Night came and went, washing over City Titan like a dark blanket. Dawn was here.
"Get up, you lazy bastards!" Erik yelled, kicking the wooden leg of Halig's bed. "The sun is up, and we have a frozen island to conquer!"
Halig groaned loudly, pulling his wool blanket over his head. "Erik... my head is pounding. That dark ale we drank last night feels like a brick sitting in my stomach."
"That is the price of glory." Erik laughed brightly, tossing a leather waterskin directly onto Halig's chest. "Drink some water and splash your face. We sail at first light, and I refuse to let Ragnar's men wait on us."
They spent the next hour packing their weapons and gear. They didn't need much. Erik strapped his iron broadsword to his waist and threw a bear-fur cloak over his shoulders.
They stepped out of the barracks and into the biting chill of the early morning air.
