The Expeditions of the Vikings
¿Qué harías si te dijeran que es posible viajar por el tiempo? Este es el segundo libro de la colección The Time Explorers, en inglés, ilustrada a todo color y que combina diálogos de cómic con novela de aventuras para niños de entre 9 y 12 años. Cada libro nos permite disfrutar de un fascinante viaje por el tiempo de Víctor, Cristina, Celoni e Ibis. Los lectores encontrarán algunas preguntas que permiten descubrir curiosidades históricas sobre antiguas civilizaciones. Para hacerlo, tendrán que usar el Reloj del Tiempo, incluido en el libro, para descifrar el número de página que se oculta tras un fondo de color rojo y así poder viajar por el tiempo para descubrir curiosidades históricas increíbles. Los Exploradores del Tiempo irán a la Islandia del año 980 para visitar a los vikingos. Esta vez deben conseguir un broche de plata que el rey Harald II de Noruega le regaló a Erik el Rojo, el explorador que fundó el primer asentamiento vikingo en Groenlandia. Pero Maléfico Durador volverá a hacer de las suyas…
¿Qué harías si te dijeran que es posible viajar por el tiempo?
Este es el segundo libro de la colección The Time Explorers, en inglés, ilustrada a todo color y que combina diálogos de cómic con novela de aventuras para niños de entre 9 y 12 años. Cada libro nos permite disfrutar de un fascinante viaje por el tiempo de Víctor, Cristina, Celoni e Ibis. Los lectores encontrarán algunas preguntas que permiten descubrir curiosidades históricas sobre antiguas civilizaciones. Para hacerlo, tendrán que usar el Reloj del Tiempo, incluido en el libro, para descifrar el número de página que se oculta tras un fondo de color rojo y así poder viajar por el tiempo para descubrir curiosidades históricas increíbles.
Los Exploradores del Tiempo irán a la Islandia del año 980 para visitar a los vikingos. Esta vez deben conseguir un broche de plata que el rey Harald II de Noruega le regaló a Erik el Rojo, el explorador que fundó el primer asentamiento vikingo en Groenlandia. Pero Maléfico Durador volverá a hacer de las suyas…
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THE EXPEDITIONS<br />
OF THE VIKINGS<br />
WRITTEN BY<br />
JORDI ORTIZ<br />
ILLUSTRATED BY<br />
MIGUEL ÁNGEL SAURA
THE EXPEDITIONS OF THE VIKINGS<br />
WRITTEN BY<br />
JORDI ORTIZ<br />
ILLUSTRATED BY<br />
MIGUEL ÁNGEL SAURA
Hi! I love reading and learning<br />
about ANCIENT CIVILIZATIONS.<br />
But I like visiting <strong>the</strong>m with<br />
my PALS, Victor, Ibis, and my<br />
cousin Seldon, even more.<br />
CHRISTINA<br />
Hey! I can’t wait to start<br />
ano<strong>the</strong>r ADVENTURE,<br />
although everyone says that<br />
time travel is really dangerous.<br />
VICTOR<br />
Huh! Who could be scared<br />
with someone as SMART as<br />
Christina and as STRONG<br />
as Seldon by <strong>the</strong>ir side?
<strong>The</strong> <strong>Expeditions</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>Vikings</strong><br />
MEET THE GANG<br />
Well, let’s not kid ourselves.<br />
Right now, I could be really<br />
enjoying a nice NAP. But someone<br />
has to watch <strong>the</strong>se three.<br />
I don’t know how<br />
<strong>the</strong>y always manage<br />
to get into messes.<br />
Tee-hee! I’m <strong>the</strong> baby<br />
<strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> group. I’m always<br />
playing with Cali,<br />
<strong>the</strong> dragon I found in <strong>the</strong><br />
HYPERMEGASUPER-<br />
BIBLIOMUSEUM.<br />
IBIS<br />
SELDON<br />
•7•<br />
CALI
Hmm. For many years<br />
I pretended to be dead<br />
and hid away in <strong>the</strong><br />
HYPERMEGASUPERBIBLIOMUSEUM.<br />
Until I met Christina. She and<br />
her friends are <strong>the</strong> only ones<br />
that can finish my work.
<strong>The</strong> <strong>Expeditions</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>Vikings</strong><br />
…AND ME TOO<br />
Hmm. <strong>The</strong>y have to visit twentyone<br />
civilizations from history<br />
to get <strong>the</strong> last objects that are<br />
missing from my collection.<br />
But <strong>the</strong>re’s a problem.<br />
Hmm. ETERNAL MALEFICENT,<br />
my old assistant, has made up<br />
his mind to scupper all THE<br />
Time Explorers’ missions.<br />
Maleficent is a<br />
formidable enemy.<br />
My young friends don’t know<br />
what he’s capable <strong>of</strong> yet.<br />
PROFESSOR<br />
SOCKRATES<br />
•9•
Most scientists agreed that TIME<br />
TRAVEL was impossible. <strong>The</strong> boldest<br />
thought that, in <strong>the</strong>ory, we could<br />
make a slit in <strong>the</strong> SPACE-TIME fabric<br />
and peek through at ano<strong>the</strong>r period<br />
in history. What everybody did agree<br />
on was that nobody could ever in<br />
a million years visit ano<strong>the</strong>r time.<br />
Pr<strong>of</strong>essor Sockrates and THE Time<br />
Explorers had proved <strong>the</strong>m wrong.
