Then came its body, long and low and lined with shields. From the mist it wallowed toward the shore. It turned into a narrow bay, long oars moving slowly like fins at its side.So, upon a winter's noon when the snow lay deep under the firs, the dragon ship came into Thord's bay. The first to see it was a young girl, walking upon the outer wall of Thord's hall.Bright quick eyes she had, and she knew well the like of ships. An instant she stared with a swift-drawn breath, and then was flying down the stone steps, her tawny hair twisting about her slender throat. Into the great hall she burst."My father, a Viking ship has put into the shore." And she stamped her foot. "Make haste!"Sir Thord, a broad, mild man, reached behind his chair for his weapons. In other days he had fought off raids of the Vikings who came in their long boats from the northern sea. But of late he liked better to trade with them. Times were hard and he had few men to follow him when he went warfaring out of the manor.Another man got to his feet.
