Page 101 of Shared By the Vikings

Chapter Twenty-One

Land had been on thehorizon for a full day. Ingrid, along with her men, had battled a northwesterly wind. It was as if after being benevolent and merciful, the gods had decided to make the last part of the journey a struggle.

“Nearly there,” Erik said, heaving his oar through the water. His shoulders shone with sea spray and sweat and his cheeks were red with effort.

Ingrid pulled on hers. “You wanted to hide the treasure from your greedy earl.”

“Ja, you and Tali hide it now,” Erik said.

“I can keep rowing.”

“No, we don’t want to get pulled south, we are on track for the homeland fjord by nightfall. Me, Gunnvar, and Raud will row.”

“You saying I’m not able?” Tali frowned and heaved his oar expertly through the water, his biceps pumping and his abdomen tense with effort.

Erik laughed. “No, but you are on the east side, it is in the west we need more muscle.”

Tali smiled. All of their moods had lifted since familiar lands had come within sight. “Okay, I will help hide the fruit of our raid.”

“I wish for no one to know about it,” Erik said breathlessly, “We need it for when we go to Ravndal.”

“And it is ours,” Gunnvar added. “We took it.”

Ingrid lodged her oar secure and went to the back of the boat. Tali joined her and they pulled the lid from the barrel that had contained their drinking water for the journey. There was an inch at the base and Tali poured it into a tankard. “Drink.”

“You have it, this is the last.”

“No, it is for you, and soon we will have more fresh water than we can ever drink.”

Ingrid took it, glad of the chance to wet her throat after rowing while the sun slid from east to west through the midday.

They began to cram their loot into the barrel. The large cross on a plinth went in first, then alongside it a candlestick holder that was set with jewels. Several necklaces, all with crosses and a small sad figure perched on them, went in next.

“Good, hide it,” Erik said, when Tali banged the lid on.

“Where?” Tali held his hands out. “We’re on a boat in case you didn’t know. Not many hiding places. No earth to dig a hole.”

“How about under this.” Ingrid held up the nets they’d used, and a fur that had become tattered and weather-beaten.

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