Olvir took him aside and had a long talk with him. It was a stern talk and Ulf listened with eyes downcast and a red face. And then Olvir embraced his son with surprising tenderness and led him back to me by the hand. ‘Stay with Thora, do as she bids you, and make me proud,’ he ordered Ulf. Then he took his leave of the rest of us and climbed into his boat. Ulf looked after him as long as the boat was in sight, bravely holding back his tears. I stood quietly beside him. When we finally went back to the house, Bjorn paused beside us and ruffled the boy’s hair. ‘This seems hard, Ulf,’ he said kindly, ‘but it’s usual in your situation to be fostered. You’ll grow accustomed. And your father will visit often, I’m sure. Not every child is that lucky.’ He smiled at us both and moved away. I thought of Bjorn’s own background and knew that he spoke from the heart. I was sure Ulf would settle in well. My only concern was to shield him from Ragna, who clearly resented his presence in her household.