THE<br />
EXPEDITIONS<br />
OF THE<br />
VIKINGS
•12•
<strong>The</strong> <strong>Expeditions</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>Vikings</strong><br />
THE KING’S GIFT<br />
"ARCHIBALD!!!" Pr<strong>of</strong>essor Sockrates roared, even though he<br />
knew perfectly well that <strong>the</strong> butler was a couple <strong>of</strong> steps behind him.<br />
“Yes, Pr<strong>of</strong>essor?”<br />
“Hmm. I’m going to finish <strong>the</strong> final details for <strong>the</strong> journey to<br />
<strong>the</strong> Viking Age. Meeting in <strong>the</strong> PARCHMENT ROOM in an hour.<br />
Meanwhile, Gertrude can get <strong>the</strong> outfits ready and <strong>the</strong> kids can<br />
put <strong>the</strong>m on.”<br />
“Rrright away, Prrr<strong>of</strong>essor,” said <strong>the</strong> cook enthusiastically. “Ha,<br />
ha! I like this. I rrreally do!”<br />
<strong>The</strong> children got up from <strong>the</strong> table and went with Gertrude into <strong>the</strong><br />
CHANGING ROOM, which was right at <strong>the</strong> bottom <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> kitchen.<br />
Apologetically, Archie said, “If you will excuse me, I have to change<br />
Otto’s water. <strong>The</strong> Pr<strong>of</strong>essor will need him.”<br />
“Who’s Otto?” asked Seldon.<br />
Gertrude replied, “Oh. You vill see. Forrr <strong>the</strong> moment, ve hafff<br />
to get to vork, we only hafff one hourrr. Now, I think that on <strong>the</strong><br />
fourrrth shelf <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> seventh doorrr, behind everrrything, <strong>the</strong>rrre’s<br />
something Viking style. Vherrre did I leafffe <strong>the</strong> thrrread box?”<br />
•13•
A few minutes later, THE TIME EXPLORERS were trying on <strong>the</strong>ir<br />
outfits. Christina was lucky because hers suited her perfectly!<br />
<strong>The</strong>re was even a belt and some bracelets that she’d found in a<br />
wicker basket. <strong>The</strong>y only needed to find a cloak to match. Victor’s<br />
pants just needed taking up a bit, which Gertrude sorted out with<br />
her scissors without paying much attention to what she was doing.<br />
She explained it like this: “You’rrre supposed to be drrressed as<br />
farrrmers. It vould look verrry odd if <strong>the</strong> bottoms <strong>of</strong> yourrr pants<br />
verrre perrrfect.”<br />
Seldon’s shirt was too tight. Gertrude quickly chopped <strong>of</strong>f <strong>the</strong><br />
sleeves, cut <strong>the</strong> back open from top to bottom, and added a strip<br />
<strong>of</strong> fabric to make it bigger. She sewed so fast that you could barely<br />
see her fingers moving.<br />
Ibis was <strong>the</strong> most difficult because <strong>the</strong>re was nothing her size.<br />
Gertrude had to improvise an outfit with a few scraps <strong>of</strong> cloth that<br />
she found by rummaging in a trunk. It took her no more than ten<br />
minutes to take <strong>the</strong> measurements, cut <strong>the</strong> fabric, and stitch it<br />
toge<strong>the</strong>r, but Ibis couldn’t keep still and never stopped bouncing<br />
on <strong>the</strong> tips <strong>of</strong> her toes. Referring to <strong>the</strong> Pr<strong>of</strong>essor in her own, sweet<br />
way, mixing his name with <strong>the</strong> word “grandpa,” she asked, “What<br />
d’you think Grandpasocks’ll send us to GET?”<br />
“I know,” said Seldon.<br />
Ibis clapped her hands.<br />
“Do you? What? What? Tell us!”<br />
•14•
<strong>The</strong> <strong>Expeditions</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>Vikings</strong><br />
“One <strong>of</strong> those helmets with horns on.”<br />
Christina couldn’t stop herself from<br />
contradicting her cousin. “I don’t<br />
think that’ll be it. <strong>The</strong> thing about<br />
horns on VIKING helmets is made up.”<br />
“Oh. Is it a lie?”<br />
“It’s a big fat lie,” Victor assured <strong>the</strong>m.<br />
Gertrude put <strong>the</strong> last stitch in Ibis’s dress and looked satisfied.<br />
“Now you’rrre all set. Let’s go to <strong>the</strong> PARRRCHMENT RRROOM<br />
beforrre <strong>the</strong> Prrr<strong>of</strong>essor starrrts yelling forrr us.”<br />
<strong>The</strong>y went out <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> CHANGING ROOM and turned right, towards<br />
<strong>the</strong> PARCHMENT ROOM. As <strong>the</strong>y were crossing <strong>the</strong> kitchen, Archie<br />
joined <strong>the</strong>m. He was carrying a fish tank on a silver tray.<br />
“What’s that critter?” Seldon asked. “Is it OTTO?”<br />
“Yes. It’s a squid, Master Seldon. <strong>The</strong> Pr<strong>of</strong>essor needs it for writing.”<br />
Just as Seldon was about to ask for more details, a noise was heard<br />
from <strong>the</strong> PARCHMENT ROOM.<br />
“Gobble, gobble, gobble!”<br />
Archie gave <strong>the</strong> door to <strong>the</strong> room a push and <strong>the</strong>y walked down <strong>the</strong><br />
corridor that ran under <strong>the</strong> stairs. Ralf, <strong>the</strong> turkey that was always<br />
wandering about in <strong>the</strong> kitchen, came shooting out like a bullet.<br />
•15•
Pr<strong>of</strong>essor Sockrates was waiting with one <strong>of</strong> Ralf’s fea<strong>the</strong>rs in his<br />
hand. Archie held out <strong>the</strong> tray with <strong>the</strong> fishbowl and <strong>the</strong> Pr<strong>of</strong>essor<br />
tapped Otto, who scared easily, with his finger. Otto filled <strong>the</strong> fish<br />
