“Don't worry, chief. We've got these Tualaghi surrounded - from the inside.""Exactly," Erak replied dryly.”

“Gorlog's teeth!" Erak exclaimed, stunned at the numbers. "How many are there?""Ten thousand, maybe twelve," Halt replied briefly. The Skandian let out a low whistle."Are you sure? How can you tell?" It wasn't a sensible question, but Erak was overwhelmed by the size of the horse herd and he asked the question more for something to say than for any other reason. Halt looked at him dryly."It's an old calvary trick," he said. "You count the legs and divide by four.”

“I thought told you to watch where you put your feet," he said accusingly. Erak shrugged.I did," he replied ruefully. "But while I was busy watching the ground, I hit that branch with my head. Broke it clean in two."Halt raised his eyebrows. "I assume you're not talking about your head," he muttered. Erak frowned at the suggestion.Of course not," he replied.More's the pity," Halt told him.”

“You surely can't be trying to blame us for Erak's habit of charging ashore waving an axe and grabbing everything that isn't nailed down? No offence, Svengal."Svengal shrugged. "None taken. It's a pretty accurate description of Erak on a raid, as a matter of fact.”

“One thing' Erak said. 'Tell your men to keep their noses clean while they're in Hallasholm. I don't want any trouble.'Zavac nodded and smiled. 'I understand. This is a quiet town and you don't want the peace disturbed.'Erak smiled back, but it was like a smile on the face of a shark. 'No. This is a very violent town and if your men cause trouble, my people will break their heads a for them. I don't want to be paying any blood money for damage done to your crew. Understand?'Zavac's smile faded. He looked for some sign that the Oberjarl was joking, but he saw none. He nodded again, slowly this time.”

“Halt shook his head. Frankly, he'd seen sacks of potatoes that could sit a horse better than Erak”

“You're a very amusing fellow," he told Halt. "I'd like to brain you with my ax one of these days."Erak to Halt.”