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Excerpt from The Rune Master Saga II: Beyond Green Land
Copyright 2015 by Rodney R. Baker. All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced, scanned, or distributed in any printed or electronic form without permission.
ISBN: 978-1505366570
The Norse trade routes
From Norway to Greenland
Part 1:
Vine Land
In the beginning, Odin formed the earth, seas, and sky. He made two beings resembling himself and the other gods, one male and one female, and gave them blood, sight, and the ability to speak and feel.
In his quest to gain wisdom and knowledge, Odin traded one eye to drink from the Well of Wisdom. To obtain knowledge of the occult, he sacrificially speared himself to a tree. At the end of nine days, he had acquired understanding of the magical powers of the runes.
This knowledge of the runes to control the forces of nature and to foretell the future he gave to those who would serve him.
Norse Mythology
Chapter 1
The Vine Land – 9th Century
He dared not move from his hiding place. He could hear the searchers in the woods and hoped that he could avoid them until it got darker. The sun was low in the sky, but he had only two hours at most to join his friends on the shore.
As the last light began dropping below the horizon, he decided he could wait no longer and carefully headed toward the water, stopping only to listen for sounds of those looking for him. The darkness slowed his way until he emerged from the heavy woods and could now use the light from the moon to guide him. The smell of the sea grew stronger and encouraged him, and he began to hear the sound of the waves slapping the shore that led him to believe he would soon be safe.
Nearing the cove where they had left the ship, he moved carefully to make sure that the skraelings had not found it and might be waiting for him. He and his shipmates had found and stored the fresh water they needed earlier in the day and had agreed to look for fresh meat and other food. When they met the hunting party near the tree line of the woods, thoughts of a friendly encounter vanished as the skraelings attacked with bows and arrows, killing two of their men. They were able to retreat from that first confrontation by entering and hiding in the woods, but he and Jorun, his co-captain, believed the chances for their men were better in getting back to the ship if they divided their group and made the search for them more difficult. They agreed to meet back at the cove when it got dark.
He hoped that the group led by Jorun fared better than the men he led after they separated. His group had been scattered when found by the skraelings, and each man sought his own refuge. He would find out soon if the others had made it back safely.
When he reached the shore, the ship was not in the cove. He could not fault the decision he and Jorun had made to wait no longer than one hour after dark before taking to the sea with the men who had made it back. Odin and the other gods had decided that he was to remain behind in this place.
The lessons of survival at sea that had guided him his entire trader life would not allow Tallak to dwell on his misfortune. He turned back to the woods that had protected him.
Chapter 2
Tallak stretched as he awoke in the morning. He ate some of the nuts and berries he had gathered the day before and considered what to do next. He knew he could not protect himself against the bows and arrows of the skraelings with the bone knife he carried in his belt, but he could sharpen a stick to use as a weapon that he could also use to hunt and fish.
Thinking of protection, he withdrew from his pouch a small carving made from ivory. His good friend Torvald had received it when they departed the Green Land on their last trading voyage together. It had the blessing of a shaman-angakkug who gave it the protection of the spirits to keep them safe at sea. Since his friend could not come with him on this voyage, he gave Tallak the carving to take with him. It additionally carried a blessing of the gods for safety from his friend’s sister, a rune master. Tallak smiled. He believed the carving had kept him safe from the violent storm that took his ship off course on the trade voyage from Iceland to the Green Land. As far as Tallak knew, the other five ships that accompanied him had been lost at sea during the storm. Perhaps he still had protection and gave thanks to Odin, the spirits of the sea, and the rune master.
He had no problem finding a straight tree limb he could use as a spear. After shaping and sharpening the stick, he moved off to explore his surroundings and look for water in the streams he had crossed in the woods. With the help of the gods, he might even be able to catch a fish for his morning meal.
Tallak dropped to his knees at the first stream he found and drank the cool water. As he rose, he was startled by the presence of what he knew to be a skraeling woman, dressed in skins, standing across from him and the narrow stream. He grabbed his spear, but the woman only covered her mouth with her hand, shook her head to let him know not to speak, and motioned to him to follow as she walked away from the stream. Her actions were friendly and she did not seem a danger to him, so Tallak chose to do what she asked.
