In front of a shrine inlaid with stained glass, the sun shines on the prayer platform. A tall man with blond hair and blue eyes wearing a gold crown is kneeling on a velvet cushion, putting his elbows on the prayer platform and facing It is the cross that prays.
"May the Lord bless you." When he stood up, a cleric wearing a bishop's miter stepped forward, crossed himself in front of him, and blessed him.
"Thank you, Lord." The man also made a sign of the cross, and then he turned around. In the church, many Norse people were lining up to receive the bishop's blessing, while the man stood aside and watched everything.
"My lord." Suddenly, a man wearing an iron helmet hurried in. He walked up to the man and whispered a few words in the man's ear.
"I know." The man was Jarre, who occupied the lowland area of Holland. When Ulf and his party were stationed on the beach, Jarle's men of Holland had already discovered them. More than eighty people crowded on the beach. It's not easy to hide your figure.
Holland Jarre is not in a hurry. He has enough strength to protect himself. Whenever the Norse come, he will always entertain them warmly. Although he has believed in a new religion, the Viking tradition has not been abandoned. .
"I will go visit these compatriots." Holland Jarre was already a little tired of the ordinary life. At the same time, when he raised his head and looked at the suffering Christ on the cross, expectations were also ignited in his heart. He decided to go and see these people from Compatriots from Northern Europe.
Ulf stood on the edge of the beach holding an axe. His eyes looked towards the bushes outside the beach. There were figures shaking there. It was obvious that they were being watched.
"They are watching us." Vargas walked to Ulf's side and said to Ulf.
"Are they from the Lowland Kingdom, or are they just ordinary thieves?" Ange frowned and said with some boredom. She hated the feeling of being watched.
"Let our people be on alert." Ulf said to his subordinates calmly. They are only temporarily resting here. When the rest is over, they will set sail and continue towards Britain. However, they are in a strange environment. It's better to be more cautious.
"Boom~~." Suddenly, the sound of horse hooves came from the distance. Ulf and others hurriedly picked up their weapons. Even the other people who lit the bonfire and were cooking food looked over.
"Gray Law~~." There was a sound of horses neighing, and Holland Jarre led his personal guards to the beach. They saw the Norse people scattered on the edge of the beach and reined in their mounts.
"There are quite a few people!" Holland Jarre looked at the Norse people in his territory, and his expression became serious. As a Norse man, he knew very well what might happen when so many compatriots gathered together. I hope there is a leader among this group of people who can restrain them.
A cavalryman flying the Dutch flag rode toward the camp. But just as he was about to approach, suddenly, a big wolf jumped out from the grass. The wolf was covered with jet-black fur, like a He rushed in front of the messenger like lightning.
"Gray Law~~~." The messenger's mount was frightened by the sudden appearance of the big wolf. Renli immediately neighed and violently threw the messenger holding the flag off his back.
"Oh~~." Hei Tan roared at the visitor, revealing his sharp teeth and scarlet tongue. The envoy sat on the ground and turned pale with fright. He didn't know where the flag in his hand was thrown.
"Black charcoal." A whistle sounded, and then Ulf strode over. The black wolf, who was grinning just now, behaved like a tamed dog, flicked his big tail, and came Ulf's side.
"Ah~." Looking at Ulf with a big black wolf crouching at his feet, the messenger opened his mouth and didn't know what to say, so he could only make a sound of "ahhh".
"Ah, ah, ah~~Hahahaha~~." Vargas next to Ulf imitated the frightened messenger. The North people like the strong and despise and make fun of the weak. His imitation attracted the attention of others. People also laughed.
"I, I am the envoy of the Dutch Jarre, and you are setting foot on our land." Perhaps he was made fun of, which made the envoy feel humiliated and angry. He immediately stood up, picked up the flag on the ground and said to everyone .
"Holland Jarl?" Ulf tilted his head and looked into the distance. Sure enough, he saw people wearing gorgeous clothes and leading a group of warriors on horses.
