The days were getting warmer and longer. Sven knew that it was time to leave his homeland. He had spent the winter in Sweden instead of Iceland with his friend and captain, Elrick has he normally did. Elrick told him that he would come to Sweden to fetch him. Sven enjoyed sailing with Elrick on the Villi Kottr. There was always work on the docks before the ships came in, and Sven would work there till Elrick came.

"Sven leave now Father Josef. Sven go to docks and wait for Friend Elrick. Mama and Papa take care of Na till Sven come back again and Father Josef take care of beds and put flowers on Na's for Sven."

"Yes Sven. I will do what you ask. I will take good care of their
beds and I'm sure that God will take good care of their souls."

"Father Josef?" Sven paused. "You tell Sven that God is good."

"Yes, I did."

"Sven confused. If God is good, and God care, why he leave Sven fanor?"

"Because my dear Sven, in the Bible it says, and the meek shall inherit the earth. You, my kind friend, are that."

"Sven not understand, but Sven believe Father Josef." He hugged the priest then went to the well kept graves of his parents and his first love, Hannah, who he called Na. He knelt down and touched the words that were there.

"Sven will be back. Na not be afraid. Father Josef will take care. Mama and Papa here too." A lone tear fell down his cheek. "Sven still miss Na." With that he stood and headed down the dirt road that lead to the riverfront.

"Safe journeys and God speed to you my gentle friend." Father Josef whispered as he watched Sven walk out of sight.

"Hide me Uncle Gunnar!" Bjorn cried out as he hid behind his uncle.

"Who boy? Just who am I hiding you from?"

"From Uncle Sven. He's trying to kill me!"

"Kill you?" Gunnar choked back his laughter. "And just how is he going to do that?"

"He's going to work me to death. He doesn't stop. I can't take it any more. I think he works in his sleep."

"What's going on here?" Elrick's massive frame loomed over his son. "Bjorn, why aren't you with Sven?"

"Papa, I swear I'll never ask for anything ever again if I don't have to stay with Uncle Sven. He's trying to kill me!" Elrick was fully aware of Sven's working ways and even he had trouble keeping up.

"I'll talk to him Bjorn." He smiled down at his son and ruffled his hair. His smiled quickly faded and his attention turned.

"Rough seas ahead!" A man shouted. Elrick looked up. The sky was clear. How could there be rough seas? He woent to the watchman who quickly showed his captain.

"By Thor's Hammer." Elrick said in a near whisper. He couldn't believe his eyes. It was as if part of the sea was sucking down everything down that crossed its path.

"MAN OVERBOARD!" Elrick heard the cry that no captain wanted to hear.

"Papa, HELP! PAPA!!" Elrick looked frantically for his son. Then the realization hit him, Bjorn was in the water. Before he could get out of his heavier outter garments, he heard a splash. One didn't have to look very hard to know who it was, Sven. Even with only one arm he could out swim most.

"Sven coming!" The Swede shouted to Bjorn.

"Uncle Sven, the sea is spinning, I'm scared Uncle Sven."

On the deck watching in horror was Elrick. He had seen many a horrific thing but none grabbed him in the gut like this. The Icelandian was was paralysed with fear as the swirling sea got closer to his son and his best friend.

"Sven here. Sven help Bjorn. Sven promise Friend Elrick that Sven take care of Bjorn." He grabbed the boy and spun around so they were facing the Villi Kottr. The current was getting stronger and Sven knew that he had only one chance at saving Bjorn. He lifted the boy with his one arm as legs struggled against the sea.

"Sven will throw Bjorn to safe water. Bjorn swim to ship."

"Uncle Sven, NO!" Elrick and Gunnar realized what the Swede was going to do, they both opened their mouths to scream, but neither knew if any sound came out as Bjorn went flying to safe waters. Crewmen were already there to fetch him from the sea.

Just before the current caught Sven, he called out. "Sven never forget Friend Elrick!"

The last thing Sven heard before he disappeared was Elrick screaming his name.

He didn't know how long had passed before he was dropped on crates in the back alley. A stranger in a strange land.

And so it begins.