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Now I knew not what to do, being torn with grief and fear. I dared not cross Ingvar again, lest I should change his mood, mild enough now, to some wild fit of rage, for I had not bided so long in his hall without learning that much of his ways.
I answered that what I might I would do gladly, so that he asked me not to break faith with my own people. "I would ask no man to do that," he said. "Tell me what I may not ask you." "Shall I speak plainly?" I said. "Aye, plainly as you will." "Then, Guthrum, I may not own Ingvar for overlord. Nor can I allow that you have more than right of conquest over us."
"Why, we had good luck with you on board, and hold that Rorik had done somewhat which set Thor against him, for he got shipwrecked, and now is killed. So we know that your ways do not matter to Thor or Odin or any one of the Asir, who love a good fighter. But we know not why you are so obstinate; still that is your business, not ours." "What says Ingvar?" I asked. "Naught; but he is godar."
Now after Ingvar had helped himself, the cauldron came to Guthrum, and then to Halfden, and then it must come to me, and I had heaped food before me that I might pass it by more easily, knowing that this was the sacrificed meat of which I might not eat.
I have a mind to find out what he does know," and he looked savagely at Beorn, who was sitting up and rocking himself to and fro, with his eyes looking far away. "Do what you will with him he will lie," said Hubba. "I can make him speak truth," said Ingvar grimly. "What shall be done with this Wulfric?" asked Hubba.
Hubba would have come also, but Ingvar held him back. "Let Wulfric have his say first," he growled; and I thanked him in my mind for his thought. So we went to the inner chamber, where Osritha would sit with her maidens, and Halfden said: "This matter is filling all my thoughts so that I am but a gloomy comrade at the board. Tell me all, and then what is done is done.
I saw Ingvar's rage growing, and he cried as his men forbore, shrinking a little from their quiet victim: "Ask for mercy, Christian, at the hands of Ingvar the godar, the priest of Odin and Thor, and you shall go free." But the king met his gaze sadly and firmly, answering: "That were to own that you have power over me through your false gods." "Power I have," said Ingvar; "ask for mercy."
But I would not answer at once to the other question, and Ingvar seemed not to notice it. Then there was silence while the great jarl sat on his horse very still, and looked hard at me and at Beorn; but when the men would have bound us he signed them back, letting Beorn go free.
"I bide here with Wulfric," he answered, having paid no heed to our low-voiced talk. "Wulfric sails with me to find Ingvar," said Thormod, and at that Cyneward turned to me in surprise. "Not Ingvar," said I, "but one in his house. Will you come with me?" Then he understood, and his face showed his gladness. "This is well," he cried; "gladly will I go with you and return with that other."
That is well; tell us, friend, all that you know." "Stay," said Ingvar; "I took yon man from the boat we made for our father; he was half dead therein, and his wrists have the marks of cords on them; also when he heard my name he began to cry for mercy, and I like it not." "This friend of our folk will tell us all," said Hubba. "Aye," said I, "I will tell you, Jarls.
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