"My master asked you whether you are doing business or passing through this place?" The messenger mustered up his courage. He looked at the simple-dressed but fierce-looking Norseman in front of him and asked them.
The envoy's questions were very meaningful. The Vikings drove longships to venture around, doing both trade and plundering. If they were doing business, then most of them were peaceful, but if they passed through this place, their purpose might be plundering. .
"We don't mean any harm." Ulf smiled and said to the messenger.
"Then, I will report back to my master." The messenger breathed a sigh of relief. He glanced at the black wolf squatting at Ulf's feet. He really couldn't imagine what kind of person could tame a black wolf.
Holland Jarre had a clear view of everything. When the messenger came back to report, he also had a smile on his face, but he did not relax his vigilance because of this. As a Norseman, he knew very well that in the Norse culture, there was no There are no so-called promises and treaties, because the Norse only believe in the strong, which is what the old god Odin he abandoned advocated.
"Dear Sir, maybe this is a group of lost lambs. We can lead them into the glorious road of the Lord." At this time, the bishop who followed Holland Jarre said to Holland Jarre.
Holland Jarre was silent. He knew that not all North Americans would choose to believe in Catholicism like him. However, when he wanted to refute, the bishop was very insistent. In order to respect the bishop's decision, Holland Jarre had to agree. Take the Bishop to the camp.
"I am the ruler here." Holland Jarre walked into the camp with his entourage. When the people in the camp looked at the North lord who was dressed like a Frank, they were full of curiosity, especially him A cross pendant around the neck.
"It's really strange that a Yael actually wears pagan things." Vargas scratched the back of his head and said to Ulf in confusion.
"We conquered the land of the pagans, but they conquered our souls." Ulf whispered to Vargas, and this is also true. The Vikings who swept across Europe were finally conquered by Christianity. After the conquest, Odin's glory was gradually forgotten by people. Some people said that it was the twilight of the gods, but Ulf knew very well that it was actually a generational blow to civilization.
Barbarism made the Vikings powerful and also became their fatal flaw, and Ulf didn't know whether he, a time traveler, could bring new life to the Vikings.
"I am the lord of East Hamar, Ulf, and these are my companions." Ulf looked at Holland Jarl in front of him, smiled and opened his arms and said to him, and the two of them hugged each other warmly. So friendly.
"You are welcome to come to my territory as a guest. I have enough manpower, food and wine here to welcome peaceful visitors from afar." Dutch Jarre looked kind, but said softly but with a hint of hardness in his words.
"Thank you for your enthusiasm. I can't wait to attend the banquet." Ulf looked back at his companions. They seemed to be more interested in the bishop who was wearing pure white with gold trim.
"Bless you." There was enthusiasm in the bishop's eyes. He kept making the sign of the cross, looking at this group of trudging barbarians, and he longed in his heart to baptize this group of people with Catholic teachings.
Of course, Dutch Jarl cannot let everyone go to the banquet. Ulf took Vargas, Anger, and Wayside there. Luther and others stayed here to stay. Dutch Jarl will send food and fresh water. Everything looked very peaceful.
"I want to go too." But just as he was setting off, the girl Sigrid caught up with her. This girl who was unwilling to be left alone also insisted on participating. Ulf shrugged helplessly and had to take Sigrid with him. Together with Grid.
The Dutch Jarre lived in a castle. While accepting Catholicism, the North lord also became feudal. His generals became vassals, elite soldiers became land-owning squires, and ordinary soldiers became land-owning squires. The slaves became yeoman farmers, and slaves became tenant farmers. Relying on level-by-level exploitation, Dutch Jarls became feudal lords and lived a prosperous life.
"Is feudalization a trend in the future?" Ulf looked at the stone castle. Even a small castle was much stronger than the Norse villages and towns. Of course, the castle was not only for defense, but also centered on the castle. The radiation can control the surrounding territory, which has become an economic and political model that is very suitable for Western Europe.
