TEN
The bustling harbour of Portnahaven seemed like another world after the strange solemnity that shrouded Council Island and Loch Findlugan. Rudolf almost wanted to turn back, to see if he could capture the spirit of the place to carry with him across the ocean. For the first time in many years, he felt afraid of what was to come.
He had so much he wanted to do with his life, and none of it involved a return to Viken right now. He burned to know why Harald had summoned him. He'd lived on Isla for so long, he thought they might have forgotten about him.
Yet Gustav was proof that they had not.
People stared at Rudolf and Gustav, as though they had never seen a Viken before. Which couldn't be the case, for two Viken longboats lay in the harbour.
A skinny boy called out from the mas
