The Trent River flows quietly, and the farmers living along the river live their quiet and miserable lives.
The wars in recent years are basically internal fighting among the nobles. After paying the grain tax and land rent, the farmers pay the poll tax. In addition, they have to bring their own weapons to fight under the orders of the nobles.
However, no matter what kind of war it is, the battlefield will never break out in the Earldom of Lindsay on the lower reaches of the Trent River.
The people's lives are becoming more and more peaceful. Travelers from all over the world have revealed that terrible pirates have sacked the villages in East Anglia and Wessex. This has something to do with the people living in the earldom of Lindsay. What to do?
The farmer’s vision is limited to the three-thirds of an acre of farmland by the river. It is obviously adjacent to the sea, but almost no one goes fishing.
Because they even forgot the skills of shipbuilding and just built some canoes to float on the Trent River.
Only this year’s situation is very special.
Years ago, the King of Wessex led his troops into the country, and his king immediately swore allegiance, so that the farmer's family had to pay another tax to Wessex.
Wessex was in decline, and the king of Mercia was immediately restored. In the past few years, His Majesty has used troops against East Anglia, and the people's financial resources have been severely squeezed.
How long has it been peaceful? This year, the Earl took his elite armored retinue and conscripted farmers to the north to conquer Northumbria.
When will the expedition return?
The people did not think much. They counted their surplus grain and actively raised chickens and sheep at the end of the warm summer to alleviate their poverty.
Of course, every weekend on Sunday, people from all over the country gathered in the monasteries in each village to receive the teachings of the priests, and people from nearby Lindsay City poured into the city.
The lack of information not only brought about their extremely limited understanding of the outside world, they did not know what a Viking was at all. Although there were rumors, this was explained by the same unreliable priests. Just describe it as the little devil who is the apostle of Satan. So, how do you protect yourself from demons? Just stay away from the sea and devoutly believe in your beliefs.
But everything happened too suddenly.
The rainy weather continued. Thanks to the protection of the cabin, the situation of the incoming fleet was not too bad.
This is of course limited to the Ross Army. The open long boats of the Balmok Army could not protect themselves from the wind and rain. They endured the discomfort all over because of their strong belief that supported their continued march.
The north wind is not serious, but the temperature is low enough. In such bad weather, the Allied troops continue to "bath", so they don't catch colds and fevers?
Although Rurik was very worried, he was helpless. He could only hope that everyone was in good health.
This makes it necessary to conquer Lindsay City, and everyone needs a shelter from the wind and rain.
In the rain, all the ships raised their sails, and they were blown upstream by the north wind.
Rurik called the Trent River Lindsay out of convenience.The Ouse River and the Aire River were wider beforehand, and now they flowed north-south, which was just conducive for the fleet to take advantage of the wind to make a surprise attack.
The fleet suddenly appeared under Lindsay City, which was indeed a stone city built along the river.
"Is this our target?" Arik asked his brother holding a sword while bathing in the light rain.
"Who knows? We have seen this city with stone walls since we sailed, it should be."
"It doesn't matter, we attack it and capture a few Just take him prisoner." Aric danced his sword eagerly.
Rurik nodded, "Then let's do it. We really need to take a break."
That's what Rurik saw in the drizzle. obstacles.
What is that? It's clearly a bridge.
“Damn it, a wooden bridge actually blocked my march. It’s time to teach the locals a lesson. Those who dare to build a bridge to stop me should be punished!”
Now that things have happened, Rurik, who should have made great achievements, became barbaric and naturally a little arrogant.
Can a mere city protected by low stone walls stop the Rosbalmok coalition?
Someone blew a horn, and the noise attracted the attention of the entire fleet.
The Aurora has anchored, as have all the other ships.
Rurik stood at the side railing and shouted to his cousin who had already led the soldiers off the boat: "Arik! Remember! Don't kill indiscriminately, don't attack without authorization, wait until I take the lead The shooter is ready to take action again."
"Then come down quickly," Arik shouted disdainfully.
Considering the new plan to attack Tamworth, the royal city of Mercia, Rurik prepared some ladders in advance.
The Ross army who disembarked was already working together to carry the long ladder unloaded from the large ship, and the Balmok army also dragged its wet body and gathered in the wet grassland by the river.
Looking at Lindsay City, a Saxon city that was expanded based on a Roman-era fortress, there was only a small group of garrison troops left, and they discovered that an incredible fleet was already approaching the city.
Yes, in fact, some villages along the river have already noticed this fleet going upstream. The villagers sensed the danger and spontaneously avoided it. It was rainy, and there was no villager who was not busy taking care of himself. Run through the mud fearlessly to tell Lindsay City that danger is coming.
