VII
THE FLAME OF THOR’S ALTAR
Harrying and plundering as they went, the sixty high, full-sailed ships of the Jomsvikings’ fleet drove to the North. As they neared Hjornungavaag, in the province of Sundmore, the greater fleet of Earl Haakon, one hundred and eighty in battle array, was there to meet them. In the centre of the great battle line stood Earl Haakon’s own ship. His oldest son, Earl Erik, commanded the right wing of the line, and his second son, Earl Sweyn, the left. With the old earl was his youngest son, the beautiful boy Erling. Facing Sweyn on the enemy’s line was the most intrepid and most feared of all the Jomsvikings. It was the giant Vagn, who had sworn at the feast for the head of Thorkell Leira. Vagn commanded the left wing of his chief’s fleet. Face to face on the central ships were Earl Haakon and Earl Sigvalde. When the ships had been lashed together for battle, a fiery shower of arrows and spears announced that the combat had begun. Earl Haakon was not full sure of victory, although his ships were three to one of the Jomsvikings, and he had three warriors for every one in Earl Sigvalde’s galleys.
