Chapter 237 - Viking Merchants Of Ireland

In the tribe during the last week, it could see a lot of activity as everyone was working on the construction of the houses.

Because they had already finished making the drainage system that connected to the main drainage of the tribe.

For its part, the town that was being built in the north advanced with total tranquility, due to the constant work of all the young people.

In that town, unlike the tribe, a wall of only three meters high was being built, but following Einar's design, they were building it, following a star design.

This is because Einar did not want a wall that could be destroyed in the future by artillery fire.

Although it was a somewhat drastic measure, as it would take longer to build the wall, it was a small price that Einar was willing to bear.

Because it was a preparation for the future, as conventional walls will only be a burden for the future as they would be completely useless.

Einar, who was in his small office on the training ground proudly looked at the plan he had drawn.

In it he could see the model of a square tower which had two rounded bunkers on its sides which will function as the place where four guards would be guarding the beach.

Although it did not have reinforced concrete, the bunkers would have iron supports and partition and cement would be used to manufacture them.

These bunkers would be connected by tunnels to a small base where there would be bathrooms, bedrooms, a warehouse, and a kitchen.

There would only be one entrance which would be camouflaged so that it could not be seen, but even if they find it, it will be difficult for them to enter because the door will be made of iron.

Also, those tunnels would connect with the tower, which could only be accessed through the tunnels.

The tower would have two functions, the first being a surveillance and early warning post, as well as having the function of serving as an optical telegraph.

After much thought, Einar discarded the idea of ​​investing time and effort in making an electric telegraph, because it would be impossible to do so.

Among many of the reasons was that there was no way to transmit power over long distances, so the telegraph message would be lost.

Not to mention, making copper wire wouldn't be very cheap or convenient, so recalling part of his military engineer history classes.

He remembered the French invention that was the forerunner of the electric telegraph, which was the optical telegraph.

Its operation was quite simple, a vertical wooden base was placed that had a horizontal wooden bar on it, forming a kind of letter 'T'.

At the ends of the horizontal base, there were some points of union which had some joined boards. These would work like some species of clock hands.

With them, they could move in 8 different positions so they could make a fairly large alphabet that even includes the numbers.

The operation was quite simple, first the guard on duty if he wanted to transmit a message towards a warning signal to the tower that was in the distance.

The guard in the other tower had to reply that he was paying attention. When that was done, communication could be established.

Einar knew it would be quite tedious to make long messages, so he also took the time to design a code-type alphabet.

So each movement would have a different meaning. For example, the two hands in a vertical position will mean that there are enemies.

So if afterward the left hand is used in a diagonal position to the left, with the right hand pointing down, it means that it is not known how many enemies are approaching.

Due to this optical telegraph system, the entire island could be united, so in just minutes it would be possible to know where an attack is being received or if any settlement needs food.

Although it will not be a very complicated system to learn, Einar will make a codebook so that the guards of the towers always know how to interpret it.

For correct operation, the towers would be placed every ten kilometers, since with the use of the spyglass it is the maximum safe distance that can be used.

Einar just closed his eyes and stroked his temples

'The code, the plans for the communication and security towers, and the operating process are ready.

Now I only need manpower to build these towers and start training the warriors to turn them into soldiers.

Each tower should have a garrison of 10 people, but if I only use warriors, they will not be enough.

So the best would be to use a warrior and 9 soldiers to protect the towers, I suppose because I will have a stable income of slaves.

I could apply a military service reform in exchange for his freedom, two years of service in the towers and they can be free men.

In order to motivate them better that every weekend they have rest, although to avoid dangers I should make them rotate so that everyone can rest. '

Opening his eyes he stretched his arms and got up from his chair to help himself to some herbal liquor "I guess I'll have to wait for the slaves to come so I can work on all the projects I have ready.

If we can maintain this pace of work in two years, we will have the entire coast of the island protected and with enough security to be able to resist any sporadic attack by the Vikings.

In three years I should have the island completely connected with roads, although I should use the method used by the Japanese during their period of isolation.

Every certain point on the roads there should be guard towers to guarantee security. I don't want bandits in my house.

After having the island completely inhabited and protected, we can move on to the next step. "

With a look full of ambition, Einar looked outside and enjoyed his herbal liqueur as he thought about his expansion plans.

While this was happening, Kassia, who was resting a bit on a chair, caressed her stomach and felt the small movements of her baby.

"You must not be so impatient, little baby. You can go out when the time is right, as long as it seems if mom tells you a little story."

When she felt her baby stop moving, a smile formed on Kassia's mouth. "Since you want to hear my story, let's start with the fact that what I'm going to tell you must be a secret between you and your mother.

When I was a child I had the opportunity to read many kinds of books and among them I found one that talked about Greek fire, a weapon that could burn even in water.

With great curiosity, your mother wanted to know more about the subject, but when I asked my mother she told me that it was a secret that only she as empress could have.

But those words would not stop me for what I was pestering my mother day and night to teach me.

Fortunately, she ended up giving in and she ended up telling me the formula, which is ... "

Einar, who was in his office, suddenly sneezed and had a chill through his body "I feel like someone is talking bad about me ..."

His words were interrupted when the noise of a bell was heard because it was ringing in an interrupted sequence. It must have been one of the merchants.

So he took his white bear cape from a wooden coat rack because it was getting cold.

When he arrived at the port with his father, he was surprised to see a number of Knarr.

The Viking ships were full of chained and scantily clad people. It gave Einar an idea that they were slaves.

'I suppose my lack of personnel can be supplied with these slaves. The only problem will be to distribute them but I have enough food so I don't think there are problems.'

Turning his head, Einar looked at Peder who was guarding the harbor "Peder, I want you to bring water, a lot of soap, scissors and some daggers.

Those slaves do not seem to have been very clean. We will have to make them wash their bodies and their clothes. For this, you need to bring Aila and Angus to guide these people.

Also bring a lot of paper because I have to do a census of all slaves to know who we are going to accept into the tribe.

When the first Knarr arrived in port, a man who was wearing a metal helmet and chain-mail armor get out of his ship.

"It is surprising that you have finally improved your tribe's harbor, Sven ."

Sven just laughed "To think you're still alive Vilhelm, I thought that island would have killed you."

Vilhelm just smiled and pointed to his ships "Those bastards tried but they ended up being my slaves. The natives of the island of Eire are pretty tough.

But nothing that a group of true Nordic men cannot control. In fact, I must have killed them to put their heads on pikes and give a message.

But my daughter did not want me to waste this labor that can serve you, according to one of the many missionaries of the cross.

They told me that they must have been 1238 slaves, but during the trip many of them wanted to be brave and ended up dead at sea.

So their number was reduced a lot, but I better let the man on the cross tell you about the new number of slaves. "