novelraw Chapter 116: Glasgow
Chapter 116: Glasgow
Ch 116: Glasgow
In mid-July, several thousand Vikings marched powerfully to the gates of Glasgow, a settlement located on the Northern Coast of the Clyde River. Vig planned to capture it within a month.
Spending several days digging moats and building siege camps, Vig assigned the task of building siege weapons to Joren. He himself planned to lead two thousand warriors to clear nearby small and medium-sized settlements.
Nearing departure, Vig welcomed an unexpected guest—an envoy from the Island Alliance, and also his brother-in-law, Helgi.
Outside the camp, Helgi and twenty or so attendants waited. This was their first time seeing an army of this scale, and they were greatly shocked.
“So much iron armor! I didn’t expect the Serpent of the North to be so wealthy.”
“Hey, look at their warhorses! They’re much larger than ordinary horses. It must be exhilarating to ride them.”
Listening to the repeated exclamations of his attendants, Helgi felt embarrassed and simply closed one eye, staring blankly until Vig came out to greet him.
“Welcome. The rear has sent many beers. You can try this new drink; it tastes far better than the previous ale.”
Inviting his brother-in-law and the boisterous youths into the tent, Vig had his subordinates prepare food and drink. During the meal, he carefully observed everyone’s expressions, roughly guessing his brother-in-law’s intentions. Unsurprisingly, the Island Alliance, having learned of the turmoil in the Northern Border’s situation, intended to take advantage and profit. However, they feared the reputation of the Serpent of the North, so they nominated Helgi to scout for news.
Vig thought to himself, “It’s because these people repeatedly harassed the West Coast, causing the Gael Nobles to increase their vigilance and ultimately form an alliance with the Picts, greatly increasing the difficulty of this war. Having made such a mess, they still have the nerve to ask me for benefits?”
He didn’t rush to speak, silently swirling the wine in his goblet. Soon, Helgi coughed twice, giving an awkward smile.
“Everyone heard you’re conquering the North and have offered to help. Worried about a misunderstanding, they sent me to inquire.”
Putting down his goblet, Vig sighed, “What does the Island Alliance want, or rather, what does Stein want?”
Seeing his brother-in-law’s evasiveness, he straightened his expression:
“In this war, my goal is to take the North. Stein plans to take advantage and gain some benefits, capturing several settlements—I don’t oppose that. But he has no right to seize land. When autumn arrives, he must return to his island. If he dares to invade my territory again, the only consequence will be death.”
Having come this far, after countless battles, Vig no longer cared about the so-called Island Alliance.
He wasn’t interested in compromising with this insignificant force that couldn’t muster five hundred warriors. If Stein insisted on causing trouble, besides his brother-in-law’s Isle of Skye, he would clear every island one by one, killing a bunch of troublemakers and sending the remaining prisoners to Stirling to work in the mines.
“Please convey these words exactly to Stein, letting him understand his status.”
After delivering his harsh words, Vig inquired about his sister Brita and nephew Leif’s well-being. Learning that they were in good health, he again invited his brother-in-law’s family to live in a better environment.
“The Aird region, south of Glasgow, has a port and large expanses of flat, open land suitable for farming and pastoralism. What do you think?”
“Uh, let me think.”
Helgi didn’t give a clear answer, seemingly still unable to let go of his pride.
Seeing this, Vig didn’t press further, giving some jewelry and drinks and entrusting Helgi to take them to Brita and Leif.
In the following period, Vig repeatedly attacked small and medium-sized settlements unwilling to surrender. He didn’t trouble the commoners and slaves, focusing his attacks on the lords, confiscating their land and wealth.
Undoubtedly, this would cause unrest in the North, greatly increasing the likelihood of future rebellions. However, Vig had no choice.
After the battle, confidants such as Joren, Barfus, Micham, and Torger had to be ennobled, along with many soldiers promoted to knights. This large group would inevitably occupy the ecological niche of the original nobles; conflict would inevitably erupt. It was better to resolve it once and for all.
As one village after another fell under his control, he dispatched the military shaman and a group of fifth-year students to register the population and land area as a basis for future taxation and land distribution.
“The Central Lowlands are the essence of all Scotland. Hmm, perhaps I should establish three counties.”
As the war continued, Vig’s understanding of this land deepened. When the situation in the Central Lowlands was largely stabilized, he dispatched a unit to Edinburgh to take over Shrike’s work, allowing the latter to lead the Mountain Infantry to await deployment.
After three months of training, Shrike’s troops were reorganized into a Mountain Infantry Battalion, with three companies, nine squads per company, totaling one hundred and forty men. In addition to the twenty soldiers, thirty longbowmen, and thirty supply soldiers directly under the camp headquarters, the total number was five hundred. Furthermore, they were equipped with more than twenty short-legged horses suitable for mountain travel.
Observing a drill of the Mountain Infantry, Vig smiled, pointing to a small dot on the map,
“The enemies in the Central Lowlands are dwindling. It’s time to purge the Southern Mountains. This is Lennox, a valley in the South. You lead the troops to take it, testing the Mountain Infantry’s combat power.”
Looking at the roughly drawn parchment map, Shrike didn’t say much, readily accepting.
The next morning, five hundred Mountain Infantry set off for the South. After walking for half a day, the terrain became increasingly rugged. Before them lay an endless expanse of forest. The mountain wind blew, causing countless leaves to sway, like a layered green ocean.
“Spread out the formation.”
Hearing Shrike’s order, a soldier took out a horn and blew it with all his might.
Instantly, the troops split into twenty-seven squads, entering the strange and dangerous forest one after another.
The air was humid and sultry. Sunlight streamed through the intricate branches, casting many oddly shaped spots. Many heather bushes grew nearby, their purplish-red flower clusters drooping. Occasionally, a brightly colored grouse would flutter past, attracting everyone’s attention.
Every ten minutes or so, Shrike had the soldiers repeat the horn sound, inquiring about the situation of the various units. According to procedure, the three company commanders responded using flutes, while the squad leaders used copper whistles.
As they delved deeper into the mountains, the horn sounds, flute music, and whistle sounds echoed, startling the nearby birds and beasts, conveying a strange and dangerous atmosphere.
After lunch, the troops continued to advance. When passing a stream, Shrike heard a rather hurried whistle from the East Side, signifying “Under attack, currently engaged in combat.”
A few seconds later, flute music sounded from the eastern forest. The company commander ordered the attacked squad to defend in place, while surrounding squads went to reinforce.
At the same time, Shrike used the horn to order the remaining troops to close ranks, preparing for the impending attack.
In the anxious wait, a messenger arrived at the camp headquarters, reporting that the enemy had been repelled, with twenty killed and one friendly casualty and four wounded.