CHAPTER12
The sun was a mere hint on the eastern horizon when Michail roused Alfred, who signaled Dermot and Liam. The warrior had the last shift of the night watch on his ship, and he’d spotted the Norse dragon boats as the sky lightened from the ebony of night to the royal blue of predawn. He could make out few details besides the bobbing shapes materializing and growing closer.
The two Highland birlinns had made progress to the open water between Egilsay and Shapinsay. It exposed them to the Norse fleet near Tingwall. As far as the Sinclairs and Mackays traveled to avoid detection, it left them vulnerable with no alternative route. The distance remaining to South Ronaldsay wasn’t great, but the men faced at least another four hours of rowing. With only four rowers at a time on each birlinn, they couldn’t outsail the Norse with their sixteen rowers per longboat.
“Mayhap they willna see us,” Dermot suggested.
“We’re east of them. If we’ve already spied them, the rising sun will make us obvious.” Liam hurried to the rail to consult Alfred before all the men took their places at the oars. The best they could hope for was to make it to Shapinsay before the Norse reached them. They could use the island as a barrier while they sailed farther southwest. However, if Gunter guessed their route, they could cut off Liam and the others between Shapinsay and Mainland. If that were the case, there was little chance they could avoid being boarded. Liam’s mind raced as he considered ways to hide Elene and her siblings. There was no cabin or hold on a birlinn, so there was nowhere for them to disappear into. Even if there were, Liam knew the Norse would search them.
“Liam, they see us,” Elene whispered as she squatted behind him. “Before they get too close, put each of us in a barrel and toss them over the side. We’ll float. It’s still dark enough that they may not see us.”
“And when they do, because they will, they will demand to know why we set them adrift. They’ll guess you’re in there.”
“Tell them you refuse to give up your whisky and ale to them. You’d rather they float away than they take them.”
“They’ll merely scoop you up and take you, anyway.”
“There is no other place for us to hide.”
“Can Katryne and Johan swim? Can they tread water?”
“Yes.” Elene glanced back at the children, who clung to one another.
“We wait until the very last minute, but you’ll have to go into the water. Keep close to the birlinn and prepare to duck beneath the surface if anyone gets too close.”
“No.” Elene shook her head. “I might survive the cold, but they won’t. They’re too small. They’ll freeze to death or drown when they don’t have the strength to tread. The barrel will keep us each dryer for longer.”
“The current will carry you away.”
“We’re likely to wind up on Mainland. If you…” Elene didn’t want to finish her thought, and she flinched when Liam did.
“If we survive, I’ll search for you.”
“We don’t have much more time.” Elene watched the longboats loom larger with each moment they spent debating. “We have to go over the side before they see us do it.”
Liam loathed the idea, but he knew it was far better than having them directly in the frigid North Sea. They would freeze. The swim had been short to Egilsay, and the night air held no breeze. The four swimmers were chilled to the bone by the time they returned to the birlinns, but they hadn’t risked hypothermia. It was more likely the Isbisters would succumb than survive if forced to tread water during a battle.
“Dermot,” Liam called. “Take my oar. They’re going over in barrels. I’ll take the tiller as soon as they’re in the water.”
Dermot’s eyes widened. Liam knew the suggestion shocked the other men, but no one gainsaid him. None could think of another solution as they continued to row. Liam rushed to open the empty barrels as Elene reassured her siblings that they would be far safer with her plan than anything else. Katryne’s eyes watered with trepidation, but she nodded. Johan burst into tears and clung to Liam as he shook his head.
“Johan, your sisters won’t go without you. If you don’t get in, then Gunter will take all three of you. This is dangerous, and you must be brave. But we will all be so proud of you. This will be your first chance to be a man instead of a boy.” Liam prayed his words empowered Johan rather than shame him into cooperating.
“A man like you?” Johan mumbled as he wiped his tears.
“I would do this without a second thought if it would protect my brothers and sister. I know you are like me. You would do aught to protect your family. This is what you need to do now. I will fight for you on deck, but you must fight for your family by listening to Elene’s idea.”
Johan straightened, his shoulders going back as he inhaled a shuddering breath. It was obvious it still terrified the boy, but he resolved to put that fear aside to keep his sisters and him alive. “Put me in the first barrel and toss me in. If I float, then send my sisters with me.”
“You have the courage of a lion,” Liam grinned.
“What’s that?”
“A very large cat from lands far away. The Romans once kept them as pets. They’re fierce and loyal to their pack. They’re so ferocious they scare people away.” Liam didn’t think it was the right time to explain the ancient people used the animals for entertainment and made them fight to the death.
“That sounds like you. But you’re a Highlander.”
“I am. I suppose my people share some of those qualities.”
