Fate has a peculiar sense of humor; often, the things you fear most arrive right on schedule.
Staring at the islands and reefs that had left such a deep impression on him, Victar felt as if the events of a few months ago were still vividly before his eyes.
If he hadn't been lucky enough to carry Lord Arthur as a passenger, perhaps he would be a slave laborer or a porter on this island right now? Or maybe just food for the crabs?
Following the Storm, Victar ordered his men to dock the Reefbreaker at the pier, which was constructed from the timber of shipwrecks.
Listening to the wooden planks creak under the boots of the Sistermen, Victar couldn't help but wonder: Perhaps one of these planks was salvaged from the Wavebreaker?
"Bring out the chest of silk we prepared," Victar ordered his first mate, a man of similar age whose own son and nephew were held hostage on Sweetsister.
"Captain, will they really release the hostages as agreed?" The first mate stood on the deck, looking anxiously at the group of Sistermen gathering on the pier, eyeing them like hungry tigers.
"And without a ransom?"
"Lord Arthur said Earl Godric is a practical man." Victar felt uneasy too.
Subconsciously, his hand went to the silver-inlaid dagger at his waist. The pommel bore the image of a direwolf.
It was a token Arthur had given him before departure. Victar treated it as a lucky charm.
"I hope the Lord is right." The first mate sighed and ordered the nervous sailors to carry the chest.
In contrast to the anxious Braavosi on the Reefbreaker, the Sistermen on the Storm erupted in cheers.
As soon as their ship docked, they leaped onto the pier, eager to show off their experiences in Braavos to the acquaintances who came to greet them.
Amidst their boasting, they occasionally threw out Braavosi curse words like "Fuck" and "Camel Cunt."
It wasn't until Zaren Borrell shouted for the first mate to kick their asses that they started unloading the cargo.
Soon, the Captain of the Guard of Sweetsister arrived with several soldiers.
"I didn't expect we'd meet again, Braavosi Captain." Seeing Victar disembark, a flash of surprise crossed the Captain's eyes.
"You are the second Braavosi captain I've ever seen step foot on Sweetsister from a ship twice in my life."
"Perhaps you will see me a third and fourth time in the future." Stepping onto this land again, Victar's anxiety seemed to vanish.
Under the surprised gaze of the Captain, he even offered a polite smile. "I wish to see Earl Godric. I have prepared a chest of Eastern silk as a gift for him."
"The Earl has prepared bread and salt for you at the castle." The Captain looked Victar up and down as if seeing him for the first time.
"Follow me."
The Captain then greeted Zaren Borrell, telling him the Earl was anxious to see him.
Victar, the sailors carrying the chest, and Zaren followed the Captain to the castle.
The Sistermen from the Storm needed no instructions; they either crowded toward the familiar taverns of Sisterton or headed home.
Passing through Sisterton, Victar paused to look around. The town was as filthy and ugly as ever, reeking of pig shit and rotting fish.
And on the gallows gate, the corpses with slit bellies and hanging entrails had been picked clean by crows, leaving only bleached bones.
"Your sons aren't among them," the Captain said, urging him on when he stopped. "And they aren't hanging up there either."
Victar touched the silver-inlaid dagger at his waist again, feeling slightly reassured, and quickened his pace to follow the Captain. "This place brings back bad memories."
The Captain didn't look back. "Only Sistermen and smugglers have fond memories of this place."
"Don't scare him, Koto. He's our partner now." Zaren pulled his loose silk cloak tight to keep the hem from dragging in the mud.
"You really should visit Braavos. It was an eye-opener."
Captain Koto fell silent, simply leading the way.
They crossed the black basalt bridge and passed through the rusted iron portcullis.
Victar saw the green seawater churning in the moat, splashing against the castle foundations.
The gatehouse across the moat was larger than the outer one, its stones covered in seaweed.
Crossing the muddy courtyard, Victar walked the path Arthur had once walked, ascending into the gloomy stone keep of Breakwater Castle.
In the dim hall, Victar met Earl Godric. After exchanging greetings, Victar took a seat and presented his gift.
"My Lord, I want my hostages back—my crew and my sons," Victar said directly. "I have returned to Sweetsister as agreed."
"I understand your eagerness to see your kin, Captain." Godric waved to Zaren.
"Please understand mine as well. It has been a long time since I've seen my nephew."
Zaren Borrell twitched his lips, knowing exactly what kind of man his uncle was. He pulled a package of oilcloth-wrapped documents from his cloak—Arthur's compiled intelligence.
"This is the recent shipping news for the Sisters, collected and provided by Arthur in Braavos."
"Shall I summon the Maester, my Lord?" Captain Koto asked.
"I may be old, but I can still read." Godric waved his hand dismissively. "Besides, this matter must be kept secret. I don't trust the Grey Rats to keep their mouths shut."
"Zaren, tell me about Braavos." Godric pulled a lens from his tunic and opened the documents, reading with some difficulty.
"What did you do there?"
Zaren hid nothing. He described what he saw in Braavos: the massive Titan, the powerful purple fleet, the prosperity of the city.
"Not much different from what the Grey Rat says." Godric looked up at his nephew. "How did Arthur get this intelligence?"
"Through cooperation. With a Braavosi insurance merchant, and with the captain sitting before you." Zaren repeated everything Arthur had told him about the insurance business.
He also explained how Arthur had facilitated the partnership agreement and profit distribution between him, Sabel Kaffi, and Victar.
"So, this intelligence is credible." Godric nodded unconsciously, but the pragmatic Earl sensed something amiss. "But what benefit does he get from this?"
"My Lord, can the hostages be released now?" Victar reminded him anxiously.
Godric lifted his balding head, glancing at the Braavosi captain, pondering silently.
Is it purely to save these Braavosi? Surely not just that.
"The Braavosi are working in the shipyards below the castle. As agreed, they are yours." Godric ordered Captain Koto to take Victar.
"We are partners now. There is a gift for you in the shipyard. I hope you like it."
"Thank you, my Lord." Victar stood up hurriedly and bowed. He pulled a letter from his tunic.
"I was too nervous seeing you earlier and almost forgot. This is a letter Lord Arthur wrote to you."