The huge Ross fleet raised their sails, and the sails were more prosperous than in previous years.
Two large ships with triangular sails became the core of the fleet, with as many as forty cargo ships guarding them, followed by a large number of traditional longships.
Compared with previous years, there were many fewer merchant ships following the Ross commercial fleet. Not only had those who intended to go north had set out a month ago, but also because Tombstone Island had become a real trading point, and a group of merchants were simply here.
Island trade.
However, the merchants noticed the Ross trading company that was built on the ruins of the Birka market. They were afraid that in the future they would no longer have to risk going north to Rossburg, and they would trade with the Ross people in Birka. As for whether to go north or do business locally,
It depends on the tax status of the two places.
The fleet sailed with the wind. They left the mouth of the lake with dense islands, and everything suddenly became clear.
After returning home, although the autumn sea breeze was desolate, Rurik was enveloped in the joy of returning home and just wanted to return to Hong Kong as soon as possible.
The Avora rides the wind and waves, and the Gurdot, although very young, is no less seaworthy than her sister.
The wind hit Rurik's face, and he stood on the bow deck of the ship in high spirits. Everyone in the fleet could see their leader, just like the old leader Otto.
It's just that Otto's ship was an ordinary battle longship, but Rurik's ship was already a giant ship.
No! Now Otto's ship has also undergone tremendous changes.
"Let's go to Tombstone Island first and unload some supplies." Rurik casually informed Gould, who was also blowing the wind.
"Is this very necessary? We can leave Tombstone Island and go back in just three or four days."
"Unload some more supplies and sell them to the brothers who stayed behind at a fair price. When we arrive at Tombstone Island, we will come again next year when the ice and snow melt."
"Yes, you are indeed a benevolent monarch."
Rurik shrugged, it felt good to be flattered.
Two large imitation Caravel ships and all traditional Kirk converted cargo ships, all with their same jibs.
When the accompanying long ships all furled their sails and moved forward in a more traditional rowing mode, all the big ships were moving in reverse direction, which made the speed even faster!
Just as Rurik hoped, Eskil, a missionary from Frankland Cathedral, accepted Rurik's invitation without hesitation and sailed north on a huge Russian ship.
It was also in the cabin of the Aurora that Eskil and the accompanying young priest he had raised unexpectedly met another believer.
After further inquiries, both parties were surprised to find that their respective languages were interoperable.
"You! Are you from Britain? Are you not a priest, but someone who was kidnapped by them?" Esquier asked the grain officer Paul.
Paul had always been in awe of the priests, even the Frankish missionaries, but he always explained everything.
Speaking Saxon to each other, Esquier was shocked: "That young man Rurik? I know that the monastery on your Lindisfarne island is very famous. He led the barbarian army to destroy the monastery and killed at least
A thousand Kingdom warriors? How terrifying.”
Esquier made the sign of the cross vigorously, cursing Rurik and Ross as devils in his mind, but then he thought about it, and the boy obviously understood his faith very well.
Perhaps it is precisely because of understanding that they become more barbaric?
Eskil was shocked and asked, "Is there a stolen sacred object hidden in this cabin?"
Paul neither admitted nor denied. He was silent for a moment and then said helplessly, "I am now their slave, and I will continue to maintain my faith. They are indeed barbaric, but they have no intention of denying our faith."
Hearing this, Eskil breathed a sigh of relief.
"That's good! If they don't object, I'll have a chance. The Swedes in Mälaren already have a new lamb, and now I can make a breakthrough with the Russians."
Paul was just a grain officer. He introduced these things because of the boredom of sailing and the fact that Eskil and others shared his beliefs.
Because there are still a large number of people in the various Saxons conquered by the Franks who do not accept the Lord's faith.
Esquier is a Saxon who believed in the Lord, and he has been working in this cause for twenty years.
In the whole of Reims, Bremen, and Hamburg, no one knows Denmark better than him. Now he boasts that he will lay the first stake of his career in Ross in the far north, at least to increase his knowledge and allow subsequent missionaries to expand their sacred cause.
.
Rurik predicted Eskil's thoughts, and suddenly felt that the two boys dressed as priests following him were his accomplices.
He even judged that this guy hopes to establish a monastery in Rus. This is actually possible, but not now. After learning more about the money of the Frankish Kingdom through Eskil, it is better not to open his mouth.
The fleet set off in the morning, and it was not until evening that the shadow of the Åland Islands appeared in the north.
Night has finally fallen, but there is nothing to worry about.
Although sailing at night is extremely risky, just aim at the fire on the shore and dive headlong.
