Across the Seas

by Griff Hosker

  Rek nodded as he tasted the stew, “Then Leif Yellow Hair must have sailed west and not east.”

  If Rek was right then it meant that we could still run into him.

  For two more days, we edged west with winds which seemed determined to stop us discovering that part of the island. We sailed around a huge headland connected by a narrow neck of land and it was there that we first began to sail south. There was nothing to the west of us. That night, as we camped, I added to the map I had been making. The island was big. Yet most of it appeared to be mountainous. The smoke wreathed mountains dominated the island but I suspected they were closer to our home than this northern part. Soon, the winds which had hurt us would come to our aid and we would travel quicker. When we sailed, the next day, I saw that there was a huge bay before us. I say bay for, in the distance, I saw seabirds flocking. That suggested land to me.

  Halsten said, “Captain, to the east I spy smoke.”

  I turned and saw that he was right. We had found other settlers. I headed south and east. I did not wish to approach too closely. My task was to find out who lived on the island and not make contact with them. We were a small sail and I hoped that we would not be seen. The sun chose that day to break through the wall of white clouds. Was that the Norns? Were they playing a trick with us? Whatever the reason I saw the turf houses in the small bay. Standing while Rek steered I stood on the gunwale and shaded my eyes. There were two ships. They had no masts. They could have been drekar or they could have been knarr. I knew not.

  I returned to the steering board. I would go no closer but the fact that the settlement was west facing meant it would have more sun than our land shaded, as it was, by the mountain. They could grow crops there. I would mark that on my map. I would use some of the fish blood to mark it in red.

  We sailed across what I now saw was a huge inlet. The birds had been flocking on the sea. As we passed where they had been, I saw that there was the carcass of a young whale. Sharks had eaten most of it but the floating remains had provided a feast for the birds. I was careful when I chose our campsite for the night for, as we neared the coast, I saw more smoke from the eastern part of the inlet. It was getting on to dark and I could not discern a ship but I pushed on a little further and we made a darkened landing on a strip of shingle. I estimated that we were at least five miles from the last smoke we had seen but I did not risk a fire. We ate the fish we had caught raw. There was no water nearby and so we drank from our skins. We were all colder than we had been on our voyage of discovery. The cold woke me. I made water and then roused the boys. We would make an early start.

  “We need a fire tonight. I intend to find a campsite with water and wood. We may have a shorter voyage this day!”

  That decision was fateful. The Norns were spinning. As we sailed with darkness to the west and a glow of light from the east, I felt the wind begin to change. The air felt colder. It was coming from the north. It helped us to travel faster. I kept the land to the east of us but stayed far enough away from the coast to run if I had to. As the sun rose, to the east of us, I spied smoke. Worse, I spied ships. We were less than half a mile from the coast and the sun, which had been hidden for so many days now broke over the smoke-wreathed mountain and bathed us in sunlight.

  Rek shouted, “To the southeast, Captain. There is more smoke and I see ships!”

  I was looking east and Rek south and east. There were two settlements. I spied not just houses but what appeared to be a hall. I saw ships tied to what looked like a quay and one had a mast and sail. It was a drekar. We had found where the first settlers had landed. I spied fields which had been tilled and cattle grazing. I put the steering board over. I could have approached and seen more but a tingling at the back of my neck told me to sail away as quickly as I could. The smoky mountain I had seen suggested that our new home was less than two days away. I turned to sail due south.

  Dreng shouted, “Land ahead, Captain!”

  I now saw that this was a huge west facing bay and I headed south and west to sail around the headland. I would give it plenty of sea room. I did not wish to fall foul of the rocks around the coast when I was just a couple of days from my home. I now had the news we needed. The best land was already occupied. What we had was as good as it was going to get.

  The Norns were spinning. Halsten stood on the gunwale holding on to the stays while he peered at the land. His voice was urgent as he said, “Captain! A ship has put off from the shore. It is a drekar.”

