The two great Viking ships,
Kon and
Tiki, were slowly drifting with the currents as Ragnar and his advisors had now left the island of India. The two large rafts of balsa wood, bound together with rope, no sails, and a piece of wood between the logs to serve as a rudder, were the entire fleet of the Viking empire.
“This is just great,” growled Ragnar to Niklas. “We are destined to rule the sea, be masters of the ocean and yet one of my inner circle of counselors can’t swim.”
“Some people are just afraid of the water.”
“Vikings are not afraid of water!”
“So when was the last time you had a bath?”
“We don’t need baths. We let our odor overpower our enemies. And anyway, you have bigger concerns than how I smell.”
“I do?”
“Yes, you do. I am going to be leaving you shortly and do not know when I will return. That means you have to take this bunch and get Gandhi into space. I wish you luck. You’re going to need it,” said Ragnar.
“Huh?
“Just look at them. What a motley crew. I mean, what is CommandoBob doing?”
“The same thing as yesterday. He has a coconut and wants to see if two swallows can fly and carry it together.”
“Is that rational behavior by anyone’s definition?”
“Well, it keeps him busy. At least he is not singing his blasted Spam Song. Nor does he have that ghostly look that Methos does. I think Methos has had a taste of Civ4 and cannot come back to this reality,” said Niklas.
“But you will keep him.” It was a statement phrased as a question.
“Sure. He has helped and done his part. He has earned the right to be part of the finish, whatever it is.”
Just then, on the other raft, WarDance yelled “Rita!” and jumped up and dove into the hut on the raft. zyxy laughed and got some more water to throw on him.
“I mean, really, a Viking calling for his mother whenever he gets wet!” said Ragnar.
“WarDance told me that Rita was the name of a big storm that attacked his home city with a lot of rain and wind and that is why he is afraid of the water.”
“People that give names to storms are sissies. Now that zyxy; he seems to be my kind of guy.”
“He does get the big picture and knows how to use it. His ability to do that will be a big help. He can see the future and then explain how to make it happen. He and ControlFreak make a good planning pair. zyxy sees the big picture and ControlFreak lives in the details.”
“You’re sure?” asked Ragnar.
“As sure as I can be. Time will tell, but we should be able to get Gandhi to the stars and out of your hair.”
“Good, because I’m leaving. I may drop in here and there to see how you are doing and maybe even change my mind on what to do with that wimpy Indian. But I will back and I will be watching, so don’t disappoint me.”
“Wouldn’t think of it. But where are you going?”
“Oh, I’ve been invited to be the focus of a game where women break my heart. It is MeteorPunch’s idea and it seems to be a good one. I’m not fond of the name though.
A Madman and his Ladies. I’m not mad, just misunderstood.”
“So when will you –“ but he was already gone.
Niklas took a deep breath and said to himself, “Time to get to work.”