Catla and the Vikings by Mary Nelson Read Free Book Online Page B

hand.
    â€œThat’s Hugh, Edith’s husband,” Wulfric said to Catla. “He’s the headman and has the gift. He’ll listen and judge your tale.”
    Sven and Catla knew Hugh. They bobbed their heads in a small bow to him. Sven poked Catla in the ribs to urge her to start.
    â€œLast day, before short shadow, Nord-devils came and set fire to Covehithe.” She paused and waited for the gasps and exclamations to end. “There was smoke everywhere. They herded people toward our goat pen.” She stood suddenly to emphasize her words. “What if they’re taken and sold as slaves? I’ll never see them again. Come back with us. Help us!” Then suddenly she could say no more, as if all her air had been pushed out of her.
    The villagers turned to their neighbors and a hubbub of talk started again. Someone called out, “Did you see Sarah?”
    â€œWas anyone killed?” another voice asked.
    The iron ring sounded again, but more softly this time, and everyone looked at Hugh.
    â€œOrder.” His face was hard as he looked at Catla. “We’ve not seen a slave raid for years. The Norse ships didn’t bother us on their way to the battles by York. But then they were defeated. They could be trying to make up their war losses with some slaves. Grim news, indeed. How many men are there?”
    Sven took up the story and answered Hugh’s question first. “I think more than ten, but we didn’t count.” Then he spoke to the rest of the gathering. “Catla saw this, not I. I was in York yesterday. I found her sleeping at the standing stones last night on her way here. No one travels at night unless they are hard pressed. Covehithe needs you.”
    Sven opened his mouth to continue, but Catla broke in. “There’s more. On this day, not long after sunup, we saw Nord-devils beside the hill, the one with the elders on top. They got into their ship and pulled into the river, coming this way. They’re the men who invaded Covehithe. They’ll take you for slaves too. Your families will be torn apart. Our villages will disappear. They’re coming here.” Catla almost yelled the last words in her urgency to have them come with her, back to Covehithe, now. Why didn’t they move?
    A new babble of voices arose until Wulfric raised his right arm for order. “Quiet. Quiet, I say. Are we a council or not? Act like a council and think. Listen. Hugh will guide us through our plan.”
    People fell silent as Hugh moved forward. “Covehithe is in desperate trouble. They need our help. That much is very clear. We’ll help them. We’ll be attacked soon though, and then we will see the good of our plan. First, we must protect the children. Mothers, gather whatever you need to take the children to the hill fort. Leave quickly, as soon as you’re ready. Then we’ll finish preparing for the Norsemen. After that, we’ll help our neighbors in Covehithe.”
    Catla listened but didn’t understand what he meant about a hill fort and a plan prepared for the Norsemen. She did understand Covehithe would get help, but she didn’t know when. She wanted it to be now.

CHAPTER SIX
    Setting the Trap
    As Hugh finished speaking, a group of boys around Sven’s age appeared from behind the cottage closest to the river’s edge. Edith plucked Wulfric’s sleeve to move him aside, and the boys strode into the circle. A red-haired one said, “We heard a call to council, but there was one last knot to tie. Sorry to be late.” Their wide smiles showed white teeth against their dirty faces.
    Catla recognized Fergus, whom she knew from the Longest Day celebrations, but she wasn’t sure who the others were. Sweat formed muddy paths down their foreheads and cheeks so it was hard to tell.
    Hugh smiled back and said, “Good reason to be late, Fergus. Are you lads finished?”
    Fergus glanced around the ring of