Broken Souls (Book 1 of Seasons of the Cycle)

Chapter 20 - Bothvar Beorcolsson

We follow father to the docks where the crew prepares the ship to sail out once the All-Clan Meeting is finished. Shields are hung on the side of the ship; barrels of water and dried food are stored below along with crates of weapons. The sea navigator, Varin Hialtisson, father of Sigvid, father of Griotgard and Solmund and their siblings, checks the health of the ship with his apprentice, Skardi, showing him the ropes of what it means to navigate the sea.

It is said he has a natural affinity for the task and it doesn't surprise me one bit. Skardi has always been keen with this sort of thing. Although I must admit I am a bit worried. His skin has started turning a dark gray color from those mushrooms he keeps eating. However, I've also noticed he can hear things from great distances that no one should be able to hear. Is this because of those mushrooms? Several days ago, Thorkel was telling me how he was going through Thormar's maps and plans to sail west, and they were actually pretty good. They've piqued his own interest. Skardi must've been two or three ship lengths away, and Thorkel was hardly whispering when Skardi came up and asked about the plans, mentioning things that Thorkel just said. We were both amazed. I might consider eating the mushrooms myself if it weren't for that odd way they change your skin color.

Father gathers the crew around him on the top deck. Just as it'll be my first time out on a raid at sea, Skardi, Solmund, and Skarf Cnutsson will also be out for the first time. It feels good to have friends out at sea.

My father looks at all his men, who are hungry for battle, and smiles. "It's time for us to raid again."

The crew holler and cheers. Father continues. "That's what we do. We are Vikings! We raid and take what is ours!" The crew bangs anything they can to show their approval. "However, when I say we, I mean you all, with my son Thorkel leading this time around. I will not be coming this season."

Even though most expected this, since Father has been grooming Thorkel to take over ever since the first time he went out to raid, many show their signs of disappointment. "It is about time I passed the torch to my son. I'll be staying back and doing what Earls are apparently supposed to do. At least that is what my wife has been telling me ever since I've taken over as Earl."

The crew snickers and Beorcol gives them a grin. "As you all have witnessed, he is as capable as a man can be of taking my place. I expect you to all follow him as if he is me. You know him, you've raided with him, and you can trust him to lead you. Since Thorkel is your captain now, I suppose I should start the passing of the torch and allow him to address you all." says our father.

"Did you hear that? Father thinks I'm a capable man." A roar of laughter erupts from the crew as Thorkel grins widely. Then he clears his throat as he gets a stern look from father. "Right... Well, to the point. We will go out at first light the day after we get back from the All-Clan Meeting, and we will head south. You'll be joined by Koll Alriksson, Einar Alriksson, and Throst Thorhalldottir as usual. Koll will lead the raid and Throst will be second in command, followed by Einar and myself. The chain of command of the crew will be as it was when father led, with Rognvald as second, Varin as third, and so on. We will avoid any of the Golden Company fleets and focus on easy targets. Single merchants. We won't take any unnecessary risks. We can always get more gold, but it is hard to get more trustworthy and honorable Vikings such as yourselves. Those have to be built through hardships, as my father has taught us all. And I say with full confidence that you all are among the most honorable and trustworthy I've had the honor of raiding with. You've all taught me how to be a true Viking, and I am grateful for that. I see you all as brothers and sisters of the North. So, we must keep ourselves alive. And besides, your families are counting on you coming home. We can't be stupid and throw our lives away for gold or any other treasure."

The crew nods, and the respect they have for my brother is shown on their faces as plain as the sun in the sky. I hope to one day have that kind of respect. I admire both my father and my brother more than anyone else. They are both men with the utmost honor, and the men follow them because they have proven themselves in battle. I, however, have not. I still haven't even proven myself in a fight. Sure, I've joined many scuffles since the time I stood back and watched my brother and my friends fight with Grom. But this... This is different. I was never worried about dying in a scuffle with a clan mate. But here, life and death lie on a sword stroke. To say I'm nervous would be like calling our ship a row boat. I'm terrified.