Summary

The Big Banana sails up the river. Halfborn complains that no Viking city should be so far from the sea. Magnus looks into the water, and feels that current looks too alive. Halfborn asks him if he senses the vatnavaettir. Magnus asks what vatnavaettir means, and Mallory explains that they are nature spirts—water horses in English. Sam asks why the water horses are dangerous. Halfborn explains that they may form a herd and stampede the ship. If they touch the horses, the horses will pull them under and drown them. Alex remarks that they seem like experts on water horses, and therefore should be the ones to defend the ship against them.

Mallory and Halfborn agree, as they do not wish to enter Jorvik. Halfborn and Mallory begin arguing. Sam interjects that she will stay behind as well, both to defend the...