Conn nodded, slowly. “It was in my mind that that was the word the sea-wolves shouted, but I wished to hear it from your lips, because I am slow of comprehension sometimes.”

Wolfgar Snorri’s son scowled. Like the slave, the Norseman was a typical figure of his age – tall, massive, with fierce intolerant eyes and a heavy golden beard. A son of those fierce Vikings who conquered and settled in the Orkneys, he was a slayer and a plunderer, who lived like a petty king in his own steading and recognized no authority save his own. Even as he sat in the comparative safety of his own skalli-hall, he wore a pliant shirt of scale mail and was girt with a broad metal-buckled belt from which hung a long straight sword in a leather scabbard.

The thrall’s eyes strayed covetously to the blade; he said: “There will be a noble splintering of spears when the Ard-righ of Erin meets the sea-kings. I should be among his weapon-men.”

Wolfgar snorted in high disdain. “Your life would soon be parted from your body. The Vikings will take the heads of the Dalcassians to adorn their serpent-prows. As for you – why, you fool, Brian Boru would hang you to an oak limb were you to venture into his kingdom.”

“He was wrathful when I broke the truce with Melaghlin and slew a man of Meath, it is true,” admitted the big Gael frankly. “But though I was forced to flee from the land of my birth, I have no reason to love the Viking-folk. Thorwald Raven took me when I was weak from hunger and wounds – for the life of an outlaw is hard – and put this collar on my neck.” The thrall touched a heavy copper ring which encircled his corded throat. “Then he sold me to you – ”

“And cheated me,” snarled the Norseman. “Why I have not cut the blood-eagle on your stubborn back long ago, I cannot understand.”

“I’ve done the work of three men,” answered the thrall boldly. “I have not been backward when the swords were singing. I have stood at your back and mowed down carles like wheat when you warred with your neighbors. And in return you have given me – crusts from your board, a bare earth floor to sleep upon, and deep scars in my back because I would not call you master or fight for you against my own people.”