on the AF deck a Helmsman known as the weathercock droned a tune into his alh horn he was a rotund bald man with a doughy face and wiry beard that he plucked while singing When The Lads approached the listeners welcomed them warmly but the weathercock was not pleased with the interruption there may never be a right time for such hindrances he grumbled which one of you needs me the wave receded leaving the sword Bearer stuck before the Helmsman he saluted and spoke I came to tell you that when you go to the Cape tomorrow you
should wear your War clothes I saw a sring while ashore and I think he has called his people to Arms what cried the men in unison leaning forward to hear only the weathercock remained squinting attempting to focus what kind of prank is this he eventually sneered alre drew a stone hatchet from his belt this is one proof that it's no prank he said the men made exclamations and reached out for the hatchet but old grimel leaned forward and fixed his eye on the sword Bearer how did you get it he demanded you didn't forget a
ruul smile curved on the boy's lips as he met gmls gaze I remembered he said slowly until I saw the scilingo you attacked him the weathercocks face rened like a volcano alre looked at him with brown eyes you are a good guesser he replied politely from all directions exclamations of concern Rose but the weathercock seemed enraged his face erupted like a volcano you you good for nothing wolf swp mad he sputtered what do you mean by standing there so quietly when your Mad Dog temper has brought discredit upon my leadership which would otherwise have gained
me great Fame with the lman one thing after another worse and worse will be caused by this the scalings may be surrounding us even as we speak and we shall be forced to share your Disobedience or else get killed or it may be both fight and get killed since when Carl sethna finds how his orders have been regarded but the first result of this will be that we will not go ashore tomorrow nor any other time Al fast yalar up with the anchor and out with the sail as cries of protest arose he beat them
down with his short fat arms you shall not set foot upon land you pack of ravening curs not until you get to camp and then I hope you will have reason to wish ah to think that when we get to Camp I must tell this instead of the report I had expected to give he struck his fists together until it seemed as if he might forget the sword bearer's free birth and lay them on him in blows why did I not remember remember that you had Outlaw blood under your fair speaking and keep you under
my heel but you shall pay for your Liberty now you shall be tied with walrus thongs and thrown into the for room and kept there without food or drink until we reach Vinland take him hence do you hear my words loin grimel he broke off to tug at his belt which unwanted exertion was rendering distressingly snug and in the interval the protests of the young greenlanders burst forth a new expressing unreservedly what they thought of him for taking away their chance of going going ashore when he turned on them his thick neck rumbling volcano like
they even gave back curse for curse until what with their Racket and his balling and the running to and fro of the sailors the after deck of the wind Raven presented a lively appearance the only quiet person on it was the culprit saluting with ironical ceremony he yielded to the touch of grim Kel's hand upon his shoulder and they proceeded to the little room under the for deck which served on extraordinary occasions for a dungeon and on ordinary ones as a sto room for bales of fur and Ale casks and kegs of salted fish alre
grimaced as they entered if I could learn to feed my stomach through my nose I should not starve however long I stayed here he remarked the hand on his shoulder shook him roughly you deserve to starve the Elder snapped I have the heart to pound you after I had warned you how the Lawman is holding you in the balance he jammed his torch into its bracket and kicked a barrel out of his way moved by the elders heat Al tried to appear nonchalant as he held out his wrists for the Rope he rorted that if
Carl sefner had been watching him for 2 years it was time he found out something grimel growled as he worked at the knots you will find out something when you come before Him He barked have you got it in your mind that you have prevented him from fulfilling what lies nearest his heart he counted on strengthening the settlement by making friends with the scryings and plan to get Knowledge from their experience of the country and riches by trading with them and he has cond demed thorwald's shortsightedness in attacking them and commanded how they should be
received with gifts and fair words it is impossible that the fates will allow a wise man to be bulked by a boy's Folly alre suggested if it is impossible why do you trouble yourself over it he went on to ask that the hatchet be carefully kept for him grimel stiffened in silence as he bent over to fasten the ankle bonds but before he could respond in Anger a thrilling voice called out to wind rven summoning him to lend a hand with the sail he had had to rush away taking the torch with him the for
