BEOTHUK WORDS
NUMBERS
1 – Gathet
2 – Adjieich
3 – Shedsic
4 – Dabseek
5 – Nijik
6 – Bigadosic
7 – Odosook
8 – Odoosook
9 – Yeothodue
10 – Theant
PEOPLE
Man – Bukashaman
Woman – Imamus
Boy – Bukashamesh
Girl – Emamooset
Wife – Osuk
BODY PARTS
Heart – Begodor
Breast – Begomot
Teeth – Bocbodza
Lip – Coish
Hair – Dronna
Nose – Geen
Eye – Givinya
Body – Haddabothie
Knee – Hodamishit
Neck/Throat – Iedesheet
Thigh – Itweena
Blood – Izzobauth
Head – Keauthut Gonothin
Tongue – Memasuck
Arms – Memayet
Hand – Memet
Shoulders – Momezemethon
Elbow – Moocus
Ear – Mooshaman
Thumb – Pooeth
Back – Possant
Nails – Quish
Chin – Toun
ANIMALS
Marten – Abidish
Seal – Bedesook
Pigeon – Bobbodish
Duck – Boodowit
Otter – Edree
Rat – Gadgemish
Bear – Guashauet
Puffin – Gwoshuawit
Dog – Mammasmeet
Wolf – Moisamadrook
Cattle – Nethabeat
Goose – Odeiisook
Deer – Osweet
Woodpecker – Shebohoweet
Salmon – Wasemook
Partridge – Woothyat
FOOD
Water – Ebautho
Bake Apple – Abidemasheek
Berries – Bobidigimidie
Egg – Debine
Raspberries – Gawzadun
TOOLS/WEAPONS
Spoon – Adadiminte
Buttons/Money – Agamot
Sword – Bedison
Arrow – Dogemat
Comb – Edrathu
Fork – Ethewwit
Net – Giggarimanet
Knife – Mameshuadet
Blanket – Manovorit
Hammer – Matheuis
Oar – Poodybeat
Nails – Quish
Trap – Shebathoont
Axe – Thingaya
Saw - Dedoneet
CLOTHING
Bonnet – Abodonee
Necklace – Bethic
Clothes – Ihingyam
Shoes – Moosin
Pants – Mooweed
COMMANDS
To Kneel – Abusthibit
Good Night – Bethiote
Go Out – Enano
Come Here – Kooset
Do not be afraid - Cockaboset
OTHERS
Sun – Mangarewuis
Moon – Washewiush
Wood – Adiab
Boat – Adothe
Singing – Awoodet
Thunder – Barodiisick
Rain – Bathuc
Smoke – Besdic
Red Indian – Bogomet Outhermayet
Lightning – Borod
Dancing – Budiseet
Bite – Bushudite
Sorrow – Conasoob
Saw – Dedoneet
Oil – Emet
Dogwood Tree – Emoethuk
Mainland – Gewzewook
Wind – Gidgeathue
Stoop – Hedyyan
Fall – Hosket
Run – Hothamashet
Yawn – Ibeath
Sleep – Isedoweet
Canoe – Japathook
Tickle – Kaduishnite
Leaves – Madyna
House – Mammateek
Islands – Mammausheek
Cry – Matheothuc
Dirt – Methic
Cold – Moidewsee
Hiccup – Mudyrat
Oakum – Mushabauth
Cut – Odisuit
Eat – Odoit
Tinker – Oothook
Ice – Ozeru
Fur – Peatha
Scab – Pigathu
Watch – Kuis
Swimming – Thoowidgee
Spruce – Traunasoo
Hop – Uvin
Fire – Woodrat
Kill – Whadicheme
Sickly – Ashei
NAMES: female
Waumaduit
Shanawdithit
Baethasuit
Konaubee
Oodin
Male:
Dauoodaset
Shamoonan
Edeshnon
Cosheewet
Abideshet
Keeushuwit
The sun was just rising over the mountians as Ragnar and his men sailed into the fjord. They had been gone almost two months and they where eagar to show off their new treasures from the newest raids.
The villagers where already bustling about, setting out on the days chores. As they neared the dock, the people gathered around the shore, eagar to hear the many stories of their adventures and to see what treasures they had pillaged.
Ragnar was busy getting the ships unloaded when he heard his daughter, Gyda's shouts, "Father! Father!" She called as she and Bjorn ran down the dock and into his arms. He kissed them both on the tops of their heads.
