Skald (Viking Ventures Book 5) by Bakkejord Tony & Åsli Ole

Author:Bakkejord, Tony & Åsli, Ole
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Envig AS
Published: 2024-07-02T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter Twenty-Four

The scent of burned wood told Ulv they were getting close. As they rounded a hill, the farmstead came into view, now a smouldering ruin. Smoke still drifted above the charred remains, and soot filled the air.

At the outskirts of the farmstead, Ulv spotted a group of men. It was Brynjar and the hirdmen. Ulv and Hårek shared a look and rode towards them. Some of the men turned as they approached, and Brynjar held up a hand in salute. Ulv tried to read the housecarls’ body language. Was King Halvdan here?

The farm in the background looked like something out of a nightmare, its once vibrant atmosphere now reduced to ash and debris.

Brynjar approached Ulv and HÃ¥rek as they came closer, and they both stretched to see if they could spot Halvdan.

‘He’s here,’ Brynjar said and smiled.

‘Is he alright?’ Hårek asked.

‘He’s injured. A wound on the side of his stomach, but Torgeir expects him to recover’—Brynjar lowered his voice—‘however, he is weak from blood loss and in a bad mood.’

‘Hårek? Ulv? Come over here!’ Halvdan called. Ulv winced; he sounded angry, alright.

They dismounted and walked over to the bonfire to find Halvdan eating. The King motioned for them to sit. ‘Did you go back?’ Halvdan looked at Ulv.

‘Yes,’ Ulv nodded.

‘He’s dead?’ the King asked.

‘Sigurd Hjort has fallen, yes.’

King Halvdan cursed under his breath. Then he took a long sip from his mug. ‘Where is he?’

‘We brought the body,’ Hårek said. ‘It’s on a stretcher over there.’ He pointed with his thumb over his shoulder.

King Halvdan nodded. ‘Good. He deserves a proper burial.’

‘Yes, my King,’ Hårek said.

‘They’ve taken Ragnhild and Guttorm,’ the King continued.

‘Hake’s men?’ Hårek asked.

‘Yes. Have you heard of a man called “Horse”? One of Sigurd’s men?’ King Halvdan asked.

‘Horse? No. Why?’

‘Never mind. What do we know about this Hake Hildebrannsson?’

‘Well, he has several farms at Hadeland. His lands are prosperous, yielding good crops and livestock. Hake is known for his shrewd management and harsh but effective leadership. He commands loyalty through fear and rewards, rather than kinship or friendship.’

‘A landowner, then?’ King Halvdan asked.

‘Yes, but he’s not just a landowner. Hake has a reputation as a formidable warrior, with many battles under his belt. His men are fiercely loyal, bound to him by both blood and gold. He has a knack for recruiting skilled fighters and maintaining a well-armed retinue. Rumour has it that he’s amassed a considerable amount of wealth, which he uses to buy influence and strengthen his position.

‘There are whispers that Hake is not above using sorcery to achieve his aims. Some say he consorts with dark spirits and that his success in battle is owed as much to these supernatural alliances as to his martial prowess. People fear him, and rightly so, for he is as ruthless as he is cunning. His enemies tend to disappear or meet untimely ends,’ Hårek said.

‘That’s all?’ the King asked.

‘No,’ Hårek said. ‘Hake’s ambitions don’t end with his current holdings. As you know, he has been expanding his territory steadily, often through force or intimidation.

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