Viking Ships at Sunrise - Mary Pope Osborne [9]
The sun was rising when they got to their front porch.
Annie opened the front door. She stuck her head inside and listened.
“Everything’s quiet,” she whispered. “I think Mom and Dad are still sleeping.”
She moved quietly inside.
Jack turned back to watch the red sun rise through a clear blue sky.
He thought about how it was the same sun that had risen in Ireland—over a thousand years ago.
“Shine, O light of the sun,” Jack whispered, “on this day filled with wonder.”
Then he slipped inside his quiet house.
MORE FACTS FOR YOU AND JACK
1) In the fifth century, St. Patrick converted Ireland to Christianity. Scholars and craftsmen from all over Europe studied with the Irish monks in their monasteries.
2) Monks in the monasteries made beautiful manuscripts to reflect the glory of God. Most of their manuscripts were religious in nature.
3) The first recorded people of Ireland were the Celts. Before the Irish became Christians, they practiced the Celtic religion and developed a Celtic mythology.
4) The great sea serpent Sarph was a Celtic creature who was identified with the Milky Way. Just as Jack and Annie were not able to rescue the complete story of Sarph, today we have only fragments of many old Celtic stories.
5) The word Vikings means “fighting men.” Vikings included Danes, Norwegians, and Swedes.
6) In the ninth century, Viking raiders attacked the coastal villages of England, Scotland, and Ireland, stealing treasure and carrying people off to be slaves.
7) The Vikings were the greatest shipbuilders of their time. The shallowness of their warships allowed them to land on most beaches.
8) The Vikings were “settling men” as well as “fighting men.” Eventually they settled down in Europe and became traders, exchanging goods rather than stealing them. They were also expert craftsmen.
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Excerpt copyright © 1998 by Mary Pope Osborne.
Published by Random House Children’s Books,
a division of Random House, Inc., New York.
“You awake?” Annie’s voice came out of the dark.
“Yep,” said Jack from his bed.
“Get up,” said Annie. “We have to get to the tree house before sunrise.”
“I’m ready,” said Jack.
He threw back his covers and jumped out of bed. He was wearing his jeans and T-shirt.
“You slept in your clothes?” asked Annie.
“I didn’t want to waste any time,” said Jack. He pulled on his backpack.
Annie laughed.
“You must really be excited about going to ancient Greece,” she said.
“Yep,” said Jack.
“Do you have your secret library card?” asked Annie.
“Yeah, do you?” said Jack.
“Sure. Put it in your backpack,” she said. She handed her card to him. “I’ll carry the flashlight.”
“All set,” said Jack.
They tiptoed downstairs and out the door.
Outside the air was fresh and cool.
“There’s no moon,” said Annie. “Just stars.”
She turned on her flashlight.
“Ta-da!” she said. “Let’s go.”
They followed the beam of light across their yard and up the street.
Jack was thrilled to be going to ancient Greece. But something worried him.
“What do you think will happen after we go to Greece?” he asked Annie. “Is this our last mission ever?”
“Oh, I hope not,” said Annie. “What do you think?”
“I don’t know. Let’s ask Morgan,” said Jack.
“Hurry!” said Annie.
They started running. The flashlight beam flew in front of them, lighting the way.
They slowed to a walk when they got to the Frog Creek woods. The thick woods were pitch-black.
Annie shined the flashlight upward as they walked between the trees. Finally, they found the magic tree house.
“We’re here!” Annie called.
“Go on up,” said Jack.
Annie grabbed the rope ladder and started up. Jack followed.
Annie shined the flashlight around the tree house.
Morgan le Fay was sitting at the window. She covered her eyes when the light hit her face.
“Turn off the light, please, Annie,” she said softly.
Annie turned it off.
“Welcome,” Morgan said in the dark. “Are you ready for your next mission?”
“Yes!” said Annie. Then her voice got quiet. “This isn