Historical Finding

by Chris

My first night at the dig site was a sleepless one. I tried, I really tried, but the excitement of actually finding the site of the Viking village that was described so vividly in the ancient writings of Ahmad Ibn Fahdlan was too much for me. I am an archeologist, and have been studying his beautiful writing for years. It is one of the best records of the Viking people, but I had never found anything that helped to identify the location of the village he visited. But last year, I found another manuscript of his writing with a slightly different translation of his words. That was all I needed.

After hours of poring over maps of the Norwegian coastline, I found some likely spots and began to visit possible sites. I was looking for a particular landmark, a description of a rock formation that resembled a mosque. Only an Arab would see that in a rock formation. I just hoped it hadn't been destroyed in the thousand years since he first wrote those words. And just when I had almost given up hope, I found it. The onion-dome shaped rock was there, in a remote, mostly unpopulated area.

Many months after my initial discovery, days filled with negotiations for permission to excavate the site, I was FINALLY here, and ready to begin. It would be a slow process, and I wasn't even sure that there would be anything left of the village, but I had to try. I had read his words so many times, I felt like I knew the man. It was if he was leading me to that place. He invaded my dreams, a faceless voice speaking an ancient language, compelling me to find him. I finally gave up trying to sleep and turned on the light in the tent. My notebook held copies of the only actual examples of his hand writing. I stared at the words, a beautiful Viking prayer. Some of the words were missing in the manuscript, torn or worn away by time. But I knew it by heart, from the translations of his work by monks almost as ancient as Ibn Fahdlan himself. I knew it in his language, and in the language he'd learned it in, in Latin, and in English.

I stared at it a long time, repeating the words silently in my head, trying to clear the nagging doubts about the dig. What if I was mistaken about the location? What if we didn't find anything? After all, it had been 1100 years. We were looking for a people who lived in wooden structures. I doubted we would find much evidence of their homes, but perhaps some of the tools would remain, buried somewhere in the soil. I knew we wouldn't likely find any graves, as it was the Viking's practice to cremate their dead. I was rather glad of that, as I had never cared for disturbing the bones of ancient people. I finally began to feel sleepy, and went to bed. It wouldn't be dark for long, and then we would begin to look for the Vikings.

I awoke to full sunlight, and the sounds of the college students who'd come with me stirring in the camp. I emerged from my tent, and smelled the coffee someone was already brewing. We had been talking for weeks about how we would begin the dig, and I had tried to keep the four students from becoming too excited about the prospects of finding anything. A difficult task, considering my own excitement! But they were aware that we were more likely to come home empty-handed.

After a light breakfast, we began to mark of the site in grids. Multiple pictures of each grid were taken, and sketches of each as well. We would probably not even begin to dig until the next day, if even then. They were disappointed with snail's pace that I insisted that we use, but I pointed out that this was the way it was done these days. A small trowel and a collection of small brushes were all we would use. After a long day, I was satisfied that we knew what the site looked like when we arrived, and the young men and women were thrilled when I told them we could begin to dig the next day.

We turned in for the night, and I again studied my notebooks, staring at Ibn Fahdlan's words. I slept more easily that night, tired from the work of the day, and dreamed of his voice repeating the prayer. But it was different from other dreams. I had dreamed of him saying those words before, but always in his native Arabic. Tonight he spoke in the language of the Vikings. It was as if he had decided to speak their language now that he was back on their soil. The guttural sounds from his lips startled me at first, but his voice was always beautiful, and he made their language sound like music too.

The next morning, we began our dig. We slowly started on one square of our grid, and I showed my team how to slowly brush away the dirt, carefully looking for any signs of human occupation. We would make more progress once we each could work on a square, but I wanted to watch them first, and make sure they didn't get impatient and rush the work. They were quick to learn, and I felt good about the progress we made. I slept well again that night, with Ibn Fahdlan's voice whispering to me.

