For three days the mysterious coastline remained on the horizon. Each sunrise revealed more of the unknown land. Each sunset left the crew with new questions.
The mountains grew larger. The forests darker. The shoreline stretched farther than the eye could see. No one aboard the Rikmans-yflir had ever witnessed such a place. Not even the navigator.
And the navigator had once spent six months lost in Denmark. "This land isn't on any map," he muttered.
"Then we'll have to make a new one," said Rikus.
The navigator sighed. The man seemed incapable of appreciating the seriousness of anything. As the longship drew nearer, strange sights appeared along the shore. Towering cliffs rose from the sea. Dense forests covered the hills. White beaches glimmered beneath the southern sun.
Birds with brilliant feathers circled overhead. Some creatures hopped across the grasslands. Others darted through the trees. None resembled anything found in the North.
The sailors watched in amazement. One warrior pointed at a hopping animal. "What is that?"
The navigator adjusted his sighting horn. "It appears to be some kind of rabbit." The animal stood nearly as tall as a man. "A very unusual rabbit."
Sven stared at it suspiciously. The creature stared back. Neither trusted the other.
At dawn on the fourth day, the Rikmans-yflir entered a wide sheltered bay. Calm waters welcomed them. A gentle breeze filled the sail. The forests seemed to stretch forever.
The sailors gathered at the rail. No one spoke. For the first time in history, Vikings were about to set foot upon this distant southern land.
The ship's keel scraped softly against the sand. The voyage was over. The adventure was just beginning. Rikus leapt ashore first.
Unfortunately, he landed in a rockpool. The crew pretended not to notice. Sven stepped onto the beach with considerably more dignity. The sailors followed and they stood in silence.
The southern air was warm. The forest smelled of eucalyptus and salt. Strange calls echoed from unseen creatures among the trees. The land felt ancient. Untouched. Waiting.
Rikus looked around. Then spread his arms dramatically. "I claim this land in the name of exploration!"
"Exploration?" asked a sailor.
"I was going to say luck."
"That too." The crew laughed.
Nearby, the strange hopping creature reappeared. It watched the Vikings curiously. Then bounded away. Rikus pointed after it.
"I believe that was a local nobleman."
"It was a rabbit, it was definitely a rabbit" the Navigator said, even still unsure.
Sven headbutted Rikus. The matter was settled. The Vikings spent the day exploring the coastline. Fresh water was discovered. Fishing proved excellent. Game animals were plentiful. The forests offered timber unlike any they had seen before. Every discovery suggested the same thing. The land could support a settlement.
That evening they gathered around a campfire upon the beach. The southern stars glittered overhead. The unfamiliar constellations filled the sky. The crew shared stories.
The navigator studied the heavens. Rikus stared into the flames. At last one sailor asked the question everyone had been considering.
"What shall we call it?"
Silence followed. Naming a new land was no small matter. Names carried power. Names endured. Names became history.
The crew offered suggestions.
New Norðheim.
Southmark.
Dragon Coast.
The Far Kingdom.
The Land Beyond the Storm.
Each name sounded suitably heroic. Rikus considered them all. Then shook his head.
"No."
The crew waited. Rikus stood. He looked toward the dark forest toward the mountains toward the ocean that had nearly claimed them Then he smiled.
"This land exists because of a mistake."
The sailors exchanged glances. That was difficult to argue with.
"If I had not lost my axe..."
The crew nodded.
"If the mead hall had not burned..."
More nodding.
"If the Kraken's Daughter had not laughed..."
Even more nodding.
"If we had not sailed through the vortex..."
The agreement became unanimous.
"Then we would never have arrived here."
The sailors understood. At least partly.
Rikus raised his mug. "Therefore, I name this land..."
The crew leaned forward.
"...Blundergard."
Silence. A gull cried somewhere in the distance. The sailors stared and the navigator blinked. The cook frowned.
One warrior coughed politely. "Blundergard?"
"The Land of Great Mistakes," said Rikus proudly.
The silence lasted several moments. Then the blacksmith burst out laughing. Another sailor joined him. Then another. Soon the entire beach echoed with laughter. Even the navigator smiled.
It was absurd. Completely ridiculous. Which made it perfect For no sensible man could have reached such a place in such a manner.
Only Rikus Rikmansen.
The name remained.
And so it was that the first Viking settlement upon the southern island became known as Blundergard.
Over the following weeks, shelters were built. Timber was cut. Gardens were planted. Fishing boats explored the coast. The settlement slowly took shape.
The sailors discovered wonders everywhere. Bright parrots filled the forests. Curious animals watched from the hills. The southern lights danced across the winter sky. Every day brought another mystery. Every day brought another story.
And with every passing sunset, the legend of Rikus Rikmansen grew. Yet the greatest discovery came several weeks later.
One morning, while exploring a nearby valley, Sven the Goat wandered into a field of the finest grass he had ever seen. The goat immediately decided Blundergard was the greatest land in the world. For perhaps the first time in his life, Sven appeared genuinely happy.
Rikus considered this."Well," he said. "If Sven approves, we must be doing something right."
For once, nobody disagreed. As the sun set beyond the southern ocean, the settlers gathered upon a cliff overlooking their new home. Below them stood the first buildings of Blundergard.
Above them shone unfamiliar stars. Behind them lay the unknown future.
And somewhere far away, beyond oceans and storms and magical gateways, the people of the North still believed the world ended at the horizon.
The settlers of Blundergard now knew better. The world was far larger than anyone had imagined. And this was only the beginning.
For many adventures still awaited Rikus Rikmansen Many mistakes. Many discoveries. And many sagas yet to be told.
The age of Blundergard had begun.
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