Brita

Prologue

Brita: Long, blond hair cascading in waves on either side of her face. Dark, dreamy eyes gazing into the leaping flames of a fire. Her little brother, Arek, clinging to her aprons, they are the dark brown color of earth. Hands cupping her chin, delicate fingers, long and calloused from hard work. That is Brita.

Brita sat dreamily, listening to the old Viking’s voice drone on, telling old, old stories. On and on and on… Her eyelids dropped, she was SO tired.

“Don’t fall asleep, Brita!” pleaded her older sister, Reba. Reba was 15, two years older then Brita. She had long curly black hair that was pulled back from her face in a braid. “This is the night that Leif PROMISED to tell us his plans for the voyage!” Reba’s blue eyes sparkled even in the dark night.

Instantly, Brita was awake! She had forgotten! How could she have?

The dark, foggy morning pressed in around the longhouse, Brita felt even more cramped and caged in then usual.

She stretched her aching legs and stood up from were she, Mama and Reba, her aunts Freya and Helga, their daughters Hilda, Greta, and baby Lars crouched down around their tasks.

She, Mama, Reba and Freya were baking bread, kneeling by the fire hearth. The others were weaving warm cloaks and tunics. She hugged her burgundy cloak to her and wandered over to the door of the longhouse. Brita pushed it open and breathed in the fresh, damp Icelandic air.

“Brita,” her Mama warned, “you must help with the bread, the journey is only in 5 days time you know.”

Sighing, Brita nodded. “Yes Mama, I know. Just a little walk, I’ll be back soon!” She promised and stole out the door before her mama could protest.

Brita ran down towards the boats floating on the gray water. She loved the Viking boats, Brita thought they were beautiful. Wet grass stuck to her legs above her brown leather boots, but Brita didn't mind, she was just glad to be out of the longhouse.

Brita was called "Brita the horse girl," because she loved horses and had her special way with them. Brita's favorite horse was one owned by her fathers helper, Orm. Orm had two horses, a high-strung, powerful stallion named Storm. with a black coat and mane. And his mare: a feisty little thing (at least Brita thought so) beige coat, black mane and tail. She was named Hema, and she was Brita's favorite. Orm let her ride Hema when ever Brita threatened to tell her father that Orm had snuck a ride on Brita's fathers bay stallion, the most prized horse in the village. Even if Orm didn't let her ride Hema, Brita wouldn't tell, but she got a ride out of it!

Ever since Reba and Brita had been little girls, they had dreamed of going on a voyage together and discovering a new land. For the sister's, it seemed like their time had come! Reba was 15 and Brita 13, they were determined to be part of the next exploration that went out, the journey that set foot out into the ocean in only 5 days. This voyage was led by Leif Erickson.

All of a sudden pounding footsteps sent Brita whirling around. Arek, her 6 year old brother came panting up to her...

Brita turned pale, she sprinted across the wet grass. "REBA!" she cried. "I'M COMING!" 'what could have happened?' Brita asked herself. 'in that 5 minutes that I was gone, Reba fell ill!' tears were streaming down her cheeks by the time she reached the longhouse.

Mama, aunt Freya and cousin Greta were knelt by Reba's side. aunt Helga was busily stirring something over the fire. Everyone's face was masked with worry.

Mama turned a scared face to her youngest daughter, "all of a sudden, she collapsed, she seems.." mama placed a hand on Reba's pale forehead. "to have a fever."

Brita panicked, "no mama, we would have know! wouldn't we have?" She bit her lip till it bled. "it cant be..." now Brita knew that she had lost the battle, Reba really was ill, she...wouldn't be able to go on any sort of voyage, she might not even.....live! Brita forced that thought out of her mind forever. Reba would get better!

"you must go...you can do it Brita....see the new world!" Reba's voice was week and horse.

"shhh," Brita quieted her sister, then she squeezed Reba's hand, wondering if she really could do it!?

The next morning, Brita woke early and silently folded her blankets and put them away. She crept past the bed Reba was sleeping in...her face was pale with red splotches, she looked even thinner then usual. That night, Brita had decided that she would go on the voyage, even though Reba wouldn't be there with her. Her sister wanted her to go...so Brita would go.

After she was outside, Brita headed out towards the beach where she knew Leif and his crew would be preparing for their departure. She was dreading the time when had to tell him she was going to be joining his exploration...what if Leif said she was too young, too weak, and a girl besides! Oh well, She would not think about that right now!

As she neared the beach, Brita could see people scurrying about, piling crates and barrels into long ships and storing parcels. Finally, she spotted Leif. Determinedly she strode towards him. He was gazing off over the horizon.

"Leif?" Brita said loudly as she stood behind him. Leif swiftly turned around.

"Brita!" he said slowly, surprise clear in his voice. "What has brought you here?"

Taking a deep breath, Brita started in on the most nerve-racking conversation she had ever had! "I am interested in being apart of the exploration setting forth in 4 days time." She hadn't meant for it to sound so pointed and stubborn, oh well!

Brita glared at him 'how DARE he mock her!? she could do any work that he could do!'

"I can navigate," Brita continued. "I can sew, mend...you name it. I can also cook..." She knew that he was still skeptical of her! "And I can also fight!" Saying this, she drew a small knife that she kept hanging from the broaches on her dress.

"I don't doubt it Brita. I would be more then willing to allow you to accompany us on this voyage, but what do your parents think of this idea of yours sister?"

Brita gulped, she hadn't told her father, and now she went over in her head the conversation with her mother:

"Brita? I don't want you to go...but I know that you will go weather I tell you to or not! So you have my blessing."

Leif stared over at the ocean again, he seemed to be thinking of what to say next. "Life on a voyage is not all pleasant. Hardships, dangers and consequences are all ahead..." He looked her hard in the face, "are you ready little sister?"

Brita winced at being called 'little sister' but she nodded. "I am ready for whatever this journey has to offer. I will keep strong." Brita's eyes filled with hope as she said this, she just had to go on this exploration!

Just then, Orm approached Leif. "We are ready to take the barrels on board. Come and help, will you Leif." Then, seeing Brita, keeping his voice low, he said. "Let her come, Leif. I know Brita, she has twice the worth of many of the men on your boat." Orm put his hand on Brita's shoulder.