stared at the marks scratched on the wall outside the cave.

Two or three more marks and Eric the Red was due to return.

By the time Gro returned inside the cave, Olaf was standing, dressed

in his lightweight leather pants with his shirt laid on a rock nearby. He

was scratching his back with a stick, and the skin was flickering to the

ground like the first light snow of a new winter season. Once the itching

had subsided he slid his leather shirt over his head.

"Something is amiss," Olaf said. "Both of us are becoming sicker as

each day passes."

"Maybe it is the foul air inside this cave," Gro said quietly, placing

the pot on the fire.

"I think it is that," Olaf said, pointing to the orb. "I think it is

possessed."

"We could move outside the cave," Gro said, "and erect a tent for

living."

"Eric ordered us to stay inside the cave. I fear if he returns and finds

us outside we will feel his wrath."

"I looked at the marks," Gro said. "He is due to return in three

sleeps-no more."

"We could take turns watching for his return," Olaf said quietly,

"then hurry back inside before he catches us."

Gro stirred the berries in the boiling water. "Sudden death or slow

SACRED STONE 11

sat up- sickness-I think it best we avoid what we know will happen for what

n shed- might or might not."

"A few more days," Olaf said.

"A few more days," Gro said as he placed an iron dipper into the

blood. pot. He filled a pair of iron bowls with the berry liquid and handed one

se. He to Olaf.

ngers.

FOUR MARKS ON the entrance of the cave later, Eric the Red returned.

upply "You have the racking cough," he said as soon as he saw the condied

to tion of the men. "I do not want you to infect the others. Return to the

'nted settlement but take up residence in the log house to the north."

then Olaf and Gro set off to the south the following morning-but they

never reached home.

Olaf went first, his weakened heart simply giving out three days afssed

ter the start of the journey. Gro didn't fare much better, and when he

He could walk no more he made camp. The furry beasts came soon after.

the What wasn't consumed immediately was spread about by the carnivores

_ing until it was as if Gro had never existed at all.

'as

ng

is

AFTER WATCHING HIS two men disappear into the distance, Eric

gathered the miners, engineers and laborers he had brought from the settlement.

He cleared a spot in the dust on the floor of the cave and began

sketching his plans with a stick.

The plans were ambitious, but a gift from heaven should not be

treated lightly.

That day the first parties began to map out the cave. In time it would