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chop. Before the Frank collapsed, Finn was already running past Ulfrik.
    He grabbed Hakon, who still stood, and together they began to run. "Are you wounded?" he shouted.
    "The mail stopped it. Can you believe the luck?"
    Ulfrik shook his head, conserving his breath. He had run too often and too hard this day and his legs were already leaden. Were it not for imminent death behind him, he would have rather turned to fight. Yet the alarm horn sounded from behind and he heard the Franks curse him. He pumped his legs through the pain.
    They both trailed Finn, which felt like chasing a rabbit as he dashed from bush to tree to open ground. Ulfrik cursed him more than once when he tripped or stumbled over some unseen obstacle. He should not have been able to outrun younger, unarmored men, and after a while he slowed to check over his shoulder. Nothing stirred behind him.
    "Hold on. I think we've lost them." He leaned on his knees, gasping and sweat dripping from his face. Hakon leaned beside him.
    "Impossible, Father. They're just careful not to be led into another trap. Once they realize it's only us, they'll catch up and bring others. We have to keep running."
    "Remind me to never again devise a plan that requires so much running. My legs ... the old wounds. I can't keep running."
    Hakon pulled on Ulfrik's chain shirt. "You must."
    Now Finn had doubled back and stood panting before Ulfrik. "If you can't run, we make our stand here."
    Ulfrik shook his head, too weary to protest. The two hovered over him as he continued to lean on his knees and catch his breath. They shifted impatiently but held their words. At last Ulfrik straightened and wiped the sweat from his brow. "Don't be so quick to throw your life away. There's no glory in dying here. You two travel ahead and get the ship prepared. When I catch up, I'll have an army at my back. For now, I can't run anymore."
    "Get rid of your mail," Finn said. "There's no need for it. You'll travel easier."
    He grumbled and looked down at his mail. Links were broken and blood mixed with the mud he had smeared on it. "It doesn't seem like much, but this is a fine coat. Besides, Hakon's mail just saved his life. I can't risk taking it off."
    "But you would risk being overtaken instead," Hakon said. "Finn's right. Leave it off and let's continue. I will carry it for you."
    "It will become twisted beyond repair if you carry it. No, I'll have another coat made, or better still Hrolf will award me one for what I've done. Help me out of it."
    He worked out of the shirt, Hakon helping to raise it over his head while Finn held his sword. The relief on his shoulders was immediate and he flexed his arms, enjoying the new freedom. The mail crunched as Hakon dropped it into the underbrush, and Ulfrik gave it one last glance. He sighed then said, "Let's keep moving."
    Without the weight on his shoulders and back, Ulfrik moved freely for a short time, then the old wounds in his leg flared into hot pain. He gritted his teeth as he loped after Finn and Hakon. His son constantly checked over his shoulder, and when he saw Ulfrik slowing down, he called them all to a halt. Ulfrik again leaned over, gritting his teeth in frustration. "Fleeing disagrees with me. That damn fall from the tower, so long ago, but my leg feels like it was yesterday. If I keep pushing, I'll go lame. You two hurry ahead and I'll follow."
    Hakon straightened Ulfrik and pulled his arm across his shoulder. "I'm not leaving you, Father. Finn, run as fast as you can to the ships. We will be behind."
    Finn was about to protest, but Hakon snapped at him. "You won't help us if you stay. The men need to know we are still alive and to wait for us. Go now."
    "Just keep the riverbank to your left and you will be all right." Finn stopped and cocked his head. Ulfrik leaned back and heard the sounds of approaching danger. The Franks were not disguising their approach from the noise of shouts and cracking branches.
    "Do as Hakon ordered," Ulfrik said,