expeditions . They explored outside the town.
Asglor was a small place. It was beside some mountains and a small lake.
Near the lake there was a
river that led to the sea. In summer, there was
enough food. But in winter, the animals and plants were gone. There was
not much food. During the previous winter, people had died. Chief Eskol
knew he needed to find new lands soon.
‘That's good news,’ said Thoric. ‘I don’t want a food
shortage this
winter!’
‘Me neither. My family must eat better. I can’t just give them
meat all the
time.’
Thoric had never met Niels’ family. He only knew Niels’ father. He was
a famous explorer in the village. ‘Niels, I must go,’ Thoric finally said. ‘I
have to clean the animals that I just shot. My family wants to sell the meat.’
‘OK, lad. Good day to you.’
Thoric went back to his house. He spoke to his parents and sister. His
family were farmers. They had a little piece of land. They grew some
crops. They raised animals as well. They kept the females. They sold the
males. They also sold the meat from Thoric’s hunting. They made money,
but it was never enough.
That night, Thoric couldn’t sleep. There was too much to think about.
Where was Chief Eskol going? What was this new expedition all about?
Two days later, Thoric went hunting again. There were increasingly
fewer animals. Winter was approaching. It was getting harder to find
anything to shoot!
Thoric came back from hunting. He met Niels again. Niels was walking
fast. ‘Thoric! Come quickly!’ he called.
‘What is it Niels?’
‘Chief Eskol has called a meeting. The whole town must attend.’
‘Is he going to tell us his plans?’
‘Mostly likely, yes! I have to go. Take that meat home and come
quickly!’
Thoric took the meat home and walked quickly to the Great Hall. The
Great Hall was a very big building made of wood. Its walls were covered in
pictures of Viking
