One of the large anterooms, furnished with a bed, some chairs and a table, glowed with warmth. A fire burned in the hearth and candles guttered in the corners, giving off a feeble yet comforting light. Nevertheless, it did nothing to improve Olaf"s mood. Two day"s previously he had received pledges of service from men throughout the Norse. Even Sigurd Syr, his contemptuous sneer forever planted across his thin face, had bent his knee. Not so Earl Hákonarson, whose man had stood as solid as an oak and appeared to relish what he had to say. Announcing to everyone present that his lord and master would never bow down to a weak and loathsome god. A god that proclaimed forgiveness as the true way; instead he would rid the land of any such profanities and show the people, through the might of hi
