Page 41 of Viktor at Sea

“That would be great,” he smiled brightly, looking so much younger than he was. “Good night, Viktor.”

“Good night, Manny.” I watched the boy walk away, making sure he got to the general area of his hut without any trouble–not that there was ever much crime other than petty theft in Jorvik.

Once I was sure that he would be fine to go the rest of the way without any issues, I started in the direction of my hut. Tired after a long day spent in the company of the eccentric and unpredictable Chief of Isle, I yawned and stretched my arms above my head.

How did he get away with cheating on his wife so openly?

Did he not love her? Did he not care? Didshenot care? Did no one say anything?

And how was the dancer fine with sleeping with a man she very well knew was married and had a family?

I had to shake my head to rid my mind of all these questions. I couldn’t worry about anyone else’s problems when I was struggling with my own.

I had to admit, I was feeling far better now than I did before we left. I couldn’t quite explain it, but a sense of calm had engulfed me. As if, regardless of what happened, I just knew that everything would be okay. I had no assurance or proof of this, but I felt it in my heart.

The thought brought a smile to my face. This would be the first time in the past few days that I would actually be able to get some sleep at night.

However, before that, I needed to make a little stop along the way.

Making a small detour before I turned in for the night, I dropped by the fountain for a drink of water. I didn’t have my jug with me, so I cupped my hands in the water for a drink. Three large gulps were all I needed to sate my thirst for the night.

I wiped my mouth dry on my arm and took a seat on the edge of the fountain. I crossed my arms over my chest and stretched my legs out in front of me, taking a moment to reflect on the day.

Today was a success. And not just because we had sold many spears to the people of Isle and retrieved the gold they owed us, but because my heart and mind felt like they were in a better place. Not only were they in sync, but they were hopeful and at peace.

However, that didn’t mean I was certain of Astrid’s answer. I was hopeful that Astrid would accept my offer of marriage and allow me to make her happy, but I couldn’t be sure until I heard her say it for myself.

When I felt something soft rub up against my leg, I yelped in surprise and jumped up to my feet. In the process, I stepped on the creature’s tail and was rewarded with a sharp hiss, followed quickly by the creature digging its sharp nails into my leg.

“Why do you insist on greeting me like this every time, Kis?” I grunted and threw the cat off me in a desperate attempt to get her claws out of my leg. “Why can’t you be like a regular cat andbrush your head against my leg to alert me of your presence? Why do you have to attack me every time? What did I ever do to offend you?”

As if she could understand me, the feline hissed and bared her teeth at me.

“You’re such an aggressive cat,” I grumbled and reached down to lift my trousers, assessing the damage her claws had done to me. There were several red marks and a thin trail of blood from where one claw had gone deeper than the rest, but it wasn’t anything to worry about. It also wasn’t the worst Kis had ever done to me. Once, she nearly scratched my eye out!

Kis meowed and dropped herself to rest on her stomach, her eyes trained on me with a distasteful expression on her furry face. Her dark eyes mirrored humour as if she took joy in my pain. Knowing her sadistic and snarky attitude, she probably did. Regardless, I couldn’t bring myself to stay mad at the cat. Instead, I felt my anger dissipate with the first exhale.

“Come here, Kis,” I sighed and pushed myself off the fountain. I cautiously dropped myself to my knees and picked her up. She scratched the underside of my chin twice before settling comfortably in my arms as if she belonged there. “You just can’t play nice, can you?” I chuckled and ran my fingers through her soft, dark fur.

Kis meowed but didn’t move. Instead, she opened her mouth, and her tongue slipped out. When she meowed again, she hissed, and I knew what she wanted.

“You could have asked nicely,” I tutted, but couldn’t keep the smile off my face.

I first helped Kis drink by cupping some water in my hands–thankfully, she didn’t scratch me this time–before I helped myself to another large gulp.

“As reluctant as I am, we need to get you home,” I sighed and began walking toward the Skau hut. It would only take afew short minutes to get there, but I dragged my feet the entire way. “Astrid will be worried sick about you if she wakes up in the morning to find you missing.”

Kis meowed and licked her paw, a nonchalant look about her.

“You drive her crazy, you know?” I chuckled. “Just as you drive everyone else crazy.” The cat meowed again. “How has she been? I hope she hasn’t been too distraught over everything that’s happened these past few days,” I murmured, listening attentively as Kis meowed in reply to me. “I hope you’ve been looking after her, Kis. I also hope you’ve been reminding her how great I am and how I would make a far finer life partner than that scumbag Crosby ever could.”

I continued speaking to Kis as I walked the rest of the way to the Skau hut. I was certain that if anyone were to spot me now, walking this late at night with a cat in my arms and speaking to her as if she were my oldest and dearest friend, they would think that I was mad.

And perhaps, I was mad. Who knew anymore? I certainly didn’t. Nor had I been acting like myself these past few days.

It was as if I had spiralled into madness the moment I realised I was in love with Astrid. A good kind of madness. If there was even such a thing.

The feeling of madness returned when I stopped in front of the Skau hut, and despite all the water I had drunk back at the fountain, I suddenly felt very thirsty.

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