Chapter 7Conversation and Discovery

I got back, and dinner was ready. My awesome relative totally crushed the food - seriously, he was hungry! His shipboard meals had left him feeling empty inside. The food was more Danish than Icelandic, nothing special on its own, but our host was so generous, it made it way better.

The conversation shifted to science, and M. Fridriksson asked my uncle what he thought of the public library.

"Library, huh?" my uncle said. " Seems like a bunch of random, useless books and a ton of empty shelves to me."

"What?!" M. Fridriksson exclaimed.

"We have eight thousand volumes - super rare and valuable stuff - some in Scandinavian, plus all the new releases from Copenhagen!"

"Eight thousand volumes, seriously - where are they?" my uncle asked.

"Scattered around the country, Professor Hardwigg. We Icelanders are big on learning, even if we live out here. We think books shouldn't be locked away, but shared. So our library books get passed around - they might not even make it back to the shelves for years."

"So, what's there to see when tourists come?"

"Well, tourists have their own libraries. Our priority is making sure everyone, even the working class, is super educated. Luckily, Icelanders just love learning. Back in eighteen sixteen, we started a Literary Society and Mechanics’ Institute. We've got tons of famous scholars as honorary members."

"We publish books to teach our people - they’ve really helped our country. Let me ask, Professor Hardwigg, would you like to be an honorary member?"

My uncle, who was already a member of practically every literary and scientific group in Europe, totally went along with M. Fridriksson’s friendly wishes.

"And now," he said, after tons of thanks and good vibes, "if you could just tell me what books you were hoping to find, maybe I could help out."

I kept a close eye on my uncle. He paused for a bit, like he didn't want to say anything; talking openly might reveal his plans. But after thinking it over, he made up his mind.

"Well, M. Fridriksson," he said, sounding totally chill, "I was really hoping to find some works by the brilliant Arne Saknussemm."

"Arne Saknussemm!" the Professor from Reykjavik exclaimed.

"You’re talking about one of the most important scholars from the 1500s, a seriously cool naturalist, a legendary alchemist, and an amazing traveler." "Exactly."

"One of the top guys in Icelandic science and literature." "As you say, sir - "

"A man who was seriously impressive."

"Yeah, totally, but what about his writings?" "We don’t have any." "Not even in Iceland?"

"Nope, nothing in Iceland or anywhere else," the other replied, looking bummed. "Why’s that?"

"Arne Saknussemm got persecuted for heresy, and in fifteen seventy-three his books were burned in Copenhagen by the executioner."

"Awesome! Seriously cool! "my uncle mumbled, totally surprising the nice Icelander. "You said, sir - "

"Yeah, yeah, it all makes sense now. I get it. Everything’s explained, and I finally understand why Arne Saknussemm, shut down and forced to hide, had to disguise his amazing discoveries under a super-confusing code - the secret - " "What secret?"

"A secret - " my uncle stammered.

"Did you find some crazy manuscript?" M. Fridriksson asked.

"No! no, I got carried away with excitement. Just a random thought."

"Perfect, sir. But seriously, you should check out the island's mineral wealth before you leave."

"The thing is, I’m running super late. So many experts have been here already."

"Yeah, yeah, but there's still so much to do," M. Fridriksson exclaimed.

"I think so," my uncle said, his eyes sparkling with a secret smile.

"You have no idea how many unknown mountains, glaciers, volcanoes are just waiting to be studied. I can show you one, right from here. See that on the horizon? That’s Sneffels."

"Oh yeah, Sneffels," my uncle said.

"One of the weirdest volcanoes around - people rarely visit the crater." "Is it dead?"

"It's been extinct for like five hundred years," he replied quickly.

"Well," my uncle said, digging his nails into his skin and squeezing his knees together to stop himself from jumping up with joy.

"I’m seriously thinking about starting my research with a look at the geological secrets of Mount Seffel - Feisel - whatever you call it."

"Sneffels, my dear sir." That part of the conversation was in Latin, so I understood everything.

I could barely keep a straight face seeing my uncle being so sneaky about his excitement. Honestly, his fake grimaces to hide his happiness made him look like a whole new Mephistopheles.

"Yeah, yeah," he continued, "your idea is awesome. I’m gonna climb to the top of Sneffels, and if I can, I’ll go down into the crater."

"I’m really bummed," M. Fridriksson added, "that my work will totally stop me from joining you. It would have been fun and useful if I had the time."

"No, no, a thousand times no," my uncle exclaimed. " I really don't want to mess with anyone's chill. But seriously, thank you so much. Having someone as smart as you around would’ve been super helpful, but your job comes first, you know?"

Our host totally missed the irony of what he was saying.

"I'm all for your project," the Icelander continued after a bit. " It's a great idea to start by checking out this volcano. You'll find tons of interesting stuff. First things first, how are you planning on getting to Sneffels?"

"By sea. I'll cross the bay. It’s definitely the quickest way."

"Totally. But it’s still not gonna happen." "Why?"

"We don’t have a boat available in all of Reykjavik," the other replied. "So, what do we do?"

"You'll have to go by land along the coast. It’s longer, but way more interesting." "Then I’ll need a guide."

"Definitely; and I happen to have your guy." "Someone I can trust?"

"Yeah, he's an inhabitant of the peninsula where Sneffels is. He’s a really clever and dependable dude, you’ll like him. He even speaks Danish like a Dane."

"When can I meet him - today?"

"Nah, tomorrow; he won’t be here before then."

"Tomorrow it is," my uncle said with a big sigh.

The conversation wrapped up with compliments all around. During dinner, my uncle learned a ton about Arne Saknussemm, the reasons behind his weird, coded document. He also realized his host wasn't coming with us on our adventure, and that tomorrow we’d have a guide.