In Quest of the White Mandan

By Cash Cash

In Quest of the White Mandan is about the white people who became integrated into the native Indian band of North Dakota Mandans.
In the Seventeen hundreds the French Canadian explorer La Veranday with his sons found a Indian tribe with fair skinned people blue eyes, blonde and red haired, living in what was later to become North Dakota.
Many years later Lewis and Clark found these fair skinned people with the Mandans as they made their trip to the Pacific.
I learned about these people who must of come from Europe hundreds of years earlier. How did these people make their way into the center of North America?? Some speculate that they were Welsh people who came up the Mississippi River.
In Newfoundland Canada, the dwellings built by the Vikings at Lance Meadows and the house built by the Mandans are exact replicas of each other. The waters of Hudson Bay flow into it from waters that lead into Lake Winnipeg after a land bridge is crossed. The Red River of North Dakota flows directly into Lake Winnipeg.
Many Viking remains and artefacts have been found in Minnesota and Wisconsin.
If the Vikings who settled in Lance Meadows found their way north into Hudson Bay, losing their boats to ice could easily happen. The only way out of this desolate place is south into the interior of North America.
In Quest of the White Mandans Book One, is my version of how these people came to be the White Mandans. I have brought them to the shores of lake Winnipeg in book one. God willing, I will take them further to their final home on the Missouri River in North Dakota in Book Two.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Xlibris US
• Release date: May 16, 2013
• ISBN: 9781483639383

Cash Cash

Cash was born Reginald Alexander and raised in Cleveland, Ohio but lived most of his life in Atlanta, Georgia. He decided to start writing fiction while incarcerated at a state prison in Georgia. His style is gritty, raw, and real. Even from the depths of confinement he has an imagination that's in overdrive. His debut novel Trust No Man was released under the Wahida Clark Presents imprint in 2009, and the Trust No Man trilogy went on to reach hood classic status. It remains one of the most respected street novels in the industry. Since making his debut with WCP, Cash has since formed his own publishing company Lock Down Publications. Under LDP the author's star has shined brighter than ever with critically acclaimed novels such as A Dirty South Love, Shorty Got A Thug, Trust No Bitch 1&2, and Thugs Cry 1&2. Cash is presently in his 22nd year of incarceration but he remains strong and he strives to teach through the power of his pen.

Book preview

Chapter One

Spring 1004, six Viking ships slipped passed the Danish coast heading south across the North Sea. The leader of these Vikings was Gathor Hunder he was from a small villagein Denmark. He led the six boats on a raid to capture slaves and supplies from the English lands to the south. These then were to be taken to the new settlement land west across the large sea, the new settlement was west of Greenland. The settlement had been founded two years earlier. Settled by twelve men and four women with five children all slaves from the Scottish Hebrides. They had built sod houses for shelter, broken ground for planting, they had several swine, sheep and goats when last seen two years ago. There was plenty of reindeer type animals to hunt. Fish, whales and seals were abundant in the seas around them. Walrus were numerous, these were hunted for the ivory tusk which were very valuable to the Vikings. Fresh water lakes were full of trout and shell fish that could be gathered on the shores. Cod fish, salmon and other salt water fish filled the seas around them. Small boats had been built and left for them to travel the sea coasts. Fishing for the plentiful cod and the abundant whales would sustain life. There were wild berries of several types on the land and forage of hay for the animals was easily gathered and stored.

The slaves had been instructed to hunt for walrus and narwhale to collect the ivory these animal’s possessed. The ivory would be used in trade for valuables from the east and south. The slaves were told to stock pile the rich lumber of the area which was to be taken to Greenland to be sold to the Vikings who had established settlements there years earlier. The Greenland coast were without hardwood and softwood trees, so the trees from this settlement would be well received there.

