Chasing Faith: Philip's Perilous Viking Voyage

Philip barks the commands to his crew, “Veer right. Turn the sail. Loosen the skaut from the bottom right. Watch the beam! ” He looks back at the distance growing between his boat and Chief Kian’s men. The boats rage on the salty sea water, with Philip’s boat only a small advance from his pursuer. Assuredly the captain of the boat chasing Philip will be held accountable and killed at the escape of Philip once again. Chief Kian had given strict orders for Philip to be captured. The Chief did not want Philip or any of his Christian followers spreading the Gospel of Christ in any of his territories. He will use any reason to kill a Christian Viking trespassing in his territory, especially, one breaking his decree by spreading Christianity.

He does not want to remind his men of the supplies lost, but their needs are crucial. On the horizon where the fog is beginning to lift Philip sees another boat. One of his crew points out that the markings on the boat are the Triple Horn of Odin. The boat is larger than a typical Viking boat which indicates the boat is the personal boat of the chief captain. Philip asked two of his crew members to take a skiff to the ship and ask the Great Norsemen Erik if he can spare supplies to help sustain them.

Philip said to the men on the skiff, “Go to the ship and ask for the captain of the boat. Tell him you come on the behalf of Philip, the Viking, who has sent you. Greet him and tell him we wish him peace. Tell him, I hear you have supplies. Yesterday we saved one of your fishermen from wrecking his boat. Now let Philip find favor in your eyes, for we come asking for supplies. Please give whatever you can spare.” At Erik’s boat Philip’s men do as instructed.

Erik scoffs at Philip’s men, “Why on earth would I give my supplies to a captain I do not even know. Should I take my supplies from my