They had moved away from the water only a short distance when the woman stopped, hid behind a tree, and pointed back at the stream. Tallak hid behind another tree and, looking back, saw four skraeling men approach the stream. They held bows with arrows in skins hanging over their shoulders and drank the water as he had done only a few moments earlier. The woman again motioned to him not to speak and moved further back into the woods. Tallak tried to make as little noise as she did in following her.
Tallak guessed they had been walking an hour when they reached a clearing. The woman entered a small, tent-like structure covered with tree bark in the center of the camp and returned with a basket that she placed before him on the ground. She sat down, pointed to the basket, and then pointed to her mouth. Tallak sat on the ground across the basket from her and saw what appeared to be berries, fruit, and vegetables in the basket. He picked out a berry from the basket and looked up at her. She again nodded with a smile on her face. With that friendly gesture, Tallak began eating from the basket.
As they sat across from each other, the woman began to speak. Tallak could not understand her, however. He pointed to his ears and shook his head.
She paused for a moment and then placed her hand on her breast and spoke one word with many syllables. He tried to repeat the word, but she only laughed softly and said the word again.
Tallak believed she was trying to say her name and tried the same gesture she had used. He placed his hand on his breast and said “Tallak.”
The woman repeated his name with more accuracy than he had pronounced hers, and he nodded. She again pronounced her name while pointing to herself and, this time, Tallak replied with “Naenga” before stumbling on the last sounds he thought he heard.
She smiled once more, pointed to him, and said “Tallak.” She then pointed to herself and said “Naenga” without adding the rest of sounds of her name.
Tallak relaxed and knew that “Naenga” would work for now.
Naenga picked a berry out of the basket, pointed to it, and said, “Menichk.”
Tallak repeated, “Menichk,” then pointed to the berry and said, “Berry.”
Naenga then said the same word.
They began naming other objects around them – first in their own language with the other supplying the word in their language. They also agreed on words for “yes” and “no.”
Tallak became more relaxed as they continued with what he came of think of as their word lessons. Together with her rescue of him from certain contact and hostilities from the skraelings at the stream, he began to think of her as his first friend in this strange land. He also began to study her more closely. The skins she wore dropped below her knees. She had a slender body with pale skin, and a band tied across her forehead held her long, black hair away from her face. Her dark eyes, together with the contrast of her dark hair against the light color of her skin, produced a striking appearance. He was surprised with his first impression of her as a woman—she was more a young maiden. He wondered what she thought of him with his scruffy beard and wind-swept hair from months at sea to the shirt and baggy trousers he and other traders usually wore. The male skraelings did not have beards and covered their bronzed bodies only with skins tied around their waist.
The word lessons had paused when Naenga picked up the sharpened stick by Tallak’s side and moved it further away from him, pronouncing a word. Tallak thought carefully about her action and then moved his spear even further away and said, “Safe.”
Naenga smiled, nodded, and said, “Tallak safe.”
* *
The next few days, Tallak and Naenga continued their word lessons and explored the surrounding woods. Naenga showed him where to find the berries and fruit that they had been eating.
The first note of displeasure he heard while with Naenga occurred when he had found fish in a stream near her camp. He pointed to the fish with his spear and named them in his language. She shook her head and said “No!” He clearly understood the disapproval in her voice and understood that fish were not to be included in their meals.
Tallak had many questions that he could not ask her because of their language differences. He wanted to know the location of this land and its distance from the Green Land. He wanted to know why she lived alone in the forest and why her skin was so pale compared to the male skraelings. And he wanted to know why she was befriending him. He knew it would take some time to be able to have his questions answered—if ever.
Chapter 3
The Hjalmarsund Settlement in Iceland – eight months later
“No, Runa, stay away from the fire.”
The two-year-old child looked first at his mother and then his aunt and said, “Hot.”
Her mother sighed and then stood up awkwardly and went over to the child to move her further back from the fire. “I hope your new brother or sister minds me better than you do,” said Brit.
