Although your Excellency hurried to the longhouse of the priests, they brought back many amazing trophies, as well as some new faces.
In recent days, some unfavorable rumors about Rurik have been spreading. Businessmen from Mälaren are spreading pessimistic remarks, but Otto has no ability to find out where the news comes from.
They were actually the spiritual followers of the dead old King Oleg, and now they naturally regarded Karl as their righteous one. Since the Russians had really beaten the power of the Mälaren Oleg family, these faction members used this as their basis.
Rumors are causing trouble.
Any malicious remarks disappeared instantly when Rurik returned. They saw a large number of bear heads from the far north, and another group of strangers from the Balmok tribe.
The leader, a young man with a bald head and braided beard, shouted in front of all the burly Russians who gathered around him: "I am the son of the leader of Balmok, a hero of ice and snow canonized by Odin. I have formed a blood-based alliance with your leader, and we are all."
Show me some respect!"
Biyongni indeed looked ruthless, and Jevlo kept explaining beside him, so the Ross warriors lowered their guard a little, but they were always wary of foreign warriors. After all, they were the people who stayed in Rossburg, and they hunted in large numbers.
The men are still working in the northern towns of Ellenburg and Fischleburg.
Sir Rurik was in the chief priest's house. Many people immediately thought that he might have already known the news, and hurried back just to see the dying high priest one last time.
In fact, everyone is mentally prepared by now. In the entire Rossburg and the entire Ross Principality, there is no living person who lives longer than the old Vilia. This is a great woman who is in charge of the Ross people.
History has witnessed the transformation of Roseburg from a small coastal pasture for reindeer herding to the powerful city it is today.
People walked out of their homes one after another and approached the longhouse of the priests.
Otto held the hand of his wife Niya, and together with the elites of the tribe, they all stood at the main entrance of the chief priest's house.
As many as three thousand people have gathered here, and more people are still gathering. There are voices of people talking everywhere, and many people are anxious, suspicious, and worried. But they are ordinary people after all.
, they were afraid of Odin's power and worried that they would be punished by the god if they approached the priest's longhouse rashly.
A noble man like Otto was about to push open the door curtain of the "Sacred Realm" when he saw the leather door curtain being opened from the inside.
Rurik took off his hat and walked out with his blond hair hanging, his head tilted, and a line of tears on his cheeks.
Seeing the crowds of clansmen outside and the earnest and solemn expressions of his parents, Rurik drew out his sword in front of everyone and pointed the peak at the sky.
"Russians! Vilia's soul has gone to Valhalla! You will always remember it! She is the first heroine of our tribe, and she is not dead! She is a Valkyrie! Her name is Sperosvili
Ya, she is our Valkyrie, and she will only protect the Valkyrie of our Rus people. You should not be sad, and Vilia does not want you to be sad either. You cheer! Celebrate the birth of a Valkyrie."
The crowd quickly quieted down? Some people thought for a moment? Randomly let out an astonishing war cry. This is the highest praise from a warrior to the Valkyrie.
Thousands of men roared, including Russian women.
However, some young people saw the returning Rurik himself? They vented their dissatisfaction and regret with roars, and their budding ambitions finally came to nothing with Rurik's return.
Has this moment finally arrived? Many people covered their tears with roars, and even extremely strong warriors also shed tears.
Everyone is willing to believe Rurik's announcement? After all, Vilia has predicted his own end. God will definitely promote Vilia, who has spent his whole life serving Odin, as a new Valkyrie in accordance with his previous promise.
Continuing to think in this way, Vilia's death is not a sad thing. Death is just the beginning of her becoming the Valkyrie. When did she die in the human world? It was the moment when she was born in Valhalla. So.
Many sacred objects bound to her in the mortal world have naturally become ordinary.
Gradually, people who wanted to understand began to cheer purely.
Vilia finished his peaceful and great life. A young girl followed the tribesmen who were expelled by their allies and ran to the bitter cold distance. In this fjord, the persecuted Russians spent thirty years
Dormant finally regained a certain strength? They conquered the Slavs in Novgorod and gained the right to collect tribute. It took another twenty years, and the Rus tribe ushered in the first strong man Otto from the sky? In another ten years
, a Son of God came into the world.
