“A skald knows much he does not share.”
“The only skald I ever knew is a piece of shit.”
I see his form rise in the dark. He leans on his elbows.
“You know, Kilda, you can be quite mean.”
“Just shut the fuck up!” I shout before whispering again. “You’re the one humiliating me!”
“I try to be nice,” he says with a laugh. “I think it’s you?—”
“Shhh! Keep your voice down. You will wake Ylvin.”
He laughs again.
“What? You just shouted at me to shut the fuck up,” he whispers.
“Well, tell me what you told them.”
“Nothing, on my grave and honor.”
I sit back. Even this crow wouldn’t swear on his grave and honor if it wasn’t true. Maybe Ylvin doesn’t know. Maybe she just ate in silence before retiring to her lavvu to get hammered by Elof.
“Fine then. You were so rude, bringing it up while we were eating.”
“Bringing what up?”
“You know, you bastard! You just want to hear me say it!”
He snickers, trying to keep his voice down.
“I don’t think you should be lecturing anyone on manners, Kilda. You’re the rudest person I know.”
“Ridiculous! How am I rude?”
“Well, peeking at naked folk through bushes is considered rude.”
My cheeks flush in the dark.
“Just shut it!”
“Also, you insult me all the time.”
“Shhh!”
“And my kin, and my ancestors.”
“That was one time!”
“You swear a lot, and I mean a lot a lot. I know northern raiders that swear less than you.”
“Fine. I swear a lot. You win.”
“You didn’t swear when you first arrived. What happened?”
“Oh, I don’t know,” I say sarcastically. “What happened? You humiliated me in front of everyone when I kneeled for Asbjorn.”
“And his wife,” he adds.
