Sigurd woke Hakon early the following morning and told him to dress. Hakon did as he was told without comment, and followed the jarl outside. The rain had left a clear, crisp sky and a coat of water on the ground that rippled in the soft morning breeze. Hakon breathed deeply, expecting the sharp aroma of pine, but smelled only the death and decay that hung from the walls of Ivar"s estate. He spat at the foul reminder.
Sigurd took him by the arm, his manner calm and relaxed, and together they walked up onto the wall and out of earshot of others.
“Today we give Ivar the assurances he seeks. Are you prepared to do so?”
Hakon thought about his question, knowing that it was not as simple as it seemed, but unable to determine the real question underneath. “I think so.”
“Do you?” Sigurd peere
