Chapter 873 Duchess Carlotta of Ostara and Prince Kagan of Pecheneg Khanate
There was a lot of delay along the way, and it was already November when Kagan's horse team arrived at the southern border of Ross.
They walked in the vast world, carrying heavy loads in the cold.
The butter and cheese in wooden barrels were frozen as hard as stones, and the clear water in the soldiers' stomach water bags also turned into ice lumps. All the recurve bows prepared for trafficking had their strings removed, and the bows were curled up and wrapped in a large ball of wool.
It is held up to resist the damage caused by the extreme cold to the bow.
The Pecheneg-Kiev armed merchant group wasted a lot of time during the sneak attack on the Smolensk villages. Today, it snowed heavily and the temperature was very low. The bone-chilling cold made these sons of the steppe tremble.
The winter in the grassland is also very cold, but it is not as cold as in the north.
Of course, Kagan had already prepared countermeasures for this. His men specially changed into leather clothes and wrapped wool felt on the key parts of the horses. Thanks to these Turkic horses growing manes that were exaggeratedly long in winter, and plundering a piece of horse in the process.
If you feed the horses with oats, they can resist the cavalry on the way north.
But among the slaves who were tied with ropes, twenty out of a hundred people froze to death!
Each slave could be sold for at least one pound of silver coins, but they were frozen to death. Kagan was heartbroken. What else could he do? The remaining eighty people could still be bought for a lot of money.
The cavalry arrived too late. The only advantage was that they could use the frozen Lovaj River as a thoroughfare. The cavalry's mounts were replaced with carbon steel horseshoes by Ross. There were deliberately created grooves under the horseshoes to improve their grip.
Very good, most suitable for activities in ice and snow areas.
The horseshoe collapse of the river ice stirred up a large amount of ice debris, which also caused a lot of noise.
They were a mighty force, and as the cavalry could already see the gray-white wooden walls of Fort New Ross that had been eroded by the wind and snow, a Ross flag was suddenly erected.
Kagan used this to show his identity as an ally. However, before he set up the flag, the hunting people hiding in the forest had long noticed this horse team.
On their last night camping in the snow by the river, a large number of fires revealed their location.
The Ostarian mink hunter noticed this situation and hurriedly reported back to Duchess Carlotta.
At this time, all the Gran people have completed their immigration, and the ice and snow are not suitable for building settlements. It happens that there are a number of wooden sheds in New Ostara that serve as warehouses, or even spare stables. Duke Svar of Gran
Although Gad felt that living in stables was not very good, he was forced to settle the people in this way due to the situation.
The city's population suddenly increased. Since the two tribes have lived side by side since ancient times, they are now reunited and have a harmonious relationship.
The hunter's sudden report seriously interfered with the winter construction of the Ostara-Glan people, and the sudden appearance of a large number of fires was alarming.
The matter was left to Carlotta, who had only a few days to make a decision after her return.
The hunter half-knelt in front of him and made a report, but he couldn't explain it clearly.
"There are a lot of bonfires. They can't be those Pecheneg friends, right? It's been two days since December, and they're coming now? I'm very worried."
Svalgard knows nothing about Pecheneg. He is now a real general. If there is a war, he will listen to Carlotta's command. Recently, he learned to ride a horse in a surprise attack (just galloping without falling down, although the learning period is often
Falling into a snowdrift), now it’s time to try.
"You couldn't make up your mind and said it couldn't be an enemy attack. As you said, this is the southern territory of Russia, and there are still enemies in the south."
"There are enemies, but Pecheneg and Kiev are both old business associates." Carlotta rubbed her hairless chin and fell into thought.
"Actually, this problem is very simple. You just need to order the army to prepare in advance. Whether it is an enemy or a friend, we are prepared. We are now united and have hundreds of people who can hold weapons. The enemy from the south is coming.
Don’t be afraid.”
"I won't be afraid if the enemy really comes." Carlotta composed her thoughts, "Then be ready for war."
Ross's cavalry is stationed in different regions. The main force is stationed in Novgorod, the second largest city, and the secondary force is in Novoostara, the southernmost city of Lake Ilmen. The main cavalry is still training and remains in the south.
Although there are only a hundred riders in Xinjiang, half of them are veterans.
The cavalrymen wore polar bear skin jackets, helmets covered with polar bear skin, decorated with a large number of blue stripes, and wild goose feathers on the top.
