In the Vitebsk fortress in the south, snow covered the ground, as if all traces of war had been covered up.

There are some snowdrifts suddenly raised in the open area, as long as you push away the snow, you can see one dead body after another that is frozen hard.

The gap in the east gate of the fort is now blocked by various debris, especially the corpses of the enemy, which are regarded as

"rocks" to use. All the corpses will not rot and stink until the snow melting season in spring, and it is precisely at that time that the defenders will have the time to dig earthen pits to bury the corpses.

Because the West Dvina River next to the fort is rapidly freezing in the seemingly never-ending fog and snow, the already silty area is frozen more and more solid.

At present, the work of excavating earth pits has become more and more difficult, and the soldiers who were exhausted after the war were extremely nervous and had no energy to do chores.

Ai Wende, a young man who was elected as the temporary city lord, counted his brothers. Brother Baishi has the ability to take the initiative to attack, just like our ancestors, gathering more than ten brothers to row a boat to start a sneak attack. But everyone has orders, and the so-called fortress really fell, not only because I am sorry for the brothers who died in the defense of the city, but such a shame and humiliation make them no longer eligible to live.

The defenders chose a defensive position in the full sense, and then sealed off the broken east gate, threw out scouts to investigate the nearby woodland carefully, and then completely withdrew to the fort.

Because they did find a Smolensk army camp at the occupied logging camp, where there is still a garrison there.

"Maybe it's a trap to lure our army out of the city to attack, and the enemy will suddenly come out from an unexpected place. My brothers and I have too few people, and I don't have the capital to let go of gambling." Ai Wende thought so, for his own

"Counseling" to find a reason. Of course his men were willing to believe that it was all a conspiracy when they learned that the enemy still had a hidden garrison.

The flags of Ross and Ostara are still flying in the fortress. Hurry up to repair the damaged torsion slingshot, and organize all the arrows and javelins that can be used. The days after the defenders are not empty. Time is used to improve the military equipment and prepare for another battle.

As for the brothers not far away, stationed in the Novopolotsk fortress, we can only pray that those people will be protected by the gods.

Because people have reason to believe that the Vadim army who forcibly crossed the river under the nose of Vitebsk, they suffered a lot from attacking the fortress, and most of them are going to Polotsk to regain their confidence and the vital supplies supplies.

On the other hand, when the war broke out, the Danish businessmen and Polotsk civilian husbands who were released from the fortress floated back to Polotsk with terrible news about the war.

A young and middle-aged man was appointed by Carlotta as the mayor of Novopolotsk. His name was Visundr.

Although this person was from the Gran tribe, since the Gran people had fully integrated with Ostara ten years ago, he no longer cared about his old origin.

When the Principality is employing people, any man with pure blond hair has a chance to be reused by the Duke.

In normal times, a person like Wisunde might spend his whole life as an ordinary tribal man.

The times have given ordinary people great opportunities, and like other men, he is not a mediocre person, but no one thinks that such a man can make a great career.

Carlota's order to him and the local garrison was extremely simple: guard our Novopolotsk city, keep armed guard, and beware of local uprisings.

Even if he took away the little granddaughter of the old aristocrat, even if he had an intermarriage with the locals, Carlotta was not naive enough to think that the **** feud caused by the **** war would be wiped out.

The Kingdom of Ross killed thousands of them. Even if they died because of the war, thousands of people still died. Due to the strong military deterrence of the kingdom, they dare not take revenge, and Carlotta can only hope that time will slowly dilute this hatred.

Or the hatred will not be completely resolved until the third generation comes into the world... However, the situation is developing in a direction she didn't expect.

The Novopolotsk fortress is in alliance with the Polotsk villages rising along the Polota River. The two sides are on both sides of the river, and there is a short distance from each other.

If the locals intend to rebel, they must first cross the river before marching towards the fort that was deliberately built in the open.

Carlotta has more backhands, such as hostages. Those young Ostara warriors who married local women, whether they were real Nordic immigrants, or small Ilmen Lake Slav warriors who joined later, all of them are now soldiers of the Principality of Ostara, and even more so. I am qualified to declare to the outside world: I am from Ross.

It is no longer necessary to be entangled in bloodlines. The friendship formed by the soldiers due to the common expedition has surpassed bloodline identity. Those young Slavic warriors also regarded themselves as Varyag warriors.

As the saying goes, when a man dresses up as a Varyag, speaks Norse language when he opens his mouth, and worships Odin, Thor and other northern gods, then he is a Varyag.

Whether it is free love or forced marriage, the local girls of Polotsk have no choice in this regard.

Their marriage amounted to a marriage, and during the winter, the girls had to move with their bedding into the fledgling Novopolotsk fortress.

As for the girls' parents and brothers, if they are willing to immigrate, they can also cross the river with a soft boat.

Obviously, a group of families with married daughters did this to prove one thing to the fellow countrymen with practical actions-we have completely trusted these Varyag conquerors from Rus.

