They probably are, wolven don’t become less fierce, thought Drem, gritting his teeth so that he didn’t blurt the words out. He was trying to take his da’s advice and not unwittingly insult Ulf; not that he saw any insult in correcting a mistake, but he’d learned to take his da’s advice on such subjects, no matter how much it bothered him. And it did bother him. Listening to someone make a mistake and not correct it was like listening to nails scraping across slate and not asking them to stop.

‘Big as draigs, they were, those wolven.’ Ulf rubbed a hand along his thigh, leg out straight before him, eyes distant.

‘There’s more than wolven to watch out for up in those hills,’ Olin said. ‘We came across a giant bear. White as snow, it was.’

Ulf grunted and sat up with interest. ‘A white bear pelt; now that would fetch a rare price. Why didn’t you bring it home?’

‘We were too busy trying not to let it eat us.’ Olin smiled ruefully.

Drem nodded his head vigorously.

Ulf raised an eyebrow.

‘It was big,’ Olin said, ‘bigger than any I’ve seen before, even those with a giant on their backs.’

‘Pffft.’ Ulf spat with a smile. ‘Animals grow in the telling, I’ve learned.’ Nevertheless, Drem saw him give Olin an appraising look.

Ha, you’re a fine one to say that! Drem thought, almost grinding his jaws together to stop himself from saying anything. Instead his hand reached up into his woollen shirt and he pulled out the bear claw tied around his neck, dangling it for Ulf to see.

Ulf whistled and held his hands up. ‘Fair enough,’ he said, eyes wide. ‘The beast on the end of that must’ve been a rare sight.’

‘We didn’t stand still to admire it,’ Olin said.

‘No, spent more time running, and swimming,’ Drem added.

‘And near soiling our breeches,’ Olin put in.

Ulf spat a mouthful of his mead onto the fire, which hissed, flames leaping.

‘Ah, I miss those days.’ He laughed wistfully.

‘And even then we didn’t get away free of harm,’ Drem added, pointing to his ankle and his da’s arm.

‘Good job Drem can stitch a wound,’ Olin said.

‘Like that, eh?’ Ulf nodded knowingly. ‘Man-eater, then. I’ve come across them before. I wonder . . .’ Ulf gazed at the fire, falling silent.

‘Wonder what?’ Drem prompted.