tank with ink to camouflage himself. <strong>The</strong> Pr<strong>of</strong>essor said, “Come in.”<br />
He closed <strong>the</strong> door, dipped <strong>the</strong> fea<strong>the</strong>r in <strong>the</strong> squid ink, went up<br />
to <strong>the</strong> PARCHMENT that was hanging behind <strong>the</strong> door, and drew<br />
a line through <strong>the</strong> first mission, which <strong>the</strong> children had already<br />
completed.<br />
THE LEGIONS OF ROME<br />
“Hmm. This is much better,” said <strong>the</strong> Pr<strong>of</strong>essor. “And now, as you’re<br />
dressed as <strong>Vikings</strong>, you can go to Iceland in <strong>the</strong> year 980. <strong>The</strong>re’s<br />
something I’d like to add to <strong>the</strong> collection.”<br />
“What is it, Pr<strong>of</strong>essor?” asked Christina.<br />
“A SILVER BROOCH. To be specific, <strong>the</strong> one King Harald II <strong>of</strong><br />
Norway gave to Erik <strong>the</strong> Red.”<br />
“What’s a brooch?” asked Seldon.<br />
<strong>The</strong> Pr<strong>of</strong>essor explained. “It’s a piece <strong>of</strong> jewelry that’s worn on a<br />
cloak or a coat. Well, actually, it’s two pieces that fit toge<strong>the</strong>r.”<br />
“Ah.”<br />
•16•
<strong>The</strong> <strong>Expeditions</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>Vikings</strong><br />
“Just a second, Pr<strong>of</strong>essor,” interjected Christina. “Did you say Erik<br />
<strong>the</strong> Red? <strong>The</strong> explorer?”<br />
“Ha, ha! <strong>The</strong> very same. Ahem. You’ll be going to see him while he’s<br />
preparing his expedition to colonize GREENLAND. Gertrude, are<br />
<strong>the</strong> LANGUAGE beans ready?”<br />
“<strong>The</strong>y’rrre in a pot on <strong>the</strong> st<strong>of</strong>ffe. Eight beans, fourrrteen oats, and<br />
a black chickpea each.”<br />
“Excellent. It won’t be long before we get <strong>the</strong> Time Clock going<br />
again.”<br />
<strong>The</strong>y left <strong>the</strong> PARCHMENT ROOM to go back to <strong>the</strong> kitchen.<br />
“Everrryone sit down at <strong>the</strong> table,” said<br />
Gertrude, carefully counting out <strong>the</strong> beans<br />
and oats that she was placing in <strong>the</strong> Time<br />
Explorers’ wooden bowls. <strong>The</strong> Pr<strong>of</strong>essor waited<br />
impatiently and Archie seemed as calm as<br />
ever, as if preparing for a journey through<br />
time was an everyday task – something like<br />
dusting a mammoth skeleton or polishing<br />
samurai armor.<br />
“Can we start?” asked Seldon, who<br />
was hungrier than usual because he<br />
was nervous.<br />
•17•
“Go ahead. And don’t leafffe a single grrrain orrr you von’t speak<br />
<strong>the</strong> VIKINGS’ language prrroperrrly.”<br />
Cali was waiting next to Ibis, beak open and tail wagging, in case<br />
her friend threw her something. Ralf, who had forgotten how much<br />
it hurt to have a fea<strong>the</strong>r pulled out, snuck under <strong>the</strong> table and stuck<br />
his head out from between Seldon’s arms. When he was about to<br />
put his head in <strong>the</strong> bowl, Gertrude gave him a quick whack with <strong>the</strong><br />
ladle that sent him shooting <strong>of</strong>f. “Out <strong>of</strong> herrre, you fea<strong>the</strong>rrred<br />
devil! If I catch you, you’ll go headfirrrst into <strong>the</strong> pot!”<br />
As soon as THE TIME EXPLORERS had finished, Gertrude placed a<br />
single boiled pea in each <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>ir ears so <strong>the</strong>y could understand <strong>the</strong><br />
<strong>Vikings</strong>’ language, <strong>the</strong>n gave <strong>the</strong>m a reminder. “Rrremember that<br />
<strong>the</strong> effects <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> language beans and <strong>the</strong> trrranslating pea last a<br />
veek. This is much longerrr than you can stay vith <strong>the</strong> <strong>Vikings</strong>,<br />
because <strong>the</strong> Time Tunnel vill only be open forrr thrrree days.”<br />
“Hmm. I don’t want to be a bore,” said Pr<strong>of</strong>essor Sockrates very<br />
seriously, “but I’ll be reminding you at <strong>the</strong> beginning <strong>of</strong> every<br />
MISSION, since it’s <strong>the</strong> most important thing you have to bear in<br />
mind: you must come back before three days are up. If <strong>the</strong> Time<br />
Tunnel closes, you’ll be TRAPPED forever in <strong>the</strong> place and time<br />
you’re visiting. Forever. Understood?”
<strong>The</strong> <strong>Expeditions</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>Vikings</strong><br />
“Understood,” assured Christina and Victor. Ibis clapped her hands<br />
and Seldon grunted something incomprehensible.<br />
<strong>The</strong>y left <strong>the</strong> kitchen through <strong>the</strong> right-hand door to go into <strong>the</strong><br />
room with <strong>the</strong> TIME CLOCK sign.<br />
“Seventy-two hours,” <strong>the</strong> Pr<strong>of</strong>essor repeated. “Not one more.<br />
Where’s…? ARCHIBALD!!!”<br />
“I am here, Pr<strong>of</strong>essor, in <strong>the</strong> Clock Room. In fact, I was <strong>the</strong> first<br />
here. It was I who opened <strong>the</strong> door for…”<br />
“Could you shut up for a bit, Archibald? I don’t want to waste<br />
ano<strong>the</strong>r second. I’m eager to know how <strong>the</strong> mission will end.”
