Rise of Rurik

And a cavalry team was finally ordered to serve as a scout unit to clear the way ahead.

"Bald" Fisk, as a veteran who had two direct expeditions to Polotsk on horseback, should be very familiar with the terrain in the area in front of him.

However, Fisk lacked the experience to explore and advance in the forest, sea and snowy fields. Considering that it was not far from the West Dvina River, he thought that nothing would go wrong. In order to avoid an unexpected decisive battle, Rurik finally ordered the dispatch of powerful scouts.

The 1st Cavalry has experienced hundreds of battles, and each soldier has killed several enemies. This time Fiske had Carl Eriksson as his guide, and he thought he would be safe in reaching the Vitebsk Fortress.

The First Cavalry headed straight to the south. In the snow about ten centimeters thick, it was still moving faster than the sleigh army.

Fisk was ordered not to fight unless necessary, so his troops wore white camouflage.

Brown and black war horses are draped

"White sheets." The cavalry already had coats and hats made of polar bear skin, so they didn't need to wear camouflage, but everyone had an extra white cloak.

They covered up the Ross flag and deliberately advanced close to the edge of the forest. Such attire could easily conceal their true identity, and the enemy could not see clearly until the cavalry got close.

The brothers have experienced hundreds of battles, and the brotherhood honed in battle allows them to understand each other's meaning with just a few glances.

They had no intention of chatting. All the horses' heads were facing due south, and their eyes were always looking left and right. The recurve bow is on the left and the quiver is on the right. At critical moments, the cavalry can instantly hold the bow and launch an attack.

They were more vigilant than the hunters, and the depressive atmosphere generated by the silence made Carl Eriksson extremely uncomfortable.

"Are you... too serious?" He couldn't hold it in any longer and complained slightly to Fisk, who was facing south with a cold eyebrow.

"Serious? Am I serious?"

"It seems like a war is about to begin." Fisk was confused by the question, but he didn't know that his vigilant attitude was a bit too much.

His last words were: "If the enemy suddenly emerges, I have the ability to counterattack immediately. As you said, those prisoners claimed that they have five hundred cavalry. It is impossible for me not to be wary."

"That's true. But... does the king really believe it? I can't believe that what the prisoner said is true. I think the king knows better than me."

"The king would rather believe that it is true, so he sent out the army." Fisk thought for a while: "Friend, if there is a real fight, you should retreat a little. We are the strongest cavalry in Russia. If there is a real fight, you don't care. you."

"Are you looking down on me? Fisk!" Karl simply called him by his first name: "No one can deny the courage of you Russian people, and I am not a coward. I am a pure old Ostara person. Now that I have grown up, Compared to you, I just lack the opportunity to make meritorious deeds."

"Really?" Fisk still glanced at the man with disdain, and in line with the principle of not hurting his kindness, he said with a soothing attitude: "Then we'll see. Cut off the heads of a few enemies, and I respect you as a warrior."

"Don't bother teaching me!" Carl Eriksson was gearing up, but he knew nothing about the current situation in Vitebsk.

Some people only want to be heroes, while others passively become heroes in order to survive and defend their creed in difficult situations.

Because of Vitebsk, even though there were a large number of hard frozen corpses of men and horses lying around the fortress, and the snow covered the ground into strange bulges, the fortress still held firm, and the Russian flag still fluttered in the forest and snowfields beside the river.

The mud swamp of the upper reaches of the West Dvina River, which once was easily trapped by casual walking, has now been completely frozen into an ice field that can be run wildly. The thickness of the ice in the trench surrounding the city exceeds the length of the hilt of a sword.

The West Dvina River has allowed people to move freely, and under the current circumstances, the fortress was finally attacked by the enemy.

But the snow has stopped, the temperature has not risen under the winter sun, and the world is still silent. Standing on the heights of the fortress, the defenders can see the smoke still rising from the logging camp in the distance, which proves that the enemy has not left yet.

How many enemies are there? The fourteen-year-old Avender had to act like a defender. Only by really killing a lot of people, and only by really seeing that people can be killed easily and can die from exhaustion in battle, can he be so arrogant before the war. Only when you are anxious can you restrain yourself a lot.

