Rise of Rurik

This is clearly a very large island, and it is its lush appearance that makes it unremarkable in the Gulf of Finland.

The islands themselves have no freshwater runoff, which puts the entire fleet in a small embarrassment.

Ross warriors all carry water bags made of animal stomach sacs, and drinking water is not a big problem under normal circumstances.

Naihe now has a whole new trouble - oats.

Cooked wheat is really delicious, if you like it if you like it, you can't stop it if you like it. In order to cook the wheat, they consume a lot of fresh water. Although the water in the Gulf of Finland is low in salinity, it is salt water after all. Drink it to quench your thirst, and the results are still pretty bad.

Campfires are lit on deserted islands, fueled by readily available grease-rich pine trees. The firewood was roasted crackling, and even though the fresh water was tight, the hungry people still carried their own Tao Weng and simmered their own wheat.

Under the night, the tide flooded the sandy and gravel land near the sea, and the longboats that were deliberately stranded were now soaked in the knee-deep seawater.

Rurik saw that there were people squatting on the seashore. They were not at all comfortable admiring the moonlight and the waves of the sea. They actually used Tao Weng to ride the sea water to cook wheat!

"Arik, that's how they eat? They use sea water?" Rurik wanted to stand up and stop the stupidity of his guys.

Arik seated his excited brother, almost indifferently, so that he wouldn't be too surprised.

"Why? You just watch them eat sea water? They'll get sick."

"But what about fresh water? You also know the situation. Damn it, I should have prepared a few oak barrels and filled them with water from Lake Mälaren."

Couldn't Arik see the crisis in it? He knew, but there was nothing he could do.

"Rurik, you think they are cooking a bowl of salty porridge with sea water. Anyway, they are cooking wheat with fresh water, and they still need to add salt."

"Oh, really..." Rurik was speechless, but this expedient measure should not last long.

Although the Varyags represented by the Rus people generally have extremely tenacious beliefs and amazing endurance, I am afraid that these are all they have to endure under difficult conditions.

Whether it's voyage trade or looting, the stakes are staggering. If everyone can find a warm place, and even this warmth can guarantee the wheat heading, of course, everyone is willing to settle down and become farmers with hoes and pickaxes.

That's what the Mellarens did, they didn't want to be pirates anymore.

As a noble man, Rurik had no worries about running out of fresh water. He didn't work hard for the long voyage, and only a few grilled fish could satisfy his small stomach.

Just as the boat was about to dock, someone dropped some baited hemp rope, not to mention the miraculous fishing of cod.

"Perhaps the fish are also abundant here?"

The vast number of warriors settled on Tombstone Island, and their main way of making a living was fishing. Everyone can't help but think of a lot. Since fishing in the south will conflict with the Gotlanders, fishing in the north is also a competition with the tribesmen.

Wouldn't it be a good idea to look east for new fishing grounds? As for the Baltic, the young Rus could not listen to the old man's caution. It's okay if they don't appear, but if they do, kill them.

The freshwater problem really bothers the Rus.

Tombstone Island, there is also no natural fresh water locally (if they are willing to dig deep wells). They get fresh water by taking a large number of wooden barrels and going to the eastern land to get water from the scattered streams.

Arik thought for a while: "Since there are still two days' voyage at the earliest, it is really dangerous for us to have no water. Just like this, what is the south... It is the territory of the Baltic people. We rowed over and found a small stream. , isn't the problem solved?"

Rurik nodded: "It seems that's the only way, but I'm just worried about being attacked by the enemy."

"Are you kidding?" Arik asked dismissively.

"I……"

Arik slapped his chest hard: "Look at this sturdy leather armor. I hope there is an attack, so we have surprises."

"Hopefully, no casualties."

Arik suddenly pinched Rurik's neck: "How could there be casualties? Go to sleep quickly if you continue to eat."

"Oh fine."

What Baltic people? They must be Estonian if they exist.

Rurik, who was sleeping wrapped in an animal skin blanket, suddenly had an idea.