There had been several sightings of small native savages but they kept their distance from the settlers, they only approached at night to take items that were left unattended. Hunder was to raid the English and Irish Islands for slaves who should be mostly women and children to supply the settlement. The Vikings would capture young men as slaves for the settlement they were to be used on board the Viking ships. Each of the six boats under Hunder’s control had ten strong men who were fierce they were skilled in raiding. They would make short work of the island fishing villages they planned to raid. When they had their slaves, livestock and grains, they would sail west to the settlement. Once they arrived each boat was to leave four Viking men to strengthen the settlement. Also on board the six Viking long boats were eight women for each boat who were already slaves from other raids. There were a total of ten children spread amongst the boats and several of the women were pregnant. Those who were not would be that way before the voyage was completed.

The Outer Hebrides were the first islands raided. The Vikings sent two groups of boats to attack two different villages at the same time. The raid took place at night. The men were put to the sword or mace as they slept. The women were raped, the younger women ages twelve to twenty were saved for slaves. Young women who were with child were seized as special captives. A few young children of both sexes were added to the groups. The store houses were stormed and food stuffs gathered. Goats, sheep, small swine and fowl were sent to the boats. Both villages were put to the torch.

When the two groups of boats gathered a head count was taken of the booty captured. All livestock were transferred to two of the larger ships along with grains to feed them. The two ships had on board, ten swine, twelve goats, ten sheep, four geese and twenty chickens.

Loaded on the other four boats were six newly captured pregnant women, nine women between twelve and twenty years of age with six children. Four young girls and two boys about ten years of age. Hunder ordered a course set for the Irish coast where he expected to fill out the remainder of his needs. On board the long boats, he now had a total of fifty three women and sixteen children. The women were put to work at the oars, and with the winds help, good speed was maintained towards Ireland. The men began trying to increase the pregnant women’s count buy using the women constantly on the sea voyage. There was dissension from the men on the larger boats that they required women also, Gathor assured them that they would have a share of the Irish women after the next raids.

In three days the long boats were off the west coast of Northern Ireland. Just before darkness they set their plans to attack a large village before daylight. They would have the element of surprise they thought. What they didn’t know, was they had been seen. The Irish were preparing to repel them. The long boats were pulled to shore on gravel beaches. There were two men left with each boat to watch the slaves, the raiders began the approach to the large village. Approaching the willows that grew along the back of the shore lines they were within sixty feet of the village when Irish archers stepped out of the shrubbery releasing a shower of arrows at the raiders.

The Vikings were taken by surprise, they were stopped in their tracks. As they stood in complete surprise two men went down, one with an arrow through his throat. The other had an arrow pierce his chain mail and enter his chest. Other Vikings had arrows in their arms and legs. Dogs were unleashed, they attacked the standing sailors who started to retreat from the Irish onslaught who followed the dog’s forward with axes and swords at the ready.

As the Vikings reached their boats they turned to meet the charge of dogs and men with drawn swords and battle axes. The men left to guard the boats were having the women slaves push the long boats off the beach shingle. There was a furious fight at the waters edge. Viking swords dispatched four of the six dogs turned loose upon them and the remaining two left licking at the swords cuts to their bodies. The Irish checked the rush upon the standing sailors, the Danes slowly fought their way back from in front of the boats towards the Irish archers who had advanced behind the rushing mob. Seeing the archers they then rushed back to escape on the boats.

On the ground at the battle site were three dead Irish and five Vikings, the boats were being protected now by the shields of the Norseman, the arrows however killed two of the slave women as they tried to climb back into the longboats after they were clear of the shingle and floating freely. The Irish started to light their arrows they were soon showering the larger craft that was carrying hay and straw which quickly became inflamed. The fires were extinguished on one of the boats as it was rowed away, but there were not enough men to control the fire on board the other boat. The Irishmen approached the boats once more as the Vikings turned from the beach and scrambled to board the drifting water craft. Amidst the bleating cries and squealing sounds of sheep and swine two more fighting Norseman lost their lives. With the light from the burning long boat drifting freely along the waters edge, the remaining ships were put to oar and. The Irish archers loosed the last of their arrows at the boats. Withdrawing two hundred yards from shore a halt was called by Gathor, lamps were lit and a tally of damages and loss of life was taken.

