Chapter 156 Construction of the Tombstone Island Stronghold

The large transport ship was almost submerged in the water, and the people wearing it prayed that there would not be a storm during the long route.

Arik and his people just wanted to return to Roseburg beyond, and live a comfortable life with their treasures.

After all, the weather is uncertain, the sky is gradually gloomy, and the rain is falling.

This group of hundreds of people had no choice but to take shelter on an unknown island in the Åland Islands, but once they stopped, facing the still hazy sky, they continued on their adventures, even if the long-lost home was not far ahead.

Until this time, they showed the flag of the Ross tribe, and the printed totem made the nearby fishermen breathe a sigh of relief in surprise.

The rain is short-lived, but the attitude is very consistent, that is, the ship must wait until the sun is seen before the ship can continue sailing.

For those who experienced the battle not long ago, it is also a good thing to find a safe place to rest.

Even for many, they controlled the captive women and had sex with them again.

They don't care about the status of these women in Gotland. They need money and a wife. They long to have their own sons. If they can, this captured woman must give birth to ten sons!

Everyone can get a large share of the looted material, and the once slightly poor days will surely be improved.

Once upon a time, having too many children was a disaster for a family because there was simply no financial means to raise so many children.

The so-called raising children, in the final analysis, is to eat. Now that there is more money in the bag, the problem of eating seems to be solved.

On average, each person gets more than 200 silver coins. This is shocking to the young people who are just starting out, and they accept the reality of getting a huge sum of money in shock.

The first success made them forget about the dead in battle.

Everyone stormed on the shore to build a wooden shed to protect the rain and wind, and lit a bonfire to discuss the possibility of continuing to crusade the Gotlanders next year.

On the third day of the landing and rest, the stench of the ship that transported the dead bodies finally awakened the group of guys whose minds had changed from revenge to looting.

The stench means poison!

Even if the smell is from the brothers who died in battle.

The sky was still cloudy. Nearly seventy brothers died in an action. In the cold north wind, Arik felt an unbearable desolation.

Covering his mouth and nose with his sleeve, he led his brothers to inspect the boat that contained the corpse. They pulled away the canvas that had been covered for a long time, and everyone saw the black and purple face of the corpse, as well as the stench coming from them.

Arik, he looked at him on the battlefield, beheaded the enemy and made his face bloody, he was not afraid.

Arik sat on the ground in shock, and it took a while to recover.

He stared at his chest and stood up slowly, then hurriedly looked for Haro Zuosen with the hilt of his sword.

"What's the matter with you? Did you see an earthly python at the seaside?" Haruo Zuo Sen nibbled on the baked wheat cake and held a woman's neck with one hand.

After meeting Arik's eyes, Harrodsson kicked the other woman who continued to pancakes on the hot stone. "You go and bake another one, and make one for my child."

Because of his age, Harrodsen is indeed a generation older than Arik.

Arik immediately sat down and was roasted by the bonfire for a while, and his spirit was still calm.

"What's the matter?" Harozov continued.

"Yes... those corpses."

"Huh? It's a novelty. You've killed so many enemies on the battlefield, and you're actually afraid of corpses at this time?"

"No! It's not." Arik suddenly raised his head, and there was still panic in his eyes. "That's our brothers, they're dead. But they...their souls really go to Asgard? Their faces are grey, like they've gone to the underworld. They're no longer our brothers, just Like... an evil spirit from the underworld."

Hearing this, Haruo Zuo Sen put down the wheat cake, reached out and tapped Arik on the head.

"Hey! Silly boy,

what are you thinking? You haven't seen a dead body for a long time, what else do you think of the underworld. They're still your brothers, just because we didn't bury them early. "

Arik's remarks reminded Harrodsen, looking at the boy's frightened face, he believed that those who led the team would know the news soon.

"Looks like we have to take action." Harrodsen stood up, motioned the two captured women to continue making wheat cakes, and he shook his neck: "Arik, go find some brothers as much as possible, let's go to the beach."

After a while, more than 200 people gathered, and they all quickly saw those terrifying corpses.

The gray-black face was truly terrifying, and the stench attracted many people to cover their noses.

