Chapter 743 The Desolate Old Danish King Harald Clark
In order to move quickly, the people who disembarked did not carry heavy chain mail from beginning to end, and only a few of the guards sent by the Marquis wore armor.
Although they stopped shooting arrows, swords were cutting at each other and spears were poking at each other. Although there were casualties on both sides, it was obvious that the count's side was fighting hard.
The blue fox's sword was stained with blood again. The count watched helplessly as the fat man who looked harmless two months ago seized the opportunity to stab an enemy in the neck very decisively. The fat man's expressionless expression frightened and frightened him.
Awe.
They had been persevering hard, and subconsciously moved back toward the lower reaches of the river. No one knew when the battle would end.
At this critical moment of life and death, the dull sound of horns came from the distance one after another.
"Damn it! The enemy still has reinforcements, am I going to die here?" Hearing the sound of the horn, Earl Robert was instantly discouraged. He increasingly felt that this was a conspiracy against himself and Saint Esquier.
.
The trumpet sound seemed to be approaching, and after a while, a neat sound similar to a group of people playing snare drums was heard.
But when they saw the attackers in sackcloth fighting, they felt fear, and they started to retreat after fighting like rabid dogs.
"A miracle! Lord! A miracle. Did you send an angel to save me?" The earl sighed to himself in desperation.
Wherever there were any angels, those blowing trumpets rushed out from the right side of the earl's circular array.
They were a group of men with iron helmets on their heads. They were dressed in the same way as the kingdom's army and the blue cloth was brighter. They all used a painted round shield with a blue background and a white crow emblem.
There are very obvious black cross patterns, which are very different from the triangular mandarin duck shields commonly used by Frankish warriors, but the blue fox feels particularly friendly.
The shield coat of arms has actually marked the identities of these people: the raven and the black cross are converted northern warriors.
Blue Fox intuitively felt that these strange people looked like Russians or Vikings.
These strange armed men rushed to kill the fleeing enemies. They just looked at the confused Earl Robert and continued fighting. Even so, the Earl still asked the soldiers to remain absolutely vigilant, because everything was too bizarre, first a sudden attack and then chaos.
In the battle, strong reinforcements arrived at the right time almost at the last moment. This was all too suspicious.
After a while, an old soldier with a gray beard appeared surrounded by a group of buckler warriors.
This man walked towards the vigilant people and slowly took off his helmet.
"It's actually you!?" Eskil, who had just regained consciousness, was shocked when he saw this man's aging face.
"Saint, stay well! I know you have arrived in Frankfurt, and I am sorry to see you again in this way."
"You! Harald Clark, King of Denmark!"
"Just Ludwig's vassals! I have heard some things in Regensburg and Frankfurt, and you have spread some news yourself. Look, look at these corpses, you have attracted the attention of those people, and I
Saved you."
Suddenly an armored old warrior appeared and spoke in broken Frankish. The blue fox knew from the look of this man's face that he was not a good person.
Is this an old fool in the forest still the King of Denmark? The King of Denmark should be in Denmark. How could a Danish King emerge from the banks of the Danube River?
Blue Fox remained silent for the time being. Regardless of the background of this person and his subordinates, they had finally solved the crisis.
Blue Fox paid close attention to Eskil's face, and saw that the old guy who had just been frightened to urinate pushed aside the warrior's barrier and walked towards the white-bearded warrior in person.
"Harald, I didn't expect to see you here. You were saved. This must be the Lord's will."
"Maybe. However, I have been following these gangsters for half a year."
"Gangster?" The Earl of Hamburg walked over, raised his boots and trampled on a dead body, then used his sword to lift the linen covering, revealing the blood-stained leather armor underneath. "This is obviously a soldier."
"Soldier indeed. Are you... a noble?" the man in armor with white beard asked.
"A nobleman. I am the Count of Hamburg."
"It's really strange. If you are like this, why are you here?"
"I'm very curious, are you really Harald Clark? If that's true, I thought I had seen you many years ago, but I had already forgotten your face."