A shaken Gathor Hunder who was a thirty five year old, six foot man packed into a two hundred pound man with long black hair and beard. He stood cursing the Irish peasants for the defeat of a superior force. They had given Hunder a sound thrashing, the Vikings had came away empty handed. The tallies were brought to the leader. They were down ten sailors as it was known that the three men from the burning boat had jumped into the water, never to been seen again. The Irish had killed seven men on the beach, two slave women were killed as they pushed the boats off the beach two others had died on the boats from arrows. The archers had taken two children both young girls as the arrows had found a home in their young bodies. There were six men who had wounds to their bodies who would be out of action for a while also four slave women had injuries from the arrows.

Gathor seethed with anger as he realized what a sound beating he had just taken from the Irish. He ordered the boats to withdraw under oar, unsure as to what to do next. His heart screamed for vengeance from the people who had harmed him so severely but his head told him to withdraw, regroup, then seek vengeance at the next raid on another village. Gathor signalled for the other four ships to approach he called the other captains to a meeting.

Over tankards of wine the angry men discussed their plans of the next move. To run from a beating went against their code of honour but could they survive another trouncing by these Irish peasants. Bruno Helga a tall blonde sturdy captain from the other larger long boat being used as a barn stood he hammered his fist on a table. The twenty five year old yelled out.

My men and I are above being farmers. We are warriors we do not run or hide from a fight. This Irish trash have put fire to our ship then run us from the beach. We are Vikings we do not run from peasants. My men and I will return to piss on the bodies of these people who have insulted us.

An older man of fifty years of age in the wrinkled skin of a man who has wiped more salt water from his brow then most men will ever sail across lifted his hand towards Bruno.

My young friend our mission is to capture salves and livestock for that far away settlement. If we leave our bodies to rot in the Irish peat we will never see the western lands. We are indebted to those who stayed behind to return as we promised. I too wish revenge but my head tells me, we must replace our men with Irish men and women from the slaves. Right now the Irish are feasting on the mutton and pork that our ship provided for them. Our losses must be replaced quickly so we can begin our journey across the ocean to the western shores. We need careful thought, not quick anger! We need to pull our faces from the wine jugs, have clear thoughts about our task. The old Captain called Pere’Anders sat waiting for his thoughts to find a home in the others thoughts.

A third captain spoke, he was a thirty year old who was a small man of five foot eight inches tall but that small frame carried muscle and amazing strength. On his shoulders sat a rugged face that was framed with blonde long hair, the eyes were of the deepest blue. Inside the head was the brain of a very knowledgeable man who was wise beyond his years.

Ivan spoke quietly. Pere’ has just given us the answer. We will have our revenge and slaves also. The Irish are celebrating their defeat of the fearsome raiders from across the North Sea. They are feasting and into their ale barrels, women are being used, the party will last well into night. They will go to their beds unguarded for our return by land. When our boats return tomorrow noon it will be to a smouldering village with our slaves and live stock waiting to be picked up.

What think you all to this action? Ivan asked. Gathor, Bruno, and Pere’ agreed quickly with the wise captain.

We raise our sails and sail south along the coast when we have travelled a far enough distance to convince the peasants that we have accepted defeat. We turn then come back along the shore line under darkness and oar. How many men do you need to sack the village? Gathor asked Ivan.

We will need twenty of our strongest warriors, men who will move without amour but with stealth and cunning. Knives and battle axes should be used for close in fighting we will slaughter these men in their beds. Remember we are down ten sailors who must be replaced by these Irish fishermen so do not kill all the men. I think it would be best to replace our losses with fifteen men, most should be young men below twenty and old men over fifty we do not need warriors to rebel at some time on our ocean crossing. We need at least forty or more women when we arrive in the western settlement so keep that in mind also. The wounded women will heal, the loss of our long boat will mean more crowding for us so I suggest we don’t bring any children but bring as many pregnant women you can find. The rest you may leave on shore after you piss on their bodies, okay Bruno?

The fourth captain Gunter Hunder agreed with what Ivan had just laid out as a plan of action. He was a copy of his older brother and only was a captain because of his brother. Bruno Helga leaned over putting his wine mug down saying,

I go to prepare for war but one more long drink to produce more piss Ivan. He said happily clapping Ivan on the back.

