The holiday has always been fixed on December 28, because for areas with lower dimensions, the sun only shows one side during the day and then sets quickly.
The Franks celebrated Christmas three days before. Their major festivals were so close to each other that the Danes didn’t think much more about it.
The Ross tribe is located just on the edge of the Arctic Circle. On December 28, they could almost only see the sun's rays of light near the horizon.
The most important event of Hanukkah for each tribe is that all tribesmen gather at the large stone boat-shaped altars they have built. The priest lights a large number of oil lamps, slaughters the sacrifices and prays to God. If Aurora comes, the people gathered will kneel down one after another, as if only at this time can prayers be best understood by God.
The great sacrifice of the Ross tribe was brought forward one day. When the sun barely peeked over the horizon on the 27th was about to set, all the residents of the tribe, as well as all the guests, used the soap purchased from the priest to treat themselves. After cleaning up, wearing my best clothes, taking a few bites of dried meat, I walked towards the huge stone ship altar on the edge of the Roseburg settlement.
Under the dim light, a large number of wriggling black shadows suddenly appeared on the snow-covered land!
After a while, a large number of torches began to replace the evening glow.
After a while, a large amount of fire suddenly appeared in the snow-covered oak forest, and the bonfire used as lighting for the sacrificial venue had been lit!
At this time, the aging Vilia is also making final preparations.
With the help of lower-level priests, she put on her thick clothes. She couldn't help but look at the clean antlered helmet she had used for decades, and swallowed hard.
She prayed silently: "When I can no longer wear it, it will be my death. If I must die, let me die on the altar, under the light of Aurora!"
Suddenly, Pona ran over in a hurry: "High Priest, the dog star (Sirius) is almost here, let's leave quickly."
Velia's heart sank, and she turned around and said: "I We're about to set off! Let's go, Bona, help me hold my antlered helmet..."
The cold and lonely fjord suddenly became starry, and the cold world was warmed by the bonfire.
When Villa, supported by lower-level priests, slowly walked to the tribe’s stone boat altar, more than 4,000 people had gathered here at this moment!
There are more than 7,000 people and guests in the Ross tribe. No matter which family or tribe they belong to, Hanukkah is the same everywhere.
This time during the sacrifice, Rurik followed closely behind his mother as usual and blended into the huge crowd.
Those married Novgorod women are already pregnant, and their slightly swollen bellies are covered by thick leather clothes.
When they got married, they naturally became new Rus. They once again participated in major tribal activities. In the huge crowd, everyone was lamenting that the Varyag people were so numerous and powerful. For those who insist on carryingThe awe of men wearing iron helmets, carrying round shields, and carrying axes at their waists.
Perlavina is like this. She is already giving birth to a new life. As an expectant mother, she needs a sense of security the most. His husband is a Varyag. What makes Arik very similar to other Varyag youths is his strong physique. Looking at him, he is fully armed, as if he is not going to the altar, but to fight on the battlefield.
The wealthy warriors of the tribe are more than happy to wear their regalia on the day of the great festival, that is, their own armor and fearsome weapons.
For Rumia, her feelings were even stronger, and she couldn't help but think of that terrifying night.
The murderers are all here! He was among the murderers, like a poor deer, ready to become the hunter's prey.
"There are so many people...I'm afraid of being separated from you. I'm afraid." Rumia, who was still wearing thick clothes and hanging silver jewelry on her clothes, held onto Rurik's hand tightly. Sleeves. She insisted on deliberately displaying her silver jewelry, so as to show to those terrible warriors that she was a servant to a master.
Rurik could understand the girl's fear.
"Don't worry, it's just a sacrifice. Hold on to me, no one will hurt you..."
Thousands of people gathered in a forest open space full of bonfires, and it was very Soon the entire tribe will gather here. It was the first time for a herdsman like Rumia, who was accustomed to living in an empty world, to experience the crowds of people.
Faced with them, can the deer herder have a chance to win?
It seems that even all the deer farmers cannot defeat the Varyags even if they unite. No one in the world can defeat them.
This year’s Hanukkah sacrifice is no different from previous years.
