It is impossible to take a boat for the rest of the journey. Fortunately, the journey is no longer dangerous.
The bodies of the attackers were dumped in the forest and their weapons confiscated. Wherever the bodies of Frankish soldiers who died in battle could be found, Esquier personally prayed for them with his last mercy and watched them being buried.
He even prayed over the attacker's body, saying it was inhumane to leave it in the wilderness.
Harald Clark looked indifferent and urged Eskil to set off without complaining.
They first walked in the forest by the river, and after arriving at Harald's forest camp, they started riding a carriage. Harald's mission was originally to intercept and kill bandits in the Alemany region, but now his mission has completely become to escort Saint-Eskilde and his party to Regensburg.
This was destined to be an arduous trek. It was at this moment that the first snow of winter in 835 fell.
People who were walking around couldn't feel the cold, but Eskil, who was sitting in the carriage, had to wrap himself in a lot of linen.
Even if the blue fox is fat, it will not resist freezing when it is really cold. There is no need for him to pretend now. Earl Robert no longer thinks of him as a powerless priest, but as a man who can fight. A priest is still wearing his robe, but there is a sword hanging on his waist and a mandarin duck shield on his back. It looks awkward no matter how you look at it.
However, this was only an anomaly that occurred in the ninth century. When the movement to the Holy Land took place, the priests who would provide medical assistance to pilgrims would take up arms in order to protect themselves, and the Knights Hospitallers were born. They were dressed like this, in black robes. The priest holds a sword.
They advanced along the Danube River in dense light snow and received an important batch of supplies in the town of Ulm. Another week later, the team arrived on foot in the town of Ingolstadt and once again bought a batch of bread and even some live chickens from the local lord. The tattered weapons that were captured were used as money, which made it easy for Harald to obtain supplies.
How far is the road to Regensburg?
Blue Fox felt that he had not walked as much in other times of his life as during this period. He had already worn out a pair of boots, so he had no choice but to continue on the road with the captured boots. He could sit in a carriage, but then he would feel the cold again.
He didn't realize that he was losing weight rapidly. The long-distance march every day was nothing to the team of Harald, who was a Viking pirate. Businessmen like Blue Fox had to persevere. Gradually, he was able to catch up with the team. Gradually, he was no longer fat and was replaced by strong legs.
The Danube River is winding. A full half a month has passed since the group left Frankfurt and entered the main channel of the Danube River until they arrived at Ingolstadt. They were passively restrained by the winding river and took many detours. The reason why they did not go Harald Clark, who was simply leading the way, was worried about getting lost in the dense forests of the Baden region.
The snow has stopped and the Danube River is still flowing quietly. The previous boat plan was completely scrapped, and it was no longer possible to reach Regensburg quickly.
One snowfall was followed by another, and the snow on the river bank blocked the progress.
The arduous journey finally comes to an end, when the dense forest turns into a large open area, indicating that Regensburg is ahead.
It's already November.
But Regensburg is not a huge city!
For the first time in his life, the round-faced Blue Fox could accurately touch his square chin. An unexpected gain from the long journey was that he had become so thin that his belly had become extremely flabby. He saw the stone city wall, which was taller than Bremen, as well as the tall wooden towers and the cross on the top of the city.
That was St. Peter's Cathedral in Regensburg, in an era before it suffered a catastrophic fire and was restored to pure stone, and no one really worried about the great church being engulfed in flames.
There is a wooden building complex attached to the city wall. Although it is winter, some figures are shaking.
The real road has appeared, the snow has been turned very solid, and horse-drawn sleighs are moving in the distance.
"What is that? A man on horseback?" Blue Fox asked subconsciously.
The Earl of Hamburg immediately explained: "It's a patrol cavalry. This is already the prince's domain, and a thousand elite cavalry protect the prince's safety. Joseph, I know you are not a devout priest, at least now you have to disguise yourself again."
Blue Fox had nothing to say. He managed to learn a little Frankish along the way and finally understood the warning, so he took off his weapons.
Sure enough, because the team led by Harald was too flamboyant, the patrol cavalry naturally came to investigate when they saw the flag of a cross mixed with a raven. When they learned that it was the famous Norman mercenary Harald and his group, they let them go without further questioning.
Until the patrolling cavalry suddenly noticed that there was another flag here.
The Count of Hamburg? Why are you here? And Saint-Eskilde?
The entire team is allowed to enter the city, and the soldiers will be collectively arranged to a hotel (actually a barn) to rest and receive water and food.
Eskil had no intention of caring about the follow-up of the soldiers. He entered the church in the city with a few followers. This was his home!
Blue Fox, Vardy, Earl of Hamburg, and the few accompanying soldiers who survived the sneak attack all entered the church to take communion. They had to wait. Even the noble Northern Conqueror Eskil could not meet Prince Ludwig casually, and even the loyal Count Robert could not overstep his authority.
