In My Arms

Brendan's gaze followed a launch heading for a raft alongside the Northern Wind. He saw the sailors carefully carry an unconscious person aboard on a stretcher, and he also saw the almost unreal joy of rebirth on the faces of the others.

The corner of his mouth lifted, almost imperceptibly. Then he turned away, no longer looking at that chaotic yet hope-filled landing scene, and cast his gaze farther off, toward the main city of Carnford.

His mission was complete, but Carnford's challenges had perhaps only just begun.

These eight thousand mouths to feed, eight thousand families to settle—how to digest and absorb this powerful force, and transform it into momentum for Carnford's development, would be the enormous problem Lord Karl and the civil officer Edgar had to face next.

But that would come later.

At this moment, Brendan only wanted to stand here quietly and watch the lives he had brought back step onto the land of their rebirth.

The sea breeze brushed over his weather-beaten cheeks, carrying the scent of peace. Seagulls circled and cried between the masts, and sunlight spilled across the sea.

When Giant Island's coastline was close enough to touch, when they could even make out the running figures on the docks and the newly built thatched roofs, the last shred of patience left on the raft was completely burned away by the instinct to survive.

The rescue boats were already on the way, but for this last stretch of water, they did not want to stay on the sea for even one more second!

"Untie the rope! We'll row over ourselves!" Webber made the decision on the spot and roared hoarsely.

Tom immediately groped with trembling hands for the lifesaving knot tied to the Northern Wind's side. He bit it with his teeth, yanked