When things developed to such a point, Ragnar was extremely speechless. He was imprisoned in a small dark room. He kept knocking on the wooden door and asked the guards why, and then accused the Prince of Ross of being rude.
The guards, however, were as solid as a rock, and the wooden door would not open even if Ragnar vented his dissatisfaction. When the trick became to smash the door, a guard warned through the wooden board: "The prince ordered again, if you rush out of the wooden house, your people will be killed!"
Rurik did issue such an order, but considering the complexity of this group of Danes, he did not choose to kill them rashly.
In the palace, Prince Rurik, along with Carlotta and Ella, held urgent consultations with several important ministers who had returned.
Rurik didn't have time to pay attention to pomp and circumstance, so a few people sat down together. While the details of the victory of the expedition could be discussed later, the problem of a group of Danes must be solved immediately.
There was some resentment on Rurik's face, and he asked his cousin: "That person is Ragnar, why did you have to bring these pirates here?"
How could Arik not be curious?
"younger brother……"
"Call me Prince."
"Okay. My lord...it's a long story. You seem to know something about Ragnar. That man and his people survived the backstabbing of the Danish king and the attacks of the Franks. They were expelled from Denmark, Become a pirate without a home.”
"So, you think I should protect them?"
Arik sat upright suddenly and hurriedly denied: "I didn't mean to do that. However, the fleet met them unexpectedly, and we joined forces to attack Bremen. I think because of the experience of fighting together, you will be very good at it." Are you optimistic about them? Moreover, this Ragna does have the intention to further cooperate with our country."
"Oh? You fight together? Are you brothers with him?"
"No, he and I are only temporary allies. It seems that you have no confidence in these people at all."
Rurik looked at Carlotta's attitude from the corner of his eyes and affirmed: "Because Ragnar has a grudge against us. But I am not so narrow-minded that I reject the future because of past hatred, otherwise I would not take the initiative to open up Denmark. market.”
"How can you see the hatred towards us?" Arik was still confused.
"Let your sister Carlotta talk about this in person."
Even though it has been seven years since the incident, all the survivors of Ostara cannot forget the painful memories of the past. Asking Carlotta to retell the situation back then would certainly rub salt into the wound, but Carlotta is now a duchess, a female warrior who has experienced battles, and has nothing to do with being weak and pitiful.
The disaster of that year was still fresh in her mind, even though the principality crusaded against Gotland to avenge the deaths of the Ostara people.
How did everyone think that the direct murderers of the leader of Ostara and his family were in Novgorod, in the house that was under surveillance.
The more Carlotta spoke, the more excited she became, and tears welled up in her eyes: "That man's name was Ragnar? I saw with my own eyes that he killed my grandfather, my father, my brother, my mother, and me. My younger brother. I ran away with my sister and luckily escaped... I swore revenge at that time, but now my enemy is in my hands..."
After listening to these words, Carlotta wanted to slowly cut the enemy's neck with a knife.
This was indeed the case, and Arik's attitude was shaken. He didn't want to defend anything. He had forgotten a lot of things that had happened in the past for too long. The most profound thing he had seen this year was fighting with Ragnar, especially fighting side by side with the Frank Cavalry. He admired Ragnar as a man.
Obviously, Carlotta only has painful memories of Ragnar.
The girl wiped her face and sighed through sobs: "I don't want to kill that man. Everything is over. We...we Ostara people have been given a new life. I want that man's apology and compensation for the war." A sum of property. Even if a full seven years have passed and they have killed my people and robbed my cattle and sheep, they cannot say that this matter has passed. If... he is unwilling to apologize, I will find an opportunity to assassinate him. Even if If I can’t, my son will do the same.”
If it were just an ordinary girl saying such bold words, she would probably think they were just harsh words to complain about women. Carlotta is different. Her new Ostara essentially guards the southern border of the principality. She has an army under her command and maintains friendly relations with several nearby Slavic farms. Even if she, the so-called female Viking warrior, doesn't take action herself, she can spend a sum of money to buy a group of assassins to take revenge.
What's more, Ragnar, his family, and relatives have all been captured.
Rurik himself was undecided, not knowing how to deal with Ragnar who fell into his hands.
In this emergency consultation, as a witness to a series of events, Old Otto's attitude became extremely important.
According to the laws of the north, Sister Carlotta is an adopted daughter, and her nephew Arik is also an adopted son. What to do if there is a conflict between the brothers and sisters due to a small group of Danish pirates.
Otto cleared his throat and said calmly: "That Ragnar claimed to have killed Olegin? A real warrior dare not lie, let alone the achievement of killing the Swedish leader. He killed Olegin and also killed Olegin." Chief Starla, these are all battles between warriors, and there is nothing despicable at all. However, this does not mean we should relax our vigilance against the Danes. Arik..."
