![]() The sun had crested the peaks by the time Mikkel made his way down the winding castle pathway. The Testing rules didn’t prohibit disclosing our true identities, but such a revelation could interfere with the end results. While I was accustomed to the larger royal longships, I understood the practicality of arriving at the Great Isle with anonymity, since we didn’t want to draw undue attention to ourselves and the fact we were princes. The small vessel needed a crew of eighteen, with nine men on either side. ![]() Oars were at the ready, spaced evenly apart throughout the shallow hull. It would serve as my seat whenever I rowed. Upon reaching the longboat, I tossed my pack inside. A few tradesmen had begun the process of opening their shops, and the scent of smoked salmon permeated the air. ![]() The fishermen had already departed for the day in their boats, determined to catch their fill of the salmon, cod, and pollack that entered the fjords during the spring. At this early hour, the streets were mostly deserted. As my companions and I descended the trail, their cajoling and friendly banter kept me from thinking too gravely on my imminent departure. ![]()
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