Lord Rurik returns in triumph!
Although your Excellency hurried to the priest's longhouse, they brought back a lot of amazing trophies, as well as some new faces.
In recent days, some unfavorable rumors about Rurik have been spreading. This was a businessman from Mellaren spreading pessimistic remarks, but Otto was unable to find out where the news came from.
They were actually the spiritual followers of the dead old King Olegin. Now they naturally regarded Karl as their righteous one. Since the Russians had really beaten the power of the Mälaren Olegin family, these faction members used this as their basis. The rumors are causing trouble.
Any malicious remarks disappeared instantly when Rurik returned. They saw a large number of bear heads from the far north, and another group of strangers from the Balmok tribe.
The leader, a young man with a bald head and braided beard, shouted in front of all the burly Russians who came around: "I am the son of the leader of Balmok, an ice hero canonized by Odin. I have formed a blood-based alliance with your leader. Show me some respect!"
Biyongni indeed looked ruthless, and with Yevluo constantly explaining beside him, the Ross warriors were slightly less wary, but they were always wary of foreign warriors. After all, they are the people who stayed in Fort Ross, and a large number of hunting men are still working in Fort Ellen and Fort Fiscol in the north.
Sir Rurik was in the chief priest's house. Many people immediately thought that he might have known the news and hurried back to see the dying high priest one last time.
In fact, by now, everyone is mentally prepared. In the entire Rossburg and the entire Russian principality, there is no living person who lives longer than the old Vilya. This is a great woman who is in charge of the history of the Ross people and has witnessed the transformation of Rossburg from a small pasture for herding reindeer on the coast to the powerful city it is now.
People walked out of their homes and approached the longhouse of the priests.
Otto held the hand of his wife Niya, and together with the elites of the tribe, they all stood at the main entrance of the priest's longhouse.
As many as three thousand people have gathered here, and more people are still gathering. There are voices of people talking everywhere, and many people are anxious, suspicious, and worried. But they are ordinary people after all. They are afraid of Odin's power and worry that they will be punished by God if they approach the priest's longhouse rashly.
A noble man like Otto was about to push open the door curtain of the "Sacred Realm" when he saw the leather door curtain being opened from the inside.
Rurik took off his hat and walked out with his blond hair hanging, his head tilted, and a line of tears on his cheeks.
Seeing the crowds of people outside and the earnest and solemn expressions of his parents, Rurik drew out his sword in front of everyone and pointed the peak at the sky.
"Russians! Vilia's soul has gone to Valhalla! You will always remember it! She is the first heroine of our tribe, and she is not dead! She is a Valkyrie! Her name is Sperosvili Ya, she is our Valkyrie, and she will only protect the Valkyrie of our Rus people. You should not be sad, and Vilia does not want you to be sad either. You cheer! Celebrate the birth of a Valkyrie."
The crowd quickly fell silent. Some people thought for a moment and randomly let out startling war cries. This is a warrior's highest tribute to the Valkyrie.
Thousands of men roared, including the Russian women.
However, some young people saw the returning Rurik himself. They vented their dissatisfaction and regrets with roars, and their budding ambitions finally came to nothing with Rurik's return.
Finally, at this moment, many people covered their tears with roars, and even extremely strong warriors also shed tears.
Everyone is willing to believe Rurik's announcement? After all, Villa has predicted his own end. God will definitely promote Vilia, who has spent her whole life serving Odin, as a new Valkyrie in accordance with her previous promise.
If you continue to think like this, Vilia's death will not be a sad thing. Death was just the beginning of her becoming a Valkyrie. The moment of her death on earth? It was the moment of her birth in Valhalla. Therefore, many sacred objects bound to her in the mortal world have naturally become ordinary.
Gradually, people who figured it out began to cheer purely.
Villa finished her peaceful and great life. A young girl followed the tribesmen who were expelled by their allies and ran to the bitter cold distance. In this fjord, the persecuted Russians spent thirty years Dormant finally regained some strength? They conquered the Slavs in Novgorod and gained the right to collect tribute. It took another twenty years for the Ross tribe to welcome Otto, the first virile man from heaven. Ten years later, a son of God came to the world.
