The scottish host rode towards them, and Haakon squinted to see a flaming red banner carried amongst the warriors. [i]Wait. Not a banner. That's a woman's red hair.[/i] The local warriors stopped a few dozen yards the woman with red hair came riding towards them, along with another armed man. As the two dismounted, Haakon turned to Snorri. "I might have an idea to get us out of this, but you need to follow my lead."

The man, Haakon guessed he was the chief, started speaking. The woman standing next to him was younger, about Haakon's own age. While Haakon heard the chief's words, he couldn't help but feel a little put off by the woman standing next to him giving Haakon a glare that could melt ice.

"We are here for tribute." Haakon said. "If you do not wish to fight, then give us gold and we will leave." This was a long shot, Haakon knew, but he was banking on reputation of the viking sea-raiders. That, and he wanted to make clear that even if Haakon and his men die here, the chief and his men will be in for a fight that they will never forget. Sometimes, the path of least resistance is preferred.