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That night on Bertric's ship was the first for three long weeks that had sound sleep for me, for they hauled out into the middle of the haven, and none could come near us unseen, and I was at last free from care and watching. But one thing troubled honest Bertric, and that was that he had found a black kitten on board. None knew whence it came, and he said it was an ill sign.
Then he took to his oars, and Bertric and I knew that the worst was yet to come, as we saw the sun flash from the long row of rising and falling blades across the miles of sea. "Some of them will be mighty tired yet before they overhaul us," I said. "A stern chase is a long chase." Now I began to look restlessly for some sign of the high land of the Norway shore, but there was naught to be seen.
I do not think that it had been fitting for her to have carried any other passenger, after he who lies in the sea depths had done with her." Bertric shook his head as one who doubts, being sore at the loss of a vessel under his command, though there was no blame to him therein. But I knew what Gerda felt, and thought with her.
"Still, it may be our father and his men; they may have worn the spoils of the enemy." The spoils generally went the other way, Alfgar thought, but did not say. They crossed the ford in silence, intent only on reaching home. For a long time they could follow the trail of the horsemen. "Who can lead them?" said Bertric, as they bounded onward. "They seem to know the country."
Her white dress seemed to shine in the morning sun like silver against some dark bushes, and my first fear was that it could be seen as plainly by the men in the big boat down the strait. "It cannot be Heidrek's," I groaned. "I know that boat only too well," answered Bertric; "pull, if you never pulled before." The oars bent, and the water boiled round the blades.
"Two brown-sailed ships," said I. "They mind one too much of Heidrek to be pleasant, else one might welcome the coming of any honest Norsemen who would help us to do the right." "Wait, and I will tell you," answered Bertric somewhat grimly. "I cannot mistake Heidrek's ships once I get a fair sight of them." In half an hour or so he did tell me.
It had been just lighted, and blazed up fiercely as we stood outside the cell. Five minutes later another fire answered it to the eastward, and again beyond that a third, and fourth, one after the other, as men saw the glare. "Foes landing to the westward," said Bertric. "The fires run thence. Maybe the ship we saw went down the coast and has returned."
"O Bertric, Bertric!" he cried, "intercede for me, pray for me." He fell on his knees, and did not rise until the temptation was conquered, and then he walked steadily into the great vaulted room, of Roman construction, which served as the banqueting hall, and took his usual place by his father's side. Oh, how hollow the mirth and revelry that night!
One day, after we had left the Shetland Islands, and it wore toward the end of the voyage, and we began to talk of where we might best land and call on men to rise for Hakon, the elder lady, Thoralf's wife, had been talking to me, and I think my mind had wandered a little as I watched Gerda, who was on the after deck with Bertric and Dalfin.
It may be a choice of two evils, but one cannot well meet with another Heidrek." "We must cut across their course and try to hail them," said Bertric, somewhat wearily. "It all depends on how the boat sails on the wind, and if we can keep the oars going. What say you, Queen Gerda?" "Do as you think best," she answered bravely. "I know how this boat can sail, and I will answer for her.
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