Stolen Away (16 page)

She looked back at Chocan, then up at Thorfinn with a calm, knowing gaze. “You're wrong, Thorfinn. He does. And I think I just realized that it is my home as well.”

Mats appeared at Thorfinn's side.

“Kiera! What are you doing?”

She smiled warmly at the confused young Viking. “Mats, I like you, but there is no way I'm going to marry you. Sorry.”

Kiera swung the knife and severed the line between herself and the Vikings. She watched placidly as the longboat pulled away. The stunned faces of the Viking crew melted into the hazy morning mist.

“What are you doing?” asked Chocan.

He was just as shocked as the Vikings by the turn of events. She gazed towards the fading ship, watching in silence as the vessel and ocean became one. Then, slowly, she turned to gaze into his bewildered eyes. She reached out and touched him on the arm.

“You were right all along, Chocan. Going home to Ireland was just a dream. I know now that I have already found my home and family. It has been right here all along.”

Picking up the paddle, she turned the inuak south. Choosing her distant landmark, Kiera rode the waves back towards the rugged but welcoming coast.

One Year Later

The caribou hunt was once again a success. The entire Beothuck nation celebrated their good fortune with several planned days of joyous festivity. On the first night, after the massive feast but before the raucous dancing was to begin, Chocan stood up behind the crude table laden with cooked delicacies and raised his arms for attention. The table itself was a topic of wondrous discussion, for the legs were braced with strange sharp stones that Kiera and Chocan called nails.

Chocan waited for the large crowd to calm, then he went on once again to describe the adventures he and Kiera had shared on their way to the Viking village. The tale of their escape from the Thule was met with awe and excitement. Howls of laughter erupted as Chocan described how Kiera had spun stories of evil monsters and nasty bands of Beothuck, all prepared to destroy any future Viking incursion. It was a shock to everyone when Chocan, at the end of his story, announced that he and Kiera would be leaving.

“Why?” asked Nadie, the first to recover from the news.

Chocan nodded to Kiera, who stood up and moved to his side.

“I want to take Kiera for a visit to the village of the Teachers. To my home. Since she will never be able to return to Ireland, she should at least see what her ancestors were able to accomplish here, across the ocean from her homeland. Sooleawaa has agreed to stay with you and continue the Teaching.”

“When will you return?”

“We don't know.”

“And when will you leave?”

“As soon as possible. To take advantage of the northern winds but before the winter storms begin to blow.”

Nadie frowned. She stood up and gathered with the other elders. While the elders conversed, Shawnadit ran up from the outer tables and wrapped herself around Kiera. Kiera couldn't believe how much her little angel had grown in only a year. The skirt Shawnadit was wearing and had created with her own needle was an excellent first effort for the young seamstress.

“You're leaving again?” asked Shawnadit, upset at the news.

Kiera lowered herself to one knee and lifted the young girl's fallen chin with her finger.

“Yes, but I will come back. Chocan is taking me on a trip to see his home.”

Shawnadit squeezed her. “Can I please come too?”

“I would love to take you, my little shadow, but it will be a very dangerous ocean crossing. I'm not going to risk your life out on the open ocean.”

“I don't mind,” Shawnadit said hopefully.

“But I do,” replied Kiera. “You have to look after Nadie and the rest of the band for me. Your skirt is the talk of the Meeting Place. You'll be in charge of garment repairs while I am away.”

Shawnadit nodded solemnly, then enveloped Kiera in an enormous hug.

“Hurry back.”

The young girl ran back to her table as the elders returned.

“We have decided that we would like to help you in any way possible. The trip is long and dangerous. In our lives, no one has attempted a crossing from east to west.”

Chocan stepped forward. “Thank you, Nadie, and thank you to the other elders as well. I know the trip west will have its risks, but we are willing to accept those risks. I am sorry that I must leave you for a short time. You are my family, and we promise to return.”

