In order to move quickly, the people who disembarked did not carry heavy chain mail from beginning to end, and only a few of the guards sent by the Marquis wore armor.
Although they stopped shooting arrows, swords were cutting at each other and spears were poking at each other. Although there were casualties on both sides, it was obvious that the count's side was fighting hard.
The blue fox's sword was stained with blood again. The count watched helplessly as the fat man who looked harmless two months ago seized the opportunity to stab an enemy in the neck very decisively. The fat man's expressionless expression made him frightened and frightened. Awe.
They had been persevering hard and subconsciously moved back down the river. No one knew when the battle would end.
At this critical moment of life and death, the dull sound of horns came from the distance one after another.
"Damn it! The enemy still has reinforcements, am I going to die here?" Hearing the sound of the horn, Earl Robert was instantly discouraged. Te increasingly felt that this was a conspiracy directed at himself and Saint Esquier.
The trumpet sound seemed to be approaching, and after a while, a neat sound similar to a group of people playing snare drums was heard.
But when they saw the attackers in sackcloth fighting, they felt fear, and they started to retreat after fighting like rabid dogs.
"A miracle! Lord! A miracle. Did you send an angel to save me?" The earl sighed to himself in desperation.
Wherever there were any angels, those blowing trumpets rushed out from the right side of the earl's circular array.
They were a group of men with iron helmets on their heads. They were dressed in the same manner as the kingdom's army and the blue cloth was brighter. They all use a painted round shield. The shield has a blue background and a white crow emblem. It also has a very obvious black cross pattern. This is very different from the triangular mandarin duck shield commonly used by Frankish warriors. Blue Fox feels particularly friendly.
The shield coat of arms has actually marked the identities of these people: the raven and the black cross are converted northern warriors.
Blue Fox intuitively felt that these strange people looked like Russians or Vikings.
These strange armed men rushed to kill the fleeing enemy. They just looked at the confused Earl Robert and continued to fight. Even so, the count still asked the soldiers to remain absolutely vigilant, because everything was too bizarre, there was a sudden attack and then a chaotic battle, and the powerful reinforcements came at the right time almost at the last moment, everything was too suspicious.
After a while, an old warrior with a gray beard appeared surrounded by a group of buckler warriors.
The man walked into the vigilant people and slowly took off his helmet.
"It's actually you!?" Eskil, who had just regained consciousness, was shocked when he saw this man's aging face.
"Saint, stay well! I know you have arrived in Frankfurt, and I am sorry to see you again in this way."
"You! Harald Clark, King of Denmark!"
"Just Ludwig's vassals! I have heard some things in Regensburg and Frankfurt, and you yourself spread some news. Look, look at these corpses, you attracted the attention of those people, and I Saved you.”
Suddenly an armored old warrior appeared and spoke in broken Frankish. The blue fox looked at this man's face and knew that he was not a good person.
Is this the old fool in the forest or the King of Denmark? The King of Denmark should be in Denmark, how could a Danish King emerge from the banks of the Danube River?
Blue Fox remained silent for the time being. Regardless of the background of this person and his subordinates, they had finally solved the crisis.
Blue Fox paid close attention to Eskil's face, and saw the old guy who had just been frightened to urinate pushed aside the warrior's barrier and walked towards the white-bearded warrior in person.
"Harald, I didn't expect to see you here. You are saved. This must be the will of the Lord."
"Maybe. However, I have been following this group of gangsters for half a year."
"Gangster?" The Earl of Hamburg came pacing, raised his boots and trampled on a dead body, then used his sword to lift the linen covering, revealing the blood-stained leather armor underneath. "This is obviously a soldier."
"Soldier indeed. Are you... a noble?" the man in armor with white beard asked.
"A nobleman. I am the Count of Hamburg."
"It's really strange, if you are like this, why are you here."
"I'm curious, are you really Harald Clark? If that's the case, I thought I'd seen you many years ago, but I'd already forgotten your face."
Harald Clark, the deposed and expelled High Chief of Denmark, was the predecessor of the slain High Chief Hafgen.
