Carlotta was a little tired. As soon as she and her sister left the sauna, they were picked up by Gevro, who had been waiting for a long time.
"My lord, it looks like we are clean. Next..."
"Just call me Jevro. You are Carlotta, and you are so much more beautiful now. And your sister Ella."
Which girl with simple clothes and clean and fresh appearance doesn't make people feel comfortable? On the surface, Carlotta and Ella are considered nobles after all, and Jevro can easily feel the temperament that is different from ordinary tribesmen.
Now, Jevro has another task, and this special task is explained by the witch doctor standing behind him with a flower crown on his head.
Jevro continued: "My master has made arrangements for the evening. You two are distinguished guests, and the master will invite you to dinner tonight. Before that, Carlotta, I have been ordered to treat your wounds."
"Dinner together? For our sisters?!" Was Carlotta moved? She was on guard first.
The previous bad contact with the businessman named Fordegen made Carlotta extremely cautious when dealing with others, as if those businessmen were always greedy for her and her sister's body. In this world, if a woman is beautiful, she will become a treasure that many people are vying for.
Carlotta doesn't think she is very beautiful, but after this period of time, could it be possible...
She is not narcissistic, she just hopes that she and her sister can get through the suffering as soon as possible. But the fat benefactor made some unreasonable demands? At this point, Carlotta had to think about it carefully.
Because people have to live.
She thought for a while, bowed her head respectfully and said, "Master Yevluo, thank you for treating me."
"Let's go, the sponsor has also invited a witch doctor. Don't worry, you will recover soon."
In a relatively ordinary lounge, Carlotta was lying quietly on a soft sheepskin blanket.
The witch doctor was already sitting on the ground pounding herbs, while Jevro was also rubbing a knife with an oxhide.
Carlotta couldn't help but tremble when she saw the knife. She was not afraid of the knife itself, but she just thought of the previous experience of being stabbed by a mercenary, although that was also the so-called treatment.
"Are you scared? Don't worry, my skills are very fast." Yevluo comforted him.
"Oh, sir. You... at least let me bite something. I'm afraid of biting off my tongue."
"You are very thoughtful." Jevro didn't think much and threw a ball of linen to the girl. Carlotta quickly folded it and stuffed it into her mouth.
Her sister was sitting on her knees, holding her sister's hand tightly, and tears kept flowing out.
The knife had been sharpened to an extremely sharp point. Jevro held down the girl's leg, and the tip of the knife began to press against the swollen wound.
It was only at this time that Yevluo suddenly discovered that the wound had been treated. It could be said that it had been treated by vulgar methods that only soldiers would use.
Something very exciting must have happened to this girl on her way to escape. Yevro had no choice but to ask again before taking action.
Almost got taken as a concubine by a businessman? How ridiculous! What's even more ridiculous is that the wound was "welded" by a mercenary.
Such an operation can only be used as an emergency, and it is likely to cause endless troubles, and may even destroy the girl's legs!
"Really, I would like to see that idiot treated your injury. Your leg was destroyed without proper treatment. Now you are very lucky."
Hearing this, Carlotta bit the linen ball hard, turned her face to the side, and tears flowed out unconsciously.
"That's it, kid, stay strong."
After that, the tip of the knife pierced the wound again...
Because it had been soaked in water, the scab on the surface of her wound turned white and fell off easily, but the underlying pustule still required thorough drainage.
Although the specific mechanism of the disease is not known, the witch doctors and priests of Melalen know that suppurating wounds often cause fever, and excessive fever can cause death. All pus must be removed if death is to be avoided. You even have to keep cutting the wound until you see bright red flesh and flowing blood.
Although the treatment methods are violent and barbaric, the injured will often faint from the pain, and this is the best treatment method that the witch doctors can think of.
Compared to the witch doctor, Jevlo's personal knife skills are superior. He uncovered the girl's soft scabs and used a knife to thoroughly clean out the fetid pus.
It was really a torture to uncover the scars. Carlotta's forehead was covered with sweat and her body was shaking unconsciously.
Then it's time for the witch doctor.
After a mysterious spell, a sticky herbal mass was attached to Carlotta's wound.
In fact, this group of herbs is not a mysterious thing. It's just a bunch of European purslane that has been pounded into a paste by the witch doctor's stone mortar, and then mixed with some honey.
Witch doctors also don't know the reason for this herbal treatment, but it is very helpful in healing wounds.
They have summarized this experience in their long-term life, and both purslane and honey have the effect of accelerating wound healing and anti-infection. Of course, the witch doctor cannot guarantee that this medicine will be absolutely effective, so you have to say a small prayer before applying the medicine, so that you can tell the injured whether a quick recovery depends on God's will.