room was now black without the torch's light except for a gray patch where the low doorway opened into the night the outside clamor gradually died away leaving behind only the creaking of ropes and the sail's dull boom alone and unobserved the youngster ceased his pretense and confronted his Affliction headon they grappled chest to chest as the Ash Gray Square condensed into a cold light stretching gradually further towards Morning Sun and Glory even as the square glinted in the sun their struggle yet carried on attempting to extricate his mind the bearer of swords wried in his
Fetters with a manic Vigor three days of this and I'll lose my sanity he exclaimed to himself to miss all the opportunities with him is appalling but to remain here and obsess over it I'm bound to go insane if I can't move my body and forget for a bit chapter five through which the storm giant blusters a dark figure hunched against the sunlight ymar thick skull stroe through the door and began rummaging through crates and boxes in search of extra ores you're quite lucky young one he observed if you were outside you wouldn't be sitting
still just because you see the sun through the door doesn't mean the entire sky is sunny you should see the clouds ahead of us they're just as black as the face of the weathercock who must now be put into Keel Harbor adding to our Misfortune there's no wind so the captain has ordered all hands to the OES Al rising to his feet held out his bound hands here are mine cut the knots with your knife thick skull turned around gaping why why he didn't mean you isn't it obvious the sword Bearer demanded don't I have
hands they're even stronger than a trolls this morning he surely meant me he tried to speak nonchalantly but his fingers were fidgeting eventually both he and thick skull laughed heartily and alre made a Frank plea do me this favor shipmate so that I can stretch my legs if he didn't mean me you could have easily misunderstood when he fusses you can explain it to him it's said that the wolf always ends the disputes of the pig eventually thick skull stooped down and grinning placed his knife against the thongs see how great it is to be
known as a simpleton he remarked just make sure you uphold my reputation by providing excellent service while rowing with a sigh of relief the sword Bearer stretched his arms just let me have at it he breathed before diving into the air like a fish into the water indeed though the wind Raven's decks were bathed in sunlight and the sky was blue a gray canopy of clouds loomed ahead like a gateway to another world the clouds swelled with rain hanging low over the forest and dunes near the shoreline whilst darkening most of the sea here and
there white streaks Shone like the bared teeth of monsters calm had fallen upon the land and sea but it was full of ominous warnings the sail hung lifeless gasping for breath like a living thing alre glanced at the sky and then took hold of his ore pushing himself to the limits of exhaustion if we don't head into the harbor we'll end up like thorald Erikson cast ashore with a broken Keel he warned the fates seemed to take pity on them and the wind Ravens crew found Refuge behind a wooded bar that served as a shield
Against The Storm the helmsmen declared that they would take advantage of the temporarily calm weather by setting up camp on land for the night aore the sword Bearer could barely contain his relief and gratitude brand congratulated him with a poke I knew the old one would take care of you he whispered your luck will continue until we return until we return alre repeated as though it were a toast the battle for survival was about to begin they barely had time to set up camp in a hollow below a wooded null before the Tempest hit with
full force the wind howled like a beast shaking everything in its path the tent canvas threatened to fly away like a cief with everyone hanging onto it for dear life they fought for fuel amid swarms of sand and battled to keep the fire alive straining to hear each other over the deafening Roar it was a struggle between Giants and pygmies a fight for survival that would test their spirits and their will to live exhausted yet exhilarated as if after a day of Sword play the band collapsed from eating to sleeping when lightning ripped through the
darkness revealing a deserted ship floundering in Terror on the twisting Black Water they merely laughed and borrowed deeper drifting off to sleep with the thunderous Roar of Breakers along the shore like a mother's lullabi the ocean was still thundering when they awoke the following day and the wind still whipped through the Treetops the leader his mind on vinlands fires and fair cursed peevishly but the junior members of his group welcomed the delay with open rejoicing here's our chance to explore the land brand shouted shaking out his fiery locks like banners let's seize the opportunity before
