They reached the garden and bent to pull weeds out of the onion patch.
“Thank you for answering my questions,” Kaarina said. “I like this God of yours. I think I might like to follow Him.”
“Would you be willing to follow Him instead of the gods of your people?”
“Ha. They have done nothing for me,” Kaarina said tartly. “All they do is demand things or ignore us. This God of yours is much more attractive.”
“Then, we must speak to the pfaffo,” Sigrid said. “If you are serious about becoming a Christian, he will tell you what you must do.”
Excitement tingled through Kaarina’s veins as she looked at the beautiful sunny day outside. It was warm and calm, a perfect sambaztag. She’d been worshipping on the seventh day with the Christians over the past few weeks and it had become her favorite day of the week.
But today was extra special. Today was the day of her dwahal when she would commit to following the Christians’ God.
Sigrid came over early to see her. “I brought you this,” she said, holding out an exquisitely embroidered robe. “Put it on.”
Kaarina slid the beautiful garment over her head. It was a perfect fit.
“You are a beautiful westibarn,” she said, hugging Kaarina. “If only Landwulf could be here to see you now!”
Kaarina felt a shaft of pain slice through her heart. “He has probably found a wife by now,” she said.
“If it means anything to you, I did not agree with my parents’ decision to send him away,” Sigrid said softly. “I could see that the two of you would have been happy together.”
“It still hurts my heart,” Kaarina admitted. “But I am happy that I found your God to love me instead.”
“You are stronger than I would be,” Sigrid said. “My life has been easier than yours.” She straightened the robe across Kaarina’s shoulders. “But now is not the time to be sad over what might have been. Now is the time to rejoice! Come, everyone will be gathering on the beach by now.”
They walked down to the beach where the villagers were gathering in small groups. The waves rolled lazily onto the shore, propelled by a gentle swell. It was the perfect day for a baptism. Kaarina still had a lingering fear of the ocean but she was determined to push it aside to go ahead with the ceremony that would show the world that she had accepted Jesus’ offer to cleanse her of her sins.
The pfaffo spotted her and came over. “Are you ready, Kaarina?” he asked kindly. “We shall walk into the water together. You may hold my arm to steady yourself if you wish.”
Kaarina took his arm, glad to have him to cling to as she faced her fear of the water. Together they waded in up to their waists. The water was cool but not unbearable.
“So now, I baptize you in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit,” the pfaffo said, raising his arm high over his head.
A moment later, he lowered her gently under the water. She tried not to panic as the water closed over her face, instead trying to concentrate on the thought of having her sins washed away. A second later, the pfaffo raised her again and the worshipers on the shore started to sing a hymn of victory.
Kaarina felt a sense of peace, unlike anything she’d ever experienced in her life. No matter what happened from now on, she knew that God would be with her and she felt herself relaxing into His loving arms.
CHAPTER 10
L andwulf grinned and tapped his foot. The lively rhythms of the fiddle, the psaltery and the rebec made him want to dance. He caught the eye of one of the fiddlers and smiled; the man smiled back, enjoying the pleasure his music brought to the crowd. The wooden floor of the barn resounded as the happy crowd stomped and swayed to the music.
Life had been good since he’d been at Alahsan. He’d met three pretty girls, Emma, Adelina and Gerhild, and now he was attending a wedding. He’d already danced with all three girls during one of the energetic dances.
Emma, in particular, seemed to think he was special. He knew her family had high hopes that she would become his bride. He looked over the crowd to see if he could spot her and saw her on the other side of the room, her fair cheeks flushed with laughter and exertion. Blonde tendrils escaped from beneath her kapfa and her blue eyes sparkled with happiness. He thought of the times that he’d visited her family’s home. She had been the perfect hostess, attending to his every need and serving him delicious food that she’d cooked herself. His parents would surely be pleased if he were to bring her back to the village as his bride. In their eyes, she would be perfect for him.
“Landwulf!”
His new friend Gerbold interrupted his thoughts.
“Get up and dance. Are you weak?” Gerbold challenged.
Landwulf grinned and made his way onto the crowded dance floor, where he stomped and clapped enthusiastically along with the crowd. There was no ale or mead at this wedding but no one needed it. They were happy just to have fun together.
It wasn’t long before Landwulf found himself opposite Emma. She smiled up at him with her beautiful blue eyes and he knew that she would be expecting him to make a declaration of his intentions towards her. That was the way it happened among his people.
All of a sudden, the enormity of that decision hit him with full force. Once a young man had declared his interest in a woman, it was almost as if they
