Lois Walfrid Johnson - Raiders from the Sea

I could almost taste the salt spray as Raiders from the Sea swept me away to another place and another time.This is historical fiction at its best: gripping, well-researched, spiritually solid, and with equal appeal to boys and girls. I cant wait to read the next one!

Robet Elmer

Author of the Young Underground

and Promise of Zion series

Page-turning adventure on the high seas! Both entertaining and educational, Raiders from the Sea is a compelling read. Not to be missed!

Beverly Lewis

Author of the Girls Only

and SummerHill Secrets series

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, all names and characters, including Brother Cronan, Bree, Devin, their family, and friends are fictitious. Any resemblance to persons living or dead is coincidental.

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

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

Editor: Cassandra Dillon

Cover Design: Barb Fisher, LeVan Fisher Design

Text Illustrations: Greg Call

Interior Design: Ragont Design

ISBN: 978-0-8024-3112-7

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To Elaine
Thank you
for encouraging the dream,
and then
walking the mountains
and seashores with me.

T oday exciting explorations take us to the mysteries of out space and wonders deep in the sea. In the days of the Vikings awesome adventures, including their discovery of the NewWorld, lay just beyond the horizon. Yet whatever the time, something remains the same young people like you with big dreams, the curiosity for adventure, and warm, courageous hearts.

W ithout making a sound, Briana OToole slipped out the door to walk the mountain behind her home. In the half-light before dawn her reddish blonde hair swirled around her face. Her brown eyes peered into the mist that hid the valley below.

From the time she was born, Bree had lived in the Wicklow Mountains of Ireland. As if they were close friends, she knew every bush, tree, and stone along the path. What she didnt know was that this September day in the late tenth century marked the end of her old life and a new beginning.

After a steep climb, Bree reached her favorite spot on the side of Brockagh Mountain. When the breeze came, she felt it first upon her face. Moments later, the rising sun broke through the mist. The distant waters of the Irish Sea drew Bree in a way she couldnt explain even to herself. If only I could know whats out there.

For Bree the thought was not new. Years ago it started as a hungera curiosity that built with each story she heard about life in distant places. By now her wish to know the world beyond Ireland was a longing that wouldnt go away. What would it be like to see faraway lands?

Still watching the sea, Bree felt the dream of adventure. Then a whisper of fear crept into her thoughts. Would I have the courage Id need?

Her brother, Devin, seemed brave enough for most anything. But Bree knew an unknown world might be frightening too. Whenever friends gathered in the cottages of Ireland, she heard stories aboutVikings and their fast ships with the dragon heads. Fierce raiders from the North countries, they fell like lightning upon a peaceful countryside.

Bree shivered. Please, God, not here. Not ever again.

As the red ball of light grew large, the sun glittered and danced on the sea. Tossing her long hair over her shoulders, Bree shrugged off her worry. Shed let nothing spoil the wonder of this, her thirteenth birthday. In a loose-fitting blue dress that gave her the freedom to climb steep hills, Bree felt ready to celebrate.

When she started down the mountain, the mist still hung in the valleys, but she took the long way home. Even without seeing them, Bree knew every turn of the rivers that passed near her familys farm on their way to the Irish Sea.

Below her lay the place where she took her younger brother and sisters swimming. Beyond that sheltered spot, two rivers flowed together. Close by, her father had nearly drowned as a child. Often he warned them about the stepping-stones just upstream.

People think its an easy spot to cross, Daddy said. But if something goes wrong

More than once, he had told Bree what to do if the younger children ever needed help. Always Bree felt glad for the way her dad praised her ability to swim. But now she felt the sun on her face and welcomed its warmth in her thoughts.

Someday Ill travel beyond these mountains, she promised herself. Someday Ill see the world beyond the Irish Sea.

In that moment the mist parted, showing Bree the place where the current ran swift and deep. There on the stepping-stones just above the joining of rivers was a lad with blond hair. Tully!

The boy stood on a rock with his back turned, but Bree felt sure she would recognize him anywhere.Wearing long narrow trousers and a sleeveless tunic, Tully was the son of her daddys best friend. But what was he doing here, so far from home?

Brees heart leaped just thinking about it. Has Tully come to give me a birthday surprise?

It would be just like her mother to plan something special with the Byrne family. But Bree couldnt wait. Moving on silent cat feet, she hurried down the hill, planning a surprise of her own.

On that September day the river ran full from autumn rains. Swirling water covered the stepping-stones on the far side of the river. As Tully moved from one stone to the next, Brees excitement about a birthday surprise changed to uneasiness. Cant he see how swift the current is?

When he reached the last big stone, ready to slip into the water and swim the rest of the way, Bree called a warning. Tully!

At the sound of her voice he started to turn. Suddenly his foot slipped, and he lost his balance. Arms waving, he tumbled into the water.

On bare feet Bree raced to the edge of the river and followed the stones into the stream. There she found her worst fears true. Tully had hit his head when he fell. He lay facedown just beneath the surface of the water.