"... very like this one," I say, holding my mead out of harm's way, patting the dog's black wet nose and getting slobbered again. "He was my faithful companion throughout all my travels." Damn, why do I have to get sentimental still, after all these years?

I lift my eyes as Amalasutha is making introductions. "Hello, Siofra," I say quietly, with a smile and a bow. She looks startled enough by this unruly crowd...

A terrible racket burst out! Are the dogs teaching Harald to howl, or is he teaching them a war song? Either way, they'd scare the fiercest of enemies!