Ragna was confused for a moment, and he was challenged by two little girls as soon as he entered the door.
He quickly figured out the situation and took a closer look at his children. He never imagined that the girl he had let go had grown up. How he could settle down with the Russians in the far east was too fantastic.
The sumptuous banquet made Ragnar salivate after having been sleeping rough for several months, not to mention the delicious meal on this table exceeded his imagination.
There is an empty independent table with each meal on it. The tableware is made of silver and crystal, which is really expensive.
Presumably this position was prepared for him? Then the Ross people are not trying to make themselves look good.
However, it would be a bit ridiculous to apologize for the killing of the Ostarians.
Ragnar simply sat cross-legged on the wooden floor, held his head high and answered in front of everyone: "About what happened back then, how many years have passed? About ten years? Our Stonewall tribe went to war on Hafgen's order to attack Austria.
Isn’t it just our clan that belongs to Stara? I am a warrior, and it was not my intention to attack Ostara. This is an order I must carry out.”
Carlotta suppressed her blush for a moment and said: "You have completely ignored yourself."
Ragnar immediately turned away his face, his face was glaring, and his eyes were even threatening: "Exactly! I am a warrior! I have my own principles, I will not kill those who do not resist. You two escaped, my
You wanted to chase me but I stopped you in the end. Listen, if another lord faced the situation at that time, you would definitely die."
"Absurd! Do I still need to thank you for not killing me? I think... you want to die!" Carlotta's anger increased.
Ragnar still looked righteous, just because he felt that the Russians would not kill them.
He glanced at Rurik and shouted deliberately: "My people are all in your hands, including my wife and children. They want to kill people at your convenience, so that the despicableness will spread quickly. Odin
A brave warrior will not be a despicable person! And I also killed the leader of Ostara in an upright duel, and even..."
After all, Ragnar does not want to anger the people in this room. He needs to establish an image of a warrior with Nordic principles. If the other party is also a self-proclaimed warrior, they should respect each other.
The fact is that Ragnar himself has always practiced his own principles, but his subordinates did not follow the same principles. In Frank, he personally did not kill indiscriminately, unless it was as a blood sacrifice to Odin, killing for fun.
They are all subordinates.
Based on the current values, even if Ragnar ignored and allowed his subordinates to kill, he would still be a principled "Soldier of Odin".
After all, he still has a brain mechanism. Look at the current situation. If he persists, he will not be able to protect the two women. They will also pay for the assassination. They are women, they do not have to follow the principles of warriors, and their wives and children are in the hands of the Russians. They can use their own children.
Revenge is easy.
Ragnar had a plan in mind. He had forgotten many details of the battle in Ostara, but in the duel with his leader, he still had a key trophy in his hand.
After he finished brewing his emotions, he announced in a loud voice: "The old leader of Ostara was killed by me, and I took his sword. The noble trophy of two hundred will not be desecrated. It is a symbol of my honor and my backup weapon.
All the weapons of our Stonewall tribe have been temporarily detained by you, including this sword."
"My grandfather's sword?!"
"Exactly!"
Carlotta's heart was beating wildly: "Give it back to me immediately."
"Yes. But I will not apologize for a formal duel. Ostara woman, have you ever fought? Have you ever fought one-on-one with someone? What right does the family of the loser in the duel have to apologize to the winner?"
This sentence actually stopped Carlotta.
Rurik heard the secret and noticed the flaw, so he hurriedly spoke: "Unless both parties in this life-and-death duel agree. Ostara are just fishermen and herdsmen, and you Danes are attacking them in an undeclared war.
Your duel with the old leader of Ostara was not mutually agreed upon. So! You must accept the punishment."
Now it was Ragnar's turn to speak.
He did not expect that the image of an upright warrior he had established had a logical flaw. In a duel between Nordic warriors, it was natural for the loser to be killed. When he was just fifteen years old, he challenged a tall and strong nearby leader to become famous in a battle. If he had been killed at that time,
My father will not be angry.
"You must apologize." Rurik continued with his head tilted.
Carlotta added: "I don't want you to apologize verbally, I want you to return my grandfather's sword, use money to compensate for my losses! Also, hand over a group of people, join my tribe, and completely break away from you.
Also! Your people will work for us until next spring and use their labor as compensation. In this way, our grudges will be understood."
The Principality of Ross made a condition, and Ragnar thought about it for a moment. He was not willing to fully agree, but refusing now would be seeking death. If the Stonewall tribe could be resurrected at a relatively small price, an apology and compensation would be the best option.
OK.
At this moment, because of Rurik's remarks, Ragnar's position was indeed shaken. He even felt that his action of leading troops to assist in the war on the order of his late father was a mistake.