Glyndr chuckled. “She is an inquisitive child. Naming her after the legends of the runes was appropriate. Perhaps you will be able to choose a more submissive name for your next child.”
“It will be at least two more months before I have to make that decision,” said Brit.
As Glyndr watched Brit tending to Runa, her thoughts returned to her first meeting with Brit. They had become close friends, and others often remarked how similar they were in appearance. Both had reached their 20th birthday, both had long blond hair and blue eyes, and both dressed alike in their linen dresses and woolen tunics. Brit did wear her hair up in a scarf, however, while Glyndr’s hair hung down to her shoulders, as did other unmarried maidens.
Glyndr’s thoughts were interrupted when Brit’s mother entered the longhouse carrying vegetables she had picked from the garden.
As Glyndr started to do so, Hjalmar and Torvald entered the longhouse. Hjalmar went over to Runa, picked her up, and gave her a hug. Runa gave him a wide smile and a hug of her own.
“I have not seen you since the morning meal, Runa. I missed you.”
“You spoil her with your attention,” said Brit.
“Yes, but that’s what grandfathers are supposed to do,” said Hjalmar with a grin, “and since my son and his wife moved into the longhouse you and Torvald built after you left for the Green Land, I miss my other grandchildren, so I have only one to spoil—until your new child joins us, of course.”
“And how was your day?” Glyndr asked her older brother.
“It went well,” said Torvald. “The trading warehouses built by Gaylor and the other skraelings are full. Gaylor hopes that Tallak and the other traders return soon from the Green Land.”
“Shouldn’t they have returned by now?”
Torvald shrugged. “A trader’s life is not always predictable. Tallak may have decided to winter in the Green Land if ice prevented his departure.”
“That would not be pleasant,” said Glyndr. “The winter I spent there was the coldest I ever experienced.”
“Yes, but you survived as would Tallak and his crew. He would also have many stories to tell.”
After the evening meal, Torvald and his sister continued their conversation about Tallak.
“Are you really not worried about Tallak?” asked Glyndr.
Torvald took his time before answering his sister.
“It is not the nature of a trader to worry. When Tallak and I made trading voyages together, we would talk about the decision of the gods to place difficulties before us. We both agreed that if the gods decide to give us difficulty, it is then for us to decide what to do next. If Tallak is having any problems, he will do what is needed. Since I am not with him, I do not worry if he has any problems or what he is doing.”
“Do you wish you were with him?”
Torvald shook his head. “I made my decision to be with Brit and my daughter and to be here when our new child is born. It is not helpful to question decisions made.”
* *
The next morning, Torvald left after the morning meal to meet again with Gaylor, the skraeling chief, to discuss changes to the trader warehouses. Once inside Gaylor’s camp, Torvald approached Gaylor’s lodge, the largest in camp with its whalebone- supported walls covered with animal skins. Entering, he found Jolgon, the shaman-angakkug and spiritual leader of the skraelings, talking with Gaylor. Both were dark-skinned and wore animal furs, as did the other skraelings.
“Welcome, trader Torvald,” said Gaylor. “Jolgon has been telling me of a disturbance in the spirits of the land that he cannot explain.”
“I also welcome you,” said Jolgon, “and hope you and your rune master sister are well.”
Torvald acknowledged and returned the greetings. He once more thought of the remarkable reversal in attitude of the angakkug toward his sister. The initial hostility and distrust that Jolgon had of Glyndr and her gods changed after they joined forces to quiet the dangerous volcano threatening both the skraelings and the settlers.
“What is the spirit disturbance you speak of?” asked Torvald.
“It is strange to me,” said Jolgon. “The spirits are not at ease, but I cannot tell what is disturbing them. I know only that a change is near and the unrest of the spirits has been growing stronger over the last few days. I would like to talk with your sister about what I sense.”
“I have only a few things to discuss with Gaylor. Perhaps you can then return with me to Hjalmar’s longhouse to talk with Glyndr.”
Less than an hour later, Torvald and Jolgon were on their way to Hjalmar’s home.