He immediately introduced himself in Norse. Compared to the awkward Frankish, the Norse in his hometown spoke the most smoothly.
"I am no longer the king, and those lords refused to allow me to go back. I am a subordinate of Prince Ludwig, and I am currently carrying out the prince's orders. Thank you Lord for allowing me to meet you. If I had come later, you would have died."
"It's a gift from the Lord." Eskil quickly made the sign of the cross.
The Earl of Hamburg didn't know what to say. He was relieved and confirmed that the attacker was indeed well prepared.
Having said that, I am a noble in the north. Although Eskil is a saint and has worked in the north all his life, how can he be attacked by thieves in the Alemanny region and still have to be killed?
The earl still couldn't completely believe what Harald Clark said, because it was too coincidental and seemed like a conspiracy.
The situation finally stabilized, and a large group of soldiers gathered in the forest to rest.
The corpses of as many as forty enemies were collected, and the deceased's coat was stripped off to reveal his true face. Through his brown hair, Harald Clark's blond warriors were sure that the deceased was not from the North.
Such a large number of dead proved that the battle was premeditated. They left some bows, picked up some arrows on the ground, and even found a special kind of petals - dried edelweiss flowers.
After experiencing a great battle, the reckless warriors' love for battle led to the loss of many ships and the death of many people. The Count of Hamburg said that he was unwilling to leave again.
Originally, the team had to find a ford on the Danube River to land and camp for the night at night. The tired soldiers had to gather with Harald Clark's Norman mercenaries.
As the contact deepened, the earl's guard quickly disappeared.
Let’s look at the soldiers holding special round shields. Their shields have a black cross emblem, and each of them also has a metal or wooden cross pendant hanging around his neck.
This army is actually one of the achievements of Saint Eskil in the past ten years. They are the first batch of converted Norman warriors. Their existence proves that priests can convert many barbarians with one mouth.
Harald Clark didn't notice anyone else. When the bonfire was lit, the old guy came close to the Count of Hamburg, waiting for the wheat in the hanging pot to be cooked, and took the opportunity to inquire about something.
Both armies were loyal to Prince Ludwig and wanted to get some new information from each other.
Harald Clark thrust his sword deep into the soft mud and complained about his unlucky past. He lamented that he had lost the royal power of Denmark and was betrayed by his nephew Horik. Now he could only join the Frankish nobles as a mercenary.
"I was expelled by those people because of my conversion. I fought for Ludwig. It has been nine years and I still haven't obtained the fief. I am old and may die here..."
Harald Clark speaks of the sorrow of an old soldier. He is a real lost dog, and it seems that his close soldiers are not young either.
However, these warriors are all veteran warriors who have been chopped down for ten years. Those who are not skilled in skills are already dead. Even if the strength of those who are alive today has weakened, they are all superb in their killing skills.
The Count of Hamburg was both in awe and contempt. How could a down-and-out noble be respected? However, this person is the deposed former King of Denmark, and the fact that he survives can be used.
The earl asked deliberately: "Is it appropriate that you have paid so much for the prince and not received a reward? You can go and ask for it."
"The prince did not reward."
"Maybe……"
"What do you want to say?"
"Otherwise, you try to go to the North. Hamburg is in great demand."
"Are you trying to win over me?" Harald Clark did hesitate for a moment, then shook his head after thinking about it: "You have forgotten me, but I still remember you, Robert. You are just an earl, and I must at least be the earl's. Banned. I cannot be your vassal."
"But I need you, especially this army of yours."
As soon as these words came out, Harald immediately heard that there was a big problem. His attitude changed and he suddenly asked: "Who are you wary of?"
"I... we'll talk about this later. First tell me who the attacker is."
"That's fine." Harald sighed regretfully, "He's from Lothair."
"Prince Lothair?" The Earl also became vigilant and warned: "You can't talk nonsense about this matter."
"It's no lie. You...why don't you ask me why I brought an army to help you?"
"Why?"
