Finally, at the end of April, a large number of cracks began to appear in the ice covering the sea like a rock.
The wind direction finally changed, and the people of Roseburg could finally feel the presence of the warm wind from the south, which offset the coldness of the Arctic and brought hope.
The sea ice that once created wonders is disintegrating at a very fast rate.
Those huge ice packs that were once formed due to sea ice stress broke away from the ice, were either blown by the wind, or guided by weak ocean currents. They were large floating icebergs, suddenly transformed into a large number of "icebreakers." They crash around in the sea, accelerating the thawing of the main sea area.
To the south of Rossburg, on the island of Gotland, the situation has improved greatly.
The freezing period, which was even longer than last year, brought great trouble to people in the south. Finally, the floating sea ice left a navigable road. The Gotland fishermen couldn't wait to push their boats back to the sea. In order to fill their stomachs, They fished hard at the risk of being squeezed by the ice and destroying their boat.
Their food reserves are indeed running out, and if the sea ice does not melt, famine will kill many islanders.
The situation has become like this. As Gotland Islanders, how much can they miss about the new trade season?
trading? Of course there is trade. But the bigger problem now is survival.
If life really becomes difficult, why not just land in Götaland and continue to attack the north with the local brothers?
The idea of launching a military offensive to solve Gotland's internal dilemma quickly spread within the island. Facts have proved that the Svian alliance is not as stable as it seems, and most of those people's combat effectiveness is relatively weak.
Except for individual tribes in the alliance, such as the Melalens and the Rus, they are powerful.
Since the Danes are willing to support the Gotlanders in the alliance and launch an attack with the help of the Danes' military strength, if they suffer fierce revenge from the enemy, the commander of the Danish Alliance will still lead a large army to participate in the war.
Once war breaks out, it won't just be the Gotlanders themselves.
This is the thinking of the Gotlanders. Their thinking is typical Viking style, full of outright adventure, and they are gambling with the fate of the island.
The elders of each family gathered together for a meeting when the ice and snow were still there to discuss what kind of robbery would best maximize the benefits.
Coincidentally, the Russians were thinking the same thing.
Those young people who followed Otto and fought victorious battles in the "Eastern Land" told their fellow countrymen who stayed behind about their experiences. They exaggerated their achievements, bragging about the enemy's strength and how many people they had killed.
Young people marveled at the heroes' feats. They gripped their swords and axes, eager to become new heroes.
There is one young hero who is most admired today.
Arik, he is actually the elite of the young Ross tribe and a former "war chief" who attracts the attention of young people.
"We should continue to fight! We must continue to take revenge! We must grab more food, leather, money, and women." Young warriors always recall the glory of last year on boring winter nights and strengthen their identity. These four major needs of men.
As the ice begins to thaw, their calls for a new war grow louder. Arik has undoubtedly become the spokesperson for young people's demands, and he has become very radical, which makes Otto a little upset.
It was entirely because this radicalness suddenly became somewhat inappropriate.
Otto did not completely reject Arik's determination. As the leader, he had already determined that the main work this year would be spent on construction. As for launching a retaliatory war, it is possible, but don't even think about sending a thousand outstanding warriors to sweep Gotland like Arik's previous proposal!
Arik has become extremely warlike. After all, he is a man of the Ross tribe, a hero in battle. After receiving the first honor, he desires more. In fact, it is his simple desire to show a stronger self in front of his wife.
Who can make Arik calm down and carry out a limited-scale revenge rationally? Otto naturally thought of Rurik. Because Arik really loves his younger brother.
The ice and snow continued to melt, and some of the businessmen who had paid a commercial tax scolded the Russians for their shamelessness, while some could only comfort themselves and admit defeat because they could accept the loss. Wanting them to be happy and clap their hands that the Russians are absolutely right in collecting taxes is really a crazy idea.
There are indeed businessmen who plan to leave and never come back. Most of the businessmen are forced to make a living, so they have to row back in the autumn, because without the Russian fur trade, what else can they do?
