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me."
    I rode forward with my standard bearer and we stopped in the slippery dank water close by the causeway ramp. "King Eanred I come in peace.  I come to talk and not to fight." There was silence. "If I had come for war I would have brought a mighty host and you know that."
    His head appeared over the wooden walls.  A younger version was next to him. He shouted, "If you come in peace then why do you have four Saxon prisoners with you?"
    "They are not prisoners; they are witnesses." I turned and shouted, "You four Saxons come here." When they were next to me I said, " Coenred of Hagustaldes ham would not let me pass beyond his hall.  He demanded a combat to the death.  I brought these men so that they could bear witness of what occurred. You can take them within your castle if you wish and question them."
    The heads disappeared.  I turned to the Saxons.  "You may dismount.  I trust you to speak the truth." They nodded.
    The heads reappeared. King Eanred shouted, "They may enter. You, Dragonheart, retire to yonder headland and camp.  We will speak with these men first. Do not try any tricks, you will be watched!"
    I nodded and led my men north.  It was ironic.  We had camped there when we had crept into the castle to slay our enemies. Now we would camp there and perhaps be admitted to the castle through the front gate.  On the other hand it could be where we had Dragonheart's last stand!
    We made a picket line and Snorri and Beorn led Ketil's men to make a rough barricade from gorse and bramble bushes. It would not stop a determined foe but it would slow them down. I did not believe that they would attack us.  We were too intriguing a prospect. Haaken grumbled.  "They will probably let us freeze out here tonight and then slaughter us in the morning."
    Olaf Leather Neck said derisively, "You are getting too soft, Haaken One Eye. It is one night and when we return home think of the song you can create."
    He nodded, "Aye, I suppose so."
    Young Ragnar asked, "We just wait?"
    "We wait.  My life is not filled with sword fights and battles. Oft times it is dull.  Now is such a time. You two may well lead men in the future.  This is part of being a leader."
    We finished off our rations and drank the last of our ale. If the mission proved fruitless and we were sent on our way empty handed then we would take from the Saxons and they would pay for their king's lack of manners. Snorri and Ketil made sure that we kept a good watch overnight.  I slept little.  I stared at the darkened shadow of the castle.  I had slain Magnus the Foresworn there. One of my ancestors had slain a false king. Was my destiny tied up in the rocky fortress?
    Aiden joined me. "You cannot sleep either galdramenn?"
    He pulled his cloak a little tighter around his shoulders. "This castle is special.  Myrddyn is reputed to have flown in here with one of your ancestors."
    I cocked a cynical eye, "And you believe that?"
    He laughed, "No.  You and I know of enough tricks to have an idea how it was done.  No my point is the legend that is created from such events.  When we speak with King Eanred tomorrow he will be in awe of you.  He will fear you.  No matter how much he blusters remember that."
    "He will admit us?"
    "He has to.  If not he will lose even more face than he has already. You have slain one of his mighty warriors and travelled deep within his kingdom.  He has to speak with you. I have not dreamed but I can make a story from the pieces I see before me. When he asked us to camp here I knew that you had won."
    "You could have told me and I might have enjoyed a night's sleep."
    "No you would not for you feel Olaf's hand on your shoulder."
    I whipped my head around, "You read my thoughts?"
    "I know you have spent many mornings with Old Olaf much as you did on Man when you tramped to Snaefell when everyone else slept.. Your son's behaviour worries you for you see the end of your thread."
    "Am I to die?  Have you dreamed it?"
    "No we have