hns98

Part five We were now mummified going in these huge baskets. We hadn’t seen the face of our new captors and we didn’t know their real intentions. Again we were transported somewhere. Only our life began to be better. We didn’t know how much time we spent inside the baskets until we were taken out from there. They were men similar to the ones who brought us to Timbuktu. But this time we saw that we weren’t the only girls being transported. There were also other girls there. All of the natives of this country. All of them were mummified in a similar way as we. It looked like they would again sell us in the market place because they had so many girls. I hoped that we could stay together. We were freed from all our bonds and gags. We were feed with awful food. Then we had to do our business in a corner of the camp you were staying in. We had some spare time and could stretch our muscles after being tied up for several hours. I and Ingrid saw the sun setting on the horizon. However we were

We had the whole prisoner’s room for ourselves. Such a big room for only three people was much better than how crowded it was before. I was lying near my new friends. Also, the air felt much fresher. We were trying to comfort each other. Just two men entered, bringing some water, bread but this time they were kind and brought also some orange, juicy fruits which I had never before seen. They were so delicious and fresh. They only removed our gags and they started feeding us. Once they were done they untied us and locked us up. We could move and speak in this place. “Karoliina, Anne!” Said Ingrid. “Thank god we’re free again, I was feeling very sad by seeing many girls from my village being taken away but at least we have each other.” She hugged the two of us. We all hugged tightly. We knew that they would sooner or later sell us too. We could only hope that we might be together. I also missed the girls from my village which were my friends. “ Where do you think we are being taken?”

Horrible moaning and crying surrounded us. I was also terrified about our destiny. Suddenly a group of men came inside that room. They carried a bag of bread, some buckets of freshwater and some wooden glasses. They shouted something in their language, but it seemed it was feeding time. Maybe they would free our hands for eating. I was sure that everybody's hands were hurting. I saw how they untied the girls and then ungagged them one by one. However, there was always a man with a knife or a sword watching carefully every movement of the prisoners. Once they were done eating they were tied up and gagged again and then they were guided to a corner where there was a big bucket with human waste. They squatted and did their business. Once every girl was done with that, they threw the waste into the sea and cleaned the bucket with seawater. It was clear that they will not use us or kill us because they gave us food and let us have relief of wastes. They were transporting us somewhere. How I

All the story is from Karoliina’s perspective -It is the year 1520 in the small town of Rauma, despite having a 98% percent Finnish population, the town and the whole area nearby was under the rule of the Swedish kingdom. Today is a special day for the town since a wedding would take place soon. Antti, also known as Anders, would marry a beautiful young maid Karoliina. He was a successful merchant who traded the goods of his hometown in many cities that belonged to the Hanseatic League. On the other hand, there was me, Karoliina, I am the youngest daughter of a couple of farmers. I am well known for my beauty and kindness. Antti always bought the products from my family. He became close with the family and eventually fell in love with me. I had waited for this day for so long time. We had everything ready. Many guests would come and we'll have a beautiful wedding. All the guests wore their best suits and dresses. Soon I would be a wife. My future husband was waiting for me in the small

Epilogue “Are you coming to birth, Herick? I would like to have you keeping my hand.” After 9 months the big day was finally here. Herick came with me to the room where I would give birth. We already knew that we were going to have a boy and a girl and we couldn’t be more happy about it. We had both had the maternity clinic's induction course and so knew what will happen here. I was however very nervous, especially because of twins. But with Herick’s support, we could together do it. Herick said: “Everything will be fine don’t worry my darling. I’m here for you and these professionals know what they are doing. ”Mrs. Caroline the babies are ready, please push as hard as you can.” The obstetrician said. It was even easier I feared. Soon we had two babies. I had a handsome boy beside me on the bed and Herick had a beautiful girl on his lap. Could people be happier than we were now? A nurse came and asked how are we going to name the babies. Herick said: “I’ll name the boy Ivan. You will