Page 53 of Astrid at Sea

“That’s not what I meant,” Caspian tutted. “There can’t be any fish at the feast. How would they catch some when we haven’t found any for days?”

“They probably survive off meat and fresh produce,” Hammond said. “It’s not the best of diets, but they can’t help it if they can’t get their hands on fish.”

“But wouldn’t they have run out of animals to eat by now if that’s what they’re solely relying on?” I asked, catching onto what Caspian was trying to get at.

“They must have an excellent breeding plan, and I’m sure they trade with neighbouring islands,” Hammond said, even though it would take over a week, probably closer to two, to reach the closest neighbouring island. “We should ask them about it later. We might be able to pick up a few tips and tricks to take back to Jorvik with us.”

Caspian and I exchanged looks, neither of us convinced.

“Hello?” Crosby immediately called out to us as he heard the door to the bottom deck open. “Why have we stopped sailing? Why is it suddenly so quiet? What’s going on? Where is everyone?”

“You sure have a lot of questions for a prisoner,” Hammond chuckled, dropping to his knees in front of Crosby to start unchaining him. Roscoe moved to do the same to the other arm.

“Can someone please tell me what’s going on?” Crosby groaned and kicked his leg out in frustration. I rolled my eyes at his petulant attitude.

“Shut up, Crosby,” I snapped at him.

I had done a lot of thinking over the past few days and concluded that I was so done with Crosby.

Sure, I turned down his proposal, but I would have needed to turn down at least one of them. There was no way I could have said yes and married both Viktor and Crosby. Not that I was the least bit inclined toward the latter. Especially after he had tried to force his touch on me and then was willing to let me drown when he realised I wouldn’t let him have his way.

Crosby deserved this and what he had coming for him, and I refused to feel sorry for him anymore.

I couldn’t wait to return to Jorvik and see what punishment was picked for him.

“You can’t treat me like this,” Crosby complained as if he was innocent and deserved to be treated better. “Even though I’m a prisoner, I have rights! And I have the right to–”

“Shut up, Crosby!” I repeated, my voice far more forceful this time.

Roscoe and Hammond laughed as they dragged Crosby off the ship. Caspian grinned at me and shot me a thumbs-up. I chuckled at all their reactions. In such a short time and space, these men had turned into family, and I looked forward to getting to know them and their families better when we returned to Jorvik.

Despite our demands that he keep his mouth shut, Crosby continued grumbling. In an attempt to shut him up, Caspian kicked out his legs, sending Crosby tumbling to the floor and landing awkwardly on his knee, no doubt scraping it. The plan backfired because Crosby just grumbled some more.

“Where are we?” Crosby gaped once we reached the shore, his eyes wide as he took in all the juicy fruit and fresh berries hanging from the trees and bushes.

“That’s none of your concern,” Hammond muttered. “We just need to get some food in you so you won’t die, and then we’ll have you back in your chains.”

“Can’t I take a walk?” Crosby pleaded. “I get no sunshine down on the bottom deck. I’m practically withering away down there.”

“You should have thought about that before you tried to drown me,” I snorted and crossed my arms over my chest. When Crosby turned to face me, begging me with his eyes, I merely rolled mine and avoided his gaze as I walked ahead.

“Here, take that,” Caspian said, holding out a large orange he picked up from the ground. It must have fallen off a tree, but it wasn’t an issue as we didn’t eat the skin. Or at least, most of us didn’t.

We all watched, surprised and slightly judgemental, as Crosby ignored the specks of dirt and sand on the orange and bit straight onto it.

“Chief mentioned that you couldn’t finish off the tour because you had a prisoner to deal with,” Brank called out, heading toward us with two other men.

“That’s right.” Hammond stood up straight, though made sure not to stray too far from Crosby. With how infatuated he was with the orange, I didn’t think Crosby would try anything funny. Especially not when Roscoe handed him a second orange. He went into that one, too, without peeling it.

Moments like these made me feel bad for Crosby, and I had to remind myself that he tried to kill me. A man like that didn’t deserve my sympathy.

“This is Rune.” Brank gestured to the man on his right, who smiled brightly and waved in greeting. “And this is Sten.” He pointed to his left. Sten was far less welcoming as he pursed his lips and watched us all with narrowed eyes. “How about we finish the tour now that you’ve got your prisoner?” Brank offered, though his tone made it sound like we had no choice but to say yes.

“Sure, that sounds great,” I forced a bright smile and stepped forward, not wanting to raise too many eyebrows this early. These people were strangers, after all. “But I had a question…” I glanced over my shoulder. “About those ships over there. Are they all yours? They’re very impressive.”

“We like to think so too. That’s why we have them lined up like that,” Rune grinned.

“Do you have one Captain for all the ships or one for each ship?” Caspian asked casually, feigning interest, but I could tell he had picked up on what I was doing.

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