“You are my family as well,” offered Kiera. “I will never be able to thank you enough for adopting me into your tribe and into your hearts.”

Nadie nodded. “Kiera, you are as much a daughter to me as any other member of my band. Thank you for choosing us as your family. And Chocan, I speak for the entire nation when I say that we will miss you. You have brought a great amount of joy and prosperity to our people. May you and Kiera have a safe trip home.”

“We are going back to my place of birth,” said Chocan, pausing, “but here, with you, will always be my home.”

T
he massive sea canoe was portaged in shifts by six muscular warriors through the descending hills of the western woods. Chocan and Kiera were glad for the help. They already had their hands full with their own bags and belongings. It took nearly a week for the group to reach their destination. It was the only southwestward flowing river in this part of Beothuck territory. Chocan thanked the warriors for their help by presenting them with a surprise. He passed to each one a carefully crafted harpoon tip, copied from the one he had discovered in the Thule inuak. The warriors, stone-faced and mainly silent for the entire journey, lit up with childish excitement. They couldn't believe that they finally had this long-sought prize in their hands. Chocan carefully explained how the weapon worked, then wished them luck with the spring seal hunt. The ecstatic warriors thanked the two travellers before heading back to the Meeting Place with smiles that could have brightened the entire night sky.

The next day, Kiera took the bow, while Chocan manned the stern of the canoe. Chocan concentrated on the steering of the craft down the tricky river. He needed to be careful, for their canoe was designed with a deep, pointed keel that, in the ocean, would provide them with stability, but could be easily damaged on shallow boulders.

It took a week for them to reach the salt water of the ocean. They followed the craggy shore until they came to a narrow peninsula that stretched out towards the western ocean, set aflame by the setting crimson sun.

Chocan guided the canoe into a protected cove, where they unloaded the craft, then pulled it safely away from the water's edge. The nearby clearing would be their temporary home.

“This is where I met my first Beothuck many years ago,” he explained as he led the hike up the rocky face of the cliff to a ledge that looked majestically over the seemingly unending expanse of ocean. He pointed just south of where the sun had set only moments before.

“There. That is Mi'kmaq territory.”

Kiera squinted at the hazy line, where the crimson sky met the sea.

“I don't see anything but water. Are you sure?” asked Kiera.

Chocan smiled. “You doubt me? Only on a perfect day can a smudge of land been seen on the horizon. But trust me, it is there.”

“What do we do now?” asked Kiera.

“We wait.”

“Wait for what?”

“Wait for the wind to be just right. With the help of your leather cloud, it should be a two-day journey. This is a dangerous time of year to attempt the crossing. Fierce windstorms can strike with little warning. We must be careful in determining which night will be best for the attempt.”

“Night?” questioned Kiera. “Would it not be easier paddling in the day?”

He shook his head. “At night, the wind calms, and the waves will not be as threatening. It will be safer travelling then.”

“So we might be here for a while.”

Chocan nodded. “We will have to be patient but ready to go at a moment's notice.”

Kiera reached forward and playfully smudged the ochre on Chocan's cheek. “So do your people stain themselves as well?”

Chocan smiled. “It has been so long that I had nearly forgotten. No, they do not. We'll have to scrub ourselves clean before we leave.”

Kiera laughed. “We better set up camp. I'll go and get our blankets.”

Kiera disappeared down the path that led back to the clearing. Chocan turned as well, but hesitated. His eyes were drawn back to the western twilight. After all of their adventures in the past year, was he now pushing their luck with this final journey? Did he dare take Kiera out into the middle of the ocean on a voyage that had not been attempted in more than a generation?

He took a deep breath. Then a voice echoed in his mind…Important decisions should be made with your heart and your mind. He said a prayer, reached into his soul, and listened. The reply came as a whisper in the wind. His worries and fears gently evaporated. Smiling, he turned and started down the path after Kiera.

