Silver Lining

Prologue

The Isle of Skye, Scotland

One thousand years ago

A wave splashed over the bow of the wooden ship. Its salty spray stung the Viking’s face. The massive cliff with its rocky shore loomed ahead like a death sentence. The high tide and broken sail made it impossible to change course, otherwise he’d be back home in Noregr. Erik knelt at the helm and prayed. Thunder crackled in the sky. Perhaps Thor heard his prayers.

Like a beacon of hope, he spotted an opening in the cliff’s façade, a cave. “Thank you, Thor!” Erik gripped the wheel of the wooden boat.

Wind lashed at him, whipping his long, sandy blond hair into his drenched face. His arm muscles strained as he struggled to keep the bow of the ship headed straight towards the opening of the cave. The stern rose, and a wave carried the boat between the rocky walls of the cave. Inside the hundred foot high cavern, the water calmed. The ship floated to the back of the cave and lodged its bow on the rocks.

Relief washed through Erik. He didn’t die today. He climbed down the rope ladder and hopped onto the rocks. Scanning the cavern, he searched for a non-watery route. Twenty feet above him there was a small hole in the wall of rock. He returned to the ship and retrieved a wooden ladder and torch. Placing the ladder below the hole, he ascended the rungs. He hopped onto the narrow ledge and entered the small opening.

The tunnel ended abruptly after only a few feet. Disappointment washed through him, and he rested his back against the rock wall. Something colder than the rock touched his head. Startled, he turned around and shone the torch light on the spot. A vein of tarnished metal ran through the rock, glistening in the light. Erik extended his hand, and his fingertips stroked the precious metal. Rubbing off the tarnish, he ran his fingers across the vein of silver and smiled.

I’ll stay here and mine this silver. I’ll build a longhouse on the cliff above it to protect my fortune with a garrison stronghold. Elation filled him as he admired his cave lined with silver.