Tombstone Island did not intentionally set up a flame lighthouse, but every night on the island, the people stationed on the island would light bonfires to grill fish and eat them.
It was a permanent settlement with a population of thousands!
Rurik's fleet did not take the inner waterway of the archipelago, which requires more vigilance, but went along the outer edge of the archipelago and plunged in after seeing a large number of fires. However, something unexpected was just around the corner.
"What's going on? Are there a lot of merchants from Merlaren crowded here?" Rurik couldn't believe his eyes.
Gould was also surprised and said: "It shouldn't be? There are traders here, but they don't have so many ships."
"Then..." Suddenly, Rurik thought of something, and then he trembled with surprise, "It's Otto Sorgon's fleet that is back, and they are actually anchored here to rest."
Everything went as Rurik expected.
The north wind has blown the world cold, and the clouds in the sky have almost disappeared. It is the crisp autumn air, the stars are shining brightly, and the new moon is shining in the sky one night.
The world was not yet too dark. Rurik gradually saw that there were already rows of ships moored around Tombstone Island. Judging from their sturdy bodies, they were undoubtedly cargo ships!
Among them, a huge ship-shaped phantom became increasingly clear.
"It's the Speros. Okay, now the three sisters of Avora have gathered together."
Gould hurriedly reminded: "Sir, there will be no berth in the small bay in the island, so we must anchor on the spot."
"Okay, we are going to go ashore in a small boat. Let everyone stay on the boat while a few of us go ashore."
Because there might be too many people and things to do, Rurik didn't want to let his men run around. He only arranged for a cargo ship carrying daily necessities to unload some cheap pots and pans ashore.
He took Nolen in the boat and waited for the shore again. This time he took his new woman to meet his parents.
Nolen is cautious and careful. She knows that Rurik is not the leader of Rus in all senses, and his father is still the de jure Duke of Rus.
Rurik is so young, so his father must be very strong. Rurik seems to have no living brothers, which is also a strange thing.
Otto of Ross may have some secrets, and what does Otto think of his own existence? Will he be particularly loved by him because of the alliance between the two tribes?
The news of Rurik's arrival greatly surprised Otto, who had also just arrived. By chance, he also had something good for his son to see.
No, Otto led a girl and hurried towards the small bay dock on the island, accompanied by his accompanying soldiers.
In the dim firelight he saw his son's landing.
"Huh? This guy really brought a woman back?!"
The girl next to him immediately said in a very broken Norse language and with a nasal voice, "Dad, that is Rurik, is he a sister?"
"No, Lanna, that's her other wife and concubine."
"oh."
"What? Disappointed?"
"Well……"
Seeing the girl's calmness, Otto patted her back casually: "You are my chosen one. You are Rurik's official wife. Only the boy you give birth to will inherit Rose. Go and talk to Rurik."
This is Svetlana. Just as Otto said at the beginning of the year, he decided to bring this ten-year-old Slavic girl back this year. Although she is not old enough to get married, she will at least bring her back to live with Rurik.
Otto was indeed a little too hasty, but he had something to hide.
Vilia died, the old priest who was like a mother and the most stable ally in tribal politics died. Otto was serious on the surface, but he also shed tears behind his back.
He even lamented that he was getting old too. Rurik would be twelve years old next year and would officially reach adulthood and get married. And he, the old leader of Ross, was almost sixty years old.
During this voyage to Sorgon, he felt tired. His blond hair had turned gray at an unprecedented rate this year.
Looking at Rurik's achievements in the past few years, Ross is no longer the Ross he once was, everything has changed! The old era gradually ended with the departure of the old guy, and now Otto has only one last obsession, which is
Before his own life ended, he saw that Svetlana, whom he had brought back, finally gave birth to a boy.
Hearing the cry of the real successor of Ross, I will have no regrets in this life.
From the beginning, Svetlana was not afraid of Otto. Her delicate face and lively temperament were the biggest reasons why she was chosen. Otto took her to his side and even regarded her as his daughter.
Although there is a consideration in this to better rule the Eastern world, Otto still likes to have this delicate little cat-like thing by his side.
Who hates cute little things?
What's more, this girl is only ten years old and is already very beautiful. Different from ordinary Nordic girls, her more obvious pointed chin makes her more delicate.
Rurik saw his father's old face weathered by the flames, and Nolen saw that his second father was so old?
Who is that girl?
Could it be her?
Rurik froze on the spot and let go of Nolen's hand.
"Could that girl with disheveled hair be the real wife you mentioned?" When Nolen said this, his heart couldn't help but tremble.
It was obviously me first...it was obvious that I was the first woman to hold a wedding with him. Why does it have to be like this...