We each began our own square the next day, but no one found anything interesting. Well, Alex discovered that Britt was pretty interesting, and I had to hide my smile as I watched him flirting with her. I had seen these little camp romances bloom at every dig site I'd ever been at, and had been involved in a couple myself. I just hoped that if something got started, they wouldn't end up in a feud. I wondered how long it would be before Sam began making moves on Janice. Or maybe it would be Janice making the moves. I thought that I should have remembered to bring someone my age.

We continued to dig, day after day, but we still hadn't found anything. We had been there for almost three weeks and I could sense the frustration mounting in my team. I tried to be encouraging, but my own nagging doubts began to return. After yet another disappointing day, we were driven into our tents by an afternoon thunderstorm. Great, I thought, the site will be too muddy to do anything tomorrow. I was beginning to think that I was completely mistaken. But that night, my dreams were different. It was that night that I started thinking of him as Ahmad. He spoke to me, in perfect, although accented, English.

"Finally, you are here. I didn't think I would find you again, after all this time. I regret that I had to leave you before. I thought about you so often, but I had to leave. And when I came back, you had gone."

"I…came back? I have never been here before. Who do you think I am?" I still couldn't see his face, but he was there. He was dressed in flowing robes, a small, heavily-jeweled curved knife gleamed from his belt. I knew I was dreaming, but I couldn't force myself to wake up. It was as if he was controlling me.

"I know who you are. You are the one who has forgotten. But soon you will begin to remember. I am Ahmad. But you already know that."

"Can I see your face? I would like to know what you look like."

"Not until you remember it. But you will remember. It will slowly come back to you. Good night, Olga."

"Wait, my name isn't…" At that instant, I awoke. The dream hadn't seemed that long, but it was already morning. The sun was shining, and I could smell coffee. I got up, and got a cup, then walked down to the dig site. Amazingly, the rain had not left the site a muddy mess as I had feared. Well, Ahmad, I am here, whether I am who you think I am or not. Are you going to let me find you? I wandered back toward the camp and met Alex and Britt on their way down. They were holding hands. I told them they could get started, and I would join them as soon as I had some breakfast.

I ate, then headed back to the dig. "Caroline!" I heard Britt's excited voice. "Come see what Alex has found!" I hurried down the path, my heart pounding in my chest. It was a bit of metal, with a definite curve to it. I was happy to see that they had the measuring tapes in place, and Alex was busily clicking pictures. He stopped when I got there.

"Well? What are you waiting for? Go ahead and unearth it, and let's see what it is."

"But, I thought, since it is your site, you might want to get the first…"

"It's OUR site," I interrupted. "And it's YOUR find. You do it."

He smiled broadly at me, and dropped back into the deep hole to finish extracting the item. I knew I should leave him to it, and return to my own grid, but I couldn't. I was too excited. He slowly brushed away the dirt, and painstakingly revealed a small cup. The metal was worn through in places, and it looked as if it might have had a wooden handle at one time. I examined it carefully. It certainly was in a style that could be Viking.

"What do you think? Is it…"

"Well, I can't be sure, without some tests on the metal composition, but I think, it certainly could be from our Vikings."

Alex let out a deafening whoop. He and Britt danced around wildly and I smiled at their antics. "Come on, now, " I said, "get back to work. You can't stop now that you've made one find!"

Sam and Janice arrived on the scene, and the five of us busily dug for the rest of the day. We didn't find anything else that day, but for several days after that initial find, we began to unearth more and more items. All were everyday items, a knife with a bone handle, shards of pottery, a small hair comb made of bone. The most exciting find was one of my own, a drinking horn. It was remarkably well preserved. I told them the story of Ahmad's discovery that mead was made of honey.

We celebrated at the camp the night I found the horn. I broke out a bottle of tequila to the delight of the crowd, and we all toasted our luck. I announced that I would have to go into the nearest town the next day to replenish our supplies. I told them they could take the day off if they wanted, but to my delight they were eager to keep digging. We drank a little more of the tequila, and I went to bed that night feeling a little light-headed, and deliriously happy. I knew better than to think that I would find anything of his, but I had found his village! I was sure of it.