In her twilight years, Willia finally saw the rise of the tribe? In her last moments, she was fully convinced that this was God's blessing. Relying solely on the power of the Russians? The power of the Gotlanders was completely destroyed? The huge ocean completely became the property of the Russians? A new era has arrived.
Maybe Villa has no regrets?
Rurik estimated that Vilia had not yet seen her come of age and get married, and she still left with regrets.
The high priest left at the age of nearly eighty years. In this era when the final lifespan of Nordic adults was only fifty years, a life span of eighty years was a miracle. Her death represented the complete end of the era of humiliation and dormancy for the Russian people. Rurik clearly realized that he was standing at a watershed in the history of the Russian people. Odin, or destiny, or something great, was urging him to This hero drives the wheel of history forward.
The Russians have their own funeral habits, but the funerals of soldiers are more grand, while ordinary people either bury them casually or burn them directly. The so-called funeral ceremony means that the priest sings ancient prayer poems beside the deceased to guide the soul of the deceased to its proper destination.
But Vilia is not an ordinary person, she is the most noble woman in Roseburg, one of the embodiments of everyone's faith, and now she is also a Valkyrie!
Even if Rurik announced that her body was just the body of the Valkyrie left in the world, a grand funeral must be carried out.
The funeral was chosen on the third day after she left, the so-called "third day funeral". Rurik decided to set this up as the most critical funeral for the future of the Russian people.
The funeral is held on the third day, so that there is enough time to prepare all the funeral matters in the two days before.
Rurik finally returned to his home, but he had no intention of telling his parents and friends who stayed behind about his experiences in the north. After all, Saipolava also experienced everything, and it was this woman who accompanied Rurik for four long years. The girl who was months old told everyone in her family.
Rurik's thoughts were all devoted to the funeral. As a "person blessed by Odin", he was naturally obliged to direct all funeral work.
Vilia died at a healthy age, and her death caused no lasting grief among the Russians.
The tribesmen accepted Rurik's order and everyone devoted themselves to the funeral work, especially the men of the tribe. They began to build a huge wooden platform on the beach, where Vilia's decayed body would be reduced to ashes. …
The grand ceremony is tomorrow, and Rurik boasts that he has made adequate preparations.
That night, at the home of Duke Ross, a group of the most important figures in the tribe gathered together.
Everyone remained silent for a while until Otto broke the silence: "Vilia is dead. Her soul is already a Valkyrie. Tomorrow, her body left in the mortal world will turn into ashes. This is what she hopes. .What do you think?"
Most of the visitors were older men from the tribe, mostly brothers who had been born like this with Otto when they were young.
Everyone still kept their mouths shut, Rurik looked left and right, thinking for a while that they had doubts about the funeral.
Rurik cleared his throat: "If you have any opinions, just say it. Hallo Zuosen, what about you?"
"Me? My attitude is naturally to support Vilia's will."
"So you just stay silent?"
Harold Johnson shrugged: "What else can I say? To be honest, I hope she continues to live. But she is still dead..."
Rurik narrowed his eyes, and he realized that there seemed to be something else hidden in these words. "Go on, say what you actually think, and I won't blame you."
"Yes." Haro Zuosen looked at the old friends on the left and right, and then asked: "Where is Rumia? Where is the new high priest?"
"Rumia? She is in the chief priest's house, guarding Vilia's body. What? Do you have a problem with her? You know, Rumia was chosen by Odin, even if she was a deer herder people."
"Here's the problem." Harozolson said bluntly, "The priest's longhouse is sacred because it is the residence of Vilia. Her soul went to Valhalla, and the longhouse left in the human world lost its sanctity. Rurik, be realistic! When Vilia's body was reduced to ashes, the longhouse of the priests degenerated into an ordinary building. You...should think about the safety of your huge treasure."
"What do you mean by this? Is the longhouse of the priests sacred only because of Vilia, and..." Rurik was startled and suddenly realized: "Ah! You mean there will be thieves..."
"Presumptuous!" Otto growled in a deep voice: "Hallo Zossen, do you suspect that someone in the tribe is a thief? There have been such people before, and our approach is to expel them. Perhaps, for thieves who try to rob our big cash box , in addition to the punishment of beheading the whole family."
