The thick morning fog was filled with a chilling atmosphere, and under the fog was a huge fleet assembled by the Kingdom of Sweden, which was suddenly born in this time and space.
There are more than 600 ships of various types, 400 of which are typical Viking longships with high bows.
A round shield painted with various colors was placed on the side of the ship, and an oar stretched out from under the round shield and rested in the water. Almost all the people on the ship wore leather armor, and the soldiers at least wore leather helmets on their heads.
A large ship, towed by two longships, left the Mellaren docks. She was the Avora. Her stomach was empty when she came, but now she was filled with enough food to feed all the soldiers of the Malaren Army and even some auxiliary personnel for ten days, and even a large amount of fresh water in oak barrels.
It can be said that the new Kingdom of Sweden behaved like a feudal kingdom in at least some forms.
As a king, Origen only needs to consider the logistics of his own troops. As for others, he does not need to worry too much.
The dukes obeyed the king's orders, formed a coalition to attack the enemy, and distributed the spoils after victory. It seems that the spoils of war are to be distributed after the war, but in fact, it is not about grabbing based on ability?
The number of troops dispatched by each duke varied from five hundred to as few as fifty. All in all, there were as many as 3,500 soldiers hidden in the fog, and with various auxiliary personnel, the number easily exceeded 4,000. They can be said to be the elite of the entire kingdom, and their overall combat effectiveness cannot be underestimated.
But Olegin didn't know that the Russians had secretly assembled an army of staggering size not too far away, ready to enter the battlefield at any time.
The morning fog gradually dissipates under the early morning lake breeze, and the sun shines on the entire lake.
The Aurora raised her magnificent triangular sail, and the staggered blue stripes on the sail were particularly eye-catching.
She rode the lake wind and soon met five Russian cargo ships. There were six large ships in total. They all raised their triangular sails and their tall figures naturally became the core of the entire Swedish fleet.
The ships of the various Dukes and the Russians were not slowed down by their huge size. They did not need oars at all and could move quickly on the lake relying on the force of the wind.
During this battle, the Aurora transported food for the Melalen people. The Ross people's own food, fresh water, and a batch of weapons and ammunition were all transported by the modified cargo ship.
Three hundred people shared these six large boats. Each boat was very large, so that the cabins were not too crowded.
Below the deck is the warehouse, which has naturally become a shelter for soldiers and sailors. So don't look at the fact that there are not many people standing on the deck, and more people are staying in the cabin.
When the fog completely dissipated, all fleets still gathered together. They naturally followed the biggest Avora, and even subconsciously thought that it was the king's flagship.
What about the essence? The huge longship fleet of the Mellaren Army gathered directly in front of the Ross fleet.
King Olegin put on his battle armor, the so-called chainmail covering his whole body, and his gold-inlaid iron helmet was put on his golden crown. All the senior personnel participating in the exhibition were dressed in their most gorgeous clothes. They were going to let the enemy see a brave warrior standing here on the future battlefield.
Origen, old age never meant that he lost courage. Holding the steel sword in his hand this time, he felt that he was at least thirty years younger and could fight with the enemy's generals.
Will he die in battle? How can it be!
Look at this huge fleet that has been assembled. Who dares to say that it will encounter setbacks?
It is obvious that the communication methods between this patchwork fleet are extremely backward.
Each duke only showed his totem on the sail of his flagship, and then his troops just chased his flagship.
In addition, any two ships can only approach each other, and the crew members shout to each other to confirm their identities and exchange information.
They have no semaphores or signal flags, and the only high-end goods they have are some horn horns.
Origen wanted to give another eloquent speech to the coalition forces to stimulate fighting spirit. He did not have the conditions for this. Seeing that the fleet was almost assembled, he drew out his sword without hesitation; "Sail! Let's go. !”
At this moment, Otto and Rurik, who were standing on the bow of the Aurora, had been waiting for Origen's departure signal.
The signal came very suddenly, that is, the large sails of the Melalen people painted with black totem patterns were raised, and the expedition voyage suddenly began.
"Damn it, I thought someone was going to issue another combat mobilization." Rurik muttered, holding on to the side of the ship.
Otto twisted his son's neck hard: "Let's go too. Boy, we are on the battlefield. I hope your weapons wrapped in oilcloth are really useful."
"Of course." Rurik turned his head and gave orders to the person controlling the sail.
The Gould family raised sailors who were destined to make great contributions to this war. Their skill in manipulating sails was superior to that of the Russian warriors who manned oars.
Look! The people of Melalen roared and rowed hard, and they also took out their sails. The wind and manpower gradually increased their sailing speed.
The Russian fleet also did its part, and the larger sails brought stronger power. Avora, who was full of supplies and personnel, was not at all full speed, and the fleet stayed close to the Mellaren army.
In comparison, the speed of other duke's fleets really pales in comparison. They had to work hard to keep up with the fleet in front, but the gap in strength was here.