Knocking on their own clansmen, they all changed into armaments, and they were clearly ready for battle.

Arik's relationship with these warriors is too close! In a trance, Rurik felt that all this was his cousin's plan. Maybe he already knew that there were other people who might be easy to bully living in the land to the south, so he took the opportunity to go to the east to visit Roseburg, and took the opportunity to grab another wave?

Arik can definitely do this kind of thing.

Rurik is not the case. If you really want to fight, you must identify the enemy. Let's know a little bit of the enemy's details. It is best to have basic tactical planning, and even plan B after the battle cannot be controlled. When the battle is over, the follow-up work must also be arranged in advance.

Rurik didn't like the risk of looting the unknown.

After all, this fleet was under the command of his cousin Arik, and he was always full of confidence without a defeat.

A new day is coming soon.

Rurik quickly forgot his dream after waking up. He vaguely remembered that it was not a good dream, as if his tribe had suffered defeat.

"Dream? They are the most superstitious. When I talk about the dream, isn't it disturbing the military's heart?"

Rurik was unavoidably apprehensive, or perhaps he hadn't slept well all night on the rough-and-tumble island.

Arik, who was busy roasting cod meat, looked at his younger brother, who was a little lethargic: "Your face is very bad, what's the matter?"

"nothing."

Arik murmured while chewing on the fish: "Brothers are all ready, we will set off soon."

"Oh." Rurik sat down, nibbling on the fish and munching on a small bowl of mostly cooked oats.

People are basically tightening their fresh water, but don't panic, everyone is very aware of the structure of this small world. It is said that as long as the coast of the land is discovered, it is easy to find the river.

Taking advantage of the rising tide in the morning, three longboats slid into the sea.

People put down their oars, and the bow of the boat is straight ahead to start a new voyage.

The land was hazy in the morning mist, and the three long boats lining up in a row wanted to quickly flush the stalls, find fresh water, and then sped away.

Of course, it would be nice to catch a wild deer or two on the shore.

Some warriors carry short hunting bows made of oak, and have already made a batch of relatively rough arrows. It is really difficult to expect this kind of bow and arrow to kill the enemy wearing leather and chain mail, hunting rabbits and deer, and the effect of close-up shooting is not bad.

Everyone must dock. Is there any interesting unknown on the shore? The morning fog made the land seem elusive, deepening everyone's sense of anticipation.

In fact, the island on which the fleet moored was Naisal. Now, the fleet is heading straight for the Gulf of Tallinn.

The sea fog obscured the phantoms of the Rus, but the vigilant Rus sailed in the uncharted waters. They kept their eyes open and never missed any clues.

Vaguely, someone saw some vague shadows on the sea.

"What is that? Arik!" a soldier shouted.

Almost instinctively vigilant, Arik stood up and looked out.

"Isn't it a boat! Ah! It must be a boat."

For a moment, Aric was not excited, he remained vigilant, and said to his subordinates: "Brothers, maybe they are fishermen from Gotland again. It is Odin who blesses us, and let us meet them here? How about it? , destroy them?"

Gotlanders, the blood of the Rus warriors boiled over when they heard this word. A blood feud can't be undone by one or two revenge victories.

The three ships were leaning together, and everyone's attitude became very unified.

fighting! If you don't try your best to discover the war, you're not considered a man.

Watching the brothers get so excited, they are almost out of control. Rurik frowned, which worried Yevlo.

"Sir, don't be afraid. If there is a fight, my brothers and I will swear to protect your safety."

Rurik, the escort of twenty elite mercenaries, was naturally very relieved. He regretted not bringing ten crossbows, which was the greatest safety.

Rurik ordered: "My cousin and the Gotlanders are inseparable. Since they have been discovered, it is necessary to fight. If the enemy's stronghold is discovered, they must go and loot. But you, before the battle becomes clear. , don't go looting."

Arik nodded, "I'll convince the brothers to stay calm."

"Don't worry, obey my destiny, and your benefits are indispensable."