Rurik and the family members of his father’s close associates gathered together, and everyone paid special attention to the strong men carrying wooden boats.
Father Otto appears!
"Brothers, work harder!" Otto gave the order, and more than 30 people forcibly carried a ship without a mast.
Under the light of the torches held by the lower priests, they forcibly carried the wooden boat into the altar and slowly lowered it in front of the high priest Vilia.
Otto breathed heavily for a while, carried the string for a certain distance and put it down in the new river. It should be the job of young people.
As the leader, even though Otto is very old, he must do this forcefully.
He must insist, just like the priest Vilia, who almost died wearing a huge antlered helmet.
Yes, Vilia is now on crutches. She wears a thick leather jacket to keep warm and cover her shaky legs.
The antlered helmet is too heavy, and wearing it on her head really shows a strong sense of seriousness and mystery.
After a while, five top quality reindeer were brought over.
They are well-tamed reindeer. Their eyes reveal indifference. They stare blankly at the surging crowds and listen to the noise of humans around them.
They seem to have no idea that their end is approaching.
The residents couldn’t help but discuss the grandness of this sacrifice, and many began to recall the great harvest from previous hunting operations.
Some people also discussed the servants of the leader’s son.
How could a humble servant be given silver jewelry inlaid with precious stones by Rurik? Also, this servant's clothes are better than those of ordinary girls in the tribe.
Rumia felt a sense of danger as she listened to others commenting on her, and she subconsciously tightened her grip on Rurik's leather jacket.
But her eyes quickly focused on the deer.
Deer! They are all my deer!
Mom, dad, and younger brothers and sisters, you...
Everything is dreamy and incredible. Although I am well fed and clothed now, my relatives are all affected by these Varyags. People were killed, and the tragedy happened not long ago.
The deer on the altar are witnesses to the tragedy, but these witnesses are about to be given death by the Varyag people to sacrifice their Odin.
The Varangians are celebrating their grand festival!
The sacrifice is about to begin!
Rumia tried her best to remain silent, and her tears turned into traces reflected by the bonfire.
After resting, Otto approached Priest Vilia and said respectfully: All the sacrifices have arrived, can we start? "
"No, wait. ”
“High Priest, your sacred deer helmet is too heavy. Maybe we need to start and finish quickly.” "
Villa was a little unhappy. She slowly raised her head and looked at the sky, and said calmly: "The position of the stars is not right yet. Aurora isn't particularly bright yet, so we'll have to wait. You don't have to worry about me, Chief. "
"Okay..."
"Chief, please prepare yourself first. If you can..." Suddenly, Vilia thought of something. "Chief, take you His son brought him, and the servant. "
"Them? This..."
"Go quickly! ”
Otto didn’t know what Villia’s sudden idea was for. He approached the crowd and quickly pulled out Rurik and Rumia.
The situation became extremely unexpected. Rurik really couldn't understand whether he was old enough to participate in the ceremony in person.
The sudden change made the waiting people very strange, and their eyes were filled with confusion. Looking at the two small figures standing in front of the priest
“Grandma... why us? Rurik asked strangely.
Vilia looked serious, and she ordered in a thick voice: "Now, kneel down!" "
Her voice had a strong sense of oppression. Without thinking at all, Rurik dragged Rumia to her knees.
"Rurik, hand over your hand now. Sword, give it to me. ”
Rurik, who had calmed down, did not rush to draw his sword., hurriedly asked: "My sword? Why?"
"Silly boy!" she shouted sternly, "This is the first sword made with Odin's wisdom. Our tribe has obtained Odin's wisdom." Ding Zhihui, we must take this opportunity to express our gratitude."
"That's it."
Rurik obediently offered his steel sword, and Vilia held it. In my hand, looking at the cold light of its blade, I felt a burst of admiration.
"Grandma, after that we..."
"You cut the deer's neck!" Villa suddenly said loudly.
"Ah? What...what am I going to do?"
"Didn't you hear me clearly?" Vilia continued her low command, "The child blessed by Odin, I thought about it, this year's ceremony requires your personal participation. You must use this sword to execute all the sacrifices. After a while, I will communicate with Valhalla on behalf of the tribe, and you must personally deliver the sacrifices to O. Ding."
