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Haaken and Sigtrygg silently stepped next to me with weapons drawn.  The voices had stopped but I heard the sound of movement through the long grass ahead of us. I could make out shapes and they were moving towards us. They were armed men.  I was about to order my men to attack when Aiden grabbed my arm and shook his head.
    The advancing men spoke again.  It struck me that they were not very good at this. They made as much noise as a horse careering through a forest and they spoke.  If they had belligerent intentions then they needed to be quieter. Aiden's voice next to me sounded inordinately loud and made the advancing party stop. I could see them more clearly now. None had mail and they held just spears. Aiden spoke again and the leading man answered. It was maddening to hear a conversation and not understand a single word. It was with some relief that I saw the weapons lowered and the men advance, smiling.
    Aiden turned to me.  "These are the men from a small settlement just along the river.  They spied us and thought that we were Franks from the Empire.  This is Vasconia.  We have found the land we sought." He spoke again to the men who turned and pointed. "He says there is a city just down the river, Bourde.  There we will find Seguin I Lupo, the Duke of Vasconia."
    "Do you think it is safe, Aiden?"
    "I do not feel danger and if the Empire is their enemy then that suits us for the Empire has no love for Vikings."
    By the time the sun had finally risen we were already on the river and rowing upstream.  The knarr had to tack their way behind us.  They would have an easier task coming back downstream. I had had my men don their mail.  There were two reasons: if this was a trap we would be prepared and secondly, if we met someone, we would look more impressive.
    The city of Bourde was bigger than I had thought. I could still see the Roman influence in the stone walls and the fort.  It was clearly a working port for there were wharves and jetties. Erik saw an empty berth and we headed towards it.  I saw a reception committee coming from the gates.  It was led by a warrior dressed in a strange overlapping armour.  I had seen something similar in Miklagård. His head was uncovered but I saw that a young man, behind him, carried his helmet. I guessed it would be the Duke.
    I turned to Haaken, "I will go ashore with Aiden.  This may go well or the Norns might be toying with us again.  I leave you in charge."
    He nodded, grinning, "This may well be another fine story, Jarl Dragon Heart."
    Although weapons were not levelled at us I could see the suspicion in the eyes of the warriors who faced us. Aiden gave a short bow and spoke. I recognised the words he used for he spoke in Latin. The leader smiled broadly when he heard the words and he nodded. I had tried to learn the language with Aiden and I had a few of the words but I recognised few save the word, 'friend'. The warrior spoke rapidly, too rapidly for me and Aiden nodded.
    Suddenly and alarmingly the warrior strode up to me and throwing his arms around me almost picked me up. He put me down and began to speak. Aiden translated, quickly, "This is the Duke of Vasconia. He says that you are a wolf too. He saw the wolf skin.  He swears you are brothers beneath the skin and he invites all of our men to his city."
    "Tell him we will be pleased." I turned, "Haaken bring the Ulfheonar and the captains of the knarr. We go to the city.  Erik commands the others. Bring your wolf cloaks." I saw the Duke send a messenger back to the city.
    If Haaken thought the last command an odd one he said nothing. As they assembled I saw the Duke laughing and, nudging his men, he led us up to his castle.  He had a fine gatehouse and I saw that he kept his ditch maintained. The Duke was no fool. The warrior in me worked out how to assault it. We were taken to what we would term the warrior hall but looked to me to be the old barracks from the Roman times.  It had been converted to