THE LOST VIKING SAGA

Their final four days did indeed pass in a blur. While the men continued training with William and MacGrieve during the day, Olaf and Ebbn were engaged in making preparations to the Sea Prowler. It had been overwhelmingly agreed that the ship was ideal for making the crossing to France. Its low profile and lack of engine noise would allow the Norsemen to come ashore very quietly. The ship was towed to the naval yard at Barrow-in-Furness and secreted within one of the buildings next to the docks. At Colonel Brundige’s suggestion, the Sea Prowler was painted a matte black to make it even more difficult to spot in the darkness. When the ship was ready, the gear they required was stowed aboard, and the Sea Prowler was hoisted onto a cargo ship for transfer to the southern coast of England at a town called Hastings. From Hastings, the Norsemen would sail under the cover of the night to roughly 25 miles southwest of Calais where they would bring the ship ashore and hide it away until it was needed again for the return trip to England.

Just after 9pm on the fourth day, the men boarded the cargo ship and set out for their departure point in Hastings. William had elected to join them so that he might see them off, and after a bit of tension between Colonel Brundige and Mr. Rὺin, the Intelligence agent relented, reluctantly agreeing to the additional passenger. They were scheduled to arrive at Hastings on the evening of June 10. Their plan was to sail out just after sunset and feverishly row through the night, approximately sixty miles, to arrive at their destination before sunrise. Seeking the blessing of heaven, Olaf prayed for a tailwind that would allow them to use a combination of oar and sail. After coming ashore and concealing the ship, they would commandeer the necessary vehicles and be in Paris by three in the afternoon on June 13. All intelligence indicated the performance was scheduled to begin at 8pm giving them ample time to get in place in preparation of executing the final part of their mission. So many things depended on proper timing, but Olaf was convinced that the divine will would be done and their schedule would remain favorable.

The men were restless during the voyage to Hastings, not being used to being confined on a sea journey. It was a different sensation to be on the sea and not constantly have your senses excited by the elements. Standing on the broad deck of the cargo ship was no comparison when the sea was many feet below the deck and the space so large that it felt like being on a small, moving island. Olaf and the men marveled at how the large vessel could move with such speed, but they all agreed their method of plying the seas was much preferable to the manmade leviathan, regardless of its astonishing capabilities. An escort of three smaller ships, all equipped with the massive weapons characteristic to this time, kept pace with them to ensure their safe travels. William had explained that great care must be employed for the Nazis had ships with the ability to travel beneath the waves which they used to sink other ships without even being seen.

“Is there no end to how closely cowardice and cleverness interact with one another in your time?” Olaf asked William the final evening onboard while they shared a meal together.

“I am afraid not, Olaf. I am told that even now one of our Allies is working on a bomb that can level an entire city all by itself. Even more cowardly is that it is dropped from the sky with very little warning, giving the citizens no time to find safety. I bemoan the day when that becomes reality and sincerely pray they are not successful in getting it to work.”

“I would agree with you, my friend. A weapon such as that cannot be used with the blessing of God.”

“Well said, Olaf. Well said. More pertinent to you though, I was mad to understand that we will be offloading the Sea Prowler any time now. Prior to sitting down to eat we were very near our port of call in Hastings. It will be with great sadness that I will bid you God speed.”

“I still do not understand why you do not join us.”

“As much as my heart longs to fight alongside you, I am needed elsewhere to train British soldiers in the same methods I passed on to you.”

“Your people will owe a great debt to you, my friend.”

“They will owe me nothing. I do what I do for the good of all.”

A loud alarm rang throughout the ship, startling Olaf considerably.

“Don’t let that worry you, Olaf. It is merely the signal alerting all hands to their station. I would wage the ship is nearing its destination. Come, let’s go gather your men and get up on deck to prepare for departure.”

Because they worked under the cover of darkness, the unloading operation lasted for nearly three hours. The Sea Prowler was moved onto the shore and concealed until their departure the following night. The men were transported by lorry into the village of Hastings where they were bedded down in an inn on the outskirts of town. A surprise awaited them there as they walked through the door. John sat in a chair before the fire in the common room smoking his pipe contentedly. Next to him sat a robust looking man with a ruddy face and bright eyes. In his fingers he held one of the tobacco cigarettes they had seen so many of the Englanders smoking. As Olaf entered the room, John rose and moved swiftly across the room, his companion just behind him.

“Olaf, how good to see you again. I couldn’t imagine not seeing you off so I came down from Oxford with a friend. I’d like you to meet, Jack.”

Jack stepped forward and in Olaf’s language said excitedly, “Hail, Olaf. It is so very exciting to meet you.”

“Hail to you,” Olaf replied grasping the man by the forearm.

“I am told you have all excelled in your training,” said John. “I must say you look well.”

“We are, my friend. Our hearts long to return home but we are resolved to complete our mission here. I was afraid that we would not meet again before we departed on our journey. How long do you intend to stay?”

“I had planned to stay until you put to sea, if that is appropriate.”

“I would not have it any other way.”

John looked over Olaf’s shoulder and saw Mr. Rὺin and his men escorting the heavily cloaked doppelganger through the door quickly and up the stairs to the first floor.

“I say, I don’t recognize those men as part of your group. Why is that man so heavily guarded?”

“I am sorry that I cannot reveal that to you in much detail, John. Your Winston Churchill has asked we transport him with us. Beyond that, I am not allowed to say much more.”

“I see. Well, nevertheless, here we are. Come, sit with us by the fire and let’s enjoy what time we have. I see that William is here as well. I will go ask him to join us.”

Well into the night and for all of the next day a pleasant time was spent for Olaf, conversing with John and his friend Jack, who proved to be a very entertaining man to be around. Olaf was regaled with many stories and was even coaxed to tell a few of his own. Both Jack and John seemed to feed off of each other in a way that could only be said of close friends. Jack’s hearty voice and bellowing laugh was contagious. The common room was filled to capacity as Olaf’s men drew near to listen and participate themselves in the lively discussions. It was with a heavy heart that Olaf had to bring their time together to a close. Sunset was fast approaching and the time for their passage was upon them. Their goodbyes were regretfully exchanged and Olaf drove off with his men toward the beach.

As the ship was moved into the water, and was made ready to sail, Mr. Rὺin fussed and fretted around their passenger. If it had not been for William intervening and gently guiding the man toward the trail that led from the beach to the village, Olaf might have throttled Mr. Rὺin, so frustrating was his every interference into their preparations. With a nod of thanks and a wave, Olaf ordered the sail to be raised. His prayers had been answered and the winds were quite favorably at their back. The oarsmen began rowing with vigor. It was not long before the beach was receding rapidly into the distance. Olaf stood at the prow of the ship, gazing into the darkness of the channel before him. With God smiling upon them, they would be standing on the French coast before the sun came up again. What happened after that Olaf could only pray that God would smile upon as well.