Arriving, they entered the dwelling and shared greetings. Torvald told Glyndr the reason for Jolgon’s visit.
“I would be pleased to talk with you, Jolgon. Perhaps we could walk to a place I visit to seek quiet with my gods.”
“I would welcome that,” answered Jolgon.
When they reached a clearing not far from the longhouse, Glyndr sat on the ground and Jolgon joined her, laying his ever-present spirit stick next to them.
As Jolgon began describing the spirit disturbance, Glyndr listened carefully. Because they had shared their beliefs with each other, Glyndr knew the importance to him and the skraelings for maintaining balance and harmony in life. If Jolgon believed that harmony was being disturbed, she knew she needed to take seriously his concerns.
“I did not tell Gaylor or your brother, but I believe that the spirits are responding to some change that will affect the settlement.”
“And you cannot tell me more about that change?” asked Glyndr.
Jolgon shook his head. “I can only add that since you and I asked the spirits and the gods to work together to help us, that the peace between the skraelings and the settlers is important to the harmony of the land. If there is to be a change in that relationship, the change will affect balance.”
“I, too, believe that the spirits and the gods of my people are pleased with the harmony between us,” said Glyndr.
“I have learned from you,” said Jolgon, “that although we share similar beliefs about what affects the future, I as angakkug believe I must constantly be aware of what affects the spirits. You have told me that your gods will not always tell you things unless asked. Perhaps you could seek counsel about what is ahead from your gods?”
“If harmony is being threatened, then it would indeed be important for me as a rune master to ask the gods about it.”
“I have never been with you when you sought knowledge from your gods. Is my presence permitted?”
Glyndr nodded. “The gods will be pleased with your presence since we seek knowledge together of that which could affect our people.”
Glyndr selected nine pieces of bark from the pouch she always carried with her. She gave the pieces she had chosen to Jolgon to examine. He saw that they were each about the size of his thumb.
“As I began learning to understand the meaning of the runes from my master, I was given these pieces of bark to prepare my own rune pieces. You can see the carving I made of one of the ancient Futhark rune symbols on one side of each piece of bark. I also marked each symbol with my blood as a sacrifice to please the gods as I asked them to grant me the ability to serve them and foretell the path ahead that they were willing to reveal.”
Jolgon nodded his understanding and carefully handed the runes back to Glyndr.
“I selected these runes to provide the information we seek. In asking the gods to help me understand what is to come, I will begin by making a special request to the gods called a galdor. I will then drop the runes to the ground. The pieces that have their rune markings upturned will reveal knowledge of the future.”
Glyndr spoke softly as she held the rune pieces in her hands. “Great god Odin, I am Glyndr and serve you and the other gods of my people as a rune master. I seek to understand that which is to come and that which the spirits of the land believe will alter the harmony between skraeling and settler. I ask that you help these runes guide my understanding of forces that may alter the harmony of the land.”
With the completion of the galdor, Glyndr dropped the runes on the ground. Four runes had their markings upturned.
Glyndr studied the four runes, and then turned the others over so she could see which runes had their markings facing the ground. Those she set aside from the first four.
Glyndr pointed to one of the upturned runes. “This is the Raidho rune and foretells of a change in life journey.”
“This rune,” continued Glyndr, “is Kenaz and conveys the importance of being open to change and to trust the strengths we have to use change to control a desired future. And this rune is Ansuz, a rune of protection.”
“And the last?” asked Jolgon.
“It is the Nauthiz rune and a rune of comfort. Together with the other three, I believe it means that we should not fear the changes that are coming even though the changes may disrupt harmony. I believe that the gods further mean that we will be protected during the disharmony.”
Neither spoke at first, then Jolgon nodded.
“I saw that you looked at which pieces had their markings turned down,” said Jolgon.
“Those rune pieces that fell with their markings turned downwards are called merkstave. They have meaning but not equal importance.”
“But the changes your runes foretell will interfere with the harmony on the land, just as the spirits have indicated to me?”
Glyndr paused, thinking how best to answer him.
