Rise of Rurik

The army has returned victorious, are you happy?

Do not! The soldiers who have completed the crusade are returning to their hearts like arrows, and the long north hunting is killing the hearts of the soldiers. If there is a battle, they can still fight hard with a battle axe and a sharp sword. Now all the opponents have surrendered, and everyone just wants to go back to Roseburg. .

Just outside, the Ross warriors chatted around the campfire about their way home.

People are talking about the rationality of crossing the ice sea directly, because Rurik proposed the plan, and the child made a strange trick at the mouth of the river to make everyone puzzled, and after the trick, the child claimed that all the way west was home.

If it's summer, the boaters aren't averse to trying this route. But crossing the ice sea, the Rus has never had such an experience!

Even, the Rus people never set foot in the center of the ocean where the waves in summer are endless in winter, which is completely unfamiliar and terrifying to everyone.

In fact, what everyone is most worried about is that the sea ice suddenly thins, falls into the ice cave on the vast frozen ocean, and then freezes to death.

Some people think that this is an unreliable adventure, while others are simply returning to their hearts, thinking that if Rurik said it was OK, then it was OK.

At Kaihas's house, when Otto stated that he, as the leader, completely agreed with his son's plan to return home, first of all, the Rus people present had no objection. Although they were nervous, they would not think that "Odin" Rurik the Blessed would joke about his own life and that of his people.

But this feeling immediately caused Mechasta's panic and Rumia's surprise.

Perhaps compared with the Rus people, deer breeders and Kewen people, they somewhat lack the courage to "die".

Mechasta ventured: "Great Russ, we are willing to serve you, but we do not want to take risks. The sea is too dangerous! The frozen sea is even more dangerous."

Yevro was still translating the man's words, but Rurik couldn't listen anymore. He suddenly stood up from the animal hide cushion he was sitting on and said loudly: "I understand what you said. This is my decision, I am Your masters, you unconditionally obey my orders."

"You!" The corner of Mechasta's eyes noticed the sharp eyes of the big chief Ross. He doubted Rurik's decision, but he did not dare to question it again.

Unexpectedly, Rumia put on an embarrassed face and persuaded: "Rurik, it is too dangerous to cross the ice sea, many people are afraid, maybe we can..."

"What do you want?" Rurik suddenly turned his face away.

Rumia was startled: "We can... go back the same way."

"That's a waste of time! We could have gone home in three or four days. Do you think we have the time to spend ten days?"

Rurik's words were completely beyond the expectations of everyone present. The key point was the time required for this return journey.

Otto asked anxiously: "Four days? So short?"

"Maybe it will only take three days, as long as the reindeer are still strong. Dad, we just have to go all the way west. You are as far as our Roseburg, near our home, but there are only hills near Roseburg!"

Rurik's words deeply stimulated Otto, and this time, Otto's supportive attitude was strengthened. Because of the hills near the fjord where Roseburg is located, the merchant ships that come and go every year use the hills containing iron ore to determine the location of Roseburg. Every time, no businessman got lost.

Mechasta was shocked by the Ruth people's decision, Rumia was worried about the danger of the road, and Kaihas, he didn't care, after all, it was not his clan who was forced to cross the ice sea.

Rurik continued: "The ice sea will thaw. After all, we still have to row a boat to reach this river and communicate with the Kowen people. Since boating can come, we are riding on sleds on the ice sea. How big is this compared to rowing? the difference?"

This remark undoubtedly strengthened Otto's belief.

There was no need for further discussion, and Otto made up his mind in this half-crypt house where the bonfire was lit: "We cross the ice sea! We will leave early tomorrow!"

The mobility of the Rus is yet another element that shocks other groups.

The next morning, the return journey officially began.

The Russ who received the order to cross the ice sea must accept any complaints. The discussion of the bonfire yesterday let it pass, and everyone must follow the leader's arrangement.

The small sleds carried by each Rus warrior were all tied to the back of the Kowen sled with hemp ropes, and were piled with a lot of furs and even some food as personal spoils.

The Salmon Lord Tribe provided another batch of smoked salmon, and the team received such a crucial food supplement.

The massive sled team became heavier, each sled weighing more than a ton. Coven and deer breeders could estimate the terrifying weight of the sled, and they not only doubted whether the team would be able to cross the unknown sea of ​​ice in the west, but also worried that the sled would crush the sea ice.

Regarding the load and ice, Rurik didn't think about it at all, because the winter ice period in the Gulf of Bothnia, sea ice is no longer "very thick" to describe.

