nam

" The prince waved his hand, dismissing the compliment. "Still, as much as you and Binabik and the rest have accomplished, there is still far more to do. We remain afloat in deep waters, praying for a sight of land…" He paused. "What is that noise?" Isgrimnur had noticed it, too, a rising murmur that had slowly grown louder than the wind. "It sounds like an argument," he said, then waited for a moment, listening. "No, it is more than that—there are too many voices." He stood. "Dror's Hammer, I hope that someone has not started a rebellion.

" He reached for Kvalnir and was calmed by its reassuring heft. "I had hoped for a quiet day tomorrow before we are to ride again." Josua clambered to his feet. "Let us not sit here and wonder," As Isgrimnur stepped out of the door flap, his eyes were abruptly drawn across the vast camp. It was plain in an instant what was happening. "Fire!" he called to the others as they spilled out after him. "At least one tent burning badly, but it looks like a few more have caught, too." People were now rushing about between the tents, shadowy figures that shouted and gesticulated. Men dragged on their sword belts, cursing in confusion. Mothers dragged screaming children out of their blankets and carried them into the open air. All the pathways were full of terrified, milling campfolk. Isgrimnur saw one old woman fall to her knees, crying, although she was only a few paces from where he stood, a long distance from the nearest flames. "Aedon save us!" said Josua. "Binabik, Strangyeard, call for buckets and waterskins, then take some of these mad-wandering folk and head for the river—we need water! Better yet, pull down some of the oiled tents and see how much water you can carry in them!" He sprang away toward the conflagration; Isgrimnur hastened after him. The flames were leaping high now, filling the night sky with a hellish orange light. As he and Josua approached the fire, a flurry of dancing sparks sailed out, hissing as they caught in Isgrimnur's beard. He beat them out, cursing. Tiamak awakened and promptly threw up, then struggled to catch his breath.