This tiny city with a permanent population of over a hundred people, all of whom worked for the Earl's family, and whose population was reduced to only 500 people due to the Earl's expedition, was very suddenly attacked by an army of two thousand Vikings. The troops came to the city.
There were no more than fifty servants loyal to the earl family who stayed behind with weapons. They climbed to the top of the city in the rain, and one or two of them were so frightened that they trembled all over.
However, the attack of the Russian army has arrived.
Carry out long-range strikes before starting a war. As long as an army has suitable long-range weapons, it would be foolish not to do so.
Cast iron projectiles and javelins fell from the sky, Rurik returnedNo one operating the slingshot can see a clear enemy. It doesn't matter. This move is not to kill the enemy, but to create panic in the city.
At first, the women and children hiding in their homes felt that dangerous hail was falling from the sky.
Occasionally there will be extreme weather, and hail can smash through the wooden roofs of residential houses, causing injuries to residents, and even killing poultry in the pens.
However, this time was very different. Residents witnessed their loved ones being smashed to death!
Is that hail? It's a piece of iron! And the javelin!
They were completely baffled, so they hid in fear.
The pellets smashed through the stone tiles of Lindsay Abbey, and even the priests were hiding.
[Reading Welfare] Pay attention to the public account [Book Friends Base Camp], read books every day and get cash/coins!
The old pastor knocked on the floor with his crutch, and read pictures to deter chaos. The little priest who ran.
The situation was already chaotic, and soldiers covered in water broke into the monastery and shouted: "Enemies coming out of nowhere are attacking us. The Centurion orders you to hide quickly!"
As soon as I heard about the enemy attack, the chaos really intensified.
“Can you be considered pious like this?” The priest scolded again, then threw away the crutch himself, picked up the large wooden cross used when celebrating mass, and used it as a crutch like a saint. He walked outdoors and said: "Don't be afraid, the power of faith will save us. Soldiers, go and protect the countess and the young master. Others, let's go."
But the falling projectiles are not long. Eyes!
Some of the little priests who followed the priest anxiously were directly beaten to death while guarding them.
Although the pastor was shocked, adhering to his faith, he dragged his trembling feet and thought of going out of the city to have a good chat with these mass murderers in person.
Pedantic? Indeed, this old man who has held the position of priest of the monastery in the earldom of Lindsay has been doing this for thirty years. He boasted that he had seen a lot. Northumbrian troops arrived here a long time ago, but even so, they did not cause such killings. That time, it was he who mediated and the then Earl of Lindsay defeated the Northumbrian Army, and he was proud of it for decades.
Carrying the cross, he climbed up the low stone wall. The drizzle made his mood desolate.
The priest saw an incredible number of large ships floating on the river below the city, and a huge army stood in a large area.
At this time, Rurik, who had already negotiated with Magnute and Biyongni who had disembarked, exchanged opinions and reached a consensus that the city must be conquered, and then the army entered the city to rest.
The coalition forces were already making final preparations for the attack, when suddenly a large black cross appeared on the top of the city.
“Look, it’s their priest.” Rurik smoothly called the priest a priest.
Magnut took a closer look and felt murderous intent in his heart.
"Rurik, my son. They do not believe in our Odin, especiallyEspecially the local priests, I will let them know Odin's wrath now. "
"Wait a minute! "Rurik said suddenly.
"What's wrong? Our army is ready. "
"No. I think they intend to negotiate with us. ”
“Is this necessary? Biyongni asked disdainfully, and Arik was about to charge.
Rurik squinted his eyes. He knew that he had no business in looking up at this obviously weak enemy under the city. He should be an enemy. Get down and talk to yourself
“Then attack. "Rurik sighed, then he made up his mind, drew out the dagger and pointed it pointedly: "Attack! ”
This is indeed Lindsay City, and its small size cannot help but make Rurik suspicious.
Of course, the attack is simple and straightforward, and victory comes easily, so his doubts are over. It got worse.
The stone wall built in the Roman era was not further repaired. After setting up ladders, the Russian army and the Balmoq army successfully climbed to the city without encountering any decent resistance.
The last armed retinues of the earl family were originally salaried thugs and were inherently mercenaries, so their loyalty itself was illusory.
They were afraid and sent the priests to each other. They broke through the city wall and didn't listen to the priest's plea to stay. They took their weapons and ran away.
When they escaped, they didn't even notify the count's family to evacuate. The guys who were busy escaping frantically jumped into the drainage. The ditch was dripping with mud and they escaped.
Of course, some people were hacked to death by the Vikings who came to the city.
The Danish mercenary Grund was a tool man. , his armor was stained with blood again, but it was washed away by the rain. They were the first to board the city, and they also hacked to death the Mercian soldiers stationed in the city gate, and then removed all the door bolts. After the gate was opened, the main force of the coalition army came out. Filed in.