The Rus people threw down the unburned bonfire and jumped on their sleigh happily. Those rescued deer breeders have become sleigh masters one after another.

The Kewen people of the tribe of deer and gray squirrels are uneasy and have no choice.

The sea of ​​ice is like a nightmare. The territory of the Rus people is full of infinite unknowns.

They really do not know the whole picture of the world, not even the geographical structure of the Nordic world. All Kewen people feel that the sea of ​​the West is an endless sea, and only the Varyags who can ride the waves can cross the sea. Stepping into the frozen sea is clearly something the Varyags can do.

They didn't even know that the distance from the mouth of the Oulu River to the fjord of Roseburg was only 140 kilometers in a straight line.

Rurik actually didn't know the exact distance parameters. He just believed in science and knew that the earth is a sphere. By measuring the shadow of the sun, he determined the very precise dimensional parameters of the two places, and concluded that he could get home by walking westward.

It is also because he naturally knows the whole world, even in the ninth century, the Gulf of Bothnia is a very narrow bay.

It was Otto again, the brave chief of Rus, who stood on the sleigh and shouted at the golden rising sun as he approached his departure: "Great God! Your servant is about to cross the sea of ​​ice! You are dear to me. Rurik made such a great decision! Bless us! Let us go home safely!"

The sun is one of the incarnations of Odin, and the Russ believe it.

The female shaman of the gray squirrel tribe, bathed in the sacred golden light of the rising sun, danced and prayed to the sun god believed by the Kowen people.

Even the deer breeders are silently reciting the names of their gods.

Rumia did even better!

After all, she is the priest of the Ross tribe and the future high priest.

This girl stood at the front of the line that was about to run to the west, facing east, and she recited a prayer to the rising sun only for conscripted soldiers.

Some savvy Ross warriors realized instantly that the girl was doing a sacrifice ceremony.

Otto was overjoyed when he saw this, and he hurriedly pulled up Rurik, who was a little stiff, so that his son's face was bathed in golden light.

Prayer and sacrifice, to put it bluntly, are to make everyone feel at ease.

After all, for everyone, crossing the ice sea is an unprecedented crazy feat. If it wasn't for Rurik's determination and the support of the big leader, who would do it?

If it wasn't profitable, how did the Rus go on an adventure? Everyone comforts themselves, this move is to use special means to explore a route.

And up to now, the mysterious East in the mouth of the ancestors of Ross is no longer mysterious. The Rus people have occupied this place. In the legendary "Eastern Land", people in this area have also become the slaves of the Rus people.

"Go ahead!" Otto gave an order, and the real journey back began.

The reindeer were fed hay, and they drove the sleigh to start a "drag race".

Once the Rus people forced a large number of captured reindeer to run, and they died of exhaustion in the middle. In fact, there is a reason for that. The biggest factor is that the reindeer are only meat that deer breeders can slaughter, not trained professional servants.

These reindeer are trained to pull sleds and display great endurance and mobility.

A huge army of Ross sleds arrived at the mouth of the Oulu River only in the evening.

When they camped here and brought it to the light of day, all of them faced the vast white sea of ​​ice and couldn't help expressing indescribable emotions.

A pair of big hands covered Rurik's uneasy shoulders.

"Rurik, it's time to test your theory. Are you confident?" Otto asked.

"I have!"

"Are you hesitant?"

"No!" Rurik firmly believed. In fact, he can still retreat. After all, as long as the team goes north along the coastline, they can go home after a big bend, because this is the Gulf of Bothnia, and this line is also measured by the Rus people with their feet.

"Let's go then!"

Otto didn't say much, and began to organize a team to enter the ice sea.

Just before leaving, Rumia built a small altar with snow on the coast based on what she had learned. To show sincerity and peace of mind. A stag was slaughtered as a sacrifice, and it was Rurik himself who was responsible for cutting its throat.

Regarding the execution of a reindeer, Rumia was somewhat reluctant. The only thing she was happy about was that the reindeer herd was back, and she could help Rurik build a huge deer herd. Seeing a large number of deer, this is the most reassuring moment for Rumia, as if it were the deer herd in her own home.

Of course, everything has changed, and he has a new identity, becoming a priest.

Holding Rurik's steel sword, Rumia slashed the deer's belly, took out the liver and cut it open again, announcing the good omen in public!

Would anyone question the priest's divination? nobody!

Because God has given a revelation!

