Page 111 of The Viking in the Vault
Fenrik huffs in response.
The skarnhound trots along at Ragnar’s side as we approach the bonfire, which has diminished just slightly but still has a colorful glow at its center, where they burned Syf’s axe. The air smells like roasted roots and cooked fish, spices that are both familiar and slightly alien—a little like Skoll cuisine I’ve had at this little brunch spot in Snowveil. Skoll crew members are tucked around the fire in various states of undress and sleepiness, and it makes me feel at least a little better to see that Ragnar’s not the only one unbothered by nudity.
In fact, they’re going a little farther than nudity.
There isliterallya couple just slowly having sex by the fire.
Alrighty then.
Everyone else smiles when they see us, as if this is all completely normal. One warrior with a scar across her brow lifts a steaming cup in salute, while another offers Ragnar a grunt and a grin that might be congratulatory or teasing.
Maybe both.
Ragnar settles beside the fire, still holding me, and we’re joined a moment later by Axl. The navigator passes Ragnar a bowl of something piping hot and hands me a piece of flatbread.
“Vethari,” Axl nods. “Good morning.”
I frown, glancing toward the Stormcaller. “I’ve been called that a lot in the past twenty-four hours,” I say. “Is it like…a thing now? Like will you always call me that?”
Ragnar nods. “A ship does not lose her captain merely because she no longer flies,” he says. “I remain the Stormcaller’s steward—and you, my lifelong companion.”
“What does your mate ask?” Axl says—a reminder that I can understand them, but they can’t understand me. We really need to get translators for all these folks as soon as possible.
Ragnar smiles down at me. “She asks if the title is permanent.”
“It is,” Axl replies without hesitation, tearing a piece from their own flatbread. “Unless she renounces it, of course.”
I look up at Ragnar with a soft smile. “I don’t think I want to do that,” I say.
He kisses my forehead.
No words needed.
“So…” Axl says. “I’ve already spoken with the crew. They’re prepared to pack up our camp and return to civilization with you. Is your village ready for this?”
I snort at the term ‘village.’ If that’s what they’re expecting, there’s going to be a massive culture shock…but I guess that just comes with the territory of being in stasis for thousands of years. Ragnar looks to Axl as I munch on the flatbread, nodding along.
“We will have to move through the archive first, a few days’ worth of travel,” Ragnar says. “Elena…you have already informed your research team of the crew’s survival?”
I nod. “They’re making preparations. We’ll have to spend some time in the Eiskammer so they can run tests and make sure there aren’t any ancient pathogens on anything.”
Ragnar translates for me and Axl nods. “A reasonable request…just tell them to keep their needles away from my ass.”
A laugh bubbles past my lips, making me choke on my bread. Ragnar looks at me in concern while Axl grins and winks.
“There are a few things we’ll want to extract from the ship first,” Axl adds. “Tools, memory cores, rations…a few personal hoards.”
“What about the ship?” I ask.
Ragnar sobers. “Mm…perhaps we will one day return for her. But for now, the crew is what matters.”
Axl finishes chewing and rises with a groan, taking their dishes with them. “Well, I should go and continue to prepare for the journey,” they say. “Enjoy your morning—Captain, Vethari.”
“We will,” I say, which gets me a raised eyebrow from Ragnar.
Axl just grins and disappears into the camp, Fenrik at their heels.
Once they’re gone, it’s just us—me wrapped in too much fur, Ragnar beneath me like a walking furnace, a few other Skoll ignoring us and focusing on each other. I settle into his lap, moving my legs to straddle him, finishing my bread in lazy bites while he feeds me pieces of roasted roots from his bowl.
