‘A ship is due to arrive.’
‘The druids have prophesied…’
‘…that it’s a bad thing?’ The twins’ eyes sparkled slightly. Apart from dragging girls into bed, they also enjoyed a good fight, which was why they usually trained with Einar.
‘No, though it’s important, they told us to get ready anyway.’
‘And Father told you…'
'…to find us and bring us back?’
‘Find you and sort you out.’ He looked at both brothers. He couldn’t bring himself to be angry with them, or with any of his older siblings for that matter. ‘But it’s only the two of you who’ve caused trouble.’ He said with a touch of sarcasm, whilst poking them in the chest with his finger.
‘We’ll make it up to you…’
‘…for all this trouble.’ They exchanged knowing glances. ‘Maybe next time…’
‘…we’ll go and visit Gudrun…’
'.…we’ll take you with us…'
‘…and teach you a thing or two!’
‘And our blacksmith’s daughter…'
‘…will be over the moon!’ Einar was just about to say something, but his brothers, amused, patted him on the back in unison and ran off, giggling in sync.
Einar watched them go for a moment, then turned off the path running through the settlement towards a steep, rocky hill, at the top of which stood the jarl’s house. He wanted to burn off some energy, as he hadn’t finished his morning exercises because of Heres.
He studied the rock face and quickly spotted a familiar path. Although it would be more accurate to call it a climbing route. He often returned from the settlement this way, rather than taking the winding, zigzagging path leading to the summit. He took a short run-up and leapt onto a narrow ledge, which he considered the starting point of his climb. Knowing every ledge and handhold on his route, Einar quickly reached the summit and, after brushing the small pebbles off himself, set off towards home.
When he stepped inside, he nearly bumped into Bragi, who was pulling his chainmail over his head. Surt was nowhere to be seen, so he was probably getting changed in his
