All reindeer sleighs are covered with cloth tents, and all passengers are dressed in furry clothes and are bundled up for warmth. The cold wind sweeping across the ice cannot interfere with people's progress. If there is, it can only be a snowstorm.
Rurik and his party walked directly to Ironburg, which was essentially a long detour. Considering the supply problem, he deliberately did this.
The sled team formed a double column, and all the chauffeurs stared at the flagpole of Rurik's car. The flags were flying so that everyone would not fall behind.
Reindeer pull people and goods. Even though they have strong strength, they are not capable of running continuously.
These animals with amazing endurance have been trained to be very docile. They keep moving at a strolling speed, so that the entire team basically maintains a slow speed of about 6km/h.
The speed is indeed slow, but the reindeer sleigh is better in that it can walk at a constant speed throughout the day.
On the first day, the sled team traveled about fifty kilometers.
The team spent the night in a pine forest on the frozen seaside and spent the whole day sledding. People walked out of the closed tents. Even if the outdoor air was very cold, it was refreshing and beautiful.
The women of Tavastia were all flexing their muscles and twisting their stiff waists.
Very suddenly, some big trees collapsed under the action of the two-man saw.
They were shocked.
A moment later, Javlo came hurriedly with an ax and shouted in Old Finnish: "Women, build your own shack, we will stay here for the night. Don't think about escaping, bears and wolves will try." Take your lives."
Escape? If they could escape, everyone would have escaped long ago.
Now, these Tavastian women have completely accepted their sad fate. Although it is sad, there is still hope in life.
Can immigrants settle down in a distant place? These young women originally had no right to choose their own marriage in their hometown. You can only leave it to fate as to what kind of man you marry, but if your man can provide you with wheat every day, then he is a good person. If there is such a good day, they will take up arms to protect it.
Many women held axes in their hands, and Rurik was not worried that they would attack his own people. The ax is a tool for making shacks, and it is also a tool for self-protection when encountering wild beasts. This is their personal belongings, and they were purchased in Fort Ross with their own labor remuneration.
A hole was dug in the snow and a piece of burlap was spread over it. Thick branches were used to build a frame on the snow pit, and dense European red pine branches with long pine needles were further built. Finally, the roof of the shed was covered with snow.
A warm snowfield nest is like this. It can be used for people to sleep peacefully, and it is not very cold inside.
The Russians took out the treasured tinder fungus powder and used a bow drill to drill into the dry wood they had prepared to make fire.
A little flame ignited and gradually turned into a bonfire.
The oil-rich pine trees harvested from the local area were chopped to pieces by Rurik's capable mercenaries. Violent smoke obscured the flames, as the water was dried up in a moment, the first bonfire turned into a huge fire!
Soon, fifty bonfires lit up the earth beside the pine forest at night. The world was no longer cold. People took the time to eat dry food and then got into shacks to sleep.
Only Rurik and Noren. The sleigh owned by the two of them is itself a warm house...
The campground tends to be more sophisticated, and from time to time outside the house sled comes the sound of bonfires, the snoring of strong men, and hundreds of heads. The faint noise of reindeer.
When people were eating dry food, the reindeer were also eating oats. They could not eat too much wheat and the hay they had prepared, so the accompanying deer herders drove the deer that had completely removed their bridles to graze on the spot. for a while.
Now, the days and nights are still almost equal in length. After all, it is a large team of hundreds of people. Rurik does not dare to move forward at night. He is afraid that the sled will get lost.
In the house sleigh, Rurik was lying on his back with his hands on his pillow, and Noren couldn't help but come closer.
"This is the first night the two of us...are alone in the snowfield." She hesitated in her words.
"How is it?"
"I... saw the sunset on the frozen sea. The ice surface became the color of the sunset. And the moonlight tonight is so beautiful. ."
"The moonlight is so beautiful?" Rurik curled his lips and smiled for a moment, "You are very reserved, very unlike you. I know you are very happy, and it will be you for the next two months. I am alone."
"Yes, other sisters will envy me. I still wonder when I can be a mother."
"You and I have done this. Promise. At least three years later. Don’t think about it this year. You should think about how to call on those who are determined to stay in your hometown to support your rule. Nolen simply laughed out loud, "Not your rule?"
"At least it is your rule in name."
"But you are my man. Liuli "K..." Nolen sat up, "I can't wait any longer. I can't lose to the other sisters, and I can't let them look down on me."
But this night, Rurik and Nolen were still there. Nothing substantial happened. Is this simply Rurik showing extreme self-discipline for long-term plans? No! It was simply Nolen's use of brute force. She was a standard Viking woman after all, forcing Rurik to stop pretending.
