she’d have to have a word with Dad when you got back.’ He beamed as he looked into his father’s eyes, then rushed over to hug his stunned brothers. ‘I’m so glad you’re back!’ Einar was brimming with optimism.
‘When did you come on board?’ Bragi asked him when his brother finally let him go.
‘When Dad started shouting,’ replied the boy, turning back to the jarl. ‘We’ve got a younger brother too!’ he announced happily; yet the smile that appeared on the face of Olaf Anson, known as the Fiery Sword, did not dispel the fear lurking in his eyes. The jarl wasn’t afraid to fight the cruel Nakher, plunder the merchant ships of the XuinDo Empire, venture into the dwarven outposts or battle sea creatures. The only thing that could strike fear into his valiant heart was his wife’s fury.
‘Einar, you know. . .’
‘…you’re not going to give your brothers away, are you?’ The twins had gone terribly pale, so the whole affair must have started with them. Einar smiled, as he always did, quite charmingly.
‘It depends on what you’ve brought for your little brother.’ He bared his teeth shamelessly as he looked at the brothers.
‘I knew it would end like this.’ Surt shook his head half-heartedly. ‘Same as always, anyway,’ he added, looking his younger brother in the eye.
‘Yes, one might have suspected as much.’ Their father looked around again, but Ulf made sure no one disturbed their family gathering. ‘And tell me, son, is Mum very angry?’ he asked, with a hint of hope in his voice, placing a hand on Einar’s shoulder.
‘Well, she only just found out, so she’s angry.’ Einar nodded gravely, putting on an air of expertise. ‘When she was tidying the library and spotted that box on top of the middle bookshelf, I ran off, knowing how it would end, but even from the courtyard I could hear her shouting and I think she was calling for someone.’ He put on a pensive expression. ‘And those weren’t the names of the gods.’
‘Oh, perhaps it would
