"A cup I drank, a second I drank,
In the high halls of the host!
The heron of forgetfulness hovers above,
And steals the minds of men.
Fire is best for the sons of men,
And the sight of the shining sun,
But better still is the brimming horn,
When the bloody work is done!"
The voices of thousands of men echoed throughout the night, rattling against the glass windows of the great hall.
Hundreds of glasses shattered on the tables. Soldiers, peasants, and miners sang under the snow, drunk on beer.
Inside the great hall, there was a profound silence despite the sounds outside. Everyone remained silent, waiting for Ragnar to speak. But the first to speak was Ecgberht.
Ecgberht nearly choked on a piece of turkey. "What? You couldn't care less? They are taking the whole continent!"
