Johnston McCulley

“ A shield maiden whispered to her, but she waved the shield maiden aside and took another step toward him, and laughed again.
"You like my horse?" he asked.
"He is a well trained steed to walk on his hind legs," she replied, and her voice was like the trickling of water over cool rocks.
Edvard Haakonsson dismounted, for which act Eric the Dumb gave him thanks again. Half a dozen steps forward he took, nor noted the black looks that the men-at-arms gave him. The maiden looked as though she might retreat, yet she held her ground. ”

“ She raised her head and looked at him bravely, and his eyes did not falter.
"I seem to read that you are an honorable man," she said in a breath.
"Then we may be friends?"
"If you wish it."
"Friendship is but the basis, often, for stronger ties," he said.
Her face flamed again.
"It were well for you if you kept our friendship a secret," she said. "If Svend the Bloody hears of it, he will break it fast enough."
"Svend the Bloody is my uncle, but I am a jarl in my own right, and my father before me," Edvard Haakonsson declared. "I make what friendships please me, and break them only when I will. ”

“ Edvard could see the long lane with pavilions on either side. Shield maidens and ladies of jarls' households were in the midst of the throng. Men-at-arms scowled at one another or greeted one another warmly, according to their creeds. ”