It was five days before the weather chose to cooperate with the travellers. From the north came a gentle but chilly breeze. The pounding waves that had been crashing against the mighty cliffs calmed to a gentle rumble. The adventurers were ready. With the canoe packed, they pushed off with the morning breeze and paddled westward. The craft bobbed on the open ocean as Kiera lifted the sail into position. The deep keel of the canoe kept the tiny ocean craft on course as she manned the sails and Chocan worked his paddle in a rudder-like fashion.

As midnight approached, the wind that had been so helpful completely dissipated, and they had to resort to using their paddles in order to continue their westward journey. A sea of twinkling stars filled the ebony sky above their heads. Chocan guided the craft towards a star in the west. As it was about to disappear, he chose the next star above it as their guiding light.

“With the ocean this calm,” commented Chocan, “we should be able to make Tuywegannmikuk by daybreak.”

“Where?” asked Kiera, muffling a yawn with the back of her hand.

“It's a small island between our two lands. It will give us shelter in case the weather changes.”

“I can't believe that there's no wind tonight. I don't think I've ever seen the ocean this calm before.”

“Nor I,” agreed Chocan, concern in his voice.

“Are you worried about something?” asked Kiera.

“Yes. Look ahead.”

Kiera strained her eyes to see what was bothering Chocan, but all she could see was inky darkness.

“I don't see anything.”

“Exactly. Where are the stars?”

She looked again, and a chill ran down her spine. Along the horizon, the stars had disappeared, replaced by a band of forbidding black.

“What is it?”

Chocan paused. “Fog.”

A light mist began to tickle Kiera's face as they continued to plow westward with renewed enthusiasm. Within minutes, however, the fog had erased almost the entire sky. They both stopped paddling.

“I've lost the star,” said Chocan, concern in his voice. “Without it, we might end up paddling our canoe in circles.”

Kiera's mind swirled, trying to think of a solution to their dilemma. An idea pulled her eyes upwards.

“It's all right,” said Kiera, calmly. “We can still use the stars.”

“How?” asked Chocan. “We have no idea which way is west.”

“My Viking masters made up stories to go along with each pattern, or constellation, of stars,” she explained. “And these patterns are fixed in the sky, always in the same orientation, moving east to west. I recognize that group up there,” she said, pointing up and to the right, “the one that looks like a big plow; it is always north. So if we keep it to our right, then we will still be heading west.”

“Good,” said Chocan, looking at the constellation to which she was pointing. “Just one thing, Kiera. What's a plow?”

Kiera giggled. “It's a thing that's dragged behind a horse for planting…Wait, you don't know what a horse is, either. You know what? Why don't we switch places and you let me steer. After a year of watching you crash us into rocks and shoals, I think I can now handle the stern seat.”

“The stern is yours,” offered Chocan, laughing.

After a moment of shuffling around the stored baggage, they set off again, heading into the cool mist. They paddled until the sky began to brighten with the anticipated sunrise. The fog, however, thickened above them until even the stars above had disappeared.

They stopped once again.

“Now what? The stars are completely gone. And I don't think the fog is going to let us see the sunrise either.”

Chocan held up his hand.

“Do you hear it?” he whispered.

Kiera paused. “What?”

“Listen.”

Beyond the lapping of the waves against the hull was what sounded like the deep snores of a huge animal. The rumbling disappeared, only to occur once more. It continued in a slow, rhythmic pattern. Chocan smiled. “The island.”

Using the sound of the breakers to guide them, the paddlers pushed forward, stopping every so often to discuss the direction of the sound. In a surprisingly short amount of time, the distant roar developed into a colossal boom. The waves started to increase in size.

“I think we're close,” said Chocan.

Suddenly, a towering rocky cliff materialized out of the grey gloom directly in front of them. A wave grabbed the canoe and launched it towards the jagged teeth of the thundering rock face.

“I think we're too close!” shouted Kiera.

