‘I would appreciate it if you would help me find them.’

‘I will do what I can,’ Gramm said, going back to his bread.

‘Of course you will. You seem like an honest man, so I should take you at your word. Unfortunately my experiences of late . . . Well, let us say that I find it difficult to trust anyone. My own fault, granted, but I often suffer with feelings of doubt, mistrust. I am feeling them now.’

‘I can only give you my word, my assurance—’ Gramm began, but Jael cut him off.

‘Assurance. Yes, just what I was thinking.’ Jael touched Ulfilas’ arm.

Ulfilas launched himself over the table, scattering bowls, food, jugs, as he lunged forwards. There was a high-pitched yelp and then Ulfilas was holding the serving-child, Sif. He drew his knife and put it to her throat.

A woman screamed, tried to reach Ulfilas, but Jael’s shieldmen stood, forming a wall about Ulfilas and the child.

‘No,’ Gramm yelled, standing, his chair falling behind him. Other men were shouting, the sound of swords leaving scabbards.

‘I wouldn’t,’ Jael said, standing too, slowly, wiping food from the corner of his mouth. He walked calmly to Ulfilas.

‘She is your grandchild, and family are your first priority, as you have just told me. I think she will come with me. My guest. She will be looked after, not harmed, so long as you do as I ask. An assurance. Do you understand me?’

Gramm just stared at Jael, muscles bunching in his face, his fists.

‘Do you understand me?’ Jael repeated. ‘I’ll not ask you a third time.’

‘I understand you,’ Gramm said flatly.

‘Good.’ Jael looked at Sif. ‘Stop snivelling, child,’ he said. ‘She is dear to you, I guess. But just one amongst many, and only a girl. I think I need more assurance than this.’

‘If you think I will parade my grandchildren before you, you are a fool,’ Gramm snarled.

‘True, I would be. Far better to just take another.’ Jael called out and figures appeared in the doorway – Dag, holding the lad that Gramm had sent off earlier. The boy was bleeding from a swollen lip, still clutching his ratter under one arm.

‘Swain,’ Gramm gasped, and the woman who had run to the girl cried out and sank to her knees, sobbing.

‘Good,’ Jael said with a smile. ‘Now I am confident that I have my assurance.’ He strode from the hall into the pale sunlight and mounted his horse.

Ulfilas was behind him, followed by all in the hall. Sif struggled as Ulfilas climbed into his saddle and he shook her.

‘Be still, girl, or you’ll get a slap,’ he snarled.

The boy in Dag’s care lunged for him but Dag grabbed his tunic and clumped him across the back of the head with his knife hilt. The boy collapsed to the ground. His dog stood protectively over him, growling at Dag.