“Somerled—” Eyvind’s voice shook. He took another breath. “Somerled, I have some information for you, it’s important. I will answer your questions later. I must give you some news. This invasion cannot go ahead; you must call your men back.”

There was a little silence.

“What?” asked Somerled quietly.

“There’s been a death on the Whaleback: the king’s sister. These people are in mourning, conducting her funeral rites this very night. You can’t attack now, Somerled. Everyone knows there must be truce at such times. You must withdraw and leave these folk in peace to bid their kinswoman her farewells.”

There was a longer silence.

“Where have you been, Eyvind?” There was an edge to Somerled’s tone now; his eyes had narrowed.

“I–I can’t remember. I can’t remember anything since Ramsbeck.”

“Then how did you come by this information?”

“I heard it as I journeyed here: a couple of fellows traveling by the wayside.”

“Really. You never were very good at subterfuge, were you? Much more the smiting axe and piercing sword type of man. Never mind. I am so pleased to see you alive and by my side, I’m prepared to forgive much, even an ill-considered attempt to protect those who are our sworn enemies. Your news is no news to me, Eyvind. I’m already aware of this death. Indeed, I have chosen my time quite deliberately, knowing it gives me great strategic advantage.”

“How can you say that?” Eyvind stared at him aghast. “Jarl Magnus would never have disregarded the rules of fair engagement thus. Ulf would never have sanctioned such a shameful attack. Are you a coward, that you must move against these folk when they are at their most vulnerable?”

“What did you say?”

Eyvind had heard that tone before, but never used against himself. It set a chill on him. “You heard what I said, Somerled. Besides, you made King Engus an offer. He was to answer on the first day of spring, and that day has not yet come. Have you forgotten every rule a leader of Rogaland lives by? Have you put aside every law?”

“If you’ve lost your recall of everything since Ramsbeck, how can you possibly know of any offer I may have made to this barbarian leader?” Somerled’s tone was smooth as silk. “This game is far beyond your limited understanding, Wolfskin. And it hurts me deeply to hear you speak thus, as if you scorn my efforts to achieve my life’s goal. Did not you yourself encourage me to keep my dream in sight? Did you not counsel me to hold on to my vision, when I was in despair? I thought you shared my aspirations, Eyvind. I thought we would move on together, the king and his valiant war leader. Then you were lost to me, or so I believed; from that day on I vowed to keep striving for the prize, in memory of your courage and loyalty. Now you are restored to me, wonderfully, miraculously, beyond all hope. I am alone no longer. Yet you speak strangely, and you wound me. It is as if…it is as if you despise me.”