Harald Clark, the deposed and expelled chieftain of Denmark, was the predecessor of the slain chieftain Hafgen.
He immediately introduced himself in Norse. Compared to the awkward Frankish, the Norse in his hometown spoke the most smoothly.
"I am no longer the king, and those lords refused to let me go back. I am a subordinate of Prince Ludwig, and I am currently carrying out the prince's orders. Thank you Lord for allowing me to meet you. If I had come late, you would have died."
"It's a gift from the Lord." Esquier quickly made the sign of the cross.
The Count of Hamburg didn't know what to say. He was relieved and confirmed that the attacker was indeed well prepared.
Having said that, I am a noble in the north. Although Eskil is a saint and has worked in the north all his life, how can he be attacked by thieves in the Alemanny region and still have to be killed?
The earl still couldn't completely believe what Harald Clark said, because it was too coincidental and seemed like a conspiracy.
The situation finally stabilized, and a large group of soldiers gathered in the forest to rest.
The corpses of as many as forty enemies were collected, and the deceased's coat was stripped off to reveal his true face. Through his brown hair, Harald Clark's blond warriors were sure that the deceased was not from the North.
Such a large number of dead proved that the battle was premeditated. They left some bows, some arrows picked up on the ground, and even a special kind of petals - dried edelweiss flowers.
After a great battle, in which many ships were lost and many people died as a result of reckless warrior fighting, the Count of Hamburg said he was unwilling to leave again.
Originally, the team had to find a ford on the Danube River to land and camp for the night at night. The tired soldiers had to gather with Harald Clark's Norman mercenaries.
As the contact deepened, the earl's alertness quickly disappeared.
Let’s look at the soldiers holding special round shields. Their shields have a black cross emblem, and each of them also has a metal or wooden cross pendant hanging around his neck.
This army is actually one of the achievements of Saint-Eskilde in the past ten years. They are the first batch of converted Norman warriors. Their existence proves that priests can convert many barbarians with just one mouth.
Harald Clark didn't see anyone else. When the bonfire was lit, the old guy came close to the Count of Hamburg, waiting for the wheat in the hanging pot to be cooked, and took the opportunity to inquire about something.
Both armies were loyal to Prince Ludwig and wanted to get some new information from each other.
Harald Clark plunged his sword deeply into the soft mud and complained about his unlucky past. He lamented that he had lost the royal power of Denmark and was betrayed by his nephew Horik. Now he could only join the Frankish nobles as a mercenary.
.
"I was expelled by those people because of my conversion. Nine years have passed since I fought for Ludwig, and I still haven't received a fief. I'm getting old and may die here..."
Harald Clark speaks of the sorrow of an old soldier. He is a real lost dog, and it seems that his close soldiers are not young either.
However, these warriors are all veteran warriors who have been cut down for ten years. Those who are not skilled in skills are already dead. Even if the strength of those who are alive today has weakened, they are all superb in their killing skills.
The Count of Hamburg was both in awe and contempt. How could a down-and-out noble be respected? But this man was the deposed former King of Denmark, and the fact that he survived could be exploited.
The earl deliberately asked: "Is it appropriate that you have paid so much for the prince and yet you have not received a reward? You can go and ask for it."
"The prince did not reward."
"Maybe……"
"What do you want to say."
"Otherwise, you try to go to the North. Hamburg is in great demand."
"Are you trying to win over me?" Harald Clark did hesitate for a moment, then shook his head after thinking about it: "You forgot me, but I still remember you, Robert. You are just an earl, and I must at least be the earl's.
Banned. I cannot be your vassal."
"But I need you, especially your army."
As soon as these words came out, Harald immediately heard a big problem. His attitude changed and he suddenly asked: "Who are you wary of?"
"I... we'll talk about this later. First tell me who the attacker is."
"That's fine." Harald sighed regretfully, "He's from Lothair."
"Prince Lothair?" The Earl also became vigilant and warned: "You can't talk nonsense about this matter."
"It's no lie. You...why don't you ask me why I brought an army to help you?"
"Why?"
