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Updated: May 2, 2025
Then in much comfort we saw to our arms, red with the sea rust, and hung them round the cell, which was some nine feet across and about the same height, and by the time that pleasant work was done the brothers were back, and the little bell on the chapel, where it hung in a stone cote, rang for their vespers. They bade us come also, and Bertric and Dalfin rose up and went gladly.
Then a great hail came over the water, bidding us hold on and wait. She was full of men, pulling five oars a side, with six or eight in the bows and stern. We said nothing, but held on quickly. Bertric never hastened the long stroke he was setting us, but we put more power into it without need of bidding.
So we found a sheltered hollow whence we could look across the beach to the ship, and there gathered a great pile of driftwood and lit a fire, starting it with dry grass and the tinder which Bertric kept, seamanlike, with his flint and steel in his leathern pouch, secure from even the sea.
Only to eastward the sky was dull and grayish, as it were with the loss of light in the sky over hill and forest. And Heidrek was gaining on us steadily if very slowly. We were very silent at this time. Presently Gerda broke the silence. "Friend Bertric," she said in a still voice, "how long have we?" He glanced back at the ships, and answered her, after a moment's thought.
The long, smooth sea was going down also, or he would not have kept his footing as he did. I looked up sharply, and met the Saxon's eye. A calm to come was the last thing we wished. "Maybe there is a shift of wind coming," Bertric said. "No reason why we may not make the most of what breeze is left now." "It is the merest chance if any man spies us by this time," I said. "We will risk it."
Then supposing he picked up our mast?" "Unlikely enough," I said. "We are raising trouble for ourselves." Bertric shook his head. "I know Heidrek only too well. He may spend this season in hunting for the treasure which he so nearly had. News of a wreck flies fast, and he has but to touch here and there on our track or thereabout to hear of us sooner or later."
They are an idle boast and empty. I am only a weak woman and alone." Almost was she to breaking down again, but she was brave. And then Bertric spoke for the three of us. "Lady," he said, "we are homeless wanderers, but we would not have you think yourself altogether alone so long as we can plan for you. Mayhap we can do no more, but, at least, we shall see. I cannot think that all hope is lost.
Still you may remember Guthred at God's altar." And he strode away. My brother was now joined by his children Bertric and Ethelgiva, and his wife, the Lady Hilda. I saw that he was ill at ease, but we did not mention the subject, which I am sure was uppermost in both our minds, lest we should alarm the gentle ones.
And all the while as we worked at this strange task, I wondered what the meaning of it all was. The last fagot went overboard, and Bertric rose up and looked at me. His face was white as with some fear, and he stepped backward away from the penthouse aft. "Comrades," he said, "why did they want to burn this ship?
I said nothing of what had happened before I cried out and fell. There was no need, for both Bertric and Dalfin made little of the matter, saying that it was no wonder, and that maybe I had been more hurt when I was struck down than I felt at the time which is likely enough. However, I had no more trouble in that way. Food and sleep and the rest on that quiet deck were all that I needed.
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