“You will know within fifteen minutes, Pr<strong>of</strong>essor,” <strong>the</strong> butler<br />
replied. “As your young guests know, three days on <strong>the</strong><br />
o<strong>the</strong>r side <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Time Tunnel are only fifteen minutes in <strong>the</strong><br />
HYPERMEGASUPERBIBLIOMUSEUM, so… Why are you covering<br />
your ears, Pr<strong>of</strong>essor? Understood, I will shut up.”<br />
Pr<strong>of</strong>essor Sockrates went over to <strong>the</strong> DISHWASHER that he had<br />
made into a Time Machine and turned over <strong>the</strong> hourglass on top,<br />
<strong>the</strong> TIME CLOCK, which was synchronized to time <strong>the</strong> maximum<br />
duration <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> mission down to <strong>the</strong> second. <strong>The</strong> fifteen minutes<br />
began from that moment. Christina said, “We’re ready, Pr<strong>of</strong>essor.”<br />
Archie, who had rolled up his pants to mid-calf and was sitting on<br />
<strong>the</strong> bicycle that provided <strong>the</strong> Time Machine’s energy, added, “I, too,<br />
am ready.”<br />
Gertrude clapped her hands.<br />
“Go ahead, EXPLORERS!” exclaimed Pr<strong>of</strong>essor Sockrates as he<br />
opened <strong>the</strong> dishwasher. Victor was <strong>the</strong> first to put his head in <strong>the</strong><br />
Time Tunnel. He was followed by Christina, Ibis holding Cali in her<br />
arms, and <strong>the</strong>n Seldon, grumbling that <strong>the</strong>y were going into <strong>the</strong><br />
lion’s den again.<br />
•20•
THREE YOUNG WARRIORS<br />
<strong>The</strong> <strong>Expeditions</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>Vikings</strong><br />
Seldon found <strong>the</strong> Time Tunnel unbearably NARROW. Confined<br />
spaces made him feel nervous. He raised his elbows to head<br />
height and separated <strong>the</strong>m to stretch it.<br />
“Careful,” warned Christina. “<strong>The</strong> tunnel wall is a very fragile<br />
membrane!”<br />
“Pr<strong>of</strong>essor Sockrates didn’t say that it could tear,” said Seldon as<br />
an excuse.<br />
“<strong>The</strong> Pr<strong>of</strong>essor,” his cousin pointed out, “didn’t imagine you would<br />
treat <strong>the</strong> tunnel with so little respect. I don’t want to even think<br />
about what would happen if we ripped it. We’d be stuck at some<br />
random point in HISTORY with no chance <strong>of</strong> coming back.”<br />
Seldon was about to apologize, but he didn’t have time because <strong>the</strong><br />
dishwasher door shut behind him.<br />
<strong>The</strong> Time Tunnel became transparent and <strong>the</strong> Explorers started<br />
floating among millions <strong>of</strong> stars. Ibis exclaimed, “Tee-hee! I love<br />
this part <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> ADVENTURE!”<br />
<strong>The</strong> journey through <strong>the</strong> tunnel was as thrilling as it had been <strong>the</strong><br />
first time. For almost half a minute, <strong>the</strong> four friends had <strong>the</strong> feeling<br />
<strong>of</strong> going down a slide at supersonic speed.<br />
•21•
<strong>The</strong> tunnel had gotten longer. Behind <strong>the</strong>m, far away, <strong>the</strong>y could<br />
see <strong>the</strong> dishwasher door. It was a black square with <strong>the</strong> sides lit up.<br />
In front <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>m, also very far away, was <strong>the</strong> zipper that shut <strong>the</strong><br />
EXIT to <strong>the</strong> Time Tunnel.<br />
Christina and Ibis were squealing; <strong>the</strong> endless drop was <strong>the</strong> most<br />
exciting thing imaginable. Seldon was yelling in terror and Victor<br />
was laughing uncontrollably.<br />
<strong>The</strong>y suddenly began to fall more slowly and <strong>the</strong> two ends <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong><br />
tunnel moved closer toge<strong>the</strong>r. <strong>The</strong> stars shone less brightly but,<br />
before <strong>the</strong>ir light vanished altoge<strong>the</strong>r, <strong>the</strong> children saw a forest<br />
through <strong>the</strong> odd material <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> tunnel. <strong>The</strong>y plunged towards it<br />
and, all at once, <strong>the</strong> feeling <strong>of</strong> weightlessness disappeared.<br />
It was DARK. Victor lit <strong>the</strong> match that Archie had given him so he<br />
could find <strong>the</strong> exit easily. It gave <strong>of</strong>f enough light to see <strong>the</strong> tunnel<br />
wall, which had become stiff and opaque, and <strong>the</strong> zipper that closed<br />
<strong>the</strong> exit.<br />
Christina smoo<strong>the</strong>d down her dress, went up to <strong>the</strong> zipper, and<br />
opened it. <strong>The</strong> smell <strong>of</strong> wet EARTH and grass floated in.<br />
“Blow out <strong>the</strong> match, Victor. Make sure it’s completely burned and<br />
<strong>the</strong>re’s not a trace <strong>of</strong> it left.”<br />
“But it's too dark!” exclaimed Seldon. “We should’ve brought a<br />
torch to see by. We’re bound to be at <strong>the</strong> back <strong>of</strong> a cave.”<br />
•22•
“<strong>The</strong> Pr<strong>of</strong>essor knows perfectly well what he’s doing. <strong>The</strong>re aren’t<br />
any caves around here,” Christina assured him. “Just a huge forest.<br />
<strong>The</strong>re’s light ahead. This must be some animal’s abandoned lair.”<br />
<strong>The</strong>y left <strong>the</strong> TIME TUNNEL and closed <strong>the</strong> zipper. <strong>The</strong>y walked a<br />
few steps with Victor guiding <strong>the</strong>m, ducking to avoid <strong>the</strong> tree roots<br />
that grew above <strong>the</strong>ir heads. <strong>The</strong> path got steeper and steeper<br />
until <strong>the</strong>y had to use <strong>the</strong>ir hands to stop <strong>the</strong>mselves from slipping.<br />
Victor pushed aside a few twigs that covered <strong>the</strong> entrance and<br />
stuck out his head to have a look. <strong>The</strong>y were in <strong>the</strong> middle <strong>of</strong> a<br />
