So?

He sent us.

Why?

How do we know youre Yalmar?

How do I know youre from Ragnar?

He sent proof.

A map? A dagger, and an amulet of Ilkazar?

Yes.

Yalmars grin revealed surprisingly perfect teeth. So. How is the crazy bastard? We swung some profitable deals, us two. I picked the ships. He took them. I fenced the goods.

Haaken grunted sullenly.

Whats with him?

Ragnars dead. He was our father.

The infamous Bragi and Haaken. Youve got no idea how he bored me silly bragging you up. Passed over, eh? Im sorry. And not just for the loss of a profitable partnership. He was my friend.

Neither youth responded. Bragi studied the man. This was an honest innkeeper? How far could he be trusted?

Their silence unsettled Yalmar. So. What do you want? Or are you just going to sit there like a couple of clams?

I dont know, Bragi said. Father was dying. He said to go to you, you owed him. Were here.

I noticed. Better begin at the beginning, then. Maybe give me an idea what he was thinking.

Bragi told the story. It did not hurt as much now.

I see, Yalmar said when he finished. He pinched his nose, tugged his golden chin whiskers, frowned. You got any skills? Carpentry? Masonry? Smithery?

Bragi shook his head.

Thought not. All you people do is fight. Not your safest way to make a living. And it dont leave you many openings here. Been at peace for fifteen years. And nobody in my business would use you. Too visible. And bodyguarding is out. Not enough experience. Tell you what. Give me a couple days. Ill put you up meantime. Upstairs. Try to stay out of sight. Ill put the word out that youre protected, but that wont keep the drunks from cutting you up. Or the police from breaking in to find out why Im keeping Trolledyngjans.

With no better option available, Bragi and Haaken agreed.

They spent a week at the Red Hart. Yalmar told them things about Ragnar they had never heard at home. The Itaskian proved likable, despite an overpowering tyranny when he made them study his language.

Strange, hard men visited Yalmar late at night, though he steadfastly denied their existence. It finally dawned on Bragi that Yalmar did not trust them completely either.

One night he asked, About the amulet, map and dagger...

Yalmar laid a finger across his lips. He checked the windows and doors. Theyre why I owe your father. If I have to run, I can go knowing he provided means elsewhere. Now forget about it. The Brothers would be displeased. Theres honor on the Inside. Theres fear or friendship. Your father and I were friends.

Later, he told them, Im sorry. Theres nothing for you here. Id say go south. Try to catch on with the Mercenarys Guild. High Crag is taking on recruits.