Sails were raised the boats sailed off over the horizon to the south. The watchful Irish returned to the village. They cheered the woman who had planned how to repel the raiders. The young, long dark haired girl with a full figure, tall for a woman at five foot ten inches was recognized the leader in the village. Her husband had lost his life at sea in a storm. Katherine Shaw had no enemies, she had several men interested in taking the widow for a mate. So far she had refused their offers but knew she would have to accept one soon. When told by members of a fishing vessel that they had seen the sails of the dreaded raiders, she had put together the plan on how to repel them from sacking the village. After the battle and the burial of the dead, she asked for a fishing boat to follow the departing Vikings, but the men told her they were fleeing southward never to return.

"We have swine, mutton, geese and chickens to eat all ready roasted. With a casks of fine rum, wine and ale to wash it down with. Let’s celebrate, let the raiders take their anger out on the English. Katherine attempted to put up an argument but was shouted down by the men and women of the village who were preparing the party. Katherine continued to look southward but saw no sail in the distance. By early afternoon most men and women were highly intoxicated, full to the gullet with food. Dancing and singing were slowing down most couples were dealing with sex for an outlet to the party mood. The wine, rum and beer barrels were still taking a pounding though, and after dark the couples went inside for sleep or more sex. Katherine attempted to have men posted for guards but could find no one who was sober enough or who cared. She gave up in defeat returning worried to her stone house.

The ships under oar by the slave women put twenty naked men ashore two miles south of the village. At ten p.m., the men trotted silently as they circled the village closing in slowly from three sides. They entered the houses and dispatched the young men quickly, keeping back the women with threatening gestures of what would happen if they resisted. No attempts of rape took place, only killing and gathering in the darkness. Katherine went out for one last look before bed. She saw torches going from one hut to another she knew the villagers were in peril that she must flee inland. She started for the path when a hand closed over her mouth she received a blow to her temple. She collapsed to the ground and was gathered up in Bruno’s strong arms then carried to the beach.

She woke as the sun was rising in the east, saw people under guard gathered on the beach. There were young women, older men and boys there. There were no adult young men they were still in their death beds. It was evident that no children had survived the raid as women had been stripped of their babies, they watched as the children’s heads were smashed in. Many of the raiders were gathering livestock and bringing grain and other food stores from the houses and barns. After gutting the houses and barns any dead that were outside were put in the buildings which then were put to the torch.

Katherine looked south she saw the longboats being rowed to the beach where they waited. We are to be slaves for the rest of our lives, she shuddered as the thought passed through her mind. A tall young blond man approached her, he reached down bringing her to her feet. With a quick tearing motion, he removed her clothing from her. He spun her about then with a pointing movement, pointed to a long boat that she was to board. With a leather thong he tied her hands then reaching for his privates he pissed all over her legs and feet as he laughed with glee. He moved her towards the boat and as she started to move forward she received a strong kick in the ass from him, sending her sprawling face first into the shingle. Grabbing her long black hair he dragged her to her feet then seeing her face was bruised and cut, laughed long and loud at her discomfort. He then grasped her pulling her into him as he began to roughly fondle her.

‘I am going to be raped here on the beach’ She thought; but Bruno released her pushing her towards his boat once more. She was taken then seated on a bench beside other women slaves who manned the oars. Her hands were untied but her ankle was secured by a leg clamp that was fastened above her ankle. Other slaves were boarded while food and livestock were loaded and soon the morning tide was taking the boat out to sea. Other young boys and older men were fastened to the oars as the boat began to turn on a westerly course.