  I glanced up and saw him shading his eyes against the sun. “Can you see her sides?”

  There was a pause and then he said, “Aye, Captain! They are lined with shields!”

  The settlers were coming to chase away or capture the intruder. We were in danger.

  Chapter 4

  It was not only us who were in danger. The drekar following us would not know of Maevesfjörður. If I headed home then they would know they had neighbours. They might well wish us harm. The sky was cloudless. I said, “Rek, take out the hourglass. Halsten, take the compass and mark the sun.” I stood to allow them to do so.

  Sven asked, “What is it you intend, Captain?”

  I pointed to the south and west, “I intend to head into the empty sea and hope that they fear the unknown more than we do!”

  I saw my ship’s boy clutch at his hammer of Thor. I put the steering board over and we leapt forward across the almost blue sea. The gods had sent the wind for a purpose. It was to help us escape but escape where? What lay beyond the horizon? “Halsten, when you have marked the sun take my map and use the charcoal to mark our position.” I stood again so that he could take the chart from the small chest by the steering board. He looked at the incomplete chart. There was a cross which marked Maevesfjörður and between it and where we were was unmarked. Taking the charcoal, he put a circle off the coast. “Mark the two settlements. Make the sign of a sword.”

  He did so and replaced the chart. I sat and smiled, “Well boys we had better prepare for a sea chase. Run out the fishing lines. Sven, rig the spare sail forrard. We can take it in turns to shelter from the sun and, if it rains, we can use it to collect rainwater.”

  “But captain, there is not a cloud in the sky!”

  “Aye, Rek, but we know not how persistent the drekar will be. Let us assume the worst and that way we will not be disappointed.”

  I think that the drekar intended at first to try to catch us quickly. They ran out the oars. I had Dreng watching them. When he reported the oars, I knew that they meant us harm. Why else try to close with us? “Let me know their rate of approach.” We were heading due south. I would not head east until they were out of sight. The two choices left to me would be to head south or west.

  “They are eight lengths behind us, Captain.”

  I nodded.

  When he said, “Five lengths!” then I made my fateful decision. I should have known the Norns were spinning for, as I put the steering board over to head south and west, I saw a cloud appear from the west. It was a solitary cloud but it was a cloud nonetheless. As soon as I put the board over, we leapt away from the drekar. I glanced astern and saw that we had taken them by surprise. We gained a length and I knew that the rowers would be tiring. By the time they had altered course to follow us, we had a seven-length lead. Dreng’s chant became repetitive. The gap remained at seven lengths. I saw that we were heading into a cloudbank. The clouds had grown and changed from white to black. The seas began to rise.

  “They have turned!”

  “Good. We will stay on this course until they are over the horizon and then we will turn.”

  The first drops of rain fell. They became heavier. The wind began to swing to come from the north and west. I turned to head south. The drekar was still in sight but it was heading away from us. “Reef the sail!” I gave the order just in time. Standing I said, “Put the compass and hourglass in the chest!” We would not be needing them until the sky cleared and that would not be for some time. The Norns were spinnin
g and the storm hit us. We had to let the wind take us. The sky all around became black and the seas rose to make cliffs and troughs. ‘Jötnar’ was a hardy little snekke but she was tested to the limit that day. Halsten took my sealskin cape from the chest by the mainmast and put it about my shoulders. I was already soaked but this would keep me warmer. Already the sail we had rigged at the prow had filled with rainwater and Dreng and Rek poured it into a barrel. Time had no meaning. My face, hair, and beard became rimed with salt. My hardy crew clung on for dear life. The sun must have passed its zenith but we knew not. We ploughed on south with the wind pushing us into the unknown.

  Sven brought me some water. My mouth was dry. “Do you want food, Captain?”

