Baldur pressed on doggedly, and eventually they came to the hut.
‘Ho!’ yelled Baldur, still on his horse.
No sound came from the heap of boulders. It was more primitive even than Durston’s cell.
There was a cavity on one side that served as a door. Baldur dismounted and peered in to it. Inside was dark, almost pitch black. He kept staring till his eyes grew accustomed to the darkness. Then he gave a loud exclamation and, doubling up, disappeared into the shack.
Neil waited anxiously for him to reappear. At last he did so, and with him he brought a huge shield, the most magnificent Neil had ever seen. He caught his breath with wonder.
‘Is it the one? Your father’s?’ he cried.
Baldur nodded.
Neil could not believe their good fortune. To find it lying there, unprotected! He wondered if