That Hafgen was a "woman killer". In order to establish his authority without any injustice, he ordered indiscriminate killings. Even women who could be brought back to be wives and concubines of his own people were killed, which was even more ridiculous.
Thinking of this moment, Ragna's hair suddenly stood up!
It was not that he suddenly realized his conscience, but that some of the women and children among the people he led to flee were actually...
If that was a gift, leave it at the last minute! Anyway, this little girl ordered herself to hand over part of her tribe to supplement the population loss of her Ostara tribe.
Having figured it out, Ragnar's face, Carlotta himself, is not descending with his tall and majestic body.
A landless pirate leader who was destined to write and gasp for breath lowered his proud knees and knelt down on one knee to the Duchess of Ostara to salute as a warrior. He supported his left knee with his left hand and covered his heart with his right hand, just like a junior warrior paying homage to the Duchess of Ostara.
The chief saluted.
"Indeed, that duel was not completely fair. I apologize to you, the female leader of Ostara." He deliberately talked about his business in a very big way. He was not talking to Carlotta, but clearly to the Prince of Ross.
manner.
Just these few words were enough to make Carlotta hide her face and cry, and Ella's face was also filled with tears.
Even a fool can see that this female leader has an extremely close relationship with Prince Rus, and she must be his wife and concubine. As long as the woman is moved to tears, what reason does the prince have to kill her?
Ragnar continued to promise: "I am willing to hand over the sword, and I am willing to hand over some of my tribe to your rule. I just ask you to treat those people well. I am also willing to take my brothers to do something for you Ross.
only……"
"Do you still have conditions?" Rurik asked.
"How dare I have any conditions?" Ragnar half-knelt and turned his face, "I might not have come to Ross, but I accepted Brother Arik's request. I heard that the prince of Ross has been blessed by God, and he doesn't even care about past grudges.
We have recruited a lot of Danish mercenaries. I want to give it a try and form an alliance with you."
"Alliance? I just learned about this! However, you are not qualified to negotiate terms with me. What I want is not an alliance. I! Want you to be my mercenary!" Rurik said this resolutely, clearly after careful consideration.
Decision made.
Ragnar didn't know what to say for a moment.
Seeing this embarrassing opportunity, Rurik hurriedly asked: "Carlotta, if this person is willing to pay some price, can you forgive him?"
The girl hurriedly wiped her eyes, and said with tears in her eyes: "I want to see the results tomorrow morning, and at least hand over a batch of tribesmen and my grandfather's sword."
"I do." Ragnar said hurriedly.
Rurik was very happy that Carlotta was not a petty woman. Perhaps from her point of view, there might be little point in dwelling on past grudges in the new world.
"In that case, Ragnar! I allow you to sit down, sit with your wife, and join us Russians at the dinner party!"
The astute Ragnar further realized that the Russians did not want to harm him. Look at their enthusiastic attitude towards the dinner. The exquisite meal opened his eyes. His family enjoyed this attitude, and they were clearly guests of the Russians!
In fact, what Ragnar didn't know was that if he insisted on refusing any concessions, the Principality of Rus would definitely impose punishment. The Danes who had entered the country illegally would be punished with hard labor for a period of time and then be deported. They would fight side by side.
Frank and the Rus Principality's expedition to Bremen could have wiped out Ragnar and his gang. Fighting side by side was just the whim of Commander Arik, and Ragnar was not qualified to use this as a condition for getting closer.
But Ragnar’s troops are very valuable, aren’t they?!
The delicious meal conquered this wandering pirate. On weekdays, this guy is the leader of a clan and eats nothing more than burnt fish and beast meat, boiled oats and sprinkled with salt. In terms of creativity in cooking delicious meals, Lager
The Na people are too ignorant and lack creativity.
Jutland and the nearby island groups had limited supplies, and the rare birds and animals had long been hunted. This forced the Danes to explore for wealth further afield. Unable to defeat the Franks, they attacked Sweden in the north and Pomerania in the south.
Rania, and even launched a surprise attack on Britain.
In Denmark, animal husbandry has developed fairly well, and the ruling groups of each tribe enjoy "freedom of dairy products." Butter is a common thing for Ragnar, and he uses it to cook complex dishes. Ragnar was still the first to attend the state banquet of the Prince of Rus.
It was a first time meeting, not to mention the dazzling array of crystal vessels on the hardwood table in front of me.
The aroma of a flammable spirit after the cork was removed caused Ragnar to call him a miracle. Rurik's trick of "burning vodka" was always successful. He claimed that it was a symbol of Odin's blessing.
No one has any doubts.