In her twilight years, Vilia finally saw the rise of the tribe? In the last moments, she was completely convinced that this was God's blessing. Only relying on the power of the Rus? Did she completely destroy the power of the Gotlanders? Huge
The ocean has completely become the property of the Russians? A new era has arrived.
Maybe Villa has no regrets?
Rurik estimated that Vilia had not yet seen her come of age and get married, and she still left with regrets.
The high priest left at the age of nearly eighty years. In this era when the final life span of Nordic adults is only fifty years, a life span of eighty years is a miracle. Her death represents the complete end of the era of humiliation and dormancy for the Russian people, Liuli
Ke clearly realized that he was standing at a watershed in the history of the Russian people. Odin, or destiny, or something great, was urging him, the hero, to push the wheel of history forward.
The Russians have their own funeral habits, but the funerals of warriors are more grand. Ordinary people may bury them casually or burn them directly. The so-called funeral ceremony is when the priest sings ancient prayers and guides the deceased.
The soul of the deceased goes to his rightful destination.
But Vilia is not an ordinary person, she is the most noble woman in Roseburg, one of the incarnations of everyone's faith, and she is still a Valkyrie!
Even if Rurik announced that her body was only the body of the Valkyrie left in the world, a grand funeral must be carried out.
The funeral was chosen on the third day after she left, the so-called "third day funeral". Rurik decided to make this the most critical funeral for the future of the Russian people.
The funeral will be held on the third day, so there will be enough time to prepare all the funeral matters in the two days before.
Rurik finally returned to his home, but he had no intention of telling his parents and friends who stayed behind about his experiences in the north. After all, Saipolava also experienced everything, and it was this woman who accompanied Rurik for four long years.
The girl who was only a month old told everyone in her family.
Rurik's thoughts were all devoted to the funeral. As a "person blessed by Odin", he was naturally obliged to direct all funeral work.
Vilia died at a healthy age, and her death did not cause lasting grief among the Russians.
The tribesmen accepted Rurik's order and everyone devoted themselves to the funeral work, especially the men of the tribe. They began to build a huge wooden platform on the beach, where Vilia's decayed body would be reduced to ashes.
…
The grand ceremony is tomorrow, and Rurik boasts that he has made sufficient preparations.
That night, at the home of Duke Ross, a group of the most important figures in the tribe gathered together.
Everyone remained silent for a while, until Otto broke the silence: "Vilia is dead, her soul is already a Valkyrie, and tomorrow, her body left in the mortal world will turn into ashes. This is what she hopes
.What do you think?"
Most of the visitors were older men from the tribe, most of whom were brothers who had been born like this with Otto when they were young.
Everyone still kept their mouths shut, Rurik looked left and right, thinking for a while that they had doubts about the funeral.
Rurik cleared his throat: "If you have any opinions, just tell me. Hallo Zuosen, what about you?"
"Me? My attitude is naturally to support Vilia's will."
"So you just stay silent?"
Harold Johnson shrugged: "What else can I say? To be honest, I hope she continues to live. But she is still dead..."
Rurik narrowed his eyes, and he realized that there seemed to be something else hidden in these words. "Tell me what you actually think, and I won't blame you."
"Yes." Haro Zuosen looked at the old friends on the left and right, and then asked: "Where is Rumia? Where is the new high priest?"
"Rumia? She is in the chief priest's house, guarding Vilia's body. What? Do you have a problem with her? You know, Rumia was chosen by Odin, even though she was a deer herder
people."
"Here's the problem." Harozolson said bluntly, "The priest's longhouse is sacred because it is the residence of Vilia. Her soul went to Valhalla, and the longhouse left in the human world lost its sanctity.
Rurik, be realistic! When Vilya’s body turned to ashes, the longhouse of the priests degenerated into an ordinary building. You...should think about the safety of your huge treasure."
"What do you mean by this? Is the longhouse of the priests sacred only because of Vilia, and..." Rurik was startled and suddenly realized: "Ah! You mean there will be thieves..."
"Presumptuous!" Otto growled in a deep voice: "Hallo Zossen, are you suspecting that someone in the tribe is a thief? There have been such people before, and our approach is to expel them. Perhaps, against thieves who try to rob our big cash box
, shall be punished by beheading the entire family.”
