Page 14 of Into the Isle

“Vini,” he said, using my nickname Anna used. Whether it was Rav, Ravi, Vin, Vini—it didn’t matter. Hearing him say my name and smile at me was everything.

I rushed to my brother and wrapped him into a hug. “Hey, E,” I said into the crook of his shoulder.

When we pulled apart, my eyes were dewy.

“Don’t get glassy-eyed on me, sis,” he said, giving me another crooked smile.

I punched him playfully in the arm. “Never.”

The crowd on the shore started to close in around us, eager to hear of my brother’s adventures.

Eirik took a step back and put his arms out wide, asking me and Ma, “So? What do you think?”

I blinked at him. Hesitated. Then, “I think you grew a beard.”

The crowd erupted in laughter, disorienting me. Because, for at least a fleeting moment, I wasn’t a bog-blood. I was a villager of Selby, like the rest of them. Nothing more, nothing less.

Eirik snorted and shouldered me as he passed, heading for the village. “What, this patchy thing?” he called out, running a hand through the short black bush on his chin.

I shouldered him back, grinning. “It’s about time, E. I was starting to worry you’d never be able to grow one.”

“Yeah, yeah,” he muttered, and took to the front of the group like he was a messiah as we made our way into the village. Everyone followed in his wake. No one else from the longship disembarked, the shadows in the mist strangely still.

“So?” I asked. “What news do you bring?” I couldn’t hide the excitement from my voice.

Eirik put a hand to his belly. “The morning, sister. You know how it works. For now”—he patted himself and glanced over at Ma—“I’m desperately hoping you’ve got some cod chowder on the boilpot, Ma.”

Chapter 5

Ravinica

“TELL ME EVERYTHING,” I implored my brother as we sat across from each other at the campfire outside our longhouse.

Most the villagers had returned to their homes to put their kids to bed, the festivities finished. A few lingered nearby, hoping to hear Eirik’s tales. Tomorrow would be a larger feast to celebrate the return of our Vikingrune cadet.

Ma stayed at the fire, as did Hallan and Damon. The brothers gave stiff nods and embraces. Same with Eirik and his father.

It had always been that way with this family, the whole lot of them unable to express their feelings. I was the same way, honestly, because I’d been raised in their image.

“I’ll tell you what I can, sis,” Eirik said while ravenously slurping down his second bowl of chowder.

Ma was ready at his side with a third, should he want it.

“Is it true the Wraith didn’t come to Selby’s shores last year because no one here had been worthy of attending the academy?” I asked.

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