Ludwig held an ace unit, which was the heavy cavalry regiment guarding Regensburg. Although the strength was only a thousand men, with the addition of retinues and auxiliary troops, he could immediately pull out a five thousand men. A mixed legion of heavy cavalry, light cavalry, infantry, and archers.
Exactly four hundred years ago, the Third Legion of Western Rome was stationed in Regensburg. At that time, the Third Army was composed of blond Goths and Franks. Today, "Legion Castle" is still the same "Legion Castle". Even the ethnic composition of the army has not changed essentially. It is just that the commanders at all levels of the army have become of the Frankish nobility.
Sometimes, Ludwig lived like the head of the legion. He really liked the feeling of commanding thousands of troops, and looked down on his brother Lothair who liked to play tricks.
He conspired with another brother, Pepin, to free his imprisoned father, and his younger brother Charles was also released.
The pious Louis was still the king of the Franks. After this experience, the old king was mentally and physically haggard, although the king was no longer able to govern the government. The three princes are actively wooing the nobles and recruiting troops to prepare for the future war.
Ludwig, who once pursued a policy of fists, had to change his strategy.
The weather was getting cold, and this thirty-year-old top nobleman in the kingdom had no intention of hunting. He was busy continuing to create successors for the territory with his wife, and spent the rest of his time focusing on the training of his cavalry regiment.
The commander of the cavalry, a count who had not yet received a fief, reported important events to the prince in person.
Ludwig was not too surprised. He first climbed up the stone tower of the castle and took a few glances at the church. He stood on the high ground and let the cold wind calm his mind. Then he gave the order: "Let the Norman Harald, Saint Eskil and the Count of Hamburg came to see me. Only these three came to see me."
In addition to his own army of cronies, Ludwig was wary of many nobles. The lords from all over the country will suddenly switch sides for the sake of profit. After all, the old king looks like his days are numbered. The three princes all have the right to inherit the Frankish King. As for who can inherit, maybe it will be the terrible tradition of the kingdom - killing The one who kills all his relatives will be king.
The messenger arrived at the door of the church and handed over the prince's oral message written on silk to the little priest holding the door.
The letter reached people who had been waiting all day.
Eskil was very pleased to read the letter, and the Count of Hamburg happily pointed out that he cherished this opportunity to meet the prince.
Naturally, Blue Fox also felt that he could get a chance to meet the top nobles, but Eskil poured cold water on him.
"Why? Why can't I meet him?! I still want to sign a covenant with him!"
"Joseph, don't think too much, you are just a little priest. Just stay in the monastery and remember not to go out. This is a legion city, not a trade fair..." Esquier's words were warning, Blue Fox had no choice but to give up considering the situation.
In his own castle, Ludwig was sitting on a stone seat paved with bearskin. He was sitting high in a battle robe, overlooking the three people in attendance.
Esquier personally brought the wooden box with him, and inside it was naturally the letter that must be sent during this trip, as well as the sword.
The other two people met their monarch. They first performed warrior salutes and then stood flat.
"It's you, Saint Eskil. How are your achievements in the north? I heard that there are some situations. Don't worry, I sent the pious Horik Kral to deal with those ignorant people. Soon Denmark will The whole country takes refuge.”
It seems that the prince is extremely confident in controlling the situation, and everything is controlled by his remote control thousands of miles away?
Eskil was polite at first, then bluntly stated the fact: "Your Highness, Horik, whom you trusted, has betrayed his faith and believed in the barbaric god of a foreign race."
"You're kidding!" The prince's expression changed instantly.
"Your Highness, why do you think I am here? I was driven away by Horik, whom you trusted. The priests were displaced and even encountered death threats. The church I ran in Hedeby was finished, and the Danish believers fled to death. escape."
This is really a huge blow. The prince once confidently put the loyal Horik back, thinking that killing two birds with one stone would be the case. Is this really the case?
Esquier opened the wooden box and placed Horik's autographed letter on it.
Now the prince couldn't sit still at all. He hurried down from the throne, grabbed the parchment, and read the "Declaration of Freedom" on it carefully.
There is something very special about the letter. A very abstract bird pattern is actually a raven. This must be Horik's handiwork. The guy relied on this mark to prevent counterfeiting of the letter.
The more the prince read, the angrier he became. He thought it was ridiculous for a moment, but seeing that the Earl of Hamburg from far away on the northern border came in person, it can only be said that the ambition described by that guy Horik in the letter was indeed true.
The prince dropped the letter and stamped his feet: "It's against it! It's against it! Damn Horik, I gave you trust, and this is how you repay me! You betrayed me! You betrayed the Lord! You must go to hell." . No! I will chop you to death!"