forest, as Christina had said. He put out his arms and gave a push.<br />
He went down on one knee and managed to get out, <strong>the</strong>n helped<br />
<strong>the</strong> o<strong>the</strong>rs. Finally, he covered <strong>the</strong> entrance again with twigs and<br />
fallen leaves. He took a good look at everything around <strong>the</strong>m so he<br />
could find <strong>the</strong> place again on <strong>the</strong>ir RETURN.<br />
Christina, however, looked at <strong>the</strong> position <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> sun.<br />
“What are you looking at?” asked<br />
Ibis.<br />
ICELAND, 980
<strong>The</strong> <strong>Expeditions</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>Vikings</strong><br />
“Look. Every morning <strong>the</strong> sun rises over <strong>the</strong>re, on <strong>the</strong> left. <strong>The</strong>n<br />
every evening it sets <strong>the</strong>re, on <strong>the</strong> right. We have to go back to <strong>the</strong><br />
HYPERMEGASUPERBIBLIOMUSEUM before <strong>the</strong> sun is at <strong>the</strong> same<br />
height in THREE days’ time.”<br />
“Which way do you want to go?” asked Victor.<br />
Ibis broke into a run, followed by Cali. Christina shrugged her<br />
shoulders and said, “Let’s follow <strong>the</strong>m.”<br />
Seldon soon started grumbling. “You can’t walk this way. Ouch!<br />
What <strong>the</strong> heck!? My big toe! I’ve tripped over ano<strong>the</strong>r stone. Plus,<br />
this FOREST goes on forever. And it’s really boring: all <strong>the</strong> trees are<br />
<strong>the</strong> same.”<br />
Christina explained. “<strong>The</strong>y’re birch. It’s <strong>the</strong> only tree that can<br />
stand <strong>the</strong> COLD wea<strong>the</strong>r here. Do you see that <strong>the</strong>ir branches are<br />
covered in shoots?”<br />
Ibis came running up to <strong>the</strong>m with Cali following closely behind<br />
her.<br />
“<strong>The</strong>re’s a village <strong>of</strong> wooden houses over <strong>the</strong>re, and <strong>the</strong> sea as well.”
Soon <strong>the</strong>y arrived at a small hill from which <strong>the</strong>y could look at<br />
<strong>the</strong> village Ibis had discovered. <strong>The</strong>re were numerous birch trunk<br />
HOUSES with thatched ro<strong>of</strong>s and smoking chimneys. Grass grew<br />
between <strong>the</strong> houses and hens roamed around. <strong>The</strong> village was split<br />
down <strong>the</strong> MIDDLE by a path. One way led to <strong>the</strong> forest <strong>the</strong>y had<br />
just left, <strong>the</strong> o<strong>the</strong>r to <strong>the</strong> seashore, although this was quite a long<br />
way from <strong>the</strong> village.<br />
While <strong>the</strong>y were busy looking at <strong>the</strong> scenery, <strong>the</strong> sound <strong>of</strong> children’s<br />
voices reached <strong>the</strong>m. Victor gestured to <strong>the</strong> o<strong>the</strong>rs to bend down<br />
and go hide behind a rock that was big enough to cover <strong>the</strong>m all.<br />
From <strong>the</strong>re, if <strong>the</strong>y kept quiet, <strong>the</strong>y could watch what was going on<br />
in a little clearing nearby.<br />
<strong>The</strong>re were three CHILDREN who must have been about ten years<br />
old, judging by <strong>the</strong>ir height. <strong>The</strong>y were kitted out with lea<strong>the</strong>r<br />
helmets and wooden swords and shields. <strong>The</strong>y were practicing<br />
fighting techniques! One <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>m was better than <strong>the</strong> o<strong>the</strong>rs and<br />
was teaching <strong>the</strong>m.<br />
A group <strong>of</strong> five boys armed with sticks suddenly rushed into <strong>the</strong><br />
clearing and started hitting out right and left. <strong>The</strong> youngest was<br />
ten and <strong>the</strong> oldest was fourteen.<br />
<strong>The</strong>y were BROTHERS<br />
and, as well as looking<br />
extremely alike, <strong>the</strong>y all
<strong>The</strong> <strong>Expeditions</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>Vikings</strong><br />
shared a very uncommon feature: <strong>the</strong>ir right eyes were blue and<br />
<strong>the</strong>ir left ones were green.<br />
<strong>The</strong> three that were practicing with <strong>the</strong> wooden SWORDS were hit<br />
a few times but <strong>the</strong>y reacted straight away. <strong>The</strong> one that was <strong>the</strong><br />
best fighter turned to face <strong>the</strong> three oldest assailants and rained<br />
down blows that left <strong>the</strong>m all crumpled up on <strong>the</strong> ground. Luckily<br />
for <strong>the</strong>m, <strong>the</strong> sword wasn’t real.<br />
<strong>The</strong> o<strong>the</strong>r two duels were more evenly-matched, one against one and<br />
<strong>the</strong>y were over very quickly. <strong>The</strong> attackers couldn’t defend <strong>the</strong>mselves<br />
against <strong>the</strong> children, who proved to be great warriors. With <strong>the</strong> aid <strong>of</strong><br />
<strong>the</strong>ir shields, <strong>the</strong>y managed to ward <strong>of</strong>f <strong>the</strong>ir attackers’ blows, <strong>the</strong>n<br />
<strong>the</strong>ir wooden swords hit hard enough to make <strong>the</strong>m run away.<br />
Christina came out <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>ir hiding place and <strong>the</strong> o<strong>the</strong>rs followed<br />
her. <strong>The</strong>y walked towards <strong>the</strong> young <strong>Vikings</strong>, stopping a few steps<br />
away. <strong>The</strong> three WARRIORS took <strong>of</strong>f <strong>the</strong>ir helmets. <strong>The</strong> one that<br />
had left three <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>ir assailants writhing on <strong>the</strong> ground had a long<br />
mane <strong>of</strong> blonde hair that fell below his shoulders. When he turned<br />
around, Seldon couldn’t hide his surprise, and exclaimed:<br />
Geez!<br />
It’s a girl warrior!
