BooksBarbecue
Back A Night of Flames Save as PDF
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

Eldgrim’s ship, Grágás, which meant Grey Goose, was almost as long as Brymsteda, with the same sleek lines. It’s prow was plain, and I wondered what beast rode there when it sailed to war. But even though it was in friendly waters, it was filled with stern-looking warriors, with byrnies, axes, spears and shields. The implication was clear to us all. This was not an invitation we could refuse.

After the introductions had been made, Eldgrim insisted that Lord Mancas and Gersine, as men of noble birth who spoke with the voice of the king of Northumbria, sail with him in Grágás. We were to follow behind in Brymsteda. Mancas agreed without complaint, but again, the implicit threat was obvious: if we caused any trouble, Lord Mancas and his son would pay the price. Eldgrim allowed Arcenbryht, Os and Beorn to accompany their master, but if there was violence, there would be little the three of them could do to protect their lord against dozens of warrior Norsemen.

We sailed close to Grágás, winding our way first east along the coast of the large island that Runolf said was called Rennisøy. Then we swung to the south, threading between many smaller islands whose names I have forgotten. The weather was good and the spirits of the crew had lifted.

Hereward even laughed about how the mood was lighter without Lord Mancas aboard. Some of the men chuckled, but Oswald, Eadstan, Cumbra and Beorn glowered. I quickly changed the subject, anxious not to bring back the rift that had threatened to emerge between us. We were heading to meet the king of this mighty realm, and we could not afford to be divided.

“Is it true what Audun said about the king?” I asked Runolf.

“I have only met the man once, and that was years ago.” He adjusted the steerboard and called out for the sail to be trimmed. I should have been at my post to help the Aft crew with the sheets. They were already short a man without Gersine, but Scurfa looked to have it in hand, so I stayed near Runolf, keen to hear what he might say about the king of Rygjafylki. Satisfied that Brymsteda’s course was correct, Runolf turned his attention back to me. “He is a huge man,” he said, “as fat as a hrosshvalr. It is said he rarely stops eating, and when he does, it is to bed every woman who crosses his path.”