The rain had almost stopped as Sarah rummaged through the sea chest that had been left on board the stolen boat. She found some dry clothes, several sacks and a cloak. Handing them out to the children she saw the looks of deep suspicion that they gave her. Well, she couldn’t blame them; if the roles had been reversed she would be a tad scared too.
Once she had made sure that everyone was comfortable, she went and sat next to Leif who was still manning the steering oar. Sarah, finding it difficult to cope with the uncomfortable silence, finally opened her mouth to speak but before the words came out, Leif uttered a simple “Thank you”. Two words which took the wind out of Sarah’s sails, leaving them to sink back into a much easier silence.
Sarah was certain that the events of the past few days hadn’t properly really sunk in; otherwise she wouldn’t be sitting here so relaxed. When in reality, she should be a gibbering wreck. Smiling to herself she wondered at her own ability to stay so calm. Her Nan always said that it was at times of great stress that we find out things about ourselves that we didn’t know.
Sarah pulled out the Thor amulet from her little satchel and with a sigh threaded it onto her own amulet. They clinked against one another and hooking it back around her neck, the two settled side by side, warm on her chest.
Thor had mentioned ‘her goddess’ and it wasn’t the first time this had come up. She had even called upon the goddess, without thinking. There were far too many questions and not enough answers. She hoped that if she ever got home then maybe she would find the answers. A nudge from Leif brought her day dreaming to a halt as the sun began to rise in the sky.
“That’s a relief, the sun is to the left of us, means that we are going in the right direction and that storm didn’t send us off track,” he said.
“How long before we get back?”
“A day or so, though if this wind keeps up it may well be less,” he shrugged.
The spirits of the children rose with the sun. Quiet chattering and the occasional burst of laughter filled Sarah’s heart with joy. Harald made his way gingerly towards her, the apprehension on his face bringing tears to her eyes.
“Want a hug?” she said, arms wide open, smiling.
He hesitated and looked to his older brother. Leif smiled and gave a small nod. Harald ran into Sarah’s waiting arms, he smelt all salty but it was good to have a hug. With Harald nestled beside her, a number of the other children lost their reticence and also came over. She gave hugs to those who wanted one and spoke quietly with them.
After a while Sarah heard a shout from Hakon’s boat which was a little way ahead of them, making her heart leap as she jumped up quickly, startling some of the children. This time she heard the shout more clearly.
“Land Ho!”
A ragged cheer came from both of the boats. Leif and Sarah exchanged a look; they had been through enough to know that this might not be good news.
“Can you tell what land it is?” Sarah asked quietly.
“Not yet, it could be Bornholm again. We’ll know as we get closer,” said Leif squinting at the distant land mass. After what seemed many hours but was actually mere minutes, Leif spoke again.
“It is, it’s Bornholm and the right coast this time, see how flat it is?” he pointed excitedly at the low lying coastline. “Shout to Hakon Sarah and tell him we need to make for the coast, I’m sure I can find father’s friends”.
Relief flooded through Sarah as she hastened to do as Leif had asked; it would be nice to hand over responsibility to an adult. She knew that she had asked for a bit more adventure in her life...but really! The children on both boats were starting to get excited now, the chatter was of the great adventure they had had. Sarah had a feeling this would be a story that would be told again and again and no doubt getting more fantastical through time. Personally, she was looking forward to some warm food, a bath and some clean clothes, in that order.
Coming out of her daydream she found that they had made good time and were now sailing close to shore as Leif was concentrated on scanning the coastline for landmarks that he recognised. Unlike the other side of Bornholm this side was flattish land with gently sloping beaches of white sand. As on Gotland they could see small settlements, set back a bit from the beaches surrounded by farmland. Small boats were beached above the tideline and some were stored in sheds close to the water’s edge.
“There!” shouted Leif.
Sarah turned and saw a short jetty to one side of a narrow bay, at the head of which a cluster of buildings was visible. It looked much like the settlement that they had escaped from but smaller.
Tied up at the jetty was a boat. Sarah frowned as it had a carved head that for some reason looked really familiar. Just as she was about to say something to Leif, they heard a shout from Hakon. It was Harald who interpreted the shout.
“He’s saying that the boat is one of Fathers, he recognised the carving, and it was being repaired when Father left”.