"exist."
"You are really big-hearted! It is a good thing that you are very loyal. However, these Danes are not worthy of complete trust. Now tell us more details. These Danes can obviously find their own way out. Why do they insist on coming to Ross? Just trying to form an alliance?”
Otto was Otto, and he knew very well that the Danish Ragnar was not just a single person, but also the entire exiled tribe behind him. The Principality of Rus can naturally avenge various Swedish tribes based on past grievances. However, are those Swedish tribes very clean? They were at odds with each other, and the Russians were also victims back then. Otto didn't like Olegin at all and his unlucky son Karl. His father died at the hands of the Danes and his son was assassinated by a conspiracy from his own clan.
So he stood in Otto's position. This Ragnar killed the old leader of Ostara back then. Because they had no interaction with each other, he personally had no feelings about the death of the old leader. Ragnar kills Olegin, which Otto welcomes.
Men always pursue gratification and grudges. Now that Ross has become a big country, he is old and has already delegated power. He has been busy teasing his grandchildren these past years. Otto has no desire to start another killing.
It is up to Prince Rurik to decide what to do with Ragnar.
The atmosphere of the consultation meeting was very delicate because all parties had completely different memories.
Rurik has made up his mind. The so-called matter is not a hatred between people. If this matter is handled well, it is likely to be a turning point in relations with Denmark. The reason why Rurik quickly corrected his attitude was naturally attributed to Arik's description.
He explained: "I had no intention of killing that man with my own hands. I was very interested in him and his family, especially the child Ivar who could not walk. Since Carlotta was determined to give them a chance to apologize, I Look, we should give you a chance. If Ragnar is a smart man, he should apologize. As long as he admits that he led his troops to kill the leader of Old Ostara and is willing to compensate, as long as Carlotta accepts the apology, this matter Even if they understand formally. This is a major premise. If he doesn’t apologize, there will be no need to talk about the alliance in the future.”
Arik's tangled face quickly calmed down: "I dare say that man would even kneel down on one knee. That guy is not a simple reckless man, but a smart man who knows the current affairs."
"Whether he is smart or not depends on his attitude. If he is a stubborn bull, I will sentence him to death and all his people will be sent as slaves. You know, I need a group of slaves to build the city who only need to pay some food costs."
"So he behaved to your satisfaction?" Aric asked hurriedly.
"I will naturally consider listening to his surrender. King Horik of Denmark is my enemy, and Ragnar is Horik's enemy. Enemies of my enemies are objects I can try to ally with. If I can win over more people who oppose Horik, Rick's Danes, can I plan a drama of civil war among the Danes? They are desperately fighting against each other, which is beneficial to our country's hegemony."
"Great idea!" Otto couldn't control his emotions and hurriedly patted his son on the shoulder, praising the young prince for his wisdom.
This is politics, which is higher than disputes between people.
Carlotta knew that she had to control her emotions, so she specially changed her clothes, especially the heavy chainmail armor, and deliberately dressed up as if she was about to fight on the battlefield, so that she could receive Ragna, a prisoner, with her martial appearance.
However, it was said that in the Stonewall Tribe, all the people who were controlled were only disarmed. They were not destroyed. They were all locked up in a spacious barn and heavily guarded.
Ragnar himself was given special care. He was imprisoned for an entire afternoon. When he got tired of banging on the wooden door and wall, he simply sat on the ground and curled up in a ball, waiting for the situation to change.
The wooden door slowly opened.
"You! Dane! Come out! Our prince has invited you."
"Your prince?" Ragnar suddenly raised his head and his eyes were blazing, "He changed his mind? Don't want to kill me?"
The soldier who sent the message was too lazy to speak and shouted casually: "If you want to commit suicide, we can give you a rope to help you look decent, but the prince invites you to a banquet. Don't worry, your two wives and two sons are already guests."
The last words were the most fatal. Ragnar immediately realized that he had been coerced, his family had become hostages, and they might have been abused.
What about the facts? Completely two different things!
The Principality of Rus currently has a small population, but in terms of the area it controls, it is already a large country in Northern and Northeastern Europe. The foreign war that has lasted for eight years has made it a regional power.
How can a big country be so cautious? What's more, Rurik's oriental soul requires pomp and circumstance in some formal diplomatic situations.
This is not a Hongmen Banquet, the banquet is held in Rurik's palace. Just for safety reasons, everyone was afraid that a ruthless man like Ragnar would fight with bare hands even if he was unarmed, so they naturally did not dare to neglect security.
In fact, when Rurik sent people to pull Ragnar's family out of the "pen", he publicly distributed a free meal - wheat pancakes with salt - to all the Stonewall tribesmen.
No matter whether things get extremely bad or not, the value of the labor force of this group of Danes from afar is something Rurik covets.
