Vietnam or Thailand ? Vote for the TOP Country of the Week !
Updated: June 8, 2025
But had I known that these two had been among the Welshmen that Hodulf led to Denmark when he slew Gunnar Kirkeban, and therefore knew all the story of the loss of Havelok, and how Hodulf had sought for news of him, I should have been in fear enough that we had not yet done with them. Rightly, too, should I have feared that, as will be seen.
If my father, who was the wisest of men, had been so careful for all these years, I must not be less so; for if there were ever any fear of the spies of Hodulf, it would be now when his foe might be strong enough in years to think of giving trouble. Not that I ever thought much of the said Hodulf, seeing how far off he was; but my father had brought me up to dread him for this brother of mine.
But Leva wept outright, and threw herself on her knees beside him, putting her arms round him as he sat, speaking words of comfort. Then Grim knelt also, and said, "Thralls of yours are we, Havelok, son of Gunnar, and for you shall our lives be given before Hodulf shall harm you.
Afterwards I found that Mord had heard from Denmark that Hodulf was said to have made away with Havelok, but he never remembered that at this time. Ragnar knew this, and did remember it. Pleasant it was to talk of old days with an old friend thus, and the time went quickly. Then Mord must go to his mistress and I to my place, and so we parted for the time.
For the sake of the land I will say this. Give up the throne that you have held for me, and you shall go hence with what treasure you have gathered, taking your Norsemen with you. There will be no shame in doing that, for I am able now to hold the land for myself." Hodulf laughed a short laugh. "Fine talk that for the son of Grim the thrall, who drowned Havelok for me!
"Business that will make a free man of you for the rest of your days, and rich, moreover, master thrall," said Hodulf. "That is, if you do as I bid you." "A thrall can do naught else than what he is bidden." "Nay, but he can do that in a way that will earn great reward, now and then; and your reward for obedience and silence thereafter in this matter shall be aught that you like to ask."
And all day long it was the same, and the ship fled ever before it. There was no thought now of reaching any port we might wish, but least of all did we think of making the Lindsey shore, which lies open to the north and east. When the gale broke, we must find harbour where we could; and indeed; to my father at this time all ports were alike, as refuge from Hodulf.
"And what if he has?" said Hodulf, without the least change of face, as if he had been expecting this, and nothing more or less. But if he was quiet, the chiefs had heard my words in a very different way. Some had leaped up, and others bent forward, to hear the answer to my words the better. I heard one or two laugh; but there were some on whose faces seemed to be written doubt and anxiety.
And does not that make it possible that she wishes to wed him? Therefore I am going to tell the priest the story of Havelok, so far as I know it." "Well thought of. Tell him this also, for now I may surely tell you what you have not yet heard thereof." So I told him how Grim and I had taken Havelok from Hodulf, and then he was the more certain that we had saved the son of our king.
Not many words or crafty, but men saw his face, and heard that which was in the voice, and they needed no word of reward to come, but shouted as we had shouted when the bride came home to Grimsby, and I thought that with the shout the throne of Hodulf was rocking.
Word Of The Day
Others Looking