The Abduction of the Northmen

Chapter 18

Tóra's family followed their former captive and his acquaintances to a riverbed. On the other side resided huts.

Eyes watched as the foreigners readied to overpass the raging river.

Áki grasped Helga's hand as they crossed, followed by Mottull and Briseida.

"Please excuse Ila. She does not mean to harm you." Jordanes said.

"I am sorry we nearly murdered each other." Tóra regretfully replied.

"It was not your doing. Ila is impulsive. She yearns to fight the Arochi. She is a pugilist that one." He laughed.

"Jordanes?" he heard a voice call out. He faced his people, but there was one that emerged. A fragile chestnut haired maiden, her hair was lighter that his. He knew her. His mother.

"Mama!" he cried. He cantered through the water to the dry land.

"Jordanes!" his mother cried, her arms advanced.

The boy ran into his weeping mother's arms.

"Mein Junge! Sie Zu Hause Sind!" she cried. Tears leaked from her dark eyes.

"Ich Habe Dich Vermisst, Mutter!" he cried happily.

It made him feel as if he was a young child again, he missed his mother more than he missed everyone from his tribe.

"Jordanes?" a voice called from behind. Jordanes turned to face Tóra.

"Mama, this is Tóra. Tóra, my mother Rúna."

"Sie ist?"

"Ja. Sie gut ist." Rúna stared at the girl.

"My girl. I am so sorry about your people. We never wanted to take advantage of them." Rúna took Tóra's hands into hers.

"I know. Thank you for your kindness." Tóra grinned. Her family stood behind her, smiling at the kind woman.

"There are some of your kind, still here in our home. Please come." Rúna led Tóra to a hut. Her heart lifted, maybe Mottull was mistaken. Maybe they were saved.

She entered the hut to find a familiar face.

"Hakon!" she cheered as she embraced her friend's betrothed.

"Oh Tóra! How good to see you my friend!" he cried.

"Are my father and grandfather here?"

"I am sorry. They are not." Tóra's heart sank. Her father and grandfather were truly taken.