Nessa felt the anger that ran through every one of the king’s men as they heard these words translated. Engus’s jaw tightened. Kinart’s eyes blazed with fury. As for Somerled, he sat calmly, hands relaxed before him, expression bland. He could have been speaking of a fine day’s fishing, or discussing what to have for supper.

“I wished to speak of this before, soon after your brother’s untimely death,” Engus said, keeping his voice steady. “You made that difficult. I understand your grief, your anger at what occurred. It is not easy to lose one so close.”

“If you say so.”

“But your information is wrong. My men did not kill your brother. We respected him; we admired what he did and were grateful for his help. I had come to regard Ulf as a friend. I must tell you I have made extensive inquiries; I have spoken personally to every one of my men who traveled to High Island that day, and to all who live in the settlement there. Whoever murdered your brother, it was not one of the Folk.”

“What are you suggesting? That one of our own would carry out such a barbarous act?”

“I suggest nothing. I simply point out that these accusations are false. So are those concerning the death of the widow, Ara, and her man. It is not the way of the Folk to carry out hall-burnings. We do not kill children. For that, too, you must look closer to home for a culprit.”

“Where’s your evidence?” Somerled raised his brows.

“Where is yours?” Engus’s voice had an edge to it now, as if he maintained control with some difficulty. “And what of the slayings at Ramsbeck, a rout so savage there was little left of our men but shattered bone and bloody crow-pickings? What kind of a warrior fights like that, as if death itself cannot satisfy his lust for blood, but he must gouge and pierce and crush until he makes of his opponent no more than a lump of carrion? That was the act of madmen.” He glanced at Nessa, as if remembering her presence too late. “I’m sorry, my dear.”

“Your men attacked us,” Somerled said. “And I too suffered losses that day: two men killed and another missing, my finest fighter, my personal bodyguard. Slain, I presume, or he would have made his way home by now, since no prison is strong enough to hold this particular warrior. Where is Eyvind? Does his corpse lie rotting untended on your land? He was my dearest friend, my companion since childhood. It is as if two brothers have been torn from me. Now I cannot even lay his bones in earth; I cannot bid him farewell. Your men have done this.” A flicker of real emotion passed over his pale, impassive features, and was gone. Nessa shivered.