“What do we do?” Sif cried, shivering as the heavy rain soaking her clothes chilled her. Gunhilde’s voice filled her mind.
“We must begin to evacuate the city,” said the Elder Sister. “We can save many lives as long as we have a controlled retreat. If our nerve breaks and everyone runs, this will turn into a massacre.” There was a pause then Sif felt the echoes of Gunhilde’s grim laughter in her mind. “It seems that Jarl Birger is not such a fool that he does not see when his own skin is at risk,” said Gunhilde wryly. “He has agreed that we must begin a retreat through the East Gate.”
“What do we do?” asked Sif, her teeth chattering.
“Wait for my orders,” replied Gunhilde, “and find some shelter, for the love of the goddesses. I can feel your shivering inside my brain.”
As the rain continued to fall, Sif and Baedi ducked under the roof of a market stall and held onto one another for warmth.
***
At the same moment, Hakon was facing his first Skraelings. He and Gunnar had raced through the streets of Visby, towards a house where Gunnar was sure they would find Ignetha, Ulf, and Breca. Sure enough, the three responded to Gunnar hammering on the door.
“Oh, thank the gods,” said Ignetha, throwing herself into Gunnar’s arms. She hugged him fiercely then stepped back and asked sharply, “Where is Thorulf?”
“Wounded but safe,” replied Gunnar promptly. “The Jarl’s men ambushed the camp and Thorulf was hurt, but he has been tended to and will recover soon enough.” Gunnar laughed in his relief at finding his foster family safe. “We nearly had to lay him out with a shovel to stop him from coming after you, but he fares well enough.”
“What in the Nine Worlds is going on?” demanded Ignetha. “The neighbors have been saying it’s an attack!”
“So it is, Mother,” said Gunnar. “We need to leave the city, and quickly. Do you have all that you need?”
“We packed when the harbor caught fire,” said Ulf.
Hakon was hanging back, watching the street. “Time to go, Brother,” he warned.
“Alright, everyone. Follow me,” ordered Gunnar. “Ulf, Breca, swords out, but use them only as a last measure. Don’t go looking for a fight! And, Hakon…”
“I’ll cover our retreat,” finished Hakon. “Now go! Trouble’s just around the corner, I fear.”
Gunnar took off, setting a steady run as their pace. Hakon brought up the rear of the group, keeping a watchful eye behind them. They crossed an intersection and heard a shout from behind them. “Keep going,” ordered Hakon and turned in the direction of the shout. Three men in heavy furs dyed black, carrying hunting spears and axes, were loping towards them.
Suddenly, there was a dull thumping boom that rattled his bones, and a blinding rain fell from the skies. Hakon cursed and threw his helmet off so thathe could at least see something. He wiped at his eyes and peered through the rain.
A spear came flying through the rainfall, and Hakon twisted his body to avoid its arc. Even as he straightened, a man in a thick black bearskin cloak slammed into him, driving the breath from his lungs. The man was too close to him for Hakon to swing his sword, so the young warrior pummeled the man’s face with his fist. Hakon felt bone and teeth crack under his blows, and the man slumped to the ground.
So that’s a Skraeling. Well, he falls just like anyone else.
Then the second attacker was on him, axe raised for a heavy strike. Rather than move back, Hakon stepped inside the arc of his enemy’s swing, driving his sword through the man’s ribs. The heavy furs the man wore offered some resistance, but he had no armor to speak of. Hakon snarled in the man’s face as he watched the light go out of the Skraeling’s eyes then he shoved the body into the path of the third attacker. The man tripped and fell, and Hakon quickly finished him.
Like dogs. They fight like a pack of wild dogs.
The blood of the Skraelings mingled with the rainwater at his feet. Hakon wiped at his soaking hairand beard and ran after the others. He caught up with them just as they reached the East Gate.
“Everyone alright?” he demanded.
Gunnar nodded. “We will be, once we get out of this blasted rain. This gate is barely any shelter at all. Give me a warm fire and your piping-hot porridge, Mother!”
Ignetha smiled. “Get me back to my man and I’ll make you all the porridge you can eat.”
“Be careful what you promise,” laughed Gunnar.
“Hold!” scowled Hakon, raising a hand. “I swear I just heard something.”
“From where?” asked Gunnar, twisting around.
“From inside my head, curse it all.” Hakon frowned and closed his eyes. It was as if he could hear a voice calling from a distance away then suddenly he heard,“HAKON!”in a great shout that threatened to burst his eardrums.
“Gods!” said Hakon, gritting his teeth then replied within his mind,I hear you!
