The agreement was engraved on the wooden board in duplicate.
This secret agreement stipulates the tasks that the Rus need to perform when the war begins, the troops that need to be sent, and the rewards that the Melalen people should give after the battle. In principle, each tribe must send troops, because the Ostara tribe almost
Without men, the remnants were all mixed with the Rus. In the simple war, the Rus also fought on behalf of the Ostara people, but they had no right to benefit from the war.
The Russians were asked to dispatch a total of three transport ships, including the sailing ship Aurora, to carry the reserve supplies of the coalition forces, or mainly the Maylaren Army.
Due to the special nature of the mission, the number of troops dispatched by the Russians was limited to 200 people.
In other words, Origen did not want the Russian army to appear on the battlefield. He firmly believed that the Russians did severely defeat the Gotlanders three years ago. They were indeed strong. It would be too much if they took away the credit from him.
Oh no.
And for this war, the Melalen tribe needs to establish a new hero.
One thing Origen planned was that during the grand sacrificial expedition, he would publicly announce that his only son Karl would serve as the "War Chief" of the Melalen Army. He wanted his son to gain merit so that he could inherit the throne.
When your status is high, you can be recognized by most people.
He is very willing to believe that the Russians will fulfill their agreement, which is that as long as the energy source continues to receive material benefits, they will continue to support the Origen family to continue to be the supreme ruler. Even if that person is Karl...
Towards evening, the boats docked at Sheep's Leg Island were pushed into the water one after another. Otto and others still covered their heads with linen cloths. They deliberately waited until it was dark to leave, just to hide their eyes from others.
No other tribal leader knew that Ross and Melalen had made a secret agreement, let alone the three extremely important events that the Ross people had known about in advance.
First: Origen decided to imitate the Franks and become king.
Second: The Malaren people will declare war against Gotland and Denmark on the occasion of the alliance.
Third: As a sacrifice for the expedition, Origen will rarely sacrifice the blood of slaves to the lake god Melalon and the great god Odin.
In fact, the Russians only knew the rough details of these things, and Olegin never talked about the details.
"The war is very likely to expand. He can't lead his troops to Copenhagen? Oh, if this settlement exists now." Rurik estimated that when the so-called war starts, half of the previous plans will be scrapped, and it will often end.
It is not up to the initiator to influence it.
The war is bound to break out. Will its result be a complete victory for the Alliance? Rurik cannot make any expectation of victory, but whatever the final outcome of the war will be, Ross's interests cannot suffer losses.
Ross must ensure that he will not be defeated by the hard power of external enemies. What can destroy a powerful power almost always comes from internal contradictions and rifts.
Now there is a very difficult problem that he did not expect.
On the way home, Rurik deliberately gave Carlotta an ugly look and refused all attempts to strike up a conversation.
"Rurik, I was wrong, I shouldn't..."
"I beg you to pay attention to me..."
Carlotta gritted her teeth. She saw that Otto was indifferent. The situation had really become very difficult.
In fact, Otto thought about it for a moment, and she didn't think Carlotta's outrageous move was too much. After all, Olegin was the leader of the alliance, and it was the same man who recognized a girl as the leader of a tribe. Carlotta's humiliation could not be said to be wrong. What's more,
, didn’t he and his son also recognize Olegin as king in the form of an “agreement”?
Rurik didn't want to talk to her and seemed to be just having a bad temper.
Otto didn't take it seriously, and the group returned to Gould Island in the dark after nightfall. The boat had no intention of disturbing the night fishermen, and they didn't want to disturb anyone.
There are some lights on the Mellaren tribe at night, which are just open-air bonfires. Bonfires are also lit here in Gould, especially some wooden piles at the dock with long-lasting oil lamps to greet the returning Otto ship.
Point the team in the right direction.
The phantom of the Aurora was hazy in the night and gently undulated in the thin waves of the lake.