Even if Harrodsen was not good at words, he still shouted in the north wind, "Don't be afraid, all of you! These are our brothers! We should have gone back to Roseburg to bury them, and now we must. Right now, let's take the tools and dig the graves of our dead brothers."

Harrodsen's order was fulfilled.

The young warrior pulled some strips of cloth, covered his mouth and nose with the salty sea water, and then reasonably dragged out the bodies of the dead.

Enduring the stench and witnessing the pus and blood oozing from the wounds, the warriors carried the bodies of their comrades on the torn canvas. The body was temporarily wrapped in canvas, forming a draggable shroud.

They made do with the small shovels they kept in the boat, and even with axes, to dig shallow pits.

And the boat, which was specially used to hold corpses, was also chopped into pieces with an axe.

According to the usual funeral, the deceased is placed in a small boat, and the whole boat is sealed and buried. This boat is the coffin of the dead.

Time was running out, and the Rus didn't give up the body of their dead brother. They decided to leave the dead on this little-known island, just sticking to the pit with uneven wooden boards, as if it were a boat.

The body was placed in it.

Now that a batch of gold coins has been grabbed, no one has raised any objection to the matter of using the gold coins as funeral objects.

Each black corpse has two silver coins attached to its eyes and ten silver coins on its body.

Although he did not know the respective weapons of the deceased, Harrozosen instructed that each tomb must be placed with an axe, an iron sword, and a suitable helmet.

In this way, the dead warriors lie in their wooden boats, and the black soil fills the tombs. It is believed that even if the souls of the dead are not chosen to go to Asgard, they can continue to row the boat in the underworld, and the unknown. monster battle.

Finally, a piece of rock from the sea was erected on top of the seal as a tombstone. Each tomb has a stone on it.

For a time, a huge cemetery appeared in the woods, where more than 60 war dead rested forever.

Until dark, the living people have done the work.

After doing this work, everyone is in a bad mood.

Another night, they washed their hands on the beach and went back to their respective campfires to talk about burying their bodies.

Maybe it's because of the peace of mind that Arik's heart was suffocated, but now he is much more relaxed.

His tired body was being scorched by the bonfire, and the oatmeal in his hand filled his stomach.

"Many brothers are buried here now, and since we've done this, we can't let them go," he said to Harrodzosen, who was still obsessed with women.

"I already understand what you mean, and I have the same thoughts as you."

Arik sighed slightly: "Is it really suitable for us to build a stronghold here?"

"What's inappropriate?"

"This matter has not been approved by the big boss." Arik reminded.

Harrodzuson nodded slightly, and then smiled bitterly: "Even if Otto is here, he will agree with your decision."

"real?"

"The warriors who died in battle are buried here. Since this place is a land without owners, we Rus people occupied it. Because of the relationship between the tombs, this should be our stronghold in the future. We should even leave some people, really to establish this small island as a stronghold."

Hearing these words, Arik felt very reasonable.

He looked at Harozov's old face and seemed to think that there was a deeper meaning in it.

"Uncle, when we build a stronghold, we don't just look at the graves of the deceased." Arik asked.

"Of course. We do need a new base. Arik, the large fleet led by your uncle will soon be returning with supplies, even a large number of Novgorod women. Why not find a resting place on the long route? I followed the chief leader and your uncle on many expeditions. In the past, we used to find a beach to stop and rest.

Especially seven years ago, the damn fog made us lose our way.

It was because we were resting on the wrong island and were discovered by Gotland fishermen that your biological father died in battle. "

Sad things immediately came to Arik's mind.

Suddenly, the young man who had just grown up suddenly remembered why he was so frightened that he fell to the ground when he saw a terrifying corpse not long ago.

Because of his biological father, Ogier.

The blackened corpse of the biological father was brought back by the tribe, and the terrifying scene really stimulated Arik's young heart.

When relatives die in war, children become either timid or pugnacious. Arik belongs to the latter.

Arik selectively forgot his biological father's terrifying face until he saw the new corpse that had been piled up for a long time, and the terrifying memory was instantly awakened.

Harrozosen looked at Arik thoughtfully, and then continued: "It is very beneficial to us to establish a stronghold. Then our people will not have to sail for ten days in a row when they go to Novgorod! We can Accumulate supplies here early and build a port. In this way, from this small island to New Rose Fort, there is only a four-day voyage on the way. Child, can you really understand the benefits of this?"

