The festival 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 about it.
The Ross tribe is located just on the edge of the Arctic Circle. On December 28, they could barely 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, prayers can best get God's understanding.
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 wash themselves well and dressed in their best clothes. He took off his clothes, took a few bites of dried meat, and 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 to illuminate the sacrificial venue had been lit!
At this time, the aging Vilia was also making final preparations.
With the help of the lower 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, Poona hurried over: "High Priest, the Dog Star (Sirius) is almost at its location, let's go quickly."
Vilia's heart sank, and she turned around and said, "I'm about to set off! Let's go, Bona, help me hold my antlered helmet..."
The cold and silent fjord suddenly became starry, and the cold world was warmed by a 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 Ross tribe members and guests. 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 were all pregnant, and their slightly swollen bellies were 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 the Varyag people's strength in numbers, and the targeting of those who insisted on carrying iron. The awe of men wearing helmets, bucklers on their backs, and axes at their waists.
This is the case for Peravina. 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." Lumia, who was still wearing thick clothes and hanging silver jewelry on the outside of her clothes, tightly tugged on Rurik's 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 gather in a forest glade filled with bonfires, and 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 farmer have a chance to win?
It was as if all the deer herders united could not defeat the Varyags. No one in the world could defeat them.
This year’s Hanukkah service was nothing special 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 an order, and more than thirty people shouldered 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 took a deep breath and walked a certain distance to carry the string and put it down in the new river. It should be the job of young people.
As the leader, even though Otto was very old, he had to do it forcefully.
He must insist, like the priest Vilia, who, almost dead, still wears her huge antlered helmet.
Yes, Vilia was now on crutches. She wore a heavy leather jacket to keep warm while covering her shaky legs.
The antlered helmet was too heavy, and wearing it on her head really showed a strong sense of seriousness and mystery.
Later, five top quality reindeer were brought over.
They are well-tamed reindeer. Their eyes reveal indifference as they stare blankly at the surging crowds and listen to the noise of humans around them.
They don't seem to know 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.
Others discussed the servants of the leader's son.
How could a mere 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 other people's comments about her, and she subconsciously held on to Rurik's leather jacket even tighter.
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 unbelievable. Although I am well fed and clothed now, all my relatives were killed by these Varangians. 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 Varyags 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 a minute."
"High Priest, your sacred deer helmet is too heavy. Maybe we need to start faster and finish faster."
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 is not particularly bright yet, so we have to wait. You don't have to worry about me, leader."
"All right……"
"Chief, be prepared first. If you can..." Suddenly, Vilia thought of something. "Chief, bring your son and that servant."
"Them? This..."
"Go quickly!"
Otto didn't know the reason for Villia's sudden idea for a while. He approached the crowd and quickly pulled out Rurik and Rumia.
The situation became extremely unexpected, and Rurik really couldn't understand whether he was old enough to have to participate in the ceremony in person.
The sudden change made the waiting crowd very strange. A pair of eyes stared at the two small figures standing in front of the priest.
"Grandma... why us?" Rurik asked strangely.
Vilia had a serious look on her face, and she ordered in a thick voice: "Now, kneel down!"
Her voice had a strong sense of oppression, and without thinking at all, Rurik dragged Rumia to his knees.
"Rurik, now hand over your sword and give it to me."
Rurik, who had regained his composure, did not rush to draw his sword and asked hurriedly: "My sword? Why?"
"Silly boy!" she snapped. "This is the first sword forged with Odin's wisdom. Our tribe has received Odin's wisdom, and we must take this opportunity to express our gratitude."
"So that's it."
Rurik obediently presented his steel sword, and Vilya held it in his hand, looking at the cold light of its blade, he was filled with admiration.
"Grandma, after that we..."
"You cut the deer's neck!" Villa suddenly shouted.
"Huh? What...what do I want to do?"
"Didn't you hear clearly?" Vilia continued the low command, "Children blessed by Odin, I thought about it, this year's ceremony requires your personal participation. You must use this sword to execute all sacrifices. Wait a moment ritual, I will communicate with Valhalla on behalf of the tribe, and you must personally deliver the sacrifice to Odin."
"this……"
"Listen, this is your mission. You must participate in the future festivals. And your servants..." Vilia looked 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."
Vilia nodded with satisfaction and motioned for the two of them to get up.
These requests were very sudden. According to the plan, Otto himself would still perform the work of killing the deer as usual.
After all, the leader himself represents the entire tribe.
Now that I think about it carefully, although the priest's decision was unexpected, it actually made sense.
A big hand was placed on Rurik's shoulder, and Otto could already feel his son's nervousness.
Rurik 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 the head off a house rat that had escaped into his house. 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 in their hearts. 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 world's most humane and environmentally friendly people, have their ancestors recognized as symbols of barbarism and brute force.
After all, livestock and poultry all have a bloody end, but this will not affect the pleasure of eating stewed meat and barbecue.
It’s crazy for a seven-year-old kid to take it upon himself to execute a deer that is taller at the shoulders than the top of his head!
However, the original Varyag people are like this.
The warrior would 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, what are you afraid of...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 you pierce the deer's neck with your sword, 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 them away. Head! If you are not brave now, you are not the hunter, but the prey."
Rurik didn't want to say that he was wary of seeing a lot of blood. This was really normal for normal people. 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.
This is true for soldiers of any era. 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."
Even so, Otto could still feel his 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!
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Chapter 106 Who will win the big sacrifice?
