Dear Mr. Cornwell, I am curious are you getting any more flack for killing off poor Lightning? I knew the Northman engaged in animal sacrifice to Odin and Thor but damn that incident floored me. I have owned bred shown and loved Dobermans for over thirty years and maybe because of that it bothered me as much as it did. There is however no doubt that you accomplished your goal, you sure shocked the HELL OUT OF ME. I remember the Ragnar sacrifice of one his favorite steeds and I was not happy with that incident, but Lightning was the one that got to me big time. Please please no more animal sacrifices and certainly not for my favorite character Uthred. Oh btw the last time I was in Cape Cod was in late Oct. in 1994 when we held the Dobermann National there and I remember very well fighting that damn wind off the ocean and freezing my ass off walking the dogs.(LOL) Regards, Ken