Prologue (2)

Thunder boomed, lightning danced across the sky, and a ship fought to stay atop the rough sea and crashing waves. A man holding a telescope, spots an island with a village in the distance, before heading into the cabin of the ship. Bending down he clutched the hand of another as he reassured them.

"We don't have much further to go, I saw an island, due north from here, it won't be long now." He calmly stated, his voice deep but somewhat gentle.

"That's good, I don't know how much longer I can stand to be in this situation." A soft, but commanding voice responds.

Laying on a bed, a woman sighed heavily, as she held her bloated belly. Having sailed for so long, the two have finally reached a place they might be able to call their new home.

"Get some more rest, I'll go see how much further we are from the island." Leaving the cabin the man rushed toward the helm of the ship. Clutching the wheel he fights against the winds and sea, trying to protect the precious cargo below and reach the safety of the island. 

"Crap!" The man shouts, a bolt of lightning narrowly missing the mast of the ship. "Almost there, just a bit further." He told himself, struggling to keep hold of the wheel. They were so close just a little further and they'd be safe. It wouldn't be long now.

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A short while later they managed to finally make it. Breathing a sigh of relief, they dock as the man fetches the woman from the cabin. As they left the ship they quickly and carefully rushed up some steps leading into the village. Not knowing if the natives of this island would help strangers, they continued up the steps, as it was better to seek help than to die in the rain.

"Hey, is anyone there? We need help!" The man began to yell, searching for someone, anyone who could help them. 

He yelled pointlessly, his shouts drowned by the screaming thunder. Seeing no other options they began looking for any shelter that would shield them from the storm. The winds blew wilder, as they spotted a giant door embedded in stone with what seemed to be two giant stone Vikings guarding the front. 

"Hello! Is there anyone there?! We need help!" The man banged on the giant door as hard as he could to make himself known.

Almost immediately the door swung inwards, and a large man with green eyes and long red hair stood in the doorways, his lengthy beard blowing in the wind. Taking a glance at the couple he stepped to the side. 

"Quickly, inside, this storm ain't gonna let up anytime soon." Pushing them inside, he closes the door with a loud bang. Once inside the couple saw many people ranging from young to old sheltering from the harsh storm raging outside.

"Thank you for helping us. I don't know what we would have done if you didn't let us in." The woman thanked the man gratefully.

"Ah don't mention it. It was the right thing to do. For now, grab something to drink, and eat your fill. Y'all ain't going anywhere anytime soon." He said as he walked away from the duo. 

It had been a few days since the storm passed and the villagers were able to go back to their way of life. The couple, although new and out of place, were openly accepted into the village. As their house was being built they lay under a tree watching as they relaxed under the shade.

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[A few months later]

"Push!" A midwife instructed, as a woman lay on a bed.

The woman who had previously been seen with a bloated stomach, now in labor yelled, as she gripped her husband's hand with a surprising amount of strength.

"One more push!" The midwife yelled once more before crying could be heard. "Congratulations. It's a baby boy." She said, as she wrapped the almond-skinned baby in cloth and handed him to the now mother lying in bed. 

"He's beautiful." She tiredly whispered. 

"Yes, he is. What should we name him?" The husband asked his exhausted wife.

The woman thought for a little bit then responded. "Let's name him Eugene." She said, smiling at the baby boy.

"A fine name for a son like mine." The husband laughed heartily.

And so a new story unfolds…