  I shook my head, “You boys eat. ‘Jötnar’ and I are as one, I will eat when the storm abates.” I could feel the seas weakening and I suspected the wind was too but I could not relinquish my hold on the steering board. It went from daylight to darkness without us even realising. The black clouds hid the sun from us. As the rain ceased and the wind lessened the motion of the ship became easier. I did not dare risk raising the sail for there were no stars to be seen. We were in the middle of the ocean. I had lost all sense of the direction of the wind. I would trust to the gods and let the wind take us where it would. When we saw the sun, we could begin to work out our position. I was just aware that the wind had not turned for some time as I had not had to move the steering board for hours. As the boys fell asleep, I stayed awake. I had to. Perhaps I dreamed with my eyes open or perhaps it was a trick of the Norns but I saw my father. His left arm was whole once more. He stood at the prow and pointed to steerboard. If our course was the same then that would be the west. He mouthed something but I could not hear. I rubbed my salt rimmed eyes and he was gone. The Norns were playing tricks with me.

  When dawn broke it told me that east lay to larboard. We were still travelling south. “Wake! It is time to wake!” The seas were easier but the wind still blew strongly. When the four of them woke they touched and then kissed their Hammer of Thor. They made water and then Halsten came to me.

  “Captain, you need to stand.”

  I nodded. “Keep her on this course.” I stood and every joint and bone ached. I stretched. It was then I realised that I had to make water. With the wind behind me, I made water over the steerboard side. I had just finished and was pulling up my breeks when I heard and felt something scrape off the bow. I saw a piece of driftwood sliding down the side. Holding the backstay, I leaned over and picked it out. The wood was sodden. It had been in the sea for a long time. I felt a tingle as I picked it up. Turning I saw that there were some faded runes marked upon it. I ran my finger over them. It was the piece of wood I had seen when I had been a child on Orkneyjar. Wyrd!

  “What is it, Captain?”

  “It is a message from the Allfather.” I threw the wood into the sea and I watched. It began to drift west. It went in the direction my father had pointed. I was to travel to the west.

  “Why did you throw it away, Captain?”

  I took my place at the steering board and I told them the story of the wood and the dream. “I believe that there is land to the west and south of us. When I touched the sea, it was warmer. The gods or the Norns, I know not which, sent the storm. I know my destiny. Now we sail home.” I pointed to larboard. “Our home lies in that direction. Take out the compass and hourglass. Fetch me the chart and food. I am hungry. Halsten you can steer until I am refreshed!”

  We sailed north and east for two days. We sailed across empty seas and the sun only showed herself now and again. Had it not been for the smoke from the mountain we might have missed the island altogether but knowing that the mountain lay to the west of Maevesfjörður helped. I headed due north for the mountain. We had to tack back and forth for the wind came from the north and west but knowing that our home was close helped us. Our map was incomplete. We had no idea what lay between us and the drekar’s stronghold. I had little idea of distance save that the smoky mountain looked down on us both. I would add a line when we landed but it would be pure conjecture.

  When we spied the coast, we sailed north and east. The going was easier. The wind helped a little. Sven liked his food, “Captain I am looking forward to meat. I like fish but I have had enough.”

  I shook my head, “I fear that so long as we live on this island of ice and fire, we will have little meat. When the last of the salted meat is gone seal and whale will be the nearest food we have to meat.”

  “Could we not go home to the land we left? Larswick might have had enemies but we were well fed.” Dreng also liked his food.

  “I wish to go further west.”

  Halsten said, “The driftwood?”

  “Aye, Halsten. It points us there. I will speak with Gytha. She is wise. I cannot believe that we left our home to find this barren rock. It is like Føroyar. It is a halt on our journey west. I feel it in my bones.”

  We spied the smoke from Maevesfjörður and I gave a silent prayer of thanks to Ran. He had watched over us. As we began to edge around the bay to the beach, I saw that the drekar was tied up in the first bay. There was a quay. It was crudely built but it would do. We would not have to ground the snekke. I never liked dragging a ship on to sand. There could be buried rocks just waiting to tear a hole in a hull. We had timber but not the right timber to build a ship.

