When he came up to the huts, he saw that there were horses there, and the other boys were sitting on the rocks outside, quite silent. There was no sign of Oksana or the children, or of the girls. A moment later his brother, Karl, appeared in the doorway, his expression very grim indeed. Karl was armed with sword and axe; his shoulders were set squarely and his voice cut like a well-honed blade. “Eyvind, come inside.”

He faced Karl across the space of the hut, both standing.

“What’s wrong? What’s happened?” The strangeness of it all had Eyvind on edge. “Is Mother all right? Are we under some threat? What is it, Karl?”

“Be quiet.” His brother was calm and stern; even so did he look when arbitrating in disputes at the Thing—that great assembly where matters of law were decided—or settling arguments among his workers. Eyvind fell silent.

“I’ve spoken to all the boys; you’re the last. Now I’m going to ask you some questions, and you’re to answer them truthfully.”

“Of course.”

“Very well then, Eyvind. There are rules for behavior up here, and you all understand them, I know. I want you to tell me if you’re aware of any of the lads breaking these rules while you’ve been up here.”

Eyvind shook his head.

“Speak up,” said Karl.

“No, I’m not.”

“Can you speak thus for yourself? Have you conducted yourself as you should at all times?”

Eyvind felt a twinge of anger. “Of course I have!”

“I accept your word,” said Karl gravely. “I did not doubt you. But this must be fair in all respects. What I ask the others, I must also ask you. In fact, you are already cleared of any suspicion, for I have several accounts that you spent all day away hunting yesterday, and could not have been involved in what has occurred. The quarry you brought back last night proved that. Now tell me. Has there been any talk among these lads of—any talk that might suggest someone was thinking of mischief, of breaking the rules in some way?”

Eyvind swallowed. “It would help,” he ventured, “if you could tell me what has happened. Has someone been hurt? Insulted? Where are the girls?”

Karl’s mouth tightened. “Oksana has taken the girls home. No more need be said. Now answer the question, Eyvind. If you know anything, you should tell me.”

“No,” Eyvind said. “I don’t believe anyone would break the rules. Sometimes, at night, we do talk about…about girls, and that sort of thing—but all the lads want to stay up here; they wouldn’t be stupid enough to try anything that would get them in trouble.” He remembered Sigurd, and the fury of those axe strokes. “Karl?”

“It’s not a matter for public airing. I’ve given these lads instructions not to talk about it. Tell me, have you seen any strangers here these last few days, any men who do not belong on our land? Perhaps when you were out hunting? Think carefully, Eyvind.”