THE EXPLORER’S CHILDREN<br />
“I’m Freydís Erikdóttir. And you? Who are you and what are you<br />
doing here?”<br />
FREYDÍS was still panting from her efforts. She stood on guard,<br />
with her shield held between her and <strong>the</strong> newcomers and her sword<br />
ready to attack. <strong>The</strong> o<strong>the</strong>r two children stood on ei<strong>the</strong>r side <strong>of</strong> her,<br />
waiting for orders. <strong>The</strong> two assailants who had been able to escape<br />
watched <strong>the</strong> scene from <strong>the</strong> edge <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> clearing, aching from head<br />
to foot and with no desire whatsoever to get involved.<br />
Christina walked forward until she was only a couple <strong>of</strong> yards<br />
away from <strong>the</strong> girl warrior, <strong>the</strong>n asked her, “Erikdóttir? So, if I’m<br />
not mistaken, <strong>the</strong>se two must be your bro<strong>the</strong>rs, Leif and Thorstein<br />
Erikson, right? And your FATHER is Erik <strong>the</strong> Red.”<br />
•28•
<strong>The</strong> <strong>Expeditions</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>Vikings</strong><br />
<strong>The</strong> young VIKING girl stared at Christina for a while. Finally, she<br />
lowered her weapon, pointed to her two bro<strong>the</strong>rs, and introduced<br />
<strong>the</strong>m.<br />
This is Leif. And this is<br />
Thorstein. How did you<br />
know? I don’t remember<br />
seeing you before.<br />
Seldon gave Victor a nudge<br />
that completely winded him.<br />
"That's right," he whispered.<br />
“How did she know?”<br />
“And how do I know? But if Christina says <strong>the</strong>y’re Erik <strong>the</strong> Red’s<br />
KIDS, you can bet your life <strong>the</strong>y are.”<br />
•29•
Go back in time!<br />
<strong>The</strong> Time Clock takes you <strong>the</strong>re<br />
through <strong>the</strong> Bibliochronohistories.<br />
From <strong>the</strong>ir fa<strong>the</strong>r<br />
or mo<strong>the</strong>r’s name.<br />
Explorers, do you know how<br />
Viking surnames are formed?<br />
<strong>The</strong> Viking leader<br />
Aud <strong>the</strong> Deep-Minded<br />
will help you learn<br />
your Viking surname<br />
on page 170.<br />
Christina introduced <strong>the</strong> GANG. “My name’s Christina. This is<br />
Victor. This is Seldon, my cousin, and <strong>the</strong> little one’s Ibis. You’re<br />
right, we haven’t seen each o<strong>the</strong>r before. We’ve only just gotten<br />
here.”<br />
“<strong>The</strong> truth is that you’re <strong>the</strong> only one that looks like a Viking.<br />
You’ve got funny names and you’re not carrying any weapons.<br />
Where have you come from?”<br />
“We’re from <strong>the</strong> o<strong>the</strong>r side <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> island. We’re FARMERS,” Christina<br />
explained. Freydís couldn’t hide an expression <strong>of</strong> distaste.<br />
“Farmers? <strong>The</strong>n you’re only half-Viking. Our fa<strong>the</strong>r doesn’t like<br />
farmers much. But you still haven’t told me how you know who my<br />
bro<strong>the</strong>rs and I are.”<br />
•30•
<strong>The</strong> <strong>Expeditions</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>Vikings</strong><br />
“<strong>The</strong>re’s no mystery <strong>the</strong>re. Everyone knows that your fa<strong>the</strong>r’s<br />
getting a great EXPEDITION ready. His children’s names pop up<br />
in <strong>the</strong> gossip.”<br />
<strong>The</strong> three boys that Freydís had beaten up were trying to leave on<br />
all fours, without drawing attention to <strong>the</strong>mselves. <strong>The</strong> girl gave<br />
<strong>the</strong> oldest one's butt a KICK.<br />
“Come on, Halstein. Next time you’ll do better. Go home and cry<br />
to Mom.”<br />
<strong>The</strong> three boys joined <strong>the</strong> o<strong>the</strong>r two, who were waiting for <strong>the</strong>m<br />
at a safe distance. <strong>The</strong>y all rushed <strong>of</strong>f toge<strong>the</strong>r as quickly as <strong>the</strong>ir<br />
legs would carry <strong>the</strong>m. Victor asked Freydís, “Do you know each<br />
o<strong>the</strong>r?”<br />
“It’s Halstein, Halfdan, Harbard, Hjalmar, and Halvard, Olaf’s sons.”<br />
“Who’s Olaf?” asked Seldon with interest.<br />
“<strong>The</strong> master SHIPBUILDER,” explained Freydís. “He’s fallen out<br />
with my fa<strong>the</strong>r.”<br />
“And <strong>the</strong>ir kids have fallen out, too, from what’ve seen,” Christina<br />
concluded.<br />
“Sure. We used to be really good FRIENDS. Now <strong>the</strong>re’ll be no peace<br />
between <strong>the</strong> families until our fa<strong>the</strong>rs settle <strong>the</strong>ir differences.”<br />
•31•
“I don’t think <strong>the</strong>y’ll bo<strong>the</strong>r you again. You taught <strong>the</strong>m a good<br />
lesson,” Victor assured her.<br />
“Oh, <strong>of</strong> course <strong>the</strong>y’ll be back. <strong>Vikings</strong> never GIVE IN. But what do<br />
you farmers know about honor, bravery, and all that stuff?”<br />
Seldon took a handful <strong>of</strong> roasted chestnuts out <strong>of</strong> a bag hanging<br />
from his belt. He put one in his mouth and said to Victor under his<br />
breath, “This girl is a real piece <strong>of</strong> work.”<br />
Ibis, who got bored if she had to stand still for more than a minute<br />
flat, said to Cali, “Let’s see who can go up that tree <strong>the</strong> quickest.<br />
Hey, climbing, though. No using your wings, okay? Tee-hee!”