  Arne, Fótr, Siggi and Snorri Long Fingers strode down from the two halls to greet us. The relief on my brother’s face was clear to all. Nudging towards the stern of ‘Njörðr’ I said, “I thank the four of you. I would sail with you any time. You are a good crew.”

  Halsten nodded, “And I speak for us all. We would follow you beyond the Unending Sea.”

  Fótr caught the rope Dreng threw and wrapped it around one of the mooring posts. I smiled for he had to have practised that. He was trying to impress me. The boys let me land and the hug which Arne gave me showed me that he had feared he had seen me for the last time. “You had us worried.”

  I nodded, “We were tested. I have much to say but I would speak with Gytha too.”

  Snorri frowned, “Then there is more to tell than just a sea voyage.”

  “Aye uncle and I believe that your wife expected this.” Turning to the boys I said, “When the snekke is secured go and see your families. They will rejoice to see you and that is good.”

  As we walked to the halls, I could smell bread being baked. They had finished the oven. I saw women making cheese. There were fish drying and the fields had been sown with oat and barley. None of us yet knew if they would grow. I saw seal skins which were drying and there were small pieces of timber drying. They would be to keep us warm over the winter. Already there was a chill to the air and yet we had not reached Samhain.

  Gytha was waiting for us at the knarr hall. I smelled ale. They had brewed beer. I could not help the smile which broke across my face. Gytha hugged me and kissed my cheek, “Although I knew you would return, for I dreamed it, I am overjoyed that you are here. Come, let us get in out of this wind.” Inside there was a warm glow from the fire. Tostig appeared and handed her two horns of ale. She handed one to me and took the other, “Erik the Navigator!”

  A crude table and benches had been made. The men had simply split logs and used wooden nails to bind them. I sat down and felt as though I was in a palace. This was luxury! I drank the ale and drained the horn. Arne shook his head, “Do not be so profligate, brother. We cannot produce great quantities until we have harvested a crop.”

  I nodded, “I am sorry but this tasted as though Odin himself had brewed it.”

  Gytha spread her hands, “Arne might be Jarl of this clan but you are the clan’s hope for the future. Speak.”

  I left nothing out. I told them exactly what I had seen as I had circumnavigated the island. I spoke of the settlements I had seen and the drekar which had attacked us. When I told them of the wood I had found and how I had seen it before I saw that I surprised even Gytha. When I had finished my tale
, she touched my hand, “I knew before you spoke that you had been chosen. The wood with the runes confirms it.” She went to the fire and brought a piece of charcoal. “Write them here on the table.”

  When I had done so she studied them. “This time they were faded and I confess I am not sure if I have copied them aright. Perhaps this is how I remembered them.”

  She smiled, “It is a man’s name although I have not heard of him. It could be Balik or Barik. It matters not. It is a message.”

  I was excited and I could see that Snorri was too. Arne just looked confused. “I do not understand this. What does it mean?” He looked at Gytha.

  “It is simple and Erik knows the meaning better than any but the words from a volva may have more significance than that of a younger brother.” It was criticism and I saw Arne flush.

  Siggi grinned. “Cuz you cannot win an argument with a volva.” His mother glared at her son. He might be a man grown but he was still her son. Abashed he sat back.

  “What the words mean are that the clan has not yet finished its journey. We will, someday, head west.”

  Arne shook his head, “We have barely scratched the surface of this land. True it is not the home we hoped but we need to give the land a chance.”

  She smiled, “Of course but the Norns have yet to finish their web. Erik’s thread and the piece of driftwood are combined.”

  “And there is one thing more. The spirit of our father came to me. His arm was whole and he pointed to the west.”

  Arne almost recoiled when I told him. He clutched his hammer. Gytha just smiled knowingly. To her that was confirmation of the direction we must take.

  Arne sighed and nodded, “From what you say these settlements must be a couple of days west of us.”