Harozolson was kindly reminding him. He did not think about Otto's anger and hurriedly explained: "At least Rurik will build a better building. In any case, Vilia's death means that the priest's longhouse has become ordinary! Otto! Tuo, your family has changed everything. Your son Rurik will definitely inherit the position of Duke, and Rurik's descendants will inherit the status for thousands of generations. Some time ago, there were rumors in the tribe that Rurik died in a snowstorm. The ambitious people are ready to take action. You know, until now, some people still believe that the only way to inherit the dukedom is through dueling. "
"That's ridiculous! I'm not dead yet!" Otto slapped his thigh and hurriedly held his aching head.
Harold Zosen actually said the matter so straightforwardly, and such words suddenly awakened the proud Rurik.
Rurik stretched his head and stared into Harozolson's eyes, and asked cautiously: "Is there a potential traitor among us?"
"Of course not!" Haro Zuosen hurriedly distanced himself from the relationship, and everyone else claimed to be innocent.
"Since you all support me, who is the careerist? Oh, you can just name him."
But how could Harold Johnson say it out loud!
Otto looked at the embarrassed Harold Johnson suspiciously, and there was a name that he could almost recall!
Is it Arik? Rurik's mind immediately thought of this name. When it came to reputation, his cousin Arik was a great hero in the Principality of Rus. He had a very high reputation. When Otto and Rurik thought about it, they also thought of him.
He honestly thought that if he really died in a snowstorm, Rurik would be willing to let Arik have a high status. He noticed that among the young and middle-aged people of the Ross tribe, Arik was somewhat brave and cruel in battlefield performance. He had many shortcomings, but at least he had great prestige.
"Sure enough...is it Aric?!" Otto said angrily.
"Is it really Arik? I have returned victoriously, why would he still rebel against me? If I confront him directly, will anything happen?" Rurik thought for a moment and ended the association.
Otto coughed twice, attracting everyone's attention: "Don't speculate. Rurik came back with a large amount of prey. We now have an alliance with the Balmoks. Rurik is the great hero. Who dares to object?" He is an enemy of God and an enemy of his allies.”
With this being said, both Otto and Rurik realized that there was something fishy about this.
Originally, this gathering was for Otto to call together old friends to listen to everyone's opinions about the funeral. As a young man, Aric himself was not present. The things Harold Zosen involved really made Otto unable to do anything, even if it was his nephew. If Arik dared to oppose Rurik, Otto would not be stingy with his big-eared melon seeds.
Otto stood up suddenly, grabbed Rurik and was about to leave.
"Hey! Dad, what are you doing?"
"Let's go! I'll take you and that ambitious guy to reason. Everyone else, please go back!"
Harold Zuosen stretched out his hand to stop him, but in the end he didn't stop him. A group of elderly guys followed Otto and saw Otto and his son heading straight to Arik's house.
"Old man, you stabbed Lou Zi." Someone stabbed Harold Johnson with ill intentions.
"Yes. Arik is busy getting his new wife pregnant, so he can't care about fighting for power. Really, maybe that Gotland woman is not good at all..."
"That's right, that's right! Hallo Johnson, you might as well pretend to be deaf and say nothing."
Haro Zuosen was also very upset. He stamped his feet vigorously: "I just wanted to remind him that those brats thought that their chance would come when Rurik disappeared. They didn't think that they were just mortals and they really believed those rumors. . I didn’t say it was Arik, Otto, this old guy, is he still worried about his nephew? By the way, where do you think those rumors come from? "
Everyone looked at each other, and another person murmured: "Maybe it was said by some Merlaren businessmen. You all know that those guys always like to talk nonsense..."
When Otto and his son broke into Arik's house angrily, the father and son violently kicked open the wooden door and saw something extremely strange.
I saw Arik panting and "taking care" of his new wife Aslaqi, while Peravina, who was holding the child, was still giving guidance. Obviously, the relationship between the two women is harmonious, but Arik's actions suddenly made Otto realize something extremely embarrassing. It has been almost half a year since the so-called war ended, and Aslaki's belly has still not moved until now! Could it be that this woman only has beauty... can't she?
"Uncle! You!" Arik was trembling in desperation, while Asraqi hurriedly picked up a piece of linen cloth and curled up into a ball in extreme nervousness.
"I want to talk to you something, you..." Otto coughed twice: "Get dressed and see me!"
