Free Heroes of the Valley by Jonathan Stroud Page A

milk, that is just the way to go about it. Oh no, Halli – here is Brodir! And Mother begged him to stay away.'
    With a flurry at the drapes their uncle entered, looking very white and sour in the face. He went straight to the keg and filled a cup. Halli's mother hurried forward, pale with vexation and anxiety.
    'Brodir! You promised ! Please – you will not do us any good by being here! I will bring food to your room – you shall have the best cuts, the finest fruits . . .'
    It was clear to all that Brodir had been drinking; nevertheless his voice was calm. 'Eyjolf ! Lay an extra place here at the end. I will be attending after all. It seems to me. Astrid,' he went on, 'that tonight Svein's hall needs filling with those who hold his memory dear, not those who grovel before his enemies!'
    'Do not be a fool, Brodir!' This was Arnkel, his voice high and strained. 'Reconciliation has long been made – there is no bad blood between them and us.'
    Behind his beard, Brodir smiled blandly. 'Why then object to my presence?'
    Arnkel took a deep breath. 'Because, brother, you live in the past.'
    'And because you have the skill of making the past live ,' Halli's mother hissed. ' Will you be gone from here?'
    'No, Astrid, I will not. What if the Hakonssons run true to form and try to steal Svein's treasures from the walls? Someone must be here to guard them.' Brodir wheeled round unsteadily; his gaze fell on Halli. 'Don't you agree, Halli? You're a true son of the House. You wouldn't cast me out.'
    Everyone looked at Halli. Everyone recoiled. Brodir said: 'Is something wrong with your eyes, boy? If you want the privy, go now before the guests arrive.'
    As Halli abandoned his innocent, wide-eyed look, hooves sounded on the cobbles of the yard. Arnkel and Astrid cursed. Arnkel said: 'If you love me, brother, do not rise to their bait.' The family lined up inside the door.
    A few moments later, handing their cloaks to Eyjolf and blinking in the warmth and light, the Hakonssons entered the hall.
    There were fewer of them than Halli had expected – only three, in fact: two men and a youth. At the head of the line, Arnkel bowed stiffly. 'Hord Hakonsson, we bid you and your family welcome and offer you friendship and service during your stay. Our House is yours.' Beside him, Halli heard Brodir snort under his breath.
    Hord Hakonsson spoke: 'You do us honour with your generosity. I bring here my brother Olaf and my son Ragnar to share this fellowship in your great House. My wife will not be joining us.'
    Arnkel spoke anxiously. 'I hope she is not still sick.'
    'No indeed. She has left with the servants. As you know, our road is long.'
    At Halli's side, Brodir muttered: 'That's insult number one; look at Astrid's face.'
    But Halli was gazing straight ahead, towards the fire, dry-mouthed at the prospect of Ragnar Hakonsson's approach. When he recognized Halli, what would he do? Strike him? Shout out? Call down a curse on his head? Anything was possible.
    The three guests moved along the line, murmuring greetings to his family; Halli heard Leif 's gruff salute, his sister simpering . . . Then Hord Hakonsson came to Brodir.
    There was a silence. Neither man said anything. They did not clasp hands.
    Hord moved on. Now he stood before Halli, looking down at him from a great height. His beard was reddish, and shaved low and squared upon the cheeks. Like Ragnar and his companions, he wore his hair drawn back tightly behind the head. He was burly about the neck and shoulders, a very powerful man. Heaviness hung about his jowls and eyes; he looked at Halli with little interest. Halli cleared his throat, gave his name; his hand was enclosed in a giant meaty fist. Hord was gone.
    Next came Olaf Hakonsson, Hord's younger brother. He was leaner about the face, with a nose somewhat like a blade, narrow and tapered at the tip, and lips drawn tight within his beard. He too ignored Brodir, nodded at Halli, moved away.
    And now came Ragnar, pale and