Rise of Rurik

The agreement is engraved on the wooden board, and it is in duplicate.

This secret contract stipulates the work that the Rus people need to perform when the war begins, the troops that need to be sent, and the remuneration that the Meralon people should give after the battle. In principle, each tribe must send troops. Since the Ostara tribe has almost no males, the remnants are mixed with the Rus. In the simple war, the Rus also fought on behalf of the Ostarans, that is, they had no right to benefit from the war.

The Rus were asked to send a total of three transport ships, including the sailing ship Avlora, to carry the coalition forces, or mainly the reserves of the Meralon army.

Because of the particularity of the mission, the troops dispatched by the Rus were limited to 200 people.

That said, Origen didn't want the Rus army to appear on the battlefield. He was very convinced that the Rus had indeed fought the Gotlanders hard three years ago, and that they were indeed strong, and it would be too bad if they took the credit for themselves.

And this war, the Melalen tribe needs to establish a new hero.

One of the things that Origen planned was that when he went to a grand sacrificial event, he would publicly announce that his only son Carl would be the "war chief" of the Melalen army. He just wants to let his son make achievements, so that he can be recognized by most people when he inherits his status.

He is very willing to believe that the Rus people will fulfill their agreement, so long as the energy source continues to receive material benefits, they will continue to support the Origen family to continue to serve as the supreme ruler. Even if that person is Carl...

When it was almost evening, the boats docked on Lamb Leg Island were pushed into the water one after another. Otto and others still covered their heads with sackcloth. They deliberately waited until the sky was dark to leave, just to hide their eyes and ears.

No other tribal leader knew that Ross and Melalen had made a secret agreement, let alone three extremely important events that the Ross people had known in advance.

First: Origen decides to emulate the Franks and become king.

Second: The Melarens will declare war on Gotland and Denmark on the occasion of their alliance.

The third: the sacrifice of the expedition, Origen will rarely use the blood of slaves to sacrifice the lake god Meralon and the great god Odin.

In fact, the Rus people only know the rough situation of these things, and Olegin never said the details.

"The war is very likely to expand. He can't lead his troops to Copenhagen? Oh, if this settlement exists now." Rurik estimates that when the so-called war starts, half of the previous plan will be abandoned, and it often ends. It is not up to the initiator to control.

War is bound to break out, will its result be a complete victory for the alliance? Rurik could not predict a sure victory,

However, what kind of result the war eventually turned into, Ross's interests could not suffer losses.

Ross must ensure that he will not be defeated by the hard power of the external enemy. Almost everything that can destroy a power comes from internal contradictions and rifts.

Now there is a very thorny problem, which he did not expect.

On the way home, Rurik deliberately gave Carlotta an ugly expression, and even refused to talk to him at all.

"Rurik, I was wrong, I shouldn't have..."

"I beg you to take care of me..."

Carlotta gritted her teeth, and when she saw Otto's indifference, the situation really became very tricky.

In fact, Otto thought about it for a while, and she didn't think Carlotta's outrageous behavior was excessive. After all, Olegin is the leader of the alliance, and admitting that a girl is the leader of a tribe is also the man, and Carlota's servility cannot be said to be wrong. What's more, didn't he and his son also recognize Olegin as king in the form of "agreement"?

Rurik didn't want to pay attention to her, it looked like he was just playing a temper.

Otto didn't care, and the group returned to Gould Island in the dark after nightfall. Boats have no intention of disturbing night anglers, they don't want to disturb anyone.

At night, the Melalen tribe lit up with some lights, which were just open bonfires. Gould was also lit by bonfires, especially the long-lasting oil lamps on some wooden stakes at the pier to point the returning Otto fleet in the right direction.

The phantom of the Avlora was hazy in the night and undulating gently in the lake's thin waves.

Those free-spirited merchants bought a lot of goods during the day, and Gould had been looking forward to it. He reported to the leader that a special batch of goods had been sold by more than half, and the money earned had approached three hundred pounds of silver. The main goods here are soap, glassware and precious leather, and a very small amount of metal daily necessities.