Until this time, Carlotta finally received the most reliable treatment.
The clothes she is wearing now were originally used by Gould's granddaughter. And since they experienced the goodness of soap, the family has been unable to live without the magical soap with the inscription RUS on it. Their linen clothes and leather clothes are all cleaned by soap. .
There was a little sulfur content left in the clothes Carlotta was wearing, which gave the clothes a certain sterilization function. In addition, her body was covered with highly alkaline soap foam, and the bacteria on her body were killed on a large scale. Really reliable antibacterial and healing-accelerating agents are applied to the wound. Perhaps for Carlotta, the only thing that can hinder her recovery from her injury is her own weak body.
Recuperate? This is also easy to do!
As long as Gould was willing to provide these two children with the same food as his granddaughter, it would probably take less than half a year for the two poor, skinny children to turn into chubby little ones.
Carlotta's injured knee was wrapped in linen. It was entirely because the Gould family began to wash all kinds of linen fabrics with soap, so that even the linen used for bandaging was equivalent to disinfection. It can be said that this is all a coincidence. The Carlotta sisters are now living in a low-bacteria environment, which is very conducive to their physical recovery.
After treatment, Carlotta walked with a limp, which she knew was only temporary.
She felt much better and was filled with doubt.
She was supported by Jevlo on her arm and couldn't help but ask: "Sir, what's next, is eating?"
"Yes, I think you sisters are already starving. Indeed, the sun is going to set now." Supporting the girl, Jevro thought about the girl's performance just now, and couldn't help but praise her in his heart. "You are such a strong boy, you didn't even faint. If you were a boy, you would be a brave warrior."
"Can't girls be good?" the girl said weakly.
"A female warrior? Carlotta, maybe you can't."
"Alas..." Carlotta sighed and said slowly: "We were originally captured by the Danes. The Danes had a man named Ragnar, and he let us go."
"Is there such a thing? Maybe that man can take you away as slaves. He actually let you go." Jevro was a little surprised when he heard this, but he didn't pay special attention.
"Because..." Carlotta didn't want to say any more, but her thin lips already revealed her resentful teeth, as well as the roots of her deciduous teeth that she had bitten to bits.
"Some unspeakable reasons? Well, I won't ask more."
"I...I want revenge."
"So you plan to become a female warrior? You can indeed endure pain, child. A good warrior must be able to withstand a beating before attacking his opponent. Maybe you have such potential, but I don't want a beautiful woman to go there Engage in fighting that should belong to men.”
"Okay, I must avenge my hatred. Then..." Carlotta pursed her lips and asked cautiously: "That businessman, he is so kind to us... He is so good to us. Why? Could it be..."
Yevluo chuckled: "Carlotta, just like I said on the boat. You two are going to the Ross people. My sponsor is an old friend of the Ross leader. Maybe for the sake of your grandfather. , the leader of the Rus people will be very happy to take you in. And my sponsor will be happy to facilitate this."
Hearing this, Carlotta let out a sigh of relief: "If that's the case, that would be great..."
"Let's go. Carlotta, Ella, you are safe. My sponsor will not treat you two badly."
Now, although things are very different from what I think. Carlotta was finally sure that her fantasy had come true. There are indeed noble people here in Mälaren, but the noble people are not from Mälaren.
Russians, are you?
Once upon a time, Carlotta and Ella’s knowledge of the Ross people came entirely from their family’s words.
Grandpa has always spoken highly of the Russians, and in short he envied the birth of a master in the far north.
Everyone only knows the name of Rurik, who is always bragging or ridiculing by businessmen, a boy who is said to have been favored by the great god Odin. So there is a saying that the Rus people living in the far north will rise because of this child.
Maybe this is a prophecy made up by the Rus, but there are so many businessmen and they have heard so much that the Ostara people have to think about it carefully.
Carlotta was supported by Jevlo himself, and she took her sister's little hand, and the three of them walked into the Gould family's dining room - an independent, small wooden house.
Time is passing, and the time when trade in the entire Mellaren Market was prosperous has passed.
Nightlife? No.
The entire Mälaren Market quickly goes into a spontaneous curfew and business is suspended.
On Gould Island, most of the servants went to bed at night. Especially those who were bought or picked up, they all fell asleep after dinner. For these people, current life is like paradise. They secretly praised Gould as a good man. It is said that the leader of the Ross people was more generous, and for the first time they were full of hope for the future.
Stars began to appear in the sky and a cool breeze rose from the lake.
At Gould's family dinner, the aroma of barbecue filled the air again.
