The sailing of the Sea Scorcher

The longship, The Sea Scorcher, could still be seen far in the distant horizon as it sailed off into the uncharted unforgiving sea. On its deck muscles glistening in the sun stood Thor, a huge man of about twenty-five. His short scruffy beard and shoulder length blonde hair flecked with red in the sun blue wildly in the cool breeze. His piercing blue green kaleidoscope eyes gazed into the distance longing for adventure. He breathed deeply inhaling the fresh salty clear ocean air: his spirit soaring with the possibility of brave deeds, great feats, and perilous trials for him to achieve. Now that he was Captain of the Sea Scorcher no obstacle was too dangerous for him to overcome.

The first sight of land the crew had was a frozen wasteland. Thor navigated the Sea Scorcher through a thin Fjord between two glaciers. As they sailed past, chunks of ice fell off the tops and crashed into the water nearly missing the longship. Thor yelled for the crew to take up oars and guided them away from the falling ice. He smiled in satisfaction but it was soon replaced with shock as his Helmsman let out a call for "deep water." Thor knew he had to stay in control and keep the respect of his crew. He gave exact orders as they approach the giant whirlpool. The space between the edge of the glacier and the spiraling water was too slim for the Longboat to maneuver through. Thor had the Sea Scorcher hold keeping enough distance from the whirlpool so it wouldn't become entrapped. He took a running leap onto the glacier and using his great steel axe began hacking away at the ice. He cut away enough ice so there was room enough for the longship to get by. As the longship cleared the whirlpool, Thor took another running leap this time his aim was for the deck of his ship. The crew cheered for their Captain as he landed with a thud. His strength easily gained the respect of the crew.

They continued sailing for unknown land through the rest of the day. As the sun began to set the purple clouds turn from beautiful to menacing. Within moments the sky was dark and filled with gray clouds threatening rain. The sea became a sickening green and nauseating waves began forming. Thor order the crew to fasten themselves to the mast. He was the last to tie himself to safety making sure every other crewman was secured with the ropes. The clouds finally gave way to the rain as the storm became violent. The wave speed and buffered the longship as they crashed against it. Lightning began to flash in the sky followed by thunderous booms. As the ship was tossed about the vicious see some of the barrels of rations became untethered. They roll with the waves and nearly toppled into the sea. Losing those barrels would mean starvation for the crew so Thor bravely released his tether. He rolled with the tossing ship almost being thrown overboard several time. However He managed to find his footing and secured the barrels once more. As they waited out storm huddling close to the deck the crew let up a silent prayer to Odin for blessing them with such a brave leader.

When the storm blew over, Thor looked to the stars to guide him. He discovered that the storm had blown them way off their course. They were now in unknown waters, claimed to be infested with giant Sea Serpents. He could sense the crew become tense and hoped that they would find land before histaria broke out. His releif was great when he saw a large island in the distance. They sailed closer and closer, The Sea Scorcher was nearly to shallow water when a great blue snake head came out of the water. The crew were shocked, frozen in fear as the snake hissed at them. It brought it's giant tail up out of the water in order to break the longship in half. As it's tail came down Thor swiftly swung his Great Axe cutting the snakes' tail clean off. It landed with a thud on the deck losing the momentum needed to smash the ship. The Great Snake let out a horrible screeching noise and lunged at The Sea Scorcher but Thor had regained the attention of the crew who were now at their stations. They were able to narrowly miss the lunging snake head and began rowing vigorously to shore. Now the Great Snake was swiftly approaching from the stern of the longship. Any time it's great head got too close Thor would strike it with his Great Axe slicing at the snakes' eyes and mouth. Having enough the snake became enraged making one last lung at the longship. The Great Snake ramed it's head into the stern of the ship splitting it in two. It hit with such force that the crew went flying onto the shore. The Great Snake thrashed in the surf dying, the Great Axe imbedded in it's skull. Thor lay on the beach with his eyes closed, he had gotten in the last deadly blow, his crew was safe and mostly unharmed. He breathed a sigh of relief, rolling on the warm sand. He heard his name being called. When he opened his eyes he was a small boy again. His mother picked him up lovingly in her arms. she kissed his soft cheek calling him her sweet baby Arthur. She began the walk from the beach to their small cottage. As his mother carried him home, Arthur held up his little fist clutching his toy viking ship. As he pretended to sail his ship on the horizon behind them, he thought what lovely dream that had been.