“Hakon, and others,” Eirik said, suddenly serious. “The Jarl’s kinsman, Ulf, is with us; a fine man, and a friend of ours. He’s brought his young brother and several of his household. They’re on their way to Jarl Magnus’s court. Ulf has a wish for some delicate silverwork, I think to impress a lady. I made it known to him that our sister’s husband is skilled in this craft. They will spend some nights here, in any event; the storm looks likely to prevent further travel for a little. The Jarl himself was urgent for home. He has a new son, bred when we came back from the spring viking; he is gone ahead, but we have time before we must join him. He will not set out again before spring’s seeding is attended to.” He glanced at his brother, and his tone changed. “Eyvind? I’ve a favor to ask you.”

“What?”

There were new sounds from outside now, the rapid approach of many folk, voices raised in greeting.

“Later,” Eirik said.

Eyvind asked him no further questions, though it was hard to wait. Eirik was his hero. Eirik was a Wolfskin. That was the most glorious calling in the whole world, for surely nothing could surpass the moment when you heard Thor’s call to battle ringing in your ears, pulsing in your blood, filling every corner of your being with a red rage that shut out any thought of fear. To charge forward in pure courage, inspired by the god himself—that bold vision tugged at Eyvind’s thoughts by day and filled his dreams by night. What matter if a Wolfskin’s life were short? Such a warrior, once fallen, would be carried straight to Thor’s right hand. One day he himself would pass the test, and become one of that band to which Eirik and Hakon belonged, as had many of Eyvind’s kin in times past. The men of Hammarsby had a noble tradition in the Warfather’s service. So Eyvind practiced with the bow and with the axe. He ran and climbed, he skated and swam. He shoveled snow and hunted and grew strong, awaiting that day. Eirik’s tales kept his dreams alive. Later, perhaps his brother would tell of the autumn viking, the riches plundered, the battles won.