All people staying in Roseburg are welcoming the melting of ice and snow in their own way.
Frozen Roseburg was bustling with activity, and all the streams that fed into the fjord were getting violent.
There are a large number of ice cubes floating on the sea, and the golden light of the rising sun shines on them. The ice floes are as densely intertwined as a warrior's chainmail. Their dull collision sound makes the Russians full of hope.
The priests are organizing a large-scale sacrifice, which is also the largest festival of the Rus people after the Hanukkah on the winter solstice.
It must be the blessing of worshiping the gods. The old high priest survived the coldest days, and the breeze from the south began to blow. Her haggard body seemed to have regained a lot of vitality.
Vilia continued to assign Rumia to concurrently serve as the high priest, responsible for a series of activities of the sacrifice.
Parla, who had been making soap for Rurik for a long time, was a priest by profession, and she also began to lead a group of maids under Rurik to serve as lower-level priests.
Compared with last year, this year's sacrificial activities will be more impressive.
It is not just that the number of types of sacrifices has increased, but also that this sacrifice does not only belong to the Rus.
Those Kewen people and deer farmers have their own gods they worship. Even though they were forced to move to the territory of the Ross people, within Ross Fort, they got the tacit approval of their leaders, built their own altars with stones and branches, and started their own sacrificial activities before the Ross people.
Because they know that when the ship can sail, each will rush to their respective destinations.
Even if the deer farmers know that Roseburg is the hometown of their ancestors, they don't mind anything as they live in pursuit of water and grass. The only condition for a deer farmer to receive Rurik's protection is to take good care of Rurik's deer herds and multiply them. The ultimate goal is to achieve self-sufficiency in leather and venison.
This has never happened before! The Russians just watched the strange sacrificial rituals of these foreigners, or rather Rurik's foreign slaves. The so-called priests dressed themselves like birds, and surrounded the campfire, beating two wooden sticks while imitating bird calls.
The "little warriors" under Rurik's command will also perform their own sacred performances in the new sacrificial activities.
To put it bluntly, compared to dedicating sacrificial activities to the gods to obtain God's favor, Rurik felt that this idea was too idealistic.
Rurik has lived in such an environment for so many years. He believes that this is the real reality. There is also a God who created everything in the vast universe. That God is the singularity of the Big Bang. God is God. As the saying goes, "Heaven and earth are unkind and treat all things as stupid dogs." Russians cannot always think that they can get God's favor.
Whether you can do anything well depends on whether you make the effort first.
The target of sacrifice is not God, but the vast number of people. To put it bluntly, sacrifices are for the people to see. Since everyone believes in this, it is normal to perform a ceremony to make everyone feel at ease. Based on this mentality, Rurik wants to make this year's sacrifice even grander to improve the self-confidence of his people!
The boys and girls have started a new training. They were asked by Rurik to line up in a neat square array around the future beach altar. They must parade on the beach with neat steps, so that all the onlookers can see that the Ross children are not alone. Same style.
This matter was within Rurik's plan. As a parent, how can you not be happy when you see your son doing something amazing? A large group of children are doing goose-stepping and complex formation changes. While the children's parents are excited, they will also marvel at the leader's wisdom.
When exactly is the day of the priests? That depends on the sea ice situation.
By May 5th of the Julian calendar, a group of fishing boats that boasted thick hulls had appeared on the sea full of ice floes. Some fishermen can't wait any longer. They just want to go fishing for cod in today's harsh land reclamation. Others who were watching them return carrying the big fish were eager to hold on to their own big nets, eager to carry out this year's trawling work.
Finally, the day of the sacrifice was determined to be May 10. On that day, after the morning sacrifice was completed, the priest announced that all ships could safely run to the sea.
Villa believes that by that day, there will no longer be threatening ice floes.
Just like in previous years, this year Otto must convene a meeting of all respected members of the tribe to formally determine the "Spring Tribute Navigation" that has been late this year.