That night, I dreamed of Ahmad again. It was the first time I'd dreamed of him, since the odd dream where he talked to me. "Caroline." I heard his voice and turned to see him standing there, dressed as he was before. His face was still hidden. "You know my name," I answered.

"It is what they call you now. But I knew you by a different name."

"Look, you can't have known me, or even an ancestor of mine. They weren't Vikings!"

"You are mistaken. But it doesn't matter, you are here now. And you will find me."

"Wait, Ahmad. What do you mean? I want to talk to you…" Again I awoke as soon as he disappeared. And again, it was morning. I rubbed my eyes groggily, and got ready to drive down to the nearby town. It was not far as a bird flies, but the road was a winding unpaved one, and it was a three hour drive. I parked and got out, composing a mental list of the things I needed besides the food supplies. I would need more containers to preserve the pieces we'd found, especially if we continued at our present rate.

I went into a store that looked like the Norwegian equivalent of a Super Wal-Mart. I found some clear plastic containers, and began loading various sizes into the basket. I didn't realize someone was behind me until I stepped on a foot.

"Oh excuse me!" I said, as I quickly turned. The dark man standing behind me smiled. "It's ok. You only stepped on the edge of my shoe."

I looked into a pair of brown eyes as he spoke. That voice, I thought. It sounds so much like the one in my dreams. Ahmad's voice. And the accent.

He was staring intently at me, as well. "Have we met," he asked. "You seem so familiar."

"No," I stammered, "I don't think so." Except in my dreams, I thought. If this was the way Ahmad looked, I thought, I want to go back to sleep and dream of him. He was incredibly handsome, dark curly hair, cut short, and the most enticing smile I had ever seen.

"My name is Tony." He extended his hand to me.

I took his hand and said, "Caroline. Nice to meet you. You are definitely not Norwegian. Where are you from?"

"No, I am not, and I think perhaps you are also not from around here? Even though you blend in with that blonde hair. I am from Spain. Malaga. I am on a vacation here."

"I'm American. I'm an archeologist, digging at the site of a Viking village," I blurted. Why did I tell him that? Always a great way to kill a conversation with a handsome man.

"Really? How interesting! Have you found anything?" He seemed genuinely interested, and I told him about the things we'd found. We stood talking, as if we'd known each other for years. Suddenly, an impatient voice sounded behind me. We were blocking the aisle of the store, and we quickly moved to one side so the other shopper could get through.

"Listen. Would you like to get some coffee? I would love to hear more about your work."

"I don't know, Tony. I need to get my things and get back."

He looked disappointed, and I added, "why don't you come back with me, and I can show you what we are doing."

He face lit up in a bright smile. "Yes, I 'd like that."

"You wouldn't be able to get back here before dark tonight though. And that road would be deadly in the dark. I have an extra tent, but no sleeping cot."

"No matter," he said, "this place looks as if it sells everything."

He helped me finish my shopping, and picked up some items for camping. We loaded everything into the truck, and I asked him if he wanted to follow me. He didn't say anything at first, then asked, "would I be in the way if I stayed with you a few days? I… I really don't want to end our conversation while I follow you. Then I could just walk back, I could do it in a day, couldn't I?"

"Not at all. I would enjoy the company." Boy would I. I hadn't been so instantly attracted to a man in a long time. And the miracle was that he seemed as attracted to me. I watched his back as he went over to his car, and pulled out a large backpack, then brought it back to the truck and tossed it in.

"You don't think they'll tow my car, do you?"

"I don't know. Do you want to move it before we go?"

"No, I feel lucky."

We laughed and got in the truck. He asked me about my work as I drove. "Why Vikings? Are you related?"