After a battle, Avender seemed to have aged thirty years. He had become calmer, or he no longer dared to take reckless risks.

Nearly a hundred soldiers took turns on guard duty as usual, and the rest were waiting in the dormitory, ready for battle. Although they knew that a large enemy army had crossed the river, they were not sure that it was the enemy's absolute main force.

They were very worried that this was a conspiracy to confuse them, so within a few days after the army left, they were still on high alert even if the fog and snow continued.

However, after several days of holding on, we didn't even see the enemy's shadow. Only when the sky cleared and saw the smoke from the lumberyard could we be sure that the enemy had not left.

Avender did not send any scouts to find out what was going on, and the young warriors who had just experienced a bloody battle did not want to take risks without the protection of the strong fortress.

Time seems to have stopped in Vitebsk, and the defenders are becoming more and more relaxed. If it weren't for the smoke and dust rising from the lumberyard, everyone might have turned into a puddle of mud... because the weather is getting colder and colder in winter. The coldest moment is gradually approaching, and the little soldiers are not willing to stay outdoors for a long time unless the war is imminent.

The torsion slingshots that could still be used were all oiled and pulled back to the house to avoid freezing. The bowstrings were unloaded and placed in a warm house for protection. The bundled arrows were neatly stacked with the javelins. They had taken practical actions. Proving what slack is.

Avender and his men are extremely optimistic, and time is obviously in favor of the defenders - especially, as long as there is another snowstorm, everyone in the warm fortress will be safer.

Now I still stay in the dormitory all day to rest in order to maintain my strength and energy to deal with possible enemy sneak attacks.

Of course, all anxiety will disappear with the arrival of reinforcements. Are reinforcements coming back? Even if it comes, when will it arrive?

How many troops are there? Everything is unknown. Thinking that they would not be able to get support from the Novopolotsk fortress, the soldiers guarding Vitebsk put aside the things that they had and didn't have for the time being, and they were still relying on their own strength to persevere.

Until, a strange blue appeared in the forest on the other side of the frozen West Dvina River. The 1st Cavalry had already broken through the forest cover. Considering that the front was the West Dvina River, they did not have the energy to celebrate their good luck. Instead, under Fisk's order, the entire team entered a state of combat readiness.

"Bows in hand, let's go! In a fusiform array, let's go!" Fisk personally led the team into the open space, and finally led the entire team to stand alertly on the frozen river.

Although we arrived at the West Dvina River, we saw that everything was empty. Where was the shadow of the fortress? He had to ask Carl Eriksson: "This is not my first time here. The current environment...why is it strange to me? What do you think?"

"Honestly?"

"right."

"I'm also a little strange."

"Alas." Fisk sighed slightly and glanced at the sun: "The sun is in the south, at least we can still distinguish things clearly." He closed his eyes and thought for a while, then decisively pointed his sword in the upstream direction: "Just go upstream!"

"Are you sure? What if there is a mistake?"

"That's the punishment of the gods for me. Let's go, I will be responsible for everything that goes wrong." Fisk, as an excellent general, is decisive in situations. He estimated that he was actually downstream of the destination, and the cavalry team had a clear view. advance on the ice.

However, a sharp-eyed warrior noticed something unusual on the right bank of the river. The cavalrymen adjusted their horses' heads and walked out. Now Fisk himself was no longer calm.

"Oops! These are the footprints of a large number of people! Even snowfall can't cover it up."

"Boss, these footprints are moving downstream." A soldier pointed out.

"It should be so. Even if it is covered with a new layer of snow, the traces cannot be completely hidden. Damn it, why didn't I notice it earlier?" A very bad idea quickly emerged - the owner of the huge footprints was the Smolensk army.

Either the enemy marched through the snow to approach Vitebsk in preparation for a siege. Either the enemy has breached the fortress and is preparing to march downstream to Polotsk.

The former estimate was denied by Carl Eriksson, patting his chest: "Absolutely impossible. There was no snowfall when they started to attack the city! I only started to encounter wind and snow while running wildly."

