Day 3

The sky covered with dark angry clouds that appear to be ready to open up and drown the country side. Every now and then there was a flicker of lightning over the sea. That the lightning was over the sea was a bad omen. Storms from that direction were unusually severe. It was very rare that they came from there but when they did devastation could easily follow. The last one was before Mara was born and Ewald was busy telling anyone who was unfortunate to be within his range all about the damage that was caused.

Mara decided that it might be best to get the animals loaded into the Kra. The men were sent up into the hills to bring down the cows and the oxen. Women were sent to gather the sheep and goats. Even the children were sent to gather the chickens, ducks, and other various fowls that were kept.

It wasn't too long before the men were seen in the distance driving the cows down. It appeared that the cows were none too happy having their routine interrupted and especially their pleasant grazing. They managed to stow the cows away safely and headed back for the oxen. Now the oxen would be a different matter all together. They were used for working purposes, like hauling logs, rocks, etc. and would not give them any trouble.

Meanwhile the women had turned up with the sheep. They were milling around and as sheep are wont to do were just about climbing over each other. Once they managed to get a few into the Kra the rest were happy to follow. Goats were a totally different story. For some reason the goats were a bit spooked and were playing up. Annegret lost some concentration and did not see the goat behind her. Next thing she was sailing through the air and landed with a heavy thud.

She was up and cursing that goat swearing that if she caught it it would end up in her pot. When she realised that everyone around her was roaring with laughter she calmed down and looked a bit sheepish. Even the men who had gone to get the oxen had returned just in time to see Annegret fly through the air. For many years after when people gathered for drinks they would discuss the day Annegret flew like a duck.

The children brought all the chickens and ducks and they were all stowed away along with other various assorted fowls. The roosters were a bit of a problem at first but when their girls disappeared into the Kra they meekly followed, after all, what is a rooster without his girls. The pigs were the easiest to load up. They were happy to follow the trail of food into the Kra.

Just as they finished loading up the last animal the skies opened up and the rain gushed down as if it was a waterfall. Seeing that they were all in the Kra, Mara decided it might be best to stay there for the night. All night the Kra shook as the ferocious storm raged outside. It was a long and anxious night. Finally when dawn arrived the storm seemed to abate and finally stopped. When they stepped outside they could not believe what met their eyes.