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beard, Catla, I’m sorry. Mother used to say my bark was worse than a seal’s. I’m not sure where we are, or how far we have to go. I don’t think we’re lost exactly, but we should stay together. I haven’t been on this path before.”
    Relief washed over her. She hadn’t wanted to go off alone. She felt safer with Sven. Had they missed Aigber? She thought they’d gone farther than she’d walked last day. As she peered around, her eyes lit on a high point on the heath.
    â€œSee the hill ahead, with the elder bushes on top? I’ll go up and have a look around,” Catla said. “Maybe I’ll see Aigber.”
    â€œGood thinking. Let’s go,” Sven said.
    Catla set off in the lead. After a few steps, her nose caught a slight whiff of smoke and she whirled back around to him. “I knew we were close. Smoke! I smell smoke, cooking smoke. It’s the village. We’re almost there. We must be close.” She turned and started to run.
    â€œCatla, stop! What are you running into?”
    Her heart lurched while her feet skidded to a stop over some loose pebbles. His loud whisper sounded like a roar in her ears. The urgency in his voice scared her.
    Sven walked up to her, his forehead furrowed. “Slow down and think.” His lowered voice sounded serious. “We’re in a dangerous situation. If we’re caught, no one will help our people.” Then more softly, he said, “I don’t mean to snarl at you, but we can’t afford a mistake.”
    Catla’s cheeks burned at her recklessness. “Sorry, Sven. I’m anxious. I don’t want to slow you down.”
    Sven nodded. “You’re quick enough, Catla. I count on you. Do you still smell smoke?”
    She nodded.
    â€œI don’t smell it, but I trust you do. Climb the hill, staying low to the ground behind the elders while you look around. I’ll keep watch down here. Maybe it’s Aigber. Smoke means people; let’s find out who they are.”
    Catla turned and picked her way uphill. As she climbed, she scanned the land around. Close to the top she dropped to her hands and knees and then lay flat. She shifted forward under the cover of the bushes. Wisps of smoke rose in front of her into the still air.
    Edging closer, she kept her head at ground level until she could see over the rise. Anticipation made her mouth dry. She gasped and dug her fingers into the earth in front of her. Nord-devils in a small group sat at a low flickering fire. New fears grated down her spine. They’ll see me, know I’m here. Keep low. Keep low . A shiver ran under her ribs and quivered like she’d swallowed water from the winter snows. She might have run into them. She ducked her head and pushed her way back down to Sven. “Nord-devils,” she whispered. Her face felt stone hard.
    â€œHow many?”
    â€œFive. They’ve got swords and axes. Their leather helmets coming over their noses make it look like they don’t have any eyes, like they’re barrow ghosts or something. Their tunics are black, like the Nord-devils in our village. They must be from the same ship.”
    â€œWhat are they doing? Did you see a ship?”
    â€œNo. I didn’t look. They’re just sitting. No one moved. Come on, you have to see.” She plucked at the sleeve of his shift and tugged him forward.
    They crawled up the hill, Sven following close on Catla’s heels. At the top they edged together and lifted their heads to look down to the fire. Catla shuddered to see the enemy so close. Images of her village—the smoke and the axes, the confusion and fear—returned.
    The fire had died to a few embers. The men sat at ease, their swords and broadaxes near their hands. Catla saw the River Humber beyond them, but the water’s edge was below the bank, out of her view. Sven dug his elbow into her arm and jerked his head. They wormed back