"I wish I could hear what they were saying," Melcorka whispered.
"Touch Defender," Bearnas said.
Melcorka did so. Her hearing, already sharp, became acute. She focussed on the forthcoming battle.
"Norsemen!" one Alban champion shouted, his voice rising to the skies above. "I am Colm of Cenel Gabrain, and I challenge you to fight me in fair combat or leave this land."
There was a cheer from the ranks of the Albans, quickly stilled, and then the reply came from the Norse. It was a single word, loud and clear, repeated often.
"Odin! Odin! Odin!"
Melcorka watched in astonishment as the raven on the Norse standard altered. The wings straightened and extended, and the drooping head rose, with the beak opening in a wide gape as if about to strike. The Norse roared, like the bark of a dog an
