welcome to Vinland Saga Viking historical fiction written by bjor wolf narrated by RK Marx copyright 2023 by Brooks audiobooks.com and shadowplay Communications LLC All Rights Reserved no portion of this book may be reproduced in any form without written permission from the publisher or author visit Brooks Audi books.com for updates on the availability of new books and a special free offer chapter 1 alre of the Viking camps for 4 days the wind Raven had been drifting aimlessly through a blinding mist and the fifth day dawned with no signs of Escape which left the Explorers struggling for
entertainment on the stern deck the Helmsman found solace in his ale horn while the two-score crewmen below killed time with chess games meanwhile the 20 odd boys who rounded out the crew had turned the bow into a swimming beach swimming and frolicking with the energy of young SE s their yellow heads bobbed around like a scattering of oranges on the murky water while on The Forecastle they chased each other giddy their damp bodies shimmering like moths in the misty greyness the first two benches were covered in clothing drifting aimlessly after those out of breath had
paused to catch their breath the center of the Jolly crew was a young man with brown hair brown eyes and brown cheeks who told the story of Viking horse play with a smile of delight the laughter that followed his taale only stopped when one of the lads approached them with a SW sending them running and dodging his thrusts your noses are as blue as Grid's eyes the newcomer sneered sprinkling his companions with tosses of his soaking wet red hair up and atam alre of Norway let's have a about to get our blood circulating the browney
boy looked around with little enthusiasm while the others chimed in with a dismissive chorus there's more chance of you spilling your blood than getting Alx howed thought the same until he realized maybe the water has damaged redhead's memory so he thinks he want on the dwarf's sword last winter the red-haired boy turned red cheeked too as his ill discipline and temper were as easily stirred as his limbs if you're going to allow him to believe he shouted that the 20 of us greenlanders are scared to fight him because he was bred in a viking Camp
while we're farm raised I will take on his challenge right here he jotted out his chest ready to yell the next set of words in defiance but before he could find them he was stopped by alre of Norway himself I shall not engage in battle with you but I shall allow you to have your way with fencing acquiesced the youthful norsman casually standing up and removing his cloak of crimson military fabric once revealed it could be observed that he stood out among his peers for his martial posture in which he carried his broad thin bodied
figure in addition to the compact muscles that flexed beneath his polished skin with the sturdy Elegance of a young feline as he Unearthed his weapon crafted by dwarves from within the mound of his garments the Scarlet Warrior sprinted up to The Forecastle kicking aside ropes and clothes to create a space in the middle the loungers pivoted themselves to face the deck and started clearing away the swimmers who arrived to witness the spectacle unquestionably it was considered a sport in the beginning seeing as the countryside bred boy set the tempo to a swift tune that made
the graceful swords practically kiss each other they moved back and forth and up and down like a dance defense answering attack so evenly that the ear grew attuned to the clang and rhythmically kept time to it as if it were a Melody however after a while the farm boy's lenience aggravated him and he broke the Cadence with an unexpected thrust eluding Al's Shield he opened a bloody gash on the brown skin of his chest the latter endured it with a grin as peaceful as his swordsmanship but his adversary was foolish enough to cry out in
Triumph Al's expression transformed when the greenlander exploited that jab again his sword collided with a violent force that shook his arm to the shoulder in pain he swung a aggressively alre reciprocated gradually the smooth beat surrendered to sudden brief and Loud clanking separated by pauses where the two danced around each other with mouths that were now square and eyes that were now burning once the clatter began a short elderly man called grimel one ey and a lengthy young man named yalar thick skull who had been playing chess behind the Mast stopped to pay attention as
the dispute persisted the Aged grimel vacated his post and sauntered towards the for Castle steps he spotted blood stains on the greenlander pale shoulders and signaled Norway's alreck as a warning however the Viking boy didn't even acknowledge Him silence had descended upon the spectators so much so that the sound of bare feet scuffling and slapping against the boards echoed sickeningly in the Stillness the greenlander sword could not meet Al's blade as it swiftly cut through the air tracing a new curve before the young Vikings intense gaze to avoid being impaled the greenlander had no choice
but to LEAP back crashing into the gunnel with a loud thud witnessing this a cry erupted from the onlookers however the young Viking remained resolutely focused drawing back his arm to strike again with deadly accuracy the red one's recklessness would have resulted in his defeat if the old man had not intervened springing onto the deck and holding alre back by the elbow you do remember that this is just a game don't you growled the old man if he required an answer alrek Savage force in freeing himself provided it along with the intensity of his gaze