"This..."
"Listen, this is your mission. You must participate in the next big sacrifice..." Vilia. Looking at Rumia who was kneeling on the ground and trembling.
"Rumia, servant of Odin's Blesser, raise your head!"
Rumia was startled at first, then quickly raised her head obediently.
"You have raised these deer, and now your master will sacrifice the deer to Odin. You have to help your master complete this sacrifice, do you understand?"
"I...I understand."
Villa nodded with satisfaction and motioned for the two of them to get up.
These requests were very sudden. Originally, according to the plan, the work of killing the deer was still carried out by Otto himself.
After all, the leader himself represents the entire tribe.
Now that I think about it carefully, although the priest's decision was sudden, it actually made sense.
A big hand was placed on Rurik's shoulder, and Otto could already feel his son's nervousness.
Rurik, he was the kind of ordinary person who only ate meat before time travel. He had never even killed a chicken. His greatest achievement was to use a slingshot to blow up a chicken that had entered his house. The head of a house mouse. He didn't think there was anything scary about killing a mouse. Watching the mouse twitching before it died, a sense of joy that the hunt was successful came to his mind!
Large livestock? ! This...
More than a thousand years later, livestock and poultry breeding has been industrialized, and slaughtering work has been mechanized in meat plants.
Youdao is a gentleman far away from the kitchen. Occasionally seeing the video of the meat factory, ordinary people will at least feel uncomfortable. For this reason, meat processing plants all over the country have upgraded their equipment. The so-called electrocution of livestock and poultry is followed by bloodletting. The so-called ending of animal suffering by tens of millimeters is called humane.
Interestingly, thousands of years later, the descendants of the Varyags, who claim to be the most humane and environmentally friendly people in the world, are recognized as symbols of barbarism and brute force.
After all, livestock and poultry all have a bloody end, but this will not affect eating stewThe joy of grilling meat.
It’s crazy for a seven-year-old kid to personally execute a deer whose shoulder height is higher than the top of his head!
However, the original Varyag people are like this.
The warrior will order his children to chop off the heads of fish, and then execute the caught rabbits or other small animals.
All boys were trained by their fathers to hunt and fish, and were able to skin the prey themselves, distinguish which animal livers could be eaten directly, and learn fire-making skills such as drilling wood to make fire. These are the skills a man needs to survive.
Rurik is destined to learn these abilities, he is already seven years old after all!
Otto wanted to take it easy. Although his son was "Blessed by Odin", he had great ambitions. Otto sometimes felt that his son was kinder than other children.
Being kind to your friends is a good virtue. As a leader, will your subordinates feel that the leader is not strong enough and brave enough?
Suddenly Otto felt that the priest's decision had a deeper meaning.
Otto asked softly: "Rurik, are you afraid...tell me the truth."
"I...I am indeed a little scared."
"Don't be afraid, kid. You are the future leader. Even if you are only seven years old, you must show your strength to others. Listen, a person who dares not kill a deer is a coward!"
"I'm still a little worried..."
"Don't think too much, I will control the deer. When the time comes, you stab the sword into the deer's neck, and you will succeed. You can't be afraid of blood. ! Listen, there will be many terrible enemies in the future who need you to chop off their heads! If you are not brave now, you are not a hunter, but a prey."
Rurik didn't want to say that he saw it. It is normal for normal people to be wary of large amounts of blood. Just like a new soldier, he may even wet his pants when he goes to the battlefield for the first time, but after more experience, he will no longer be afraid of the corpses of his comrades, let alone blood and death.
Soldiers of any era are like this. Even those on long boats will be afraid and run away cowardly when faced with some obviously unfavorable battles.
Rurik gritted his teeth, nodded deeply, and tried to be very brave: "I will kill the deer, I will not hesitate."
That's it, Otto I can still feel my son's worry.
This is not surprising. There are only a few natural warriors. For example, in children's wrestling games, many children must be stepped on by the winner again and again before they can become brave.
This is the military operation led by Otto himself. He prefers to take strong men around thirty years old. One reason is that they have enough experience, are brave and even thirst for blood!