Heidhin hangs a Roman legate, "'...no mere thrall but a chieftain...'" (p. 531), as an offering to the Anses (Aesir): father Woen (Odin), warrior Tiw (Tyr) and Donar of the thunder (Thor). He does this because Veleda's deity, Nerha (Niaerdh):
"'...has been taking too much of what formerly went to the sky gods.'" (ibid.)
(Niaerdh later became the god, Niord, who is incarnated in Anderson's War Of The Gods.)
Heidhin is canny enough to know that, even if he is mistaken in this, men fearing loss of divine support will hesitate in battle whereas the news of his offering will hearten them. Indeed, ravens, the birds of Odin, perch and peck on the hanged man's shoulders.
Why do we no longer kill men for the gods? Many say simply that we no longer believe in the gods but there are other reasons. I suggest that, if the gods exist, then they cannot possibly benefit from ritual murder. And many believe that the father god has already received a perfect victim, therefore does not need any more.
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