before the meaning of the words finally registered and he lowered his sword you're right he muttered I had entirely forgotten turning back to the greenlander in frustration he demanded why the devil didn't you remind me although the red one's body was covered in scratches and little blood remained on his cheeks he continued to Swagger I'm no coward he proclaimed but his voice broke on the last word sounding almost hysterical Grim Kel decided to intervene with kindness disguising it as gruffness you're a fool which is worse He barked shoving the red one down the steps as
he gestured with his head for the others to disperse get dressed all of you if you don't do it quickly you'll face the consequences after shaking his fist at them a few more times he turned back to where alri was drying his weapon with a cloak you listen he called out I need to give you a warning you would do better to give the redhead a warning about provoking me again responded the young Viking still somewhat angry but the oneeyed man paid him no heed before I have reminded you that your father was an outlaw
indeed it is true alre agreed six times have I listened to this story since I arrived in Greenland even though I spent eight years in the camps without ever hearing it in Norway people only remember that my father was the bravest of the Earl's Vikings however in Iceland they remember that he was an outlaw before he became a viking you look so much like your father that every eye is on you watching for the same rebelliousness he once possessed I want to warn you that if you do not control this Viking fierceness you will destroy
yourself with Carl sehner grimel said admonishing the young Viking suddenly alre laughed shortly is it possible that I could receive less honor from him he mocked speaking through tightly pursed lips after a moment of silence he stood straight to face the other man his eyes were Furious and his voice was low with resentment I am Carl snerk nephew but I receive less honor and praise than his slaves he pays more attention to his dogs than he does to me I can't figure out what he wants from me I think he hated my father grimel scratched
his bristly chin pensively Carl sehne is not known for his affection toward Outlaws he loves the law so much that he was called the Lawman even before the Chiefs who came with him on this journey appointed him as their Chief in Vinland however it can't be denied that he disliked his brother when they were young they loved each other greatly when your father ingulf broke the laws in Iceland Carl sefner gave half of his property to pay the fine and when ingolf died carner took you in as his own where he displays daily that he
dishonors me for being his brother's son alre concluded with explosive impatience the old man spat over the gunnel you Foolish Boy he neither holds you in honor nor in dishonor yet he only waits to see what you will earn the boy's understanding grew slowly and he turned away to kick at a pile of walrus hide thongs coiled on the deck in front of him the old man expressed his plea with deep sincerity you cannot claim that this is unwarranted you have the power to choose whatever you desire as for me I firmly believe that you
will honor to his name in every way it is because of this belief and my love for your father whom I taught spear throwing when he was your age that I have come to you alre responded after a lengthy pause I am grateful for your kindness his words were brief and he finished his exercises in silence before descending the steps however grimel could tell from the look in his eyes that alre had finally comprehended the complexity of his position chapter 2 in which the boys of the wind Raven consider the chances of finding a scaling
meanwhile an event was unfolding in the rear of the ship using his communication device the Helmsman detected a breach in the fog exposing a shoreline that tapered off in the distance with a Crest resembling a cumulus orb it's the Cape of the crosses he announced igniting a chain reaction of excitement among his crew mates the Cape of the crosses our final destination the sailors cheered hastily hoisting their sails and redirecting their vessel toward the opening as the group of 20 young men busily fastened knives onto their deer skin tunics they became increasingly eager for the
thrill of the impending arrival they soon began playfully bickering with the red one whose discomfort from his injuries made him particularly fractious by the time alre had situated himself into his tunic and clasped on his beautiful weapon earning him the moniker of the sword Bearer he had to dodge insignificant objects thrown in his Direction in order to join his companions it was only with the assistance of the stoutly handsome AirLand the amiable that the group was able to restore Tranquility amongst themselves we were discussing the prospect of disembarking tomorrow and contemplating whether or not the
indigenous inhabitants the skring may still be present Erland explained when the commotion had died down alre was intrigued by the IDE dear walking over and settling himself onto erland's bench he reclined upon it and rested his head against erland's bright blue cloak I had completely forgotten he whispered it was at this site where thorald Ericson was killed by the locals shortly after he discovered three boats with three men concealed beneath them what nonsense are you spewing Kettle the glib interrupted it wasn't the local residents who killed him he killed all of them except for one