Ragnar was not trapped. He was escorted by soldiers to the palace, where he saw more guards with halberds standing under the wooden walls.
He felt more and more dangerous, and after hesitating for a moment, he was pushed by the soldiers: "Hurry up, don't keep our prince waiting."
The main hall of the palace is not big at all. Rurik can meet important guests here, and then move in the wooden table to become a banquet hall.
Ragnar's head wife and slave girls all became guests, as well as Bjorn in his arms, and Ivar, who could only crawl alone.
Rurik finally saw the famous Boneless Man. This man was worthy of the name Boneless, and his two shrunken legs made people feel distressed. Maybe he has poliomyelitis or some kind of rickets, or maybe his legs are simply underdeveloped. There doesn't seem to be a big problem with his upper body.
Rurik even directly carried Ivar to his side and shared the delicious barbecue with him. Are you having trouble dealing with a little boy? Not to mention dealing with a disabled child.
From a general rational point of view, what disabled children need most is recognition.
Although this son is currently unable to make any achievements and even needs help from others to survive, Rurik is willing to give Ivar the most important care because of his reputation as the "Boneless One". As for the infant child, he must be the "Warrior" Bjorn.
The hall was filled with the aroma of barbecue, and Rurik entertained the guests with the traditional Russian dish of roasted reindeer. Barely eating barbecue is very suitable for the Viking-style happy life. However, with the best ancient agricultural area in Northeast Europe, Rurik is now qualified to refine the catering.
Shaobing and sliced bread are both made from wheat and are essential staple foods for banquets. The flour solution after washing the dough to remove gluten is boiled into vegetable soup, then simmered with diced gluten and served with cheese. It is another delicious thick soup and has become a major dish at the principality's state banquet.
Because the cows raised by the Ostara people finally began to produce milk, butter, cheese, and plain yogurt began to be made. Mushrooms fried in butter became a special dish at state banquets. Pure yogurt poured with a lot of honey is a special dessert.
No, Ivar took a big mouthful of honey yogurt in a large glass bowl with a glass spoon. No six-year-old child of any era could resist this temptation.
Carlotta was surprised by Rurik's kindness. She didn't know how her man could think so highly of a lame child. Is it really what Rurik said? This kid also received Odin's blessing?
Carlotta was even a little jealous because her son Karl had never slept with his father Rurik in his arms. Looking at this little kid, he seems to be Rurik's eldest son.
On the contrary, Carlotta was very happy when this boy ate the yogurt. This showed that the taste of Ostara's dairy products was really good. It's a pity that the honey yogurt he sent to his tribe was for Rurik to enjoy, but he got the advantage of this guy.
Ragna finally arrived. Before he entered the hall, the alluring aroma penetrated his nostrils. After all, the aroma of fried butter was too strong.
The aroma made his stomach growl. As soon as he entered the brightly lit hall, he met many Russian elites who had fought together, such as Blue Fox Gouldson, Arik Ogilsson, Finn Ye Flo. Sitting in a prominent position were Prince Rurik of Rus and the Supreme Prince of Rus.
There were also two girls sitting here. During the confinement, Ragnar thought about it and basically figured out the reason why the prince was angry. It was because of these two girls. He suddenly remembered that although these two women had changed dramatically, they were most likely the ones he let go on purpose.
However, his own Ivar turned out to be the guest of Prince Rus, sitting next to him holding a ball of milky white stuff and eating it?
As soon as Ragnar arrived, he immediately attracted everyone's attention.
When Ivar saw his father, he cleverly put down the glass bowl. He didn't care about his pale face and called his father happily.
Rurik also raised his chin, without any courtesy, and said bluntly: "The Danish Ragnar Sigurdsson Langsbrouck, in your less than thirty years of life, you have done something that makes us Angry thing! Now that I invite you to the banquet, I am giving you a chance to apologize."
Ragnar looked at the situation and saw that his family was being manipulated by the Russians, and he did not dare to say anything out loud.
He asked in a low voice: "Apologise? I must at least know where I went wrong."
Rurik didn't say anything, and Carlotta left the table directly, showed off his shirt to show off his power, and pointed out: "You killed my grandfather, father, mother, brothers, and almost all my people. I am Leader of the new Ostara, I want you to apologize for the killings in the past! I want you to kneel down and declare that you were wrong! I want you to pay for it with money!"
Ragna was naturally shocked. He did not reply first, but couldn't help but stepped back: "I did blow up two girls, and one of them was you?!"
"And me." Ella, who seemed quite quiet and elegant, also stood up. Compared to her sister, Ella indeed looked more delicate. She followed her sister's words and summoned up the courage to order in a soft voice. : "The people of Ostara ask you to apologize for your war actions and ask you to pay compensation!"
