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"Nay, he could not travel so far; but in his name I bid you welcome to his feast, if you will accept peace instead of war. If you will not, then I can only mourn the devastation of my country. It will be a bloodless victory, Estein." "And what compensation does the king intend to make?" "What you will; he is powerless." "Shall we then march to King Bue?"
Helgi had adopted a different device. His head lay on his arms, and in reply to all calls to drink he merely uttered incoherent shouts, while every now and then Estein could see that he would shake with laughter. Suspicious though he was, it came as a shock to Estein to hear his worst fears suddenly confirmed.
"Singing all the while?" said Estein. "Softly and to myself," replied Helgi; "for what is becoming enough in a guest is not always so well suited to a sentinel. There I stood, stamping my feet and beating my arms upon my breast to keep the cold away, till I began to think that something was amiss."
Orkney was the last place I had thought of visiting." "You were wrecked?" "Wrecked, and wellnigh drowned." In a more courteous tone the old man said, "While you are here you are welcome to such cheer as we can give you. This cell is all my dwelling, but since you have come to this island, enter and rest you in peace." Stooping low in the doorway, Estein entered the abode of Andreas the hermit.
"There come nine, and ten!" added Estein. "How many more?" They watched the strange fleet in silence as one by one they turned and bore down upon them, ten ships in all, their oars rhythmically churning the sea, the strange monsters on the prows creeping gradually nearer. "Orkney Vikings," muttered Ulf. "If I know one long ship from another, they are Orkney Vikings."
"And you have five brothers to avenge; the sword should not rust long in your scabbard, Estein." "Twice I have made the Danes pay a dear atonement for Eric. I cannot punish Thor because he suffered Harald to drown, but if ever in my life it be my fate to meet Thord the Tall, Snaekol Gunnarson, or Thorfin of Skapstead, there shall be but one man left to tell of our meeting."
How do you intend that I shall die?" "By my sword, if the gods will it. In an hour, Liot, we fight to the death. Our battle-ground is yonder holm, the weapons you may choose yourself; and meanwhile I shall loose your bonds, and if you wish to eat or drink you may." A look of blank astonishment came over the Viking captain's face. "This is a merry jest, Estein," he said. "It is no jest.
Loose his bonds, men." Liot gave a shout of joy. "Estein," he cried, "you are a brave man, but I think you are fey." "That will soon be seen." The Viking's cool indifference gave place to the most exuberant excitement.
Helgi lay still for a minute, and then rising to his feet, muttered something about "strong ale and fresh air," and staggered down the hall with a well-feigned semblance of drunkenness. Thorar was sitting opposite, touched with drink a little, but still alert and sober enough. He glanced sharply at Estein; but the Viking, looking him full in the face, laughed noisily and cried,
He was on the verge of crying out in his natural voice, and when he did speak, it was like a man who is choking over something. "Then Thord the Tall is dead?" "He died penitent, King Estein," said Osla. "And he left me a writing for he had taught me the art of reading on the island and with it much silver, or at least it seemed much to me. The writing bade me seek King Hakon."
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