Ragnar still didn't understand, but he was greatly shocked. And when he saw Rurik perform in public, smothering the burning spirits in the glass goblet, he was even more convinced of his divine power.
Strong alcohol is too easy to get drunk. Ragnar usually has a good drinker. When it comes to drinking ale from a buffalo horn cup, he will only get drunk after drinking ten cups. These are two burning goblets. He soon became red all over.
The whole person did not lie down drunk, but became talkative!
This was great. He explained his intention to form an alliance with Ross, his intention to settle in Gotland, and even his suggestion to join forces with Ross to attack King Horik of Denmark, who was actually a lackey of the Franks.
Rurik was drunk, but not completely drunk. He had to show Ragnar with a red face that he actually participated in the banquet. On the other hand, he also had to stay awake to ensure that Ragnar could tell the truth while drunk.
Listen to it for real.
It's just that Ragnar's situation is deteriorating. This kid did talk endlessly at first about going on an expedition to Denmark to kill lackeys and continuing to attack the Franks. He also flaunted himself as a principled warrior, and his hands did not have the blood of innocent people. He would kill in this life.
He killed many wild beasts and birds, slave captives as sacrifices, and a large number of hostile warriors, especially the killing of King Olegin of Sweden with his own hands.
He was getting drunker and drunker, and Rurik wanted to take advantage of the opportunity to really talk to him about hiring all the men of the Stonewall tribe as mercenaries to continue the crusade against the King of Denmark, but Ragnar was still drunk.
"It's boring, you're already drunk with just a little wine, and you dare to call yourself a great warrior? It's a shame that Olegin died in the hands of this kid." After that, the blushing Otto drank another half a glass of strong wine.
Rurik looked at the Grand Duke's own father. The action of holding up the goblet with two fingers was also self-taught, but the elegant action was too inconsistent with the image of a man with a white beard and a half-bald head.
and.
The strong wine and barbecue are not enough, and a large amount of bread slices are provided.
Ragnar was finally dragged away by the soldiers. When he woke up, he found that his coat had been stripped off and he was lying in a rather soft and comfortable shack.
No, this is not a shack, but a wooden house. I sleep on a very high platform, which is what the Franks call a bed.
In his alertness, he hurriedly added a bed, put on his boots and walked out. As soon as he opened the door, he was intercepted by the waiting guards.
But I saw the waiting Vikings having prepared neatly folded clothes.
The current leader of the guard, Grund, speaks a Danish dialect of Norse, and he sounds like a family member as soon as he opens his mouth.
"Ragnar of Stonewall, I have heard of your name, and your name is very famous."
"You? Who are you?" Ragna's mind was a little confused.
"It doesn't matter who I am, I can only tell you that I am Danish. What matters is this dress. If you want to gain the trust of the Russian people, you must put on this dress. Listen, there are a large number of immigrants from Sweden in Russia."
, the war you participated in killed many Swedes, and the war made them angry. This dress can protect you from persecution."
"Okay, I'll wear it."
This is a long gown cut from fine linen, with blue cloth strips sewn on it. The shape is not much different from the group of mercenaries who claim to be Danish in front of them.
Could it be that Prince Rus's decision to become a mercenary is starting to be implemented now?
Ragnar's obedience satisfied Grund and his gang, so he added: "After changing these clothes, you and I will be friends. However, you must fulfill your promise today. Come with me now."
Bar."
After sleeping in the barn for the night, the Stonewall tribesmen had a comfortable breakfast, and now their fear of the Rus had almost dissipated.
They were all gathered together, and a large number of spear-wielding warriors began to appear around them, which made them feel anxious again.
Finally, the anxiety dissipated as Rurik himself arrived with a large entourage, and Ragnar himself also brought with him.
Before that, Carlotta had found her grandfather's sword from many seized items! Although it was an ordinary iron sword, its quality was far inferior to the Ross steel sword. Because of the huge amber block inlaid on the hilt, it was also very valuable.
, of course it has great political significance for Ostara, and this sword should be a symbol of the power of the Duke of Ostara.
No, Carlotta has already worn this lost sword, her noble identity has been further confirmed, and the sword will be forged and carburized in the near future, and upgraded to a steel sword.
Many people of the Stonewall Tribe looked at their leader who had changed his outfit with confusion, and because of this outfit, it was clear that the leader Ragnar had defected to the Rus.
Is this humiliation? No. The people have already had three big meals from the Russians, and it seems that they can continue to have good meals in the future. As for the price they have to pay, it is not a bad thing.
After all, the brothers had discussed it long ago. The people who arrived in Rus this time hoped to form an alliance with Rus and even use the strong fighting power of the Rus to regain the tribe's power and territory in Denmark.