"No." I began to explain about Ahmad, how I had found some translations of his writings when I was much younger, and that I was fascinated by him. He listened and seemed as if he was really interested. How odd, I thought, most men I had met found what I did to be incredibly boring. But he smiled, and asked questions. The three hours passed so quickly. We arrived at the camp just as the students were cleaning up after their day of work. I introduced Tony, and felt a twinge of jealousy as I noticed how he flirted so easily with Britt and Janice. I also noticed Alex' face, which barely disguised his jealous feelings as he watched Britt giggling at Tony's comments.

I began unpacking the truck, while telling myself I was being ridiculous. I had only met the man a few hours ago. But I couldn't help but feel that I was no competition for those pretty, young girls. I gathered as many of the bags from the truck as I could carry and turned, right into Tony's arms.

"Sorry," I mumbled.

"I was going to help, but I think I am just in the way," he smiled as he took the bags from me. "Where do these go?"

Britt said, "I'll show you. C'mon."

I caught Tony's eye for a moment before I turned away. He had a smile on his face, and he winked at me before he turned to follow Britt. I felt warm from his smile. Alex wasn't smiling though. He came over and roughly grabbed the remaining bags and stalked off behind Britt and Tony. Oh boy, I thought, I think I have opened a big can of worms.

The six of us pitched in to prepare dinner, and I wondered if I imagined that Tony seemed to try to steer clear of Britt. She made it difficult for him, and I could see trouble brewing in Alex' eyes. I sure hoped he wouldn't start anything with Tony.

After we ate and cleaned up, we built a small fire and sat by it, talking. My crew hadn't found anything remarkable that day, just more of the same; pottery and bits of metal and bone that had been some kind of tool a thousand years ago. Tony didn't talk much, only asking an occasional question, which Britt quickly answered every time. Finally, Tony stood up, and walked over to me.

"Come on, let's take a walk."

His hand reached down, and I put mine in his. He pulled me up easily, and we walked away from the fire. He didn't let go of my hand. The sun hadn't set yet, if you could call it sunset at this time of the year. It almost never got dark enough to see any stars. We walked along a natural path, one that meandered down to a small lake. We didn't say anything, he just held my hand until we reached the lake.

We stopped, looking over the water in the eerie light of summer twilight. He dropped my hand, put his arm around my shoulder, and turned me to face him. We stared into each other's eyes, still not speaking. He slowly lowered his lips to meet mine. His barely brushed across mine, then pressed against them more firmly. I could feel my heart pounding, and when I felt his tongue slip between my lips, I thought my knees would collapse. His arms were around me, pulling my body tightly against his. The kiss went on forever, or at least I wanted it to.

He finally loosened his arms, and pulled away from me.

"I have wanted to do that since I saw your face in the store. I hope you don't mind."

"Mind? No, not at all," I said, a little out of breath.

"For some reason, I can't explain it, I am drawn to you. Like something is pushing me."

"I thought you were sort of interested in Britt."

"Are you kidding? I like women, not little foolish girls. And you are definitely a woman."

He kissed me again, and I didn't want him to stop, ever. But he did, and took my hand again. He started walking along the edge of the lake. Again, we didn't speak, but it just seemed so natural to be with him. We barely knew each other, but it was if we had known each other for years. I was afraid to say anything, for fear I would break the spell. But finally I whispered, "It's getting late. We better get back and set up your tent."

"I was hoping maybe I could share yours."

"Um…Tony, I find myself incredibly attracted to you, but that's a little too soon."

"You are right, I'm sorry. I just feel so close to you already. Like I've known you for years."

"I know what you mean. But, we don't know each other. Not yet. I hope that is going to change."

"Me too," he whispered in my ear as he hugged me. He held me, and my face was pressed against his chest. I am a fool, I thought. I had just turned down a night with the most incredibly handsome man I'd ever met. But I wanted more than a fling with him. I wanted him forever.