When Carlotta and Ella appeared in front of Gould again, he, who had experienced many battles on women's issues, could infer their future appearance just from their neat appearance - two beautiful women.
After all, he had personal contact with the family of the leader of Ostara, and he could even confirm that the little boy in the leader's arms had two daughters when he grew up. Never thought that thirty years later, I would be lucky enough to protect the last of their ethnic group.
The Ostara family, of course, gives priority to the beautiful daughters of other tribal leaders when marrying their wives. They have always selectively intermarried, so over several generations, they have absorbed the blood of beautiful women from various tribes, and naturally these two children Good looking and pretty. For example, a pair of big blue eyes and a slightly higher nose bridge.
They usually eat relatively fine food, so they don't have to work hard to chew bacon like ordinary people.
So Carlotta and Ella, they both have comfortable pointed chins.
In comparison, Gould's two granddaughters have simple round faces.
The sisters sat at the same table. In front of them were sizzling roast lamb, freshly baked bread cubes, honey water poured into crystal glasses, and some appetizing fresh raspberries.
The staple food here is still barbecue.
The sizzling barbecue was no surprise. The two children paid special attention to the thick and textured crystal cups on the table. The way they observed with wide eyes made Gould laugh.
"You two, stop looking! From the moment you entered the room, you looked left and right. Is it difficult to be my guest?"
Carlotta hurriedly coughed twice and pulled her sister to sit cross-legged, especially straightening her back, so that they would show their good temperament.
As the host of the banquet, Gould raised his expensive white horn cup inlaid with gold: "Family members, today's banquet is for Carlotta and Ella. They are the descendants of the leader of Ostara. Distinguished person." As he spoke, Gould looked at Carlotta, who was well-versed in everything. "Child, what's in your cup is honey, just treat it like a bar! Let's drink a toast."
"Okay, cheers..."
Carlotta now seemed to be participating in this banquet as a member of the Ostara tribe, and she felt this deeply.
As Gould continued to speak respectful words, Carlotta felt that things were getting a little strange.
At this banquet, the two girls undoubtedly became the absolute focus. Although they are indeed descendants of the leader of the Ostara people, the Snoleva family still feels that their father has given them too much courtesy. They are two children! Even a little younger than his two daughters.
It would be understandable to say that Rurik's father was madly fawning over the mere eight-year-old Ross for the sake of his family's increasingly soaring profits. Because of the cooperation between the family and the Russian people, a large amount of silver coins and silver coins have been turned into it, which really shocked Snoreva.
There are two orphaned girls here who have lost their families. Is there any benefit to the Gould family by treating them well?
And this is exactly what Carlotta and Ella must understand.
Gould announced that everyone could eat, and then he plunged his carving knife into the barbecue.
A delicious meal was in front of them. Fortunately, both women had received basic training in table manners. Even if they were hungry, they suppressed their instinct to eat.
So when the host of the banquet announced that the banquet was about to begin, the two of them started tearing up the barbecue directly without using the knives on the table, so that the two of them soon had their mouths full of oil.
"Haha, look, they are just two hungry little wolves." Gould teased, although he himself also looked very ferocious when eating.
The Gould family are all meat-eating enthusiasts, especially as the head of the family. Gould often claimed that he could eat a lamb in one meal when he was young, but he can't do it now because he is older.
Children are children after all, and the two people who were so hungry had an unlimited desire to eat. After all, their stomachs were filled to the point of being filled with bread and meat.
After eating and drinking, Carlotta was in great spirits.
She could feel the kindness of this wealthy businessman who called himself Gould, and she still wanted to find out.
"Great businessman, I just want to know how you will arrange for us. I heard that there is no truly free banquet."
"Yo? Are you starting to use honorifics? Carlotta, you are very smart." After saying that, Gould poured himself another glass of wine and said enthusiastically: "Maybe my Jevlo has told you. You two Noble men indeed, I will take you to the territory of the Rus, and I will do my best to recommend you to the chief of the Rus.”
Before Gould finished speaking, Carlotta suddenly sensed a sign of danger.
She suddenly asked: "What are we going to do? Do we want to give our sisters to the leader of the Rus people as wives and concubines? No... no!"
The girl was completely angry without any warning. While Gould was startled, he tried his best to remain calm.
He comforted and said: "If that's the case, why don't I keep you two as my wives and concubines? Don't worry, I won't do that. And the Russians, hehe... you don't know the Russians at all."
"Yes, I really don't understand. My grandfather only told me that the Rus gave birth to a great man named Rurik or something."