"We were ordered by Ludwig to annihilate this army disguised as bandits. This has been going on for a year, and a special group of bandits are causing trouble in Alemany. They intercepted merchants, attacked villages, and even attacked priests. "
"Ah!? Are they crazy? They dare to kill the servant of the Lord."
"They have already sold their souls to Satan." Harald fiercely asserted.
"Is it still Lothair's order?" the count asked again.
"I don't know. But I found Lothair's vassal's fleur-de-lis on the corpse."
"Capet? They are at the seaside. Capet is also a count. Why are Capet's people plundering here?"
"It must be Lothair's order! But they are not just Capet's people, they may be followers of multiple nobles. No one is willing to do such a dirty deed by themselves. If all the nobles have contributed, then no one can say anything. Who. Now the old king has been released..."
The Count of Hamburg and Eskil, who were already frightened, suddenly trembled when they heard the words "The old king was released."
King Louis has been released, but the power of the capital Aachen has long been taken by Lothair. Lothair was unable to obtain the power of the entire kingdom on his own, and the nobles of the kingdom were also divided, each supporting the prince they were willing to follow.
Two years ago, Lothair and Ludwig fought in the ownerless Alemany region. Now the Marquis of Frankfurt has completely turned to Ludwig, which has attracted Prince Lothair to use any means.
Harald briefly described these things and said bluntly: "The prince's fight has nothing to do with me. For money, I want to kill all Lothair's troops operating in Alemanni. I have no territory and can only live on commissions. My brother They all count on me. As for you...especially you, Saint Eskil."
Poor Eskil looked confused: "Me? What's wrong?"
"If they kill you, it will be their victory. The Northern Saint Eskil was killed near Frankfurt, and they can say that Ludwig was the murderer and the Marquis of Frankfurt was the direct assassin."
Esquier was shocked and rarely angry: "I am the servant of the Lord, how can I become a tool for the nobles to fight for power? I want to go to Reims to complain! No! I will cross the Alps now, and I will go to Rome to complain to the Pope. , deposed Lothair."
"But you have no evidence." Harald regretted.
At this moment, the Earl of Hamburg suddenly came back to his senses: "But you still have no evidence to accuse Lothair."
"Yes, but there are some things that cannot be shown even if they know the truth. They simply betrayed their faith for power. Perhaps only the Lord will judge them on the final day."
Listening to Harald Clark's description, Eskil remained silent.
The Earl of Hamburg roughly understood the situation, and estimated that there was a conspiracy inside the Frankfurt church, or that the entire city of Frankfurt was filled with Lothair's spies.
The attackers did not leave anyone alive. It was not that Harald's Norman soldiers did not want to capture them alive, but that the attackers killed their own people when they saw they were injured and could not be taken away. They were determined not to reveal their identities.
Harald made it clear to everyone that Prince Ludwig was aware of these situations.
"But there is another big thing that you... don't know, and neither does the prince. I'm sure that the prince will be furious if he knows about it." The Earl of Hamburg pretended to be secretive.
"What is it?" Harald asked.
"Remember Horik who betrayed you? The man who called himself Count of Flanders?"
"My nephew. Damn it!"
"That man is in great trouble now. He returned to Denmark with his army. He is indeed no longer the Earl he claims to be, but is now the real King of Denmark."
Harald's mind was in a mess and he couldn't believe this was true.
"You're kidding. Denmark doesn't doubt the Holy Believers, they still believe in Odin, and Horik can't convince them."
The earl gave a wry smile: "I have solid news and many witnesses, especially my border viscount who has collected a large number of refugees. They all believe in the Lord, but unfortunately they were expelled by Horik. Horik has betrayed the Lord, This made him King of Denmark. The man also destroyed Hedeby Abbey and demanded that the prince recognize him as King of Denmark. The war in the north has begun."
The amount of information was so overwhelming that Harald almost fainted due to the buzzing in his head. "This is impossible."
"This is the fact." Eskil interjected with a sullen face: "I must go to Regensburg and entrust Horik's autograph to the prince."
