|
With one swift movement, Mikkel pushed aside his flyaway hair. Then, as though making a deliberate choice, he stretched out his hand and shook Ingmar’s.
A look of relief filled the young man’s eyes. “We finish loading my ship today,” Ingmar said. “If the wind blows fair tomorrow, we will leave.”
Mikkel nodded, waiting.
“I’ll take Bree’s brother with me.” Though Ingmar spoke to the family, he watched Bree. “I’ll take her sister Keely and friend Lil. I’ll bring them safely to Dublin.”
Without warning, Bree’s eyes filled with tears. It’s here. The moment I dreaded.
But then she understood. Ingmar had come to warn her, to give her one last day to say good-bye. As a tight knot formed in Bree’s stomach, she recognized his gift. No more snatching your family away, Ingmar was saying without words. I’m doing my best to help you.
Slowly Bree put down the large wooden spoon. Her head high, she stepped out from behind the large cooking pot that hung on a chain from the ceiling. Her shoulders back, she walked around the end of the hearth and stood before Ingmar. With the grace of a young woman before a king, Bree took the edges of her skirt in hand and curtsied low before him.
“I thank you,” she said softly.
When she looked up again, Bree saw the kindness in Ingmar’s eyes and knew she had rightly understood his wish to help her. Then she saw something more—the courage that molded Ingmar’s life to speak to Mikkel as he had.
This time Ingmar spoke directly to her. “When I return to Aurland, I’ll tell you. You will know that your brother, sister, and friend are safe in Ireland.”
Once more Bree curtsied low. As she straightened, standing tall, Ingmar nodded, accepting her thanks. As he turned away, his face showed his concern for her. When he stepped outside, he closed the door quietly.
As Bree walked back to the fire, no one spoke. When she picked up the large wooden spoon and dished up porridge, no one spoke. But now Bree guessed the meaning of Mikkel’s words as she entered the room. She felt sure his mother and father had said, “Set Bree free. Send her back to Ireland with her brother and sister.” And Mikkel answered, “I can’t. I won’t!”
|
|
If so, it was still another reason for Bree to be angry with Mikkel. He knew she was a valuable slave, and his greed always won.
When Bree finished serving the family, she dished up her own porridge and took it outside. On the step overlooking the fjord, she sat, quiet and alone. In spite of the ache in her chest and the knot in her stomach, she promised herself that she would make it through.
I can manage, Bree thought, though it tore her apart. But the longer she watched the men load Ingmar’s ship, the more difficult it became.
One more day, she told herself. Tomorrow I’ll be alone again.
Alone. For how long?
Forever?
At the recent assembly where Devin was set free, Bree worked out a way to ransom her sister Keely and friend Lil. Only Bree remained a slave. Then Mikkel offered a startling plan.
“Be my storyteller,” he told Devin. “If you and Bree go with me on one voyage, I’ll set her free when we return home.”
Free! Just the sound of it filled Bree with hope. No longer a Viking slave!
“I’m Irish,” Devin told Mikkel. “I’m not like your poets.”
But Mikkel insisted. “Be my storyteller. Be my friend.”
Looking Mikkel straight in the eye, Devin repeated the condition. “If Bree and I go with you for one voyage, you will set her free when we return.”
Now, like a sword, fear struck down Bree’s courage. Deep inside, she felt a warning she could not ignore. How good is Mikkel’s promise? Can Dev and I trust him to do what’s right?
Courage, Bree thought. I need courage to help me go beyond the fear I face.
Just then Mikkel opened the door and came outside. Bree glanced at him and looked away. If Dev comes back and we sail with Mikkel, will we ever see Ireland again?
It's the newest installment in the story of Bree and Michael and all your favorite characters in the Viking Quest Series.
Click here to read about all of the books
|
|
