Evening came and everyone left the arena, returning to the city, tired and sweaty, with the spirits pumped for departure, despite the fear that Kjell had managed to instill in their minds, through his speech.

Dag chatted with Egill, who asked him if there had been any progress with the skill he had to learn. 

He confessed that after he had finished reading the book nothing had happened and thought that what he had to do was read it again, focusing on the smallest details and starting to practice.

...

Four days pa.s.sed when someone knocked on the door of Dag, who had stayed to sleep more than usual on that sunny morning.

"Dag! It's me, Sander! The boat has been completed, a messenger has just arrived from Gurn! Frank and the others are there, waiting for our approval!" he exclaimed, continuing to knock on the door.

"This is wonderful news! Wait for me outside the dorm, I'll be with there in a few minutes!" Dag replied enthusiastically, who as usual had locked the door of the room, being him and Freydis both naked on the bed.

He hurriedly prepared and woke his woman and friends, insisting that they needed to go with him and Sander to see the boat.

After arriving at Gurn, a crowd of curious people widened and let them pa.s.s.

In the same shed, where last time there was only a rough base of wood and iron, stood an imposing and majestic boat, emerald green, with red decorations on the sides and dark sails, almost black, rolled along with the three masts on the deck.

"Oh my…! It's gorgeous!" Dag exclaimed, approaching it and pa.s.sing a hand along its edges, his eyes s.h.i.+ning with joy.

After a few minutes, Frank arrived at the place with some of his carpenters, and when he saw the satisfied expression of the two Masters, he realized that they were both happy with the work done.

As promised, the boat was in perfect Dreki style, with the wide and s.p.a.cious deck, the edges of which would almost touch the surface of the water, ensuring stability and grip.

Despite the large size and heavy iron plates that lined the sides and the underside of the boat, it had an aerodynamic shape that expressed speed just by looking at it.

Six holes on one side and six on the other, facilitated the task to the rowers, ensuring support for the oars, allowing them to rest their arms when the tide could be exploited. 

When Dag and Sander, after turning around the boat to taste the details, arrived at the front, they were amazed to see the magnificent sculpture that enriched the bow, giving the boat a glorious and imposing appearance.

"The Iron Emerald" Frank said, even before the two Masters realized his presence.

"Uhm?"

"My men and I thought we would call it like that, in honor of the Iron Alliance and in reference to the dominant color of the boat" the foreman replied, looking at his creation.

"It's all as I imagined it, Frank, thank you. A special thanks to all those who have contributed to the realization of this wonder, which will go beyond the horizon, riding the seas with mastery and speed!" 

Dag answered by raising his voice and sparking a round of applause in the crowd, as to cheer the carpenters' excellent work.

"That's not all, Maste Dag. Master Kjell came here to Gurn yesterday and told us about your landing plan, explaining that you'll need another smaller boat for the quieter advance phase. You already know what I'm talking about" Frank replied, winking at Dag and pointing at the Bra.s.s Arrow.

After the official confirmation of the three Masters present, both of the boats were towed into the sea, moving on special supports equipped with large wooden wheels.

"My friends, warn your men, we will leave tomorrow, at the first light of the dawn" Dag said, addressing Sander and Gridd, anxious for departure.

After returning to Skjegg and alerting all the soldiers of the impending departure, everyone returned to their rooms as soon as the Sun began to set.

Dag and Freydis began to prepare for the long journey, packing supplies and cleaning up their armor. 

"Are you glad, Dag? It doesn't seem true that the big day has come" Freydis said, who couldn't wait to s.h.i.+p out.

"Our first great adventure is about to begin. For the first time in my life, I'm really happy... and that's because I can share all this with you, Freydis. I love you".

She became slightly embarra.s.sed, not being used to those words, which, although Dag showed her love day by day, it was always nice to hear.

"I... I love you too, Dag. I would follow you to the edge of the world, I will keep repeating it all the time" she replied, her cheeks red with embarra.s.sment, approaching him and kissing him.

Unable to resist the temptation, as every time they were alone in that room, they began to have s.e.x, remembering to complete preparations for departure after they had finished.

A good amount of dried meat and fruit had already been carefully prepared by Freydis the days before and would have been enough for the whole trip, not least because the Iron Emerald cargo hold would have been filled with supplies and barrels of mead, knowing Sander, who would never have left without it.

Tired and waiting impatiently the next day, Dag and Freydis fell asleep deeply, beginning to dream of what would happen once they got there, what kind of enemies they would encounter, and what dangers awaited them, threatening their lives and that of the soldiers.

...

The next day, the rooster began singing at dawn, before the red light of the Sun hit the high rock faces that protected Skjegg.

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