"This is a shameful betrayal. Since you have chosen this way, I will not recognize you as a relative in the future." It cannot be said clearly, but the division of the Polotsk community is already very clear.

Life goes on. What kind of treatment will those civilian husbands who are forcibly dragged to Vitebsk face?

It will really do what the noblewoman promised.

"Properly treated"? The public cannot know, and the current Polotsk locals have lost their qualifications to arm themselves. The conquerors contracted the defense, and more Varyags moved from the Gulf of Riga to the inland area. It was very repulsive for them to compete for themselves The people of Polotsk in the living space had to hold their breath and endure.

Inside the Novopolotsk fortress, the situation was another matter. Those peasant families who married their daughters and immigrated, when they entered the fort through the wooden gate, their status became

"Own people". After all, the Principality of Ostara has been living with the Slavs for more than ten years, so it is not an obstacle to accept the new Polotskslavs.

Under the command of the lord of the city, Vesunde, all men between the ages of twelve and fifty, including him, have the responsibility to take up arms and guard the fortress.

Like the old fathers of girls, these peasants never imagined that one day they would be treated as serious Varyag soldiers. They had to pick up round shields and comb their hair and beard into strange braids. It does seem like one thing.

There is plenty of food in the fortress. Due to the unique geographical advantages of this fortress, it has become a unique stop for visitors from the Gulf of Riga.

Some Danish communal merchants from Riga simply stop at the fortress, intending to stay until next spring when they resume sailing.

Not all cats and dogs can be stationed in this fortress. These merchants have certificates issued by the leader Strokander, and even tokens provided by the Earl of Saaremaa Island in Ross and the great explorer Spyut. Only then can they carry the goods with weapons Go inside the fort and stay there.

With these certificates, in principle, the guest armed merchants are allegiance to Rurik, the king of Ross. If there is a war, they are fully qualified to participate in the war.

Their presence greatly relieved the pressure on Novopolotsk's defense. Because three longship caravans lived here, the men and women who got off the ship were full of wildness, especially those Danish women, with rich braids, smart clothes, and tattoos on their faces and necks. A tough female warrior.

As for those men who are more sturdy, some people deliberately have their beards braided into braids, the length of which can reach the navel.

More than 80 people brought their own food and weapons and poured into the fortress. They are extremely effective in combat, and for them, the city lord Weishunde has a hundred peace of mind.

Just inside the fort, a wooden stake has been hacked into an abstract bust of a human figure, it has been given some make-up, and in its

The position of the "right eye" was severely ablated by a red-hot iron bar. This object is nothing but the statue of Odin that everyone erected temporarily.

Whether it is the Russians, the Swedish tribes, or the Danish immigrants scattered around the Baltic Sea, the greatest common denominator in everyone's beliefs is Odin.

Sacrificing Odin on Hanukkah is a repertoire of various forces. As for the way of sacrifice, there are all kinds of strange ways. According to the plan of the city lord, the cattle brought from the village will be sacrificed as sacrifices.

The cattle came from plundering, and now feeding them hay every day is just to ensure that they don't starve to death and freeze to death. Everyone didn't think about eating this sacrifice, but only thought that the blood of the cow on the day of the priest would turn the wooden statue into red. Everything will be fine.

As a result, the number of residents in the Novopolotsk fortress exceeded 500. The interior space of the fortress surrounded by thick wooden walls is relatively abundant, so that people living together do not seem crowded.

The garrison, the local peasants who forcibly assigned tasks, and the guest armed merchants, the strength of the fortress defenders expanded to three hundred.

But no one considered that there would be soldiers this winter, and everyone knew that such a garrison was really to prevent the residents of the populous Polotsk community from revolting.

Obviously, if they have no signs of rebellion when the real winter comes, then this winter will be passed safely.

The continuous fog and snow made the residents lazy everywhere, and the villagers would rather hide like bears in warmer homes and sleep. In the Novopolotsk fortress, there was no major event, and people naturally hibernated and had a good rest.

Armed merchants brought Nordic board games, and playing chess became a way to relieve boredom. There are also indoor competitive games such as throwing pots with arrows and throwing small darts at wooden targets.

If the ale is limited, I am afraid that many people will get themselves very drunk in their leisure and boredom. The crisis came suddenly in a scene of joy and harmony.

It was a boat drifting fast on the river, braving the snowfall. The long boat first unloaded the forced laborers at the wharf of the largest village in Polotsk. Some villagers who worked in the snow noticed the arrival of the boat with a small Russian flag, and they saw it before they knew what happened. Some of the men disembarked and hurried towards the village.

Judging by their emaciated posture, they were not Russ at all. Actually... a villager? ! Most of the forced laborers have returned, but there are still some people who have not returned. After a little hearing, the villagers got the news of the death of their clansmen.

