It was a woman’s voice that spoke, and a woman’s form silhouetted in the doorway, a slender woman clad in dark gown and pale overdress pinned near the shoulders with twin brooches of silver that glinted in the light.

“What is it, Ash?” she asked.

“An intruder, my lady. Found her out yonder by the grain store. Says she’s a friend of the Wolfskin, Eyvind that is, heading for court to see him. Sounds like nonsense, but she’s got the skin, and she’s got his dog, too.”

“Up to no good if you ask me.” The other man’s voice was gruff. “Girl on her own, wandering around out here at night. Must be a trick. An ambush; pack of her kinsmen out there waiting to move in. We’d better rouse the other men quick.”

“I told you,” Nessa said wearily, “I’ve come here alone, but for the dog. Please let me pass; there’s no time to waste. I must reach Somerled’s hall before dawn. Please,” she said again, looking up at the figure in the doorway.

There was a moment’s silence, and then the woman turned slightly so the light from inside caught her features, and Nessa saw that it was Margaret.

THIRTEEN

Olaf stared at the buckle and its tangle of knotted cord, frowning deeply. “Wolfskin,” he said, “tell us how you believe this object implicates the king in his brother’s killing. There’s a mystery here; indeed, I confess myself taken aback that the king did not produce this item far earlier in the proceedings if it has such import.” He glanced nervously at Somerled, and quickly away.

“Why bring it out at all if it’s got no bearing on the case?” growled the knarr’s captain. It was his first contribution to the hearing.