Rurik hummed softly. He was really confused, but as a man, especially as a monarch, having many women is not only a privilege, but also a political necessity!
Rurik pursed his lips and walked forward calmly.
What's so difficult about dealing with a girl? They're just kids, just coax them a bit.
Although Rurik was only eleven years old, pampered and good at sports, his figure and physique were already far better than those of his peers.
Looking at the girl in front of me, she is indeed tall, with her forehead reaching her chin.
"Are you Svetlana?" Rurik said calmly in Slavic.
"Yes. You are my Rurik, the man in my life."
"Exactly. Let me take a good look at you."
In the past, Rick might have been a little shy, but now it was completely impossible. He reached out and lifted the girl's chin, staring at her face, which made the girl smile knowingly.
"How old are you?" Rurik asked again.
"Ten years old."
"Indeed, very similar to Lilia."
"Of course, she is my sister." The girl pouted mischievously, "Can you stop pinching my chin? The Duke said that he will marry you when I am twelve years old. I will give you a child.
Give birth to many, many children, the eldest son will inherit the title of Duke, and the other children will be the leaders of various places."
"You are just a child, how can you have such an awareness?" Rurik was shocked. Then he thought about it, it was Otto who pointed out the trajectory of her life, and she clearly accepted it frankly.
Not bad, this Slavic girl will become more and more beautiful, just...
"Show me your arms."
"Huh?" The girl rolled up her beautiful linen sleeves in confusion, "See if I can do housework? No problem. After my sister left, I have been studying hard and I will be a good woman."
"No. Just look at your arm."
Rurik stopped being vague, grabbed the girl's delicate arm and stroked it.
As expected, her face is indeed delicate, but the down is a bit dense.
Rumia is different, her body hair is sparse, but she lacks a very delicate face.
Rurik endured the embarrassment that most of his women were all kinds of "hairy girls".
Maybe they should be taught the authentic "violent hair removal technique", which is to smear alcohol all over the body and then burn off the thick hair.
Rurik patted the girl's neck again, "You will be my official wife, you are a good woman. Svetlana, I will call you Lana from now on. You should know something about my family, I have many women
.You must do your best, you must become sisters with others, and you must not allow any jealousy. You must obey my orders, cannot be arrogant because of the status you have been given, and do your duty well."
Rurik spoke with a commanding tone, as if he was imposing a command, and Svetlana, who was originally smiling, immediately fell silent.
She lowered her head and said seriously, "I swear to God, I am your woman, and I will obey all your orders."
"Okay, that's enough."
Rurik touched her forehead again. After all, what he wanted was a real wife, not a slave.
But what Svetlana said was true. The family education she received was to be a woman who was loyal to her husband and good at housework.
Since she was appointed as the successor's first wife by the leader of the Rus' Conquerors, her parents did not simply pay attention to her.
Svetlana, she was forced to learn to be a good woman. She learned to tailor, learn to sing, and learn to do housework.
Under the education of his biological mother, he learned how to please a man and even the secrets of childbirth.
Her little head is filled with "women's things", but due to her extreme lack of cultural knowledge, she is now an illiterate.
Of course, Rurik liked the cultural education of his wives and concubines, and he decided to do it deliberately this winter.
He continued to hold Svetlana's hand and called Nolen over again.
He held two beautiful girls with long hair and stood proudly in front of his father Otto.
"I'm back and I like Svetlana very much. Please look at this girl again." He introduced Nolen, "This is Nolen, the daughter of Magnut, the leader of the Balmok people. I'm sorry, I'm in Balmo
Merck has already held a wedding ceremony with her."
"Ah?" Otto was really surprised and happy when he heard this, "You! Your kid is obviously less than twelve years old. You...you are in Balmok..."
"Yes, we have made a blood pact with Balmok, the marriage has been concluded, and we even went on an expedition together, so I'm just back now."
"Oh! That's right! Tell me the details, I can't wait." The old guy Otto was happy for a while, and then casually called Nolen over.
He asked casually, "Are you Nolen? Nolen, has Rurik touched you?"
"Not yet. Father, if he is willing, I...I will do it too."
"Haha, you call me father? Okay! This is really great." Otto rubbed Nolen's forehead vigorously. He could see that the child was as young as Svetlana, like his son Liuli.
A rational person like Ke would naturally not be stupid enough to take action now.
That boy would only take action for the sake of stability and safety until his woman reaches the "old age" of Rumia.
Otto said no more and looked at the smiling Gould again, "Come on, big businessman. Everyone enter the house. I have received many great gifts today. Come and tell me the wonderful things you have experienced."