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I have been Jarl Lodbrok's friend, and have fought by the side of Halfden, his son, as these tokens may tell you. As for the rest, that is for yourself alone, Jarl. For I have no good tidings, as I fear." "Who is this man, then, and why cries he thus in terror?" "Beorn, falconer to Eadmund, King of the East Angles," I said.
And some of those of whom they sang were men of the Angles of the old country; and one was my own forefather, and for that I gave the scald my gold bracelet, and thereafter he sang lustily in my praise as Lodbrok's rescuer. Very pleasant it was in Ingvar's hall while the wind howled over the roof, and the roar of the sea was always in our ears.
After that he would have no more witness; but now should each of us lay hand on the body and swear that he was guiltless. They brought a book of the Holy Gospels and put it on Lodbrok's breast, and first I laid my hand thereon, looking into the quiet face of the man whose life I had saved, and sware truly. Then must Beorn confess or swear falsely, and I looked at him and his cheek was pale.
And Jarl Ingvar sat still, as if carved in oak, and seemed to ponder, frowning heavily at us, though the look in his eyes went past me as it were. Glad was I when a horseman or two rode up and reined in alongside Ingvar. I think that the foremost rider was the most goodly warrior to look on that I had ever seen, and one might know well that he was Lodbrok's son.
And wondrously light and graceful were the lines on which she was built, so that beside her our stout cargo ship showed shapeless and heavy, as did our log canoes beside Lodbrok's boat. As soon should our kitchen turnspit dog fly the greyhound that I had given Lodbrok, as such a ship as ours from this swift viking's craft. But her beauty was not that which drew the eyes of my men.
So they stood forward, telling naught but the truth, as honest men. And they seemed to think much of Beorn's having cried out for revenge. Also they showed the arrow, which fitted exactly to the headed end which was in Lodbrok's side, and was the same as two that were in my quiver with others.
And my men added that they had seen me riding to that place, and had followed the call of my horn. "Murderers do not call thus for help," said the earl. "What more?" "Only that Lodbrok's dog flew at Beorn;" they said. Then my steward and others told the story of my saving of Lodbrok, and there were one or two who knew how closely Beorn seemed to have sought his friendship.
What can I do?" and almost did he weep for my hard case. "Let things go their own way, my brother," I said gently. "I do not fear the sea, nor this man here Beorn. Do you go to Reedham and tend Lodbrok's hawk for me, and send word to my father, that he may come home, and to the king, so that Lodbrok may have honourable burial."
It flew so that it would pass over the house, and as it came it wheeled a little and called; and then it swept down and came straight towards me, so that I held out my hand and it perched on my wrist. And lo! it was Lodbrok's gerfalcon; and pleased she was to see me once more, fluttering her wings and glancing at me while I smoothed and spoke to her.
"Why, so he cried out as we came," said one of the men when he heard Beorn's words. "Maybe both had a hand in it," the leader said, and so they talked for a little. Then came two of my own serfs, who had followed me to see the sport, I suppose, at a distance, as idle men will sometimes, when hunting is on hand, and with them came Lodbrok's dog, the same that had brought me.
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