"Oops." Fisk slapped his bald head: "Everything is clear! Damn it... are we really late?" At least Fisk can estimate that the direction he determined is correct, but the Vitebsk Fortress may have already Turned into ruins... According to general rationality, if an army of 5,000 people faced a hundred defenders, the Smolensk people should be able to win as long as they are not fools.

“Contempt the enemy in specific battles and respect the enemy as a whole. Everyone must not regard the enemy as a fool and assume that they are as powerful as our army. We must be prepared and pay special attention to good logistics supplies. We will be invincible... …" These words are all Rurik's own warnings, and Fisk is willing to implement them.

What's more, he does only have 300 cavalry now, including some new soldiers. This is his first reconnaissance operation in the snow, so he has to remain highly vigilant.

Considering that the enemy might have troops stationed in the Vitebsk fortress, a stealthy advance was not necessary.

There is no need for Fisk to hide the true identity of the team, and there is nothing wrong with raising the flag in a high profile. It’s just that the cavalry must be in an open area to avoid encountering enemy ambush. They must also take advantage of the advantages of spiked horseshoes, so that the Ross cavalry can move quickly on the ice but the enemy cannot. The mobility ensures the advantage of the cavalry.

Many flags were flying, and Fisk even ordered: "Take out all the feathers and put them in the leather hat so that the enemy can see us clearly!" If some of his subordinates were confused about the necessity of such a high-profile behavior, he shouted again: "Be ready to join us at any time. Bows and arrows! Let the enemies come to the ice to attack us. They will be targets one by one. It’s time to prove your superb shooting skills." The cavalry team, which was mainly white, suddenly showed a blue, with blue feathers for decoration. Only junior officers can use it during combat. Currently, everyone is wearing a blue goose feather, which is particularly conspicuous when intertwined with the flag.

Worried that some cavalry would trample the ice and fall into the ice cave, Fisk ordered the team to be in small groups and spread out slightly, making the queue a little longer.

They were wary of possible enemies in the forest not far away, and moved along the winding river. After passing the last forest cover, the Vitebsk Fortress stood in the snowy field with its most obvious appearance.

Everyone took off their glasses one after another, because the flag was still flying in the fortress - it was the Ross flag.

"Gods bless us, our people are still holding on?!" Fisk was very happy, but on second thought he had to stay vigilant.

"Is it possible that it's a trap? The enemy has breached our fortress? After all, our walls and trenches were dug by surprise a few months ago." He looked at Karl and asked.

Karl didn't believe this was true: "Brother, at least you know how strong the inner city is."

"What do you think?"

"So, what do you think?" The two looked at each other and couldn't make up their minds, so Fisk simply decided: "Just go and have a look. I hope Odin will give them the strength to successfully defend the fortress!" That is to think of the enemy full of wisdom, Fisker thought this might be a trap.

However, any worries disappeared as the melodious and deep horn sounds came from the fortress - it was a tune from Sweden, and its unique texture could not be imitated by the Slavs.

"Okay, brother! I won't question it anymore. The fortress is safe and sound. Let's go!" After that, Fisk clamped his feet on the horse's belly, and the horse began to walk quickly.

The cavalry as a whole ran towards the fort, and responded with the sound of trumpets. At the same time, all the young warriors who were resting in the dormitories stood at the inner city wall, looking up at the arriving cavalry and crying with joy.

The Ross Cavalry, dressed as if they were attending a celebration, with feathers on their heads and decorated horses, made an incredible appearance at the frozen pier.

Fisk lives up to his nickname of bald. He does not have hair loss. Since his nickname is related to

"Bald" people do binding, so they try to shave their heads. No, he took off his hat and deliberately showed off his iconic bald head.

His nickname has long been famous throughout the kingdom. Even children as young as five or six know that there is a bald general under the king, and he is rumored to be a monster.

How is he a monster? The defenders standing high looked at the big bald man and burst into tears of joy. The defenders lowered their defenses and took off their helmets and hats. Those little warriors with pure golden hair were extremely dazzling in the sun.