The three armies of the Angklas Army, the Uppsala Army and the Hjälmalen Army are also considered strong forces. However, for them, the days of peace have become longer and longer, and they are completely inferior in terms of physical fitness in rowing.
Of course, there are also more inferior people, those smaller tribes, the duke title held by the leader is no different from playing house. The quality of their personnel was so poor that when the fleet had not yet left the Lake Mälaren area, they had become completely weak.
It was supposed to show an elliptical formation of fleets with "transport ships" such as the Aurora as the core. However, when it arrived at the mouth of the lake, which was later Stockholm, it became a drop-shaped fleet.
The fleet finally entered the Gulf of Bothnia along a deep channel. The entire fleet began to turn around and start sailing against the south wind. Each ship sailed in the offshore area full of islands. Due to factors such as the large difference in the quality of each ship, the fleet was still drop-shaped at the entrance to the sea. Now it has been completely stretched into a single line. snake.
In any era, efficient and accurate communication is the key to whether a combined force can win.
Origen does not really control every ship, not to mention that many of these ships are purely small ships for transporting loot after the event is completed. He planned to contact his own fleet through some communication ships and contact various dukes to achieve indirect coordination of the entire army.
After leaving Lake Mälaren, the fleet traveled ninety kilometers on the first day.
The fleet docked at an unnamed desert island. A large number of ships docked one after another. The exhausted people quickly lit a fire, or ate the dried fish they had brought, or grilled the fish directly on the fire, or even watered the leather. Drink from the bag.
The Aurora has also begun to fulfill its duties, but her stocky figure is no longer suitable for casual access to the island. Some boats left carrying wheat and wooden barrels containing fresh water. The small island not far away was really starry. People on the boat could hear the noise there, and the air was obviously filled with the faint smell of boiled wheat. .
A day's bumps on the sea made Rurik's spirit weakened. He ate wheat cakes and bacon, then lay on the side of the ship and looked into the distance, letting the sea breeze blow on his face.
At this moment, the sky was just getting dark, and Carlotta came over with a worried heart.
"Maybe tomorrow, the battle will begin."
Rurik turned his head and said, "Fighting? I don't know anything about the situation in this area. You should know."
"Yes, this time, I want to take back my hometown." Carlotta clenched her fists, but then relaxed. "Hey, everything has changed. Even if we capture it, my dead people will not be resurrected. The living people would rather move to the safety of New Roseburg."
Rurik clicked his tongue: "Your words sound so sad."
"Isn't it?" The last ray of sunlight shone on Carlotta's face, and there was already a trace of tears in her eyes: "There is no need to go back. Rurik, do you know what I think? ?”
"how to think?"
"Destroy them! Destroy all the enemies who occupy my homeland! I will retaliate in kind, destroy some and burn everything. Only in this way is true revenge!"
She looked like a wolf with her teeth bared in grief and anger. Even though she was just a girl, Rurik really felt a chill in his back.
"You...you are dominated by anger. Killing is a man's business. Carlotta, you are a woman after all, so don't go crazy about it. I will avenge you, you don't need to do it yourself."
Carlotta didn't appreciate it, and her grief and anger remained unchanged: "Are you appeasing me? Do you think I am a weak woman? No! I want to kill the enemy. Let the enemy attack, and I will kill them with arrows without any hesitation. Show mercy.”
Rurik no longer wanted to say anything about this. Although he always hoped that Carlotta could calm down, even as a female warrior, she must be a calm female warrior. But he knew that he had no right to order her to suppress her hatred. Look, an important banner of this battle was to avenge the thousands of dead in Ostara!
Soon, a longship once again approached the Russian fleet, and the messenger conveyed Origen's order to convene all the dukes to hold a pre-war meeting regarding tomorrow's battle.
"It's finally time to fight! Let's go to the appointment." Otto, who was standing on the side of the ship, patted his son on the back, and then patted Carlotta on the back.
The anchored Aurora stood firmly on the sea. At this moment, most people ate dry food and hid in the cabin to sleep. As for war, how could the battle-hardened warriors selected by Ross be worried?
Otto took the two children and entered the longboat along the rope ladder lowered from the side of the ship. Then, the elite guard Jevro climbed down.
Soon, a large bonfire on the beach became the scene of a pre-war meeting.
As the war approaches, the attitudes of the dukes are all excited. As for the attitudes of their subordinates, who will care.
Origen stuck his sword on the gray beach. He had already planned a plan and issued random orders.
"It was the spies I sent who learned that the Gotlanders had established a new stronghold in the old Ostara Castle. It was called Norrkoping and was home to at least five hundred people, or more. After all, the Gotlanders also traveled by sea. Guys, you can't deny their bravery. Therefore, to completely eliminate this group of enemies, my troops will do their part. My Malaren Army will launch the main attack, your troops just need to follow me!"
After saying that, Origen slightly lowered his head, this attitude really showed that this matter was not negotiable.
Could it be that this guy called everyone here just to announce this?
Duke Oak of Glen reacted extremely excitedly: "Why? Didn't they occupy my homeland as well?"
