User Guide

“The Runestone of Odin,” whispered Bragi. “Cast down
by Odin himself and a holy artifact to the people of this village
and the surrounding land. Its wisdom has shaped viking law
for generations. Around it the people have gathered stones
to record their own history, to remember great deeds and to
dedicate them to the Aesir.”
An older man raised his arms and the murmuring
crowd fell silent. “We call on the Aesir-on Odin, on Tyr. We
call on Thor and Njord. Protect the warriors of this village as
they enter your spheres, knowing their triumph is your glory.”
Villagers throughout the crowd whispered private prayers, then
stepped forward with offerings to the gods-barley, oats, rye, a
slaughtered goat-and cast them into the flames.
The crowd stood silently, and Jun joined them as they bowed
their heads and closed their eyes-
Rowing to the rhythm of a war chant, Ragnar glanced
over his shoulder at the horizon. Flashes of lightning illuminated
dark clouds that rode across the surface of the ocean. Yet Kop-
perud lay on the far side of the storm, and to reach the village
before Conrack’s army had razed it to the ground meant travel-
ing through the storm’s center. The breeze that had propelled
them out from shore rose to a steady wind, and several men left
their positions at the oars to tend the woolen sail that stretched
above the ship. Strange, Ragnar thought. Usually the wind blew
away from storms . . .
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