All the reindeer sleighs were covered with cloth tents, and all the passengers were dressed in furry clothes and bundled up for warmth. The cold wind sweeping across the ice could not interfere with people's progress. If there was, it would only be a snowstorm.
Rurik and his party walked directly to Ironburg, which was essentially a long detour. Taking into account the supply problem, he deliberately did this.
The sleigh team formed a double column, and all the chauffeurs stared at the flagpole of Rurik's car. The flag was flying so that everyone would not fall behind.
Reindeer pull people and goods. Even though they are powerful, they are not capable of running wildly.
These animals with amazing endurance are trained to be very docile. They keep moving at a strolling speed, so that the entire team basically maintains a slow speed of about 6km/h.
The speed is indeed slow. The advantage of the reindeer sleigh is that it can walk at a constant speed throughout the day.
On the first day, the sled team traveled about fifty kilometers.
The team spent the night in a pine forest on the frozen seaside and spent the whole day sledding. People walked out of the closed tents. Even if the outdoor air was very cold, it was refreshing and beautiful.
The women of Tavastia were all flexing their muscles and twisting their stiff waists.
Very suddenly, some big trees collapsed under the action of the two-man saw.
They were startled.
A moment later, Javlo came hurriedly with an ax and shouted in ancient Finnish: "Women, build your own shack, we will stay here for the night. Don't think about escaping, bears and wolves will kill you."
Escape? If they could escape, everyone would have escaped long ago.
So far, these Tavastian women have completely accepted their sad fate. Although it is sad, there is still hope in life.
Can immigrants settle down in a distant place? These young women originally had no right to choose their own marriage in their hometown. You can only leave it to fate as to what kind of man you marry, but if your man can provide you with wheat every day, then he is a good person. If there is such a good day, they will take up arms to protect it.
Many women held axes in their hands, and Rurik was not worried that they would attack his own people. The ax is a tool for making shacks, and it is also a tool for self-protection when encountering wild beasts. This is their personal belongings, and they were purchased in Fort Ross with their own labor remuneration.
A hole was dug in the snow and a piece of burlap was spread over it. Thick branches are used to build a frame on the snow pit, and dense European red pine branches with long pine needles are further built up. Finally, the roof of the shed is covered with snow.
A warm snow den is just that, a place where people can sleep peacefully and it's not too cold inside.
The Russians took out their treasured tinder fungus powder and used a bow drill to drill into the dry wood they had prepared to make fire.
A little flame ignited and gradually turned into a bonfire.
The oil-rich pine trees harvested locally were chopped to pieces by Rurik's capable mercenaries. The fierce smoke covered the flames, and in a moment as the water was dried out, the first bonfire turned into a huge fire!
Soon, fifty bonfires lit up the earth beside the pine forest at night. The world was no longer cold. People took the time to eat dry food and then got into the shacks to sleep.
Only Rurik and Noren. The sled owned by the two is itself a warm house...
The camp became more sophisticated, with the sound of campfires, the snoring of strong men, and the faint noise of hundreds of reindeer heard from time to time outside the sleigh.
When people were eating dry food, the reindeer were also eating oats. They could not eat too much wheat and the hay they had prepared, so the accompanying deer herders drove the deer that had completely removed their bridles to graze on the spot for a while.
Now, the days and nights are still almost equal in length. After all, it is a large team of hundreds of people. Rurik does not dare to move forward at night. He is afraid that the sled will get lost.
In the house sleigh, Rurik was lying on his back with his hands on his pillow, and Noren couldn't help but come closer.
"This is the first night the two of us...are alone in the snowfield." She hesitated in her words.
"how?"
"I... saw the sunset on the frozen sea. The ice surface turned into the color of the sunset. And the moonlight tonight is so beautiful."
"The moonlight is so beautiful?" Rurik curled his lips slightly and smiled for a moment, "You are very reserved, very unlike you. I know you are very happy. In the next two months, you and I will be alone."
"Yes, other sisters will envy me. I still wonder when I can be a mother."
"You and I have made an agreement on this matter. At least three years later. Don't think about it this year. You should think about returning to your hometown and how to appeal to those who are determined to stay to support your rule."
"My rule." Nolen simply laughed, "Isn't it your rule?"
"At least nominally your rule."
"But you are my man. Rurik..." Nolen sat up, "I can't wait any longer. I can't lose to the other sisters, and I can't let them look down on me."
However, nothing substantial happened between Rurik and Nolen this night. Is this simply because Rurik showed extreme self-discipline for the sake of long-term plans? No! It was simply Nolen's use of brute force. She was a standard Viking woman after all, forcing Rurik to stop pretending.
