As promised, Eyvind Finson"s neighbors appeared just as the first rays of dawn brushed across the grass of Fitjar. There were eighteen of them, mostly middle-aged or older. But from the looks of them and their weapons, most knew something of battle. Eyvind introduced them as his former comrades who, like him, had finally chosen a life of farming and had settled on plots in and around Fitjar. But they had not forgotten their oaths to each other, and so when word reached them of danger, each grabbed his weapons and armor and shield and came to Eyvind"s aid.
Hakon called to Asmund to grab the standard and place it at the top of the hill overlooking the bay. There the black flag waved in the morning breeze and the golden boar danced upon its field as it had done so many times before. Its pres
