TLV - 03 - The Sign of the Raven by Poul Anderson

but none could say it would not end in battle.
    Tents spread over the shores, the banners of mighty owners flapping red and blue, green and gold before them. Ships crowded the river and warriors the banks, sunbeams glared off arms and helmets, the woods and fields spilled boisterous men.
    As the Fafnir moved inward, Harald stood at the prow, looking before him through cold eyes. "This meeting was called long ago," he said.
    Thjodholf answered soothingly: "That was for another purpose, my lord. Now we seek to clear our decks for greater things."
    Harald made no reply to that. The dragon dropped anchor, and he went silently to his boat and was rowed ashore.
    King Svein had come down to greet him. They regarded each other closely; it was many years since they had stood face to face. Harald saw lines furrowed deeply into the Dane's countenance and a darkness under the eyes, and he thought harshly that this much, at least, he had gained.
    "In God's name, welcome, King Harald," said Svein; his hand went forth a little, but when no move was made to take it, withdrew carelessly.
    The Norseman said in a chill tone: "Let us at once take oaths concerning the truce, and then talk. I would not remain here longer than I must."
    "As you will," said Svein. It was hard to tell whether his mask decked fear or joy. Belike he felt both. That which he had striven for during half his life trembled within his hands, and the giant might dash it away again.
    Harald refused Svein's invitation to feast, but ate in his own tent as soon as it was set up. Thereafter he led the great men of his court to the meeting place. This was in a yeoman's house, and strange it was to see that much power and finery under its smoky rafters.
    The kings sat opposite each other. Harald was flanked by Ulf and Thori of Steig, while Svein had Bishop William on his right hand. Dane and Norse looked across the fire trench through hooded eyes. Outside, their men mingled cheerily, and the tide rocked both their fleets. Beyond the anchorage, the sea heaved restless, empty to the earth's rim.
    Bishop William took the word. "We are met to further God's will, which is ever for peace among Christians," he said pompously. "Long and cruel has the strife been, little gain to either side and much wrong done both." Harald listened with half an ear as he went on, ending in a prayer for divine guidance. Then the Norse king spoke:
    "It is less by our own will than by the wish of our folk that we are here. Ill fares the land which has not its rightful king, and for our part we do not agree that Svein is entitled to the Danish crown. He is no son or grandson of Knut the Great; and by a treaty sworn long ago between Hardhaknut and Magnus, the Norse king is also ruler of Denmark. Moreover, Svein himself gave oaths of fealty to Magnus Olafsson, which he later broke. All men know our belief in this matter; but for the sake of mercy, we are willing to consider coming to terms."
    Svein sprang up, red-faced. His tone was shaky as he replied: "As for my own birth, it is not lowly, and I am the nearest living kin of Knut Sveinsson. By ancient law and right, the Danish crown descends according to degrees of kinship, and is given only by the Danish folk. Any treaty which says otherwise is unlawful. Long ago did Holy Church absolve me of any oaths I might have had to yield, and since then I have been forced to fight, and my people to suffer under, the attacks of lawless greed. The Church, which binds and looses on earth as in heaven, has been well pleased with my reign, while taking ill the heathenish insolence of certain other kings who would set themselves above Christ's vicar. Speak not of law to me."
    Harald smiled starkly. "We wished but to make our stand clear," he said. "We came not hither to bandy insults like a fishwife. The Danes have sent messages that they desire peace. Let them set forward such terms as they have in mind, and we will consider them. But let no man think we yield aught in