Page 113 of Truly, Madly Viking

Those words made his eyes bulge. He was speechless with surprise.

Are Norsemen so thickheaded that they cannot see what hits them in the face?

"This one apparently is. Spit it out, whale."

You have a choice. It is for you to make, not me.

Enough of games and riddles! "Can you take me back to my time?"

Yes, I can. Actually, your brother Magnus is combing the seas near Iceland as we speak, searching for you still. And a dangerous enterprise it is, at this time of the year, as you well know.

"He is?" Jorund's breath hitched, but he was not sure why. Yes, he did know. In his heart of hearts, he had hoped that his departure from this time—and from Mag-he—was impossible. In that case, he would be unable to fulfill his responsibility. "Then I have no choice."

Have you heard a word I've said, Viking? You do have a choice.

"I cannot abandon my father. My mission will not be complete till he knows that Rolf and I are safe. And the only way for me to let him know is by returning to the past."

Oh? Really? The whale click-squealed, then went off into a series of spectacular leaping exercises.

Sometimes the whale stood straight in the air for long moments. Half-wit show-off! Jorund thought. In the distance he could see some employees of Orcaland watching the exhibitionist whale through special eye devices called binoculars.

Frowning, he contemplated the whale's tantalizing question. Was there some other way to let his father know that Rolf was safe without Jorund's delivering the message in person? Please God, he prayed to the Christian One-God, if there is a way, show me . Then he added a plea to Odin, as well: Your wisdom is needed here, god of all the Norse gods.

Suddenly tears filled his eyes, and he shouted with the sheer jubilation of his discovery. "There is a way; there is a way," he shouted excitedly to Thora, who swam close again. Jorund was practically jumping up and down with glee.

Of course there is, the whale replied smugly. Jorund took his sword from its scabbard, the leather thong from his hair, and the zipper bag with the two photographs from his tunic flap. Carefully he wrapped the photographs around the sword till they were secure. Where's duct tape when you need it? His brother Rolf had taught him about that modern man's miracle.

Then, before he could think of the consequences, Jorund tossed the sword high in the air out over the water. End over end the sword sailed until the talented whale caught it by the hilt in its huge mouth. "Can you deliver this to my brother, Magnus?"

I can.

"Will I see you again?"

I doubt it, Viking. My mission is complete.

"Who sent you?"

The whale just laughed, Deep down, you know . "Good-bye then," Jorund called out.

The whale did an enormous backflip, creating a wave of huge proportions, the whole time holding the sword between its teeth so that it glittered in the bright Texas sun. The Orcaland people would soon be upon them.

One last thing, Thora told him before swimming off. Tell Beth that Keiko sends his regards . "Keiko?

You know Keiko?"

If whales could smirk, Thora did now. Then she flipped him a big splash of water with her tail fins and swam off. He thought he heard Thora mutter, Can't wait to straighten out that Magnus and all his women!

"Thank you," Jorund said then. Simple words, but they were from the heart.

You are welcome, Viking. Use your gift well.

Left alone then, Jorund glanced at his surroundings. So this would be his destiny. With a smile, he headed for home.

Maggie's first sign came from Rita. She was hissing in the front window, her back arched with outrage.

Joe was the only one who brought that hostility out in her pet. Was this Rita's way of telling them that the man of the house had come back?

"Mom! Mom! It's Joe!" Beth shouted. She and Suzy were out the front door in a flash and running down the street toward the tall man who was walking purposefully along the sidewalk toward the house. He was wearing the usual Norse attire: a belted leather tunic over tight leggings and cross-gartered half boots. His blond hair was loose and blowing slightly in the breeze. He didn't look any the worse for wear, as he had the last time, but then he'd been gone only for a day. A lifetime!