Chapter 3

“Our chief will be the first to set foot on the new land.” Ragnar had said when we saw a shimmering silhouette floating in the distance. He is an excellent ally, a great counsellor and a loving brother. If it weren’t for him, I would be dead, me body turning to dust or giving life to the crows and other animals back on our land. If not dead, then I would be drowning in a lake of self-guilt and sorrow or wandering in the dark corridor of me heart, not wanting to get out but to walk forever and find no rest, no light. Me sorrow’s rising to the surface, threatening to overwhelm me. 

Not now, Sif, I tell meself. Not in front of your people. 

The voyage across the sea was long, too long. I lost track after sixty-nine suns and sixty-eight moons. After that, we lost 5 ships to storms, and 10 ran away on the night of the 27th moon. I don’t blame ’em, but I am grateful that Ra