“Why would he want to trap you?” Eyvind asked as he kept up his steady work, teasing out the knots. “I understand that as a keeper of the mysteries you would have some influence over the king. But—”

“It’s a long story,” Nessa said. “Now answer me a question. Ulf came to the islands wanting peace; his men supported that. Some of them took up with our women. One even got married. And yet, as soon as Ulf died, everyone was following Somerled, who didn’t want a treaty at all. He’s made it clear enough he has no respect for the Folk; he doesn’t even want the islands, not really, all he wants is power and influence. And what Somerled wants, he takes. A man who, as a child, had no friends. Why didn’t you stand up to him? Why didn’t anyone? Couldn’t you see what he was doing was wrong?”

“I…” The movement of the comb stopped.

“Tell me, Eyvi.”

“Whether it was true or not, folk believed Ulf sought baptism as a Christian. If a chieftain takes such a step, it is not long before he expects his people to follow him. That disturbed folk; it made them afraid. When Somerled became chieftain, he confirmed his strong allegiance to the old gods, and it won him loyalty. And there were men who had become his inner circle, men whom he charmed by…by making himself into the sort of fellow they admired. Some folk might have spoken out against him, had not fear stopped their tongues. Many found no fault in his warlike aspirations here. In my home country, a leader who is strong and decisive, who cuts down enemies and seeks to expand his own influence is a man to be respected. But…there was one who did speak out. Hakon came to court, after the killings began. He refused to swear an oath of loyalty. He gave up his wolfskin.”

“And Hakon died.”

“Yes, but—”

“I told you, Eyvi. Our people do not burn men and women alive in their homes. We do not kill children.”

He was silent. She felt his hands against her neck for a moment, and then he put the comb down.

“What better way to command loyalty,” she said quietly, “than a graphic demonstration of what happens to those who disobey?”

“I think you know my puzzles as well as my dreams,” he said. “That is one. After we buried them, Hakon and his family, my brother Eirik went away. He told me he would stay at Hafnarvagr, something about nobody hearing much from him before the spring, because he wanted to get back safely to his woman and children in Rogaland. He told me there was danger all around me. I–I hid from the truth, Nessa. I convinced myself I did not understand those words. But…”

“But?”