anyone else does I'll bettering that I can beat anyone to the top of this steep his companions responded promptly and although he won his wager the next boy was only a step behind and none of the 20 was more than a pace in the rear once they reached the summit they streamed whooping into a Grove of Oak Pine and Sassafras that they had spotted from the water lying along the Bay Shore like a ragged Rich hued mat closer inspection revealed raggedness rather than richness though the beauty of the colors where Pines spread their Evergreen over
the wind swept crests and the oak trees on the slopes had turned yellow russet and red without shedding a leaf remained striking however compared with vinlands trees the growth was stunted and there was not enough underbrush to lend it even the wildness of a Thicket only Tangles of Rose Brier and Berry Bramble where The Ridges sank into Hollows cupping Reed fringed pools perhaps the best that could be said for it was that its endless undulations kept curiosity alive passing over them was like surmounting Billows one attained the height only to behold another Abyss after a
time it stirred alre to restlessness when it was proposed that they stop at one of the ponds for a duck hunt he protested who knows what the next Ridge May conceal he insisted letun find out first what lies before us Erland expressed surprise what else could we possibly find but the ocean he peered around this has to be close now the sand Wasteland is expanding so fast alre already swinging his Hatchet to carve through brush had no response except do as you please I will not rest until we find a conclusion Erland raised his eyebrows
but the others caught alre fever and charged behind him with great enthusiasm their energy could not endure for long though as the terrain gradually worsened in the next Valley sand had choked up the pond and bushes desperately fought to exist then they vanished giving way to clumps of wiry grass the trees became sparse with deep drifts of sand that formed miniature mountains between them with the bunch is only visible at top the cream colored Peaks n of Greenland revealed the unpleasant truth observing this landscape I am not sure it is a wise spot to position
a landmark in 20 more years likely the entire Forest will be buried woe to the Future explorer who believed our tales about the trees here even if we searched we would never uncover the Keel of thorwald alre was quick to conclude then let us not bother with this task his unwavering determination had spread to everyone and they marched forward across the undulating Dunes that had morphed into yellow snow Banks absent any Flora eventually they arrived at the last Peak and stopped as a single hushed group they gazed at the shore stretching towards the ever shifting
rough ocean both were An Almighty monstrous dominating Force the beastly Lair they were intent on confronting northward there was nothing but ocean as far as the eye could see to the West they gazed upon a vast yellow expanse with sand dunes that sloped down to to the point of Cape to the South lay the land that they had journeyed and Beyond it the bay which contained their anchored ship to the east unbroken waves and untouched strands of sand stretched out before them suddenly a cry broke their silence Yonder Yonder is something washed ashore all of
them saw it clearly against the sand a dark motionless object that the waves had cast aside so large did it seem against the strange light that some declared it to be a whale and others thought it might have been an overturned boat however the light on the Wonder strand is wondrous as they ran towards the object previously looming as a large sea creature it dwindled suddenly from whale or boat size down to that of a human body unintentionally they slowed their pace and a whisper went around it is one of the scrawing overtaken by the
storm only alre shook his head and pressed on that is no animal hide wrapping him he said after running a dozen more yards he arrived at the the side of the Stark form he then bent over it he remained Frozen in that position petrified with astonishment when the others arrived and looked they too were speechless the Huntsman they exclaimed it was the huntsman's Colossal frame sea drenched and almost destroyed by the waves his feet were Tangled with kelp and his hair was entwined with starfish as he had Lain upon the rock that winter day so
he lay here upon the sand flat on his back with his hands clasped over his breast though now his eyes were closed and neither sound nor motion came from his Blue Lips doubting their senses the Explorers remained transfixed over the huntsman's body as they scanned the shore up and down the scene was more yawning empty than ever before it seemed as though he had fallen from the sky chapter 6 about the strange find on Keel Cape guard mused aloud I would give much to know how he got here and what he was doing in the
