Yet Another Journey. But This Time....East-bound.

So, a lot has happened since I last wrote. Leif's cheiftain, Ivar, was killed during a local feud between him and another chieftain, Igor. As result of this, Leif has been named the official "cheiftain" of the crew that originally left Viksfjord. After a few months of determining the direction the crew would be taking, Leif finally decided to take the crew and me, East-bound towards a settlement named Staraja Ladoga being run by people calling themselves the "Rus". Word is that fellow Norse-men have been settling there. It was previously established as a small craftworking and trading settlement and is currently, the gateway to the Baltic and other eastern powers. Leif has decided that as a crew, we need to enhance our trading relationships with eastern powers as opposed to continuing to rely on raiding for our prosperity in the west. Times have become somewhat difficult as numerous viking crews have been defeated by various sea-borne attacks and we are being forced to extend our power in other areas. Plus, vikings have already been establishing numerous settlements in the East. Leif thinks that we can grab a piece of the stew if we utilize our force and intelligence of trading.

Another big occurrence took place right before we left for our journey. The day before we packed up, I discovered that I was pregnant. I have yet to tell Leif. I am just too terrified of our circumstances. I will just be waiting, I guess.

After our arduous journey eastward, we decided to pass by Ladoga, taking the River Volkhov and stopping in a town named the "New Town." Here, Leif was instantly confronted by various leaders within the town. With his poise, he ensured them that we were here only to initiate trade rather than raid. After his discussions with various Norse men, we were soon welcomed into the small, fortified, hill top settlement. I have no idea what to expect here. We are definitely being watched upon with careful eyes. The first thing I noticed was that there are so many different types of people here. I noticed fellow Norse people but their dress seems so different than what I am used to. Also, there are people of different colored skin and dark hair. I just hope this will be a safe place to have my baby.

We have been here too long.

Hi There.

So, the last I wrote was before I joined Leif and his crew to a wintering location called Repton. Well, I have been here for awhile now and I am tired, ready to go home, and wishing I didn't come. My spirits are extremely low. There has been tension between some of the crews here and due to differing loyalties to different chieftains, some of the Vikings have parted ways. There is even two distinct places where we bury our lost ones due to the separation within the army. It's hard living at the wintersetl. Things are tight quarters and I have been revealed to the true lifestyle of the men. There are even women here whom the men took from their families and forced to become their slaves. I am ready to leave.

Word has spread that other vikings have been traveling to different places and founding longphorts. Apparently there has even been some places where we are more welcomed, rather more tolerated, than here. We are hated here. People look at us, especially the women, as beasts. I am ready to move to somewhere where it feels more like home.

Leif has mentioned that his cheiftain, Ivar, is interested in following the most recent fleet's journey last year, 859, that followed the coastline southwards and then ventured easterly to a place named Camargue in Frankia. Ivar thinks there is much more wealth to be found along the way. Leif thinks otherwise. He thinks the journey would be way too dangerous and we should either return home or head to a place with a name that means, "the black pool." After our recent defeat by King Alfred's fleet on the ocean, Leif has become concerned for our safety as a crew. We have already lost so many and not too long ago, an entire fleet that left from River Loire was defeated by a another ocean fleet from the East. The risk is just too high. I don't know what we are going to do but I am beginning to feel as though we, the Norse, are needing to either settle in or go home. I wonder what home is like. I wonder how Snotra's baby is. I wonder if I will ever become a mother.

Things are going to be very different

After Leif returned, things quickly began to change. To begin, Kaupang villagers and Viksfjord residents began to call him not just “Leif” but “Leif the Warrior.” I guess his accomplishments on his journey were extraordinary and thanks to him, our good friends Gisli and Eirik, survived during an island raid. Not only did he help bring home his fellow crew members safe and sound, he acquired incredible amounts of silver, animal furs, and even a couple ancient relics from a monastery on an island. He gave my father many furs for him to trade as a display of his gratitude towards my family for taking care of my while he was away.

It was after I heard of all his triumphs that I realized what I might be getting myself into. After talking with my father for a couple hours regarding the wintersetl plans, my father gave his blessing to us. Leif ensured my family that he would always remain truthful to the Honor Code and promised to place the family first. Meaning, that if the journey took a turn for the worse, that Leif would do all he could to influence the chieftain to return home. Leif discussed the incredible opportunity for our family. It was then that my emotions began to overwhelm me. I was saddened to leave but ecstatic to see the outside world. This was not only an opportunity for Leif but for myself.

