gaze sweeping across the deck of the imperial vessel.
‘Were you that worried?’ Ceet stopped looking around and focused on the boy.
‘A bit.’ Einar saw no point in hiding anything. ‘Dad was a bit worried last night, and I knew there was no point counting on him, or any of my brothers, getting up first thing in the morning.’
‘And I thought the Ytrens were famous for their strong heads and feasting.’
‘They are, they are.’ The young Toinen smiled mischievously. ‘But when you feast day in, day out, even for the Ytrens it’s a bit too much.’
‘I see you’ve had plenty of… Hmmm… reasons to celebrate lately.’ The beastman smiled, baring his teeth.
‘It’s that time of year.’ Einar shrugged. ‘The ships have returned safely from this year’s expedition, so there’s plenty to celebrate.’
‘We’ve come at the right time, then.’ Tahon looked around the harbour again, but this time with greater interest.
‘If you like, I can show you my dad’s ship.’ The boy beamed, keen to show off his father’s ingenuity. ‘The Flame of Dawn is moored nearby…’
Suddenly, raised voices reached them from the ship’s deck. Someone was clearly having an argument. At the same time, a young Ytren, barely a few years older than Einar, brushed past them, muttering about what he’d do to his brother if he forgot the cargo again. The lad stopped near the gangway and looked around the quay. At the end of the stone structure stood several crates. Among them must have been the one the young man was looking for, because he swore and lifted the crate lying at the very top of the pile. The noises coming from the deck grew even louder, and Tahon, to Einar’s surprise, began to seem nervous.
Just as Toinen began to wonder about his friend’s change of mood, one of the legionnaires who had been feasting at the jarl’s house the previous evening appeared on the gangway. It seemed that he was the source of the shouts heard just a moment ago. And indeed, the man turned round and shouted
