The Road of the Sea Horse by Poul Anderson

Author:Poul Anderson
Language: eng
Format: mobi, epub
Tags: Historical Novel
Published: 2011-12-08T12:53:29+00:00

3

"And this is what the king's word is worth," said Thora at last.

"I asked not for woman chatter," said Harald dully. He stood with head lowered, hands clasped behind his back, and the dogs cringed away.

"Send me home!" she said. "I care not to stay with a braggart. Keep the boy; with such a father, he's worth naught." She wheeled and left the room.

Styrkaar got his ax. "This is more than Einar being true to a friend," he declared. "It's a locking of horns. The whole land will think it can do as it pleases, if you let him go free."

"I am not one to murder a man," said Harald.

"It can scarce be called murder when his following is as great as yours, or greater." Styrkaar took his helmet from a peg on the wall. "In any case, my lord, I'll do it; you need not bloody your hands."

"Have done," said Harald. "I can do my own killing."

He went up to the high seat and sat there, resting his chin on his fist. None cared to risk speaking. After a long time Thjodholf and the others returned.

"Well?" asked Harald tonelessly.

"He and Eindridhi will come, my lord, to talk over the matter."

"Is he ready to give up the thief?"

Thjodholf looked at the floor. "He said he would not desert a man who had served him well, but would make payment as his steward offered at the Thing."

"And what of his lawbreaking by using force there?"

"He said nothing about that, my lord."

"Well ..." Harald sighed, shook himself, and rose. He spoke softly. "We'd have come to swords in the end. Let it be now."

Styrkaar grinned and slapped his thigh. "Well done, King!"

Ulf's face went blank. "So be it," he said. "The guards are ready."

Eystein nodded, as if his skull had grown too heavy for him. The other warriors looked up eagerly, waiting their orders.

Harald walked about, commanding them to their places. Most he posted around the courtyard leading to the hall, a ring of armed and armored men in Ulf's charge. He himself went into the entryroom with half a dozen. He told them to close the shutter of the only window, up in the loft, so that little light could reach them; then, in a thick gloom, he waited.

"Take the banner, Eystein," he said.

"Yes, my lord." The boy's hand shook, but he gripped the staff.

Presently Einar and Eindridhi arrived. With a stamping across flagstones, the yeomen followed, the whole five hundred bearing shield and helmet, packed together inside the wall of the king's men. Spears bristled out of their mass, the afternoon sunlight ran off the whetted heads.

Einar turned to his son and laid a hand on his shoulder. "This is a risky business," he said. His eyes looked out of their crow's-feet with a deep warmth. "Were it not a matter of our very manhood, I'd not go in."

"I too—" began Eindridhi.

"No, wait out here with our folk." Einar looked at the outnumbered guardsmen, and dropped a big hand to his sword hilt.

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