The ship came back, and Rurik was still angry.

He felt that Carlotta was suspected of betrayal, and even if she had no thoughts of betrayal, it was a huge mistake.

Otto was in front, Rurik followed with a firm pace, and Carlota had no choice but to follow.

She really could not have imagined that as soon as she entered the brightly lit hall, someone strangled her neck.

It was extremely rare for Rurik to show his rough side. He pressed Carlota to the ground and pressed his knees to his back.

Frightened by this, the girl burst into tears.

Is it something to be proud of when a boy bullies a girl? of course not. But it has a deeper meaning.

"You! Carlotta of Ostara, you are destined to be my woman, and you are stupid enough to long for Origen's help."

"Ah! I'm sorry, I... I was wrong..." Carlotta just lay on the ground without any resistance. She burst into tears, and it almost wet a large area of ​​sand and gravel.

Rurik knew that she realized her stupidity, and if the matter could be resolved with just "I'm sorry", then she was also a fool.

Carlotta, this girl needs to go through a deep lesson to realize her true situation. Because now she is not only a natural person at all, but represents the power of the Ostara people, and she needs to be responsible for everything in a group.

Rurik's sturdy palms seemed to break Carlotta's neck. He half-kneeled and put his head in his daughter's ear, and deliberately asked, "Who rescued you? Who rescued your clan? We Russ people. That Olegin deliberately let you die, he wants you all to die, and now he jumps out and pretends to be a good man, and you believe a few sweet words."

"Yes, I was wrong... I shouldn't have believed him."

"Did I allow you to kneel to that guy at that time? You are a female warrior, but also my woman! Without my permission, you can only kneel to God. That Olegin is not worthy of your respect." Ke suspected that perhaps Carlotta would be a little unconvinced by saying this, so he continued: "No one will really surrender to Olegin, we want his money, if he can't give us silver coins and wheat, then directly Turn your face. It's been seventy years, the Russ don't need them, and you Ostarans never need them."

At this moment, the excited Gould had no idea what was going on. He stood beside Otto with an embarrassed and wry smile, but Otto also had a blank face and did not want to interfere in the "child fight".

Fortunately, Otto finally felt that something was wrong: "Enough, she is your woman after all."

Rurik still hooked his head and said viciously: "No! She is my female warrior, and I have to take her to fight! Carlotta, at that moment not only forgot who your man is, but also you. I am a commander myself. Is the Valkyrie Legion a joke? If you think Olegin is worthy of worship, then hand over the clothes, swords and food that we Rus gave you, and I will send you to May now Laren Market, you can fend for yourself."

Son [ ]'s words really went over and over again, but Otto understood it. Rurik was not admonishing his wife for "disloyalty", but a leader admonishing disobedient subordinates.

Ask yourself, what would you do if your subordinates suddenly ran to claim allegiance to Olegin? Otto's idea is very straightforward, just one word - chop.

"She knows she's wrong," Otto said coldly. "You let her get up. If she forgets next time, you can deprive her of her status and make her a slave. I think Ella is also good. She succeeds Otto. It's not impossible for the leader of Stara."

As soon as this statement came out, Carlotta completely realized what terror was. She was trembling all over, and Rurik knew that very well.

Rurik let go, he didn't want to get things done. Ella has a weak personality. As her sister, Carlota is stronger, and her revenge is extremely heavy. When she was young, she was forced to be a political figure with a certain opinion. It was too embarrassing for her.

Carlotta still knelt on the ground, Rurik stood up: "The war is about to break out, Olekin thinks that the Ostarans have no soldiers to fight, I don't think so. You are a female warrior, in the future In the battle, if our fleet encounters a low hand, you must use the crossbow to shoot the enemy without mercy. Remember, I am your man and your benefactor, and will be merciful today. Otherwise, the next one Those who hold your neck will not hesitate to use you as a toy, and you will die miserably. Remember, only I can help you revive Ostara, and only you and my children are eligible to inherit Ostara Leader Tara, Origen can only give you ultimate destruction."

