User Guide

around a dark-bearded man listening intently to a gasping runner.

Gudrek pushed his way to the front of the crowd. “What’s

happened, my thane?”

The older man held up a hand to silence the thanes-

man as the runner continued. “Conrack’s men . . . They side

with giant warriors . . . armed with strange, terrible weapons.

Messengers down on. . . the beach.” A viking handed the runner

a skin of water and the thane sat on his haunches for a moment,

fingering the charm that hung around his neck-a Hammer of

Thor.

Finally he stood and turned to the vikings. “The

Betrayer’s men are raiding Kopperud. Many of you were with me

in Utherby. Those of you who were not have heard the stories-

villages in ruins, men and women alike hung with spikes and

marked with strange symbols unlike any rune.”

“Now Conrack’s armies have come to our lands, and

would attack those who lie under the protection of the rune-

stones. With this news, and accounts of his forces, I begin to

fear that he has betrayed far more than the Laws of Odin. We

cannot allow this to stand. I call upon the Odinsblade-to the

ships!”

Vikings scattered to collect their weapons and armor.

Jun turned to leave, but Bragi held her arm. She turned back

to see Gudrek still at the thane’s side. “Jurt, there’s something I

should tell you,” he began, as the thane turned and saw Ragnar

standing nearby, the silver medallion of the Odinsblade hanging

around his neck.

“When did this occur?” asked the thane quietly.

“After the holmgang,” explained Gudrek. “With only a

short sword, he nearly bested Sigard. I might have waited for

a true trial, but with Conrack’s men so near, we’ll need every

skilled warrior in the village at our side. . .”