My
father always joked that our family could be traced back to the
early
Vikings
and the
time of Dragons and legends. It is a commonly held belief that the
early
Vikings
sailed to the North American continent long before Columbus.
Some
think it was
to expand their territory, others believe it was simply for
trading
purposes.
But just perhaps there was a different
reason.
This story
begins several years ago. Linda and I were hiking in a rather
primal
looking
area, picking raspberries along the way. While resting near
an
outcrop in a
heaviliy wooded spot, we happened to find a lone moss
covered
rock with
what appeared to be some kind writing that looked like Viking
runes.
We had read
about rune stones scattered all over North America but to
come
upon one
ourselves by chance, was quite exciting. Our interest was
piqued,
so
we returned
a few days later to try to take a rubbing of the old
language.
We
spent hours
searching the meanings and what follows is the best we could
decipher.
"From the time of Odin and Aegir the Dragons have suffered a great
loss.
A group
of Vikings known as Berserker, born of un-human blood spirited away
the
great
treasure
we have sworn to protect for eternity. Faithful Fafnir,
journeyed
beyond
the setting sun, to an unknown land in pursuit of the
thieves.
Upon
recovering
the treasure and doing away with these Vikings, he decided to
re-hide
it
in this
land named Vinland. Although most of the treasure was
recovered,
missing
still are Odin's magic ring and the Dragon's Grail. If
searching out
this
treasure,
remember this, should you ever knowingly or willfully divulge the
secrets
to the
Dragon's Lair, your life you must pay. Your tongue shall
be ripped
out
and
given to the birds of the air. Your body severed twain, left
to rot and be
eaten
by
the creatures of the night. Your entrails burned to ash
and scattered to
the
four
winds. All so there shall remain no trace of your ever having
been.
While
you may
be brave enough to enter the Dragon's Lair and return
unscathed
thereby
earning
you the reverence of your fellow travelers, you shall never be
the
same.
For
there will forever be a dark spot in your heart where frightening
things
abide.
Remember
my name, for you shall need
it.
DRACO"
It appears
as though a band of thieves may have been stealing a yet to be
re-discovered
treasure
out of Norse lands to North America. If you accept the
challenge to find
this
treasure you
will need a good flashlight, and a digital camera. Please
make sure to read all the clues in the cache. If you are easily
frightened I beg you to not go alone, for there are those that
would wish to do you harm. Please rehide and replace all parts as
you found them.
