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Updated: May 12, 2025
"Hodulf's steward?" said the jarl suddenly; "where is he?" "Yonder. Biorn slew him." "He was leading this crowd," said Biorn from above, "tried to force his way into the tower past me, and would not be warned." "What of the outlanders?" "All slain. Seven Welshmen they were."
This man was a spy of Hodulf's, and would go straight back to his master. My father must hear of this at once; and I hurried back to the ship, and took him aside and told him. And as I did so his face grew grey under the tan that sea and wind had given it, and I knew not altogether why. "Tell Arngeir to come to me," he said; "I am going to the jarl.
There were two of Hodulf's men hurt only, for the most of them had run to the high place, and few were between us and our going. So we took five chiefs and their followers back with us, and that was worth the errand. We thought that it would not be long now before Hodulf was on us; but the days passed, and there was no news of him, and all the while we grew stronger.
It seemed to me that here we had a good place to meet it, for the land went down in a long slope that was in our favour, and therefore I set a man on my horse, and sent him back with all speed to Havelok to bid him hasten. Our host was not so far behind me, and I could see both from this hill. We had full time to take position here before Hodulf's army was in reach.
His words were not idly to be set aside either, and they spoke together in a low voice when he had ended. "This is a matter for the whole host to settle," one said at last. "We will speak to them, and give you an answer shortly." "Take one of Hodulf's courtmen with you, that he may tell all of the fight," Havelok said: "he need not come back."
"You have stood by us well, friend," Havelok said, "and it is a pity that you have had to share our trouble so far as this. Who was the man who fell on you?" "That is the trouble," answered Biorn, "for there will be more noise over him than all the rest. He was Hodulf's steward, the man who gathers the scatt, and therefore is not liked.
Hodulf's horse winded me, as I think, and threw up its head snorting, and I heard its bit rattle. But my father was close at hand, and that was lucky. "Ho, fisher, is that you?" he called softly. "I am here," was the answer, and at once my father came into the hollow from the road. "Are any folk about?" Hodulf said. "I have met none. Now, what is all this business?" answered my father.
Quick as light, he took it on the shaft of the spear he carried, and turned it, wheeling his horse short round at the same time. Lindsey training was there in that horsemanship of his. Hodulf's horse shot past as the blow failed, and then Raven seemed to be the next man to be dealt with.
I sent a man back as he bade me, and he stayed the host half a mile beyond the hill, where they were not seen. Hodulf's army was yet two miles away across the heath, and none had gone back to hasten it. Now Havelok went forward, holding up his hand in token of parley, and his enemy rode from his men to meet him.
It was no long fight, for now Hodulf's men were coming up, and there need be no more thought of aught but ending one who was ready to smite a foul blow before us all shamelessly. Havelok spurred his horse, and the two met and closed for one moment. Then down went the Norseman with cleft helm, and the old wrongs were avenged, and there was but one king in the land.
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