Word of the skraelingr's flight reached Vetrúlfr by way of hunters returning from the northern streams, their breath still steaming from hard runs over ice and stone.
They spoke of camps half-abandoned, of small canoes slipping quietly out to sea under moonlight, laden with families and scant belongings.
They also spoke of lean bands of young warriors gathering in narrow ravines, planting sharpened stakes, watching the passes with hungry, desperate eyes.
Vetrúlfr sat on his carved chair of whale-bone and driftwood, one hand draped across the wolf pelt at his shoulder, the other resting on the hilt of the dark sword at his hip.
The hall was thick with the scents of salt and forge-smoke, alive with the clatter of armor as his huskarls leaned in to listen.