“Theories, theories,” grumbled Harald Silvertongue, “no case was ever proven on speculations such as these. What about some hard facts? Say we accept the premise that Eyvind could not have done the deed that night. We must, of course, bear in mind that you are the accused man’s close comrades, bound by your oath to Thor, and that loyalty may play a greater part in your testimony than truth. However, say we accept what you tell us about that night. There is still the next day. You mentioned that no man went off alone in the morning. You say Eyvind had one of the islanders with him. In view of the king’s talk of treachery, of the poison these folk put in the Wolfskin’s mind, the presence of one of Engus’s men by his side scarcely constitutes an alibi.”

“It’s the opposite,” put in the knarr’s captain suddenly. “That just made it easier to do the deed. Ulf was wandering as his brother was; they ambushed him, they set it up. Easy. There had to have been accomplices on the island to bring the net and the ropes. It could only have been done thus.”

Somerled nodded gravely. “Indeed. A shocking affair. Of course, nothing’s proven. It’s my word against Eyvind’s. I would only ask you to bear in mind that I have been as open as I could, allowing Eyvind full rein to speak his mind although his account of himself was rambling and irrelevant. I produced the evidence he wanted, evidence he thought to use to incriminate me. I had no reason to do so, I could have concealed the fact that this buckle was in my possession. I’ve told you honestly that I would have pardoned the man’s transgression had he been prepared to admit the islanders corrupted and used him. Why would I lay myself open thus if I were guilty of the heinous crime Eyvind seeks to pin on me? Still, it’s not that particular offense we’re examining here tonight. We risk forgetting the nature of the original charges if we allow this thread of argument to continue.”

Nobody commented. Harald was nodding sagely, even as his fingers played restlessly with the buckle. Olaf was staring down at his linked hands as if they were of deep interest to him. Others shuffled restlessly.

“You heard what Eyvind said.” The voice was Grim’s, though Eyvind could not see him, for he was lost in the press of men by the west door. “Did it sound as if he was lying? The fellow’s never told a lie in his life, he wouldn’t know how. He’s confessed to the charges against him, and he’s given his reasons for doing what he did. Why would he let himself be brought back here, except to tell the truth?”