with a plan for the remainder of the expedition. The Flame of Dawn spent the remaining five months raiding the waters of the Ovein Sea, plundering pirate ships and collecting imperial gold for the capture of privateer vessels. And so the jarl’s ship returned with its holds crammed full of booty, gold, valuables, spices and all manner of goods. The crew of the Flame of Dawn had become wealthy after just their first expedition.
Of course, it was not only the crew who grew richer. Einar also benefited from this expedition. Or rather, from his brothers. In return for keeping quiet about the books lost at sea, he received from his siblings a short sword forged from very fine steel and, as the markings on the blade indicated, crafted by a dwarven blacksmith.
Einar suspected that his brothers had bought the weapon for him as a birthday present, but he didn’t know how on earth they’d managed to think he wouldn’t find the sword until spring. Well, his brothers would have had to come up with something, but they still had nearly half a year to go.
He also received from them an amulet made from the claw of a sath, a huge black-and-silver monster resembling a three-metre-tall winged panther capable of breathing fire and spitting venom. The talisman was meant to protect Einar from danger and give him courage.
From his father, the boy received an enchanted shield that transformed into a steel bracelet engraved with a sath, and when needed, turned into a steel buckler bearing the image of the monster’s head surrounded by flames. Einar preferred such light equipment and had never liked fighting with an axe and a heavy shield, which is why he was delighted that he would finally have his own sword and buckler.
The feast was in full swing, and now the captains were taking turns telling their tales, raising their mugs in toasts to victorious battles, fallen friends and successful trade deals. It seemed that this year had been particularly successful, and the people of Stairon had no need to fear the