Those free merchants bought a large amount of goods during the day, and Gould had long been looking forward to reporting to the leader that more than half of a special batch of goods had been sold, and the payment earned was close to three hundred pounds of silver coins.
The main goods here are soap, glassware and precious leather, as well as 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. Even if she had no intention of betrayal, it would be a huge mistake.
Otto was in front, and Rurik followed closely behind with firm steps. Carlotta didn't know what to say and had to follow obediently.
She really didn't expect that as soon as she entered the brightly lit hall, someone would grab her neck.
Rurik rarely showed his rough side. He pushed Carlotta to the ground and pressed his knee on her 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 this matter has a deeper meaning.
"You! Carlotta of Ostara, you are destined to be my woman, but you are stupid enough to desire 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 wet a large area of sand and gravel.
Rurik knew that she realized her stupidity. If this matter could be solved by just saying "I'm sorry", then he would be a fool too.
Carlotta, this girl needs to experience a profound lesson to realize her true situation. Because now she is not only a natural person, but represents the power of the Ostara people. She needs to do everything for a group of people.
Responsible.
Rurik's strong palms seemed to want to strangle Carlotta's neck. He knelt down and put his head to his daughter's ear, deliberately asking: "Who saved you? Who saved your people? It's us.
Russians. That Olegin deliberately allowed you to die. He wanted you all to die. Now he comes out and pretends to be a good person, and you actually believe his sweet words."
"Yes, I was wrong...I shouldn't have believed him."
"Did I give you permission to kneel down to that guy? You are a female warrior and my woman! Without my permission, you can only kneel down to God. That Olegin is not worthy of your respect." Liuli
K suspected that Carlotta might be a little unconvinced by speaking like this, so he continued: "No one will really surrender to Olegin. What we want is his money. If he can't give us silver coins and wheat, then just give him money."
Falling out. It’s been seventy years. The Rus’ didn’t need them, and you Ostarans never needed them either.”
At this moment, the excited Gould had no idea what was going on. He stood next to Otto with an awkward forced smile, but he saw that Otto also had a stern face and seemed unwilling to interfere in the "children's fight".
Fortunately, Otto finally felt something was wrong: "That's enough, she is your woman after all."
Rurik still raised his head and said fiercely: "No! She is my female warrior, and I will take her to fight! Carlotta, at that moment, not only did I forget who your man was, but I also forgot about you.
I am a commander. Is the Valkyrie Legion a joke? If you think Olegin is worthy of worship, then hand over the clothes, swords and food that we Russians gave you, and I will send you to May right now.
Laren Market, you can fend for yourself."
His son's words really got louder and clearer, and Otto finally understood. Rurik was not admonishing his wife for being "unfaithful", but was completely acting like a leader admonishing his disobedient subordinates.
Ask yourself, what would you do if one of your men suddenly ran away and declared allegiance to Olegin? Otto's idea was very simple, just one word - kill.
"She knows she is wrong." Otto said coldly, "Let her get up. If she still forgets next time, you can strip her of her identity and demote her as a slave. I think Ella is not bad. She will succeed Otto.
It’s not impossible for Leader Starla to do so.”
As soon as these words came out, Carlotta completely realized what horror was. She was trembling all over, and Rurik felt this very clearly.
Rurik let go of his hand, he didn't want to make things happen. Ella has a weak character, but Carlotta, as her sister, is stronger. She has a strong desire for revenge. At a young age, she was forced to do something about possessing
Politicians who have certain opinions really make things difficult for her.
Carlotta was still kneeling on the ground, and Rurik stood up: "The war is about to break out. Olegin thinks that the Ostara people have no soldiers to fight with. I don't think so. You are a female warrior. In the future,
During the battle, if our fleet encounters low-handed opponents, you must control the crossbow to shoot at the enemy without mercy. Remember, I am your man and your benefactor. I will be merciless today. Otherwise, the next one
Anyone who grabs your neck will treat you as a toy without hesitation, and you will die miserably. Remember, only I can help you revive Ostara, and only you and my children are qualified to inherit Ostara.