Harozolson was kindly reminding him. He did not think about Otto's anger and hurriedly explained: "At least Rurik will build a better building. In any case, Vilia's death means that the priest's longhouse has become ordinary! Otto
Trust, your family has changed everything. Your son Rurik will definitely inherit the position of Duke, and Rurik's descendants will inherit the status for generations to come. Some time ago, there were rumors in the tribe that Rurik died in a snowstorm.
The careerists are ready to take action. You know, there are still people who believe that the only way to inherit the dukedom is through dueling."
"That's ridiculous! I'm not dead yet!" Otto slapped his thigh for a moment, then hurriedly supported his aching head.
Harold Zosen actually stated the matter so straightforwardly, and such words suddenly awakened the proud Rurik.
Rurik stretched his head and stared into Harozolson's eyes, and asked cautiously: "Is there a potential traitor among us?"
"Of course not!" Harold Zuosen hurriedly cleared the relationship, and everyone else claimed to be innocent.
"Since you all support me, who is the careerist? Oh, you can just tell his name."
But how could Harold Johnson say it out loud!
Otto looked at the embarrassed Harold Johnson suspiciously, and there was a name that he could almost recall!
Is it Arik? Rurik's mind immediately thought of this name. When it comes to reputation, his cousin Arik is a great hero in the Principality of Rus. He has a very high reputation. When Otto and Rurik thought about it, they thought of the same thing.
he.
He thought sincerely that if he really died in a snowstorm, Rurik would be willing to let Arik have a lofty status. He noticed that among the young adults of the Ross tribe, Arik was somewhat brave and reckless, and his battlefield performance was brutal.
There are many flaws, but at least he has great prestige.
"Sure enough...is it Aric?!" Otto said angrily.
"Is it really Arik? I have returned victoriously, how can he still rebel against me? If I confront him directly, will anything happen?" Rurik thought for a while and ended the association.
Otto coughed twice to attract everyone's attention: "Don't make any assumptions. Rurik came back with a large amount of prey. We now have an alliance with the Balmoks. Rurik is the great hero. Who dares to object?"
He is an enemy of God and an enemy of his allies."
This being said, both Otto and Rurik realized that there was something fishy in this.
Originally, this gathering was for Otto to call together old friends to listen to everyone's opinions about the funeral. As a young man, Arik himself was not present. The things that Harold Zuosen involved really made Otto unable to do it, even if it was his nephew.
, if Arik dares to oppose Rurik, Otto will not be stingy with his big ears.
Otto stood up suddenly, grabbed Rurik and was about to leave.
"Hey! Dad, what are you doing?"
"Let's go! I'll take you and that ambitious guy to reason. Everyone else, please go back!"
Harold Zuosen stretched out his hand to stop him, but in the end he didn't stop him. A group of elderly guys followed Otto and saw Otto and his son heading straight to Arik's house.
"Old man, you stabbed Lou Zi." Someone stabbed Harold Johnson with ill intentions.
"Yes. Arik is busy getting his new wife pregnant, so he can't care about fighting for power. Really, maybe that Gotland woman is not good at all..."
"That's right, that's right! Hallo Johnson, you might as well pretend to be deaf and say nothing."
Haro Zuosen was also very upset. He stamped his feet vigorously: "I just wanted to remind him that those brats thought that their chance would come when Rurik disappeared. They didn't think that they were just mortals and they really believed those rumors.
.I didn’t say it was Arik, Otto, this old guy, is he still worried about his nephew? By the way, where do you think those rumors come from? "
Everyone looked at each other, and another person murmured: "Maybe it was said by some Merlaren businessmen. You all know that those guys always like to talk nonsense..."
When Otto and his son broke into Arik's house angrily, the father and son violently kicked open the wooden door and saw something extremely strange.
I saw Arik panting and "taking care" of his new wife Asraqi, while Peravina, who was holding the child, was still giving guidance. Obviously, the relationship between the two women was harmonious, just because of Arik's actions
The child made Otto realize something extremely embarrassing. It has been almost half a year since the so-called war ended, and there is still no movement in Aslaki's belly! Could it be that this woman only has beauty... can't she?
"Uncle! You!" Arik was trembling in desperation, while Asraqi hurriedly picked up a piece of linen cloth and curled up into a ball in extreme nervousness.
"I want to talk to you something, you..." Otto coughed twice: "Get dressed and see me!"