The cavalry stationed there are all standing troops, and their military pay and mount feed are in principle provided by the king. However, due to the special nature of the garrison, some supplies are supplied by the people of Ostara.
The Ostara and Gran people, who are good at animal husbandry, have transformed into horse herders. A group of new foals have grown enough to be ridden. The two tribes are not far away from becoming full cavalry. However, these Vikings who attack horses do not have
The state's standing cavalry is as gorgeously dressed as the state's standing cavalry.
The cavalry warriors who are busy raising horses are on standby at any time, and all available horses are in battle-ready condition.
Carlotta found this an opportunity. He estimated that the visitor was a late friend, but if the Smolensk people really invaded, he would not be unprepared. She regarded her gathering as a military exercise, and people acted
The speed is heartwarming.
Regular cavalry plus people who can ride horses were added to the number, and an army of more than 300 cavalry suddenly assembled.
The soldiers guarding the city wall stared at the frozen river and the specially set up roadblocks on the river - the cut down red pine trees.
For Kagan, he had no idea that he would encounter obstacles on his final road. The city of Ostara was ahead of him, but his cavalry stopped at a roadblock?
"What's going on? Do the Russians have some misunderstanding about us?" Sakhi muttered warily.
Kagan, who was wearing sunglasses, gritted his teeth and said, "Maybe it was that woman's private behavior."
"How can I see it?"
"Who knows? At least my brother Rurik doesn't do such tricks."
At this point, the misunderstanding was completely resolved. Just looking at the faces of the people who came, you knew that they were Pechenegs. The people holding the roadblock went to learn about it, and then they pulled the ropes and pulled away all the pine trees blocking the road.
At the same time, the closed city gate opened and a group of cavalry filed out. This scene really shocked the dusty cavalry.
There was only one short man without a hat, and he had golden hair and a ponytail flowing in the wind.
"It is indeed you, Ostara Khan." Kagan said to himself.
As expected, his words were heard by Beyah Hill, who was astonished: "Brother? Did you just say Khan? What Khan?"
"It's Ostara Khan. A woman. You'll see her soon."
It is not uncommon for a woman to be the leader of a tribe on the grasslands, especially when a khan dies suddenly and has no brothers, and the khan’s son is young. In this case, the khan’s first wife or concubine will be elected as the female leader, which can be called a khan.
.
Kagan and his sister spoke exclusively in Turkic, and they also used the customary name of their own people to call the Duchess Carlotta Khan.
In terms of age, Carlotta is over 20 years old. As a standard Viking woman, her body is in peak condition. She is a female warrior and a duchess. Although she has old chronic diseases in her legs, this
When I got on the horse, I couldn't see anything wrong with it.
She led all the cavalry towards Kagan in a fighting style, forcing all the prairie cavalry to subconsciously tighten their sword hilts and even tilt their spears forward.
She quickly stopped and ordered the cavalry to line up. Those gorgeously dressed regular cavalry lined up in a row, almost filling the frozen Lovati River.
Carlotta held the reins and paced in front of the formation. She saw Kagan's face clearly at a glance, even though the prairie man still wore sunglasses.
She rode forward and met the horse team from afar in person, and then stopped directly in front of Kagan.
Before Kagan could speak, she spoke first: "I thought it was the Smolensk people who made a stupid sneak attack, but I didn't expect it was you. Brother Kagan, you came too late."
With the right words to say, Kagan took off his sunglasses, first intimidated him with his sharp eyes, and then joked: "Indeed, we are late, but we are still here. Do you know the reason why we are late?"
"Of course the journey is too long. This world is covered with snow. It must be the blessing of the gods that you can reach Ross safely."
"No need to be polite. To tell you the truth, Smolensk, which you Ross is worried about, is not very powerful. We attacked them midway and captured a lot of slaves." As he spoke, Kagan twisted his neck back: "Did we capture them?
Girl, how about it? Sister Carlotta, we can make a deal."
"Hehe? You actually called me sister?"
"What's wrong? Rurik and I are brothers, and you are one of her wives, so we are also relatives. You are the Khan of Ostara, and I am the Khan of Pecheneg. We are equally noble,
You should do business well."
