Chapter Thirty-OneOnce again, Melcorka saw herself lying on that sandy ground, with a tall man standing over her and Bradan walking away with another woman. So this is how I die, she thought. It is a fitting end for a warrior. Erik looked up, just as MacBain drew his skean dhu and threw it. The point of the blade pierced Erik's left leg and dropped, leaving a tiny wound. Erik shook his head, dipped a finger in the blood, tasted it and smiled. Stepping over MacBain, he thrust Legbiter into the wounded man's chest and twisted. MacBain died without a groan. With Erik's victory over the Alban champion, the left Norse formation gave a great roar and pushed forward. With their shields interlocked, swords and spears thrusting in unison, the Norsemen brushed the Alban skirmishers aside and cras

