dismissing it with a frustrated snort. ‘As if they were the most important people here.’
‘That’s exactly the point.’ Their father jabbed the air with his finger. ‘I’ve seen many imperial officials, both soldiers and aristocrats from the highest circles. And those four were behaving just like the latter.’
‘Mmmm… Maybe they weren’t meant to be in the Legion at all?’ said Einar, before he’d had time to give it much thought.
‘What do you mean?’ Olaf always liked to hear all sorts of ideas, no matter who came up with them, so he simply tilted his head and looked at the youngest of the group.
‘Well. . . Dad, you once told us how, on one of your expeditions, you called at a port where the governor was some corrupt nobleman. . . And all the positions in the town were filled by those who’d paid him the most.’ The boy spread his hands and shrugged. ‘Maybe it’s something like that?’
‘There’s something in that.’ Bragi nodded, somewhat hesitantly. ‘But if they really are aristocrats, what are they doing in the Legion? And as rank-and-file legionaries, at that?’
‘Perhaps…’ The father was just about to say something when he suddenly tensed up and sat up straight. ‘I didn’t notice that yesterday…’ Olaf began stroking his beard, pondering something that had just occurred to him. ‘But if…’ He fell silent for a moment and swept his gaze over his sons once more. ‘Many tales have been brought back from this year’s expedition, but I don’t think anyone noticed that the Nakher people crop up in them rather often.’
‘XuinDo is preparing…’
‘…for war with the south.’ Kari and Leif whistled in unison.
‘That would explain the recruitment of the high-born.’ Bragi scratched his chin. ‘I just still have no idea how that ties in with the legate.’
‘Eh. Perhaps we’ll find out tomorrow.’ The jarl slowly stood up and rubbed his temples wearily. ‘We won’t be able to sort anything out today.’ He glanced around the banquet hall and sighed. ‘Now everyone off to bed, because I’ll need you first
