Page 74 of Viktor at Sea

“Yes. I’ve received several letters and requests for trade. There’ll be a dozen or so stops to make along the way, butGreenland would be the last one.” Barden dropped my eyes and shifted on his feet. “Well, second to last.”

I quirked a questioning brow at him. “What’s the last one?”

“It’s a little off course,” Barden admitted.

“Just how far off course?” My eyes narrowed in suspicion.

“A week,” he answered. “Maybe ten days at the most, but it’ll be worth it.”

I pondered it for a moment, and then realisation hit me.

“The King’s hidden treasure?”

Barden’s eyes lit up, and he nodded his head frantically.

I understood that Barden was interested in all of the trade opportunities that had suddenly presented themselves to us, and I was too, but the timing was horrendous. I hadn’t even married for two days, and by the sounds of things, the trip would last several months.

And right at the end, he wanted me to stop by a lost island that may or may not exist, that may or may not have an abundance of hidden, grand treasure and may or may not be swarmed with pirates.

Simple, right?

Honestly, I didn’t blame him. Barden was the Chief of Jorvik for a reason. And he was a damn good Chief at that. The sole reason I moved to Jorvik was because I had seen it transform and prosper under Barden’s reign. Not to mention, he trusted me completely unlike other Chiefs I had worked for in the past. They all seemed to think I was out to rob or cheat them, or I would run away with their bounty, but never Barden. I was surprised by how much he trusted me after our first meeting, and it wasn’t long after that I decided to move to Jorvik.

“What about the pirates?” I asked.

“Rumours.” Barden looked confident and unsure at the same time. That wasn’t the least bit reassuring.

“How can we be sure they’re rumours?” I continued to probe. It was difficult to believe him when he looked like he was trying to pull a fast one over my eyes to get me to agree to the mission.

“We can’t, exactly,” he chuckled.

“What if they’re not rumours? And what if the water surrounding the island is shark-infested? If the King did hide his treasure there, I can’t imagine he would have made it easy.”

“I have a good feeling about it,” Barden persisted.

“You want us to plan this mission off your good feeling?” I deadpanned.

“Yes.”

“And this really can’t wait a couple of months?” I groaned, pinching the bridge of my nose in frustration.

“No, it can’t,” Barden shook his head frantically. “I have confirmation that no one has the men or the resources to invade the island. The alleged rumours of the pirates are also keeping them away. We would be going where no man dares to go.”

“Let me guess. It’s too good of an opportunity for us to pass on?” I asked, my tone dry.

“Yes.”

“What about Greenland?”

“What about them?”

“If they’re only ten days away from Treasure Island–” That’s the name I was giving it now. “–why aren’t they sailing over there?”

“They’re scared.” He shrugged. “That’s why you’ve become so infamous. Because you and your crew are fearless and dare to travel much further than anyone in this part of the world has ever dared to. Before you came along, Viktor, I couldn’t get the crew out for even a month, but you set sail for four months after only being here for a month. I already knew you were special then, but you kept upping my expectations. You can’t turn this mission down, Viktor. A lot is riding on this.”

“When do you want us to set sail?” I groaned, unable to believe that I was considering this.

“Does that mean you’ll do it?” Barden asked, looking far too elated for a man who had been nothing but a bag of nerves a few short moments ago.

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