Chapter Thirty“I seek the king,” Melcorka said to the nervous sentries. “I am Melcorka Nic Bearnas, known as the Swordswoman.”
“Back there.” The sentry carried a long spear. He jerked his thumb behind him. “Did you see any sign of the Norse?”
“Aye. Erik Egilsson is camped on Culbin Sands.”
Mael Coluim sat beside an open fire with MacBain at his side and his chiefs and lords around him. “You sent good warning, Swordswoman,” the king said as Melcorka approached, with the sleeping Fergus in her arms. “My scouts tell me that the Norse camp is on the shifting Sands of Culbin.”
“That is where they are, your Grace,” Melcorka confirmed.
“Tell me more,” the king commanded. “How many men? Who commands them? Is it King Cnut of Denmark or the Butcher?”
“There are between two and a half and three
