The Dneiper
“I stayed at the court of Yaroslav until the following spring,” said Hardrada as he stood on the banks, watching Ulf organise the crew. Haldor, next to him, sat on a rocky outcrop, his face screwed up in pain. Hardrada studied his old friend, concern eating away at him. The wound the Icelander suffered from Crethus might not ever heal completely. No doubt he still bled inside, Hardrada mused. So, he talked, attempting to keep Haldor"s thoughts from the pain as the others wrestled with the ship, using ropes and sheer brawn to lift it out of the water.
“We did this on my first journey south,” Hardrada continued, settling down beside Haldor. “This river is so treacherous in places, and these hills,” he gestured to the opposite bank, where the steep, rocky sides gave way to thick