Although Eskil expected Ludwig's rage, he never expected that the prince would draw his sword and slash at the furniture to express his anger.
The prince roared for a while, leaving many marks on the wooden table and chairs, smashing three vases to pieces, and even his sword was bent.
"Damn Horik, he dares to call himself the king and dares to break away from my management. I am still a duke, and he dares to call himself the king. You..." The prince looked at everyone, especially the Earl of Hamburg: "Robert, tell me!"
"Yes! Your Highness... Regarding this matter, I estimate that the Danes will take action and attack our country. You know, Horik and his gang are pirates themselves, and all Danes are pirates." The Earl was going to mutter A few words of "It was a stupid decision to let Horik go back" are definitely not suitable for such a straightforward description in the current situation. Anyway, the prince must be extremely wise, and Horik is the white-eyed wolf.
The count hurriedly changed the subject: "I can corroborate Saint Esquier's description. There are many farmers, merchants and craftsmen who have escaped back in my territory. They all said that they saw Horik's people killing people casually, even using live bodies to kill people. The blood of men sacrificed to their Odin.”
"It's...ridiculous!"
The prince was so angry that his teeth itched. How could he be so angry? It was obviously a mad dog he raised, and the mad dog became a bit loyal. As a result, the mad dog suddenly transformed and claimed to be more noble than its owner. This is really unreasonable.
After such a change of conversation, the prince's sharp eyes stared at Harald Clark again: "That's your nephew. I didn't expect him to be a mad dog. You are also responsible for this matter."
Harald's face suddenly looked as embarrassed as if he had been constipated for a month. He had thousands of reasons, so he quickly knelt down on one knee and made the sign of the cross on his chest: "I am pious. My betrayer, Horik, is not my nephew. If you want to attack Denmark, I will fight personally to share your worries."
Although these words made him feel comfortable, the Harald in front of him was also a Norman, and his identity could no longer be completely trusted by the prince.
He was picking up the dirty heart that he had trampled on the ground. For the man who was the top nobleman of the Franks, who was expected to become the "protector of all Romans" and the king of all Falak, Ludwig could not bear to have his authority violated and desecrated.
In fact, Horik's letter contained no insulting words, but only emphasized that Denmark and Frank had a clear kingdom-kingdom relationship. It was this emphasis that caused the most extreme rage. No Frankish king recognized such a thing as the "Kingdom of Denmark". The king only recognized a large group of barbarian chiefs and the chief among them. Therefore, in the Frankish documents of this era, Denmark does not have the suffix "kingdom".
A small country is not qualified to compare with a huge kingdom, Horik must be defeated.
Ludwig only thought about it for a moment before making the decision to send troops. However, a full-scale war was not advisable. He did not want to lose out in the competition among the princes. If he could send a large army to act as an armed deterrent, he would force them to surrender again. Pay tribute and things can be put on hold for the time being.
He was a top nobleman, not a pedantic priest. He only asked Horik to continue to be his mad dog. It was the priests' job to persuade all of them to convert.
He claimed that he would set off with the main force of Regensburg's elite cavalry, and then gather a group of retinue soldiers from the lords of Munich, Nuremberg and Frankfurt to deter the Count of Hamburg, and even launch a powerful symbolic cavalry attack.
The Count of Hamburg was so happy that he burst into tears. With the support of the prince's absolute military power, wouldn't the dangers of Hamburg and Bremen be lifted?
After calming down a little from the initial anger, Prince Ludwig held his bent iron sword and couldn't help but blame himself: "Maybe I should control my temper. My sword is bent again and I need a blacksmith to straighten it for me... "
Eskil has been waiting for an opportunity, and now is not the best opportunity.
There was a leather roll on his back, and now was the chance to show off the treasure.
"Your Highness, please calm down. I want to present you with a treasure obtained from the North."
"There is actually a treasure?" The prince's staggering face forced a smile, "What is it?"
"A sword."
"Sword? Wait a minute...you are a saint from the north and you actually carry a weapon. You? You actually enter my palace with a weapon?"
Ludwig was naturally not afraid of the assassination of a decaying bishop, but a big loophole in the procedure was exposed. The soldiers did not dare to check the priest. If the assassin Qiao Zhuang was really a priest, wouldn't it be...
Let’s take a look at the sword first.
As the leather was opened, the hilt was inlaid with gems, gold patterns, and silver, the sword was made of gold and silver, and the scabbard was inlaid with amber, ruby, and was entirely made of silver. Ludwig had never had such a treasure. , even if the scabbard is empty, it will show its glory hanging on the body.
The prince grabbed the sword manically and drew it skillfully. The bright white blade made a fierce buzzing sound.
"Ah! What a sword! It's a perfect sword. You... got it from the North?"