Kagan's trick almost made Carlotta want to laugh. He didn't really want to promote Carlotta to a high standard, but Carlotta was actually short of men and horses. It was just because his horse team was carrying a group of dying captives, and now they can be considered to have found them.
Of course, you have to sell the first vest quickly to avoid losing money due to freezing, or even if you get this opportunity, you have to sell it quickly at a low price to make money.
At that time, a short girl came forward holding the reins. She was Beyah Hill, who had been baptized in blood and finally became a female warrior. When she saw her elder brother talking to other beautiful women, she couldn't help but feel a little bit in her heart.
Weird feeling.
Carlotta looked directly at these prairie girls, and the two women seemed to be having a conversation.
"Oh, let me introduce you, this is my sister Beyahil."
That's all, Kagan introduced Carlotta's noble status in Turkic language.
"She? Is a female khan?"
"At least the same level as Ros Khan. She is also one of Ros Khan's wives."
The blond woman had a dual identity. It was obvious that after she married Rus Khan Rurik, the woman in front of her also became her sister. Bejahir ignorantly tried to explain her identity in Turkic language, but unfortunately, Carlotta
do not understand at all.
Carlotta looked at Kagan: "She is your sister? A very nice girl. You came too late. It is very cold now. Please follow me into the city. You... can rest in my castle."
The only advantage of being a city in southern Xinjiang is that it can be the first to contact businessmen from the south. Carlota clearly saw the size of this year's Pecheneg-Kiev joint business group, which was visibly smaller than last year.
Although the trading group is small, the goods on it are too tempting.
Women! Lots of women!
Although Carlotta is also a woman, she treats these female captives as a strategic resource to expand the strength of Ostara Gran.
The female prisoners who were shivering with cold were "rescued". The ropes on their bodies were replaced by metal shackles. They were packed into a warm stable and thrown into the thatch like horses.
Regardless of their age, the female prisoners were all rewarded with hot oatmeal porridge. They were so exhausted that they didn't care about anything. Looking at the thick oatmeal porridge, they stuffed themselves with the opportunity to have a full meal.
Their bellies are round. They were also given leather blankets. Although they were shackled with iron rings and couldn't escape, they could eat and drink well and sleep in the blankets, which was a rare enjoyment during this period of time.
They still don't know their fate.
Those Pechenegs and Kievs who finally entered the city of Rus after their long expedition settled in this border city and received "good hospitality" from the local hosts.
Because they are also a resource, the so-called bypassing Kagan and doing small transactions directly with these Pechenegs.
Carlotta provided hot meals and warm shelter to the armed merchant group, as well as feeding fodder and oats to the horses. Of course, these supplies were not free, and Kagan and his party needed to exchange them for coins or supplies.
But for the Kagan brothers and sisters and their old acquaintance Maksakye, they were simply entertaining distinguished guests.
The wooden loft was very warm by the fireplace, where Duchess Carlotta prepared a surprise feast.
They feasted on roasted meat and drank ale. Although Carlotta was a female, her performance was no less than that of a bold male hero.
She was slightly drunk and talked casually: "I have good news for you. Rurik is no longer a duke. He is first the king of Russia and the king of Sweden."
The concept of "Sweden" sounded strange to Kagan but he was not completely unfamiliar with it. "I know, it is the hometown of you Russians."
"Yes, we are also from Ostara. And..." She pointed at Duke Svalgard of Grant, who was present but was transparent: "He is Duke of Grant, and now he belongs to Rurik.
My lord, the west is our homeland."
Kagan turned his eyes and looked at it. He didn't think much of the so-called Duke of Gran. He knew Carlotta's pitiful past very well. Now that this woman has become a female leader, he had to admire her. This reminded him of his sister Beja.
Hill, obviously my sister is still too far away from Carlotta.
With everyone now in a happy mood, Kagan finally introduced the major events coming this year besides normal business and trade.
He helped Carlotta recall the past a year ago, something that all the Ross nobles knew.
"My sister will marry Rurik. She is my biological sister and the youngest sister. She is the youngest daughter doted on by my father. This marriage is supported by all our Pecheneg nobles. I hope..."
Carlotta smiled and said: "Do you want me to do something for you?"
"There is one." Kagan became so courageous under the influence of alcohol that he actually cried out when he spoke the truth: "We still have to leave, my sister is alone in Rus. I know that you are Rurik's wife.
