A handsome young man stood here, and his indescribable noble temperament struck Nolen's heart.
She could not imagine that a boy could be so elegant, standing here like a pine tree, with a fair and handsome face and a pair of blue eyes exactly like her own.
Her hands holding the bone flute couldn't help but loosen, and the flute fell to her feet. She was leaning forward to get it, and Rurik also quickly bowed down. Just when their hands touched, Nolen quickly retracted.
"Is this a flute made of eagle bones?" Rurik asked softly while playing with the bone flute.
"Yes...yes. You...can you give it back to me."
Looking at this flute, it seems that flutes are played the same way all over the world. This flute was more like a flute. Rurik did not rush to return it, but tried to play it in public.
Play a beautiful tune? Rurik knew that he could achieve it after some practice. He tried to find the rhythm and found the syllables successfully, so he tried to play a dorumi.
He didn't play the real music, but the harmonious sound test shocked Nolen's young heart. Also, the handsome Ross brother’s mouth touched his flute, this...
"What a good flute. It seems that you are very good at music?"
Rurik handed over the flute. Seeing that the girl still had a calm face, he simply called: "Nolen. Did you hear what I said? Nolen."
"Ah! You!" Nolen shivered in shock, and his beautiful eyes trembled: "You actually know my name?"
"Your brother told me. You are indeed a beautiful fairy, the most beautiful gem in this fjord."
Rurik made some sweet words, and Magnut was keenly aware of the problems inside. Could it be that this nobleman from Ross fell in love with his little daughter?
At this critical moment, Biyoni stood up and solemnly explained his suggestion to his parents, especially his sister: "Noren, the person standing in front of you is the noble Rurik, and you should marry him. .”
"Biyongni! This is an important matter in your sister's life." Magnut suddenly became serious, but the old guy's eyes were ambiguous. And his old wife Yingbjorg has a charitable look on her face.
"However, I have formed an alliance with the Rus on behalf of our tribe. Rurik and I swore as brothers in the sea at the end of the northern world, facing the sun, and we formed an alliance. If Norun marries him again, our two tribes will have More intimacy.”
Biyongni's simple words immediately hit Magnut's heart, and he clearly smelled the smell of a political marriage.
His daughter is about to reach adulthood, and the old guys in the tribe are eyeing her. Magnute needs to find a son-in-law within two years.
According to tradition, the daughter should rely on herself in the future. Perhaps it is indeed most appropriate for my daughter to marry a Russian and this beautiful young man in front of me?
So what's Rurik's attitude?
At the beginning, Rurik only had a name for the girl Nolen. But when he saw this literary and artistic girl who looked like an ice elf in front of him, he wanted to get her and possess her, Rurik's mind was filled with such thoughts. It's perfect for a man to have such an idea.
In fact, Rurik didn't know that his handsome figure in the sunset immediately attracted Nolen's attention, and his act of playing the bone flute gave Nolen a strong sense of closeness. She knew that according to tradition, she needed to follow her parents' arrangements to welcome her husband. If her future husband was him...
Rurik acted extremely respectful again. He bowed slightly and pointed to his big ship: "This is our Rus ship, and her cabin is full of cargo! I learned that the Balmoks have been trying to do business with us, and now I've come personally with a lot of goods. Bear and seal hides, the best iron, a lot of walrus tusks, and a load of wheat, I have a lot of goods you need. You need leather and iron, and we need the best. of salt, our trade will become more and more frequent in the future,"
"Oh?! That's great." Rurik's words hit home, and Magnut was overjoyed.
Rurik continued: "There is also a great gift to the leader of Balmok, a gift that will make you extremely noble. And I, Biyoni, Floki, I swear to God that we are brothers .So, please allow me to call you father."
Magnut was so excited that his body trembled. He suddenly grabbed his daughter and pushed her onto Rurik, who also grabbed the girl.
"Nolen, I have decided that Rurik of Rus will be your husband. Haha, it seems that I want to have a good chat with the priests, and I want to organize a wedding ceremony for you as soon as possible."
"Dad! I...I'm not old enough, is this inappropriate?"
"It doesn't matter. I wasn't old enough when I married your mother. Listen, age is just a reference. I'm the leader, I've already decided."
Rurik was not prepared for the bizarre development of things. But this Nolen is only ten years old according to his father? But she didn't look childish at all. Yes, she is a Nordic woman. Within three or four years, her image will be infinitely close to that of an adult.
