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Updated: June 20, 2025
Only from the shore after a little space came a great cry, 'Skoal to King Thorwald, and farewell! and with that the war horns blew fiercely, and the battle cry rang again. Then came the terrible stifling smoke, and I knew that Arnkel had thus rid himself of me. "Presently I freed myself from the gag and the bonds, and tried to beat down the end of the house, but I could not.
There was nothing to fight for then, so they ceased. I came to the islands and there had news of my father, and followed him. On the way I passed Thorwald's ship at a distance, and was afraid of her, she seeming to be a fully-armed war vessel. So I let her pass." "Then you brought the news to Arnkel that she was not burning?" "So it was.
Now Arnkel came back to the table and set his hands on it, for they shook, and stared at Gerda without finding a word in answer. The courtmen were looking at him now, and her name was passing among them in undertones. It was in Arnkel's power to make the best of the return if he would. "Friends," said Gerda, "yonder man sent me to what he deemed my death in the ship which bore Thorwald to sea.
We had timed our passage well, and would wait here until we might find our way to the hall as the men were gathered for the evening meal. Our plan was to land and surround the building, and so take Arnkel if we could without any fighting. Hidden away at the foot of a valley here was a little village, but at first we saw no signs that we were noticed.
"It is Odin who chases the wraith of Arnkel hence." But Phelim looked up to where against the dark cliff the cross stood out bright above the hall. "If it is Odin," he said, "he flies before the might of yonder sign. This place is his no longer." The others did not heed him, but I would that what he said was the very truth.
You shall have crew enough, at least, to make sure that Gerda's men will join you without fear. And you shall sail tomorrow, before ever Arnkel hears that I am in the land. Take him, if you can, and deal with him as you will. Maybe a rope at the end of the yardarm is what he deserves. But, anywise, do not let him get to Eric if you can help it."
Gerda passed to the bower presently, and left us in the hall. The men still made merry with shout and song, and Gorm was preparing the guest hall for us. Asbiorn had come in with the rest of his men, grim and silent, and I asked him if he had Arnkel safe.
I supposed that we should all go together with the young king to that place which he should choose for his first landing, and thereafter she would bide in his court until Eric had fled the land and the power of Arnkel had ended with his fall. Then she would go to her own place and be once more as a queen, while I would fare with Hakon, and see what honour I might win.
I had ever heard that one who died as did Arnkel was the quarry of Odin's hunters for evermore, and the sounds scared me. The clamour of that wild hunt died away, and we breathed more freely. Soon the wild lights burned up across the north again, and then Bertric spoke. "Sink yonder thing in the fjord, Asbiorn. Gerda should not see it thus."
"He was the man who had to do with this treasure ship you picked up." "Then you had some pact with Arnkel?" "More or less," he said; "but there was a deal of chance in the matter. In the gale I was outsailed, for your ship is not speedy, as you know. The other two took refuge among the islands on the Norse shore, and there heard of the great mound laying of Thorwald which was to be.
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