"We were ordered by Ludwig to annihilate this army disguised as bandits. This has been going on for a year, and a special group of bandits are causing trouble in Alemany. They intercepted merchants, attacked villages, and even attacked priests.
"
"Ah!? Are they crazy? They dare to kill the servant of the Lord."
"They have already sold their souls to Satan." Harald fiercely asserted.
"Is it still Lothair's order?" the count asked again.
"I don't know. But I found Lothair's vassal's irises from the corpse."
"Capet? They are at the seaside. Capet is also a count. Why are Capet's people plundering here?"
"It must be Lothair's order! But they are not just Capet's people, they may be followers of multiple nobles. No one is willing to do such a dirty deed by themselves. If all the nobles have contributed, then no one can say anything.
Who. Now the old king has been released..."
The Count of Hamburg and Eskil, who were already frightened, suddenly trembled when they heard the words "The old king was released."
King Louis has been released, but the power of the capital Aachen has long been taken by Lothair. Lothair cannot obtain the power of the entire kingdom on his own, and the nobles of the kingdom have also been greatly divided, each supporting the prince he is willing to follow.
Two years ago, Lothair and Ludwig fought in the ownerless Alemany region. Now the Marquis of Frankfurt has completely directed Ludwig, which has attracted Prince Lothair to use any means.
Harald briefly described these things and said bluntly: "The prince's war has nothing to do with me. For money, I want to kill all Lothair's troops operating in Alemany. I have no territory and can only live on commissions. My brother
They all count on me. As for you...especially you, Saint Eskilde."
Poor Eskil looked confused: "Me? What's wrong?"
"If they kill you, it will be their victory. The northern saint Eskil was killed near Frankfurt, and they can say that Ludwig was the murderer and the Marquis of Frankfurt was the direct assassin."
Esquier was shocked and rarely angry: "I am the servant of the Lord, how can I become a tool for the nobles to fight for power? I want to go to Reims to complain! No! I will cross the Alps now, and I will go to Rome to complain to the Pope.
, to depose Lothair from the church.”
"But you have no evidence." Harald regretted.
At this moment, the Earl of Hamburg suddenly came to his senses: "But you still have no evidence to accuse Lothair."
"Yes, but there are some things that cannot be revealed even if they know the truth. They simply betrayed their faith for power. Perhaps only the Lord will judge them on the final day."
After hearing Harald Clark's description, Eskil remained silent.
The Count of Hamburg roughly understood the situation, and estimated that there was a trick in Frankfurt Cathedral, or that the entire city of Frankfurt was filled with Lothair's spies.
The attackers did not leave anyone alive. It was not that Harald's Norman soldiers did not want to capture them alive, but that the attackers killed their own people when they saw they were injured and could not be taken away. They were determined not to reveal their identities.
Harald made it clear to everyone that Prince Ludwig was aware of these situations.
"But there is another big thing that you... don't know, and neither does the prince. I'm sure that the prince will be furious if he knows about it." The Earl of Hamburg pretended to be careful.
"What is it?" Harald asked.
"Remember Horik who betrayed you? The man who called himself Count of Flanders?"
"My nephew. Damn it!"
"That man is doing great things now. He returned to Denmark with his army. He is indeed no longer the Earl he claims to be, but is now the real King of Denmark."
Harald's mind was in a mess and he couldn't believe this was true.
"You are kidding. Denmark does not doubt the holy believers, they still believe in Odin, and Horik cannot convince them."
The earl gave a wry smile: "I have solid news and many witnesses, especially my border viscount who has gathered a large number of refugees. They all believe in the Lord, but unfortunately they were expelled by Horik. Horik has betrayed the Lord.
In this way, he became the King of Denmark. The man also destroyed Hedeby Abbey and demanded that the prince recognize him as the King of Denmark. The war in the north has begun."
The amount of information was so overwhelming that Harald almost fainted with his head buzzing. "This is impossible."
"This is the fact." Eskil interjected with a sullen face: "I must go to Regensburg and entrust Horik's autograph to the prince."