individual who fled in a boat thorwald was struck down with Arrows by the forces that the Escape had returned with until Kettle was silenced by a blow from a fragment of sailcloth tossed by the redhead lad gelous fool alre was informed of that tale long before you were able to even open your clam the red one muttered derisively speak up alre and disclose if you believe that we will observe any scringy should have the best judgment about that brand erlingsson for you were visiting your brother r at brataly when thorwald's men brought back the news
of his death you know whether or not they believe that srings live on the cape the red one who also went by the name brand erlingsson responded earnestly saying that thorwald's men did not believe that the creatures lived there but inhabited the mainland and only visited the cape for clams or something the cape was no more than a thin strip of land that ended in a kind of crossbar composed of a beach connecting two hills and it could would not possibly have anything of interest on it whereas if they could go on to ke Cape
but there the shell shower recommenced amid a protesting chorus don't let him get started end his noise he is always sputtering and strong domar extinguished the last sputter with a wild whoop as he threw up his cap in celebration however it stands our chance for catching some there on a visit is as good as thoralds luck be with us he shouted whereupon he threw up his neighbor's cap being much given to good-natured gests of the fists and the Jubilee would have been General if it had not suddenly been discovered that alre was slowly shaking his
head on its blue Pillow why not they paused to demand when he had taken his fulltime chewing and swallowing a mouthful of nuts he told them because we lack thorwald's energy at the helm he went ashore so soon after he cast anchor that the men on the cape did not have time to get away we shall stay quiet a whole night after we come to Anchor if any scringy plenty of light to see us by and the whole night to escape little danger is there that the weathercock will break the law man's order to keep
peace with the inhabitants but if Carl sehne is to be any better off about news of them he will find it necessary to put a shrewder man at the steering ore the celebration was cut short there was no denying the argument or fixing the fact they took solace in blaming the helmsmen and then went back to munching on nuts from the storage beneath the benches in the quiet brand of Greenland found an opening to express his satisfaction these voyages will not bring us any good not with the weathercock steering he exclaimed flicking the hair from
his impatient eyes for 5 months we've only gone ashore when there was no chance for adventure I'm tired of this monotony I could g at the edge of the boat like a horse in a stable I'd sooner paddle back to Greenland in a skin booat than make another Voyage under his leadership everyone agreed with him yet still Jered through their mouthfuls even his loyal younger brother Olaf the fair wore a merry face under his yellow curls you're speaking small words say that you would build a dragon ship and have sole power over it he teased
then scrambled Out Of Reach as brand turned to him well I could the red one defied the universe King half owned a ship and led a band when he was just 12 Winters old Jers cut him short King half he'll say he's like Olaf trivas next you great dony you no calf with the milk of his kinsman's dairy farm still in him cried the mouths that weren't occupied while the full ones grinned widely only alre smiling at the sky said whimsically let me travel with you when it's built Champion I'd like to be on a
ship that follows my command I'd like to go ashore tonight to see thorwald Erikson's grave the Huntsman once told me when I laughed at his magic that if I ever Stood Beside a grave in the middle of the night I'd learn what fear was I've been wanting to prove him wrong but there's no other grave in the new land besides thoralds if we were on your ship now guard the ugly pondered aloud from his bench as he worked on fishnets what is the downside of swimming though he was free now his trace of th blood
kept his hands always occupied alre hesitated before answering halad Bon's Foster son took that approach once but even though he went out with the Huntsman this summer he's hardly considered Brave still I'm willing to try it we can jump overboard right after dark and explore the beach until midnight I would give anything to get these knots out of my legs will you come with me alre lazily looked to the Horizon where a second hazy Mass had appeared why not he replied but I'm not too keen on the swimming part I find that deer skin dries
more easily on deer than on me since the harbor is supposed to be shallow we're unlikely to Anchor near land so we'll use the small boat we can lower it without much fuss if there's no Moon while the men are drinking AF guard Rose slapping alre on the back sealing the agreement even the scoffers quieted down when erand showed interest what if you don't get the chance to tell the Huntsman about your experience he asked it's entirely possible he won't come back from his trip to the South country is it worth the effort a man
must take risks to avoid getting fat alre joked prodding Erland in his soft belly the amiable one became the group's Target of good-natured banter guard put his arm around the sword Bearer and Drew him closer pointing out the sight of land the terrain emerged in bits and pieces gradually revealing itself through the gentle Haze of the sunset advancing towards it on the gusts of wind soon the Crescent shape of a harbor appeared Beyond The Cape the hills within the cape became visible from their reclusive position beyond the seawood null following this sight a ribbon of
