‘Back already, Sigwulf! How did you get on?’
‘Two more white gyrfalcons, one male, one female. And an eagle, but that’s of little interest.’
He reached up and brushed back the strand of hair, which, as usual, had slid away from his bald patch. ‘Carolus’s mews master will find a place for that eagle.’
‘And pay you handsomely?’ I suggested.
‘Of course. I’m a Frisian. I never miss a chance to turn a profit.’
‘Yet you don’t seem to have sold many of the quern stones.’
He waved dismissively. ‘They have their uses. Everyone knows that Redwald brings a cargo of wine to Kaupang each year as well as quern stones. So when they see the display, they know there’s a decent drink nearby. It avoids open competition with the other taverns.’
‘Is Walo with Osric on your ship?’
‘You’ll find both of them next door. I’ve rented half that building.’
It was one of the long boat-shaped structures with a turf roof and, when I entered, I found that wooden partitions divided the interior into a line of rooms, each with its own door, all firmly closed. The first one I looked into contained an array of barrels and crates. I recognized the wine that had been Redwald’s cargo. The next was a drinking den, with several rough-looking customers seated on benches with their cups and tankards. They gave me a less-than-welcoming reception as I peered in. I closed the door hastily and went to investigate the next room that proved to be much smaller, with a single table and a couple of stools. Walo and Osric were bent over the table, sorting through a pile of fresh plant leaves.
‘Walo, I’ve seen the ice bears. You’re doing a splendid job,’ I congratulated him.
Walo bobbed his head and grinned happily.
‘How did you get on with the trapper?’ Osric asked.
I told him about the two white gyrfalcons and described the sliver of unicorn’s horn that decorated Ingvar’s knife.
‘I’ve got something to show you,’ said Osric. He glanced at Walo. ‘Can you find somewhere to put these leaves so they dry in the sun?’
‘What are those?’ I asked my friend as Walo carefully gathered up the leaves.
‘Black horehound is your Saxon name for the plant. Chewing the leaves staves off sea sickness.’
I waited until Walo had left the room and was about to ask Osric why he had left our silver unguarded, when my friend forestalled me.
‘Hear me out, Sigwulf,’ he said flatly. ‘The silver’s in safe keeping . . . what’s left of it. The only times I’ve been off the ship were when I knew Redwald was safely in town, and it’s just as well that I came ashore.’
He held my gaze, his dark eyes troubled. ‘I had a chance to talk with one of those Khazar slave traders while you’ve been away.’
‘Is there something wrong?’
‘There could be.’ Osric lowered his voice. ‘The Byzantines won’t be pleased when they learn about our mission to Baghdad. The Khazar confirmed that the basileus in Constantinople is at war with the caliph. It’s an all-out conflict, Christian against Saracen.’
I recalled that the caliph styled himself Commander of the Faithful. ‘Do you think they will try to disrupt our mission?’
‘The basileus would prefer Carolus to despatch troops to help him fight his battles, not send exotic animals as presents to the foe.’
‘Maybe Constantinople won’t find out what we are about,’ I said.
My friend shook his head. ‘Not a chance. The Greeks place their spies everywhere. No one pays more for gathering intelligence on their neighbours. I wouldn’t be surprised if they allowed the Khazars to travel to Kaupang on condition that they brought back information for them.’
‘But the slave traders don’t know why we’ve come to Kaupang.’
‘I’m afraid they do. I as good as told them.’
I was shocked. Osric and I had agreed to keep our mission a secret. We would explain our presence in Kaupang only to those who, like Ohthere and Gorm, could supply white animals. By being discreet, we should avoid coming to the attention of King Offa who was sure to have his informers at the market. I opened my mouth to ask Osric why he had been so reckless, when he held up a hand and cut me short. ‘I think you will agree it was worthwhile.’
My friend reached under the table and brought out a long, thin package wrapped in heavy purple velvet cloth and secured with a cord of crimson silk. ‘I mentioned to the Saracen that I had originally studied to be a doctor. He said he had acquired an item likely to be of great interest to a medical man.’
‘Sounds as though he was trying to sell you something.’