Son, Rurik, he seems to have two faces!

At this moment, Otto felt an unprecedented strangeness. He saw the son who was polite and contractual in front of Origen, and also saw the son who despised Olegen like dung behind his back.

Rus people will never be slaves, not even the servants of others!

The Rus had the opportunity to serve as the servants of the Melalen seventy years ago, but the Rus would rather go to the extremely bitter and cold Roseburg Fjord, where even the fastest voyage takes three days, in order to live for themselves. Rus people can only be the masters of others! Like being the master of the Ostarans.

This glimpse of Otto's heart was greatly relieved, and he could say that the future was safe.

The most positive meaning of "admonishing" Carlotta is to strengthen the stability of the Ross camp.

After an unprecedented admonition, she was smart enough to understand how to win the favor of her future husband, that is, waiting for an opportunity to kill the enemy on the battlefield.

Just about killing the enemy, she was not nervous or even looked forward to it. Whether it is the Danish army or the Gotland army, they are all enemies with their own blood. Realistically, she found that she would never have hurt a single enemy without Rurik's winch-steel-armed crossbow.

Gould hurriedly reported today's major income and expenditure situation, which greatly eased the tense atmosphere just now.

However, the war is imminent. Because of the secret contract, the Russ people know about this in advance than other tribes, and they can have a huge strategic initiative in advance!

The matter was extremely important. Rurik, Otto, and the others ate some wheat cakes and stewed meat at random. In the council hall on the island, they were instructing idlers and others to avoid, strictly prohibiting anyone from leaving the island, and the wooden door was closed. emergency meeting.

The meeting is the so-called preparation meeting.

It stands to reason that the battle-hardened Otto has a huge say. This time Rurik took advantage of the momentum just now. After turning his head quickly, he formulated a preliminary plan and announced it to the public.

Rurik announced three major readiness decisions.

First, from the home city of Roseburg and the nearest stronghold, Tombstone Island, gather a hundred warriors who have gone to battle. Summon all the mercenary warriors in Roseburg. Twenty children of military training, ten boys and ten girls, were gathered. Gather twenty Corvins capable of drawing longbows in Elrond.

Second, a death order was given to the people of Roseburg, and they immediately began to mass-produce arrows for bows and crossbows, as well as projectiles and special short spears, or harpoons, required for twisting slingshots. Order all the blacksmiths, including Kravason, as well as the clan's master carpenters, to work together to quickly craft the new Torsion Slingshot and Steel Arm Crossbow. If steel arms are insufficient, use short wooden bows instead.

Third, at least five cargo ships should be emptied, and their decks should be added immediately, and even new planks should be installed to increase the height of the ship's side. All the master ship control masters stranded on Gould Island should further strengthen the work of manipulating the sails.

The three points are all for combat service, that is, the various terms are unexpected by Otto.

Otto had to formally question: "You? Are you planning to turn all the people we sent into archers?"

"Yes!"

"It's so weird."

"Is this very strange?" In fact, Rurik didn't understand, and Otto didn't know and could not think of how much the large-scale use of crossbowmen could bring about changes in the war situation.

Otto did see the three-stage strike posed by the so-called "Ross Arrow Formation", which was invented by his son, but unfortunately it has not been tested in actual combat.

He settled down and asked, "Our mission is to serve as a transport team. Do you really want to participate in the battle? Isn't our agreement not to take the initiative to participate in the battle on the shore?"

"What about at sea?"

When Rurik asked this, Otto was stopped.

"Battles at sea? Our army will definitely adopt the tactics of surprise attacks. It is extremely difficult for naval battles to happen. Besides, naval battles are also bloody battles."

"However, we are all cargo ships, cargo ships that are completely dependent on sail. Our ship's side is much higher than the enemy's long ships, especially the Avrora, she is too tall. If there is a naval battle, why should we jump gang ?"

