Bjorn gripped the oar tightly as the longship cut through the waves. He was twelve years old, and this was his first voyage with his father's crew. They had left their village in Norway three weeks ago, sailing west to trade goods in distant lands.
"Pull!" the captain shouted. "Pull together!" Thirty men pulled their oars in rhythm. Bjorn's arms burned with effort, but he didn't complain. He wanted to prove he was strong enough to be a Viking trader.
The ship was called "Sea Serpent." It had a carved dragon head at the front to frighten away evil spirits. The hull was made from oak trees, overlapping planks that made the ship both strong and flexible.
When the wind was favorable, the crew raised the large square sail. It was made from wool and dyed red and white in stripes. With the sail up, they didn't need to row. Bjorn rested his tired arms and looked out at the endless water.
"Land!" someone shouted. Bjorn saw a green coastline in the distance. His father smiled and clapped him on the shoulder. "Well done, son. You've earned your place on this crew."
They guided the ship into a harbor where other vessels were already docked. People on shore spoke a different language, but they welcomed the traders. Bjorn helped unload furs, amber, and walrus ivory. In return, they received silver coins, wheat, and fine cloth.
That night, Bjorn's father gave him a silver coin of his own. "You've worked hard," he said. "A true Viking earns his reward." Bjorn held the coin carefully. He wasn't just a boy anymore—he was a Viking trader.