Free Viking Ships at Sunrise by Mary Pope Osborne Page B

Latin.”
    â€œThe
Dark
Ages?” said Jack.
    â€œYes,” said Morgan. “The time after the fall of the Roman Empire.”
    â€œWhy is it called
dark?
” said Jack.
    â€œIt was a difficult time,” said Morgan. “People had to work very hard just to feed and clothe themselves. There was not a lot of time for playing, learning, or making art and music.”
    Morgan pulled a book from her robe.
    â€œYour research,” she said, handing it to Annie. The title read:
Ireland Long Ago
.
    â€œRemember,” said Morgan. “Your research book will guide you. But in your darkest hour—”
    â€œOnly the ancient story can save us,” Jack and Annie said together.
    â€œAnd remember this,” said Morgan. “It must be your
darkest
hour, when there is no hope left. If you ask for help too soon, it will not come.”
    â€œAnd we have to find the story
first
,” said Annie.
    â€œThat is true,” said Morgan. “Do you have your secret library cards?”
    Jack and Annie nodded.
    â€œShow them to the wisest person you meet,” said Morgan.
    â€œDon’t worry,” said Annie. “I think we’re ready now.”
    Annie pointed at the cover of the Ireland book.
    â€œI wish we could go there,” she said. She gave Morgan a little wave. “See you soon.”
    â€œGood luck!” said Morgan.
    The wind started to blow.
    The tree house started to spin.
    It spun faster and faster.
    Then everything was still.
    Absolutely still.

Jack opened his eyes.
    The light was still gray, but the air was even damper and colder than in Frog Creek.
    â€œWow, I’m in a long dress,” said Annie. “It’s scratchy. Hey, I’ve got a little purse on my belt. It has my library card in it!”
    Jack looked down at his own clothes.
    He was wearing a shirt and trousers, made of heavy wool. He also wore leather slippers. And in place of his backpack was a leather bag.
    â€œWow,” said Annie, looking out the window. “This really looks like the Dark Ages.”
    Jack looked out, too. He couldn’t see anything through the mist.
    â€œIt’s just because the sun’s not up yet,” he said. “I’d better check the book.”
    Annie handed the Ireland book to Jack. He opened it and read aloud:
    The early Middle Ages were once known as the “Dark Ages” because learning and culture nearly vanished throughout Europe. Scholars today praise the brave Irish monks who helped keep Western civilization alive.
    â€œWhat do ‘civilization’ and ‘monks’ mean?” asked Annie.
    â€œI think civilization is when people have books and art and good manners,” said Jack. “Monks are religious people who spend their time praying and reading and helping people.”
    â€œWell, I don’t see any civilization
or
monks out there,” said Annie, pointing at the mist.
    Jack pulled out his notebook. He wrote:

    Then he looked at Annie. “If we find civilization, I think we’ll find the lost story,” he said.
    â€œLet’s go,” said Annie. She lifted her skirt and climbed out the window.
    Jack read more in the Ireland book.
    The monks copied the ancient writings of the Western world. Before printing was invented, all books had to be written and copied by hand.
    â€œHey, we’re on a cliff!” Annie called from outside. “Above the ocean!”
    â€œBe careful!” said Jack.
    He stuffed the Ireland book and his notebook into his leather bag. Then he climbed out the window.
    Annie was peering over the edge. Jack looked, too.
    There was a rocky shore twenty feet below. Waves slapped against the rocks. Sea gulls swooped and glided above the sea.
    â€œIt doesn’t look like there’s any civilization down
there
,” said Jack.
    â€œMaybe we should climb those,” said Annie. She pointed to steep steps cut into the cliff.
    Jack looked up. The cliff