In addition, Otto also had to put on a serious face to face his ambitious nephew Arik.
The wooden house where the meeting was held was extremely warm. After all, young Rurik was already a real figure in the tribe. He participated in a formal meeting of the tribe for the first time.
Looking at the bearded old guys around him, he knew most of them, and some of them looked familiar but could not name them. They are all old acquaintances of my father and the so-called "wise men" of the tribe residents.
What is very special here is undoubtedly Arik sitting cross-legged and his very unique way of appearing.
"Arik. Why are you wearing chain mail?" The moment they met, Otto's dull face suddenly became energetic.
Arik then hit his chest with his fist: "Big boss, this is my attitude! You understand."
"Yes! I understand..." Otto didn't say much. He grinned and shook his head, thinking that I would convince you later.
There was no conference table, everyone sat cross-legged, with some dried meat and dried plums beside them, and most importantly, the strong drink "RUSVODKA".
Based on this meeting scene, Otto's noble leader image was not revealed. He seemed very approachable, and his deep eyes showed his sophistication.
With a pair of big hands on his shoulders, Rurik was forced to nestle in his father's arms.
This boy is extraordinary, he has beautiful golden hair, an extremely clean white face, and a pair of clear blue eyes. His clothes look simple but are actually gorgeous, and the steel sword inlaid with gems worn on the patterned belt makes him even more noble.
Otto had a drink first and announced the most critical issue.
"We have been discussing for many days, and the further construction of our New Roseburg must be implemented. I will lead a group of people to continue to demand tribute, and also inspect the wintering conditions of our stranded tribesmen. So some of the tributes I asked for , will support those tribesmen, I hope you all agree."
"I completely agree." Haro Zuosen rushed to speak: "Everyone here can see that what you do is for the good of our tribe after all. If it can make us stronger, I fully support it."
Others also expressed their opinions one after another. In the final analysis, everyone agreed. They only had some unique but insignificant opinions on some minor issues.
"Very good, you have made the final decision and you completely agree with it." Otto looked at everyone and mentioned something else. This time, he specifically pushed Rurik to the forefront.
"You saw it! My son participated in our meeting for the first time, and he will attend all important meetings in the future. In the future, they will be the big leaders you need to respect!"
Otto just wanted to reiterate Rurik's nobility, but this was actually a slap on the face of Arik and ordered him to obey his brother.
At this point, the elders no longer feel that it is necessary to hold any tribal competitions to select leaders in the future. Since Rurik has received God's favor, Rurik and his descendants will naturally be the hereditary leaders in the future. Is there any better arrangement than this?
"I will appoint Rurik to an important position." Otto announced in a rich voice: "I will appoint him to the official position of war chief."
As soon as this statement came out, everyone was in an uproar!
Rurik was shocked, and then felt relieved. As expected, he is not the leader yet, and he always solves many affairs on behalf of the leader, which is just the responsibility of the "imperial envoy".
Serving as the "war chief" of the tribe is basically the third-ranking figure in the tribe (the second is the high priest). As long as the big leader does not make new arrangements, this position will be extended indefinitely.
For example, Harold Zuosen, who often undertakes important tasks, is the "war chief". In theory, if the leader of the tribe dies in battle, the "war chief" is more likely to be elected as the new "big leader".
Theoretically, this is the case. Nowadays, the Russian system of selecting leaders, everyone can see that it has clearly begun to "family the world".
Upon hearing this arrangement, the person who expressed the most intense reaction was Arik, because this young man was waiting for Otto to arrange for him to serve as the "war chief" at this meeting. This is the position of military chief, and those who obtain this position have the right to lead the tribe's warriors in battle.
Arik was shocked: "Big Chief, do you plan to let your brother... let him lead the troops to fight now?"
Otto did not explain on the spot, nor did he appease the suspicious Rurik.
"What? Isn't it possible?"
"But he is only eight years old! Chief, do you object to my idea and just want your brother to participate? This... is really too early for him."