It is 873 and we will be one of the first official groups of Norse men and women to settle over the winter. Leif emphasized that our crew won’t be alone. We will be accompanied by numerous crews from all over the region during the journey and wintering. He even called it an “army” of Vikings. I feel lucky and honored that I will be accompanying my husband. I will be one of two women going on the ship. I guess Leif told the chieftain that he wouldn’t return to sea without me. Seeing that Leif is the chieftain’s top warrior, the chieftain agreed to Leif’s request. The Cheiftain even said my presence would help distract his own wife from bugging him during the journey to the wintersetl location.

I have no idea what to expect except that things will be very different. I will not know anyone over there and don’t even know where we are going. Apparently it is the location of another monastery patronized by Mercian Kings and will prove suitable for our wintering. I guess we will just see. It is like a new sunrise in my life; a new beginning.

The Day I Had Been Waiting For

Today was the day I have been waiting for since the beginning of Spring when Leif left on his journey. My father and I had begun to pack up the remains of the furs he didn’t have the opportunity to trade while I counted the silver when I overheard the nearby blacksmith say that a large Viking ship was docking. Accidentally, I dropped the silver and instantly asked what ship. He said, “The Long Serpent.” I gasped. That was Leif’s ship. My heart began pounding as I began to run towards the dock. I saw beat up and tired looking men unloading mounds of furs, silver, and old books. Their once colorful shields that bordered the ship were tattered and faded. Their beards were longer and the sails were worn. Also, I noticed a few new people on board. Two were two older men with large crosses on their necks and the other was a young woman about my age. They appeared distraught, scared, and hungry. I had never seen a ship bring home foreigners. However, my curiosity about Leif quickly overshadowed my concern for the newcomers.
Panicked and overwhelmed by the commotion within the town and the townspeople, I peered through the crowd in attempt to see my husband. Was he alive? Did he die in battle? Is he okay? Where is he? Suddenly, I felt someone grab my hand. First I thought it had to have been my father trying to get my attention when I turned around, my eyes flooded with tears. There he was. I had missed those familiar eyes but at the same time, he looked so different. He smiled and gave me a long hug. I had missed his company so much and I had worried about him for so many nights. And now, he was finally home. Without words, I could tell he was exhausted so I simply grabbed his small bag and his ax as we made our way towards my father’s trading station. But before we began to walk, he stopped me and told me to wait. He bent down, searched through his small leather bag, and pulled out a beautiful sapphire brooch. Quietly, he placed the necklace around my neck and smiled. I didn’t ask any questions, just thanked him for his thoughtfulness.
After a couple of hours catching up with my Father, Leif informed us that he had to stay in Kaupang for the night. Tomorrow morning, the captain would be divvying out the profit and collected items to the Vikings. I don’t know, Leif seemed like himself but so different in so many ways. I hated not knowing what his life was like for the five months. I felt as though I had missed out but still was just so ecstatic that he was home safe. He said he had managed to find a plethora of new furs and silver jewelry for us to trade. He also informed us that our second cousin, Fjorgyn, who was additionally on the voyage, was killed by a Frankish man defending a monastery. His ceremony would be tomorrow morning as well. His family will be given one of the monks as a slave. Slightly confused, I didn’t ask questions but rather just listened. It was after a few hours of talking and hearing about his trip when Leif mentioned that he would be returning to one of the locations he visited next spring. It was then that he asked me if I would like to accompany him for his next voyage. Once again, my heart sank and skipped a beat. I asked him to clarify and he said that the captain will be taking an additional team there to build a camp for an elongated stay. I asked if all the wives were going to be asked and Leif informed me that only a few Vikings were told they could ask. I guess Leif had should incredible bravery in battle and that he would be assisting the captain during the next voyage.
After a moment of silence, I looked towards the ocean at the most incredible sunset I had seen over the slightly snow capped mountains. I realized that it was then, at that moment, that my whole life would change. It was then that I realized that I too, was going to be able to see more of the world. It was then, that I was terrified and excited all at the same time. I glanced at Leif, reached for his hand, and told him yes, I would follow him.