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Updated: September 20, 2025
Our ship, which Heidrek had left here, was ready for sailing, as it seemed, and if we had come a day or two later we should have lost Arnkel, and maybe had trouble to follow. Now, these two men were the pilots of the fjord, as we had guessed from their coming off to us.
"Then suddenly, from over the near hills came Heidrek and his men, and fell on us as the folk worked. I sat on the deck here alone at that time, clad thus for the last rites, and saw the warriors swarm out of a little valley on my folk, and rose up to go to them with my arms. Then came Arnkel on board in haste, and bade me shelter in the chamber.
Thereafter two joined Hakon, as I have heard, and the others were glad to bide quietly and at least not hinder him; so we did well for the young king. When we had arranged thus with these men, I went to Asbiorn to learn how he had bestowed Arnkel. "He is down at the wharf," he answered. "Aye, on board the ship. Maybe you had better come and see him."
"Now, Arnkel, I will let bygones be bygones. It shall be as it was before the day when the ship was set adrift. Only you shall go your way to the king, to be judged by him." "Fair speech, Arnkel," said Eric's courtier. "Better listen to it. You have to deal with yon Scots jarl and I ken the Scotsmen." He sat down, watching the throng. He would take no hand in the matter, wherein he was wise.
So we had no trouble in raising a very willing crew. Moreover, the men who knew her were glad to serve Gerda. So word went about quickly of what we wanted, and we might have had twice the number we asked for. Presently Asbiorn heard it, and came up from the ships and sought us. "So you are going to try conclusions with my friend Arnkel?" he said. "Let me come with you. You need a pilot."
"Have you heard aught from the king as to your going back to the old home yet, Gerda?" "Yes," she said, standing still and looking somewhat pitifully at me. "And he says that it shall be at once. But I fear how he may send me back." "He will give you ship and men, and so see that there is no chance of any great trouble with Arnkel."
Now we can hardly beat back there, for we are too few to work the sail." "It is as well," she answered sadly. "There wait Arnkel and Heidrek." "We think that Arnkel may have made an end of Heidrek's power," I said. At that she shook her head. "Arnkel has had old dealings with Heidrek. He has sailed with him, I know.
"Someone has to take Gerda back to her own place and turn out Arnkel for me. Thereafter, he will have to hold the land for me quietly, and make ready for a rising for me if need is. I think there will be little trouble, but I do not know what men of his own this Arnkel may have. Will you do it?"
That might have happened to anybody but she knew now that Arnkel had had no business at the house when her father was not there. That could not be denied. She went soberly about her preparations, and the girls were full of pity. They talked it over and over, but there was nothing to be done. Her bundles and bales were corded upon the sumpter's back. She embraced and kissed her housemates.
Then his face grew very black, and he growled: "Bad we are, but not so bad as Arnkel, who would have men think him an honest man. Now, if it were but to get in one fair blow at him for this, it were worth joining Hakon. I take it that he will hear your tale and maybe mine." "And the lady's also," Bertric answered. "Well wait until you know what befalls your ships."
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