north of Vinland before setting out to explore the South brand quickly added and what happened to howed and the others he was with even the glib one piped in yes indeed we must know what befell his company but erand tanned and handsome with a face Three Shades Darker than his locks reproached them alre might think the Loyalty of a greenlander to his people is shallow in those times treachery was looked upon with disdain and two of the three men became hot with shame brand tried to make amends he knows we care for him as much
as anyone I heard Eric of brataly employed the Huntsman as his Steward but that was the only friend the Huntsman ever had we'll make sure to bury him regardless rubbing his ear practically guard commented it won't be easy to bury him if we don't carry him far inland I've heard that sand moves like snow and if dead bodies aren't buried deep they tend to come back to life a few of the men involuntarily made the sign of the cross and the strong one stood tall and dignified I'll carry him to the Bay without delay I'll
wreck caution be quiet until we see how heavy he is domar lift his other shoulder while domar tried to move the man alre noticed a cord connected to a dear skin bag excitement spread through the group as they realized how important the bag might be to think he carried it even when he was drowning alre squatting on his heels pondered the man lying before him he's holding the bag too tightly to move it but we could perhaps pry our fingers into the opening and see what's inside HEK one of your countrymen he said glancing around
at the greenlanders who had gathered alongside him the group looked down at the man then at each other before brand muttered if you dare dare alre sneered he teased out the cord ends between the man's cold palms and unfastened the knot that sealed the bags opening a chain he said as they closed upon something within what a chain he exclaimed as they drew it out from the bag all of them echoed him what a chain it gleamed in the sunlight fashioned from shimmering gold and adorned with rough cut gems its circumference was the same as
Al's finger and it unfurled from the bag coil after coil until it stretched out to the length of his arm what a treasure to find in a land inhabited only by Savage men they gathered around marveling at their find feasting their eyes upon it rainy thin nose reached out to touch it offering an apologetic nod towards the still figure on the ground at once the man's eyelids glided open and his small malevolent eyes surveyed them without a word rain snatched back his hand as if he had been bitten everyone else recoiled too with a sharp
Scream the eyes focused on them all and finally a voice so faint that it resembled a distant cry through the roar of the waves on the shore whispered are you trying to steal from me the group bristled indignantly no they all shouted we would never dream of it we only wanted to look put it back the man commanded alre hesitated his face flushing with anger but what was the use of of arguing with a corpse he Shrugged off his resentment and silently replaced the chain when the final knot had been fastened the Man's eyes left
him and searched the faces of each of the gathered greenlanders swear the weak voice exhorted as they approached Their Fear was palpable flitting like birds around a predator's grasp but erand spoke with confidence we need not pledge against theft the words were hesitant but clear swear to secrecy on the edge of your blades erand considered for a moment his secret his call he said is that not so his gaze shifted to the sword Bearer questioning no one defied the amiable one's code of honor alre un sheathed his sword and Shrugged they each drew a knife
and held it by the blade carving red grooves into their palms they lifted their knives and spoke the oath the huntsman's Gaze singled them out one by one when he reached the last little Olaf the fair tears streamed down his face but the others held still though they rattled their weapons Panic chilled their bones the stair was unnatural the scene desolate The Bleak Sky the naked Shore the breaker's unending Thunder from which cries emerged in strained Whispers The Hair the fleet-footed but trembling youth spoke up letun leave him he's not alive a troll hides in
him and speaks with his lips evil will come of this letun leave him he clutched alrek coat nervously come on alre pulled free no you abandon a comrade that proves you're a coward with a calm demeanor he regained control of his composure once he retrieved his cloak and addressed his comrades if we gather some sizable branches and use our cloaks we can construct a stretcher to transport him to the Bay it appeared to me that you were all eager to keep him alive for Intel yes it's doubtful that the group would have gone through the
arduous task of lugging their wounded comrade over the sand dunes if it weren't for the anticipation of obtaining significant information and the sailors were clearly operating with this objective in mind for them caring for the Huntsman was about as tender a task as polishing a knife or oiling a lock after he regains enough strength to speak he should be able to provide us with valuable information they encouraged one another as they finally left him bundled in hides before setting about preparing to return to their vessel with a break in the gray sky now visible to