They heard a woman shout from the settlement; it was not an unwelcome noise. People then started to emerge from the central building, which Sarah assumed was the hall. Wondering what kind of reception they would get, she found herself holding her breath. Scanning the crowd that was now gathered on the beach, she saw a familiar blonde head towering above everyone. She stood up and shouted, “ULF!”
The crowd parted and Ulf came forward, looking every inch the warrior although the effect was softened by the huge smile as he took in the two boats, Sarah, Hakon, Leif and the children.
“Where in the name of Thor have you been?” he bellowed.
“It’s a long story, but please can we get these children some food and warm clothes and then we will tell all.”
Sarah ushered the children off the boats and into the arms of the women who clucked over them like brood of hens. Several of the men helped Hakon and Leif secure the boats, noticing that some of them knew the two boys although she did not recognise them. She supposed that they must have come from neighbouring farms that owed fealty to Geir.
Sarah stood silently on the beach, not really sure what she should be doing when one of the women came over to her and gently guided her to the hall. She found herself sitting in front of the fire a beaker of warmed mead in her hands and a rough wool blanket around her shoulders. She wondered how she should start the story. Gently sippings the mead, she stared into the fire letting her thoughts wonder.
“Ahem”
Sarah came too with a start to find that both Hakon and Leif were sitting on either side of her. The whole settlement had crammed into the hall to hear their story. She looked around and saw that all the children were safe and being fed. Someone handed her a bowl of stew, absently she said thanks. Hakon gave her a nudge, he wanted her to speak?
She shook her head “No, you’re the eldest, you tell what happened, I’m hungry and want to eat”.
A ripple of laughter ran around the assembled people as Hakon shrugged and began to tell their tale. Sarah concentrated on eating her stew hoping that Hakon would play down her side of it. The last thing she wanted was accusations of witchcraft. As the tale came to an end, Sarah began to relax. Hakon had not mentioned, nor had the others, anything about Sarah’s gift.
They hadn’t been able to avoid the bit about her killing the bear warrior (although she was sure he was not actually a real berserker), this had caused some mutters as did the information that the children had been pawns in some political game for the Danish crown. The bit about the storm and the rogue wave also caused a stir and had some of the men reaching for their hammer amulets.
Although she could feel the gaze of many on her, it was the intense look that Ulf gave her that made her the most uncomfortable. As she looked at Ulf she felt her amulet warm against her skin, giving her confidence. She felt herself sit up straighter, her chin lifted and she smiled at Ulf. It was then his turn to look uncomfortable and looking at Hakon he spoke.
“Your mother is beside herself with
worry” he began, Hakon and Leif tried to look elsewhere.
“It was rash to go haring off chasing warriors but, you are back safe and sound and have done our neighbours and allies a service by rescuing their young ‘uns as well. Not to mention, coming back with some plunder – a whole new boat; she might forgive you eventually. When I left, your father was still away with the King and I had convinced your mother not to send for him.” Ulf turned to a man that Sarah assumed was the headman of the settlement.
“Can we ask for your hospitality of one more night, we will leave at first light tomorrow,” he asked cordially.
The headman nodded his assent and clapping his hands he sent most of the people in the hall back out to their work; after all, it was only just past noon. Sarah was glad of the respite from the stares and whispers. Ulf too, had left with Hakon and Leif to check over the boats and make sure that they could make the last leg of their journey. Walking over to a cluster of women she offered to help and was put to work with an older woman making the bread for the evening meal.
The next day dawned bright and clear, the children were distributed amongst the three boats as were the more experienced sailors. Thanks were given, hands shaken and the goodbyes said. Then they were off once more but this time the only thing that the trio needed to fear was the wrath of Astrid. With the sun on her face and the wind in her hair, a feeling of peace came over Sarah as the realisation set in that it would only be a matter of time before she too would be going home.
She laughed out loud, the smile on her face infectious. “It is good to be alive” she said to no one in particular. It seemed that she was not the only one who felt that all was well.
Singing could be heard from Ulf’s boat and uproarious laughter from Hakon’s. So, it was with light hearts that the three boats eventually pulled into the cove that was home. There must have been someone on look-out because a crowd had gathered on the beach; Sarah could see Astrid standing at the front, her expression unreadable from a distance.
Chapter Twenty