Katherine looked back at a smoking ruin of a dead village. She glanced west with tears in her eyes and wondered where a life of slavery was taking her, how long she would last at the hands of these vicious men. The men had done a count of gathered slaves and livestock plus food and forage for the distant settlement. They now had a total of seventy one women of which twelve were in a family way. That left the Vikings fifty nine women they should try to have with child while they made the long sea voyage. They had seven older men and eight young men about fourteen years in age. That gave them fifteen male slaves to replace the dead Vikings lost in battle. The plan was to make warriors of the young men kill off the older men when the voyage was completed their services were no longer required. The slaves were divided between the five ships each ship had children on board. Livestock now was fifteen small swine, one sow that had been bred. Ten goats, twenty sheep, one hundred and twenty geese and forty chickens of which thirty were hens. Food and grains were put aboard every boat then the animals were put on each boat as evenly as possible. It was agreed that during fog and darkness the long boats would be tethered together to prevent loss of sight of each other during these times. Only when the seas were very rough and under dangerous winds would it be every man for himself for the captains. At all other times they were to steer a course determined by Gathor Hunder. If they should lose Gathor, then Ivan would be the undisputed leader. If storms drove the ships apart then they would meet at the settlement waiting for an extended period for the other boats to arrive. A northwest course was set as sails were put up, the slaves then rowed a northwest course. The young women slaves were given rest bits from the oars as the Vikings did the utmost to have the women in a family way as quickly as possible.

Chapter Two

On Bruno’s boat he quickly searched out his new slave, though speech was difficult for each to understand from the other, Katherine had no difficulties with what Bruno expected from her. The young man was a handsome man, under normal circumstances he might have had her come to him willingly. However he displayed a very cruel streak was delighted when he caused her pain. She attempted to fulfill his needs and desire in the normal way giving him pleasure in the way she had pleasured her Irish husband. However each time they were intimate he finished their time together with punishing blows to the body or insults to her face which she began to understand were words of hate and contempt for her.

She noticed the other Vikings used the other slave women at will, they rarely took the same girl twice in a row. She became aware that Bruno had refused her to be used by other men under his command. She was to be used by him and him only. The thoughts grew in her head that she must find a way to reach this man, perhaps he would find a way to love her. She treated him with kindness giving him every chance to respond to her warmth and understanding. She failed miserably while the curses and blows were still delivered with constant regularity. Katherine was determined not to allow this mans sperm to produce growth in her womb. She willed her body to reject this man’s seed as her hatred grew to revulsion. She waited in fear until she was summoned to perform for him once more.

The other slave women had grown to accept their fate in life they began to chat amongst themselves about what great lovers these Vikings were. Katherine longed to be selected by another man, perhaps she could bring the pleasure she was seeking to someone else. Her next meeting with Bruno was a disaster, she went willingly into his arms but he cast her aside he started to beat upon her with a stout rope. He was doing her some serious harm, causing huge welts to show up on her legs and lower body. Her cries brought other sailors to her aid. They pulled the rope from Bruno and separated the pair from each other.

What’s wrong they demanded from Bruno?

This bitch refuses to become pregnant. She behaves like a witch, I think she is better off dead than to refuse me my child. I have been trying my best to ride her into submission to force her to give me a child. I have wasted gallons of sperm on her, yet she still has her moons. She came to me today in that condition each time her body rejects me I will beat her until she misses her moon. This Irish witch will bear my child or she will never see the settlement.

You have beaten her so badly that she will be off the oars for days. Why don’t you select another slave, see if she responds to your needs. A sailor suggested. Maybe this bitch is just barren. It happens you know, let some of us at her, see if we can make the difference.

Bruno lashed out at the speaker knocking him down with a savage blow. No one tells me that I can’t plant a child in this slut. If any man tries to take my place he will have a long swim to shore.

The men withdrew from Katherine and Bruno, Take this worthless witch with you. he called out, Or she may not see daylight.

The men went back lifted the beaten girl to her feet, they placed her in a sleeping area away from Bruno. The crew began to whisper amongst themselves. That night as the ships were tying off, words were passed to Ivan’s boat that Bruno was attempting to kill off a woman slave because off her failure to become pregnant.

The next day Ivan stepped aboard Bruno’s boat he attempted to talk to the young captain. Bruno refused to listen to the man when he was told that the slaves were every man’s property, not the property of one only. Ivan said,

I am taking the girl slave for my use, if I must share her with the crew I will. If she pleases me I might marry her to make her mine alone. But for now the beatings she is receiving will stop. A dead slave from that village cost us so dearly of our young warriors will not be allowed. The price we paid for her was very expensive. She will spend the rest of her life paying that debt to us. She is a handsome woman, she is child free, yet she has the wide hips of a woman who should bare many children. Given a proper teaching, she should bring extreme pleasure to a man. I will let her rest while her injuries heal. She will not return to the oars until she has learned from me how to bring pleasure to a man.