the West the only notable difference in mindset between the senior members of the group and their Juniors was that while the elder group merely harbored a dislike of the Huntsman for the younger men he possessed a frighteningly alluring quality for them his eyes appeared as twin demons guarding the entrance to the treasure chest below it's safe to say that even while they busily focused on going aboard and settling in they did not forget about the Huntsman as they awaited a more definitive sign of the storm King's reform Just Before Sunset the break in the clouds
expanded thrm the massive giant responsible for cloud hering moved the the unwieldy clouds northward certainly burdened by their weight to the West a jagged bar silhouetted the Golden Sun and as the pink tinged Splendor of the sky persisted to the South the moon peered out of the East the wind Raven whooped by A Chorus of Cheers shook her bedraggled plumage before Gliding Over The Waves now a light with shimmering silver the transformation was so welcome that alre was able to shake off his malaise while the seated bystanders reveled noisily in contentment the opportunity to experience
the exceptional beauty of the Wonder strands has never been better they cheerfully exclaimed once again energized by the sight of the curving stretch of glittering sand dunes that emerged before them passing that curve was a unique experience for the bend of the shore made it appear as if a cape was just ahead yet the cape ever receded as they approached a flying point that could never be caught indeed it makes the world seem a place of peculiar wonders fast the fat marveled after sitting for a long time watching it in Sil ENT Fascination it makes
one curious about everything if the Huntsman would only speak now and tell us what he has seen this would be a good time to amuse ourselves with a tale how do you know he has seen anything sneered a harsh voice harsh for all its faintness from the pile of skins upon The Forecastle they wheeled eagerly that the ship rocked under them are you ready to tell the tidings you have seen will you tell us about tell about the South Country Huntsman did you see any scalings no tell us first how you came here yes your
adventure yes yes we beg of you go on go on they were all speaking at once now boys and men and their covetousness proved their downfall for the clamor reaching the Helmsman on the after deck he descended with exceptional agility and waddled toward them if you are going to talk to anyone you talk to me your chief he commanded and tell me what you have done with the boat and the men I lent you the huntsman's manners gained little at the sight of his Superior I do not see that I have done anything anything with
them he answered sullenly because the boat went to pieces on a sandbar and ran Drew Swip dag and black Thor down to her it is seen that I saved you the best man of the three four men were in the boat when you started out on that foolish trip the Helmsman caught him up beorn's Foster son is worth speaking about what have you done with him the blood settled in the huntsman's sunken cheeks as water in a hollow is the boy of so much importance that I must carve his Rune on a separate stick he
snarled what else could he be than drowned is it likely that vyas came down for him I think you are a fool if frus daughter of Eric had not sought your riches and sent you here to seek more you would not have had the courage to step onto a ship barked the Helmsman and yet you call yourself Chief think what you will but know that I will not speak another word to you with those words the Helmsman threw himself onto his face consumed by anger and sulking as no man ever had before even his officer
threats meant nothing nothing they may as well have been directed at the ship's mast finally the rotund Helmsman had to pause to catch his breath he stood there puffing glaring and tugging at his belt when his eyes caught sight of alrek presence the sword Bearer felt the Gaze and winked at Brand his apprehension proved correct the Helmsman expelled a snort of air you what are you doing here did I not order for you to be locked up for the remainder of the voyage alre opened one eye in respectful surprise me he asked was it not
your intention to free me when you ordered everyone to the ORS the weathercock was so enraged that he performed three stamping Capers before he found words in his rage when he did eventually speak his words were forceful enough to break the Buckle off of his belt go back he bellowed go back and do not dare to come out until I bring you before Carl sefner if I were your Chief I would hang you for a rare moment Al's military training vanished under his vexation as he rose he scrutinized the portly figure you would not have
