, Rurik wants to make this year's sacrifice even more grand, to improve the self-confidence of the tribe!

The boys and girls have started a new training. They are asked by Rurik to stand in a neat square around the future beach altar, to walk on the beach with a neat pace, and to let all the onlookers see that the Ross children are not. The same style.

This matter is within Rurik's calculations. As a parent, how can you not be happy to see your son do something amazing? A large group of children are lining up and making complex formation changes. While the children's parents are excited, they will also feel the wisdom of the leader.

When is the day of the priests? That depends on the conditions of the sea ice.

On May 5 of the Julian calendar, a group of fishing boats boasting thick hulls appeared on the sea full of floes. Some fishermen can't wait, they just want to go fishing for cod in today's harsh wasteland. Others who watched them return carrying big fish were also eager to tighten their big nets, eager to carry out this year's trawling work.

Finally, the day of sacrifice was determined on May 10, and on that day, when the sacrifice in the morning was completed, the priest announced that all ships could safely go to the sea.

Villa believes that the day will come when there will be no more threatening ice floes.

This year, as in previous years, Otto must call a meeting of all the esteemed members of the tribe to formalize the "Spring Sorgon Voyage" that has been late this year.

In addition, Otto had to put on a serious face to face his eldest nephew Arik, who was high-spirited.

The wooden house where the discussions were held was extremely warm, and the young Rurik was already a real figure of the clan after all, and he participated in the official meeting of the clan for the first time.

Looking at the old men with beards around them, most of them know themselves, and some have familiar faces but cannot name them. They are both old acquaintances of their father and the so-called "wise men" of the tribesmen.

What is very special here is undoubtedly Arik who sits cross-legged, and his very unique way of playing.

"Arik. Why are you wearing a chainmail?" At the moment of meeting, Otto's dull face suddenly became refreshed.

Arik beat his chest with his fist: "Boss, this is my attitude! You understand."

"Yes! I understand..." Otto didn't say much, he grinned and shook his head, thinking that I'll convince you later.

There was no conference table, everyone sat cross-legged, with some jerky and plums beside them, and the most important thing was the spirit "RUS VODKA".

Based on such a meeting scene, Otto's image of the noble leader was not revealed. He seemed very approachable, and his deep eyes showed a savage look.

With a pair of big hands on his shoulders, Rurik was forced to snuggle into his father's arms.

This boy is unusual, he has beautiful blond hair, an extremely clean white face, and a pair of clear blue eyes. His clothes look simple but they are gorgeous, and the gem-encrusted steel sword scratched on the patterned belt shows his dignity.

Otto first had a drink and announced the start of the most crucial issue.

"We have been discussing for many days, and the further construction of our New Rose Fort must be implemented. I will lead a group of people to continue to pay tribute, and also to investigate the wintering conditions of our stranded people. So some tributes I asked for , will support those clansmen, I hope you all agree."

"I completely agree." Harrodzuson said quickly: "Everyone here can see that your actions are for the good of our tribe after all. If it can make us stronger, I fully support it."

Others also expressed their opinions one after another. In the final analysis, everyone agrees. There is only a little unique but irrelevant opinion on some minor issues.

"Very well, you have made a final decision and are in full agreement." Otto looked at everyone and mentioned something else. This time, he specifically pushed Rurik to the front.

"You saw it! My son participated in our meeting for the first time, and he will attend important meetings in the future. In the future, they will be the big leaders you need to respect!"

Otto just wanted to reiterate Rurik's dignity, which was actually beating Arik and ordering him to obey his younger brother.

Up to now, the elders no longer feel that it is necessary to hold any tribal competition in the future to elect the leader. Since Rurik has received the grace of God, it will naturally be the hereditary leader of Rurik and his descendants. Could there be a better arrangement than this?

"I will appoint an important position in Rurik." Otto announced in a strong voice: "I will appoint him to the official position of war chief."

As soon as this statement came out, everyone was in an uproar!

Rurik was shocked, then relieved. Sure enough, he is not the leader, and he always solves many affairs on behalf of the leader, but it is the responsibility of the "imperial envoy".

As the "war chief" of the clan, this position is almost the third person of the clan (the second is the high priest), and as long as the chief leader does not make new arrangements, this position will be extended indefinitely.

For example, Haro Zuosen, who often undertakes important work, is exactly the "War Chief". In theory, if the leader of the tribe is killed in battle, the "War Chief" is more likely to be elected as the new "Big Chief".

In theory, this is the case. Today, the system of the Rus people selecting leaders, everyone can see that it has clearly begun to "home the world".

Hearing this arrangement, Arik was the one who showed the most intense expression, because this young man was waiting for Otto to arrange himself to be the "War Chief" at this meeting. This is the position of military commander, and the person who holds this position has the right to lead the warriors of the tribe on expedition.

Arik was shocked: "Boss, do you plan to let your brother... let him lead the army to fight now?"

Otto did not explain on the spot, nor did he appease the suspicious Rurik.

"What? Can't you?"

"But he's only eight years old! Chief, do you object to my idea and just want your younger brother to get involved? This... is too early for him."