"There is still a letter? I... want to take a look."
"Okay. I hope you understand Latin."
"Damn it, I don't understand Latin."
It is true that Harald Clark could not read Latin documents, and Saint Eskil did not bother to read them himself.
The letter was thrown into the hands of Blue Fox. Esquier did not mention the identity of the person for the time being, but said first: "Joseph will read it to you... No! Translate it into Norse for you."
"Him? A fat man?"
"It's me." Blue Fox stabbed an enemy to death in the afternoon, and his spirit was still high. As for Harald Clark, the former King of Denmark, who was reduced to a mercenary, he naturally would not look upon him well.
Blue Fox was not a good translator, so he tried his best to translate the words accurately, and finally made Harald understand the fact that Horik had established himself as king.
"This Horik! He took away my power! I would rather betray my faith for power. It's a pity that I still have to work as a mercenary outside." Harald clenched his fists. He was obviously very dissatisfied with the current situation.
The earl took the opportunity to talk: "That's why I need you. I can't give you rich property, but I can grant you a piece of land. Even if you are a baron, you still have your own territory..."
This seemed like a good intention, but it was actually an insult, because Harald and Earl Robert were old friends, and Harald did not say anything bad to him. Although he converted, he still worshiped the violent warrior culture in his heart. His unruly self-esteem did not allow him, a descendant of Godfrey and the great leader of Denmark, to become a descended nobleman serving a poor earl.
Harald quickly changed the subject. The fat translator Joseph attracted his attention and asked, "You are also Danish. Please tell me some of the situation there."
"I'm not Danish." Blue Fox said with confidence.
"Oslo people? Bergen people?"
"Russian."
"Ross? It's Ross from Svealan?"
Blue Fox secretly mocked the down-and-out king for knowing nothing about the affairs of the North, and said: "Russ is Ross! Ross has nothing to do with Svealan. That Horik killed many Ross people in Hedeby. He If you provoke a war, the Principality of Rus will take the harshest revenge."
A priest bared his teeth and spoke like a monster that wanted to eat people. Harald couldn't believe it was true, "You? Could it be that you are a false priest."
At least Robert, Count of Hamburg, saw this fat man killing people with his own eyes. He was at least an ungodly priest. He must have been a murderous Norman warrior like Harald before his conversion.
Blue Fox shook his head: "I am a priest, and I am the envoy of the Prince of Ross. Horik is a big threat. The Principality of Ross wants to form an alliance with Frank, especially Prince Ludwig, to defeat Horik's Denmark together."
"you?"
"I am the messenger!" Blue Fox simply stood up, "I hope to see the prince himself and to conclude an alliance."
"Are you asking for an introduction? How many benefits will you give me?"
Blue Fox shook his head. If he asked for introduction, Eskil would help him. He was surprised that this man was asking for a bribe.
The blue fox couldn't look down on Harald, the down-and-out king. In addition, he had to live in a humble status for the past few months and suffered the frustration of being discriminated against. This was simply impossible before. His hatred was originally directed at Danish Horik, but now part of it has been transferred to various Frankish nobles.
The envoys from the Principality of Rus did not receive the respect and hospitality they deserved, and it was unreasonable for a down-and-out king to ask for bribes.
Harald shouted with contempt: "Since you don't give us money, forget it. I know that you Rus, a small tribe, just sell some leather. You can only gather a thousand people at most."
"Just believe what you know!" Lan Hu said these words and shut up.
The Earl of Hamburg believed it, "If the Russians are like this, then the prince will definitely disdain to contact them. A thousand people seems to be a lot, but they are still much weaker than the prince."
Eskil did some justice: "The Rus could muster three thousand men."
However, this explanation was selectively ignored by the Earl and Harald, and their unreasonable arrogance aroused the anger of Blue Fox.
Blue Fox chose to shut up, as if by default. It is true that facts speak louder than words. Even the rhetoric of a strong-mouthed king is inferior to the attack of a large fleet. He cursed secretly in his heart: "When the Ross navy comes to the city, you will all die."