We finally headed back to the camp and quickly set up a tent for him. I think he was relieved that the girls had gone to bed, and he used his considerable charm on Alex and Sam. I could see that Alex was fighting the urge to like him, but Tony was impossible to resist. In only a few moments, he had Alex laughing at some joke that I didn't catch. I retrieved an extra light for his tent, and as I approached, the three of them were talking and laughing as if they were old friends. He knows everyone, I thought. I suddenly wondered if there was really anything special between us or if he just had that effect on everyone he met.

Sam and Alex looked up when I arrived, and Alex loudly announced, "Well, I am going to bed now." Sam said something similar, and I swear that Alex winked at Tony as he passed him. They disappeared into their tent, and Tony crossed to me and took me into his arms again. He kissed me, then put his mouth to my ear.

"Sure you don't want to change your mind?"

"No, I'm not sure of anything, but I think we better wait."

"OK." I could feel his head nodding as it rubbed against mine. Idiot, I thought. I am a complete idiot. I wanted to take his hand and drag him to my tent. But I resisted the urge, and finally pulled away from him.

"Time to sleep," I said. Sure, I thought, I am never going to sleep, knowing he is in that tent. But he kissed me again, and left me standing there. I went to my tent, and flopped onto the cot, staring at the seam above my head. I closed my eyes, trying to remember every instant of that incredible kiss. I turned off the light without opening my eyes, trying not to lose the feeling.

I didn't think I would ever sleep, but suddenly Ahmad was there. I heard his voice and turned. It WAS Tony's voice, the deep throaty sound was suddenly enticing. "Caroline."

I looked at his face. It was Tony's face, or at least I thought so at first. It was so similar, the same eyes, the same lips. But as I looked at him, he seemed older somehow. And there were three deep scars across one eye. "Ahmad? I can see your face tonight."

"Yes? You remember."

"No. It's the face of Tony. The man that I met today."

"Are you sure that it is his face you see?"

"Yes. No. You have scars…"

"From fighting with the Wendol. Their bear claw weapons."

"But I don't remember reading that. This is a dream, there has to be some reason I see those scars."

"It was there, at one time. I wrote about it, but so much of what I wrote is gone. And are you so sure you are dreaming?"

"I AM dreaming. I AM…Ahmad. Please. Tell me. Why do you keep coming to me?"

"Caroline, you will find me. I am here."

"What do you mean? You are here? You came back? Wait! Ahmad!"

I was calling him in my dream, but I suddenly awoke as he disappeared from my dream. I opened my eyes, and wondered if I had actually called his name in my sleep. I was beginning to wonder if I was losing my mind. I slowly opened my eyes. I didn't hear any movement outside. Good, I thought. If I did call out in my sleep, maybe everyone was still asleep. I looked at my watch and realized it was a good two hours before our usual time to get started.

I thought about Tony. I smiled as I thought about his kisses. He was so incredible, almost too good to be true. I suddenly had the urge to dress and creep over to his tent, and drag him out for an early morning walk. Why not, I thought. I dressed quickly and slipped out into the cool morning air. It was foggy, not unusual here. I could barely make out the shape of his tent as I started toward it.

When I got there, I suddenly had second thoughts. He would think I was a nut, I thought. But then I heard his voice.

"Caroline?"

"Yes," I whispered, "I thought maybe you'd like to take a walk?"

"Sure, wait a second."

I could hear him stirring around in the tent, and he emerged, buttoning his shirt. I got a glimpse of a well-muscled chest, covered with dark curly hair. Caroline, you fool, I thought. You could have been resting your head on that this morning. I shook my head slightly, trying not to think about him that way. He kissed me, a casual peck on the lips, then turned from me.

"Where do you want to walk this morning?"

"I thought I would show you the dig site, if you still want to see it."

"Sure! Let's go! Wait. Wait. Wait. I forgot something."

He took me in his arms and gave me another melting kiss, his tongue exploring my mouth for a moment before he released me.