"Ah! It's Rurik!" Gould became easily excited after drinking some wine. He slapped his thigh: "It's Rurik! It's such a pity that you two lost your parents. And the leader of the Rus people, that old guy, had two children die when he was young, and now he has a magical Rurik, But treat this child as a treasure. However, the leader will never forget the two children he lost. He even treats his little maid as a daughter. Your status is much nobler than that maid, and so are you. That leader’s ally.”
What Gould said seemed like fantasy to Carlotta.
"Mr. Merchant, do you want us to be the daughters of the leader of the Ross people?" Carlotta asked weakly.
"Isn't this bad? In this way, you can still be Rurik's sisters. Do you know? Haha, Rurik is really..." Thinking of the excitement, Gould smiled and drank another drink for himself.
Now, Gould has begun a crazy business promotion of Rurik, not only to prove Rurik's wisdom, but also to prove the correctness of his family's decision.
It was Carlotta who found it even more bizarre when she heard it. She really could not have imagined that the strange thing that made her smell stinky was Rurik's invention, and that thing had already made the businessman a fortune.
But the thing was indeed a treasure, and Carlotta was now more comfortable than ever before. It is even said that the thing called soapa can kill annoying fleas.
Rurik seems to have created a lot of interesting things, which Carlotta can't imagine very well. The only thing that interests her very much is Rurik's attitude towards servants.
From Gould's perspective, he just felt that Chief Ross's family was too kind to his little maid. And Rurik’s attitude towards Rumia has even reached the level of a real sibling.
In this way, Rurik gradually became touchable from an illusory figure.
"If so, for both of us, it's really...a blessing." Carlotta said slowly.
"Alas! You two are so lucky. Ah, speaking of it..." Gould had to drink himself a glass of wine to heighten his excitement. "Speaking of which, the Russians must be responsible for your suffering. The Russians attacked Brother The Tran people, that's why the Danes counterattacked. If the Danes hit Lake Mälaren, I would have no choice but to withdraw. If the Rus had not taken action this year, you would not have ended up like this."
"So, you mean the Russians are responsible?" Carlotta asked weakly.
"Haha, isn't it?"
"Of course not. There are so many what-ifs in life, and the fate of us Ostara people is not controlled by the Rus." Carlotta said with a dull face: "We have been fighting with that Gotlander. This time, We miscalculated. Who would have thought that the enemy's fleet could cover the entire sea. At least my family members were killed in the battle. Only weak women like me and my sister are qualified to escape."
"It's better not to talk about this." Gould shook his head. "The Russians are still responsible. They must take you two in. Don't worry, I will vigorously promote this matter. There is only one very difficult problem now."
"What's the problem?" Carlotta suddenly became alert again.
"In what capacity should you two go?"
"What's your identity? The leader's granddaughter?" Carlotta pinched her small pointed chin. She had never thought of these things. Even this morning, she was still a dying, dirty little guy.
Gould categorically denied that his actions were more exaggerated because of the power of alcohol. He tugged at his arms, stretched out his fat head and shouted loudly: "Bah! The leader's granddaughter? How many of you Ostara people are left alive? In my opinion, you two are the only ones left alive! Besides, Oh, Carlotta, do you want your tribe to disappear forever?"
The words were a bit hurtful, and he asked himself how much Carlotta hoped that the harmonious Ostara would be resurrected in place.
"Sir, I...I dream of rebuilding Ostara."
"Then go and rebuild! Remember, Carlotta! And you, don't be in a daze, Ella. You two are women, you two remember, a woman is a tribe. You don't have to think too much, you That's Ostara. When you grow up, you find men, marry, and have many children, who will have more children. The tattoos on the back of your two necks prove your noble status. The Russians I know are very affectionate, maybe If the Mellaren people don’t take you in, the Rus’ people will definitely do it. Is it difficult for you two to rebuild Ostara under the protection of the Rus’ people?”
Things became very real, and Carlotta suddenly realized that she had great potential.
Gould laughed out loud now: "What a silly boy! Carlotta, your family has no other descendants, you and your sister are the last two. Ostara has a seat in the alliance Yes, if there is no one to succeed the leader, the seat will be gone. I think you must take over the position of leader."
"Me? I will be the leader of Ostara?" Carlotta pointed at herself with wide eyes, shock written all over her face.
"Why not? Now you have only two choices, watch Ostara cease to exist, or become the leader."
"Where are my...my subordinates? This is ridiculous."
Gould shook his head: "You don't need tribes for now. When you grow up and give birth to many children, your family will be revived. Then someone will definitely join your tribe. My child, there is no one here better than me." Knowing you Ostara people, from what I know, many people join you because of your cattle-raising skills.”
