Henrik wasn't gone for very long. He was back inside a quarter of an hour, and gave Sven and Lasse a scare. He had chosen a different route on his way back, reentered the forest to the side, and crept around to approach them from behind. He said:
"Guys."
Sven and Lasse whirled round, Lasse raising his bow.
"Relax, relax," said Henrik.
"You're a fucking fool," Lasse said, repaying the compliment Henrik had paid him earlier. "I very nearly shot you."
He would have said more, but Sven silenced him with a raised hand.
"Learn anything?" he asked Henrik.
"Yes. Those two guys on horses have come from another settlement."
"We knew this much already," Lasse said.
"Shut up," Sven said to Lasse. He turned to Henrik.
"Go on," he said.
"That settlement is about two hours on horseback from here."
"How do you know that?"
"Because one of them said they must get going soon if they are to get home before sunset."
