SWNOVELS Chapter 25
One month had passed since the Norsemen had returned to Barrow-in-Furness. Their hope in an immediate departure had long since faded into memory. They had settled into a routine among the English soldiers that had become comfortable and familiar. Most of the Norsemen spent their days working at the shipyards alongside the ship wright’s doing their part to keep Britain’s Navy afloat and battle ready. Olaf and Ebbn worked regularly with soldiers who were sent on to them via William to enhance the skills they had learned from him. The drill field had been turned into a permanent training area dedicated to the practice of covert infiltration.
It seemed like a lifetime ago that they had returned from their whirlwind time in London, and somberly laid David to rest next to Harald on the beach. Olaf often hiked to the secluded area presumably to check on the Sea Prowler under its camouflage netting. In reality, he spent the time standing over the resting place of two men he considered friends, and praying earnestly for the fog to reappear. The beach was a good place to meditate. It was quiet and it was peaceful. It was also a place he felt connected to in some strange sense. He felt pulled to the pebbled shingle in a way he could not explain.
As he stood there silently in the twilight, he gazed upon the large, unmarked stones that identified the graves of David and Harald. They had to be extremely careful not to reveal more about what that had transpired than outsiders needed to know. The stones were memorial enough. Anyone who cared would know what purpose they served. Olaf lifted his eyes to the sea. The waves rolled in, crashing to the shore in an endless line of foam and spray. He could not help but wonder what his wife, Freda, had thought of their prolonged absence. It was safe to assume that by now, in his own time, they would have been possibly given up as lost at sea. After so many voyages that tempted the power of the elements it would stand to reason that eventually they would meet a storm they could not overcome. He only hoped she was being cared for and could find happiness in the absence of her husband and son. Olaf’s meditation was broken as he heard the sound of footsteps behind him. Looking over his shoulder, he saw John, pipe tightly clamped between his teeth, and smoke drifting behind him as he walked.
“Your son told me I may find you here, Olaf.”
“John, my friend, when did you arrive?”
“My train pulled in an hour ago. There was a break in classes at Oxford and I didn’t feel like writing. What better excuse than that is there to visit an old friend?”
“I am pleased that you are here. It is just what I need to lift me out of my lowness. I am pining for home once again.”
“There is nothing wrong with that, Olaf. If I were separated from my beloved, I would be pining as well. How are you faring these days? Are they keeping you occupied?”
“There is no lack of work to do, Colonel Brundige sees to that. I am told that it seems our mission was successful. The Nazis still have some fight left in them, however, even if our false Hitler does everything he can to bring about their ruin.”
“Well there have been quite a few improvements. The bombings have stopped completely for one, and the German army seems to be more intent upon destroying itself against the Russians instead of world domination these days. Our boys have had very little resistance since we liberated France. You have changed the course of history, my friend.”
Olaf was silent, a brooding posture taking over subtly. John noticed the change and laid his hand upon the man’s shoulder.
“I am sorry, Olaf. I know it all came a great cost to you.”
“There is nothing to be sorry for, John. It is I who should be sorry. I have failed my men by giving them false hope.”
“Your hope is not false, Olaf. You, better than most men, understand that the divine ways are mysterious. Only a hope misplaced is false, my friend. Your hope is not misplaced because it is fixed on the only One who can bring it about. Do not surrender to despair. It is not a quality that suits you.”
“Spoken wisely as always. I am glad you arrived when you did. I needed your direct candor to pull me out of my doldrums.”
“I am glad to be of help. Now, what do you say we get off this lonely beach and find a cold mug of ale somewhere? This brisk salt sea wind is making me thirsty.”
“You have presented yet another fine suggestion. Lead the way, John, and I will follow.”
The two friends began the climb up the rutted track toward the ridge they had stood upon together so long ago. Olaf always felt more grounded when John was present. If indeed the Christ ever did open up the way to return home, Olaf would miss the friendship like few others he had ever experienced.