Page 70 of Shared By the Vikings

Chapter Fifteen

The sun bore down onIngrid’s head and shoulders as she stomped along the beach with Tali, Gunnvar, and Erik. Here the slope to the waves was steeper and the ebb of water frantic as it tossed pebbles and shingles through its froth.

When they reached the boatshed, Erik yanked the door open. The hinge squeaked and the frame rattled.

“We can repair this.” He shoved at the second door.

Gunnvar went to help him as it caught on the sand, scooping the grains upward.

“And repair it quickly.” Gunnvar’s biceps flexed as he rammed the door fully wide.

“Ja, if we make haste.” Erik walked into the shadows of the shed. Dust pricked the air and a scurry in the corner told of mice.

“I’d say she once sailed the waves.” Tali banged the bow of the boat. “But do you think she’ll make it to the homeland?”

“It’s our only choice.” Ingrid studied the vessel. About twenty feet long, it was made of paler wood than their longboats but appeared sturdy and apart from a few areas of disrepair in good condition.

“The mast needs to be fixed.” Gunnvar jumped into the boat and dragged at a snapped pole.

“We can do that.” Erik placed his hands on his hips.

“And this rope is rotten.” Gunnvar moved to a coiled rope, picked it up, and then tossed it over the side. It landed with a bang and a plume of dirt and sand puffed upward.

“More rope over there.” Erik nodded at a long wooden bench that was littered with rusty tools, bird mess, and a ream of rope that appeared in good condition.

“Ja, this will do.” Ingrid picked the rope up then brushed sand from it. “But what about a sail?”

“There is sail material here.” Erik moved to the back of the shed. “But I’d guess it’s had a battle with Thor and Aegir.” He nodded at Tali. “Here, help me with this.”

Tali rushed to assist Erik.

Between them they dragged a large dirty white sail out onto the beach. Ingrid assisted them in spreading it out flat.

In the top right corner a jagged tear—the length of Ingrid head to toe—sliced downward. The bottom corner, same side had a piece missing.

“I can fix that if we have leather thread,” she said.

“In the box I found.” Gunnvar joined them and examined the sail. “Haps it’s enough.”

“I’ll do my best.” Ingrid glanced at the sun. It was just gone midday. “I’ll set these nets in the river we spotted yesterday. And then start my work.” She nodded. “And you’re going to—?”

“Get this boat out and fixed,” Gunnvar said, stomping back to the shed. “Might be that we can get out of here morrow or the next,” he threw over his shoulder, “while the weather holds.”

“Seems our Gunnvar has had enough of sleeping rough,” Tali said with a grin. “You okay with setting the nets, Ingrid?”

“Ja.” She hoisted them up into her arms. “We’ll be glad of a few fish later.”

“Or more bird.” Erik nodded up the beach. Like the day before there were gulls and cormorant galore.

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