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Updated: June 23, 2025
The luck of the torque has left me." "Come with us after all," I said. "No doubt Arnkel will be willing to give you just that chance." But he shook his head. "No, I bide with Hakon. But there is Asbiorn yonder who will see to Arnkel. And I am sorry for Arnkel if they meet."
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."
When I saw your father Asbiorn lie dead at Dunsinane, I said, 'There ends the glory of the house of the bear; and if you wish to make my words come false, then leave England to founder and rot and fall to pieces, as all men say she is doing, without your helping to hasten her ruin; and seek glory and wealth too with me around the world! The white bear's blood is in your veins, lads.
"Here," he said, "if it is just a matter of ransom, let us both go; and come to Belfast in a year's time, or six months' time, an you will. Then my father will pay chief's ransom for the two of us. My word as a prince on it." "It is a new thing with us to take ransom, or the word of any man," answered Asbiorn doubtfully, yet as if the plan seemed good to him.
Asbiorn nodded, and we went ashore, leaving that old courtman of mine, Sidroc, in charge of the ship and the dozen men left with her. The folk of the place thronged round to see us pass up the town, and saw Gerda plainly for the first time. In another moment I heard her name pass among them, and Gorm spoke to them, for there was a growing noise of welcome.
So that chase went on, and I wearied of watching it at last. Then Bertric and I went to Asbiorn, for we would ask concerning some things which had happened. Men were serving round the midday meal at the time, and we ate and talked. The first thing I asked him was what he had done with our ship. "Sold her to one Arnkel in Norway, so to speak," he answered, with a grin.
After that Phelim said naught of his own feelings in the matter, but went to the brothers one by one and took leave of them. Afterwards I heard that yesterday the bishop had loosed him from some vows which bound him to the island-hermit life, if it came to pass that we would take him with us. And that was what he had thought would befall him when he and Fergus rowed with us, with Asbiorn in chase.
He dropped the oar again with a short laugh. "Lucky for him that so it is," he said; "but I am glad you saved him." "It is not to be supposed that I am welcome," said Asbiorn, mighty coolly; "but on my word I did not know it was you whom I was chasing. You ought to be in Shetland. Now, if you think this a mistake, I will let go."
"Ho, shipmaster!" cried Gorm. "Welcome, if you come in friendship, as I suppose. Whence are you, and what would you?" "Friends," said Asbiorn; "friends with a cargo some of you will be glad to see." "Aye, aye," answered the steward. "You traders always say that. Well, that will wait for daylight. Meanwhile come up to the hall and sup."
Asbiorn steered, and was alone on the after deck. The two other ships were not to be seen, and I suppose that they outsailed ours, for she had never been of the swiftest, though staunch and seaworthy in any weather. We were heading due north as if we would make the Faroe Islands, leaving the Orkneys to the starboard.
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