“You must understand,” said Jolgon, “that my life as angakkug is devoted to maintaining peace and harmony with the spirits. I must do what I can to avoid disharmony. I have seen you use your runes to ask your gods to alter the future as you did with the volcano that threatened us. Can you not ask your gods to change the future?”
“I did not ask the gods to alter the future. I only asked that they grant my request to control the forces of nature that were interfering with the natural order. The future will be what the gods wish. Had my request not supported what they wanted for us, they would not have done what I asked. You may remember that I told you then that I believed the gods were pleased that we were working together for the first time instead of opposing each other. The future the gods desired was peace between us, and our actions did result in that future.”
“I also believe the spirits wanted a future of harmony between skraelings and settlers,” said Jolgon, “but it will still be my duty as angakkug to do what I can to avoid the disharmony that is foretold.”
“I know that you must carry out that responsibility for your people,” said Glyndr.
“Do we tell Gaylor or Hjalmar or your brother what we believe is ahead of us?”
Glyndr shook her head. “I think it best to wait until the change in life journey is clearer.”
Jolgon left quietly, leaving Glyndr to consider the rune message.
Chapter 4
The Vine Land
The skraelings that saw Tallak and Naenga in the woods did nothing but watch them for a brief time, then moved on.
“Did you see…” started Tallak.
Naenga nodded and said, “We will wait to talk until we return to camp.”
As they walked back to Naenga’s camp, Tallak now had one more question to add to the others he wanted to talk about with Naenga. This encounter with the skra elings with no hostility was something new and important that he needed to learn about. Over the last several months, he had learned much from Naenga about how to support his life in this land, but he still had not asked Naenga why she lived apart from the other skraelings. They could now better communicate with each other. Naenga had learned more of his words than he had of hers, however, so they often spoke in his language. Tallak decided to ask his questions when they got back to camp.
“Why did the skraelings just watch us?” asked Tallak.
“Since you were with me, they believe I protect you and will not harm you. They have acted so the other times they have seen us in the woods together.”
Tallak was surprised and a little irritated with himself that he had not been aware of the other times the skraelings had seen them, but he put that thought aside to ask his questions.
“Can you tell me more about yourself?” asked Tallak. “I have often wondered why you live apart from the skraelings and why your skin is much lighter than theirs.”
“When born with my light-colored skin,” said Naenga, “the others believed it a sign from the Great Spirit Creator who was responsible for all existence. They believe it was he who asked Neganogonimgosseesgo, the wise spirit mother of the first man created, to send me to them. It was her name I spoke to you when we first met.”
Tallak smiled to himself at the memory of that meeting and his attempt to pronounce her name.
“The others could not understand why the Great Spirit Creator had sent me to them,” said Naenga. “I was feared and yet held in respect. They believed the reason for my presence among them would be revealed as I grew older. Since they did not think they were worthy to have me live with them, they cleared this place for me, put up my dwelling, and moved me here with my mother to take care of me. They brought us food each day and animal skins for our clothing. My mother moved back to the camp of my people when I could care for myself. They still bring me gifts at times.” The gifts from the skraelings explained where her animal skins came from, thought Tallak, since he knew she did no hunting.
Thinking of the angakkugs he had encountered in Iceland and the Green Land and their communication with the spirits of the land, he said, “I have met the angakkug on other lands who speak with the spirits, and I have traveled with a friend of the angakkug who communicates with the gods of my people. Do you talk with the spirits?”
Naenga laughed softly. “I have no special powers. I do not know why my skin is different from that of my mother. I do not feel different from others or know the reason for my presence among my people that they wait for.”
“But they protect and provide for you. They believe you protect me. And they continue to bring you gifts.”
“I believe they left a gift for you this morning,” said Naenga. She entered her tent and came out carrying a number of animal skins that she laid at his feet.
“You have noticed the cold in the air these days. We will soon have upon us what you call the winter, and you will need these for warmth.
Tallak looked gratefully at the skins. He chose the largest, draped it around his shoulders, and felt its warmth.
“You wear the skin of the Kaleboo,” said Naenga.
Tallak remembered the herd of caribou he had seen and her word for them.