Leader of Tara, Origen can only give you final destruction."
My son, Rurik, seems to have two faces!
At this moment, Otto felt an unprecedented strangeness. He saw his son who was polite and strict in front of Origen, and he also saw his son who despised Origen like dirt behind his back.
Russians will never be slaves, not even as servants of others!
Seventy years ago, the Russians had the opportunity to serve as the servants of the Mellaren people, but the Russians would rather go to the extremely cold Rossberg Fjord, which even the fastest sailing takes three days, in order to live for themselves. The Russians
You can only be the master of others! For example, become the master of the Ostara people.
This glimpse of Otto's heart was greatly relieved, and he could say that his future was worry-free.
The most positive meaning of "reprimanding" Carlotta is to strengthen the stability of Ross's camp.
After an unprecedented training, she was smart enough to understand how to please her future husband, which was to wait for opportunities to kill the enemy on the battlefield.
She was not nervous about killing the enemy and was even looking forward to it. Whether it was the Danish army or the Gotland army, they were all enemies with whom she had a blood feud. What was very realistic was that she found out that if Rurik hadn't invented
With the winch steel arm crossbow, you can never even think of hurting any enemy.
Gould's hurried report on today's major income and expenditure status greatly eased the tense atmosphere just now.
However, the war is imminent. Because of the secret agreement, the Rus people know about this in advance than other tribes, so they can have huge strategic initiative in advance!
The matter was extremely important. Rurik, Otto and others just ate some wheat cakes and stewed meat. They were in the island's meeting hall and ordered everyone to stay away. No one was allowed to leave the island. The wooden wall door was closed.
Hold an emergency meeting under certain circumstances.
The meeting is the so-called preparation meeting.
It stands to reason that Otto, who has experienced hundreds of battles, has a huge say. This time, Rurik took advantage of the momentum just now, quickly turned his head, formulated a preliminary plan, and announced it in public.
What Rurik announced were three major war readiness decisions.
First, gather one hundred warriors who have been on the battlefield from the mother city of Roseburg and the nearest stronghold, Tombstone Island. Call on all the mercenary warriors in Roseburg. Call on twenty children who have received military training, ten men and ten women.
Ironburg summoned twenty Korvin men who could draw longbows.
Second, give the people of Fort Ross a death order and immediately start mass-producing arrows for bows and crossbows, as well as projectiles and special short spears required for torque slingshots, or harpoons. Order all the blacksmiths including Clavarson to
, and the tribe's carpentry masters, worked together to quickly make new torsion slingshots and steel-arm crossbows. If the steel arms were insufficient, short wooden bows were used instead.
Third, clear out at least five cargo ships, immediately add decks, and even install new planks to increase the height of the ship's sides. All ship control experts stranded on Gould Island must further strengthen their sail control work.
These three points are all for combat service, but the various terms were beyond Otto's expectation.
Otto had to formally question: "You? Do you plan to turn all the people we send into archers?"
"Yes!"
"It's so weird."
"Is this strange?" In fact, Rurik didn't understand. Otto still didn't know and couldn't imagine how much change the large-scale use of crossbowmen could bring to the war situation.
Otto did indeed see the three-stage attack of the so-called "Ross Arrow Array". This was invented by his son, but unfortunately it has not been tested in actual combat.
He calmed 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 actively participate in the battle on the shore?"
"What about the sea?"
When Rurik asked this, Otto was stunned.
"A battle at sea? Our army will definitely adopt surprise tactics. A naval battle is extremely unlikely to happen. Besides, a naval battle is also a bloody battle between gangs."
"However, all we have are cargo ships, cargo ships that rely entirely on sails. The sides of our ships are much higher than the enemy's long ships, especially the Avora, which is too tall. If there is a naval battle, why should we join forces?
?”
