Stolen Away Read Online Free

with an even larger number of warriors and attacks us again?” asked Dagmar. “What then? We may all be killed.”
    He nodded. “That, too, is a possibility. That is why we must also prepare for the worst. It is therefore essential that we put together an evacuation plan.”
    â€œEvacuation?” another woman shouted, “Do you mean leave? Again?”
    Thorfinn's shoulders sagged slightly. “If it means our survival, then I'm afraid leaving may be our only option.”
    â€œBut to where?” asked a third. “Back to Greenland? We were barely surviving there when we left it.”
    â€œThat will be our last resort, Olga. We may have another option. Tomorrow, we will begin preparation for a new scouting expedition to the south. Perhaps we can find a better place to start again beyond these shores of Vinland.”
    â€œSo what do we do with him?” asked one of the guards, pointing his thumb at the prisoner.
    Thorfinn walked up to the skraeling, grabbed his shoulders and pushed him down onto his knees. Then, taking a stick, he started to draw on the smooth dirt in front of him. Warily, the skraeling watched. Thorfinn drew two men trading items with each other. He drew smiles on their faces. Then, lowering himself onto his knees in front of the prisoner, he held up a delicate bronze necklace and placed it around the prisoner's neck.
    â€œWe are friends. We do not want to hurt you. Please do not attack us. Do you understand?”
    Although the skraeling watched every move Thorfinn made, he gave no indication of understanding. Thorfinn nodded to Bjorn. Bjorn walked over to the grass and lifted up a small sealskin craft that was completely enclosed, except for a small hole into which the paddler sat. A double-ended paddle stuck out through the open sitting area. Thorfinn stepped behind the prisoner, removed a dagger from his belt and cut the ropes binding his hands and legs. Thorfinn's wife passed him a small leather bag. The skraeling opened it and examined the contents. He seemed surprised to see dried fish and blueberries.
    â€œFor your journey home,” Thorfinn said. He pointed to his kayak with an open palm. “Go.”
    The skraeling first looked at the kayak, then back to Thorfinn. Without a word or gesture, the man stepped over to the boat, placed the food bag inside the covered bow and climbed in. The whole village watched silently as the kayak and paddler disappeared around the bend of the river. Bjorn stepped up to Thorfinn and joined his gaze towards the ocean.
    â€œDo you think it will work?”
    Thorfinn looked over his shoulder and stared at the charred remains of the animal shelter. “We can only hope.”

T HREE
    T he following week was one of hard work and grim determination. The four longboats that had transported the Nordic community to Vinland sat dry near the river. Due to the bountiful and busy summer, it had been several months since they had last touched water. The raised ships were being sheltered under a crude, thatched roof for protection against both the drying summer sun and the ice of the upcoming winter. After a quick inspection, Thorfinn and the other men chose the smallest ship of the four. It was also the one that required the least amount of repair for what could end up being a lengthy and risky voyage. Originally, they had planned to do the repair work during the long winter months when there was little else to do. But last night's attack had changed everything.
    First, they ripped away rotten planks from the ribbing and began the laborious task of repairing the damaged sections with fresh timber. Fatigue soon etched its mark onto the faces of the labourers as they ceaselessly sliced and shaped the plentiful trees into long, narrow planks. Upon hammering the planks into place, the mariners sealed the cracks in the hull with a foul-smelling mix of hot tar and animal hair.
    From a small building near the sheltered ships, a bellows