to bother he replied if you were my chief I would hang myself applauding laughter erupted from his comrades as alre trailed off swiftly followed by an outburst from the Helmsman alre paid no attention his heart was too full of resentment he lay in solitude undisturbed until a commotion interrupted him another group of captives had arrived brand with torn clothes and flashing eyes followed by Olaf with a bleeding nose and unwavering loyalty guard the ugly with a swollen lip and strong domar with a purple lump on his forehead the latter enthusiastically shouted an explanation over the
others heads I knocked him down alre as sure as I stand here he tried to Cuff brand for laughing at you and I laid him flat before lodin could lay hold of me and he will have to come before Carl sefner with a black eye think of it alre seemed to ponder the matter for a moment before responding you struck Your Leader the strong one chuckled with Glee and underscore blacked his eye it will be shut tight I know it will and he thinks so much about making a fine appearance before the Lawman and maybe
his nose will swell also and however his joviality dissipated when he realized the gravity of Al's expression and the fact that he was Soldier bread now I forgot that you are Soldier bread I suppose that in the Earl's Camp they would not call it a Gest to knock down a chief he admitted the sword Bearer leaning back on a bale of fur responded with a dry tone they would not be likely to call it anything for it could not happen there at all as the final walrus hide knot was tied the Torches left behind a
sulky group in darkness chapter 7 concerning Thorin Carl sefner the Lawman that night was twice as long and the sunrise that replaced it lingered until noon the day borne from that Sunrise had no end it seemed the weathercock had ens snared time with walrus thongs the banks glimpsed through the doorway Unwound like endless witch's thread as they traveled on the River Lane up to Vinland Bay their focus shifted from the landscape to pilfering A Fish Keg when voices erupted from the deck above a boat coming from behind that Island who the two in white likely
THS but the man in blue carne is known to wear blue by the hammer I do believe that's the law man himself the for Castle exalted while the for room sank into silence though they craved a in at the camp encountering part of it in Midstream startled them domark fervent gasp mirrored the greenlander fears thank the gods Carl sefner isn't my chief other men have blue mantel alre offered be still and listen crouched on rope coils and fur heaps they held their breath and strained to Eaves drop on the chaos the scrambling of deck feet
blurred all other sounds but soon the feet clumped down the ladder silence followed and a new voice deep and warm spoke greetings friends firstly tell me are you all safe and accounted for the prisoner's eyes lit up as their mouths spoke in unison Carl stne the weathercocks voice barely registered after that joyous reunion all safe here Lawman safe for my mishap he probably rambled on in his usual long- winded fashion but the five listeners in the forward cabin heard nothing more the throng that had surged forward withdrew noisily and through the Gap the prisoners caught
a glimpse of the gunnel and a tall muscular figure CL in blue Rising next to the rotund Helmsman like a tree next to a shrub the formidable figure had a face of rugged Beauty framed by locks of iron gray even after the Gap had closed they huddled motionless staring at the shifting backs and straining their ears for the deep voice until the helmsman's lament clanged through like clattering Pottery but don't ask me what success we've had laurman for I'll tell you right away that the plan you held dear has been ruined Beyond repair through no
fault of my own but because of your your brother's son's bloodthirstiness not only did he flout your commands but he kindled outl in the heart of every boy on board who otherwise would obey my brand got up on his bound feet and no one knows how he did it and made his way to the door on them that's untrue no matter what you or others say he exclaimed and when his leader stopped out of sheer amazement and everyone turned gawking he followed his voice out the door we are all together against his will obeying him
is a disgrace to any man with manhood do gave him a black eye yes that's correct domar bellowed followed by guard and little Olaf as they too worked their way to the door a sudden Lurch of the ship threw them off balance and they tumbled in a heap almost at Carl seer's feet the crew started laughing while the weathercock started accusing and the rebels began denying alre looked at them and sneered contemptuously his Soldier instincts taking over that quickly turned into Amusement when the clamor stopped abruptly at a single word from the deep voice and
he caught a glimpse of Bran's fiery hair drooping like captured Flags but after a moment he turned and stretched his bound arms over a cask hiding his face in them his