"So you want to shoot your enemies with arrows?"
"Exactly. Dad, I doubt why you are questioning it." Rurik tilted his head with confusion in his eyes.
"Because of our battles, especially me, I...I have never seen a team composed entirely of archers."
"Oh, then you will see it soon." Rurik said constructively: "Did Olegin say that we will not really participate in the fierce battle, so we can safely watch the enemy's camp fall into a sea of fire? The enemy is left to his own devices.
Fat sheep for slaughter? Can Olegin guarantee that the Danes will stand there obediently and let our coalition attack them instead of organizing a fleet to fight back? What if the enemy comes? Of course we will fight them."
Otto didn't think much at first, but when his son asked him such a enlightening question, he blamed himself for being stupid.
Otto laughed naively: "Yes, we are well prepared. Tell me, do you plan to equip every warrior with a bow? I saw that you also let your children participate in the war, even the Covin people.
Tell me what you think."
"This is obviously an opportunity." As Rurik spoke, he also looked at Carlotta, who was sitting with her head bent. "Some of the children under my command are nine or ten years old. They eat very good food. Everyone
They are all strong enough to at least turn the winch that winds the crossbow. They have been training all day long, and now a combat opportunity is in front of them, and I must let the best of them join the battle."
Otto nodded: "Even if it's a girl?"
"Yes! The commander of the Valkyrie Legion is here. If she makes a mistake, she must take the female warriors with crossbows into the battle. They can stand on the boat and shoot at enemies who may appear. And those boys
, especially Fiske and Kanuf, they must get experience."
"Even a Covin?!" Otto continued to ask with his eyes wide open.
"According to the contract, the Corvins of Ironburg are our servants, and they must fight for us. Didn't we make thirty longbows? They can be put to use now."
Otto nodded deeply. He actually had an overview of the Russians' current range of long-range weapons.
It has been a full year and a half since the invention of the crossbow. During this time, the number of crossbows has been slowly increasing. All crossbows are carefully maintained, with steel bow arms and strings made of hemp rope.
It is coated with grease to resist oxidation and wear. When not in use, the bowstring is removed.
Its holdings actually exceeded one hundred, and there were nearly two hundred short wooden bows. However, these bows were only hunting and training tools, and their combat effectiveness was questionable.
But for those thirty longbows made of ash trees, Otto had great confidence in them.
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 shocked, "So many? Are you crazy?"
Rurik said righteously: "I'm not crazy! When the battle really starts, when all the arrows are gone, I will really go crazy. Dad, a warrior never complains that he has too many weapons. You don't have to either
I'm worried that these arrows are extremely expensive. Only a few of them are expensive, and most of them don't even need feather tails. You don't have to worry, we can mobilize our tribesmen to make weapons. Most tribesmen hate Denmark deeply and they cannot directly participate in the war.
To take revenge, make your own contribution by making weapons. I think they will be very supportive."
Otto thought about it and it made sense. Is it too late to issue the order now?
"Rurik, can we still rush to make a batch of bows and arrows now? In my opinion, Olegin can't wait to organize a fleet to set off tomorrow."
"It can't be that fast. In my opinion, it will take at least a month to prepare. I don't believe that those leaders who only have rumors of war at alliance meetings or wars can prepare their armies in one day. Dad, please don't worry.
My prediction will come true. I dare say that it will take Olegin at least a month to prepare everything."
Otto nodded, trusting that Rurik's "preview" would become a reality.
Then, the Russians should make good use of the next month to prepare. He had to be more vigilant. Since his son believed that an encounter and fierce battle with the Danish fleet was very likely, it would definitely become a reality. The Russians
We must be prepared to fight a naval battle under a new situation, where a fleet of purely sail-powered ships will face off against oars.
Is Aurora ready for her first battle?
She is the elf sculpture standing under the foremast at the bow of the ship. She must be ready because she is born for battle and is a special "female warrior" who protects Ross.