<strong>The</strong> <strong>Expeditions</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>Vikings</strong><br />
Leif opened his mouth for <strong>the</strong> first time to say to his sister, “We’d<br />
better get going, Freydís. OLD BALDNUT will miss his brats and<br />
he’s capable <strong>of</strong> coming to get <strong>the</strong>m. <strong>The</strong>re’ll be trouble.”<br />
“You’re right,” agreed Freydís. “Thorstein, get <strong>the</strong> things toge<strong>the</strong>r.<br />
We’re going back to <strong>the</strong> VILLAGE.”<br />
Who’s Old Baldnut?<br />
<strong>The</strong> fa<strong>the</strong>r <strong>of</strong> those five.<br />
Olaf Old Baldnut.
Leif corrected his sister. “He’s really known as Olaf Whitebeard. It’s<br />
only Fa<strong>the</strong>r that calls him Old Baldnut. If anyone else did, he’d split<br />
<strong>the</strong>m down <strong>the</strong> middle with one blow from his AXE. With Fa<strong>the</strong>r, he<br />
doesn't dare.”<br />
“So your two families get on really well, right?” Victor blurted out.<br />
Freydís scowled at him. She looked as if she were about to explode.<br />
Leif felt <strong>the</strong> TENSION and stepped in by asking Christina, “So,<br />
farmers, right? And how come you’re here?”<br />
Christina gave a smile <strong>of</strong> relief and started to tell a carefullyprepared<br />
story to stop suspicion falling upon <strong>the</strong>m. Meanwhile,<br />
Seldon whispered to Victor, “This kid’s got much more sense than<br />
his sister.”<br />
“That’s why it’ll be him that leads <strong>the</strong> first European expedition to<br />
AMERICA,” Victor replied.<br />
•34•
<strong>The</strong> <strong>Expeditions</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>Vikings</strong><br />
What are you saying<br />
he’ll do? LEIF ERIKSON<br />
will get to America?<br />
Yes. In twenty-two<br />
or twenty-three years’ time.<br />
But weren’t you listening to<br />
Pr<strong>of</strong>essor Sockrates<br />
when he told us?
Go back in time!<br />
<strong>The</strong> Time Clock takes you <strong>the</strong>re<br />
through <strong>the</strong> Bibliochronohistories.<br />
Vinland<br />
(land <strong>of</strong> vines).<br />
Explorers, do you know what<br />
<strong>the</strong> <strong>Vikings</strong> called America?<br />
<strong>The</strong> pioneer<br />
Gudrid<br />
Thorbjarnardóttir<br />
will reveal who<br />
was responsible for<br />
that on page 174.<br />
While Christina was trying to convince Freydís, Leif, and Thorstein<br />
that <strong>the</strong>y were HARMLESS farmers that had come to sell wool<br />
from <strong>the</strong> sheep <strong>the</strong>y bred, Ibis and Cali were about to reach a<br />
thick branch on which <strong>the</strong>re was a red kite’s nest. <strong>The</strong>y were each<br />
climbing up one side <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> birch tree.<br />
Although Ibis was very agile, Cali was lighter and had claws that<br />
she could dig into <strong>the</strong> tree bark to stop her from slipping. She<br />
reached <strong>the</strong> nest just before Ibis and found herself face to face –<br />
or beak to beak – with <strong>the</strong> red kite… which, without any warning,<br />
gave her a very painful peck.<br />
Cali lost her balance and fell. She tried to glide but she didn’t really<br />
know how and ended up crashing down onto Seldon’s head. “What<br />
<strong>the</strong> heck!” he exclaimed. “Come here, BIRDIE!”<br />
•36•
<strong>The</strong> <strong>Expeditions</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>Vikings</strong><br />
Cali fled into <strong>the</strong> forest before Seldon could catch her. Ibis slid<br />
down <strong>the</strong> tree trunk and ran after her friend, laughing non-stop.<br />
“Wait for me, Cali, I’m coming!”<br />
Seldon looked towards <strong>the</strong> forest and scratched <strong>the</strong> back <strong>of</strong> his<br />
neck. It wasn’t worth wasting energy running after <strong>the</strong> DRAGON,<br />
but he was worried that Ibis might get hurt. He didn’t know whe<strong>the</strong>r<br />
he should go get her or not. All at once, he heard a shout that came<br />
from <strong>the</strong> direction in which Ibis and Cali had disappeared.<br />
"COME HERE, BIRDIE!"<br />
It sounded like Seldon’s voice, but it was Cali who came swooping<br />
into <strong>the</strong> clearing, crashed into a bush, and rolled over and over,<br />
finishing belly up. Running behind her was Ibis. With a frightened<br />
expression on her face, she blurted out, “OLD BALDNUT’s here. He’s<br />
with his sons and he’s got an enormous axe!”<br />
“Yikes! Now we’re in trouble!” groaned Seldon.<br />
•37•
A GIANT WHO WANTS<br />
TO BE IN CHARGE<br />
HUGE MAN over six feet tall came into <strong>the</strong> clearing. He was<br />
A undoubtedly Olaf. He had a very long and well-cared-for<br />
white beard and <strong>the</strong>re wasn’t a hair on his head. His right eye was<br />
blue and his left one was green. He stopped in front <strong>of</strong> Freydís and<br />