white sand unfurled between them eventually the entire scene began to exude its color as Shades of Gray faded into grayish green and brown and red meanwhile The Frigid glitter along the shoreline transformed into a faint yellow in the dwindling light it rested quietly and silently the sun bidding it farewell with a languid grin as the steersman commanded the sail to be lowered and the anchor to be thrown overboard the small vessel nestled into its spot with a contented sigh chapter 3 relating how one was found on the Cape of the crosses as the crew whiled
away their evening over ale at the stern two companions rode away from the ship's stem contentedly they drifted in silence enjoying the boat's Rhythm and motion finally the silence broke your Countryman the Huntsman knows all kinds of weird matters reminisced alre do you remember the time we found him mumbling to Thor guard grunted in reply if that's what Thor has to offer then I'd rather go without the last time I ate at his house I got sick he'd be foolish to go where the scryings abound the Huntsman only went with three men and one small
boat alre Shrugged indifferent if he doesn't come back I won't shed a tear the pair fell back into silence which remained unbroken until they neared land stolen away in the dusk the boat's glint guided them toward a pebbl stwn Shore ashore they tripped over fist big rocks before finding their way to a Grove at the summit who cares about the sight so long as he can feel the Earth beneath him exclaimed guard suddenly he dropped onto the ground covered in leaves and began to roll freely like a horse that had just been released from a
tight girth alre stretched his cramped muscles through a somersault The Damp leaf molds fragrance seemed to intoxicate them soon they turned to whirling on their hands then to jumping and eventually they began wrestling the Shadows had grown a finger length before they paused to catch their breath they realized where they were in a Grove that wasn't too dense overlooking the sea where two bleached wood crosses stood in an open space fanlike Pine bows swayed around the crosses as the winds from the sea howled against them the only sound they could hear was the waves crashing
against the nearby sand the lad's hearts skipped to beat as they came to know where where they stood this was thorwald's grave at top the cape guard's voice was tinged with awe thorwald believed this cape to be a great place to live in I wonder how he enjoys being dead here it must seem eerily quiet to him after the din of battle he faced in life and his men sailing away leaving him alone as the only white man on this side of the ocean must have been strange indeed alre spoke softly he must have spent
four Lonesome Winters lying here if he could hear our voices his heart would welcome the sound I wouldn't be surprised if we found him sitting on his grave when we returned at midnight if we told him that we were his comrade sons and shared all the news with him he might guard's hand landed on alrek arm sh he whispered urgently I don't care what anyone says on board a ship but here what if he's listening and takes you at your word bran says he'd rather have his arm chopped off than go into a witch's Den
like Leaf's Englishman did a witch's temper is more reliable than a dead man's I'm not eager to shake his bony hand are you let's go down to the beach but first I need to find the knife I dropped can you feel around that bush for me while I look over the slope sure alre agreed and gingerly made his way over the uneven terrain to the area where a clump of sumx bordered the crown of the Hill descending to the beach however before he could search for the knife he stopped and scanned his surroundings to his
left the ship's distant torches glimmered like a streak of light against the gray sky below him the beach stretched out dis appearing into the shadow cast by a tree covered Hill squinting he looked hard and leaned forward he blinked and did it again it appeared as if a light in the shadows had opened up like an eye it was not originating from the ship he looked back to verify the source of the light was from the hill across the beach a dim unblinking eye that had previously been obscured by something for a moment he wondered
if it was a fire ignited by ghosts and a chill ran down his spine then he remembered and it hit him like a Bol of lightning the scalings some had been ens snared and not yet freed and it was up to him to locate them to accomplish what others before him could not to be the one to provide Carl sethna with the intelligence he required how surprising that any memory of the knife even of guard's existence vanished from his mind as fast as duw vanishes from a shield he was compelled to dig his nails sharply
into his flesh to get a hold of his excitement I shall ruin my opportunity if I approach too eagerly he guided himself carne had ordered us not to offend them I must navigate the situation so that I can observe them without being seen but taking too long is also not wise or they will have escaped he began to move his body while his mind was still in debate but he did not become any less cautious he kept every inch of himself within the Shadows of the Pines and did not Venture onto the beach until he
was certain it was safe the only things that could provide cover were the low hummocks dotted with tough patches of grass that arranged Ed themselves like a broken chain between the hills he crawled from one link to the next stealthy as a snake when the links were absent and the Sands gleamed he would run crouching with the fleet-footed quickness of a fox expecting arrows to whiz past his ears at any moment however none came and eventually the dark shadow of the second null's spreading boughs enclosed him like a canopy he paused there to listen once
