Lois Walfrid Johnson - Mystery of the Silver Coins

M YSTERY
of the S ILVER
C OINS

L OIS W ALFRID J OHNSON

M OODY P UBLISHERS
CHICAGO

2003 by
L OIS W ALFRID J OHNSON

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form without permission in writing from the publisher, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles or reviews.

Glendalough is a real placean Irish monastery that grew from the inspiration of St. Kevin in the 6th century. Ive described Glendalough as it was in the late 900s. But with the exception of St. Kevin and St. Patrick, all names and characters, including Brother Cronan, Bree, Devin, their family, and friends are fictitious.

Brynjulf, a high-ranking chieftain, and his son are described in Egils saga and Among the Fjords and Mountains: A Summary of Aurlands History, as living in Aurland, Norway, before the year 900. With the exception of Brynjulf and his son, who are mentioned in the acknowledgments, not the story, all names and characters, including Mikkel, his family, and friends are fictitious.

Any resemblance to persons living or dead is coincidental.

The prayer in chapter 8 is from the Book of Cerne, tenth century, and in public domain. From A Celtic Psaltery, compiled by David Adam, London: SPCK, 2001.

All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version. NIV. Copyright 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Publishing House. All rights reserved.

Scripture quotations marked NKJV are taken from the New King James Version. Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Published in association with the literary agency of Alive Communications, Inc., 7680 Goddard Street, Suite 200, Colorado Springs, Colorado 80920.

Cover Design: Barb Fisher, LeVan Fisher Design

Text Illustrations: Greg Call

Interior Design: Ragont Design

Editor: Cessandra Dillon

ISBN: 978-0-8024-3113-4

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To Anders Ohnstad
because you have chosen to live with courage
and to
each of you
who choose to do the same

13. Lonesome for Home

T oday Bergen, Norway is known as the only city in the world surrounded by seven mountains and seven fjords. It is believed that during Viking times there was a small settlement called Holmen in the area where King Haakons Hall and the Rosenkrantz Tower now stand. It is also believed that a kings farm named Alrekstad was located nearby.

If youre in Bergen and would like to see this story through the eyes of Bree, Mikkel, and their friends, climb the trails or take the cable railway up Mount Flyen. Enjoy the view and the fun of knowing that there could be a mystery right under your feet!

I n the silence of night Briana OTooles deep brown eyes peered into the darkness. As she waited for exactly the right moment, the wind off the Norwegian Sea caught her flyaway hair. On the Viking ship around her other prisoners slept, but Bree kept watch. This might be her one hope of escape.

A few hours earlier, Vikings had drawn their longship onto a beach on the west coast of Norway. Now the two men standing guard on one side of the ship began talking to guards on the other side. And still Bree waited.

On that September night late in the tenth century, time grew long. Then came the moment Bree hoped for. When a black cloud moved above the ship, the heavens opened, and rain poured down upon them.

At the far end of the ship the four guards took refuge under the sail spread out like a tent. Without making a sound, Bree woke her young friend Lil.

Shhh! Dont speak! Bree whispered close to her ear. Its time to go.

Silently they dropped their bundles from the ship. As they climbed over the side, the full force of the storm struck them. Wind and rain slashed at Brees face as she snatched up the bundles she had prepared. Giving one to Lil, Bree took the rest herself and started across the beach.

Pounding rain covered the sound of their feet on the small stones near the shore. In the dark of the storm no moon betrayed them. No stars gave them light. Staying as far as possible from other ships in the harbor, Bree headed for a line of trees behind a cluster of houses.

When they reached the trees, Bree pulled Lil into the shadows and stopped to listen. In that instant a dog barked.

Lil gasped. Reaching out, Bree touched her arm in warning. As still as the stones of the land they stood.

The bark came from a house close to the shore. In spite of the rain, Bree could see the dark outline of the back of the house. If the dog startled the guards on Mikkels shipif the guards found prisoners missingif they went to find Mikkel

If, if, if. All of them held the threat of danger. And all of them centered on Mikkel.

Only one year older than Bree, the fourteen-year-old led the band of Vikings that had captured the two girls. When the raiders plundered a monastery in the Wicklow Mountains of Ireland, they carried off rich treasure. From the surrounding countryside they took captives for ransom or slavery.

Again the dog barked. If the guards knew something was wrong, they would bring Mikkel back to the ship. As his prisoners, Bree and Lil were now slaves. That is, unless they escaped.

The next time the dog barked, it sounded closer. As though in reply, a second dog barked, then a third.

Lil shivered in fear. Can we climb a tree? she whispered.

Bree looked up. The lowest branches were far above them. Even if she lifted Lil on her shoulders, the younger girl wouldnt be able to reach.

As the pounding rain changed to a soft mist, a dog rounded the corner of the house. Even in the dark, Bree could see its white hair. Head to the ground, it sniffed its way along the side wall.

Moments later another dog joined the first. Yipping between themselves, they moved back and forth, close to where Bree and Lil had walked.

Bree held her breath. Did the rain wash away our scent?

Kneeling down behind a tree, Bree opened one of her bundles. Deep inside was the small hoard of food she had hidden away. If the dogs found them, she needed to be ready.

Her hands cold with fear, Bree touched the pieces of flatbread. If she gave them to the dogs, she and Lil would have no food. Filled with dread, Bree started to pray.

In ever-widening circles the dogs moved out, their noses to the ground. Then a third dog joined the first two. How many are there? An entire pack?

Yipping and barking, the dogs came closer and closer to where Bree and Lil hid.