Page 35 of Viktor at Sea

“And what about this morning?” Barden asked, but the glint in his eyes told me that he already knew what had happened in the square today. He just wanted to hear it from me.

“Why are you asking me about this morning when you already know what happened?” I groaned, my lips pursed.

“I want to hear your version of the story.”

“Fine. If you must,” I huffed, feeling like a petulant child about to be told off by their parent. “I was taking a walk, and when I got to the square, I spotted Crosby. We both started walking toward each other and when we met in the middle, he punched me.”

“He was the one that threw the first punch?”

“Yes.” I nodded with the utmost conviction as I had nothing to lie about. “I was only defending myself.”

“With the way you were beating at him, that’s debatable,” Barden snorted.

“Perhaps, but he was the one that started it,” I protested, refusing to take the blame for something I was not at fault for. Especially when Crosby had been the sole reason behind this whole fight in the first place. If he hadn’t stared me down like he actually believed himself to be a worthy opponent, then none of this would have happened, and I would still be sulking around the island, lost in my thoughts and mourning a love I never possessed in the first place.

“While that might be the case, I’m not happy that it happened or how far it escalated.”

“Then perhaps you need to speak to Crosby as well,” I said, remaining adamant.

“I’ll do that later, but right now, I’m speaking to you, Viktor.”

“What else do you want to know?” I grumbled.

“Why have you been starving yourself?” Barden asked, sending me a pointed look, daring me to lie.

“I haven’t exactly been starving myself,” I denied, shaking my head. “I’ve been eating bread and water these past few days.”

“Stale, and certainly not enough of it,” he pursed his lips, an unpleasant look taking over his face. “You love Astrid, yes?”

“More than you can imagine.”

“I do not doubt that, but you’re not doing her or yourself any favours by starving yourself. You’re just making it harder on yourself for no reason.”

My eyebrows furrowed together. “How so?”

“Do you think Astrid will be happy to learn about that fight with Crosby? Do you think she wants the both of you to fight over her like that?”

I hated to admit it, but Barden was right.

Crosby and I getting into a fight was the last thing Astrid would want, and it certainly didn’t make me look good.

“What do you say about doing me a favour?” Barden suddenly asked, his words piquing my interest. “It might take your mind off everything.”

“What kind of favour?”

“The kind where you get on The Serpent and go on a short trip for me.”

I sat up straighter in my seat. “Where to?”

“The Isle,” Barden told me. “If you set sail now, you should be back just after nightfall.”

“What’s the purpose of this trip?” I asked with narrowed, suspicious eyes.

“The Chief of Isle owes me some money,” Barden answered. “I also want to sell him some of those new spears we’ve been working on. He’s requested to see them. If he likes them, he’ll ask for some more.”

All three of us knew this was not a mission fit for the Captain of The Serpent. This was a small, mundane kind of task which some of my crew undertook for some extra coins. But perhaps getting back on the water would do me some good.

“I was thinking that Manny could accompany you,” Barden told me. “We can test out his sea legs, and he can experience being on a mission, even if it is just a small one. What do you say about that, Manny?”

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