"Ah, my children!" he replied as the two youngest Lothbroks clung to his waist. "And my wife! I have missed you!" He gave his wife a passionate kiss as they met on the dock.
"As have I!" She replied with a smile.
"Welcome home Ragnar!" Athelstan replied.
"Athelstan, my friend, it is good to see you!" He clasped the young priest on the arm. "It is good to be home!"
"I trust the raids went well?" Athelstan asked as they made their way towards the long house.
"Yes father, what treasures have you brought us?" Gyda asked as her father raised her to sit on his shoulders.
"Ah, you shall soon see!" He stopped at the end of the dock and turned back to the ships, "Floki, have the men bring the treasures to the long house!"
Floki nodded as he continued to help unload their hoard.
"Did you have a battle father?" Bjorn asked as they settled into the main hall.
"Of course! It was an easy one though!" Ragnar laughed when he saw the disgusted look on Athelstan's face, "The people there where like babies! They used bows and little childrens axes! We overpowered them in no time!"
Although it had been over nine years since Athelstan had come to Kattegat, the memories of the raid on Lindesfarne where still fresh in his mind.
"Where did you land this time father?" Gyda asked from her seat on the fur covered floor infront of her parents.
"New lands, ones I have never heard talk of before! One we named Vinland!"
"Lands? You mean you sailed to more then one this time father?" Bjorn asked in amazement.
"Yes, the first, the peoples there spoke an odd language, even odder then Athelstan's Saxon tongue!" He gave the young man a playful shove as he smiled.
"What where they like, the people there?" She asked, leaning her chin on her mothers lap as she listened to her fathers story.
"Have a look for yourselves!" Ragnar replied as Rollo entered the long house holding a rope, behind him, with their hands tied and a rope around each neck, stood five, very odd people, three women and two young men.
"More Slaves!" Bjorn replied excitedly.
"They're funny looking!" Gyda replied, in awe.
Athelstan couldn't help but stare at the new comers, he himself, with all of his previous travelling had never seen the likes before! Their hair was long and black as night, although it was covered with a thick red substance. Some had braids, others had feathers and beads in their hair. Their eyes where dark, almost as dark as their hair. Their skin looked to be stained with blood and their clothing was strange, all animal skin, decorated with colored stones and beads. Their feet where covered in animal hide decorated like their clothing.
"Why are they covered in blood?" Lagertha asked in disgust.
"That is the color of their skin, I believe. Odd, isn't it?" Ragnar replied.
"No, it is Oakum stain. I have seen the monks at Lindesfarne use it to stain wool and clothing." Athelstan replied returning his eyes to the strangers.
"See something you like priest?" Ragnar grinned wickedly, as he noticed the young priest's gaze.
Athelstan hadn't realized that he had been staring at one of the women in particular, she looked to be the eldest of the women, but not much older then himself. Her hair flowed down her back and over her shoulders and she had an eagle feather hanging in the back. She was the most beautiful thing he'd ever seen, even with the stone expression she wore. The others looked terrified, even the young men, but this one, she stood tall, head held high and she stared around at her captors with defiance.
Athelstan cleared his throat, "They are an interesting people. Could you communicate with them?"
"No, they talked amongst themselves on our journey home, but that one, " He pointed to the one Athelstan had been staring at, "She would refuse them to speak to us."
"What language is it they speak?"
"I do not know! But I have heard them speak some words, Ashei(Sickly), Konaubee (Female name)."
Athelstan slowly made his way towards the newcomers. The others sank back, but the one that seemed to be incharge just stood there, eyes cold as stone. Athelstan tried each language he knew, but the only response he got was a glare from her.
"It is useless priest, she will not speak."
"Cockaboset gadgemish! (Do not be afraid of these rats!)" She was looking to her people, but spat the last word at Ragnar.
Rollo yanked on the ropes, pulling her to her knees. "I like this one brother, she is fiesty! I think I will keep her!" He grinned.
The girl pulled at the ropes around her neck, "Methic gadgemish! (dirty rat!)" She spat at him.
Athelstan's heart fell at the thought of anyone having to be Rollo's slave, especially not this one. There was something stirring in him, and he had no idea what it was, he felt sorrow for the five that stood infront of him, but an unexplained fear for their leader. He knew it was useless to argue against Rollo the Norse, he was an outsider still and had no say in the matter. He gave the girl an apologetic look and returned to his place beside Bjorn.
