At the entry to Somerled’s private quarters, which had once been his brother’s, stood Holgar and Erlend, one on either side of the doorway. Erlend stepped forward, seizing Eyvind by the arm, and jerked his head at Gudbrand in dismissal.

“That’ll be all,” he snarled.

Gudbrand hesitated; perhaps his mind was on the reward.

“What’s the matter? Lost your hearing suddenly?” Holgar loomed up behind Erlend, frowning ominously, and all at once there was nobody left but the three Wolfskins.

“Says he’ll see you on your own,” Erlend muttered, avoiding Eyvind’s eye. “Not very sensible, if you ask me.”

“Just don’t try anything.” Holgar’s voice had an edge to it; he seemed ill at ease, jumpy. “We’ll be right outside the door. No tricks. We know them all.”

The length of thick woollen cloth that hung across the entry was drawn aside.

“Eyvind is no threat to me.” Somerled stood there, his expression calm, his voice tranquil. He was plainly dressed in dark tunic and trousers, his hair gathered neatly back by a scarlet cord. “We’re like brothers. You know him less well than you think, if you imagine he’d ever raise a hand to me. But, by all means, stay out there if it makes you feel better. Down the hallway a little, if you please; this conversation is private. Come in, Eyvind.” He stepped back, and Eyvind walked into the chamber. “Oh, and by the way,” Somerled had put his head outside again, “tell someone we need a bowl of warm water and a cloth. And I think a jug of ale and a bite to eat wouldn’t go amiss either. Those who treated this prisoner so ill have erred; tell them that hasn’t gone unnoticed.” He pulled the curtain firmly closed.

Eyvind waited. This was not at all what he had expected, not after that bloody dawn at the Whaleback, and Somerled’s challenge to him. This game seemed to have no rules at all.

Somerled regarded him gravely. “You don’t look well, Eyvind,” he observed. “Let’s get these cuts cleaned up, at least. Turn around.”

Mutely Eyvind obeyed. He felt the light, deft touch of Somerled’s fingers as the rope which bound his hands was untied.

“There,” said Somerled, rolling the cord into a neat coil. “Now, sit down, and we’ll talk a little. It’s good to see you, old friend, no matter what has passed between us. I’ve missed you; so much is new here, and strangely enough I find I don’t particularly enjoy doing it all by myself.”