In fact, seeing this scene, Otto's anger dissipated a lot. In his personal opinion, a person who is addicted to beauty is not very willing to pursue power. But that Carl was an accident.
Arik got dressed. He had something to say. Otto was the first to criticize: "Your brother has come back. Don't think about getting his status anymore. Boy, remember. I am the Duke of the Principality of Ross. I will give you Treat me as my son. What I give you is yours, not yours, you can’t take it away!”
"I..." Arik felt confused. Seeing the tense scene, Peravina hurriedly supported Aslaqi and held the child in her arms to avoid it for the time being.
"Do you have any statement?" Otto continued to ask.
"Me? What can I say? I don't know anything?"
Otto sat directly on the bed and looked at Arik with an interrogating eye: "I heard some rumors that you want to restore the tradition of dueling to gain leadership status. Because your brother disappeared for a time, you thought you had a chance."
"Ah?! I..." Arik looked directly at Rurik: "Brother, do you think I am a villain? You are the son of God. If I dare to overstep my bounds, I will be struck to death by Odin's thunder. "
"So... what's going on?" Rurik narrowed his eyes, "Why do I hear these rumors at this time?"
Arik didn't want to hide it: "There are indeed rumors in the tribe that those young guys are ready to make a move. They are wishful thinking and they don't get much support."
"Is that just that? Arik, I just want to hear your true attitude. I know you are sincere."
Arik did not have any evil intentions, and he spoke frankly: "Even if something unexpected happens to you, I will stand up. Even if it is a duel to decide the leader, there is no one in the tribe who is better at fighting than me. Your plan I will inherit it completely, you and I are both from the same family, and I will not betray the family."
These are Arik's true words. Rurik needs to hear the true words, but why does he feel so unhappy in his heart?
Although the war is between brothers and father and son, the emperor will always be wary of the prince usurping the throne, even if the prince has no intention of doing so.
The sudden situation made Rurik resentful and hateful of those rumors, but he asked himself, he went to the Arctic Ocean and stayed there for four months without any news! Mother Niya was worried about her own safety, and half of her hair turned gray in depression.
Under such circumstances, it is reasonable for some people to have unreasonable thoughts.
The Ross tribe just has some geopolitical power. If they become complacent and start fighting among themselves, they will collapse in an instant.
"Let this matter end here!" Rurik shouted loudly: "I will find a suitable opportunity to let all potential trespassers see that I am back, and I will make them give up."
Arik was not a villain, Rurik was sure of that. As long as he was alive, Arik was the best general. If something unexpected happened to him without leaving any heirs, as a cousin, he would be more suitable to inherit the position of Duke by relying on blood ties.
Those who covet power are not an "individual" but a group of young warriors in the tribe. They were unruly, showed their own style in foreign wars, and also developed undue ambitions.
"Damn it, the cubs I personally trained are the most reliable! It's a pity that you guys will have to grow up for at least another ten years before you can become my warriors!" Based on this incident, Rurik suddenly lost a lot of the young warriors of the tribe. trust. When a tribe is promoted to a principality, the mentality of the people obviously cannot be changed instantly. They are desperately trying to expand their direct power. Rurik can only think of this method.
He felt the mental and physical fatigue of being a king, and had to think about the long term.
Even if Arik swears loyalty again, or he will always be loyal, his existence itself is a threat to himself. Arik may not want to rebel in his whole life, but it does not necessarily mean that his supporters have no wrong intentions. Not to mention other careerists.
Rurik thought of the technique of checks and balances and needed to promote some talents from among his cronies. As for his cousin Arik, he should not be proud because of his blood status in the future. Instead, he should always maintain a kind of fear in consideration of the existence of other generals. It does not matter whether he is voluntary or passive, but must show a kind of humility.
As a king, I am afraid there must be a fierce and dark side in my heart.
"You people are not grateful for the post-war dividends I gave you, and you still covet my power. It would be beneficial to me if you all die. But you can't die now. You are eating the wheat and meat I provided." You cannot die until we grow into warriors..." Based on this idea, Rurik had to make some adjustments to the final funeral at noon tomorrow.
He needed to use Vilia's funeral to show his courage to the entire clan.
Then tear down the old longhouse, which has lost its sanctity in public opinion with Vilia's death.
