Rollo fastened the horse's reins to a post in front of the hall and approached a man standing on guard by the door. "I wish to see Earl Sigvard."

The man looked Rollo over as Lagertha and Bjorn joined him. "What is your name?"

The three travelers gave their names and the guard pulled open the big door and spoke to someone inside. A few minutes later, another man came to the door and gestured for them to enter. They followed him in, looking around the hall in curiosity that quickly turned to disgust. The place was filthy. The floor was crusted with scraps of food and the big table next to the open hearth was crowded with dirty dishes providing a free meal to several mice. A musty smell hung in the air, and there were no decorations, no shields hanging on the walls, or bright axes, or even furs by the chair where the earl lounged, eyeing them sourly. "What brings you to Strandysla?"

Rollo took a step forward. "We are travelers seeking a place to stay, at least for the winter."

He was going to say more but Sigvard held up a hand, silencing him. The earl leaned forward, eyeing Lagertha, and she felt a chill. Rollo used to look at her in a similar manner, but she had never been afraid of Rollo as she suddenly felt afraid of this man. There was more than lust in his eyes-there was the imperiousness of a man accustomed to getting what he wanted and capable of rage if he was denied. Sigvard smiled, and it was the smile of a cat when it sees the mouse. "This is your wife?"

"No, lord," said Rollo. "This is my sister-in-law, Lagertha. The boy is her son, Bjorn."

"Your sister-in-law!" Sigvard transferred his attention to Rollo. "And where is your brother?"

"I have divorced my husband," said Lagertha.

"Indeed?" Sigvard looked from Rollo to Lagertha and his smile took on a lewd quality. "And you have run away with your brother-in-law?"

Rollo's eyes darkened. "Lagertha is a free woman and no man has any claim to her. Of course, as my sister-in-law, she is also a woman I would die to protect."

"So would I!" piped up Bjorn. Lagertha pulled her son against her as Sigvard laughed.

"A wolf and a pup to protect you. You are indeed a fortunate woman." Abruptly tiring of his game, he leaned back in his chair. "And you are looking for a place to winter, which makes you fortunate in coming to Strandysla at this particular time. As it happens, one of my tenants has just died and left me a farm with no one to tend it. If you know anything of farming…"

The shieldmaiden said proudly, "My parents were farmers, as was my husband."

Sigvard smiled broadly. "In that case, you can take over the tenancy on the farm." Lagertha nodded and the earl said smoothly, "Of course, you will need some supplies to start with...food and tools, some stock…I'm afraid my previous tenant had rather let things go before he died. I am not in the habit of giving credit to strangers. Have you any money?"

Lagertha felt an odd pang of relief at the thought they would not be able to stay after all. "I am afraid not, lord. Thank you for your generous offer, but we will not be able to take advantage of it."

"Wait." Rollo pulled a small pouch from under his shirt and opened it, taking out a heavy gold ring. For a moment he clutched it so tightly his knuckles turned white, then he held it out to Sigvard. "Will this be sufficient for what we need?"

The earl motioned to one of his men to bring the ring to him. He weighed it in his hand, then bit it to test its quality, finally saying unpleasantly, "It is a poor thing, but it will get you started."

A muscle jerked in Rollo's face, but he merely said, "I thank you, lord. We will go now, if it please you to give us a guide to the farm."

Sigvard's eyes narrowed. The words were appropriate but there was a look in the eyes of the big stranger that set his teeth on edge. For a moment he had an urge to challenge the man, but it had been long since the earl of Strandysla had fought anything more formidable than an unwilling woman. He gestured at the man who had brought him the ring. "Take them to the marketplace and see they get what they need, then show them the way to Arne's farm."

"Yes, lord." The man bowed, then led the travelers from the hall, leaving Sigvard alone with his ugly thoughts.