Erik"s fists curled into frustrated balls. Engorged by spring runoff, the river Erik had to ford was a frothing torrent of muddy rapids and high swells. The blackened, skeletal remains of the river"s bridge—Erik"s only hope for fording the river—listed above the current. A loose board from the bridge waved in the water, as if mocking Erik.
Erik immediately sent scouts to search the river for another bridge, or a suitable spot to ford. They returned by midday, pointing southward. With no other choice open to him, Erik turned his army and followed his scouts.
Hakon, Egil, and the archers tracked Erik"s army as it moved. Tracking them was a simple task, for the army"s progress was painstakingly slow. Trees and brush lining the bank forced Erik"s men to fight their way downriver. It was easi
