There was a thud, only a few yards away, and then another. He turned to see Egil throwing his body against a door, which gave way with a crash of burst timbers. The chieftain’s son staggered forward, and Harald, remembering his duty, followed.
He blinked in the dim light. In front of him, Egil was confronting a tall young woman. Her red hair was cut short, curling around her high cheekbones, but shone in the shadows like the embers of a dying fire.
Egil turned as Harald entered. “Our first prize!” he crowed. With one hand, he pointed the tip of his sword at the woman. The other fumbled with the leather cords that held his breeches closed. “It’s been too long since I’ve had a woman. Down on your knees, slut.”
“No!” Suddenly furious, Harald grabbed Egil’s arm. “You know Einar’s law, Egil!