“We can also cut strips from the skins and use them to bind the smaller skins around your feet and your head to keep warm,” said Naenga.
“I am thankful to your people for their gifts,” said Tallak, “and I thank you for my protection."
He picked up another skin and felt its softness. He wondered what the future would bring.
Chapter 5
The Hjalmarsund Settlement
The trader ships appearing in the harbor were first thought to be those of Tallak returning from the Green Land. Instead, they were other ships from Norway seeking trade with Iceland, now a popular trade route. Torvald was disappointed that they were not Tallak’s ships but welcomed the captains and crew as did Gaylor and the skraelings.
Hjalmar and the settlers were equally pleased with the arrival of the trade ships from Norway since they could look forward to hearing news from their homeland. As he did with other ships from Norway, Hjalmar invited the captains to his longhouse that evening to celebrate their safe journey with an evening of food and ale and storytelling.
Although Torvald and Glyndr attended the gathering that night, Glyndr noticed that Torvald did not pay much attention to the stories of the ship captains and seemed distracted. For her part, Glyndr had hoped to hear word of Caryn, her mentor and teacher in the rune skills, but the new arrivals had lived north of the village of Fersksund and did not know of her.
When Torvald stepped outside of the longhouse, Glyndr followed and found him gazing at the stars.
“You do not appear to enjoy the company of the ship captains,” said Glyndr. “Did you and Tallak not travel with one of the captains in the past?”
“We did, but I do not look forward to telling Andor about Tallak.”
Glyndr said nothing, waiting for him to tell her more.
“My disappointment today that it was not Tallak returning from the Green Land has led me to believe that I may never see him again. He was a good friend,” added Torvald, “and I will miss him.”
“The will of the gods may not yet be clear,” said Glyndr as she thought of the meaning of the runes she had shared with Jolgon.
“That may be so,” said Torvald, “but I fear their will is not to return him to us.”
He stared at the stars for a while longer and then turned to Glyndr.
“Let’s join the others again,” said Torvald. “I must take Andor aside to speak with him about Tallak.
* *
Two days later, Andor sought out Torvald to tell him that he had seen a lone ship on the horizon heading for the harbor. Torvald returned to the harbor with Andor and watched the approach of the ship. As it got closer, Torvald recognized Tallak’s ship and thanked the gods for the safe return of his friend.
As the crew left the ship, however, Torvald saw Jorun but not Tallak. Torvald and Andor greeted Tallak’s co-captain, but Torvald hesitated in asking his question.
“He did not return with us,” said Jorun and then told Torvald and Andor about the storm that took their ship to the strange land, the attack by the skraelings, and the decision he and Tallak had made to return to the sea with those who had returned to the ship after they had separated.
Torvald and Andor listened to Jorun’s story without comment. It was a story like that told by other survivors of the dangers of a trader’s life.
“We are glad you returned safely,” said Torvald. “For now, you and your men need food and rest. We can talk more in the morning.”
After returning to Hjalmar’s longhouse, it did not take long for Torvald to re-tell Jorun’s story—or to tell Glyndr that he wanted to speak with her.
“Jorun did not know what happened to Tallak. Will you ask the gods if he still lives?”
Glyndr saw the hope in her brother’s eyes and knew she must try to ask the gods his question.
“Please give me a few moments to prepare my galdor,” said Glyndr.
As Glyndr thought about her request of the gods, she selected several rune pieces from her pouch and began to speak softly.
“Great god Odin, I am Glyndr and serve you and the other gods of my people as one of your rune masters. I seek knowledge to help my brother. He alone supported my path to serve you when others did not, and he now has a great need to know if his friend still lives. His friend carries a spirit carving given to my brother by an angakkug, and my brother gave this carving to his friend when he last left our shores. I added a request of the gods for protection on his journey. You have knowledge of all things and, if it is your will, I ask you to reveal whether his friend is well by guiding the runes I now drop at my feet.”
Glyndr studied the runes for a few moments, smiled, and then turned to her brother.
“Because you supported my path as rune master, Odin wishes to thank you and has decided that you should know that Tallak is alive and protected.”
