Catla and the Vikings by Mary Nelson Page A

open on all sides but almost full. We can hide behind it and be close to the goat pen. The Nord—Norsemen, won’t know about the path.”
    â€œCatla’s right,” Sven said. “The shed is almost full and no one pays any attention to the bushes beyond. It is the best way into Covehithe. We’ll come out very close to the prisoners.”
    â€œHow far is it from the goat pen to the peat hut?” Matthew said.
    â€œOnly about three oars’ lengths,” Sven replied. “Do you agree, Catla?”
    At her nod, Hugh said, “This sounds like our best plan. Better than passing the Norsemen before we free the prisoners. What do you all think?”
    â€œIt’s far enough away from the council fire that the Norsemen won’t hear,” Sven added.
    â€œI agree,” Matthew said.
    â€œThen it’s settled,” Hugh said. The talk became more general. Catla was excited. Her plan was a good one, and Hugh had listened. Maybe she would talk to her father about Olav and the things that were bothering her about him. Maybe he’d listen too.
    She looked around for landmarks to tell how far they’d come. Aigber was no longer in sight. They’d passed the Elder Bush Hill some way back, so she knew they were getting close to the standing stones. Some distance ahead was a stand of oaks like those beside the stones. Her long shadow bobbed across the headland. The dips and mounds were like dark pouches and the bushes looked dusky on their shadow sides. The sun was more than halfway down the sky, but it warmed her back.
    â€œWe’ve covered a good distance,” said Hugh. “The moon is over half full, and it’s rising late. Its light will help us. Our night vision will get better as it gets darker. The Norsemen will have been standing guard, looking into campfires.”
    Catla remembered how thick and black the night seemed when she turned away from the council fire. At first everything was black, like soot-shadows under the ridgepole of her cottage. Then gradually she’d see the shape of things again.
    â€œAye,” said Hindley. “The captains always said to look beyond the fire or stand with our backs to it on guard duty, although usually we looked at the flames. And we couldn’t see into the night. They’ll do the same. They underestimate us and won’t be worried. The night will be dark enough to protect us.”
    â€œWhat if there’s a sentry on top of the hill to watch the heath?” asked Catla.
    â€œThey’ll not bother,” Hugh said. “They won’t expect trouble from this direction. I doubt they’ll expect trouble at all, but we’ll send a scout to check. Good idea, Catla.”
    â€œYou’re right,” Matthew said. “We’re the only two villages along this piece of land. They’re used to controlling small places like ours.”
    â€œThey’ll look to the sea for the ship,” said Edith, “and won’t expect it until the morrow. We’ll surprise them this night.”
    This night. The words seemed to echo, and Catla was startled to realize this was only her second night away from home. Last night she’d slept alone in the standing stones. So much had happened, the time seemed longer.
    By now, other villagers crowded in to listen and offer opinions. Ideas flew around like starlings, so fast Catla couldn’t keep track of who was saying what.
    One voice was loud and clear. “I’m not sure that bracken path will work.”
    â€œWe should gather on top of the hill that overlooks the village, and at the signal, we’ll rush them.”
    â€œNo, that would get some of us killed, for sure. Why don’t we…?”
    â€œThe sea. Go down to the sea and around over the beach and rocks, and come up…”
    â€œThat might work, but aren’t the…?”
    â€œNo, it’d take too long. And anyway, how do you get down to the