a distant tree sang a tentative owl's lament and once he thought he heard branches rustling under cautious footsteps then it all fell silent except the sound of waves crashing into the shore he took hold of a twisted root that descended like a writhing arm and silently pulled himself up the slope at the place where it flattened to the crest a group of sasafras seedlings formed a fragrant Shield once he had listened and verified that it was still undisturbed he ventured to peek between the branches so long did he remain there without moving that the insects
he had startled began walking over him again in their undisturbed routines the little area was empty except for the ash remnants and the piles of clamshells there was no evidence to prove that any creatures had ever resided there as a final measure he hung his helmet on his sword and showed it cautiously above the foliage and the imitation Drew no arrows from the bushes beyond the Flames the area appeared to be completely deserted it is not too much to say that his disappointment brought him near to tears they must have run away as soon as
dark dark Ness fell he muttered and pushing into the open he sent the shells flying before a Savage kick what trolls luck as the words left his lips the flying shells uncovered A peculiar bowl-shaped basket woven of reeds he stooped to it curiously then even as his fingers closed on the rim he took another step forward staring at the bushes that hedged the further side of the open space it appears that someone has plunged through here in a hurry he told himself the branches are bent as if OD there was no need of finishing his
thought his eyes had the answer before them a Shaggy figure crouching among the bushes so motionless that it might have passed for one of them for an instant he also stood motionless staring back at the eyes that he could feel without seeing then Viking training flashed two thoughts to his brain that the creature was aiming at him from the darkness and that he must lose no time in advancing clutching his sword hilt he sprang forward after that there was no chance for reflection for a second the blade stuck and in the delay a copper colored
arm shot out and fastened on his wrist while the other copper colored arm brandished a stone Hatchet over his head with his left hand he caught that arm and held it off and they swayed panting in the fire light that gave him his first glimpse of the foe that all Sailors talked about the bristling black hair and wide rimmed Beast bright eyes and the skin of unearthly hue showing under the animal hides of the covering under the copper colored skin the muscles were like copper wire strong as he was alre could not twist aside that
wrist above his head he gave up trying and limited his efforts to freeing his sword arm putting all his Force into the wrench he succeeded at last in loosening it and shooting forth his weapon and that was all that he had to do at the bare sight of it glittering from its sheath like lightning from a cloud the sring uttered a yell of Terror dropped the hatchet from his hand alrex wrist from hold and flung himself back into the darkness there was a crackling of brush the spat of bare feet upon sand and then silence
gradually the sword bearer's amazement gave way to Amusement he believed it was sorcery how amusing he whispered had thorwald only shown them steel he may have scared off the entire swarm I could not have taken the hatchet away from him I'm certain that my kinswoman goodd will be shocked when I reveal this the sword Bearer leaned in towards the fire surveying the weapon with great care and observing that the edge was razor sharp it would have sliced me as if I I were butter he muttered to himself while wobbling from his heightened excitement just then
he heard the sound of feet scrambling up the slope which signaled the arrival of guard the ugly one was bewildered at first squinting in the light of the fire and then his face turning to that of utter disapprobation you frightened them off before I had a chance to see them ran away because you could and left me behind with nothing he bellowed I would have never thought you could do such a thing alre held up his hands in honest regret please forgive me guard it's true when I first observed the light I overlooked the fact
that you were still with me and I had the fear that the scalings would have gotten away before I could see them I was only planning on getting up there to look without he stopped abruptly his mouth a gap as he gazed at guard instinctively guard spun around to Glimpse over his shoulder but nothing noteworthy was there what's wrong with you have you gone insane shouted the sword Bearer alre managed to regain his composure by laughing softly I I think I have he replied do you know what else I forgot besides you I forgot Carl's
order to maintain peace chapter 4 wherein the sword Bearer is further reminded that he has broken the law the return to the wind rven was a time for reflection guard expressed regret for not having had a part in the prior Adventure alre responded with skepticism stating that the scilingo as what had happened to thorald God acknowledged his mistake and a silence fell upon them until they reached the ship then the voices of Welcome filled the air with suppressed excitement once aboard the mood changed everyone wanted to hear about what had happened but guard refused to
share alre inquired about the weathercock and erand reported that he still had his wits about him alre declined to share the news with the group but told them they could follow him if they wanted to hear it the group obediently fell into line and marched aft with alre