"That's true." Carlotta smiled proudly, even boasting: "Don't look at me as just a child, I am very good at raising cattle. This is a skill that we Ostara women must learn. Even, my My sister is also a good player."
"Okay, I think you already understand." After saying that, Gould poured himself another glass. He looked around at his family members who were ordering him to watch the show, as well as the only mercenary Yevluo who was qualified to enter the family banquet. They were ordered to raise their glasses high.
To whom? It’s a tribute to Carlotta.
"To Carlotta, the female leader of the Ostara tribe!" Gould was the first to shout enthusiastically.
Although a little embarrassed, the others raised their glasses in response.
In this way, Carlotta has a new identity, which must be recognized by at least a reliable person. Will the Russians admit it? Gould felt that since Otto and Rurik had long claimed that they were interested in competing for the power of the Melalen tribe in the alliance, it was definitely the right move to take in these two girls.
Although Carlotta is a girl, she is already the first heir to the power of the Ostara chief family.
There is no rule in the alliance that the leader of a certain tribe must be a man, but usually, a leader will have at least one son to inherit the great cause.
If the Rus are willing to admit that Ostara was not destroyed, they must recognize Carlotta's identity as leader.
In this way, in essence, the Ostara tribe has become a vassal of the Ross tribe.
As an ambitious and powerful tribe that cannot be underestimated and is growing rapidly, it doesn't matter the size of its vassal population. It is a subordinate relationship in nature.
Out of business thinking, Gould dared to conclude that the smart Otto and the wise Rurik would not only not miss this opportunity, but would also spread some news.
For example, the Malaren people sat back and watched the Danish army destroy the Ostara tribe and refused to rescue them. In the end, the Rus took in the Ostara refugees. Even if the Russians take in just two children, that would be "only the Russians take in the Ostara refugees", and they can then publicize and help them rebuild their homes, even if it is in name only.
So for these two children, Gould had told them that he would move home after the wheat harvest.
A big businessman with huge wealth moved to the territory of the Ross people. Carlotta felt that this businessman might also be disappointed with the Melalen people. Businessmen bet their family's wealth on immigrating to Russia. Maybe the future brought by the Russians is really different.
At least Gould fully recognized the noble status of the two children, and also intentionally called Carlotta "chief". The girls who made trouble were always very embarrassed.
The two children began a comfortable life as guests, and they never landed on the island. There was no need for them to land. There was food and drink here, and life was temporarily restored to peace and security.
They became very good friends with Gould's two granddaughters, and they always got together to play games that little girls liked. Sometimes, Carlotta and Ella perform a traditional art of milking and calming cows in public.
It was entirely because she had eaten so well during this period that Carlotta's weak body was supplemented with a large amount of protein, carbohydrates and vitamins. Her skinny body could be considered to have some fat, and her leg injuries recovered at an astonishing speed.
Fifteen days after applying the medicine, Carlotta's knee wound turned into a huge scab. Because the new skin is growing at a rapid rate, she is often itchy.
During this period, she also fully understood the reason why more and more children from the Melalen Market entered the island.
It turns out that these are the tasks of the businessman Gould, specifically the purposes of the Ross people.
It’s not just children here, but also the poor people from the slave market, who were brought to the island by merchants almost as soon as they were born.
Almost all of these people were women of various ages, with little girls begging the most. Will they all become slaves of the Rus? I'm afraid it won't be that simple.
In addition, some young men landed on the island. Carlotta saw that the good man Yevro, who discovered himself, saved himself, and even treated his injuries, was actually teaching a group of young men fighting skills. Are they new mercenaries? Carlotta didn't care much about this. The only thing that shocked her was Jevlo's identity.
She really didn't expect that Javlo was actually a Finn, and that Javlo's life was also given to him by the now fat old man Gould. Therefore, Jevro's status is that of a slave, maybe not entirely.
He is like the adopted son of a big businessman.
Before arriving at Rossburg, the Carlotta sisters had already seen many strange things on the merchant Gould's island. Of course, there is nothing strange about his new identity.
In the end, only this big businessman recognized the orphan girl of the Ostara tribe as the new leader, even though there were only two women left in the tribe.
Of course Carlotta knew that many tribesmen were actually not dead. They sadly became slaves of other tribes and feared that they would live miserable lives forever.
Thinking of these, she thought of Gould's goodness.
An idea of repaying gratitude sprouted.
That is the so-called Ostara tribe. If the Ostara tribe really recovers because of its ambition, then it will be given to its descendants. In the future, successive leaders must treat the Gould family well. Give them the cheapest hides, the best quality yogurt, and the chief should invite members of the Gould family to the seder.