"There is still a letter? I... want to take a look."
"Okay. I hope you can understand Latin."
"Damn it, I don't understand Latin."
It is true that Harald Clark could not read Latin documents, and Saint Eskil did not bother to read them himself.
The letter was thrown into the hands of Blue Fox. Esquier did not mention the identity of the person for the time being, but first said: "Joseph will read it to you... No! Translate it into Norse for you."
"He? A fat man?"
"It's me." Blue Fox stabbed an enemy to death in the afternoon, and his spirit was still high. As for Harald Clark, the former King of Denmark, who was reduced to a mercenary, he naturally would not look upon him well.
Blue Fox was not an excellent translator, but he tried his best to translate the words accurately, and finally made Harald understand the fact that Horik had established himself as king.
"This Horik! Taken away my power! I would rather betray my faith for power. Unfortunately, I still have to work as a mercenary outside." Harald clenched his fists. He was obviously very dissatisfied with the current situation.
The earl took the opportunity to talk: "That's why I need you. I can't give you rich property, but I can grant you a piece of land. Even if you are a baron, you still have your own territory..."
This seemed like a good intention, but it was actually an insult, because Harald was an old friend of Earl Robert, and Harald did not say anything bad to him. Although he had converted, he still worshiped the violent warrior culture in his heart, and his unruly self-esteem did not allow him to be a descendant of Godfrey.
, the Danish chieftain was reduced to a descended nobleman serving a poor earl.
Harald quickly changed the subject. The fat translator Joseph attracted his attention and asked: "You are also a Danish person. Please tell me some things about there."
"I'm not Danish." Blue Fox said bluntly and confidently.
"Oslo people? Bergen people?"
"Russian."
"Ross? It's Ross from Svealan?"
Blue Fox secretly mocked the down-and-out king who knew nothing about the affairs of the North, and said: "Russ is Ross! Ross has nothing to do with Svealan. That Horik killed many Ross people in Hedeby. He
If you provoke a war, the Principality of Rus will take the harshest revenge."
A priest bared his teeth and spoke like a monster trying to eat people. Harald couldn't believe it was true, "You? Are you a false priest?"
At least Count Robert of Hamburg saw this fat man killing people with his own eyes. He was at least an ungodly priest. He must have been a murderous Norman warrior like Harald before he converted.
Blue Fox shook his head: "I am a priest, and I am the envoy of the Prince of Ross. Horik is a big threat. The Principality of Ross wants to form an alliance with Frank, especially Prince Ludwig, to defeat Horik's Denmark together."
"you?"
"I am the messenger!" Blue Fox simply stood up, "I hope to see the prince in person and to conclude an alliance."
"Are you asking for an introduction? How much benefit will you give me?"
Blue Fox shook his head. If he asked for an introduction, Eskil would help him. He was surprised that this person was actually asking for a bribe.
Blue Fox couldn't look down on Harald, the down-and-out king. In addition, he had to live in a humble status for the past few months and suffered the humiliation of being discriminated against. This was simply impossible before. His hatred was originally there.
Part of Danish Horik's body has now been transferred to various Frankish nobles.
The envoys of the Principality of Rus did not receive the respect and hospitality they deserved, and a down-and-out king was actually asking for bribes. It was really unreasonable.
Harald shouted with contempt: "Since you don't give us money, forget it. I know that you Rus, a small tribe, just sell some leather. You can only gather a thousand people at most."
"Just believe what you know!" Lan Hu said this and shut up.
The Earl of Hamburg believed it, "If the Russians are like this, then the prince will definitely disdain to contact them. A thousand people seems to be a lot, but they are still much weaker than the prince."
Eskil said a little more justice: "The Russians can muster three thousand men."
However, this explanation was selectively ignored by the Count and Harald, and their unreasonable arrogance only aroused the anger of Blue Fox.
Blue Fox chose to shut up, as if by default. Facts speak louder than words, and the talk of a strong-mouthed king is not as good as the attack of a large fleet. He secretly cursed in his heart: "When the Ross navy comes to the city, you will all die."