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

weakness or fear."
    Svein stroked his beard; calm had again come over him, and he spoke with the craftiness of many years' royal dealings. "The border between our realms must be agreed on," he said, "and furthermore we must remember the destruction which this war has wrought. Perhaps some of my jarls can speak of that."
    "Aye." A white-bearded Dane, wrapped in costly furs, stood up. "My lords, I say naught of my own two sons slain, dear though they were to me, nor of ships lost and warriors crippled and killed, for this could happen in any war. But in my fief are homeless folk, wasted fields, burned houses, slaughtered kine that rotted where they fell, goods and monies stolen, harmless people murdered and raped and carried off to thralldom. For these evil deeds there must be some atonement."
    "What!" bellowed Ulf. "When have men paid weregild to their sworn foes? If you choose a king too weak to defend you, you must bear the outcome."
    "It is not only a reaving of Denmark," said Svein quickly, "but of all Christendom. Each year the heathen Wends come sailing to rob and kill, until few men dare live in sight of the coast. Denmark stands as a bulwark against them, and so do the bodies of Danish men, while you harry us from the north. Beware of weakening Denmark too much. If we fall, your coasts will burn next."
    Harald snorted. "Ever must you wear the pious cloak, Svein Estridhsson," he said. "But sooner will I be slain than rob the brave lads who followed me of that which they earned with blood."
    Both kings were standing now, and glaring at each other. An uproar lifted through the hall, men shouting into men's mouths, fists aloft and oaths on lips.
    "Think not I ask peace because I fear you, Harald Hardrede," cried Svein. "It is for the sake of my people. But I've thwarted your greed for nigh twenty years, and will fight you for twenty more rather than that they have an evildoer such as you for king."
    "If you are not too great a coward, we can put the matter to test this day," growled Harald. "Or are you afraid no traitor this time will help you run away?"
    "My lords!" exclaimed Bishop William. "My lords, think where you are! In God's name, keep peace during the truce, at least!"
    Harald wheeled and stalked from the hall. His men followed.
    That night Danes and Norse camped apart, guards out and weapons beside every sleeper. It did not escape Harald how much gloom there was among his folk; they had little stomach for a war which gutted two kingdoms for no clear gain. The knowledge struck him anew, shatteringly, that even if he wiped out the whole Danish army and court, the land would not be his.
    Well—time went, dreams crumbled and blew away. He wondered if he had will and courage enough to start afresh. It was eighteen years since he had been hailed king with Magnus, and he had come no farther who once meant to shape the empire of the North.
    A verse went among the camps, none knew who had made it, but men said it to each other:
     
    "Many folk their mouths use,
    at meeting, in each army;
    haughtiness breeds hatred
    in hosts of Dane and Norseman.
    None will wish to nod
    his neck unto another;
    and the kings are angry,
    egging on the trouble.
    * * *
    "Warlike royal wills
    give warning of ill tidings;
    men who'd act as makepeace
    measure into scalepans.
    Fearlessly and freely,
    folk should say their wishes:
    evil is this hour
    if enemies go homeward."
     
    It was like a groan out of the darkened earth.
    Perhaps King Svein heard it too. Men went between the rulers: Ulf, Thori, Thjodholf, Eystein from the Norse; William and Harald Sveinsson from the Danes. Days of wrangling followed, but the lords who looked out the door to see the armies mingled, talking and drinking and gaming like old friends, felt something of a shudder. Here they sat, in gold and marten furs, masters of men and broad lands, still building up their power; was it possible that someday they would give an order and no one would obey? Svein wondered a little