The Longship's Wake

Previously

…Eirik plunged the glowing iron rod into the murky water of the trough. A hiss erupted, steam billowing around his face, carrying with it the sharp scent of hot metal. He pulled out a perfectly formed rivet, its head a smooth dome, its shank straight and true. A surge of pride, warm as the forge fire, spread through him. “Good, lad,” Bjorn grunted, examining the rivet with a critical eye. “See? Patience. And