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Updated: May 2, 2025
Presently, when his low cry was forgotten, I looked at him, and he saw that I knew him, and was content. "Look at the men, Bertric," said Dalfin. "See if there are any you will care to take. You know them." "We cannot leave any of them here," Bertric said to me. "Hakon can set them ashore anywhere if he does not like them.
"It would have been a wonder if you had not doubted," said Bertric. "We have naught to forgive, and, indeed, have held ourselves honoured that you took our words as you did. In all truth, I do feel myself again in mail, and so must Malcolm." I did, and said so. There are thoughts knit up in the steel ringwork which are good for a man.
As for Dalfin, he poured out another cup of the wine and gave it to Bertric, who had signed to him for it. "She will be herself directly," he said sagely. "Who was it that she took me for?" "Only a heathen god, and a worthy one," answered the Saxon, setting the cup to the lips of the girl, and making her drink some of its contents slowly.
He had all but turned to seek his father, when suddenly the remembrance of Bertric flashed vividly upon him. He saw, as in a vision, the patient, brave lad enduring mortal agony for Christ, so patiently, so calmly. Had Bertric, then, died for nought? He felt as if the martyr were near him, to aid him in this moment, when his faith was in peril.
One close look was enough for him, and he bent his knee and kissed her hand with words of welcome, and so would be made known to Bertric and myself. He looked us up and down with a sharp glance and smiled, and Gerda told her tale in a few words. "True enough," he said; "for you wear the arms of the house, and wear them well.
Then she laid her hand on my bound arm gently, and smiled at me. "This is the second time you have saved my life," she said. "Nor was there one to share the deed this time. You cannot bring in Bertric and Dalfin now." Which seemed to please her in a way which I will not try to fathom. That sort of thing makes a man feel how little worth he is in truth.
Now it was in my mind that it was possible that I might be back in Thetford, or wherever Ethelbert's court might be at the time, sooner than I had any wish. For if aught had happened amiss at home, so that our lands, for want of the heir, had fallen into the hands of Bertric, I should be left with naught but my sword for heritage.
We were ashore and safely beached, and the danger was past. The ship took the ground on her whole length as the wave went back. Out of the smother of water and foam astern, as the next wave broke over the ship, Bertric struggled forward to us, laughing as he came.
But for all that I heard what was like a half laugh come from Bertric, and he went quickly aft to the sternpost and rested his hand on it for a moment, still watching the ship. And as he went, one of that ghostly crew went also, and stood as he stood, with outstretched arm set on the dim sternpost.
And as the days passed, it seemed to me that in some way Gerda kept herself afar from me, being more ready to speak with Hakon and Bertric than myself, though again at times she was as ever with myself in all ways. Now I did not altogether wonder at this, and made the best thereof, being minded to pass from her ken with Hakon when the time came.
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