This was a question Eyvind could not answer; a question he did not want to think about. In his dreams, he still saw Ulf’s blind eye, his open mouth, his shattered wrist. He still felt the dead man’s body pressed close to his own. He sensed deep within him that, whatever Somerled said, in the end the islanders could not be defeated. Yet it was perplexing, for Somerled was right as well. The winter would be long and tedious; only the call of Thor and the bright challenge of sword and axe could relieve those dark months until spring. He longed for action. He longed to drown out the memories of that day on the cliffs of High Island with the music of war, the song of blade on naked blade. The helm Jarl Magnus had given him lay hidden in a corner of his storage chest. He had never worn it.

Eyvind did not try to speak to Somerled again on the matter. It was enough that Somerled had promised a meeting would take place. He must wait, and hope all would be well.

They had seen little of Hakon, now settled on his farm with his new wife, his stepsons, and his own small babe. But one evening Hakon came to the settlement. He brought a gift of a fat sheep, and stayed for supper. It was a good reunion. Hakon sat with Eirik and Eyvind, Holgar and Erlend, Thord and Grim, exchanging tales of times past, of battles won and trophies taken. More times like this, Eyvind thought, that was what they needed. Somerled sat at the head of the table, very quiet, watching and listening. Margaret was composed as always, features grave, a neat, demure figure in her black-dyed overdress and white linen.

They say drink makes men bold. The ale had certainly been flowing freely. Perhaps that was why Hakon, normally a reserved sort of man, spoke as he did.

“My lord,” he said suddenly, looking at Somerled, and everyone fell quiet. “I have not come here solely to see my old friends, though I welcome the hospitality. I’ve been hearing rumors that concern me greatly. It’s being put about that the treaty Lord Ulf made with Engus has been disregarded, and that fighting is starting to break out on your borders with very little excuse. A fellow died; another lost an ear. People are frightened, my lord. Is it true that you would take up arms against the man who was your brother’s ally?”