Chapter 49: Things Fall Apart...

''During the Viking Period of AD 793-1040, the Norse explored, traded and settled extensively, using both the seas and rivers as their means of transportation. The Norse longships and skilled seamanship allowed them to travel to locations as far-flung as Mongolia, the African coast of the Mediterranean, and Vinland in the Vestrilands. Skilled and daring sailors would even attempt winter voyages, trusting in their ability to read the weather and the seaworthiness of their ships to avoid and mitigate the hazards of the season. ''

This tradition of seamanship continued, albeit in an altered form, during the subsequent Dragon Period (AD 1040-~1400), where the old skills in navigation and ship construction continued to evolve…

—The Dragon Millennium, Manna-hata University Press, Ltd.

Foreshadowing
Put spoilers here

Epigraph Tie-In

 * The epigraph mentions that the Norse traded extensively. The chapter shows Trader Johann travelling as far as Al-Andalus for his merchant trips.

Links to the Chapter
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