leaned on <strong>the</strong> handle <strong>of</strong> his axe, which was enormous – in fact, it<br />
was taller than she was.<br />
Olaf’s SONS appeared behind him: Halstein, Halfdan, Harbard,<br />
Hjalmar, and Halvard. <strong>The</strong>y stood side by side, from <strong>the</strong> tallest to<br />
<strong>the</strong> shortest. One had a black eye, one a bump on his head, one a<br />
scratch on <strong>the</strong> palm <strong>of</strong> his hand, one a cut on his cheek, and one a<br />
dislocated shoulder. <strong>The</strong>ir clo<strong>the</strong>s were crumpled and <strong>the</strong>ir hair full<br />
<strong>of</strong> bits <strong>of</strong> leaves and twigs.<br />
Leif and Thorstein stood ei<strong>the</strong>r side <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>ir sister with <strong>the</strong>ir wooden<br />
swords in <strong>the</strong>ir hands. Seldon’s knees were shaking. He asked, “Why<br />
is nobody trying to run? Have you all lost your minds?”<br />
Christina raised a hand to ask for silence. In a low voice, she<br />
explained, “Erik <strong>the</strong> Red’s children won’t run. Not even this GIANT<br />
scares <strong>the</strong>m.”<br />
•38•
<strong>The</strong> <strong>Expeditions</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>Vikings</strong><br />
“Well, it would be a good thing if he did,” replied Seldon. “This<br />
dude’s come to avenge his sons.”<br />
“I don’t think he has,” Victor reassured him. “Olaf’s sons would<br />
never own up to a thrashing. Especially as <strong>the</strong> ones who won <strong>the</strong><br />
fight are his most hated rival’s kids… It would be a DISHONOR.”<br />
•39•
“Well, from <strong>the</strong> state <strong>the</strong>y’re in, I don’t know what <strong>the</strong>y could have<br />
told <strong>the</strong>ir fa<strong>the</strong>r. <strong>The</strong>y look like <strong>the</strong>y’ve been run over by a TRAIN…<br />
But <strong>the</strong>re aren’t any trains here, <strong>of</strong> course.”<br />
Victor shrugged his shoulders. He couldn’t care less.<br />
“Be careful,” warned Olaf, staring at Freydís but speaking to <strong>the</strong>m<br />
all. “<strong>The</strong> forest is DANGEROUS. You could get hurt.”<br />
“Is that a threat, Old Baldnut?” Freydís asked defiantly.<br />
Seldon covered his eyes while Cali shook <strong>the</strong> fleas out from under<br />
her wings and Ibis braided blades <strong>of</strong> grass to make herself a<br />
bracelet.<br />
“Watch that tongue <strong>of</strong> yours, young Erikdóttir. I advise you to go<br />
back to <strong>the</strong> village. You and <strong>the</strong>se… STRANGERS. I’m going to cut<br />
some trees down and I wouldn’t want one to fall on your heads.”<br />
“That would be a pity,” mocked Halvard, <strong>the</strong> youngest Olafson.<br />
Freydís glared at him and put her hand on <strong>the</strong> hilt <strong>of</strong> her sword. <strong>The</strong><br />
joker hastily hid behind Halstein, <strong>the</strong> eldest bro<strong>the</strong>r.<br />
“Ahem,” Seldon stepped in. “We were just going, right?”<br />
Freydís led <strong>the</strong> way with Thorstein at her side. <strong>The</strong> entire gang<br />
followed her and Leif brought up <strong>the</strong> rear, looking over his shoulder<br />
<strong>the</strong> whole time.<br />
•40•
<strong>The</strong> <strong>Expeditions</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>Vikings</strong><br />
When Olaf and his sons were alone, he lifted <strong>the</strong> axe and rested <strong>the</strong><br />
handle on his shoulder. He FROWNED and bellowed at his eldest<br />
son, “Okay, Halstein, tell me again why you’re in such a state,<br />
because I don’t quite buy your story.”<br />
“I told you, Fa<strong>the</strong>r. We rolled down a slope. I promise it’s nothing to<br />
do with Erik <strong>the</strong> Red’s kids. Don’t you see that if we’d had a fight,<br />
we’d have turned <strong>the</strong>m into DUST?”<br />
<strong>The</strong>ir fa<strong>the</strong>r gritted his teeth, grasped <strong>the</strong> axe firmly, and plunged<br />
it furiously into a tree, which fell as if it were no more than a stalk<br />
<strong>of</strong> wheat. After <strong>the</strong> first tree, ano<strong>the</strong>r one fell, <strong>the</strong>n ano<strong>the</strong>r, and<br />
ano<strong>the</strong>r. <strong>The</strong> giant paused to give his sons a warning. “We can’t<br />
let that damned Erik <strong>the</strong> Red, or his children, LAUGH at us. Do you<br />
understand?”<br />
“Yes, Fa<strong>the</strong>r,” <strong>the</strong>y chorused.<br />
Olaf Whitebeard cut down half a dozen more TREES, <strong>the</strong>n sat down<br />
on a stump to rest. After a time, he asked<br />
his eldest son, “Why are you looking at<br />
me like that, Halstein? You look like you<br />
daren’t speak. And a Viking must never<br />
be afraid <strong>of</strong> anything!”<br />
“No, Fa<strong>the</strong>r. It’s just that…”<br />
•41•