It was late. The sun had long since faded into the western sky, and with it went the high spirits brought on by the day"s successful ambushes. Most of the camp had retired, exhausted from a long day of chopping trees and building the long wall that would guard the hilltop. Hakon ate a quiet dinner with Egil and Gunnar, but was called away by Sigurd halfway through his meal to a fire pit where Ivar and Thorgil already sat.
“We were just about to discuss our plans for tomorrow,” said Thorgil as Sigurd and Hakon found their seats. “In my mind, our situation has become almost hopeless. Erik is close at hand and the Tronds still have not arrived. Our wall is not near completion; we need another day. Two, if possible.”
Hakon frowned at Thorgil"s pessimism, which had grown by the moment since t
