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expecting you,’ the warrior replied.
    Conrad was surprised. ‘They are?’
    He pointed up at the guards on the top platforms of the watchtowers.
    ‘As soon as you were identified a message was sent alerting them to your impending arrival.’
    He clasped his fist to his chest. ‘They will be pleased to see you. Lord Hillar.’
    ‘Well, then,’ said Conrad, ‘let’s be on our way.’
    When they arrived at the meeting hall in the centre of the settlement a large crowd of mostly warriors had gathered, word having quickly spread that Susi was among them. When Conrad caught men’s eyes they nodded purposely and the air tingled with excitement. The fact that he was with his comrades Hans and Anton, plus Hillar, who had remained in Estonia, could mean only one thing. They were going to war.
    Only the three commanders and their senior chiefs were allowed in the hall. Girls served those present with large wooden cups filled with beer as a trestle table was hastily set up in the middle of the chamber. Riki, Andres and Tonis greeted the brother knights and Hillar then looked at Conrad. He took a large gulp of the cool beer as they sat around the table, the chiefs standing behind their leaders.
    ‘Muster your men. We are marching north immediately.’
    The chiefs grinned broadly and slapped each other on the back as those Estonians at the table nodded thoughtfully. Marching north meant only one thing: the liberation of their homeland.
    ‘You should tell them why we are marching north,’ said Hans.
    All eyes focused on Conrad.
    ‘We are going to Oesel,’ he announced.
    There was a stunned silence. Hillar, who already knew this, cast his eyes down to avoid the others’ gazes.
    Tonis, the Saccalian leader, laughed. ‘What is there on Oesel for us?’
    ‘We go to rescue the Danish king who has allowed himself to be surrounded by the Oeselians on the island.’
    They all burst out laughing.
    Riki pointed at the cup Conrad was holding. ‘You have been drinking too much beer, Susi , it has deadened your mind.’
    ‘Muster your warriors and lead them to Wenden tomorrow. Then we will ride north. No carts; we travel light and fast.’
    Andres, the stout commander of the Jerwen, was now totally confused.
    ‘The Danish king wanted you dead, Susi . Why would you raise a hand to help him?’
    Conrad drained his cup. ‘My friends, I understand why you think this order is strange. But I too obey orders and it is the desire of Master Rudolf that we should ride to save the Danish king.’
    ‘Many of my men will not be happy, Susi ,’ said Riki. ‘My people have suffered greatly at the hands of the Danes.’
    Hillar looked up. ‘As have my people. But I took an oath to serve Susi and will not break it.’
    Riki looked at Tonis and then at Andres. The Rotalian leader was not only physically large; his voice held great sway in the Army of the Wolf.
    ‘The Jerwen are with you, Susi ,’ said Andres, nodding at Hillar.
    Riki and Tonis also voiced their support, which silenced the mumblings of the chiefs behind them.
    ‘I know that what we are about to do makes little sense,’ said Conrad. ‘In truth it makes little sense to me. But I tell you that we will not be spilling blood in vain. The Danes will be held to account for what they have done in Estonia, that I promise.’
    The Estonian leaders and their chiefs filed out of the hall, their muted spirits in contrast to the faces full of expectation that awaited them outside. They announced that the Army of the Wolf would be marching north the next day, which was greeted with rapturous cheering. The men were told to gather round their chiefs who would appoint quartermasters for the allocation of supplies for the ride north.
    ‘They will be less happy later when they discover they ride north to save Valdemar’s hide,’ said Anton glumly.
    ‘What did you mean when you said that the Danes will be held to account?’ Hans asked Conrad.
    ‘I have yet to work that out,’ his friend