human
Isn't he magnificent! exclaimed Ned.
gpt
Hurrah! I have seen the greatest of the Vikings, Lars! The Saxons will find him a hard man to meet. Who is that other man at his side? He is almost as splendid as the king.
human
That must be Tostig the Earl, said Lars.
gpt
They said he was away with his ships, but he hath come to talk with Hardrada. He is a brother of Harold Godwinson, the King of the Saxons. Men say he is a good fighter, but not so good as his brother. What a match it would be between the two Harolds of Norway and England!
human
That's so! said Ned.
gpt
Or between Tostig the Earl and Sikend the Berserker.
human
No man on earth is a match for Sikend, said Lars.
gpt
He beareth a charmed life. There are witches and wizards among his people. They read the old runes on the tombstones. They boil snakes and lizards and evil roots, to make charms with, and salve ointments for hurts. Some of them can make a sword-cut close up and heal over, but I think I would not be smeared with any witch grease.
human
Salve is a good thing for a cut, said Ned.
gpt
It's good for a burn, too. You can find out the right thing from the advertisements. I don't remember any liniment, though, that they said was made of snake-fat. They couldn't get snakes enough, I guess, unless they raised them themselves.