He stood on the seaside cliff, watching his crew unload the ship beneath the snapping, gold-embroidered sails. The ship rocked in the swells of the glistening North Sea as his men passed the proceeds of their latest trading voyage from vessel to rocky beach. His salt-encrusted woollen kilt hung heavily from his waist. More salt stains streaked his black wool stockings, their checkered calfskin garters, and black leather boots. Behind him came the crunch of small feet on pebble. He unbuckled his scabbard and held it out beside him, where it was taken from his hand by the lad, who struggled to hold it off the ground.
He turned landward. As the steady wind fluttered his hair around his face, he scanned the field and trees and hills. Every feature of the landscape called to him. The gloomy fo
