Vikings: Lords of the Ice Sea

Chapter 12 The City the World Desires
Entering the city through the Perama Gate, Vig wandered around. The city's main streets were paved with marble and lined with shops on both sides, and there was even a public bathhouse, a rare sight in Northern Europe.

The water for the baths comes from the Belgrade Forest outside the city and is transported from west to east to the city via an elevated aqueduct called Valens.

Upon entering, the bathhouse was divided into three areas: a cold water bath, a warm water bath, and a hot water bath. After a moment's thought, Vig chose the warm water bath. The moment he immersed himself in the warm water, the fatigue he had accumulated over the past six months vanished.

That evening, the members who had gone out returned to the warehouse one after another. Bjorn was very puzzled by Vig's actions, "You only went out to shop and take a bath, and did nothing else? That's such a waste."

Bjorn, a quintessential Viking, displayed his prowess in an underground arena, defeating five opponents from different regions. After collecting his prize money, he indulged in a lavish lifestyle with two prostitutes, ultimately spending the remaining money on a feast, feeling that his half-day had been truly worthwhile.

The other members had similar experiences, but Vig's approach was exceptionally outstanding, leaving people somewhat puzzled.

Soon after, Rurik, reeking of alcohol, pushed open the courtyard gate. "I've reached an agreement with a businessman from Armenia. He's willing to buy our goods at a high price. Vig is good at math, so he'll stay tomorrow to help me negotiate the deal."

After spending this period together, Rurik discovered that Vig had mastered a method of arithmetic he had never seen before. It was simple and efficient, and he could easily solve problems that had troubled others for a long time, even surpassing the local Greek scholars.

The following morning, the Armenian merchant arrived as promised, accompanied by two assistants, and patiently inspected the goods, praising the white fox pelts that were in excellent condition.

"Ladies love wearing white fur coats, so I'll take the whole shipment."

Vig quickly calculated the total value of the goods on papyrus in just three minutes, using a quill pen. In contrast, the Armenian merchant was much slower. After repeated calculations, his result was exactly the same as that of the Norse barbarians. He was greatly alarmed and asked Rurik in Greek.

"How much is this slave? Name your price."

“A slave?” Rurik spat out his tea, coughing violently. “What nonsense are you talking about? He’s a guard of some Nordic nobleman who once killed ten Pechenegs alone in the wild. Luckily, he doesn’t understand Greek; he might have snapped your neck in a fit of rage.”

"Really? That's a shame."

The businessman stared at the burly young man from Northern Europe and couldn't help but sigh, "If he were Greek, with this rare talent, he would be able to study at Magnaura Academy and become a civil servant or a staff member of a great noble family after graduation, without having to struggle to survive in the barren and cold land of Northern Europe."

Rurik shook his head at this. "There's nothing to regret. Constantinople is indeed incredibly prosperous, but that doesn't mean it possesses all the glory in the world. The fates of mortals are all different. His fate belongs to the raging waves of the North Sea, while mine lies in the vast black plains of Eastern Europe. Perhaps one day, our names will resound throughout the world. Haha, who knows?"

"Perhaps," the merchant chuckled, "the future is unpredictable, and maybe you really will make a name for yourselves." He then paid for a batch of gold and silver coins bearing the image of the late Emperor Theophilus.

With the payment settled, the two parties parted ways.

In the presence of the remaining members, Rurik locked the currency in a copper box. That evening, during a dinner gathering, he suggested purchasing spices and silk to sell on the return journey.

"Brothers, on the way back, we need to row against the current, so it's not suitable to carry too much cargo. Spices and silk are the most suitable choices."

Ivar spoke first, "I've taken a fancy to a steel sword at the market, and I need to withdraw money from my share. You can do whatever you want with the rest."

The others each had their own requests, and Vig also intended to buy a chainmail, but Rurik reminded him that armor was a sensitive item, so he had to give up on that idea. A few days later, Vig and Rurik went to Theodosius Square to buy spices and found the spice merchant receiving an old man who looked like a steward. The merchant was extremely humble and kept repeating a name—Bardas.

Vig thought of the ring found in the Pecheneg tribe, whose owner also seemed to be named Baldas.

Rurik also recalled the ring, stopped the departing butler, and told him about his journey there.

Upon hearing the whereabouts of the ring, the butler's expression changed drastically. He led the two to a tavern and patiently inquired, "Are you sure that team was wiped out by the nomads?"

Rurik: "Yes, after we broke into the tribal camp, we only found this ring. The letter the messenger was carrying was also burned by them."

“I see,” the steward said, having learned that Rurik was on good terms with the local Rus tribe. He scrutinized the Nordic barbarian repeatedly before leaving, and then took off the money pouch from his waist.

"I'll come back to see you in a few days, remember not to wander off."

Once the steward was out of sight, Rurik discovered that the purse contained more than fifty gold coins, roughly worth at least two pounds of silver!
"If a mere butler can be so extravagant, who exactly is his master?"

By asking the other drinkers around him, Rurik finally learned of Baldas's identity—the uncle of Emperor Michael III.

It is now August 841 AD. Two months ago, the late Emperor Theophilus died, and his one-and-a-half-year-old son, Michael III, ascended the throne. With the new emperor so young, the court was managed by the Dowager Theodora, Bardas, and the powerful minister Dioctestos.

"With a young ruler and a suspicious state, several major forces are entangled in a mess. No wonder I've noticed a strange atmosphere in the conversations of passersby these past few days."

As a former history major, Vig understood that this power structure was extremely dangerous. Ordinary people who got involved could easily face annihilation and even the destruction of their entire family if they were not careful.

He thought to himself, "We've killed Lord Borg and gained a lot of valuable gold and silver, exceeding our target. It's time to make a run for it."

Unfortunately, when Vig and Rurik returned to the warehouse, they found a well-dressed middle-aged man sitting at a food stall across the street, clearly watching them.

This is trouble.

Although the purpose of Baldas sending the message to the steppe is unknown, the fact that such an important figure would send away a ring he had worn for many years suggests that there must be a ulterior motive behind it.

Realizing the seriousness of the situation, Rurik exclaimed with regret, but there was nothing he could do. Since he was being watched by a powerful figure, running away on his own was definitely not an option.

After two days of anxious waiting, a troop of Imperial Guard cavalry in red robes arrived at the warehouse, saying that the emperor intended to summon this group of Norse barbarians who had come from afar.

(End of this chapter)