Banners of the Northmen by Jerry Autieri Page B

We'll get to kill and loot the bastards until we're rich. Sounds great."
    "Sounds great until you consider we've heard this from Ulfrik before." He raised his head to regard Kolbyr. Confused lines drew over his face, and Thrand continued. "A few weeks ago, you were sitting on that stool and complaining about your poor share of spoils. Now you've got another one of Ulfrik's stories, and you're feeling great. Does that make sense?"
    "Don't it?" Thrand shrugged. "That one-eyed giant sailed into the fjord with an army and promised us riches if we followed him."
    "No! He promised Ulfrik riches, and he gifted Ulfrik with a bag of gold. I saw it myself!"
    "Which eye saw it?"
    "I'll pull your fucking eyes out, you turd, and teach you some manners!" Thrand squelched the impulse to fight by draining his horn and throwing it aside. "Now think again. Whatever you and I take in loot, he'll be sure to claim a share as his own, and whatever his lord awards him won't pass to our hands. But we'll be in the shield walls, our lives at risk just as his, even more so since no one will defend us if we stumble. Does that sound fair?"
    "It's that way everywhere," Kolbyr spread his hands wide. "It's a rare jarl who splits evenly with all. Never heard of one, actually."
    Thrand covered his face with both hands, the scent of dirt and sour ale trapped over his nose. Had he misunderstood Kolbyr's intentions, or was he being cautious? He let his hands fall to the table, the air cool and refreshing where he had covered himself. Rain continued to pelt the house, and the constant splash of water running out of the smoke hole made him feel like urinating.
    "Listen to me, Kolbyr; I've got a secret to share with you." Lightning flashed white through the cracks in the walls and openings, but thunder did not follow. "There's more happening during this adventure than you know. Ulfrik has a secret plan."
    Thunder finally pealed; a warm and distant growl of a retreating storm. Kolbyr sat straighter and leaned across the table. "I'll keep your secret, friend. You know I am trustworthy."
    Thrand smiled, but wondered at the self-proclaimed trustworthiness. Yet he had no one else. "You know that Frankish slave we captured, the priest? He claims to know of treasure hidden in Paris, and if we help him take revenge on his enemies then he'll lead us to it."
    "Why not cut off one finger at a time until he reveals the treasure and skip helping him?"
    "And it may come to that, but it's not the important part. The treasure is a huge cross of ancient gold, hidden in one of the Frank's holy places. Ulfrik plans to follow the slave into Paris, using secret paths, and to steal that cross without his lord knowing." Thrand held his breath, ensuring Kolbyr looked him in the eye. "Nor anyone else."
    Kolbyr leaned back, shadow flowing about his face like black water. The oil lamp guttered and the room twisted in long shadows. Dripping rain water filled the silence until Kolbyr spoke.
    "You're drunk, as usual. Just a moment ago you told me Ulfrik's plans were a waste of time and now you talk about a plot to steal treasure from Paris."
    "I thought the same as you, but Ander cast his rune sticks. The gods have shown us the truth. The slave's story is genuine and the gods favor us with its secret. Ulfrik swore ten of us to secrecy, his closest men. He only did that because he couldn't get the gold alone. Otherwise, he'd tell no one, not for all that treasure."
    "And you're betraying his secret to me for the same reason."
    Thrand stiffened, blinking at Kolbyr who sneered at him. His ale-loosened tongue gave a ready reply. "I underestimated you. You know what I'm asking of you?"
    Kolbyr nodded with a smirk. "But why don't you tell me, in case I'm mistaken. You're in Lord Ulfrik's inner circle, after all, and not me."
    "It's not a test," he said with more anger than intended, though it only made Kolbyr smile wider. "I'm offering you a chance at a treasure that your lord planned to hide from