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feigned shock.
    "You hardly act any other way." Ulfrik and Snorri both chuckled. "He'll have to apologize sooner or later, or he'll look like a fool. I'll show him who the more gracious lord is. Now let's get this done."
    Toki guided Gunnar away from the animals, as Snorri led the first one to Ulfrik. Gunnar patted one on the head before he left. "Will it hurt him?"
    "Don't worry what an animal feels," Toki advised. But he saw the concern in Gunnar's young face. "Well, they're going to the gods. They'll be happy. Don't say things like that in front of your father."
    "Yes, Uncle Toki. Father doesn't care about animals, does he?"
    "He cares about his people. That's a jarl's first responsibility. Now be a good son and watch. And be silent. This will be your duty one day."
    As Ulfrik assumed his position before the bowls, the people gathered closer. Toki strained to focus on the sacrifice, but his eyes wandered to Halla. An ember fell into his gut. Another jarl, the bony faced Vermund, hovered next to her. He was whispering to her while she stifled her giggles. He stood close. Very close. He could read Vermund's desire as easily as the stars in the night sky.
    Ulfrik had started his invocations to Odin, Freyer, and Thor. Everyone turned their attention to him. But Toki lingered on Halla and Vermund. If she noticed him, she gave no hint. Finally Toki faced Ulfrik, hearing but not listening to what he said. His mind buzzed with his own thoughts. Vermund had traveled with Hardar, and was unwed. Pieces snapped together for Toki. He had competition.
    The first ram screamed when Ulfrik sawed open its throat, snatching Toki's attention. Snorri and another man held the other two rams at bay. The ram's blood poured bright and steaming into a wooden bowl. It slumped as its lifeblood pumped away. Two other men hauled it aside as Ulfrik took the bowl in his hands and held it to the sky.
    "May this sacrifice please the gods. May it show our gratitude for surviving another winter."
    He placed the bowl aside, and repeated the sacrifices two more times, filling two more bowls. When finished, he implored the gods again to favor everyone for another year. Then he unclasped his silver arm band and dipped it into each bowl for each god. He gently shook off the excess blood, then showed it to the crowd.
    "The oath ring is reddened again. Swear your oaths upon it, now while the blood is hot, and the gods will know your resolve." Ulfrik held out the oath ring, he would wear it year-round. Many believed the most powerful oaths were made on fresh blood, though any oath given on the ring any time was equally sacred.
    "I give my oath," Ulfrik intoned to the crowd, "to protect and provide to those sworn to me, to bring glory and honor to all the people of Nye Grenner."
    Toki felt Gunnar's hand squeeze his own. He glanced down and the boy dutifully observed his father, giving no sign to the agitation Toki guessed he felt. Toki again glanced at Halla. I should learn something from Gunnar . The boy is better than me at hiding his thoughts .
    Toki realized he was tapping his foot, waiting for the rams to be bled and the offerings completed. A few men came forward to swear on the ring. At the finish, gore had spattered Ulfrik's white robes. The gathered visitors nodded in satisfaction, a happy murmur spreading through the crowd. Then the clouds parted for the sun and Ulfrik momentarily blazed like a white flame. It drew expressions of awe from the crowd.
    "There's a good sign," said one of the jarls; Ragnvald was the name Toki remembered. Many agreed. But Toki noted two who did not. Hardar and Vermund left without a word, dragging Halla in tow. She did not look back as her father led his small group across the waving grass to a line of bobbing tents. Toki worried she would not keep their date.
    "So the gods are happy now?" Gunnar asked, looking at Toki with his lip trembling.
    "That they are. You're father pleased them greatly, it seems."
    Gunnar nodded and was