Ivan shook his head in disbelieve, thinking that damn young fool thought he could beat children from her with a rope. Katherine was given extra rations, she noticed rich portions of meat were added to her food. She rested easily and was not used by anyone or sent to work the oars with the other slaves. A young girl child was sent to help the injured woman, to assist her whenever possible.

After three days of rest a man of some rank came to see her. The child was sent from the room Katherine knew it was time to perform for the man. She smiled at his approach, she readied her self for the rape that was about to take place. The blonde haired man had the deepest blue eyes she had ever seen.

‘He would be a very handsome man, if only he was not a Viking.’ She thought. The man reached out with his hand he smoothed her long black hair. He then pulled her bedding back looked at her bruised body. He gently touched where she had welts from the ropes still showing, he shook his head then put the bedding back over her. From inside his cloak he removed a jug of red wine he poured some into mugs that were in the sheltered deck. He handed Katherine one together they drank the wine down. Katherine drank very slowly, thinking.

‘What kind of rape is this. This is more like seduction by a well mannered young man looking for a lover.’

A slave girl approached the couple carrying food, she passed the food to the blonde man who took the food handing some chicken breast to the startled Katherine. She then was handed bread which, with the chicken she devoured them quickly thinking.

‘This is a dream. I will wake up all this will be replaced with shackles and oars with salt spray in my face.’ The slave girl left the area with a wink at Katherine, showing she knew what was about to take place. To the surprise of the slave girl and Katherine, the blonde man with the deep blue eyes walked out with the slave girl, he returned to a post at the front deck of the long boat. The child came back Katherine stammered to her.

Who is that?

Oh that’s Ivan, he is the Captain of this boat. He is a very kind man but when in battle he is as fierce as any Viking alive. He has been kind to the slaves on board his boat. The women fight amongst each other for his attention. His men will fight their way to hell and back for him, they know he will be leading them. The young girl told her.

Each day for the next four days the captain passed time with Katherine. He made no attempt to force his way upon her, but just touched her hair as he treated her to special food. He checked her bruises touching them softly with his finger tips. Katherine felt his gentle touch each time thought.

This is it, he is going to take me now. His touch to her legs would cause heat to the girl, she felt desire in her gut for this handsome man. She knew she would accept any advancement from him with pleasure she was looking forward to giving him the pleasure of her willing body. To her surprise he went back to his duties. She fell into a deep sleep dreaming about what could be. She woke late at night feeling the presence of somebody near by. She knew it was Ivan. She came from her bed seeking him desperately she pulled him to her cot then flung herself upon him. She removed his cloak and lower clothing, rubbing him gently, she found him to be erect all ready. She mounted the man lowering herself upon his erect organ. Thrusting herself in a sexual frenzy she rode him with violent pleasure. She was soon rewarded with an orgasm which filled her with extreme pleasure she had not felt since before her husband’s death. Ivan then turned the girl on her back kissed her hard upon the lips, they began to make love to each other. The lovemaking began gently at first but soon grew in intensity soon became a second fury of heat shared together by the lovers. Panting heavily, the girl had her second orgasm in the space of several minutes. Her partner joined her in that sexual experience. Katherine was amazed that was the first time she had ever had a second orgasm. She reached out pulled her lover’s face to hers, kissing passionately on his lips. He responded quickly and was soon touching her in private parts of her body. He gently caressed her breast taking a nipple between his teeth he chewed softly on the enlarged nipples. Soon the lovers were into a third session of lovemaking that didn’t end until the sun began to rise on the eastern horizon.

The Captain dressed then began to move toward the deck, he stopped making sleeping motions with his hands, then pointed at her he made rowing motions to her. She knew that after a sleep she was to return to work at the oars. She felt happy, satisfied if her man wanted her to earn her keep she would do so willingly. The other girls were surprised to see Katherine before noon sit herself at an open oar and quickly picked up the rhythm of rowing with the other slaves. The man setting the pace on a drum came to lock in Katherine to the ankle bracelet he was confused, when Katherine insisted she and the girls did not require to be locked up. He looked quickly to Ivan who was watching, he made the motion to unlock the iron bracelets from the girls

You have given us this freedom. a slave girl muttered.

