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Updated: June 23, 2025
After that was no sound but the wash of the waves, and the hum of the sail, and the creak of the great steering oar as Asbiorn met the luff of the ship across the long, smooth sweep of the waves. We, too, grew drowsy, for the cabin was close and warm beneath the sunny decks. All that could be said was said, and so we slept, if it were but uneasily.
Under them the still fjord glowed in answer, silent and peaceful, as the fires burned up and faded. We went to the stockade gate, and down the little street to the wharf. Only a few men were about, but they were not armed, and the houses were dark now. There was no sign of unrest in all the place, as there well might have been had things gone awry for us. "Have a care, Asbiorn," said Bertric.
But I had no time to wonder how and why that sign was there, for now we were seen, and torches began to flicker along the wharf. Our pilots spoke to Asbiorn, and he passed the word for men to go forward with the shore warps, and the oar strokes slowed down.
"They will be all the more ready to do so themselves when they have the chance. They shall have such as I can give them. Leave them to me, for they fought and stood by you well." "Asbiorn," I said then, "maybe I shall be able to thank you for this someday." "Mayhap," he answered lightly. "Now, no more words; but take your chance as it comes.
Therewith we went back to the guest hall, and there was naught to disturb the quiet of the night. Asbiorn saw to that matter straightway. Men say now that when the northern fires light the sky, across the fjord drifts the wraith of Arnkel, and that ever the wild hunt comes up from the sea and hounds him hence.
With them were their wives and daughters here and there, and there were many women with the lesser folk nearer us as we entered. Some were carrying round the ale jugs, and stood still to see us enter. Asbiorn and his men left us even as the door opened, and went quickly to the rear of the hall.
I will own that we had nearly run ourselves into a trap, and you have taken a load off my mind." "No need to have stayed here," said Thoralf. "Nay, but I want that ship, and now I think we may get her. I did but stay to see if it might be done." I went and found Asbiorn, for somewhat was troubling me.
The young chief smiled a little as he looked again at us, but even Dalfin could not smile back again. "Now," said Asbiorn, "cast off the lashings from their feet, and let them walk to the ship. See that they all get there, and set a watch over the place where they are stowed." "Are we sailing at once?" a man asked. "Yes, as usual. The chief has some new plan on foot already."
Heidrek laughed at him in a strange way, but the men yelled and made a rush at us, sword in hand. Whereon Asbiorn swung his round shield into place from off his shoulder, and gripped his light axe and faced them. It was the lightness of that axe which had spared me; but the men knew, and feared it and the skill of the wielder, and they shrank back. "What, again?" said Heidrek.
It is the first time they have let me sail with him it is but a chance that I have done so now. Men get away from him too easily." "How did you get away now?" "There was no man awake near me. I had naught to do but roll over the rail. I dare say Asbiorn saw me also. He would not care, for he hates to have captives held as slaves on board his ship." Dalfin shivered a little.
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