Because of Nolen, she is really beautiful and sings well...
But she felt very painful and gave up unilaterally. Simply Rurik also let out a sigh of relief.
How can she not be impatient? The first few wives and concubines of Rurik she saw were either mothers or pregnant. Despised by them.
Of course, more realistically, how could Nolen not know about the virtues of the Balmok family? Wanting them to recognize a female leader is wishful thinking.
The Balmoks among the mercenaries are NuoWith Lun's attitude, this group of brothers didn't think that her being the leader of the left-behind people would convince the public. The brothers eagerly hoped that Norun could give birth to a boy, so that the brothers back home would support this handsome boy.
A brave attempt ended in failure, but moving against the glacier, this brave attempt must succeed.
The team spent three days. On the third evening after setting off, they encountered people fishing for cod in holes on the ice, and understood that Ellenburg was about to arrive.
The team has actually passed the mouth of the frozen Torna River. Everyone contacted each other and learned that this was the correct path, but the sled team was still moving forward.
The arrival of the Rurik sled team was expected by Mechasta, the "Governor" of Ironburg, from Covin, but their arrival was quite sudden.
The forests and snowfields at dusk were extremely beautiful. A young man dressed like a bear walked up to the ice with a few men to greet him.
The young man had already waved to celebrate.
"It's Terravis." Rurik stuck his head out and waved in response.
After a moment, the entire team stopped. Such a spectacular manned sled team could no longer surprise him.
"Telavis, how are you?" Rurik greeted.
"I'm fine. Brothers, you are finally here. My father sent me to greet you."
At that time, Nolen also poked his head out: "Go to Ellenburg. "?"
A beautiful blond girl with long hair stuck her head out. When Taravis saw her, he was surprised at first and a little disappointed.
Because this woman is not his sister Saipolava.
Rurik continued to stare at Telavis's face: "In that case, you will lead the way. I will take the most critical rest in Ironburg tonight and tomorrow."
Rurik turns the corner to the city on the banks of the Ailon (Kemi) River, which will definitely waste three days.
This decision is necessary. In order to ensure nothing goes wrong, Rurik must get enough supplies here. What he asked for was not human food, but reindeer food!
Because the area near Ellenburg has been the purpose of deer herders since ancient times, when a functional city of mining, logging, and fishing appeared in this area, livestock raising became extremely urgent.
Rurik was sure that he could easily obtain large quantities of baled hay to supplement the food for the reindeer expedition.
The sled team stopped on the frozen river bank, and the architectural scene here was so majestic!
Noren opened his eyes wide, held Rurik's arm, and asked what the huge equipment placed on the shore was.
"It can lift felled giant trees and install them on large sleds."
"Is it really that powerful?"
"Of course. This It’s my invention. Nolen, this is your first time in Ironburg, and there are many things here that will surprise you.”
The beautiful scenery of the forest sea and snowy plains will become boring once you hear it. Something new and completely brought up in her character.
As for the Tavastian women, they stood gaping under the towering snow-covered wooden walls. Because Ironburg is on the front line of arctic cold current erosion, the city's wooden walls have been repaired and raised, and finally became a towering place.
In another area, there were constant ding-ding-dong-dong sounds, and the entire area was clearly burning. The nearby snow had faded away, leaving dry and hard ground, and the thick smoke continued.
Nolen was very curious. She could see that Ironburg was much smaller than Roseburg, but the exquisiteness inside...
The group of people entered the city and garrisoned it. People came to watch.
Especially the local Corvin people know that a large group of Tavastians will come. No, the women from the Kewen tribe formed snowballs on the spot and threw them at the black-haired Ta tribe woman.
"Hey! Women, what are you doing? Yevlo, disperse these snowball fight guys!" Rurik was startled and suddenly ordered angrily.
Yevluo hummed, and led his men to pick up round shields, beat the shields hard, and then dispersed the group of Covin women.
"What's going on?" Nolen shouted in confusion, "Rurik, is this the interesting thing you said?"
"Bah! Is it possible that there is a relationship between them? Is there any hatred? Damn it, maybe it’s really hatred?” Rurik bared his teeth and seemed to think of the reason.
Looking at the Tavastia women, they were puzzled by the sudden attack, but they were not cowards. They all picked up their hand axes and threatened those who threw snowballs.
Although the Kewen woman retreated, verbal abuses continued from both sides.
Unfortunately, the languages of both parties are very similar, and there is also a lack of swear words in them.