As a time traveler, Ulf is well aware of the advantages and shortcomings of the Vikings. He understands that the Vikings have slowly entered a period of transformation after experiencing the golden age of plunder. Although his current power is still small, But sooner or later you have to think about the way forward.
"Welcome, my friends." After passing the narrow stone bridge in front of the castle gate, Dutch Jarre proudly introduced his home to them.
"How did they pile up all this with stones?" Vargas couldn't help but stretched out his hand, touched the wall of the city gate, and said with some surprise. Northern Europe has a lot of forests, so they are used to using wood to build defenses. There was a lack of capable masons. Vargas was very surprised when he left the Nordic circle for the first time and saw the stone castles in Western Europe.
"Excellent craftsmen." Ulf said to Vargas thoughtfully. They passed the city gate. Ange looked around carefully and found that the defense here was very tight, and the diagonal towers could be crossed. Shoot, anyone else who invades this place will probably suffer heavy losses.
Holland Jarre received everyone in his lord's hall. Although the place was full of domes and columns, hung with sculptures full of various Western European styles, filled with religious objects, and the long table was covered with gorgeous woolen tablecloths, it made Everyone who had never seen such a luxurious scene was surprised.
"What a rich Yael, but like a ripe apple, it smells stinky." Vargas looked at everything around him and said in Ulf's ear.
"Haha." Ulf smiled. Vargas was indeed right. Such a lot of wealth must have been obtained by plundering and exploiting, and the North people advocated adventure. They stayed in one place and lay in a pile. It is a shame to grow old and die with wealth.
"My wife will prepare enough food and wine for us, let's drink as much as we want today!" Dutch Jarre was very happy. He had not entertained the Norse from his hometown for a long time. These young Norse in simple clothes, It actually reminded him of what he looked like when he was young.
"Hurry up, I can't wait." Vargas sat carelessly in front of the long table. His rough voice echoed in the hall. The servants serving beside him couldn't help but frown, their eyes full of concern. Hillbilly disdain.
"Okay, the food will be served immediately." Holland Jarre didn't take it seriously. He sat in his seat and waved.
The waiters and maids placed the food one after another in a flowing manner, and soon the whole long table was full of food. Looking at such tempting food, not to mention Vargas, even Ange and Ulf I couldn't help but swallow my saliva. The voyage in the sea was really too difficult.
"Wait a minute, let us pray." Suddenly, just as everyone was preparing to feast, they heard the bishop stand up and say to everyone.
"What?" Vargas and others looked at Holland Jarre and his courtiers in surprise. These people had the same North American appearance, but at this time they clasped their hands and spoke in the bishop's long and weird Latin words. In the prayers, silent prayers were made, and the joyful atmosphere in the entire hall was swept away, replaced by a solemn and solemn one.
"What are they doing?" Vargas couldn't help but ask Ulf. If there was anything he didn't understand in his mind, he could just ask Ulf directly.
"Praying to their gods." Ulf explained to Vargas and others.
"For the glory of God Odin." Vargas's brows widened in confusion after hearing this. A smile appeared on his lips. He immediately picked up the wine glass, raised it, and shouted Odin's name in his rough voice. Vargas Si's idea is very simple. Since the host begins to pray to God, then as a guest, he must do the same.
"Uh~~." But everyone from Dutch Jarl and the bishop to the courtiers were shocked. They did not expect to hear the name of a pagan god here, and many people began to whisper among themselves.
"For the glory of God Odin~~." Seeing this, Ulf raised his cup without hesitation and said to everyone.
"pagan."
"It's a pagan."
"The Lord is the only God, let us sing hymns." The corner of the bishop's mouth twitched a few times, but he stabilized his emotions, clapped his hands, and asked the choir to start singing praises to God, hoping to influence everyone in this way. .