Rurik's original intention was to refuse to take the initiative to provoke a battle of extravagance, but his cousin insisted on going his own way, so he had to keep his attitude. He doesn't want his mercenaries to participate in possible fierce battles. If there is a crisis, his own people will also participate. For the time being, the mercenary team should be used as a tactical reserve when the robbery army encounters danger.

The fleet began to run at the fastest speed against the enemy's fishing boats.

The small fishing boat clearly sensed the danger, and Yang also began to row desperately to escape.

After all, the quality of fishing boats is worrying, and they can only cast nets on the coast to catch fish. Seeing that the unknown big boat had bad intentions, he fled for his life in a hurry, and the fishing boat quickly plunged into a small river and went upstream.

"Damn, just one step away!" Arik on the boat gritted his teeth angrily, like a hunter who had lost a deer.

A soldier comforted, "At least the fleeing Gotlanders led us to a small river. We should be able to find their village when we go further inland."

"The village? Alright!" Arik laughed again. "Guys, we're not busy collecting fresh water. We're going upstream, looting their village and burning it down."

Blinded by the desire for revenge, the Ross warriors subjectively believed that the Gotland fishermen were the ones who escaped. After all, the Gotlanders are not island dwellers, they themselves are vigorously exploring new living spaces. Their economic conflict with the tribes of the Northern Alliance was at the heart of the war.

But Rurik didn't think it was Gotland because it didn't fit history.

Rurik remembered that the betrayers of the various Varyags, that is, the guys who left their tribes and immigrated with their families, they immigrated to the east spontaneously, also on the island of Saaremaa (later formed the Principality of Semeria) , and the mixed territory of the Latvians, and even continued eastward to Pskov, where they merged with the local Pskov Slavic tribes.

The other Varangians described by the Novgorods almost all entered Lake Ilmen from Pskov in the west along the small river channel.

Rurik was more convinced that the escaped fishermen were Estonians.

The Estonians were collectively referred to by the Roman Empire as "the people of the East" and were distinguished from the "Finians". In fact, both sides are a family, or the Finns are ancient Estonians who crossed the sea to the north.

The fleet followed the fleeing fishing boat and began to enter an unknown river.

The forest around the river is lush and green, and you can't see any ups and downs, and the river flows into the sea at a very soothing flow rate.

Fresh water became readily available, and as for the escaped fishermen, there was no urgent reason to pursue them. No one believes that there will be a single Gotland fisherman living alone, there must be many fishermen living together.

Their villages must be built along rivers or lakes, and they are like a herd of lambs to be slaughtered, waiting to be harvested by the heavily armed Rus.

But people from top to bottom, including Arik, underestimated the twists and turns of the river.

It may have a name, but when the Danes in history settled here and built their own Rewal Castle, or Tallinn (meaning Danish Castle), they gave the river an exact name - Pirita river.

Pirita means pyrite. Although the whole of Estonia is scarce in minerals, there will be miracles in some places.

Near the Gulf of Tallinn, there is a rare pyrite in this area, and because of this, the ancient Estonians were able to smelt iron on their own without relying on outsiders.

Now, the Rus army led by Arik accidentally broke into the river, and a fateful encounter was about to happen.

The boats moved fast along the meandering river, and the warriors paddled while gazing at the sights around them.

Finally, the fleet rounded another huge turn, and the village along the river appeared impressively.

Arik's eyes widened. He didn't think these strange houses were built by Gotland. Everyone thought it was strange. The houses that were obviously made of wood were all small houses, not the most common wooden longhouses in Gotland.

The village is built along the river, and there is obviously some farmland on the riverside. Even if the crops have been harvested, whether it is farmland or not can be seen at a glance by those who know it.

There are also a small number of canoes tied with twine to wooden stakes on the shore, and the style of the boats is also very different from what everyone knows.

There are many indications that the Rus may have encountered an unknown group of people.

"They should be no better than the Gotlanders if they can build such a broken house."

