‘She’s well, though we don’t see much of her now. Either she’s at her father’s place in Northampton or she travels overseas as Knut’s representative.’ At that point a trumpet sounded. The felag was called to attend to a meeting in the great hall and Kjartan turned to go. ‘I hope we’ll have the chance to remember our days in Northampton and London,’ he said. The meeting was packed. Every Jomsviking, whether veteran or recent recruit, had assembled to hear what Kjartan had to say. He was escorted into the hall by two leading members of the felag’s ruling council, who introduced him to his audience. He spoke clearly and firmly, and his soldierly bearing and battle injury made his audience listen respectfully. His message was clear enough: King Knut, ruler of England and Denmark and rightful heir to the throne of Norway, invited the Jomsvikings to join his cause. War was looming. The enemies of the king — Kjartan described them as a league of resentful earls forgetful of their oaths of loyalty, warlords from Norway and Sweden, and a false claimant to the Norwegian throne - were assembling an army to challenge Knut’s authority.
