The spring equinox came three weeks after father and Eilaf departed for England. Eilaf, overjoyed, might have spared his torments like: ‘Shall I greet Niels and Stefan for you, Ulf?’ – and many more provocations. Once father’s ship slipped out of the harbour, mother insisted we joined with others in the traditional visit to the temple at Upsal to make a sacrifice to Odin. This rite served to invoke strength and fortune for our men gone to war.
The construction, in a hollow surrounded by hills, stood by a sacred grove with a spring, so was easily sighted as we approached. Around the temple, a golden chain hung from the gables. Nine males of different species were to be sacrificed – we led a goat – other families brought an Irish slave, a horse, ram, dog, donkey, gander, cockerel, bullock a