"You?" Origen glanced at him: "You have too few people! This is war, you can't bear too many losses. If you kill fifty men, your power will collapse. "
"You!" Oak the Granite was furious. Faced with the facts, he forced himself to calm down, "Even so, I will join the main attack."
"Then I will come too!" The Yermalen people now live with the Gran people, and their Duke Wenderson threatened: "I also have five hundred people, and I have enough troops."
"And I!"
"Same for us."
The ones who spoke were the Duke of Onkras and the Duke of Uppsala respectively. If the former is added, the total strength of the three teams would be the same as the Maylaren Army.
The situation became difficult, and Olegin saw that the tribal armies did not want to strictly follow his own decisions.
He was nominally the king and performed a king-proclaiming ceremony in the region. However, the so-called Kingdom of Sweden is still a large tribal alliance. What fool would really sit back and watch the Mellaren people take the lead in attacking, and then loot a lot of money after a crushing victory?
Origen gritted his teeth and suddenly saw Otto and Carlotta. The two dukes said nothing.
"Don't fight! Why don't you learn from the Rus and the silent Ostar Carlotta. This time we are avenging the two dead Ostars! You see, they are not fighting for it. .”
A pair of eyes focused on Carlotta, and Rurik also glanced at her, feeling worried.
"I...I don't care."
She must pass through a generation of women, and she has no soldiers to speak of. In the eyes of many Dukes, Carlotta is just a symbol at present.
The key also lies in the attitude of the Russians to whom the girl clings.
The Russians, who have the largest ships, are they also willing to follow the trend and attack?
All the dukes hope that Otto, Duke of Ross, will be as greedy as them, so that they can break the Mellaren people's conspiracy.
Otto's mood did not change. He said calmly: "According to your agreement, we Russians are only responsible for transporting supplies. If you are not able to take all the loot, we Russians can carry it for you according to the agreement, as long as you Happy to pay some money."
"Stop talking nonsense! Your resolution!" Angreve, Duke of Unclas, asked bluntly.
Otto instantly flashed sharp eyes and threatened with his eyes: "My resolution? I support the king's resolution! Since you all recognize that Origen is the king, you should support him. You are like a pack of wolves fighting for food. We The Russians will not get involved, we would rather watch from a distance and be prepared for a sneak attack by the enemy's possible reinforcements."
"What a coward! Are you still thinking about guarding against enemy sneak attacks? Can the enemy whose heads we cut off be able to sneak attack on you?" Angreev laughed wildly, seeing that others were unhappy, and he calmed down. ,
In his mind, he called Carlotta stupid, Otto stupid, and Olegin an extremely greedy guy.
So, can we say that Otto is really stupid? In this case, the Rus seem to be standing on Origen's side to maintain the so-called "royal power." This is the first level. The other dukes speculated that the Russians were cowardly, and that the existence of the Russians was simply a transport team. This was the second level.
Origen himself is not a fool. He knows that Otto's loyalty and Carlotta's indifference are all due to the secret agreement between the two parties on Leg of Lamb Island. Otto is still maintaining the agreement. This is the third level.
But strictly speaking, the Russians are on the fourth level.
Because Otto realized that his only son was favored by God. In order to be able to enter the Hall of Valor 100%, he has become Rurik's "servant" more and more in the past year or two. Rurik became the top decision-maker behind the scenes. Irurik saw that these guys were just chickens and dogs, and that joining forces with them was just a temporary expedient. All the groveling was just a show of hypocrisy and coercion.
Throwing the attitude of the Rus people into account, Origen had to face an embarrassing situation. The attitudes of the dukes of each tribe were exactly the same. Why does the Mellaren army focus on this battle? None of us are cowards. In this battle, we should rush forward in a swarm regardless of priority, and then use our skills to get the spoils.
Could it be that Olegin could use the name of the king to suppress their ambitions? He knew that public anger should not be offended, so he had no choice but to compromise.
He cursed secretly in his heart: "Your troops are too exhausted, but in the end it was my people who landed first. It must be my people who looted the most."
After calming down, Olegin no longer struggled with who should attack first.
"Now I only have one last request! Don't worry, you won't be angry." Olegin waved his hands and said excitedly: "In this battle, we must retaliate with tooth for tooth! We kill, we burn, and we must completely destroy the Linkoping they built! Then, Expand the war and continue to take revenge!”
Visible smiles quickly appeared on everyone's faces, and then some laughed.
Their eyes reflected the dancing flames of the bonfire, as if their hearts were burning with a huge desire for wealth.
Rurik, Otto and Carlotta were looking at all this calmly, and even felt a little secretly happy in their hearts. After all, the Mellaren people will take risks for the Russians in this battle. Theoretically, the Russians will get a lot of wealth at no cost. Is it possible to have fun here and compete with a group of desperadoes for who attacks first?
Because the tactics they developed are "no tactics." There was no main attack or feint attack, and the chaotic pigs advanced suddenly. Even without any secret agreement, Rurik did not intend to fish in such hot and muddy water.