After the ceremony, the venison was quickly decomposed, and Lumia did not forget to cut the deer liver and put the fresh deer liver directly into her mouth. Her deer breeders also behaved exactly the same way.

People were relieved that their sleds were finally entering the white sea of ​​ice.

Everyone relies on the position of the sun and starlight for navigation, especially at night, those key stars orbiting the north celestial pole are the best navigation.

Or doubt, or excitement, or blind obedience, or nothing.

The master beat the reindeer with a hemp rope whip, the first sleigh turned its back to the rising sun, and the Rus and their servants headed toward the pale ice.

If someone could look through a bird's-eye view of God, they could see a large mass of black matter, prominently moving rapidly across the ice sheet. They are like a pack of seals, but they are not seals at all.

They look bloated, but they are not slow at all, and they leave obvious traces on the sea ice.

The north wind blew on Rurik's little face, on his restless newness. As the chief's son, he was naturally in the lead sled, and all the sleds followed in his footsteps.

The surrounding environment is absolutely flat, and this is exactly what all native Rus people have never experienced.

Even though many owners go to the sea ice to dig holes to trap seals on weekdays, no one dares to go deep into the sea ice.

Everyone's eyes widened, admiring the boundless and absolutely flat ice field in extreme apprehension. Pairs of eyes turned to the pale ice again, watching the wide sled skid across the snow.

It would be impossible to say that Rurik was not nervous.

He was silent all the way, and Otto, who was in the same sleigh, remained silent.

After all, the long journey brings people boring. After a long journey, the people on the sled seem to be worried that there is no danger at all. Isn't the sled still moving smoothly? Presumably in the future as well.

Many people were drowsy due to the slight vibration of the sled, so many people were wrapped in animal skins and cuddled with each other for a nap.

Only the reindeer, full of hay, keep running.

As night fell, the tired reindeer were able to breathe. The Rus people gave the deer a lot of fodder, but the problem also came. Seeing the deer eating frantically, Otto couldn't help worrying that they would starve to death on the ice before the army returned to Fort Ross.

Otto also wanted to drive all the captured reindeer back to their hometown, but most of the deer died.

The Russ used the prepared firewood to light ten bonfires on the ice.

The ice field reflects the moonlight and starlight, and there is still a very dim aurora in the sky. Even if night falls, the visibility of the whole world is not low because of the ice and snow. If the army sets off forcibly, they can still travel at night.

But everyone was tired because of the boat and the car, and everyone's only thing was to chat about the future when they were eating dry food. Ross lay in the prepared wide deer skin, twisting his body constantly so that his whole body was wrapped into a meat dumpling. , deerskin makes an excellent sleeping bag.

As for all the Kowen tribesmen, they were wrapped in their burlap clothes and relied on the warmth of the bonfire.

The grease-laden pine branches were crackling, and Rurik was surprised that the bonfire seemed to have no effect on the ice.

Many people have fallen asleep, Otto is around the bonfire, pouring himself a bottle of strong wine, and now is the time to drink.

Otto dragged his dizzy body to Rurik, who was staring at the flames in a daze, and suddenly said, "Soon, we can go back?"

"Dad, you've been drinking." Rurik turned his head and asked.

Otto reluctantly squeezed out a smile: "The last bottle, back to Roseburg, you want to make more for me. You said, what did God give you? How long are we going to stay on the ice?"

"This...maybe two more days. If it's fast, one more day."

"So soon? Are you sure." Otto was overjoyed. Without any doubt, he patted Rurik on the shoulder again: "Go to bed early, we have to leave quickly tomorrow morning."

In fact, Rurik's estimate is a bit conservative. In fact, the Rus army ran for 70 kilometers in the first day! If they had started earlier, they could have run farther.

This is an amazing journey. Even for a reindeer that has been trained for service, 80 kilometers a day is basically the limit of a female deer, but a buck can run farther.

The Rus are actually already in the center of the bay!

Although it is the center, the ice layer is nearly two meters thick. In many places, the ice layer is ten meters thick, and even more exaggerated. It is also because it freezes slowly. Such low-salinity sea ice is as hard as Stone. Excessive ice breaks, dangerous icebergs of the future

However, the natural ductility of sea ice makes the frozen sea surface, and the ice in the local area becomes abnormal, which is the kind of abnormality that the Rus, deer breeders and Kewen people have never seen or tried.

The next day, before dawn, the Rus started a new journey.