It was not the conquerors of Rus stationed in Vitebsk who killed the villagers, but a huge army from Smolensk.

The news spread wildly in all ten villages with added fuel and vinegar. The 5,000 army that the prisoners of war had boasted about turned into an army of 10,000 in the mouths of the fleeing civilian husbands.

"Countless warriors were killed in the forest, and they killed everyone they saw without mercy. They came for revenge and deliberately killed all the Varyags they saw. Our fellow countrymen were killed by them by mistake. They were attacking the Vikings of the Rus. Jebsk, that fortress won't last long. The Smolensk army is not afraid of the cold, and after they destroy the fortress upstream, they will definitely attack our fortress here. Everyone, you must plan early!" Withdrawn The folk husbands all said similar words.

Is there really 10,000 people in the Smolensk army? have no idea. The people have even more reason to believe the words of their own clansmen. They say that if there are 10,000 people, they will have it.

Under such a crisis situation, what position should Polotsk take? In the snow, pairs of eyes stared at the fortress flying the Ross flag not far from the other side of the river, and they silently made their own propositionto welcome the righteous army.

With the loss of village elites, new elite groups were spontaneously elected among the villagers. At present, no one raises his arms and calls himself the brand new leader of Polotsk. Families, large and small, launched their respective leaders, gathered in a hut in the snow, and discussed the next move.

"Anyway, Smolensk is far away from us, and we have no clear hatred for each other. We speak the same language, believe in the same gods, and we can talk about everything. Only the Rus and other Varyags people, broke into our territory arbitrarily, or plundered people and wealth, or crossed the border without giving money, and now we are completely conquered by them. With our own strength, we cannot get rid of the rule of the Rus. Obviously, the Smolensk army is in Deliberately kill those Varyags, they will pull down the fortress of the Rus, maybe their army of 10,000 people will also defeat the future Rus army. The Smolensk people will help us get rid of the Rus, and everything will be fine Get up." They came up with such a result overnight, and everyone wished that Vadim's Smolensk army was the savior.

As for some people's speculation, what if they are as brutal as the Ross army? What should I do?

Such a question is too brain-intensive, besides

The "army of ten thousand people" will definitely march to Polotsk, and we are simply unable to negotiate terms with those people. It's better to just hope that they are the saviors.

Therefore, the ten villages decided not to defend themselves, and at the same time no longer tried to make any contact with the Novopolotsk fortress on the other side of the river.

To **** with all those motley Varyags and those who betrayed the village! When necessary, Polotsk villagers intend to provide food and shelter to what they consider to be friendly forces in Smolensk.

They are willing to believe that when the friendly army defeats the Ross people, Polotsk will no longer pay tribute to Ross, and Ross's thugs, the Principality of Ostara and the leggy female devil named Carlota, can only stay in the north Don't dare to go south.

But at the Novopolotsk fortress, the situation was at the other extreme. Danish businessmen who dared to venture thousands of miles into the rivers and lakes have seen it before. Some people have been running around in the territory of Eastern Rome, and there are not many things that can make them feel afraid.

This time, the returning merchants talked about the strength of the enemy in the fortress. as the businessman mentioned a name

"Vadim", now the city lord Vesund is fully aware of the seriousness of the situation. Because of the crusade against the rebellious Pine Needle Manor eleven years ago, he was already incorporated into the so-called Aostara army when he was still a teenager, and fought with the allied army of the Principality of Ross, even though the Aostara army was small in size at that time. It can be used as the guard of the Duchess Carlota.

Although the size of the army is small, its symbolic significance is great. Vesund knew that there was an escaped rebel son named Vadim, and later, following the Smolensk captives captured by the steppe people, he learned from his mouth that Vadim had suddenly become the chief of Smolensk.

Could it be more bizarre than this? have! It's now!

"The reckless Vadim is besieging Vitebsk with an army of 5,000~www.mtlnovel.com~ You must stay alert. We plan to continue drifting towards Riga. Please rest assured that we will not be deserters. We will tell Boss Strkander, I believe the boss can organize some brothers to support you." The returning businessman didn't dare to stop after saying these words, and after getting some supplies, he started to brave the wind and snow and go down the river.

Visund admired this kind of loyalty, and the entire fortress defenders were not as nervous as the enemy. On the contrary, because the leader of the enemy was Vadim, everyone knew that anyone who killed the leader would be a great achievement.

However, due to the strength of the defenders and the weak appearance of the Polotsk villagers with broken spines, Vesund did not believe that his brothers could help Vitebsk.

Besides, the businessman also sent a short letter engraved on a wooden board by the Vitebsk defender Jellinger. It has only one line of phrase: Stick to Novopolotsk.

What else can I do? Look forward to reinforcements from Riga! It is believed that Jellinger and his men were killing the enemy at the Vitebsk fortress.

For myself, some men and women are all mobilized! Stratify your weapons, check your food supplies, and hold your fort for the worst.