The chatter of children could be heard before they arrived in the clearing that held their winter home. It was a brilliant location. The clearing was surrounded by a thick wall of evergreen forest that would protect their soon-to-be-constructed village from the worst of the bitter, winter winds. A small but deep creek gurgled along the edge of the clearing. It would provide the band with a source of drinking water. Near the centre of camp, several men were digging deep holes into the ground.
“What are they doing?” she asked.
“They are preparing the ground for the caribou meat. We will put the wrapped meat in the holes then cover the food with layers of dirt and rocks.”
“Why bury it?” she asked.
“There is simply too much meat to smoke. The frozen ground will keep it fresh. Putting the meat in the middle of camp will also help keep the scavenging animals at bay.”
They trudged around piles of wooden frames. Some sets were in the process of being erected. Kiera watched with fascination as the two tallest men in the village worked together, the oldest sitting on the shoulders of the younger. The man on top reached up, took hold of the longest vertical poles, and pulled them together into a set of graceful arches, where he lashed them into a tight hexagonal pattern with thick strips of leather. The mamateeks in the centre of the winter village were already complete. The sweet smell of cedar smoke trickled out through the top vents and drifted through the still air of the camp like an early morning fog.
Chocan and Kiera continued towards an unfinished mamateek. The upper half of the curved wooden frame stood naked against the bitter winter air, while the lower half was in various states of undress. Both children and adults scurried in and around the structure. Several children dragged large chunks of birch bark to the structure while the adults skillfully placed the pieces in a puzzle-like pattern, ensuring that the curved surface of their home was both wind and rainproof. Huritt saw their approach, greeted them and examined their load.
“I think you have enough to finish the job.”
“Good,” groaned Chocan, stretching his back.
“And there wasn't much moss left in the clearing, either,” added Kiera. “The pickings were getting a little thin.”
Shawnadit popped out of the mamateek and ran into Kiera's arms. Kiera flipped her upside down and tickled her until she squealed with laughter. As Kiera returned her to the ground, an older boy asked Shawnadit to fetch more birch bark. Giving Kiera one last hug, she skipped off merrily into the woods.
Kiera, Chocan and Huritt unloaded the moss from the sledge and passed the pieces up to the waiting hands that reached out through the top of the unfinished frame. The moss was then carefully placed on top of the layer of birch bark. Kiera knew that the moss would be used to help insulate the mamateek from the cold winter winds. In many ways, the winter mamateeks were similar to the low, sod-covered Viking longhouses.
“I think I need a drink of water.” Chocan's voice was rough and dry.
Kiera stretched her back. “I'll join you.”
Chocan grabbed two birch containers and led Kiera to the stream. As he knelt down in the snow and scooped up the water, Kiera stared into the quickly moving creek and thought of its journey. The stream would eventually join a river, which would lead to the coast and finally open itself up to the endless sea. The ocean. Even the gurgling laughter of the stream haunted her memories. There would be no better time. She had to tell him.
“Chocan?”
He looked up as he passed her a container of water.
“Yes?”
She stared at her reflection in the cup. “I have to go home.”
“Home?”
She hesitated. “To Ireland. To my family.”
He stared at her with his dark, penetrating eyes. “You are not happy here, with us?”
Kiera lowered her eyes in shame. How could she make him understand?
“Your family, your band, your people have welcomed me into their hearts. You and Sooleawaa have also saved my life several times. And for all of these things, I will always be truly grateful. But you need to understand, this is not my home. I need to go back.”
There was an awkward moment of silence.
“How?” he asked.
She sighed. “Unless you know of another way across the ocean, I will need to get back to the Viking village.”
His eyes widened in surprise. “Return to your captors? How will that help you get home? You will only be forced to return to your duties as a slave.”
“They are my only way back, Chocan. They will soon leave this land. They do not have the warriors or the weapons to fight off the raiding Thule. Thorfinn will lead his people back east to the land of the Vikings, perhaps Greenland or Iceland. Although I will still be a slave, at least I will be another step closer to Ireland.”
Chocan turned away from her and looked off into the distance. “You truly believe that the Vikings will someday allow you to return home?”
“I know it's unlikely, perhaps impossible, but it is still my only glimmer of hope.”
Silence.
“When must you be back?”
Kiera tried to clear her dry throat. Was he disappointed? Of course he was. The bond that they had built between them was strong and real. She was choosing a life of slavery over a life of freedom with his people. Even with the fur coverings, she felt cold and hollow. She hadn't thought that telling Chocan would be so difficult.
“I think they will be leaving some time in the spring. They will need to get back to Greenland or Iceland by mid summer if they are to prepare shelters for the following winter.”
From his profile, Kiera could see Chocan frowning.
“Spring. It will be difficult. During the caribou hunt, I asked my fellow brothers from the north lands about your village. They have only heard about it through their Thule captives, the ones who have caused your masters so much trouble. The Thule have been a problem for us also. They have taken some of our northern lands by force. A war council was convened at the Meeting Place in order to plan for the removal of the intruders. Atchak and the other elders have decided that we will attack the Thule in the summer. To get you home before the Vikings leave, you will have to make your journey before then. You will have to cross Thule-held territory.”
Kiera shuddered, but she was able to maintain a strong voice. “I understand it might be dangerous.”
Chocan nodded. “Dangerous, yes, but perhaps still possible.”
“I understand the dangers. I will also do whatever it takes to trade for one of your canoes. If you would be kind enough to give me the directions back to the Vikings, I will leave at the earliest possible moment.”
Chocan shook his head, still facing away. “You cannot do it alone.”
“I have to try.”
He turned and faced her. “I will take you.”
“Chocan, you can't! You are a Teacher. You are needed by the band, by this whole nation! I can't ask you to do this.”
He stepped forward and put his hands on her shoulders. “I want to do this.”
She tried to hold back the tears. “Are you sure?”
Chocan smiled. “We will have to wait for winter to pass, but yes, if it is your wish, then I will take you not to your home, but back to your Viking masters. There is a difference, you know.”
She embraced him warmly. “Yes, I know. And thank you.”
FOURTEEN
The winter had