In fact, after seeing this scene, Otto's anger dissipated a lot. In his personal opinion, a person who is addicted to beauty is not willing to pursue power. But that Karl was an accident.
Aric put on his clothes and had something to say. Otto was the first to criticize: "Your brother has come back. Don't think about getting his status anymore. Boy, remember. I am the Duke of the Principality of Ross. I will take you
Treat me as my son. What I give you is yours, not yours, you can’t take it away!”
"I..." Arik felt confused. Seeing the tense atmosphere, Peravina hurriedly helped Asraqi, and held the child to avoid it for the time being.
"Do you have any statement?" Otto continued to ask.
"Me? What can I say? I don't know anything?"
Otto sat directly on the bed and looked at Arik with an interrogating eye: "I heard some rumors that you want to restore the tradition of dueling to gain leadership status. Because your brother disappeared for a time, you thought you had a chance."
"Ah?! I..." Arik looked directly at Rurik: "Brother, do you think I am a villain? You are the son of God. If I dare to overstep my bounds, I will be struck to death by Odin's thunder.
"
"So... what's going on?" Rurik narrowed his eyes, "Why did I hear these rumors at this time?"
Arik didn't want to hide it: "There are indeed some rumors in the tribe that those young guys are ready to make a move. They are wishful thinking and they don't get much support."
"Is that just that? Arik, I just want to hear your true attitude. I know you are sincere."
Arik did not have any evil intentions, and he spoke frankly: "Even if something unexpected happens to you, I will stand up. Even if it is a duel to decide the leader, there is no one in the tribe who is better at fighting than me. Your plan
I will completely inherit it, you and I are both from the same family, and I will not betray the family."
These are Arik's true words. Rurik needs to hear the true words, but why does he feel so unhappy in his heart?
Although the war is between brothers and father and son, the emperor will always be wary of the prince usurping the throne, even if the prince has no intention of doing so.
The sudden situation made Rurik resentful and those rumors were hateful. However, if he asked himself, he went to the Arctic Ocean and stayed there for four months without any news! His mother Niya was worried about her safety, and half of her hair turned gray in depression.
Under such circumstances, it is reasonable for some people to have unreasonable thoughts.
The Ross tribe just has some geopolitical power. If they become complacent and start fighting among themselves, they will collapse in an instant.
"Let this matter end here!" Rurik shouted loudly: "I will find a suitable opportunity to let all potential trespassers see that I am back, and I will make them give up."
Arik is not a bad person, Rurik is sure of this. As long as he is alive, Arik is the best general. If something unexpected happens to him without leaving an heir, as a cousin, he is more suitable to inherit the position of Duke by relying on blood ties.
.
Those who covet power are not "individuals", but a group of young warriors in the tribe. They are unruly, have shown their own style in foreign wars, and have also developed undesirable ambitions.
"Damn it, the cubs I personally trained are the most reliable! It's a pity that you guys will have to grow up for at least another ten years before you can become my warriors!" Based on this incident, Rurik suddenly lost a lot of the young warriors of the tribe.
Trust. When a tribe is promoted to a principality, the mentality of the people obviously cannot be changed instantly. They are desperately trying to expand their direct power. Rurik can only think of this method.
He felt that as a king, his mental strength was exhausted and he had to think about the long term.
Even if Arik swears loyalty again, or he will always be loyal, his existence itself is a threat to himself. Arik may not want to rebel in his whole life, but it does not mean that his supporters have no wrong ideas.
Not to mention other careerists.
Rurik thought of the technique of checks and balances and needed to promote some talents from among his cronies. As for his cousin Arik, he should not be proud of his blood status in the future. Instead, he should take into account the existence of other generals and always maintain his integrity.
A kind of fear, whether voluntary or passive, must show a kind of humility.
As a king, I'm afraid he must have a fierce and dark side in his heart.
"You people are not grateful for the post-war dividends I gave you, and you still covet my power. It would be beneficial to me if you all die. But you can't die now. You are eating the wheat and meat I provided."
You cannot die until we grow into warriors..." Based on this idea, Rurik had to make some adjustments to the final funeral at noon tomorrow.
He needed to use Vilia's funeral to show his courage to the entire clan.
Then tear down the old longhouse, which has lost its sanctity in public opinion with Vilia's death.