One full month had passed in Dublin since the discovery of Ivar the Boneless and his underground factory.
For four entire weeks, Inspector Finn and Captain Torstein had been living entirely like frightened rats in the shadows of the muddy Irish kingdom.
They had traded their coats and silver badges for dirty wolf furs, disguising themselves as wandering beggars.
Finn had been too terrified to deliver Ivar's threat to the High King of Ireland, knowing the King would likely execute him on the spot for cowardice.
Right now, the runaway tax inspector and his disgraced guard captain were crouching quietly on the damp roof of a massive stable.
They were looking down into the enclosed courtyard of a wealthy Irish warlord named Lord Aedan.
Though Finn was a man who used to enjoy shaking down poor merchants for taxes, the scene below still made his stomach completely turn.
