I’d looked forward to having a roof over my head once more, but now that I did, I found the cellar room airless and stuffy. I listened to all the men snoring in the darkness and wondered how it could be so hot at night-time. I longed to go outside to breathe fresh air, but that would have meant going out into the street, and I didn’t dare. It was noisy too. The city didn’t seem to rest. I could hear voices calling out and laughter way into the small hours. At breakfast the next morning, Leif offered to show us Jorvik and my father, who’d returned from a night watch on the ship, agreed. My brother brightened at the prospect of going into the city. The centre of Jorvik took my breath away. It was like nothing I’d ever seen or imagined; like the market at Jarlshof multiplied a hundred or a thousand times. All those people and stalls and goods crowded into restricted spaces between the many houses. I felt penned in and breathless. I took hold of my amulet, and held it tight for a moment, trying to draw strength from its magic and protection.