"So you want to shoot the enemy with arrows?"

"Exactly. Dad, I'm very suspicious of why you questioned." Rurik turned his head sideways with big doubts in his eyes.

"Because of our battles, especially me, I...I haven't seen a team made up of all archers."

"Oh, then you will see it soon." Rurik said constructively: "Did Olegin say that we will not really participate in the fierce battle, and we can safely watch the enemy's camp fall into flames? The enemy is anyone. The slaughtered fat sheep? Can Olegin guarantee that the Danes will stand there obediently and let us allied forces cut and kill, instead of organizing a fleet to counterattack? What if the enemy comes? Of course, we will fight."

Originally, Otto didn't think much, but when his son was so enlightened and asked, he blamed himself for being old and confused.

Otto laughed slyly: "Yes, we are prepared. Come on, do you plan to equip every soldier with a bow? I see that you also let your children join the war, even the Kewen people, Tell me what you think."

"This is clearly an opportunity." As Rurik spoke, he also looked at Carlotta, who was sitting cautiously: "Some of my children are nine or ten years old, they eat very good food, everyone They're all strong enough to at least turn the winch that winds the crossbow. They've been training all the time, and now there's a combat opportunity in front of me, and I have to bring the best of them to battle."

Otto nodded: "Even a girl?"

"Yes! The commander of the Valkyrie Legion is here, she made a mistake, and she had to go into battle with the female warriors with crossbows. They could stand on the boat and shoot at the enemies that might appear. And those boys , especially Fisk and Kanuf, they have to be trained."

"Even the Kewen people?!" Otto continued to ask, staring.

"According to the contract, the Corvins of Elrond are our servants, and they must fight for us. Haven't we made thirty longbows? It can come in handy now."

Otto nodded deeply. He actually knew the general situation of the current ranged weapons of the Rus.

It has been a full year and a half since the invention of the crossbow. During these times, the number of crossbow holdings has been rising slowly. All crossbows are carefully maintained, the steel arms and hemp strings are greased to resist oxidation and wear, and the strings are removed when not in use.

Its holdings actually exceeded a hundred, and there are nearly two hundred short wooden bows, but these bows are hunting and training tools, and their combat effectiveness is doubtful.

But Otto had great confidence in those thirty longbows made of ash trees.

Now the question came, Otto asked with great interest: "Rurik, you can bring two hundred bows and crossbows, how many arrows do you plan to prepare?"

"At least 20,000!"

"Huh?" Otto was taken aback. "So much? Are you crazy?"

Rurik said righteously: "I'm not crazy! When the battle really starts, when all the arrows are fired, then I'll be really crazy. Dad, a warrior never complains that he has too many weapons. You don't have to. Worry that these arrows are extremely expensive, only a few of them are expensive, most don't even need feather tails. You don't have to worry, we can use our tribe to make weapons, most of them hate Denmark, and they can't directly fight To get revenge, make your own contribution by making weapons. In my opinion, they will be very supportive."

Otto thought about it for a while and there is a reason, that is, is it too late to issue the order now?

"Rurik, can we still make a batch of bows and arrows now. In my opinion, Olegin can't wait to organize a fleet to set off tomorrow."

"How can it be so fast. In my opinion, he has to prepare for at least a month. I don't believe that those leaders who only have war rumors at the alliance meeting can prepare their troops in one day. Dad, please rest assured, My prediction will come true. I dare say it will take Olegin at least a month to get everything ready."

Otto nodded, trusting that Rurik's "rehearsal" would come true.

Well, the Russ should make good use of the next month to prepare. He had to be vigilant, since his son thought that the encounter with the Danish fleet and the possibility of a fierce battle was very likely, it must become a reality. The Rus must be prepared to fight a sea battle in a new situation, a fleet of pure sail-powered ships against oars.

Is the Avlora ready for her first battle since birth?

She is the elf sculpture standing under the foremast of the ship, and she must be ready, because she is born to fight and is a special "female warrior" who guards Rose.