Arthur's Seat - Artur's Eats

Artur's Eats

ARTUR'S EAT'S

Introduction

1,000AD

It was getting late, and a mist was rolling in from the sea. Olaf turned to head back to the boat when a movement caught his eye. Through the light woodland, in the distance he saw several shapes loping towards him . As he focussed on the figures, he realised they were wolves. He took to his heels .

Olaf ran, his chest heaving, dragging in painful breaths. He could hear the swift padding of paws gaining on him, and he forced an extra burst of speed as he saw through t he mist, the light of the torches on the boat as he left the woodland and crunched onto a pebbly beach. W ith a gasp, he managed to give three harsh barks, the signal they had agreed on if ever any of them were in trouble, immediately a rope pulley swung round towards him as he approached the waters edge. "Jump" a voice called.

He leapt up, grasped the rope and felt himself swing sideways through the air, hearing at the same time the frustrated yelps of the wolves as they found themselves denied their prey. In an instant it was over, and Olaf dropped to the deck, heart pounding and muscles aching. He was aware of two figures bending anxiously over him.

"I'm all right", he gasped

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Sometime later, with a cup of warm ale in his hand, he proceeded to relate his adventures to the others.

Later in the night, he woke with a start. He listened, all his senses alert. It took him a moment or two to realise where he was. He lay back and relaxed, his thoughts going back to how this had all started.

It had been a highly successful trading trip to Iceland with Knot the Trader, well known as the only Viking to have been to a strange land even further west, returning with unusual plants and fruits as proof . They had anchored in a sheltered harbour on the east of the Zetland islands, and had mended ripped sails and repaired other damage to the boat, as well as stocking up supplies for the voyage home. However, the Zetlanders were preparing to celebrate the birth of the new millennium, and all of the crew but Olaf, the cook, Eri k the sail -maker and Erik's daughter Freida had gone ashore to join in the festivities. They had been left to guard the boat and its contents. They decided to have their own little celebration, and after stuffing themselves with venison and fresh bread washed down by generous quantities of Icelandic ale, they fell into a deep, deep sleep.