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Updated: June 23, 2025
For some reason of their own, which, maybe, was not far to seek, they were certain that Melbrigda could find ransom for no one at this time, if he would. Asbiorn turned to our guest, seeing, no doubt, that he was not of the house carles. The great gold torque on his neck seemed to shine all the more brightly by reason of the blackened mail and cloak that half hid it.
Then said Bertric: "I sailed as a thrall with yon ships for six months or more, and have naught against Asbiorn here. He is the only one of all the crew who follow Heidrek of whom I could say as much." "Faith!" said Asbiorn, with a grave face, "it is somewhat to have no sort of character at all, as it seems." Hakon looked at him and laughed a little.
From him we learned two things one which Asbiorn had not yet told us, and the other which he also would learn. Heidrek had fled from us thinking that the ships could be only those of Sigtryg, the Dublin king, with whom he had some deadly feud. I minded that when Dalfin had offered ransom for both of us how Asbiorn had said that the Irish shore was not open to him.
Said Asbiorn: "To Otter will I ride as I was bidden, that I may look on the burning of our roof, and avenge me of the Romans afterwards; and I bid you, fellows, ride with me, since fewer men there are with Otter, and he must be the first to bide the brunt of battle."
"After all," I said, "maybe it will only be a matter of hunger for a day or two." Bertric smiled, and pointed to the locker under the stern thwart, on which I was sitting. "I think I told you that you were but a few minutes before me in this matter," he said. "Well, when I heard that Asbiorn would take the boat, I knew my chance had come.
Gerda had hidden her face in her hands, for he was not the only one who had been swept past us. There were still cries, which rang in my ears, from men who were sinking as we passed on. Bertric felt the boat lurch, and looked round. He saw the head above the gunwale, and the clutching hands on it, and reached for his oar. "Hold hard!" I cried, staying the thrust which was coming. "It is Asbiorn!"
Hakon looked at the two ships, which were nearing us fast, though we were still close-hauled, as when the boat was brought alongside. "I had no mind to fight him," said Hakon. "It is not his way to let a ship pass without either toll or battle," Asbiorn said bluntly. "Why, then, go forward and get dried," Hakon said. "We will speak of this presently, after we have met your ships."
I looked among them for those two men of ours who had been ready to join Heidrek as their one chance of life, but I could not see them. Perhaps this was no wonder, as it is likely that they were drafted to the other ships in order to keep them apart from us. It was certainly the safest thing to do. Asbiorn himself seemed to have some thought of this sort with regard to us seven presently.
"I thought we had settled that question. What would you with them?" "That is to be seen. Let me have them." "Pay for them, then," shouted one of the men. "They are over and above your share of plunder." "Aye," said Asbiorn at once, "I claim them for my share. Have them down to the new ship, and set them in the forepeak till I need them." Then old Heidrek laughed harshly.
And I think that the nearness of death though, in truth, not one of us would have shrunk from the steel that was so ready had taught me how good a thing life might be even yet. Most of the men went away, the matter being settled. Heidrek went also, without another word to his son, and we were left to Asbiorn and a few men of his own crew.
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