"Now, I finally understand." Rurik slapped his head, thinking that it was right to throw these Tavastian captives to Balmok friends.
This is entirely because, even though the two groups have lost a lot of men, even if they still have a group of women left, the disputes continue.
Rurik was helpless. It seemed that Ironburg did not welcome this group of Tavastians. Simply, the group of women were camped outdoors again.
Finally, Rurik arrived at his palace in Ironburg.
The house is not big, it is quite warm and has been properly cleaned. For example, the polar bear heads hanging on the walls are free of dust.
For what happened before, Covin Mechasta seemed to be very apologetic.
A big, hard-boiled salmon was thawed and grilled until it became juicy on a special iron cage. The fragrant grilled fish was delivered to the palace.
"Sir, the attack occurred and it is my responsibility." Mechasta, who personally served the fish, was respectful.
Rurik pursed his lips to hide his irritation, and then said: "Put away your self-blame, don't think I don't know. The hatred between you Covins and Tavastians has existed since ancient times. Yes, but what you did today is really cowardly.”
"No. I didn't instruct them. My people were just too angry thinking about the past." He defended.
"Absurd. You and Kehas have reconciled. Didn't you Gray Squirrel Tribe and Salmon Lord Tribe also have a bloody fight before?"
"Then... It's just a fight between brothers. The Tavastians are trying to kill us. To be honest..." Mechasta lowered his head and said, "I'm so happy to see them in trouble."
"Absurd! But... you have your own reasons." Rurik didn't want to criticize anything. This is just like the serious Russians cannot reconcile with the Danish forces. In fact, no one knows both sides. When did the conflict occur?
Rurik shook his head again: "I remember arranging some female prisoners for you."
"The women of Tavastia in my hands are now my slaves ."
"Really? You thought they would be your men's wives." Rurik saw that Mechasta didn't want to say anything anymore, and said, "I gave you the right to dispose of them. , I don’t care what you want. But I am very angry about what happened today.” Looking at Mechasta again, he made up his mind: “I am willing to be punished.”
Sigh. You are too small... Just give me a batch of hay and a batch of dried fish. Don't worry, the Tavastian woman you hate is a Balmok. I will stay here for one day. Restrain your own people if there is another attack tomorrow..."
"Yes. I will be responsible if anything happens."
"Just leave and do what I tell you. I’m going to enjoy it for a while.”
Tavastia has collapsed, and the remaining people are divided among the victors. Isn’t this enough? Rurik really didn't know how many things the Kovin people had experienced before, maybe they were very tragic things.
Rurik did know that Tavastia’s forces were already quite powerful, and they could actually assemble an army of four to five thousand men in a short period of time!
Unfortunately, they are just simple barbarians with courage but no brains in fighting. This group of people are desperate to expand, and they can be regarded as a typical example of those who are warlike and destined to decline.
Rurik and Noren were soaking in the big wooden barrel, and it was extremely comfortable to be submerged in hot water.
Noren rarely had this kind of enjoyment, except that she experienced a Finnish sauna in a steam room.
"Do you like Ellenburg?" Rurik asked suddenly, which cheered up Nolen, who was already a little wilted by steam.
"It's... great. The houses here are well-proportioned, and the roads are all vertical. There is also the machine that can move big trees, and..."
She listed many things, and Rurik listened with great pleasure.
But she still mentioned the attack in the evening.
"What... is this? Is it just hatred?" she asked.
"It's just hatred."
"The Tavastians were defeated, and the hatred is over."
"No. It was Rus who defeated the enemy.Man, the honor of victory does not belong to Kewen people. You should know that women are also warriors when necessary. Your biological father taught you that. ”
“I understand. But I should never go to war. "When it comes to war, Nolen is naturally frightened.
"War is inevitable in this era. "Rurik sighed softly, "The warlike Tavastia was defeated by the more warlike us. But Karelia is still the dominant force in the East, and their existence is like a big rock hanging over their heads. ”
“We will win easily. "Nolen encouraged.
"Yes, I don't dare to neglect the war. It would be best if you could recruit five hundred warriors from your hometown. As for our enemies, haha..."
"Why are you laughing? ”
“I hope the Karelians are as brave as the Tavastians. You know, sometimes bravery means recklessness, so our army can complete the killing well! "
Rurik's words were already very serious, and his tone was full of murderous intent. Nolen stood up tremblingly and wanted to leave, but suddenly felt dizzy again and fell into Rurik's arms.
"I'm... dizzy. "
"This is a sauna, you did faint. Rest and sleep in tomorrow. We still have nearly fifteen days of travel ahead, so we won’t be able to have such enjoyment. ”