Where are we going out here? Katherine answered. I just told Ivan he would get more work from a happy crew than one who had to be shackled all the time. Tomorrow I will have the irons removed from the men also, we have no choice to join these men out here in the middle of the ocean. How could we ever hope to find our way home? Perhaps if we accept our life as it is, we will be treated better. They appear to have a destination in mind for us they are trying desperately to put us all with child. I think we are going someplace to start a new village, but where it can be I have no idea. We have been sailing northwest for days now. I don’t have any idea what country we could be going to, but I know there is an island to the northwest called Iceland. Maybe that’s where we are going. Katherine told the slave girls.

After the sun set, Katherine was taken from her place at the oars she was taken to Ivan’s sleeping area. As she entered the area she was handed bread and fish with wine to drink. She placed the meal on a small table approaching Ivan with heated passion. She reached out pulling him to her breast seeking his lips upon hers. He fondled her lightly then kissed her hotly on the lips and neck. He reached for her discarded food motioned for her to eat. He joined her at the meal they enjoyed the cup of wine together. He rose from his chair taking her gown off. Katherine helped by removing his clothing, she pushed him gently back onto his cot. She remembered what extreme pleasure oral sex had given her husband, she lowered her head accepting him into her mouth. The night passed quickly for the busy lovers, sleep did not come until a long time after midnight. Before going to sleep she managed to make him understand that she wanted the ankle shackles removed from the male slaves. She pointed to the broad ocean and made walking and swimming motions with her hands then shrugged as if to say where are they going to go. He understood, and agreed with a grin, a shake of yes from his head. He kissed her gently patted her on the head turned his back to her going to sleep.

‘I wonder who will be the slave from now on.’ She thought to herself. With visions of a blonde man swinging a stout rope at her, she shuddered about what her fate might have been. ‘I better soon give this man a child before he turns me out to be shared by the crew. If I carry his child he will protect me I know he will.’ She smiled dropping off to sleep.

At daylight she took her place at the oars, she noticed that no one was shackled to the boat any longer. The male slaves thanked her for their freedom. She told them it was the custom of the ship to remove the bracelets after the captain saw they were working well. She told them that Ivan was a kind considerate man if they worked well they would be treated very good.

One of the slave girls who had been with the Vikings for a year or more sat beside Katherine. I have learned how to speak the language I understand what they are saying. We are going to a new land to supply a settlement with women and livestock. The settlement was started two years ago, we are the first trip back to replenish the people left there That is why they want pregnant women, there were only a few women left there before.

The woman’s name was Jane Talbot she was young about nineteen years of age with flaming red hair, she told Katherine she had lost two children when the Vikings had raided her village on the Iles of Mann two years ago. With a look of glee she said, I am with child now, Ivan is the father. I am so fortunate to have him as the father as some of the other sailors are cruel to the slaves.

Somewhat startled that her recent lover had fathered a child with another woman Katherine was speechless. It’s the sailor’s duty to have all the slave women with child before we reach the settlement so we can’t expect the men to pull away from this pleasurable task. Katherine we must remember we are slaves not wives as such are at the mercy of our owners. Try very hard to please your master, an owner can claim a slave as his wife as such she becomes free in the Viking community, she is accepted as an equal. The settlement we are going to, is made up mostly of slaves with some control by Viking men. We have a great chance of becoming wives there. So accept our fate while here on the ocean, perhaps when we arrive on land our choices will be different.

Katherine thanked her new friend for her wise advice she asked.

Can you teach me how to speak their tongue; it would be a great to be able to understand and talk with the men.

My duties are only here at the oars, unfortunately as I am with child, I no longer have the pleasure of sharing Ivan’s bed. My times away from the oars are my own. I can teach you then. I can teach you during the time on the oars, you can learn from me as we work. I know Ivan is working very hard to have you in a family way. I am very jealous to see him having another woman as a lover but understand that it is a duty he must perform. When he has his seed in your womb he will move on to another woman. Accept it, do not cause him grief, It will only cause you hardship.

