Matt crept around the tent with Baldwin. Then he undid the ties on the flap, lifted one, and slipped in while Baldwin stayed outside. The only thing inside the tent was a pile of blankets. As Matt walked over, he swore his amulet was practically jumping with excitement. Sure enough, under that stack of blankets, he found the shield. He smiled, clutched his still-twitching amulet. Another power, then. Something that must have “turned on” after Hildar had told him what he needed. It would be nice if she’d explained. But, he had to admit, it did feel good, figuring this stuff out for himself.

He pulled out the shield. It was definitely the one from the longship. It was lighter than he expected, the wood smoother, too, as if polished by years of handling. He imagined it in the hands of a real Viking warrior, setting off to battle—

A nice fantasy, but this really wasn’t the time for it. He hefted the shield and, without even thinking, swung it over his shoulder, arm through the strap, letting it rest on his back. It felt good there. Comfortable. Protective, too, like he had someone at his back. Now all he needed was Mjolnir, and he’d be set. He grinned to himself and headed from the tent.

Baldwin was right there, waiting, on guard like a pointer, scanning the horizon for trouble. When Matt whispered, “Got it,” Baldwin stumbled, nearly tripping over his feet.

He saw Matt and looked almost disappointed for a second, like he’d been hoping for a real threat to fight off. Then he saw the shield and his eyes rounded.

“Is that…?” Baldwin said. “Wow. That is so cool.” He grinned. “Looks good on you.”

“Thanks. No sign of trouble?”

“Nah. Cancer boys are still down by the steam, sharing a smoke.” Baldwin paused. “I didn’t think kids smoked anymore.”

“Only the evil ones,” Matt murmured.

Baldwin started to laugh, then swallowed it and settled for a grin. “That’s so we can recognize them, right?”

Matt smiled. “Right. Now let’s head out. Mission…”

A figure stepped from behind a tent across the circle. Then another and another. Matt wheeled. More were behind him. A Raider stood in every gap between two tents. In every escape route. He turned fast, evaluating the least threat, ready to barrel through—

A familiar figure strolled between two tents. Skull—the biggest of the Raiders, the one Matt fought outside the fair. Matt looked over his shoulder to see a girl about Skull’s age. She was even taller than Reyna, with wide shoulders and blond braids. That must be Hattie—Fen had mentioned her. A half dozen of the biggest Raiders followed them.

TWENTY-TWO

MATT

“BATTLEGROUND”

You wouldn’t be stealing from me, would you?” Skull said. “Not Matt Thorsen, son of Blackwell’s finest.”

“You’re the one who stole it!” Baldwin said, jumping in front of Matt. “You swiped it from that longship.”

Skull laughed, Hattie echoing him. “Is that what Fen said?” He leaned around Baldwin to look at Matt. “Ask Fen again, Thorsen. Ask who really stole the shield. Better yet, ask why he sent youto get it.”

“It doesn’t matter,” Baldwin said.

Skull’s laugh rippled through all the Raiders. “Really? Huh. Fen delivered the shield… and now he’s delivered the champion.” He looked at Baldwin. “You can go. Tell Fen he’s all paid up.”

Matt replayed Skull’s words. He’d misunderstood. He must have. He could believe Fen stole the shield—this whole thing had started when he’d caught Fen trying to swipe it—but delivering the champion? Matt couldn’t believe that. It must be a trick.

It’s not. That’s why he agreed with Astrid about getting your stuff. That’s why he didn’t want to come into camp with you. He wasn’t helping get the shield; he was turning you over to the Raiders.

Baldwin stepped forward. “If you want him, you have to go through me first.”

Matt heard a noise behind him. He turned, but too late. A half dozen of the Raiders were running at him. He took out the first with a left hook as Baldwin raced in, fists flying.

“Ignore blondie!” Skull called. “You can’t hurt him, so don’t bother trying.”

Matt hit another Raider and sent him flying, but as he did, at least four others tackled him from behind. They swarmed over him, forcing him to the ground as he kicked and punched. Baldwin tried to pry the Raiders off Matt, but they’d just backhand him or elbow him away, which only made him madder, fighting like a whirlwind, yelling, “What about me? Hey, you, zit-face, come on! I thought you guys were Viking warriors! Fight me!”

When one finally swung around, as if ready to take Baldwin up on that, Skull shouted, “I said ignore blondie. He’s Balder. Can’t be hurt unless you have some mistletoe handy. Just keep swatting him off like the annoying little fly he is.”

That made Baldwin furious, and he fought so hard that Skull finally ordered a few of the Raiders to grab him and pin him down. Matt was already pinned. Lying on his back, spread-eagle, a Raider holding down every limb, a fifth one sitting on his chest. He’d struggled at first, but realized they had him and stopped, conserving his energy and waiting for his chance.

“Get him up,” Skull ordered.

The Raiders obeyed. They dragged Matt to his feet, two holding each arm. Matt felt his amulet, red-hot against his chest, and knew it was charged up, ready to go. But for what? He could take out one guy. That wouldn’t stop the other dozen standing around. He needed a better plan. A smarter plan.

“Now, where’s my shield?” Skull said.

A Raider had taken it from Matt’s back before they’d pinned him. The kid held it up.

“Put it in my tent.”

The Raider did as he was told. When he’d disappeared into the tent, Skull strolled toward Matt.

“There’s someone you need to meet,” he said. “But first I think you need a lesson about stealing.”

Skull’s gaze dropped to Matt’s stomach, and Matt knew what was coming. A blow to the solar plexus against a defenseless target. Except Matt wasn’t defenseless. He readied his Hammer as he watched Skull, ready to launch it as soon as he pulled back for—

Someone hit Matt from behind. A hard, fast hit to the kidney that sent pain jolting through him. He twisted to see the girl—Hattie—grinning. Then another blow, this one from the front, the hit he’d been waiting for. Straight to the solar plexus. The air flew from Matt’s lungs, and he doubled over, wheezing and hacking.

“Hey, Skull!” Baldwin shouted, struggling against the Raiders holding him. “What kind of name is that, anyway. Do you think it makes you seem tough? It better work with these guys, because you need all the help you can get, loser.”

Skull slowly turned on Baldwin.

“Yeah, I’m talking to you!” Baldwin shouted. “The loser who won’t even take a swing at Thor’s kid unless four guys are holding him down. You call yourself a Viking Raider? The Vikings wouldn’t have let you clean their toilets. You won’t even fight Matt without help from your girlfriend there. I can see where she comes in handy, though. One look from that ugly face and guys probably run before you needto hit them, right?”

Hattie advanced on Baldwin.

“I said to ignore him,” Skull said. “You can’t hurt him.”

Hattie punched Baldwin in the stomach, making him cough. “Maybe not, but it makes me feel better.”

“Truth hurts, doesn’t it?” Baldwin said as he caught his breath and bounced back, grinning. “Do you turn into a wolf, too? I bet you don’t. You don’t need to. You’re already a dog.”

Hattie hit him. Matt winced and wanted to tell Baldwin to stop, but reminded himself that Baldwin couldn’t feel it, couldn’t be hurt. If Baldwin could draw off Hattie and Skull with insults…