"Wow. Wait a minute, I need to catch my breath."

He smiled and took my hand. "Come on…" he said as he dragged me into a walk. I laughed at him and we walked down the path to the dig site. We got there, and immediately, he began asking me questions. I answered them, still amazed that he seemed so interested in my work. Finally I asked him.

"Tony. Are you really interested in all of this? Or are you just being polite?"

"I am genuinely interested. Something about this Ahmad character you told me about just captures my imagination. I had a dream last night. About a beautiful Viking woman. Except she was you."

I looked at him without speaking for a moment. I had a sudden urge to tell him about my dreams, but I fought it off. He would think I've lost my mind, I thought. Maybe later, maybe when I get to know him better. Finally I spoke, shifting the conversation back to the dig.

"Well, I feel certain that we've found a Viking village, but I doubt we will ever know if it was Ahmad's village, or find any evidence of his presence. But I know it is. I just know it."

"I like the glow in your eyes when you say that. Tell me, did your Ahmad fall in love while he was here?"

"If he did, he didn't write about it. Or if he did, those words have been lost. He… he did write about sex with a Viking woman, though. Who knows?"

"I think he did. Fall in love. Seems like a good place to do that."

I tried to ignore his words, but it was difficult, especially when he began kissing me again. I couldn't even think when he did that. I pushed him away, and said, "Ahmad, don't."

"What did you call me?"

"Tony," I said, blushing furiously.

"No, that is not what you called me. You said Ahmad," he said, teasing me.

"I'm sorry, I have been thinking about him a lot. All the time. And… Well, I dreamed about him last night, except he had your face."

"Ah, dreaming about me already, eh?"

"No, just borrowing your face to dream about Ahmad."

He laughed and said, "Seems I have a little competition for your affection."

Only when I'm asleep, I thought.

"That's right," I said. "You are competing with a man who's been dead for a thousand years. A man that I have been thinking about and studying for 15 years."

"Huh. I don't know if I can compete with that or not. But does it count for anything that I am here, and he isn't?"

"Yeah, I think that counts a lot," I said, trying to convince myself that Tony was really the only one here. I kissed him, and he held me for a moment. I was going to have a hard time focusing on this dig with him here, I thought. But suddenly, I didn't care. Ahmad would have to wait. We finally headed back to the camp, and saw that everyone else was now awake.

They had breakfast nearly ready, and we drank coffee while they finished up the preparations. Britt was noticeably cooler toward Tony. The fact that he sat by me and held my hand might have helped, but I think his obvious rejection of her for me the night before had more to do with it. Alex seemed much happier, but I wasn't sure what was going on between the two of them. Sam began asking questions about the dig, and I quickly forgot about the camp dynamics in favor of our plans for the day.

We got to the site, and Tony stayed with me, watching me work. He asked a few questions, but he mostly watched. I felt badly for him, I knew he must be bored beyond words. I asked him about it, but he smiled, and assured me that he was fascinated. I shook my head, and just worked. I unearthed several unremarkable bits of pottery, but I dutifully catalogued them, photographing the location. Suddenly, Janice called out.

"Caroline? I think you better see this."

I stood up, straightening the kinks in my back, and walked over to her square.

"Watcha got?"

"Um, it looks like gold."

"Gold?" My heart skipped a beat. Money perhaps? I stooped down to look at what she'd uncovered. It was definitely gold colored, but it didn't look much like a coin. I began to brush away the soil around it. It looked like a handle of some sort.

"Looks like it, Janice. Want to finish the job?"

She nodded, nervous and excited. I moved out of her way, and she slowly uncovered it. We gathered around her. This was by far the most interesting thing we'd seen. I was trying to control my excitement. Vikings didn't have many gold objects, and I so wanted this to be something that would link it to trade with another culture. Especially an Arab culture.

