Constantin bit his tongue. He refused to tell Olaf the Viking that he should not trust the word of Vikings, for it would be an unwise move. The King’s network of informants had assured him that these mercenaries standing before them were in the pay of Athelstan. The Skallagrimsson brothers were bold deceivers, and their silver tongues persuaded Olaf because he spoke the same language: not only that of silver but also of gold. Emissaries of the spineless Seax, they offered it by the wagonload to avoid a fight and to make their enemy go. Constantin was convinced of trickery.
At last, he persuaded Olaf to listen to his argument somewhere they could not be overheard.
“My spies insist Athelstan is far from the Wirral. It’s a trick to buy time. Do not forget our original purpose to surprise th