"Yes. And this sword is very elastic and will not break or chip. I hope you like it."
"I like it so much. Tell me the details of how you got this sword. I want the swordsmith master in the North to make me a long sword according to this."
"It's from Rus."
"Russian? Who is that?"
"Just like the Danes, they are another group of Normans, but the Ross people have a deep hatred for the Danes. The Ross leader calls himself the Duke, and he has sent an envoy to request...an alliance with you."
"Is there such a thing?" Realizing that the matter was a little complicated, the prince put his sword into its scabbard and eavesdropped on Esquier's detailed description.
The prince did not see the barbarians, but it happened that the messenger was a convert.
Can we summon Blue Fox now? However, Harald Clark, who claimed to know Ross very well, explained to the prince: "Saints are not warriors after all, and any kind of praise is excessive praise. I know the Ross people very well, and they can only give out a thousand soldiers at most." Warriors have been suppressed by Denmark for a long time. It is impossible for Rus to defeat Denmark. When I was the leader of Denmark, there were reports from my subordinates that they attacked the Rus fleet. They were a group of barbarians staying further north. As for being able to pay tribute to this The sword must be the sword of their leader. By doing this, they should be asking you to send troops to attack Denmark to relieve their crisis."
"So, there is a barbarian chief teaching me how to do things?"
"That's true."
"Arrogant! Let them go away."
Eskil just listened. This Harald used his past knowledge to judge the crazy Rus people, and actually used these descriptions to trick the prince. But he really didn't want to get involved anymore. The prince's criticism just now was very direct. Eskil just wanted to eat his fast honestly and didn't want to have anything to do with the army or weapons anymore, so he simply shut up completely.
Eskil said nothing, and now it became the stage for Harald Clark to perform.
Harald the Dane portrayed the Russians as little-known minions, completely ignoring the fact that the Russians were already Baltic or little overlords. Harald has been active near the Alps in these years, and has never been to the north since he was expelled. His description of the Rus' people ten years ago was absolutely correct, but since 828 AD everything has changed.
Now that this is the case, do you still want to allow Ross’s envoy Joseph Blue Fox to have an audience? Pooh!
A small tribe should not think that with just one convert, they can see the heir to the Frankish throne.
Since the prince was so determined, Eskil said nothing, but faithfully recorded what he heard. He did not dare to lie and would tell the Blue Fox clearly about the matter. In the future, he would also tell Prince Rurik of Russia about the true attitude of Prince Ludwig of the Franks. He didn't think this would lead to a war or other extreme situation, and he didn't even need to think about it. Eskil only hopes to win the favor of the Prince of Rus with his honest image, so that the work that was once blocked in Rus can be started.
Eskil returned to the church and explained the situation to the anxiously waiting Blue Fox.
Like a bucket of cold water poured over the head, "Ludwig despises us Russians like this?"
"After all, the prince is the most noble member of the royal family. He has already sheathed his sword. Even so, you can't meet him. As for signing the alliance, you'd better give up on it."
"Then, Prince Rurik will punish you with war!" Blue Fox clenched his fists. Seeing the anger of this man whose figure was completely different from that of more than three months ago, Esquier was convinced that Rurik would really do it. Use force to vent your anger.
Even so, still...
Esquier thought for a while, even so he still had to go to Rus. Arrogance and rage were one of the seven deadly sins. It would be his fate if the prince received punishment from the Lord, and it would also be his fate if his army suffered setbacks. Worldly things have nothing to do with saints.
There is no need to stay in Regensburg. Blue Fox can't wait to return to New Rossburg to report to the prince now. However, this is impossible. He can realize that he is extremely far away from the Ross territory. If he wants to go back, he can only find him next year. The boat goes through another adventure.
He asked about Eskil's future arrangements.
"Don't worry, Joseph. I'm going to Reims. You come with me. Worldly matters have nothing to do with us. Going to Reims to register your religious membership is one thing. There are also important things that Prince Rurik entrusted me with. , you know this."
"Princess Mary's matter, and Reglaf..."
"Ah... Finally I have to get in touch with worldly things. At least this is a good thing. Mercia has a real legitimate heir to the throne."
That's all, they set off soon.
Eskil, Blue Fox, Vardy, three real ascetics, three people and a carriage, carrying some supplies donated by the prince, in the posture of ascetics, in the Bavarian forest in December, along the glacier Go forward and run towards Reims, which belongs to the rule of Prince Lothair.
Esquier has to report to Reims Archbishop Sinquemar and implement many things.
They each have their own agenda. Blue Fox will record what he sees and hears and provide first-hand investigation information for Prince Rurik to conquer Frank.
Only Prince Ludwig, no one told him the truth of the matter. Based on the existing information, he had made a huge strategic misjudgment.
