Blockade

The crusaders’ ships reached the coast of Vinland. They anchored a kilometer from the shore to keep their distance. The natives were alarmed and so were the Asirs that stayed by them. Thorleif was called for and he brought Harald. Once at the site, Harald asked Thorleif to forbid anyone to approach the ships. I know these kinds, and you do not want anything to do with it, he said. But he also knew that he had to meet them. He gathered a few men and sailed out to the leading ship.

They were welcomed aboard. Kristen said; long time no see, Harald. They hugged each other like the old friend they were. I must say, Kristen said, you travel a long way to save the heathens. Obviously not long enough, Harald responded. They laughed. Thorleif had brought some food from land that was received with gratitude. This wine is excellent, Kristen said. It is more where it comes from, Harald replied. Quite frankly, Kristen, this is not the place you are seeking. We are all heathens here. That is true. But we do not harm Christianity. The enemy you are seeking is further south. You should not waste your resources on peaceful people and let the dangerous be.

Kristen thought about it. There is wisdom in your saying. I will follow your advice, if you can convince me that it is true. Let us make a deal right here and now, Harald said. You stay here at sea for a week, unless invited to land. We will provide you with all the relevant information we have. You will even have the supplies you need for a pleasant stay. Harald, Kristen said, the only reason I even consider this now, is because of you. Or else, you know the demon would have been released by now. We have a deal, but don’t forget, I will make up my mind in a week. One more thing, he added. I will rather that we anchor outside your camp than the natives’. I do not want any catastrophic misunderstanding due to linguistic problems.

The next day, Thorleif and Harald had gathered all the information they had about the Mayans, as they were called, in the south. Kristen and his men were invited to the camp to stay there that day. He and two men entered Thorleif’s house. This is what we have for now; Harald said and put a pile of drawings and items at the table. The guests investigated it closely and discussed their findings. Kristen called for Harald after a few hours. This is so fascinating that we do not quite know what to do about it now. Do you trust it to be true, he asked. I believe its true, but I don’t think the details are exact enough. You see the large bay just south of here at the map. It is rather detailed. I think it is good enough for guidance. However, the land does not end there. What I understand of the natives, it might be another continent, just as Europe and Africa are two continents.

Let me get this straight, Kristen said. You think you are at the southern part of a continent, while the Mayans are at the northern part of another continent, Kristen asked. That is a likely possibility, Harald replied. The visitors discussed their new knowledge eagerly. After a long time, Kristen addressed the hosts once more. We need to think more about this. It is too much to consider now.

Let’s talk about these Mayans, Kristen said. Are they Egyptians? Harald smiled and said; no they are not Egyptians in the sense that they have contact with the North African Egyptians. But as you can see, they have several similarities in constructions. These pyramids have been considered unique until now. But here, there can be thirty pyramids rather than three. If so, the Mayans can be ten times as powerful as the Egyptians. That is what scared me, and made me call for you, Harald said. What? Did you call for them, Thorleif asked angrily. Harald turned to him and said calmly. In my mind, it was no other options. Imagine a person like Rafka get the hand of such powers. Cleopatra’s manipulation of Roma could be trivial in comparison. The Whore of Babylon could eventually rule the whole world.  Even though we do not share the same views on the Roman Empire, I am certain you can see the danger of such an empire here. I had to call for Kristen. He is the only one that can deal with such pagan powers. Thorleif got the point.

Kristen said; if the Mayans are not Egyptians, it also means that there is no chance they will come to assist any African friends. That is good, they stay here. What we need is to ensure, that they do not become too powerful, that they stay here and that they do not develop in a destructive way. Therefore I would like to figure out which cities we could reach and how. They took a close look at the map. Some ports and cities were obvious. But Harald indicated that he wanted a city in the mountains to be saved from their attacks. He turned to Thorleif and said; I want to go there with you.

Now wait a minute, Thorleif said. I have not objected to your plans. I suppose objections are useless when you have set you mind to a plan. I figured that we will stay here in peace, and that you go down there at your suicide mission. But now you want me to enter their cities? That is too much. How in Odin’s name do you think you can stand up to such a force with one ship of colonists? To be quite frank with you, I have never in my entire life seen such a ludicrous plan. But I have kept it to myself, in hope that you all soon leave us in peace.

Kristen and Harald looked at each other. He is right you know, Harald said. To his knowledge, it is absurd. I guess it does not make much sense considered the facts presented, Kristen replied. I need him, Harald said. I need him to trust me, and you need me to alter one city. Convince him, Harald begged. Well, I have been rather preoccupied with my part of the plan, and have not considered your part that much. Kristen turned to Thorleif and said; demons exist and we brought one. We will release it on the enemy. The demon is right there in that little boat we dragged here. Come and have a look.

Thorleif was more puzzled than ever. He would most definitely have taken it for a joke, if it did not come from them. He went highly skeptical along to the rowing boat that took them to the leaders’ ship. Once on board, Kristen exchanged some words with his people. Then he turned to the visitors and said; a few days ago, the demon broke loose on one of the carriers.

We do not exactly know how it works, because it possesses anyone that approach. To my knowledge, possession happens with physical contact or the use of their dark large cotton cloaks. Once possessed, the carrier can not be freed. It takes about ten day between possession and the outbreak. The outbreak lasts just as long and then the carrier usually dies. The demon dies with the carrier, unless it finds someone else to possess. As you can see, one of the carriers is loosing control of its own body. Unfortunately he is in great pain, even though we reduce that as much as possible with painkillers. The following days, the carrier passes through the stages of getting small papules that grew to fluid filled vesicle, and finally pustules leaking infectious puss.  In a few more days he was spontaneously bleeding and finally dies. However, the companion nurses the victim until it dies. When dead, he gets a proper Christian funeral by the companion. The priest ensures its access to Heaven. The companion is most certainly possessed then it is time for a new carrier to take the dead one’s place in the boat. He looks awful, Thorleif uttered in empathy. He wanted to ask, how could you do that to them, but let such provoking questions be.

This is our weapon, Kristen said to Thorleif. Believe me it is most effective, like the Trojan horse. All we need to do is to leave a couple of carriers on each port and make them go to the nearest cities. In the city, they will eat and drink and take part in the social activities, whatever that is. The demon will possess the citizens, multiply and spread like an invisible wildfire throughout society. There is nothing to stop it. Believe me; I have seen many good Christians try. Thorleif was stunned. And you brought this demon all across the Atlantic, he asked. Yes, it has been a slow and costly journey. Now that we are at its goal, we do intend to make it worthwhile. Whether you believe it or not, it will be executed. We will pass your tribe, if you cooperate with Harald. Thorleif looked at the carriers suffering and was angry. Don’t be so angry, Kristen said. I will personally get possessed and infiltrate the capital.

Thorleif turned to Harald, what is your plan then. Harald said; first of all we will avoid the Christians and go elsewhere. There is a city where I believe the habitants are not hostile. We will enter that city, convince the leader that we can provide them with advantages and thereby change the culture from within. We will teach them about ethics, statesmanship, religion, economy, construction and other benefits of the civilized society. After the demon has died out, these people will occupy the dead cities to raise them with a far better foundation. For the demon eventually dies out, Kristen added. Thorleif hesitated, and asked carefully. And what has this to do with me. You are going to be their new leader that converts them, Harald answered. I was worried that could be the plan, Thorleif mumbled.