Torvald breathed out and relaxed. “So he lives.”
“And now you must make your decision.”
Torvald looked at his sister. “You know me too well, Glyndr. I must speak with Brit.”
* *
Torvald left early in the morning to find Jorun and Andor. He found both at the camp used by the traders near the harbor.
“Good morning,” said Torvald. “Are you rested?” he asked Jorun.
“And fed well by Andor and his crew,” said Jorun.
“I would like to know more about the place you landed and your return voyage.”
“There is not much more I can tell you about the land we found. As we approached land, we could see forests near the shoreline and mountains behind the forests. When we first reached the shore we needed to find fresh water and some food other than the gruel we ate made from the grain we had with us to trade in the Green Land. We would have spent more time there, but the skraeling attack changed our plans.”
“Did you think you had reached a different part of the Green Land?”
Jorun shook his head. “It was warmer than the Green Land at that time of the year, and we found many vines growing around us with a berry that would not have grown in the Green Land.”
Jorun smiled. “We both laughed when Tallak thought we should call it the Vine Land. That was before…”
Jorun grew quiet, and Torvald knew that Jorun thought about the attack and of leaving Tallak behind.
Torvald broke the silence and asked, “Was the land close to the Green Land?”
“We did not think so. We believed we were about five or six weeks from the Green Land when the storm came. It drove us mostly south for many days. When the storm broke, we tried to head north again, but the winds and sea currents took us south and west. It was the god’s decision that we continue in that direction away from the Green Land for almost two months before we reached the Vine Land.”
“And what of your return voyage?” asked Torvald.
“As we left the Vine Land, I first tried to head north. Tallak and I had tracked the stars we saw after the storm until we reached land again, and I decided our best course was to use that knowledge to head back to the Green Land if we could. Again, the gods decided the winds and currents would first take us east several weeks before we could pursue a northerly course. When we finally began to see familiar star patterns in the heavens, I knew we were closer to Iceland than the Green Land, and I followed the stars here.”
“It is a remarkable story,” said Torvald.
“I am only sorry that Tallak did not return with us,” said Jorun. “Perhaps he escaped the skraelings but was unable to return to the ship in time. I had many months at sea to think of what had happened to Tallak and our decision to leave when we did. I wonder if we should have given him more time to return to the cove.”
“You and Tallak made that decision together, and it was a good one,” said Torvald. “Tallak would not fault you.”
Andor agreed. “You did what was best, and the gods honored your skills at sea and brought you safely back.”
No one spoke for a while, but Torvald needed to ask one more question.
“Could you find the Vine Land again?” he asked.
Both Jorun and Andor looked at Torvald.
“If the gods will it, I could,” said Jorun, “but to what purpose if Tallak is not alive?”
“Tallak lives,” said Torvald and told them what the gods had revealed to Glyndr.
He added, “And if you are willing, I would like to return to the Vine Land with you to bring our friend home.”
Andor spoke first. “It would be a great adventure. Tallak was my friend, too, and I would like to add my ship to the voyage.”
Torvald and Andor waited for Jorun’s decision.
Jorun turned to Torvald. “Please ask your sister if she would prepare a special request of the gods to provide protection for our ships.”
Torvald returned to the longhouse and told Hjalmar, Brit, and Glyndr about the decision to find Tallak. Only Hjalmar had not been told what Torvald was considering. Torvald had already asked Brit for her support for the voyage if Jorun agreed to return, and Glyndr had understood his resolve to find Tallak.
“It is a brave decision that carries many dangers,” said Hjalmar.
Torvald shrugged. “We do not think it brave. Tallak is our friend, and we have decided to find him. The dangers become things to plan for.”
Brit added no comment and Glyndr only remarked, “So, you return to the sea.”
“Jorun has asked that you request protection for our ships from the gods.”
“I will do so,” said Glyndr, “and I want you to know that I plan to join you on your voyage.”
Hjalmar and Brit were clearly surprised with her announcement, but Torvald smiled.
“I had hoped that you would come with us. I will let Jorun and Andor know of your decision. They will be pleased.”