"Then...okay." Nolen's mood was complicated. All this happened too fast, but facing the boy in front of him, he...
Some reputable people from the Balmok tribe were boldly approaching the leader. They saw clearly the face of the Rus people who had come from afar, and they had to say that the boy was really handsome.
They all also noticed that the leader Magnute wanted to use his daughter to catch this rich son-in-law.
What more can be said? That pretty little girl is going to marry a Russian. If all this can bring beneficial benefits to the tribe, it is a good deal.
These people of status have regarded marriage as a transaction between families since ancient times. The so-called love? what is that? Women in Balmok have not been able to choose their own marriages since ancient times.
How much does the marriage between nobles have to do with the ordinary people of the tribe? Most of the onlookers didn't care what the leader said to the Ross people. They stared at the phantom of the big ship with their eyes, and they were even more looking forward to the Ross people starting to unload the cargo.
The Balmok tribe welcomed its most distinguished guest, and leader Magnut naturally invited Rurik into his mansion.
As the leader, he promised excellent treatment to all Russian warriors and even those sailors.
Rurik nodded: "Chief, I appreciate your kindness, but I still have some people to garrison my ship, and my soldiers will also stay on the ship. I came with the purpose of peace, now, please see Look at the gift I have given you.”
"A gift." Magnut nodded with a smile: "You don't have to keep it secret. I am your most trustworthy person here."
"That's why I want to give you a gift. Everything is for our covenant, and..." After saying that, Rurik stared at Noren's handsome face sincerely, and the girl hurriedly lowered her head in shame: "I I can’t live up to Nolen’s trust in me.”
After a while, some boxes were carried off the ship tied with hemp ropes, and a black disk-shaped object immediately caught Magnute's attention.
The Russians are already unloading their cargo? Everything in the world becomes blurry in the setting sun, and those who have been unwilling to leave for a long time can't see clearly what the goods are.
Magnut stepped forward, and he intuitively realized that this was an iron vessel, and it was also a large iron vessel.
"What is this? My child."
"This is an urn made of iron. It is very strong."
"Ah! Actually, there is an urn made of iron?" Magnute reached out to touch his eyes in excitement, and then knocked again to confirm that it was made of iron. "You actually have the ability to use iron to make such huge tools? You actually have so much iron?"
"Of course, look at this box." Rurik pointed casually, "The real treasures are all in here. They are not just some gems, and even the gems cannot compare to their beauty. These treasures are all given to you by me. .”
What exactly is written in the box, it looks very heavy. More precious than gems? What could it be?
Magnut announced to the people who had not dispersed, especially those noble clansmen, that Rurik of Rus, who had come from afar, was his guest. Soon, a meeting will be held as usual in the tribal council. At that time, it will be a formal negotiation meeting between the two tribes.
Everyone can see that the Russian people have come all the way here for many purposes, especially the beautiful boy giving a large number of mysterious gifts. It is simply on the surface that the Russian people want something from the Balmok people.
The sky was completely dark, and Rurik was alone among the Balmok leader and his family.
He didn't have the slightest worry. A wonderful feeling enveloped his whole body. Arriving at Balmok was like going home. There were so many details here that really resembled Rossburg.
The most important thing between people is trust. At least brothers Biyoni and Floki truly regard Rurik as their little brother. They drank each other's blood wine and swore to the sun, Odin's incarnation. The Biyongni brothers have been loyal people since they were young. Now they are eager for their younger brother Rurik to get married to his sister Nolen as soon as possible, so that the relationship between relatives can be established. In their culture, brother-in-law and brother are the same words.
The huge leader's longhouse was right in front of him, and the blurry image of the longhouse under the starlight made Rurik feel quite familiar.
In the hall of the longhouse, many bronze oil lamps were hung on the wooden walls, and the flames illuminated the entire room.
The wooden box was unloaded, and Biyongni was fully aware of the treasures in the box. Then he faced his family and said excitedly: "Now, on behalf of Brother Rurik, I will introduce to you these treasures from Ross."
He used a wooden stick to pry open the wooden box, and soon, a ferocious bear head was taken out!
Seeing this beast head, all the witnesses shuddered. Look at the head of this polar bear. Is that big mouth meant to eat people?
Nolen was startled at first and hurriedly snuggled close to her mother, but she did not avoid it, but stared at her eldest brother Biyongni taking Rose's gifts one by one.
Rurik saw this clearly.
