Sif, though—the girl had nowhere to go, as far as he knew, and he had no need to look to his skills to see how that story ended. The world was an unkind place to those with nothing and no … Continue reading
The cold, gray light of dawn persisted into the mid-morning, before the fog began to burn away. They’d made passable time, by Falthejn’s estimation, though he had hoped for better. The army had a full day’s head start now, and … Continue reading
Sif looked at her feet. The boots were leather, fur-lined, and the nicest thing she owned. “I bought them,” she said, then froze. To her surprise, he didn’t ask the obvious question. “That was responsible of you.” She tried not … Continue reading
“You think he is above making mistakes?” “I think he will make fewer mistakes than either of us. I have—” “—worked with them before, yes.” Hrothgar shook his head. “I wonder how closely, if you take his side over mine … Continue reading
Sif gradually became aware of voices. It sounded like an argument, insistent but quiet. She opened her eyes. Falthejn’s trinket still filled the cavern with a hard-edged light, but she could see the early dawn’s light filling in shadows toward … Continue reading
Alfhilde volunteered, “We thought we might have one more day to prepare for the journey. Hrothgar left the walls…” She thought a moment. “Last night, wasn’t it? He left to trade for food. By the time he made it back, … Continue reading
“You passed the city two weeks ago,” Hrothgar prompted. “What came next?” “Our scouts found them moving north. They marched in poor order. We thought we could strike a decisive blow, ambushing them as they moved, but they were too … Continue reading
“How did we lose?” Hrothgar said. Alfhilde gave him a look, and murmured something below Falthejn’s hearing. “No,” said Falthejn, “the question is a fair one. What news have you had heard of the war so far?” “Too little,” said … Continue reading
Falthejn unrolled his bedroll at the mouth of the chamber. Sif set up a few yards away, nearer him than Hrothgar and Alfhilde. The couple unpacked at the back of the chamber, six yards away. Alfhilde unbound the pan from … Continue reading
A few minutes’ scramble down the hillside brought them to the cave. Hanging moss obscured the entrance. Alfhilde pushed it aside. “Do you have a torch?” “Something better,” Falthejn said. He set his extra pack down, felt through his pockets, … Continue reading
