TLV - 03 - The Sign of the Raven by Poul Anderson Read Free Book Online Page B

thank you for that," said the old man scornfully, "and will be the more grateful, the sooner I can get away."
    Harald nodded to the guardsmen, who took Finn out and released him. Thora snapped, "It's not enough to give up th e war, you must let that dodder ing scoundrel go free."
    "Be still," said the king. His leman dared not speak further, so black had his mood been since Ulf's news; but her lips drew into a thin line.
    The fleet sailed back. Harald turned off at Osl o fjord with the crews from those parts. The men were cheerful. They had fought a battle which would be famous and laid hands on much plunder; that was full measure for them. But both the king and Jarl Haakon were evil tempered.
    It was raining when the Fafnir lay to at Oslo harbor, a thick windless rain as if summer bled to death. The streets chuckled with muddy water, roofs shimmered wet, the hills were lost to sight. Harald stepped to the wharf shivering. Yes, men grew old. He was not the hell's carle he had been.
    Elizabeth had hastened to the dock as soon as word was cried. She had known her husband would return to Oslo, and had driven down with her household. Behind her came the guards, their waterslick helmets and drenched cloaks the only color under heaven. Her daughters and young Olaf were beside her.
    She seemed too small and slight to bear the thick woolen mantle she had. Under its cowl, her features were drawn and pale, but the gray eyes kindled as Harald neared. Heedlessly, she ran to take his hands.
    "You live," she said. "You weren't hurt. . . God is good to us."
    "That's as may be." He looked down at her, and a one-sided smile creased his face. "We had the victory at Niss River—"
    "Yes, so I heard from those who came back early." She laughed aloud. "And now you have your wish—king of Denmark!"
    "No," he said. "Somehow Svein escaped us and raised too great an army at home. We're no farther along than we've ever been."
    She stood quiet. The rain beat in her face and pulled one brown lock across the finely lined forehead. Then her lips opened, as if she had been struck.
    "Oh my darling," she whispered.
    She took his arm and led him away, toward the hall. "It's nothing," she said. "Next year you will win."
    "I know not if I'm man enough to fight a curse," he said.
    "Oh, but you're home, my dearest, and you won a mighty battle." She was glad the raindrops running down her cheeks hid the tears.
    Olaf stared after them. "It's a bootless war," he muttered. "Best to make peace ere we lose all."
    "So you would say!" jeered Magnus.
    Thora's eyes left Elizabeth's back. They held anger. "Come," she said in a strained tone. "Let's get out of this damp."
    Eystein was being greeted by his wife. He responded absently, scarce able to withhold his gaze from Maria Haraldsdottir. When he looked at her, war and fame seemed child's toys.
    It is to be told of Finn Arnason that the Hallanders received him well, he having been a kindly and valiant lord. But he fell sick during the winter and died. His family went to King Svein, who saw to their welfare.
    The Danish ruler made great offerings in thanks for his life, and steered his realm as before, keeping a rich and learned court. Though ready to fight or flee again if he must, he was beginning to think that the saints were with him, and was immensely cheered thereby.
    Early in winter, he sent men to Halland to bring back Carl and his wife. When they arrived, nervous in their faded finery, Svein took the yeoman alone into a side room and asked: "Well, friend, do you know me, or think you've seen me before?"
    Carl fumbled his hat in stumpy fingers and answered awkwardly, "Yes, my lord, I know you now. I knew you when first I saw you. God be praised that what small help I could give you was of use."
    Svein's words were solemn. "I have you to thank for every day I live hereafter. So I shall reward you thus: with a fine garth on Sealand, which you may choose yourself; and if you show yourself to be a man of good