"I……"

Arik, does he understand? Do not. He didn't actually know that, anyway, Arik's worldview was still narrow, even if he had been to Novgorod for a thousand years.

"You are too young." Harrodzuson shook his head, and then reminded him: "The shortest distance from Gotland is only three days' voyage. Children, we can obviously hoard troops on this small island. We can organize a fleet at any time. , and go to Gotland to loot again. The looting in the future will be normalized, and the enemy can only passively accept it.”

Saying that, Haruo Zuo Sen's eyes flashed with desire for wealth: "Child, just one heroic feat is enough? You can obviously do more."

Arik's sitting body was shaken, he felt that the old guy's implication was to push himself to fight for the position of leader.

Competing with your cousin for a position?

If it is other tribes, brotherly rivalry abounds. But in the Ruth tribe, Rurik, he was the one blessed by Odin!

Arik shook his head: "I love my brother."

Haruo Zuo Sen immediately understood what Arik meant: "Alas. I didn't ask you to compete with your younger brother for the throne. You and other people are not qualified for this. Dare to compete with the Son of God for power, it is because you don't die enough. Miserable. I mean, you can be an excellent war leader in the future, and your younger brother will be our big leader.

Listen, before Arik grows into a true warrior, our clan needs one of the bravest men to lead us to victory in all external battles. This person is you! "

Hearing this bragging, Arik couldn't help but flutter.

In this way, without Otto's approval, the two generals who attacked Gotland made a decision to establish a Rus settlement on the unnamed island.

However, a decision was made, and the nameless island also had a name.

The next morning, the sky conditions were still not very good, and everyone was still worried that the future journey would suddenly encounter strong winds and heavy rain.

People's worries are not unreasonable. Harrodzuson is also a calm-hearted old guy. That's why he was appointed by Otto to be the war chief, the so-called "general", to deter young people from being reckless.

Harrodsen would not criticize the so-called timidity of young people. After dinner, he ordered everyone to gather and explain a major decision to everyone.

He stood on a raised low rock on the beach, facing a blond young man, and explained the decision to establish a stronghold.

He even emphasized the strategic value of the stronghold, especially emphasizing that with this stronghold, the army can often attack Gotland in the future.

Harrodsen has a self-proclaimed ingenious logic.

The so-called because this small island is in the northern part of the Åland Islands, and there are some small fishing villages of the Melalen tribe in the southern part of the archipelago.

In this way, the stronghold can really be said to be retreated, attacked, and defended.

If the enemy finally decides to fight back, then the enemy will first have to face the massive Meralen tribe fighting back bravely. At that time, the Ross tribe was involved again as an ally. The formed alliance must be stronger than the enemy! In this way, in a possible new war, Ross's young people can gain both fame and fortune, isn't it beautiful?

In the final analysis, Harrodsen's so-called looting convenience is also to convince everyone that those enemies of Gotland will become fat sheep to be slaughtered.

The inexperienced young people listened to Harrodsen, who was standing on the stone, talking eloquently, and they all agreed immediately.

After all, everyone can get more than 200 silver coins in this operation, including the evenly distributed wealth. And everyone has already carried their own privately plundered wealth, and if they robbed them according to their ability, they will not participate in the loot-sharing conference held in Roseburg.

After the weather is clear, most people still have to leave.

As for who stayed, Harrozosen asked those who stayed to sign up, but soon someone came out and announced their willingness to stay.

Who wouldn't want to go back home to Roseburg immediately?

Those who stay do have their own admirable reasons.

Because among the deceased are their elder brothers and younger brothers, the tombs of relatives who are impermanent in life are here.

Besides, the young people all know the attitude of the big leader towards everyone. That is, Rosberg has limited the development of the tribe, and all young people should try to go out. Everyone believed that even if they didn’t stay on this small island, they would go to settle in New Roseburg in the east.

Isn't it the right thing to stay near the graves of loved ones and build a settlement, a port?

In the end, more than fifty men decided to stay. Thirty other women who were taken captive also stayed behind as "wives" to run the settlement.

What should the settlement be called?

Tombstone Island is the new name for this uninhabited island.