Katherine began to feel a chill in the air she knew it was weather related not because of the news she had just learned. She had been given an old dress when she came on board Bruno’s ship it was the only clothing she had. Suddenly she saw Ivan approaching with leather clothing and sheepskin vests. He gave the clothing to Jane and herself. He told Jane an iceberg was on the horizon it was approaching them that it would be cold from now on. He removed Katherine from her place at the oars and led her away to his sleeping area. Once there he removed her clothing, and began to use her body. To Katherine this seemed to be no longer shared love but a duty he was performing. However as he entered her, she quickly rose to meet him full of desire and need. She kissed him with passion receiving the same response from him. He smiled at her then settled into the act of intercourse knowing it didn’t hurt if one enjoyed his work. When he spilled his seed into her they lay side by side, Katherine began to fondle him trying to arouse him once more. She lowered her head to his maleness then began to give him pleasure. He rose to her challenge of continuing the act.

‘Katherine thought. ‘You have preformed your duty, now bring us both the pleasure lovers seek.’ He did not fail, half an hour later, they both were satisfied with each other’s performance. Katherine knew that this was more than a duty for Ivan, that each of them had a special bond growing between them. ‘I may have to share you with other women as you do your duty, but when you require love, you will return to me to fill that need.’ Katherine understood.

The direction of travel changed to due north, the slaves shipped their oars as the huge iceberg floated by the two hundred yards away. Shore bird flew from the ice landing on the boat. The ice had a silver blue hue to it the slaves had to lean their heads well back to see the top of the berg.

My God that is beautiful, but I am nervous with it so close to us. Jane exclaimed. Just then the ice berg calved a huge chunk of ice crashed down from the top heights and crashed into the sea. A large wave came rolling with ice chunks towards the boats. Bruno’s long boat was the closest to the ice, the wave swept over the craft. The after math of the wave lessened as it came against the other boats, it rocked them violently they took water over the sides but little damage was done. The long boats pulled their sails, they turned their crafts back towards Bruno’s boat which was awash with water it could flounder at any moment It was staying a float but barely. The safe boats could see livestock and people in the water. The people were trying to swim back to the stranded craft they were seeking something to grasp onto while they waited to be pulled to safety. Crates of chickens and Geese were floating in the water as was bales of hay and straw. The boats closed in upon the stranded long boat, they saw a young child floating in the water. Sheep and goats were swimming in frantic circles. The child was plucked from the water and laid out on deck. Women rushed to aid the child but they soon realized the child was dead.

Vikings were using pails and barrels, began to bail the boat. The child was slipped back into the water; the boats coming to their aid were gathering the floating animals and hay. A close eye was kept on the floating ice threat as the Vikings recovered from the close call.

A meeting was called by Hunder, the Captains gathered on Bruno’s boat.

The only loss of life had been the young boy with no great consequence to the Vikings. They were nearing the western shores they soon would be going north east as a compass course. A twenty four hour watch was maintained for the icebergs going south with the current if they stumbled into a berg while lashed together at night or in fog they could lose boats.

Gathor told them that soon they would be in floating ice packs they would be seeing white bears and seals. Whales would be seen constantly and cod fish would be so numerous it would slow the boats as they attempted to sail through them. The cod could be had by lowering buckets and barrels into the sea. Every captain but Ivan doubted the word of Gathor, but like Gathor, Ivan had seen it all before on the last voyage through these same waters. Gathor Hunder asked if the other Captains had anything to add before they continued on. The ice berg was slipping south was now a mile away.

Yes, spoke Bruno. I want my private captive slave returned. She was taken by Ivan he is using her for his own use, he is not sharing her with the crew. I was the one who captured her, if she is to be personal property I demand it to be me.

What do you have to say about this Ivan? Gathor asked.

"Bruno was killing the slave girl. He had beaten her so badly that she was unable to work the oars for days. His crew complained that he was failing at putting the woman with child, he was beating