Because Nolen, she is really beautiful and sings beautifully...
However, she felt it was very painful and unilaterally backed down. Simply Rurik also let out a sigh of relief.
How could she not be anxious? The first few wives and concubines of Rurik she saw were either mothers or pregnant. She was also a noble. If she could not become a mother early, it would be impossible not to be despised by them.
Of course, more realistically speaking, how could Nolen not know about the virtues of the Balmok family? Wanting them to recognize a female leader is wishful thinking.
The Balmoks among the mercenaries have the attitude that Nolen said. These brothers do not think that she can convince the people by becoming the leader of the left-behind people. The brothers are eager for Nolen to give birth to a boy, so that the brothers in her hometown will support her. This handsome boy.
A daring attempt failed, but going against the glacier, this daring attempt must succeed.
The team spent three days. On the third evening after setting off, they encountered people fishing for cod in holes on the ice, and understood that Ellenburg was about to arrive.
The team had actually passed the mouth of the frozen Torna River. Everyone contacted each other and learned that this was the correct path, but the sled team was still moving forward.
The arrival of the Rurik sled team was expected by Mechasta, the Kovinite "Governor" of Ironburg, but their arrival was rather sudden.
The forests and snowfields at dusk were extremely beautiful. A young man dressed like a bear walked up to the ice with a few men to greet him.
The young man had already waved to celebrate.
"It's Terravis." Rurik stuck his head out and waved in response.
After a moment, the entire team stopped. Such a spectacular manned sled team could no longer surprise him.
"Taravis, how are you?" Rurik greeted.
"I'm fine. Brothers, you are finally here. My father sent me to greet you."
At that time, Nolen also poked his head out: "Are you in Ellenburg?"
A beautiful blond girl with long hair stuck her head out. When Taravis saw her, he was surprised at first and a little disappointed.
Because this woman is not his sister Saipolava.
Rurik continued to stare at Terravis's face: "In that case, you will lead the way. I will take the most critical rest at Ironburg tonight and tomorrow."
Rurik turned around and reached the city on the banks of the Ailon (Kemi) River, which would definitely waste three days.
This decision is necessary. In order to ensure nothing goes wrong, Rurik must get enough supplies here. What he asked for was not human food, but food for reindeer!
Because the area near Ellenburg has been the purpose of deer herders since ancient times, when a functional city for mining, logging, and fishing appeared in this area, livestock raising became extremely urgent.
Rurik was sure that he could easily obtain large quantities of baled hay to supplement the reindeer diet on the expedition.
The sled team stopped on the frozen river bank, and the architectural scene here was so majestic!
Noren opened his eyes wide, held Rurik's arm, and asked what the huge equipment placed on the shore was.
"It can lift huge felled trees and mount them on large sleds."
"Is it really that powerful?"
"Of course. This is my invention. Nolen, this is your first time in Ironburg, and there are many things here that will surprise you."
The beautiful scenery of the forest, sea and snowy plains becomes boring after seeing it too much. Once you hear something new, her nature is completely brought out.
As for the Tavastian women, they stood gaping under the towering snow-covered wooden walls. Because Ironburg is on the front line of Arctic cold current erosion, the city's wooden walls have been repaired and raised, and finally became a towering place.
In another area, there were constant ding-ding-dong-dong sounds, and the entire area was clearly burning. The nearby snow had faded away, leaving dry and hard ground, and the thick smoke continued.
Nolen is very curious. She can see that Ironburg is much smaller than Roseburg, but the exquisiteness inside...
The group of people entered the city in unison, and the people stationed there came to watch.
Especially the local Corvin people knew that a large group of Tavastians would come. No, the women from the Kewen tribe formed snowballs on the spot and threw them at the black-haired Ta tribe woman.
"Hey! Women, what are you doing? Yevro, disperse these snowball fight guys!" Rurik was startled and suddenly ordered angrily.
Yevluo hummed, and led his men to pick up round shields, and after beating the shields hard, they dispersed the group of Covin women.
"What's going on?" Nolen shouted in confusion, "Is this the interesting thing you said, Rurik?"
"Bah! Is there any enmity between them? Damn it, maybe it really is enmity?" Rurik bared his teeth, and he seemed to have thought of the reason.
Looking at the Tavastian women, they were very puzzled by the sudden attack, but they were not cowards. They all picked up their hand axes and threatened those who threw snowballs.
Although the Kewen woman retreated, verbal abuses continued from both sides.
Unfortunately, the languages of both parties are very similar, and there is also a lack of swear words in them.
