The next day, the fleet glided into Kaupangskilen and beached along the shore. Just inland, the town still smoldered, as did the funeral pyres that hastened Gudrod and Trygvi"s fallen warriors to Valhall. A thick ash pall hung over the area, searing Hakon"s eyes and chilling his already somber mood.
Geir met Hakon and his army on the strand with the remnants of his men — a band of nearly two dozen bandaged and filthy warriors. They cheered the sight of Hakon"s ships, though their cheers were hollow and dispassionate. They were battle-worn and bone-tired — Hakon could see it in their faces.
“You are a welcome sight, my lord,” Geir commented as Hakon approached. “For a moment, when we saw the masts approaching, we thought Ragnvald had returned to finish us.”
After he"d spent a sleepless n
