Christopher Dinsdale's Historical Adventures 4-Book Bundle. Christopher Dinsdale

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      Chocan turned away from her and looked off into the distance. “You truly believe that the Vikings will someday allow you to return home?”

      “I know it's unlikely, perhaps impossible, but it is still my only glimmer of hope.”

      Silence.

      “When must you be back?”

      Kiera tried to clear her dry throat. Was he disappointed? Of course he was. The bond that they had built between them was strong and real. She was choosing a life of slavery over a life of freedom with his people. Even with the fur coverings, she felt cold and hollow. She hadn't thought that telling Chocan would be so difficult.

      “I think they will be leaving some time in the spring. They will need to get back to Greenland or Iceland by mid summer if they are to prepare shelters for the following winter.”

      From his profile, Kiera could see Chocan frowning.

      “Spring. It will be difficult. During the caribou hunt, I asked my fellow brothers from the north lands about your village. They have only heard about it through their Thule captives, the ones who have caused your masters so much trouble. The Thule have been a problem for us also. They have taken some of our northern lands by force. A war council was convened at the Meeting Place in order to plan for the removal of the intruders. Atchak and the other elders have decided that we will attack the Thule in the summer. To get you home before the Vikings leave, you will have to make your journey before then. You will have to cross Thule-held territory.”

      Kiera shuddered, but she was able to maintain a strong voice. “I understand it might be dangerous.”

      Chocan nodded. “Dangerous, yes, but perhaps still possible.”

      “I understand the dangers. I will also do whatever it takes to trade for one of your canoes. If you would be kind enough to give me the directions back to the Vikings, I will leave at the earliest possible moment.”

      Chocan shook his head, still facing away. “You cannot do it alone.”

      “I have to try.”

      He turned and faced her. “I will take you.”

      “Chocan, you can't! You are a Teacher. You are needed by the band, by this whole nation! I can't ask you to do this.”

      He stepped forward and put his hands on her shoulders. “I want to do this.”

      She tried to hold back the tears. “Are you sure?”

      Chocan smiled. “We will have to wait for winter to pass, but yes, if it is your wish, then I will take you not to your home, but back to your Viking masters. There is a difference, you know.”

      She embraced him warmly. “Yes, I know. And thank you.”

      FOURTEEN

      The winter had been long and difficult. Even though it was one of the most bitter in recent memory, the temperature inside the mamateek stayed relatively pleasant. Kiera admired the efficient design of the structures. Fourteen people lived within her mamateek, sharing both the heat of the central fire and the resulting smoky air. Above their heads, worn but colourfully decorated caribou skins lined the walls. The painted images of forest animals on the skins danced in the light of the crackling fire.

      To pass the time away during the dark evenings, most of the adults and children enjoyed playing a game called Chance. It involved throwing a handful of beautifully decorated two-sided bones onto the dirt floor. The pattern was different on each side of the bone. The goal was to predict which sides would land facing up, and points were given depending on how the pieces fell.

      Kiera also enjoyed playing the game, but she preferred to spend most of her spare time in a different way. She sat quietly in her back corner with Shawnadit, teaching her how to work the needle in and out of the small, discarded scraps of leather she had scrounged from the remains of the great hunt. Together, they sized and cut, sewed and hemmed, embroidered and dyed the small, leather pieces. Kiera was impressed with how quickly Shawnadit was able to learn the skill of sewing.

      Occasionally, the other clan members would crawl over to stare in awe at their evolving creation. They were fascinated with Kiera's artistry and quietly watched her expert hands work the leather. Although everyone in the mamateek chattered in excitement as the garment neared completion, Kiera had made everyone swear to keep her project a secret once they stepped through the covered door of the mamateek and joined the outside world.

      Shawnadit was seemingly attached to Kiera's hip. She mimicked Kiera with every movement and every gesture, right down to her harsh, choppy way of speaking the Beothuck tongue. Although Kiera occasionally tired of her shadow, she never openly demonstrated frustration towards her adopted little sister. When Kiera needed a break, she would don a pair of snowshoes and trudge out into the serene forest for an invigorating walk. In the stillness of the woods, she could close her eyes and let the icy fingers of the winter wind carry her home.

      When tired of sewing, Kiera enjoyed spinning fantastic tales of her faraway homeland for the enthralled band members. She would also add a Bible story or two as she remembered them from her talks with the friendly priest in her village. The band members, however, were more interested in the mythical creatures and gods of the Viking sagas. They would beg to hear of the mighty battles of Odin and Thor against the various evil serpents and leviathans that lurked deep within the waters of the ocean. The Beothuk were as connected to the sea as the Vikings. Kiera's new friends also depended upon the salmon run and the plentiful birds' eggs found on the nearby coastal islands. The prosperity of both cultures rose and fell on the whims of the mighty water that connected their two lands.

      After listening rapturously to the Viking tales, the elders would then in turn share their stories and beliefs of the Beothuck world. Kiera marvelled at the rich, detailed tales of life, death, war and the activities of the spirit world. Chocan would also spin his stories of the Great Creator. Sometimes they were as new to her as they were to the youngest of the band members, but occasionally, Kiera would recognize the story from her childhood memories. Kiera was amazed at some of the similarities, especially considering the fact that the original Teachers had first shared them with Chocan's ancestors over two hundred years before.

      It was during a howling late winter snowstorm that Chocan sat cross-legged in front of the fire, his eyes aglow in the crackling flames, words fluttering from his lips like a distant dream.

      “A man named A'kmaran lived in a village in a faraway land. He was comfortable there, with a large family and plenty of good hunting. But his family and the other villagers believed in many different spirits and feared many superstitions. One night, the Great Creator came to A'kmaran in a dream.

      “He said, “A'kmaran, I am Gitche Manitou, the Great Spirit, the Creator of all things and the Giver of Life. There is no other but Me. Do not believe the tales of these people. You and your wife must leave your home and journey a great distance by canoe to a place of fresh water and good hunting. You will call this place the Promised Land. Once there, you will settle with your wife and worship only me. Your descendants will become powerful, and they will spread my word throughout the world.”

      Chocan paused, then looked around at the children. “Do you think A'kmaran wanted to leave his family and friends?”

      “No,” said the children in unison.

      “Do you think he might have been scared СКАЧАТЬ