"This Nolen is not afraid of ferocious beasts? This girl has a wild heart under her quiet appearance?"
She was indeed beautiful, but what Rurik valued most was her talent for music.
Two bear heads were turned inside out, followed by two folded and tanned bear skins.
Biyongni opened his arms and raised the bear skin high: "Dad, look at this huge piece of leather. You and your mother should sleep on this perfect mattress."
Regarding this, Magnute and Yingbjorg were more shocked than happy.
Their shock is still behind them.
Biyongni took out the small wooden box one by one. He opened the box and peeled off the protective white cloth strips, finally revealing the crystal clear place.
"Is it a crystal cup?! You! Rurik! My child, this gift... is too expensive."
Rurik was also taken aback by Magnute's excessive expression. He smiled and remained calm, as if he explained calmly: "It is really a treasure, and it is most appropriate to give it to a great leader."
What happened next continued to cause shock, because what Biyongni took out was a whole set of glassware.
Ten glass trays, ten square horse glasses, two high-necked glass jugs, and even ten glass bowls. Just for making these utensils, the processing level of the Russians has become mature, so the cost of making them is not high, but they are a real weapon for making money.
Magnut called them crystals, and Rurik made the mistake.
"In our Ross tribe, noble people use these tableware. You are also noble people, so you should use them too."
Look at these fantastic utensils. Magnute originally planned to entertain guests with silver tableware, but unexpectedly Rurik explained what preciousness is. The Magnute couple's eyes trembled violently with a sense of greed. The old couple still did not expect that more gifts were yet to come.
The real show happens at the dinner table!
As the leader of a huge tribe, Magnute's nobility seems to be only reflected in his power to command tens of thousands of people. As for their daily life, what they can boast about is more than thirty working slaves bought from the Bergen market, and a small amount of gold and silver utensils.
The leader's mansion is a bit crude and rough, and the so-called dining table is also made of simple wooden boards.
As a local host, Magnute consciously entertains guests with special meals. But as Rurik showed off the wonderful ingredients he carried, things completely changed.
They had a meal-sharing system, which Rurik had no problem with.
When it comes to eating, the huge difference between Rurik and them is clearly demonstrated by just the small tableware.
At least the leader, Magnute, and his family do not eat with their own hands. Including Nolen, their tableware is only two kinds, a spoon and a knife.
The glass plate in front of Rurik was filled with delicious grilled herring, and there was also a seemingly simple wooden plate with some wonderful grilled fish steaks. It wasn't until Rurik tasted the fish steaks that he realized This is called the Atlantic eel. If the specialty of the Baltic Sea is herring, then the specialty of the North Sea is eels.
Magnute was holding back ten thousand questions. His eyes were busy staring at Rurik's gift, busy experiencing the joy of using "crystal utensils", and observing the nimble fingers of the child Rurik, who could actually control two A wooden stick can easily pick up the pieces of fish and put them into your mouth.
Just as he was about to open the topic, a vat of wheat porridge cooked by the slave was brought up, and a large crystal spoon filled all the crystal bowls with cooked wheat grains.
Cooked oats have become the most delicious food on the table, which has a strong psychological impact on the Balmok tribe who eat fish all day long.
"Haha, the smell of wheat is really strong. In Bergen, the merchants there sold wheat at a very high price. Unexpectedly, I ate delicious wheat porridge at home again. Rurik, my child, it seems that your hometown can be Plant wheat."
Rurik originally wanted to point out that Rosberg was a place of bitter cold, so miserable that onions could not be grown. Thinking about it more carefully, the situation is clearly as Magnute guessed. The Russians can grow wheat, or they can grow wheat in a big way. After all, in the distant Eastern Europe, Russia's power is unstoppably expanding.
"Yes, we can grow wheat. We Russians like to eat wheat and fish."
"Wheat is so precious. Use a crystal bowl to serve wheat porridge, and use a crystal spoon to dig in and eat. Isn't this something that only people in Asgard can enjoy?"
Rurik smiled and shrugged: "Then treat this as Asgard on earth. Since you need wheat so much, I will transport wheat as an important cargo in our future trade."
"That's great. You...I saw that my two sons also learned some wonderful skills in your Ross. You see, they are also using wooden sticks to pick up fish and eat it."
Biyongni smiled and said, "Dad, this is the habit of the Russian people. Many people over there eat meat like this."