In panic, Kiera and Chocan paddled ferociously backwards against the foaming breakers. Sea water crashed over the stern, soaking not only their backs but all of their belongings as well. They were wet and shivering by the time they eased their way back into the rolling waves of the open ocean. Keeping a safe distance from the ominous shore, Chocan steered them around to the opposite end of the island, where the sheer cliffs gave way to a small, protective harbour.

Thankfully, they pulled the canoe out of the ocean and onto a pebbled beach. Unloading their belongings, the two retreated away from the shore and built a simple shelter under the protection of a small cave within the foot of a towering slab of rock. Chocan and Kiera crawled underneath their damp blankets and fell sound asleep.

It was afternoon before they awoke to the cries of seagulls and the light of the afternoon sun. Kiera rubbed her sore shoulders.

“My shoulders are as tight as knots,” commented Kiera. “How are yours?”

Chocan rubbed his middle. “I don't think there is an ache in my body that compares to the rumbling in my stomach.”

Kiera laughed. “I can take a hint. You get the fire going, and I'll prepare dinner.”

Night was already falling by the time they sat on their driftwood benches and sipped on a delicious seafood soup, followed by dried berries. Chocan looked out at the sky beyond the breakers on the beach.

“The wind is still calm. We may be able to continue the journey to my home tonight.”

Kiera could see the excitement in his eyes. “That's fantastic news. From what I saw this morning, I think the less time we spend on this desolate island, the better. How can I help?”

Chocan picked up a dry piece of driftwood.

“We need to gather as much wood as possible.”

“But we already have enough for cooking our dinner,” she pointed out.

“Not for cooking, for a signal,” he explained. “We will start a bonfire here on the beach. If all goes well, we will see a response from my nation tonight.”

After an hour of gathering and piling, several burning sticks from the cooking fire were brought to a towering pile of driftwood near the water's edge. It didn't take long for the ocean breeze to whip the wood into a raging bonfire. Sparks danced high into the darkening sky. They sat on a large piece of west-facing driftwood and told stories of the sea until the full moon rose high into the night sky.

“There!” she yelled, pointing into the darkness.

Where the land had melted into the inky black of night, a tiny spot of orange could be seen, flickering like the tiniest of fireflies.

Chocan rose and stepped towards the already packed canoe. “Let's go.”

Using the sail and favourable winds, the coast of the distant land slowly approached, until the sound of booming breakers welcomed the travellers to their final destination. Chocan guided them along the coast towards the light of the fire. In the morning twilight, he spied a small beach. He turned the canoe towards the shore and expertly rode a breaker up onto the sandy landing. They dragged the canoe to the edge of a pine forest, scraped together a rough mattress of needles, and threw their blankets on top of the pile. It was midday before Kiera managed to rouse herself for breakfast.

Chocan had a meal of cooked fish already prepared. Although their bodies were sore from two days of paddling, they agreed to continue the voyage. They sailed southwest, along the base of breathtaking rocky cliffs that were capped with vast expanses of green forests. Chocan explained that the fire had been on the top of one of the cliffs. Kiera, however, could not find any sign of human activity. Eventually, the cliffs gave way to magnificent forests that stretched right down to the ocean's rocky shore. It was early evening when they rounded a point that opened up into a deep bay. Kiera pointed to the first sign of human life in this new land. A thin column of black smoke rose up from behind the wind-swept cedars at the far end of the bay.

There they found a dozen empty canoes lining the muddy shore of a river. They were different from the Beothuck design, with flatter bottoms and no rise midway along their sides. Chocan ran their canoe up next to the others. Kiera jumped over the side and dragged the bow up onto the mud.

A twig snapped behind her. Surprised, she spun and looked into the handsome face of a tall man with a long, hawkish nose. His hair was long, braided and light brown. He wore an open vest and a pair of dyed leather pants. His almond-coloured eyes seemed transfixed by her friendly green-eyed stare. Kiera stepped forward, her hand extended.