Vietnam or Thailand ? Vote for the TOP Country of the Week !
Updated: June 23, 2025
"He died at the hand of Asbiorn and the men of the place, in all justice. He may be forgotten." She did not ask more, for the way in which he ended she would not wish to hear. Only she sighed, and said: "Let us forget him then. I would have forgiven him. He tried to take even my life from me indeed, but instead he has given me all I could long for. He sent me to meet you, Malcolm, on the sea."
With that I drew myself up through the hatch, and crawled under cover of the long bale of canvas which, doubtless, Asbiorn had set where it was on purpose to the cleat, cast off the line, and swung myself overboard with as little noise as possible. The boat came up and nearly ran over me; but I had expected that, and was ready. The ship slipped away from me strangely quickly.
The last hope I had that the Scots might yet gather and fall on these pirates left me at that time, and a sort of despair fell on me. I think I swooned, or slept at that time, for thereafter I can remember no more until the day was almost spent, and a man came and opened the low door that he might bring us food oaten loaves, and ale in a great jug. Asbiorn stood outside.
I heard a shout from outside, and then a trampling, and thereafter a silence. Asbiorn was not far off. Afterwards I found that he had a ladder against the wall, and a man was watching through a high window all that went on, in case we needed help. Whereby it happened that Arnkel ran into his arms.
"These," said Viglund, "that thou art well met, since now shalt thou turn back and bring us to Thiodolf as speedily as may be." But Asbiorn laughed and said: "Nay rather turn about with me; or why are ye so grim of countenance?" "Our errand is no light one," said Geirbald, "but thou, why art thou so merry?"
Said Viglund: "Even as thou, Geirbald: but for myself I deem I may well turn back with Asbiorn. For I would serve the House in battle as soon as may be; and maybe we shall slaughter these kites of the cities, so that Thiodolf shall have no work to do when he cometh."
But as the sound drew nearer, and it was clearly the footsteps of a great horse, they deemed it would be some messenger from Thiodolf, as indeed it turned out: for as the new-comer fared on, somewhat unwarily, they saw a bright helm after the fashion of the Goths amidst of the trees, and then presently they knew by his attire that he was of the Bearings, and so at last they knew him to be Asbiorn of the said House, a doughty man; so they came forth to meet him and he drew rein when he saw armed men, but presently beholding their faces he knew them and laughed on them, and said: "Hail fellows! what tidings are toward?"
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."
All the while that we talked thus the noise of the men who drank grew wilder and more foolish. It was a cask of our old heather ale which they had broached, and that is potent, if to the unwary it seems harmless enough. Once or twice Asbiorn called to the noisiest to be still, but they heeded him little. Soon, however, the noise ceased, and we thought that most of the men slept.
I was roused before long by a tapping on the deck overhead, which came now and again as if Asbiorn, who was steering still, was beating time to some air. So he was, for soon he began to whistle softly, and then to hum to himself. I will not say that the music was much; but he sat barely a fathom from the open hatch, and presently the words he sang caught my ear.
Word Of The Day
Others Looking