The Rus and Balmoks rushed into the city, looting and plundering wildly.
Arik really complied with his brother's request. The subordinates are not allowed to kill indiscriminately, and the fact is so special that the violent warriors are not allowed to kill indiscriminately.
Because there are too many women in this city.
They control women. They only cared about their own happiness while screaming, and the scene was once very chaotic.
The city had collapsed, and the menacing army rushed into the worst stone castle, killing the guards and breaking in.
The countess hugged her youngest son with a sad face, but her eldest son had bravely taken out a sword.
However, Biyongni, who led the team in, just wanted to kill as fast as he could.
“Boy, you are too young. If you dare to duel with me, then go to hell! "He yelled in Norse. Although he admired the young man, he quickly chopped him down.
Even the countess pulled out a meat knife to defend herself in times of crisis. It was this move that shocked everyone present. The Balmoks did not hesitate to regard this woman as a brave woman.warrior.
Don’t kill women? Once she picks up any form of weapon, she is a warrior and is prepared to be killed.
Especially when dealing with an armed enemy warrior, the greatest respect is to kill them all.
At this glance, Biyongni led his brothers to bloodbath Earl Lindsay's mansion, and really carried out the brutality to the end, and then looted gold and silver.
As for Rurik, he still maintained his sanity in the extremely cruel battlefield.
As of now, he is no longer afraid of the red rust-smelling mud with corpses all over the ground. He ignored the chaos and carnage, as well as the woman being chased by a group of laughing Balmok warriors.
Rurik deliberately indulged the Russian soldiers, and he had no right to restrain the theoretical discipline of the Balmok allies. After all, this place will be regarded as the territory of the Balmok Kingdom of York from now on. The Balmok people are raging, so why should I interfere?
Rurik led a group of cronies to the monastery, which was temporarily surrounded by a group of Russian soldiers.
Arik greeted his brother with a smile: "Look, I didn't kill indiscriminately. Many people fled to this building. This is their temple. You decide their life and death."
< p>"Good job!" Things were far better than Rurik thought. Unexpectedly, my brother was smarter.At the same time, more than 60 women and children and more than a dozen priests were hiding in the monastery, praying in vain, hoping that the Lord would protect the devout believers with divine power.
The pastor who had escaped had a manuscript Bible in his arms, forcing himself to sit still and busy reading the scriptures, like an ostrich with its head buried in the sand.
After all, the door was knocked open.
The people in the room screamed wildly, and the priest who tried to remain calm was also dumbfounded.
A few soldiers wearing white robes with blue stripes broke in. Unbelievably, the barbaric army just stood there, like a guard of honor.
After a while, a short man who seemed to be thin came in.
"You! You have failed! Now declare your surrender and you will get my protection."
Rurik's words were in Latin, and the priest was shocked, because this sacred word The language was spoken by a barbarian warrior.
Rurik spoke again, and the panic of the people was indeed relieved.
The pastor closed the Bible, hugged it, and walked cautiously towards the blond boy who took off his iron helmet. He subconsciously felt how different this boy was from the attackers.
The priest had to admit that this young man was really handsome and his complexion was similar to that of a local, but the soldiers who attacked the city had special clothes.
"Who are you?" the priest asked in Latin.
"Russ! The Duchy of Rus and the new Kingdom of York. Where is this?"
"It's Lindsay."
Lindsay? Such a broken city is Lindsay? Rurik shook his head, and immediately kicked the priest, knocking the old man down. The sudden scene made the whole monastery become silent and suffocating.interest.
Rurik pointed his sword at all the stunned people: "People of Lindsay, you have been conquered! Lindsay no longer exists! Now, you are all our servants!"
< p>The words were in Latin, which ordinary people couldn't understand, but most priests could understand it vaguely.Rurik gave another order, and Arik naturally misinterpreted his brother’s meaning. What was meant to be a tying of ordinary priests turned into a killing, just like the most ordinary Viking invaders would In doing so, the wooden floor of the monastery was stained red...
The old priest was left shivering, cursing in Latin that this young man had a demonic nature underneath his handsome appearance.
"You know the sacred language, you are blaspheming the sacred. You will eventually go to hell."
"Hell? Maybe. Your god did not protect you." Rurik shook Shaking his head, "You know Latin, you are still useful. Thank me, I will spare you, and the people of this entire monastery will be safe."
After that, he ordered his brother: "Brother! Don't If you continue to kill indiscriminately, tie up the others and take them away."
"Okay! Okay..." Aric was a little surprised and shook off the sword. He wiped the blood stains on his clothes and put it back into the scabbard, signaling his obedience.