Very badly, because some people did not do a good job of keeping the cold out, as many as ten women and children of the Salmon Lord tribe were found to have merged with the ice field when they were tried to wake up.

No one is overly sad, more is people's regret.

Because everyone knows that they are challenging a brand new unknown. As long as they step into this sea of ​​ice, any wonders or tragedies are no longer unthinkable.

However, not counting the twisted earth, everyone finally became vigilant.

"What is that?!" Rurik asked loudly, pointing to the bulge in front of him.

Otto squinted his eyes that were about to be blinded by the sunlight reflected on the ice surface and speculated: "Maybe it's just pure ice."

"Ah? Could ice form a wall?!"

In fact, everyone gradually felt that the movement of the sled became slower, and the reindeer's breathing became heavier.

It was the blacksmith Kawei who had experience. He urgently made a tune to determine the verticality. He was surprised to realize that the entire team was actually climbing, and everyone was on the same slope.

Uphill of the sea of ​​ice?

This is the truth.

The swollen sea ice caused it to bulge into a huge bar-shaped bulge on the sea surface. It stretched for more than 50 kilometers, and its height reached an unprecedented 20 meters!

Because they have been going uphill slowly, the Ross people have not noticed it for a while, and have never experienced this situation.

Until the front of the team, because the ice layer was broken due to the excessive internal stress of the ice layer, an extremely uplifted iceberg with a cumulative height of 30 meters appeared in front of everyone.

"Dad, it looks like we're going to move on," Rurik encouraged.

Otto's heart was beating wildly, and he couldn't understand what he was seeing. Obviously, Odin must be able to create such a miracle - freezing the sea and creating a big iceberg.

"Come on! Let's conquer it!"

The team leader's sleigh went all out, and the reindeer, panting horribly, dragged the sleigh up like a pit.

When Rurik finally stood on the top of the iceberg, what was so simple completely made him shudder.

Otto was too excited to speak, because the distance is the earth!

Even if it is covered with snow, it is the earth! Through the perfectly clear air, the land of Scandinavia is presented to Otto, Rurik and his son, and even the accompanying children such as Rumia, Rumi, Telavis and Seporava.

No one observed the earth from such a perspective. Otto keenly noticed that there was a small special bulge on the earth in the northwest direction, and he could not help trembling further.

"Rurik! There!" Otto stretched out his trembling fingers and pointed to the bulge over there: "Could it be that there is..."

Looking at the seemingly abrupt hills from afar, Rurik said calmly with a smile: "You guessed it right, it's Roseburg! It's our home! On this coastline, there is only a mountain next to our Roseburg. mound."

Otto sighed as if unloading his weight, and then knelt on the ground excitedly. He looked at the sun, raised his hands, and praised: "Great Odin, thank you for your gift, we are home!"

He quickly stood up again, facing all the clansmen and servants under the "ice hill" and drew out his sword, the sword's edge pointed directly at the world covered by the ice hill.

Otto roared: "Brothers! Rosberg is ahead! Let's go home! Go home!"

More and more people realized what was going on, and saw that the leader's sled suddenly disappeared (it had already run to the other side of the ice mound), and the rest of the sleds tightened behind.

Finally, everyone can see the earth clearly, and the next journey will no longer require the stars and sun to navigate. The raised hills on the frozen coastline are like lighthouses, attracting these children who have been on vacation for nearly two months. Roseburg.

And on the final way back, only the last 20 kilometers are left.

Before the sun went down, the huge procession entered the fjord of Roseburg.

People noticed a large number of moving shadows appearing from inconceivable directions. The Russ instinctively maintained vigilance, and all the men with weapons gathered on the frozen beach, including the children of Rurik, all armed with weapons to face possible sneak attacks.

Because the visitors obviously came from the East, everyone took it for granted that they were "Orientals", or that the Finns had attacked across the sea of ​​ice.

However, when people with good eyesight saw the warriors on the sleigh holding their swords high and the beards fluttering in the wind, the people who were just ready to fight back against the invasion, this time weeping with joy.

Niya pulled the two girls, she stood in the crowd, looked at her husband and son, could not help crying. Looking at the huge reindeer sleigh team again, she cried even more fiercely.

"Mom, what's the matter with you?" Carlotta asked. "Is it because they came back?"

"Yes! It's Rurik, and the big leader..."

"Why are you crying? You should be happy."

Wiping away a tear, Nia gently squeezed Carlotta's smiling face: "You still don't understand. When you marry Rurik, and when you have children, you will be able to understand how I feel."