"What is the matter priest?" Bjorn asked gruffly. "You look as if you'll be sick!"
"I'm fine Bjorn."
"Very well brother, you have yourself a new slave, good luck to you with her!" Ragnar laughed. His eyes caught Athelstan's fidgeting figure out of the corner of his eye, which made his grin even more wolfish. He knew the priest felt enough pity for the slaves, but he knew just by the look on Athelstans face that there was something more he was feeling for Rollo's new slave.
Ragnar became bored with the new slaves and quickly turned the conversation to the hoard they had found. He let his men choose their treasure as he told the story of their journey. They had ventured West, even further West then ever before. They came to this land, Vinland they had named it. The natives there put up a fight, but where no match for the powerful vikings. The small village had been burned and all but the five slaves they had brought where killed. There where originally six, but one of the women died on the way back and was uncerimoniously buried at sea. But the people had no gold, no silver, no treasure whatsoever! So they took the survivors as slaves and returned to their ships, on the way home they came across more land which was known as Iceland where they ransacked a village and brought back almost as much gold and silver then they had from Lindisfarne! They spared no one in the village on their search for treasure.
All of a sudden there came a ruckus from the back, screams and shouts and crying. Rollo must have been eagar to put his new slave to work, as he tried to slip out the door unnoticed with her, the others had started a small riot, calling to her and reaching out to keep her with them. "Oodin! Oodin!" They called.
"Cockaboset Baethasuit! (Do not be afraid Baethasuit!) She called, "Be strong (no translation) Edeshnon!" Her hands slipped out of Baethasuit's as Rollo tried to pull her through the door.
"Wait, brother! What is it they are saying? Are they calling out to the great God Odin?" Ragnar stood and shouted over the commotion. Everyone fell silent, is it possible that these strangers worshipped the same Gods as they did? But just as their Norse captors fell silent, so did the slaves. No words left their lips as Ragnar demanded they tell him of their Gods. But of course Oodin, Baethasuit, Edeshnon, Waumaduit and Cosheewet had no idea what he was asking of them. "Do you pray to great Gods, Odin and Thor?"
Oodin was confused, trying to understand what he was saying, but she would not speak. "Answer him!" Rollo bellowed, striking her across the face with the back of his hand, causing her to fall back to the ground. Athelstan made to move to her, but quickly remembered where he stood in society.
Just as Rollo pulled his slave through the door, no doubt to finish the beating in private, Athelstan feels a tug at his sleeve. "You worry for her, don't you priest?" Came Gyda's soft voice. "I can see it in your eyes!"
"Of course, your uncle is able to kill her with one smack!" He replied, "Don't you see, they have no idea what you are all saying to them, they do not speak any language I know of..." But he knew it was useless to argue with them, the remaining four would probably be beaten to death within the first week, the fith, she might make it two if Rollo took it easy on her.
The talk of the new lands continued long into the afternoon. This Vinland, Ragnar told them, wasn't wealthy with treasure, but it had an abundance of wildlife, they had brought back barrels and barrels of fish, deer and other meats they had hunted, all salted or pickled to last the long journey home.
The conversation and celebrations came to an end when Lagertha whispered into her husbands ear, "I have missed your body, my love!" She gave him a wicked smile as he stood from his throne and took her by the hand, leading her towards their chambers.
Athelstan took charge of the children, hurding them off to eat before bed. He placed a bowl andcup infront of both children before sitting down himself to eat.
"Priest, why do you care so much of those slaves?" Bjorn asked, curiosity getting the better of him. He just could not understand why Athelstan cared so much of others. Of course they all looked after one another here in the village, but when it came to outsiders, they didn't care. But their priest had a way of life still completely different from them.
Athelstan looked up from his bowl, his expression was of surprise. Bjorn hardly cared about what he thought about things, only when he thought he'd get a good reaction out of him, but this time there was honest wonder in his voice. "I don't know really, it's the way I was raised I suppose. At the monestary, it was a sin to do wrong to others, we helped and respected one another and worked besides each other with light hearts. Violence was non existant there."
Gyda grinned, one resembling her fathers, only sweeter, "I think the Priest is in love!" She giggled, Athelstan's face paled a little then blushed brightly.
"Gyda, you know that's not possible! I have sworn an oath..."
"Yes yes priest, we know, you have sworn an oath, body and soul belongs to your stupid god!" Bjorn replied rolling his eyes, "When will you come to your senses and realize your god does not exist and take up our ways?"