Sigurd nodded, clasped Hakon briefly on the shoulder, then led half the men inland through the trees. As Hakon watched them go, the handful of swimmers stripped to their waists and disappeared toward the beach and the anchored ships. Hakon smeared mud on his face and plastered dried leaves in his hair along with the others. When all had thus masked themselves, they crept forward to their position along the forest"s edge.
Hakon breathed deeply to settle his nerves, then said a silent prayer to calm the cold fear that wrenched his gut. He wiped at a trickle of sweat that had formed on his brow as he watched his archers gather what dry twigs and branches they could find. Beside him, Egil scanned the town with his intense gray eyes.
Suddenly a shout went up from the guards stationed near the
