ncle Rorik!” called out Evie. 

     She ran to him with a new treasure in her hand. 

     Rorik set his black hat down onto his desk and watched as she ran through his Captain’s cabin with her hand held high for him to see. 

     “May I have it?” she asked breathlessly. 

     He took the flat crystal from her hand and chuckled. “Do you want your uncle to be lost on the waves?” 

     She gave him a quizzical expression and he pulled her onto his lap as he sat down. 

     “This is a sunstone,” he answered. “Our Northern kin used it to navigate the seas.” 

     “I thought that’s what those were for,” she replied, pointing to a compass and telescope on his desk.

     “Yes, sure, they are,” he agreed. “I like to use our old ways from time to time to show reverence to our ancestors.” 

     She smiled when he winked and kissed her forehead. 

     “Can you show me?” she asked with earnest.

      He nodded and helped her from his lap. 

     “Put away all the things you’ve taken down, and we’ll go to the helm,” he promised. 

     She quickly put away charts, books, tools, and trinkets he’d collected from ports as he waited by the door. He held her hand as they walked down the passageway toward the main deck. 

     “Good mornin’, Captain,” called out several of the crew as they walked toward the steps leading to the poop deck. 

     Rorik gave a nod of acknowledgement. He had to pull Evie along as she stopped to stare in awe of the burly men working at the sails. 

     “Do we have a new officer?” asked the helmsman. 

     Rorik chuckled and lifted Evie into his arms. 

     “This is my niece, Genevieve,” he announced loudly for the crew to hear. “My dear sister’s daughter. Evie, say hello to the men of my crew.” 

     “Hello,” she said in a sweet, quiet voice. 

     All the men waved up at her and said their hellos. 

     An officer stepped up and patted her on the head. “Your uncle speaks o’ nuthin’ but his sainted sister and her wee li’l lamb.” 

     Evie blushed and wrapped her arms around Rorik’s neck, then bashfully pressed her cheek against his. 

     “Would ye like a tour?” the man asked, and she quickly loosened her grip. 

     “May, I, Uncle?” she asked. 

     He laughed at the way she gripped his red coat in pleading. 

     “Be good and listen to Falan, understand?” Rorik told her sternly. “A ship is no place to test boundaries you’re given.” 

     Evie nodded briskly in understanding. “Yes, Uncle, I know. Mother and Father told me to do as you say so I won’t get hurt or become a burden to the crew.” 

     He smiled at her obedience and gave her cheek a kiss before setting her down. She quickly grabbed the hand of the crewman and eagerly set off with him to learn about the ship from bow to stern.