The name was proposed by Harrodsen and immediately attracted everyone's approval.

In fact, this so-called Tombstone Island is a slightly larger island in the northern part of the Auckland Islands: Osundet. Even after a thousand years, the island is still uninhabited.

Harrodsen, after all, has extensive sailing experience, and he chose the island as a stop precisely because he discovered its strategic value.

Today, Tombstone Island is full of pines and oaks, and there are some grassy deserts near the beach.

Its greatest geographical advantage is that it has a fjord that is 400 meters long and 100 meters wide. With the size of a traditional Viking longship, the development of such a miniature fjord into a port is truly unique!

In addition to this, there is another smaller fjord that could be developed next to this fjord. There is still a group of smaller islands nearby.

A large number of tiny islands act as a barrier, and these fjords are the best safe haven even when the wind blows.

Furthermore, Tombstone Island is also close to the immigrants of the Melalen tribe at the southern end of the archipelago. Although those immigrants are mainly fishing, they also reclaimed a small amount of land, planting easy-to-live onions and cabbage, which are vegetables such as peas. crop. As for growing wheat, the islanders did not try.

In this way, the settlers were able to trade with these southern allies.

The weather will eventually improve, and before the sun breaks through the dark clouds, Harrodsen and all the young people start building a house vigorously.

Some young people even took off their coats, jumped into the shallow waters of the fjords, and pushed the felled pine trees into the mud.

The twine they carried to tie their loot came in handy, and in just one morning, a small dock landing was built. After that, some boats docked on the pier, and the ropes were tied to the stakes and they landed smoothly.

Another batch of wooden houses began to be built. Thanks to the help of a large number of people, only the twilight reward, ten simple wooden houses have been built. Although it is simple, everyone believes that it can completely shield the wind and rain.

A preliminary settlement is thus completed.

Tired people lit bonfires on the beach again, and the west showed a beautiful and magnificent scene of red.

Some gulls were flying and chirping, and the people sitting on the beach and grilling the fire also heard the sound of waves lapping in their ears.

Arik has been busy for another day and has eaten food, and he is quite lazy now.

And the magnificent red clouds in the west fully illustrate a good thing.

He said to Harozov: "It seems that we are on the day of our departure."

"Yeah. It must be a sunny day tomorrow. We leave tomorrow morning, and in three days, when we see the sunset in three days. My child, we should be going home."

"Oh! Go home." Arik lay on the beach, looking at the orange sky, "My uncle, my wife, they should also be on their way back. I'll go back by myself, go home... I might as well Go to my brother. I'll tell him about my exploits in Gotland as a brother."

"What to say. You really need to educate your younger brother well. In the past, you both lived as brothers." Haro Zuo Sen reminded. "Do you understand? A leader must have excellent fighting ability. You have killed many enemies, so you should tell your brother some experience. Help him become a good leader in the future."

"I understand! That's it." Arik put his hands on the back of his head. "I miss my Peravina. Ah, I'll be a father soon. I hope she can give me a son."

"Son? What if it's a daughter?" Haruo Zuo Sen deliberately teased.

"Daughter?" Thinking of this, Arik's heart sank, and he immediately said, "They are all my children, and I will raise them. Some people throw their daughters into the woods north of Roseburg to fend for themselves, but I am not Such a bad guy."

"The bad guys you mentioned, they abandoned them when they couldn't raise their children. It's different now. Arik, be kind to your children. As for me? Haha." Haro Zuo Sen gave a slight order, and the two women who were still making wheat cakes were obedient. Come over.

After a period of contact, the two young women have been fully appointed. They understand that the purpose of this old guy is very simple, that is, to get more children. Other than that, this person is not malicious. Even for this purpose, he was willing to provide enough rations for himself and his daughter.

For a time, Haruo Zuo Sen happily put his arms around the necks of the two women, facing Arik and proudly said: "Life should be like me, because of these two women, I feel that I am young again. Arik, you are very young. I'll be a father soon. I think when I get to next year when the snow melts, I'll have two new sons too."

"What if it's a daughter?" Arik retorted with a smile.

"This... Haha. You are very smart." Haruo Zuo Sen thought for a while, "Then I will choose a brave young man like you to marry my daughter to him."