I wanted to rip whatever it was out of the ground. I couldn't watch her. She was doing it exactly as I'd taught her, but I was suddenly impatient. I drummed my fingers against my leg, and resisted the urge to walk away. I knew she wanted me to be there when she finally pulled it free. I closed my eyes, and waited.

I opened them again at the sound of a collective "ah." Janice turned to me and dropped a gold and jeweled knife and sheath in my hands. The blade was curved, in the manner of Arabic weapons. My hands were shaking as I stared at it. They all knew it was evidence of trade with Arabic cultures. The evidence that it was possible that Ahmad had been here. But what they didn't know was that I had seen that knife. Tucked into the belt of a man in my dreams.

I couldn't speak. I looked at their faces, as they expectantly waited for me to say something momentous. But what could I say? I looked from face to face, and tried to form words.

"This is…I am…" I stuttered. I looked at Tony. He was watching me, and suddenly spoke.

"I think Caroline is a little emotional about this, guys. Let's give her a little breathing room."

I nodded, thankful and amazed he understood. They nodded, and moved off. It was time for lunch anyway, so they ate while I stared at the knife. It was beautiful, and heavy. I turned it over, looking at the intricate work. This was quite a find, even if I hadn't seen it in my dreams. I was mesmerized by it. I jumped when Tony touched me on the back.

"Sorry, I didn't mean to frighten you. This is very important to you?" He sat next to me and handed me a plate. I looked at the food as if I wasn't quite sure what it was. I nodded to reply to his question.

"It is Ahmad's?" I nodded again. He didn't say anything for a few moments, then finally said, "How do you know?"

"Oh, Tony. You'd never believe me. It's just too crazy for words."

"Try me."

I looked at his face. He was watching me intently. I touched his hand and said, "I will tell you. I just can't, yet. I am…"

"Still shaking," he finished my sentence. "Ok, but I want to know. I am…I think I need to know this."

We stared at each other, both feeling some bond that neither of us understood. He put his arm around me, and we just sat. I slowly began to relax. Maybe I wasn't losing my mind after all. I felt him kiss the top of my head. He whispered, "Send them to town. To celebrate this find. Give them some time off."

"I tried to do that before. They didn't want to leave."

"Try again. They'll go."

As if on cue, they wandered back to us. They were chattering happily as they approached. Sam called out, "Caroline? Feeling any better?"

"Yes. Look, how would you all like to take the truck down to the town, and have a night out? A celebration of Janice's find?"

Alex caught the hint immediately. "Great! I am ready to do a little exploring!" He grabbed Britt's arm as she started to complain. Janice and Sam smiled and nodded their agreement and followed. It wasn't long before we heard the truck engine roar across the valley.

Tony kissed me. His lips found mine and his tongue hungrily explored my mouth. I suddenly realized I was gripping the ancient knife. I pushed him away. "Wait… I have to put this someplace safe. Come on."

I stood up, and pulled Tony to his feet. I practically ran up the hill, Tony's hand still in mine. We reached the camp, and I carefully wrapped the knife in a bit of cloth and stuffed it in a plastic container. Then I dragged Tony toward my tent. He was laughing at me.

"Caroline. Why the tent? Who is going to see us?"

I stopped and looked at him. His smile was infectious. I started laughing and said, "Well, could I at least get a blanket?" He laughed again, and I dashed into my tent for a blanket. I insisted that we at least find some shade.

"It may not hurt you, but there are parts of my body that I do NOT want sunburned."

He laughed again, but didn't argue. We spread the blanket out in a nearby shaded glen, and both kicked off our shoes. I suddenly was stricken with embarrassment or shyness or something. Tony kissed me and slowly began to unbutton my shirt. My hands fumbled with the buttons of his as he pulled the shirt hem from my shorts, and then off my shoulders. He reached behind me to unclip my bra, and his hand cupped my breast as he removed the undergarment. I had managed to unbutton his shirt, and he pulled it off and dropped it on top of mine. My fingers found the button of his jeans, but my hands were still trembling. He kissed me again, then dropped to his knees as slowly slipped my remaining clothes down to my ankles and I stepped free of them.