"This dress suits you very well, Ragnar." Rurik said proudly.
"It even fits well and is comfortable. Yesterday's banquet was a perfect feast. I seemed drunk. How are my...wife and children?"
"They are all very good, they are my guests. Especially! Your two sons!"
Listening to these words, the word "son" is emphasized. The words of the Prince of Rus imply the threat of force. With his own son in his hands, Ragnar really does not dare to act rashly.
"My people are all here now. Oh! I saw the female leader of Ostara, and now she has found her sword."
"Exactly. Now, hand over a group of people." Rurik urged.
"Yes, I am willing to do this, and..." As he said that, Ragnar walked directly to Carlotta who was standing at the scene, and spoke loudly in front of everyone, reviewing an event from the past many years.
"It was the same battlefield where the old king of Denmark, Hafgen, killed all the prisoners, including a large number of women! I opposed this unconventional approach and protected the twenty-five young Ostara women with all my life."
After hearing this, Carlotta suddenly realized something. She realized something.
Sure enough, Ragnar suddenly turned around and faced his people: "Women! Among you are women from Ostara! Now take your children and your husbands and come forward! You don't have to worry,
Look at this girl holding a sword, she is the female leader of Ostara. Your old tribe has been rebuilt in the east. Now, take your children home!"
This news was a great joy. The originally quiet crowd immediately became noisy, and in a moment, as many as ten women rushed out with their children in hand.
One of the women asked loudly: "Who is our leader? The female leader? Is it Carlotta and Ella?"
"You know my name?!" Carlotta pointed with her eyes wide open.
"You! Are you Carlotta? That's..." Before she could finish her words, the woman actually fainted.
A total of fifteen women came forward. The once-abducted young girls have now given birth to many children to the Danish Stonewall tribe. Even if there is irreversible death, their escape path can be cut off.
A conquering husband will not abandon his children.
It is quite strange to say that the twenty-five Ostara women who were kidnapped before the seventh anniversary were all slaves at first. They were sold as spoils of war, and then gradually upgraded to concubines in the conqueror's family. It is also because of this
The reason is that when the women of the Stonewall tribe took up arms to resist the backstabbing of the new king of Denmark and the attacks of the Franks, these concubine women naturally took their children and fled first. After all, they were just some kind of "fertility tools" and were not qualified to defend them.
Stonewall Tribe. This is not cowardice at all, and no one blames them, so most of them successfully boarded the escape ship. Even Ragnar, who had a hard time escaping, ordered these slave women because of the tribe's massive population loss.
Directly upgraded to a tribal woman, in principle, she has the right to join the tribe's Nordic Council.
But after all, they are not from the Stonewall tribe. Now that the real leader of Ostara is present, they should return with their children.
On a voluntary basis, all members of the Stonewall tribe can declare to join the Ostarans and become citizens of the Principality of Rus, completely separated from Denmark.
Not many men would actually do this, but there were a few who followed their Ostara wives in announcing their immigration while being scolded.
Nearly fifty people, men, women and children, announced on the spot that they would join Ostara.
Rurik thought that ordering Ragnar to "cut his flesh" would cost him his life or even force him to rebel, so he called in the army to suppress the situation. The result made him clap his legs and marveled. He didn't expect Ragnar to have such wisdom.
operation, which cannot be entirely explained by coincidence.
The biggest shortage of the newly born Ostara people was population. The fifteen women who returned brought their twenty children with them, and the addition of ten Danish men added more labor force to the tribe.
At this moment, Carlotta showed a smile to Ragnar for the first time, and most of the deep hatred seemed to disappear.
She smiled. Ragnar pursued the victory just to get more favor. He continued to recall what happened back then: "Back then, Hafgen wanted to kill all the prisoners, including ordering me to kill all the prisoners. I ordered these women
You put on men's clothes and dressed up as my warriors, and you escaped. As you can see, the tragedy you suffered back then happened to me this year. I have also experienced the suffering you have experienced. You
The Ostara people seem to have received help from the Principality of Rus, so we..."
Ragnar felt that his hint was very clear, and Rurik replied casually: "So, I will have a good talk with you about the future, Ragnar. Now I can announce that the rest of your tribe have been hired by me.
!The delicious meals I reward have a price. You and your people have to work for me in felling wood, digging clay, making charcoal, etc. I will pay you wheat and a warm place to live. I officially declare that you are not the Principality of Rus.
We are enemies, but we are not absolute friends. We are in a cooperative relationship. Ragnar, if you want us to trust you further, it depends on your sincerity."
"Okay. As long as you are willing to pay me to help me get through this difficult time, if you attack the King of Denmark in the future, my people and I are willing to help."