In Arik's mind, "Gotland" was used as a unit of measurement. Going deep here is purely an adventure, even if the possible enemy is weak, Arik does not want the situation to continue to be complicated.

While still on the boat, he shouted: "Brothers! We are going to land in this village! They may be strong enemies, or they will be killed by us. I just hope that no brothers will be injured after you win. Be vigilant, Ready for war!"

After all, the old guys who fought with Arik, they are well-trained, and every man knows his position after landing.

Arik's plan is to form a classic Viking shield wall after landing. Each soldier performs his own duties, some stand in the first row as sword and shield hands, and some are in the back row to kill the enemy with long-handled weapons. In fact, these are all agreed-upon things, and there is no need for Arik to make plans.

Rurik clenched his sword hilt, and in the tense atmosphere, he really thought that the army would fight the enemy after landing.

He saw that some warriors were wiping their blades and axes, and these weapons were still made of ordinary wrought iron. It was a pity that the warriors of Tombstone Island did not replace new equipment immediately due to geographical barriers.

While the warriors of Roseburg have purchased steel swords, steel axes, and even more sinister chrome steel weapons, a group of brothers guarding the "South Gate" of Rose are still using old weapons.

Even so, this clumsy "toy" is enough for a group of savages in animal skins.

Here, Rurik was surprised to see that some soldiers removed the spear head of the short spear, and then removed the axe of the handaxe, and pressed it abruptly on the wooden stick. In this way, the short spear became a very strange one with a length of more than two meters. Long long-handled axe.

"How can this weapon be used?"

Rurik couldn't care less, his slender but strong arm was grabbed by his cousin. Arik and disregarding the intimacy between brothers, he simply admonished a young warrior: "Once there is a fight, you stay behind. It's better for your people to protect you. When the fight starts, I can't take care of you."

The three longboats tumbled to a quiet dock.

Quiet! Very quiet!

It was so quiet that it was frightening, as if behind every wooden house, there were warriors with sharp weapons who wanted to fight for their lives.

One of the keys to winning a battle is vigilance and basic discipline at all times when a fight breaks out.

Arik summed up these useful experiences in battle, and he believed that his victory was due to his experience.

No, after the soldiers came ashore, a hemispherical formation quickly exploded.

The sword and shield players in the front row removed the shields hanging from the boat gang and put them on their left arms. The shields that were enough to protect most of the torso crossed each other and became a solid wall.

Rurik finally understood the use of those axes. It turned out that the use of these weapons was like Ge, which was the means of outputting the force of the soldiers in the back row after the outbreak of the battle - the axe pecking and hitting assistance. In this way, the enemy has to face the frontal warriors, and also beware of the axe from the sky. Rurik admired his cousin's tactical methods a little, and he would be a little pity. If he brought a dozen crossbows on this trip and let the mercenaries equip them, wouldn't the team's combat effectiveness be greatly improved?

The fully armed soldiers were ready to fight, and everyone was waiting for Arik's order, and Aric was also waiting for the enemy's attack.

The scene fell into a weird stalemate.

What about the enemy? As if they did not exist. However, intuition tells Arik that this small-scale village chief is still popular, and there is no possibility of it being abandoned.

He finally couldn't bear it anymore, but he didn't want his own people to encounter possible ambush.

"Rurik!"

"Ah!" Rurik, who was hiding behind the team, roared.

"Ask your mercenary to investigate. Quick!"

"Ah? Why my people?" To be honest, Rurik didn't want his people to be used as meat detectives who were easily attacked by focused fire.

Arik became impatient: "What? Don't listen to your brother? Brother, this is a war! Let the mercenaries find the way, hurry up!"

Yevluo could no longer care about his master's hesitation. In his heart, he did not dislike Arik at all. Everything is the fate of mercenaries. Adventure reconnaissance itself is the work of mercenaries.

Yevluo took a few buddies without hesitation, lined up in a skirmish line, with a steel sword against a wooden shield, and went deep into the village on a high level of vigilance...