He drew a deep breath and released it, shivering. “I believed your people had killed Hakon, and his small family by him. I saw their charred bones; I set them in the earth. I thought Engus’s folk had done that. Then Grim came, and told us the islanders were on the march, coming to attack the settlement. I had waited so long for a battle, all summer, all through the autumn. I did not even want to come here, I had my work back home with Jarl Magnus’s Wolfskins. There I excelled; I was a favorite, trusted, there was always a purpose for me, you understand? Scarce seven days would go by without a call to action, and in between, we had sports and good fellowship. And…and there was a woman, too. I have missed her. But I came here. Somerled made me come. It was a long wait; my axe lay silent many moons, my sword slept in its sheath. Now, at last, there was a chance to show what I could do. And he put me in charge. He said, look after this for me. It was my first mission as leader. I was determined to do it right, to do it perfectly. I chose my men, a balanced troop, not too many, for it should be a fair fight. Enough, for we needed to be confident of victory. I wore the helm Jarl Magnus had given me, a chieftain’s prize, fair and strong. And…and…”

She stroked his hand gently. “So, you went out, and you found the enemy was not as you expected?”

“Why didn’t I see? Why didn’t I see before it was too late? Thor’s voice, stilled so long, now rang loud and clear; we answered the call. We cut them down, every one. My men did exactly as I had told them to do. But…”

“Go on, Eyvi. You have come this far.”