Historical Setting: 793 C.E. Mooring at The North Sea
We are given the slave orders for the journey. But really the only thing slaves need to know is obedience.
“Slaves are assigned two to a longship, one with the bow rowers, and the other at the stern taking orders from the coxswain.”
The instructor gives a review of coxswain orders, so that any stray stroke of an oar will not be the doing of a slave. We are given a demonstration of a line and the knots, with the emphasis for us to touch nothing unless ordered. Then he gives explicit instruction on the reefing, or hauling up and shortening the sheet. I’ve sailed before. I know of this. It is done when the wind could overpower the ship, so here the slave’s part would be climbing onto the beam at the time the wind is the worst.
He continues the lecture, “As we approach the island, there is to be no talking or singing. Any human sound while on a quiet sea may echo on and on through the eons, and if Thor, romping among the cloud billows, should get wind of a voice from a longship, the clouds will part and a bolt will strike with the full force of the gods, and immediately the ship will become consumed in the funeral pyre for all of its men.”
So, these people still believe their Pagan gods are alive and well and acting in the human world. Or is this just a threat to keep thralls in line?
As he spoke, a flash of lightening leapt along a celestial pathway, to affirm to believers, these gods are listening. Even among Christian slaves, no voice of slave would disturb the thunder. If lightning struck a boat, the error would have to by a Viking, not a slave.
He continues, “We will sail the sea if there is any hint of an easterly wind, even from the northeast or southeast, then at the given signal, as the journey nears the shore, every craft will drop its sail and all will man the oars. Then in the darkness, with orders silent, only given by gesture, each slave from each longship will slip over the gunwales and into the shallow wash of the sea. The slaves from each boat will steady the craft as the men disembark with their weapons and shields; then you will wait there for each hero’s return, and act on orders for our expedient departure. Always quick and quiet under the shroud of dark…”
(Continues tomorrow)
Lazarus Ink 