The room was filled with laughter, and Noren did not hesitate to ask for a spare pair of pine chopsticks from Rurik. Although she didn't know the real name of the tableware, since her two brothers and her destined husband were both dexterously manipulating wooden sticks to eat, she, a self-proclaimed shrewd woman, shouldn't be left behind. But she kept trying until the eel meat was chopped into fine pieces. She really couldn't pick it up at all.
Her worry was written on her face, and Rurik gently encouraged: "Don't worry, it will take some time to get in touch. For example, you won't be able to play the bone flute all at once."
Rurik's words reminded her. Nolen raised his head, and his golden hair twitched: "That's right. Just like you, Rurik, you can't play a tune with my flute." . I am sure of your talent, you taught me how to use the stick, and I taught you how to play the music."
This girl suddenly became generous? Rurik guessed in surprise that this girl already regarded him as a family member.
Nolen's positive performance really made the Magnutes ecstatic.
The girl Nolen has never been, let alone can be, a frost saint who does not eat fireworks from the world. She is addicted to music and loves to play the flute, but like other Balmok girls, she also likes beautiful gems, gold and silver very much.
Among the gifts Rurik provided were gemstone necklaces and pendants specially given to women. They were necklaces strung together with lapis lazuli, amber, and glass beads of various colors, as well as pure gold pendants.
An excellent necklace, Rurik gave it to Imbjorg, the wife of the chieftain and the mother of three noble children.
As for Nolen, while eating, she immediately hung two gold beads on her ears, and hung a lapis lazuli necklace with gold patterns around her neck.
Rurik, his image and all his current actions have completely surpassed all Nolen's fantasies about excellent men. This Rurik who came from afar is simply a god from Asgard.
Gemstones and some exquisite leather products can best bring joy to noble women. For men, swords and spirits should be treasures with wonderful effects.
Rurik did not give Magnut a steel sword, but he showed a small glass bottle in front of everyone, which contained this wonderful liquid. As the cork was opened, the aroma of wine overflowed in the room.
As Magnute drank it tentatively, he was stimulated by the intense spiciness. When the spiciness passed, he was immersed in the rich aroma of the wine.
He simply drank a glass bottle of strong liquor out of instinct, but he still had more to say.
"This old guy has an innate ability to blow bottles? Is he an old alcoholic?" Rurik's mind was a little confused. He stared dumbly at Magnute's huge Adam's apple that kept moving.
"Ah! Good wine, I have never drunk such good wine in my life! It is like water, but it is wine! Rurik, could you get such good wine from Asgard?! "
Rurik was about to explain and spoke before Yongni, but Floki stood up and shouted excitedly: "Dad! Let me tell you a secret. My brother Rurik was blessed by Odin. This water The same wine can still catch fire! This is the wine from Asgard."
Can wine catch fire? At Magnute's request, Rurik simply took out all the prepared spirits. The empty glass bowl was filled with spirits, and the liquid was easily ignited.
People stared at the burning wine in the glass bowl and were so shocked that they broke into a cold sweat. Even the slave who served the meal was shocked and his heart beat wildly when he accidentally caught a glimpse of the spectacle on the table.
"Asgard! Asgard! Are you Russians coming from Asgard? You are so amazing!" Magnut kept saying words of praise.
Rurik was suppressing a smile now. He knew that he was already a saint in the eyes of the Balmok chief family.
At this point, these gifts have completed their mission.
Following their exclamation, Rurik raised his chest and introduced himself in the most formal way: "Allies of Balmok, sitting in front of you is the Duke of the Principality of Rus and the man who defeated Gotland. and the commander of the armies of the Danes, the possessor of great wealth, the wisest of men, the one blessed by Odin, the conqueror of the far east, the chief of all Corvins and all deer-herders, and even more Your most trustworthy ally! I am Rurik of Rus."
Countless wonderful titles have been added to them, and the Biyongni brothers have long been convinced of this. It was precisely after seeing Ross's powerful strength that Biyongni took the initiative to announce an alliance with Ross. Now, the real Balmok leader is also completely impressed by Rurik's charm, even though the person sitting in front of him is still a young and beautiful boy.
It's a good thing Rurik is still a boy, it means he has an infinitely bright future! A young and promising ally is the greatest help to the Balmok tribe.
Magnute completely believed that the child had truly been blessed by God, which perfectly explained his dream experience today. He glanced at his daughter's face from the corner of his eye and saw the child Nolen. Her eyes were always looking at Rurik. It was obvious that his daughter had fallen deeply in love with the boy who was protected by Odin.