His hands were on my hips, and he urged me to kneel with him. I heard the zipper of his jeans as he finished undressing himself. He brought his hands around my back and gently guided me down onto the blanket. He kissed me, urgently, his lips pressing hard against mine, as his tongue tasted me. Suddenly, he stopped for a moment, and I opened my eyes

"Caroline. You are sure you don't want to wait?"

"You ask me that now? No. No," I said, as I reached up to pull his head down toward mine again. He laughed, a deep chuckle in his throat. He kissed me again, then began to explore my body with his tongue. He traced a line down my neck, stopping at each breast, gently tugging each hardened nipple with his teeth. My breathing quickened, and it felt like fire wherever his lips touched me. His hand rested on my thigh, and slowly crept up my leg until he found what he sought.

A small cry escaped my lips and my back arched as his hand massaged me gently. I was gasping and moaning with pleasure when he finally moved his knees between mine. He pushed inside me, and a moan escaped his lips as he tried to kiss me again. He moved slowly at first, thrusting into me, then drawing out so I could feel every bit of him. With each thrust, he moved a little faster, and I caught his rhythm, arching up to meet him as he pushed into me again. I cried out when the release finally came, and an instant later, Tony's moan filled the air and his weight collapsed against me. We laid there, tiny sounds escaping our lips with each breath.

When our breathing had quieted, he rolled off of me. I missed the weight of his body on mine, and I rolled over so that my head rested on his chest, and one leg draped across his thighs. We didn't say anything, and I almost fell asleep, drugged with the pleasure he'd given me. Then he spoke.

"Caroline? You know, that was amazing, but I realize I didn't do it quite right."

"No? I've got no complaints."

"But it could have been better. I think we better try again."

"Oh. Hmm. I see what you mean."

We made love again, more slowly, but only slightly less urgently. By the time we both fell gasping onto the blanket, I felt as if every nerve ending in my body was burning.

We lay together, holding each other, listening to each other's breathing. Tony suddenly rolled the blanket over us, and our bodies curled together as we relaxed. I fell asleep with the sound of Tony's whispering some words of Spanish in my ear.

"Didn't I tell you that you would find me?"

The words whispered in my ear had suddenly become Ahmad's.

"I am dreaming. You are not lying here next to me like this."

"Are you sure? I can feel your warm skin next to mine. Can't you feel me?"

"But you are Tony."

"Give me your hand."

I slipped my hand into his, and he brought it his face. To his eye, where he traced my fingers across the scars left there long ago.

"Now, am I Tony or Ahmad?"

"Ahmad. But why…"

"I met a woman here, Olga. I found out years later that I left her carrying my child. Many years after I had returned to my home and had my own family. When my wife died, and my children were grown, I traveled again, trying to reach this place and find Olga, and the daughter she'd had. But I never found them. Until now. You are her, Caroline. Our child. And Tony is the child of my other family."

"So what we just did, was incestuous?"

"After a thousand years and countless generations? I don't think so."

"But he's Spanish…"

"And you are not of Viking heritage, I think you said. You know very well there were many Arabic people in Spain's history. And do you think that no Viking people ever co-mingled with the Scots you are descended from?"

"So a thousand years later…"

"I find Olga, through you and Tony."

"Ahmad? Was the knife the thing? The thing I would find of you? Or is it Tony?"

"What do you think?"

I awoke with a start. Tony (or was it Ahmad) stretched beside me. "Are you ok?" he asked.

"Yes. Just a strange dream. Indulge me for a moment."

I reached up and felt his face. No scars. I breathed a sigh of relief.

"What did you dream?"

"You'd never believe me. Umm. I was thinking. I don't think we got it quite right that last time either. You want to try again?"

"I think that could be arranged."

I closed my eyes as he kissed me, and knew that he was the part of Ahmad I was intended to find.