She is also her sister. I just hope you treat my sister as your sister. She admires warriors, especially female warriors like you. She wants to be a cavalry, just like you..."
"That's it? Why are you crying?" Carlotta felt that Kagan's performance was too funny, so she had to laugh awkwardly: "I thought so, there is no problem. You should know very well that Rurik is the king now, and his
There are seventeen wives and concubines, including your sister, the number becomes eighteen. It is unrealistic for eighteen women to share the favor of one man, but I can be her sister. That is..." Carlotta stared straight at her.
Looking at Beyathil, "I want to hear what she means."
Bejahir didn't know Norse and didn't know anything about Slavic. He just learned a few Slavic words unexpectedly.
She listened to her elder brother's translation and stumbled out a phrase, emphasizing one word "Valkyrie".
"Are you Valkyrie?"
Carlotta laughed after understanding the translation, but Rose only had the soul of the old priest Vilia upgraded to the new Valkyrie to be worshiped by the people, so what qualifications did she have to overstep it? She did understand the meaning of Bayasil's words.
It means that all the heroines in the North are considered Valkyries. This understanding is funny and cute.
Look at Beyahil again. Her face reminds people of the current high priest Rumia, who is also a woman with a flat face and black hair. But this face is more harmonious and comfortable with a fat face. Beyahil is not young anymore.
, her figure is much shorter than that of a Viking woman, and her face has a strong sense of childishness. She looks like a child, but she is clearly not a child.
My own sister Ella is not around, so I will spend less time together and more separation in the future. If I have a little sister by my side, life will be more fun. On the other hand, the strength of the Ostara people is animal husbandry, which is different from that of Pechenje.
The economic model of the people is exactly the same, and people created by the same production and lifestyle have an affinity with each other.
Kagan promoted herself, and Carlotta was really impressed. She promised to treat Carlotta well, and even claimed: "In Rus, only wives and concubines who have given birth to sons can get real status. I am a traditional nobleman and don't have to stick to this.
But I still have a son, and no one can question my noble status. Bayahir must give birth to a son for Rurik as soon as possible, so that his words can have weight in the huge kingdom of Rus, and only then can he entrust a territory in the future."
Although Carlotta spoke while drunk, her statement was the truth.
Kagan is not a drunkard. When he heard that last sentence, the hairs all over his body stood up. Although marrying a Russian sister is considered a Russian, the child he gave birth to is half Pecheneg blood. If a person from the north
The Rus nobleman has such blood, and he should have a close relationship with his cousins in the south. In the final analysis, this is a political marriage. The personal happiness of the sister is nothing to the interests of the Pecheneg Khanate. What she wants to do is to give birth to mixed-race children.
children and consolidate the relationship between the two countries.
If Duchess Carlotta can fulfill her responsibilities as a sister, her sister will also be happy in the future!
Kagan was trying to get close this time, and Sakhi was also trying to get close. They held Carlotta up very high, so according to the original roadbed, Carlotta could also get close in the opposite direction.
Carlotta knocked on the desk to attract the attention of the slightly drunk Kagan: "I like the slave girls you sent. Rurik is in New Roseburg now. You know, if you go to him directly, you have to go through Novo.
Vgorod, the town of Ladoga (fishing village), and then Novorosberg at the mouth of the Neva River. The fastest time to get there is half a month. If you don't have enough time, why not stay here with me.
You can rest assured that Rurik will return after Hanukkah and will discuss some major events with you then."
When Kagan heard what a big deal it was, she didn't say anything.
"So, you have to sell all the female slaves, that's great! How about this, you sell them all to me, and I exchange them for you with leather, linen, silver coins and grain. How many people do you have?" Carlotta asked.
"Eighty."
"I want them all."
She promised to treat her little sister well in the future. This promise is worthy of belief. In addition, the city of Ostara provides a large amount of supplies to the business groups coming from afar. The short-tongued Kagan does not want to owe a favor. In the final analysis
The slave trade was not as profitable as selling good horses, so Kagan made a package price for all the female slaves based on the amount agreed with Rurik last year. The money he earned could probably cover the normal consumption of his subordinates and war horses in Rus.
"Just give me fifty pounds of silver coins or goods of equivalent value."
In this way, Carlotta didn't even think about closing the deal decisively. She was afraid that Kagan would raise the price again after he sobered up...