Fisk clearly noticed this characteristic and immediately ordered his people to relax their guard. The cavalry team stationed at the frozen pier and saw some cables thrown down from the frozen city wall, and some defenders staggered down the ropes.

The dozen or so warriors in the lower city looked immature. They were indeed wearing Ross-style clothing, and their fluent Norse language was enough for Fisk to relax his guard.

"Is that you?! The heroic Fisk?" Fisk noticed the young man who was speaking, who was running towards him.

Huh? Something strange.

"It's me, who are you? Where's Yellinger? Let your Yellinger come out to see me." After a moment, the little warrior stood under Fisk's horse, panting.

"Jellinger. He...he died in battle."

"Huh?!" Fisk was shocked, but after thinking about it for a moment, he wasn't surprised.

"It's a war! Are you...really reinforcements?"

"Of course they are reinforcements." Carl Eriksson, who had just dismounted, gripped the hilt of his sword and hurriedly approached: "Is it you? Avender."

"Brother Carl? You...really found reinforcements..." Aivind, who was laughing through tears, patted his face vigorously, saying nothing.

The basic situation of the Vitebsk Fortress was basically learned by Fisk in a few words. Not long after the defensive battle of the city was completed, the outer city of the fortress had actually been breached. Thanks to the rock-solid inner city and sufficient supplies.

Now the soldiers on the city wall were waving flags and shouting in ecstasy, watching the cavalry move east along the outer city wall.

Soon, a battlefield that could not be completely covered by snow was revealed in front of the cavalry. Avender was ordered to lead the way. He kicked around and found a place

The "strange snowdrift" shows its true colors. Fiske, who squinted his eyes, keenly noticed that it was a frozen corpse. The clothes were a bit shabby. The whole body looked like a lump of frozen meat, and it also had the pale texture of a birch tree with its bark peeled off.

He looked around again and saw that the protrusions everywhere could be... Just look at the situation at the east gate of the fortress and all the truth would be revealed!

The gate has collapsed, but it is piled up with all kinds of debris. Are there enough stones locally?

There was an extreme shortage of stone, and the gaps in the piles looked like stones - the corpses of enemies.

"It seems that you don't have time to clean up the enemy's corpses." Fisk, who dismounted, asked casually.

"Yes."

"Boy, you are so young. It seems like you have become the leader of this city."

"I am the leader without any mistakes...it's just temporary." Avender said very naturally.

"How old are you?"

"Fourteen."

"Very good. Young, but not young anymore. Brother!" Fisk stared into the boy's eyes and slapped his right shoulder three times with his big hand: "You can't lie to me. When a soldier kills many enemies, he You will have the eyes of a wolf and a bear. You have personally killed many enemies."

"It's a lot. Each brother killed and wounded several enemies. Brother Fisk..." Avender also changed his tone: "Are you the only reinforcements?"

"Of course not! Behind me is the king's army. Boy, you should report everything to the king personally, your chance is about to come. So are there any enemies around here? Where is the main force of the enemy?"

"Maybe... in the direction of Polotsk." Avender pointed to the west and said confidently.

"Ah? This is the same as the footprints on the river. The king wants to fight that damn Vadim. Did that guy run away with his troops? Damn it! Are there no enemies around here?"

"Yes! The strength of the troops is unknown." Avender pointed to the location of the logging camp in the northeast: "There are some enemies entrenched there, and maybe there is a large army ambushed."

"That is true?"

"Really." Fisk gritted his teeth and looked at the forest to the east: "You were so busy holding on, you didn't send out scouts to find out?" In this regard, Avender slightly nodded and it was hard to explain.

"Forget it. Yellinger died in the battle, and the last fortress was defended by you young people. You have made a great contribution. Now, it's up to me to find out." After that, Fisk whistled and ordered everyone to dismount, rest, and twist their waists. The soldier remounted his horse, and he held a curved bow and pointed directly in the direction of the lumberyard: "Brothers, let's go! There are still enemies there, take a few prisoners to find out the situation!" So, the well-trained First Cavalry Team, the war horse Trotting all the way in the snow, they were ready to fight and bravely faced the challenge...