Free Stolen Away by Christopher Dinsdale Page A

nightmare.
    With a jerk, her sling came to a stop. Chocan moved in front of her and took her hands. “Stand,” he said kindly.
    â€œAre…are you sure?” Kiera felt further panic.
    He nodded. Gently, he helped her to her feet. Her legs shook with the effort. She smiled as her leg took the weight without pain. He shuffled her around so that she faced the same direction as the other members of the band. In front of her was a massive, billowing column of smoke, rising heavenward into the crystal blue sky. Between the band and the bonfire stood a man who appeared to be even older than Nadie. His long, leather garment and belt were beautifully decorated with beads and carefully-drawn charcoal pictures of forest animals. His leggings were emblazoned with sharp-edged, geometric symbols.
    He hobbled slowly towards the band. He stopped at Nadie, sharing an embrace and a few words. Nadie turned to face Kiera, and both pairs of elderly eyes gazed on her. The old man worked his way through the band until his face was only a hand's width away from hers. His dark eyes stared deeply into Kiera's frightened face.
    â€œIs she the one?” the old man asked.
    â€œYes, my elder,” answered Chocan. “She has come from the east. She speaks the language of the Teachers.”
    The old man nodded slowly. Then, to Kiera's surprise, he began to talk in Celtic. “Green eyes of the Teachers. So it is true…Do you understand my words? I know some of the language of the Teachers.”
    â€œYes,” answered Kiera, her voice shaking.
    â€œAre you frightened of us?” he asked, kindly.
    â€œA little,” she whispered. “I have never seen so many people at one time. I come from a small village.”
    â€œAh…a small village to the east.”
    â€œYes.”
    â€œBut you did not come to our land by your own free will. You were a captive of those who brought you here.”
    Kiera was surprised. How did he know? “Yes.”
    â€œWhat is your name?”
    â€œKiera.”
    â€œAh, Kiera. I am Atchak, Grand Chief of the Beothuck people.”
    Kiera looked down respectfully. “Thank you for allowing me to join you at the Meeting Place.”
    â€œYou will always be welcome here.”
    He put his hand under her chin, gently lifted up her face and studied her. He stared again into Kiera's green eyes and touched her strange, wavy hair.
    â€œYes, you are very much like the Teachers. Legend tells of how they came to escape capture as well. They came to us with knowledge of the Creator, the Great Spirit, and offered to help us build a new world of love and respect for the Great Spirit and Mother Earth. Although the original Teachers have long since passed on to the world above, their descendants, like Chocan, continue to spread their teachings to the people.”
    Kiera turned to Chocan. It was becoming clear that Chocan was also of Irish descent. He didn't seem to notice her incredulous stare and continued to focus upon Atchak. The chief cleared his throat. Embarrassed, Kiera turned back to the Grand Chief.
    â€œTell me about your captors, Kiera.”
    â€œThe Vikings?” she asked, surprised by the question.
    â€œYes. We have only heard rumours of them. Over the past few years, we have seen their strange vessels sailing our waters. We also know they live on our land to the north. What are they like?”
    Kiera took a deep breath, her courage returning. The Grand Chief of the Beothuck needed her help. She finally felt useful.
    â€œThe Vikings are a people who live by conquest. My homeland of Ireland, the home of the Teachers, was invaded by the Vikings many years ago. They took what they wanted and burned to the ground any villages that chose to resist their invasion. They are strong and fearless warriors. They also take captives, such as myself. I was removed from by home and forced to become a slave.”
    â€œSlave?” asked the chief. “I do not