"Now, I finally understand." Rurik slapped his head, thinking that it was right to throw these Tavastian captives to Balmok friends.
Simply because, even though the two groups lost a lot of men, even if they still had a group of women left, the disputes continued.
Rurik was helpless. It seemed that Ironburg did not welcome this group of Tavastians. Simply, the group of women were camped outdoors again.
Finally, Rurik arrived at his palace in Ironburg.
The house is not big, it is quite warm and has been properly cleaned. For example, the polar bear heads hanging on the walls are free of dust.
Mechasta, the Coven man, seemed very apologetic about what happened before.
A big, hard-boiled salmon was thawed and grilled until it became juicy on a special iron cage. The fragrant grilled fish was delivered to the palace.
"Sir, the attack occurred and it is my responsibility." Mechasta, who personally served the fish, was respectful.
Rurik pursed his lips to hide his irritation, and then said: "Put away your self-blame, don't think that I don't know. The hatred between you Covins and Tavastians has existed since ancient times, but what you are doing today What a coward.”
"No. I didn't instruct them. My people were just too angry thinking about the past." He defended.
"Absurd. You and Kehas have reconciled. Didn't you Gray Squirrel Tribe and Salmon Lord Tribe also have a bloody fight before?"
"That... that was just a fight between brothers. The Tavastians want our lives and have been expelling us. To be honest..." Mechasta lowered his head: "I am so happy to see them in trouble. .”
"Absurd! But... you have your own reasons." Rurik didn't want to reprimand. This is just like the serious Russians cannot reconcile with the Danish forces. In fact, no one knows when the conflict between the two parties will occur. of.
Rurik shook his head again: "I remember arranging some female prisoners for you."
"The women of Tavastia in my hands are now my slaves."
"Really? I thought they would be the wives of your men." Rurik looked at Mechasta and realized that he really didn't want to say more, and said: "I gave you the power of disposal, and I don't care what you want. But today I'm very angry."
Looking at Mechasta again, he made a determined decision: "I am willing to be punished."
"Sigh. You are too small... Well, just provide me with a batch of hay and a batch of dried fish. Don't worry, the Tavastian woman you hate is a Balmok. I will stay here for one day. You restrain your people tomorrow and there will be no more attacks..."
"Yes. I will be responsible if anything happens."
"Then leave. Do what I tell you and I'll have some fun later."
Isn't it enough that Tavastia has collapsed and its remnants have been divided among the victors? Rurik really didn't know how many things the Kovin people had experienced before, maybe they were very tragic things.
Rurik did know that Tavastia's forces were already quite powerful, and they were able to assemble an army of four to five thousand men in a short period of time!
It's a pity that they are just simple barbarians with courage, but they have no brains in fighting. This group of people are desperate to expand, and they can be regarded as a typical example of those who are warlike and destined to decline.
Rurik and Noren soaked in the big wooden barrel, and it was extremely comfortable to be submerged in hot water.
Nolen rarely had this kind of enjoyment, except that she experienced a Finnish sauna in a steam room.
"Do you like Ironburg?" Rurik asked suddenly, which cheered up Nolen, who was already a little wilted by steam.
"It's... great. The houses here are well-proportioned, and the roads are all vertical. There's also the machine that can move big trees, and..."
She listed many things, and Rurik listened with great pleasure.
But she did mention the attack in the evening.
"What...why is this? Is it just hatred?" she asked.
"It's just hatred."
"The Tavastians are defeated, and the hatred is at an end."
"No. It was Rose who defeated the enemy. The honor of victory does not belong to the Covin people. You should know that women are also warriors when necessary. Your biological father taught you this."
"I understand. But I should never go to the battlefield." When it comes to war, Nolen is naturally frightened.
"War is inevitable in this era." Rurik sighed softly, "The bellicose Tavastia was defeated by us who were more bellicose. But Karelia is still a hegemon in the east, and their existence is It’s like there’s a big rock hanging over my head.”
"We will win easily," Nolen encouraged.
"Yes, I don't dare to neglect the war. It would be best if I could recruit five hundred warriors from your hometown. As for our enemies, haha..."
"why are you laughing?"
"I hope the Karelia people are as brave as the Tavastians. You know, sometimes bravery means recklessness, so our army can complete the killing well!"
Rurik's words were already very serious, and his tone was filled with murderous intent. Nolen trembled and stood up abruptly to leave. Suddenly he felt dizzy again and fell into Rurik's arms.
"I am dizzy."
"This is the sauna. You are indeed dizzy. Rest and sleep in tomorrow. We still have nearly fifteen days of travel in the future, so we won't be able to have such enjoyment."
