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Chapters (76)
  1. Cover
  2. Praise forMATTHEW HARFFY
  3. BY MATTHEW HARFFY
  4. Title Page
  5. Copyright
  6. Dedication
  7. Maps
  8. Epigraph
  9. Contents
  10. Place Names
  11. One
  12. Two
  13. Three
  14. Four
  15. Five
  16. Six
  17. Seven
  18. Eight
  19. Nine
  20. Ten
  21. Eleven
  22. Twelve
  23. Thirteen
  24. Fourteen
  25. Fifteen
  26. Sixteen
  27. Seventeen
  28. Eighteen
  29. Nineteen
  30. Twenty
  31. Twenty-One
  32. Twenty-Two
  33. Twenty-Three
  34. Twenty-Four
  35. Twenty-Five
  36. Twenty-Six
  37. Twenty-Seven
  38. Twenty-Eight
  39. Twenty-Nine
  40. Thirty
  41. Thirty-One
  42. Thirty-Two
  43. Thirty-Three
  44. Thirty-Four
  45. Thirty-Five
  46. Thirty-Six
  47. Thirty-Seven
  48. Thirty-Eight
  49. Thirty-Nine
  50. Forty
  51. Forty-One
  52. Forty-Two
  53. Forty-Three
  54. Forty-Four
  55. Forty-Five
  56. Forty-Six
  57. Forty-Seven
  58. Forty-Eight
  59. Forty-Nine
  60. Fifty
  61. Fifty-One
  62. Fifty-Two
  63. Fifty-Three
  64. Fifty-Four
  65. Fifty-Five
  66. Fifty-Six
  67. Fifty-Seven
  68. Fifty-Eight
  69. Fifty-Nine
  70. Sixty
  71. Sixty-One
  72. Sixty-Two
  73. Author’s Note
  74. Acknowledgements
  75. About the Author
  76. An Invitation from the Publisher

“Did I not repair your ship?” he said, speaking slowly as if to a child, or a simpleton. “Did I not provide you with food and water? I have kept my part of the bargain. But I cannot ignore my neighbour’s request for this Drosten of yours. Surely you understand that, Lord Mancas. We are both practical men. Clearly,” Tannskári said, with a scowl at Eddarrnonn, “it would have been easier for us all, if my neighbours had not come at dawn, and instead had waited, as I had asked of them. But here we are. There is nothing for it now. They keep Drosten, who, after all is one of their people, and you go on your way, your ship repaired. There need be no more blood shed here this morning.”

“Oh, there will be more blood,” said Runolf, and even from a distance I could feel the heat of his ire. His axe might be locked within the chest in the hall, but even unarmed, Runolf was huge and imposing. There could be no doubt that if the lines of enemies attacked, Runolf would send several foe-men to the afterlife, even if he was ultimately cut down. Looking at the grim faces to either side of me, I saw several others who would surely acquit themselves well in battle, sword or no sword. Bealdwulf, face dark and thunderous, and eyes swollen from the fight with Hroar, was flanked by the other men of Bebbanburg. Warriors all, they had fallen in line together, the habit of many years fighting side-by-side against the Picts in countless campaigns. Os, his features stern and free of all sign of levity, was shoulder-to-shoulder with Beorn. Around them were the rest of Lord Mancas’ men. I had seen them all fight when the Norse ships attacked at Uuiremutha. None of them would be defeated easily. Beyond them, Eadmaer was thin-lipped and unmoving. But he was standing with us, which showed great bravery. I thought fleetingly of how he had leapt into the waves after Gwawrddur. His bravery could never be questioned after that. Scattered throughout the line were the other men who had been fishermen before sailing on Brymsteda. They looked frightened and uncertain, and, if it came to a fight, I feared they would fall quickly. But we were all members of the same crew, and their courage lifted my spirits.