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Updated: May 26, 2025
The men were very silent, whispering among themselves, until the jarl was ready and spoke to them. "Have no fear for us," he said. "Doubtless my brother needs somewhat, and calls me. I am going to find out what it is and return." So we pushed off, Thord and Kolgrim rowing.
"Here is a gale coming," said Kolgrim, looking at the sky and the whitening wave crests. "We had best get our ships into this haven while we can." It seemed that Thord was of the same mind, for now he was heading homeward, and the other Saxons were putting about and following him.
Then I went forth softly, and came out into sunshine; for the wind was singing round the hilltops, and the dun mist had gone. Then I was ware that the sound of the stone on the sword edge had long ceased, and I looked for Kolgrim. He was lying on the grass in the place where I had left him, but he was on his face, and the sword and whetstone were flung aside from him.
"I am only one," I said; "Kolgrim and Thord are in this also." Then Osmund took a heavy gold bracelet from his arm. "This is for Kolgrim, your comrade," he said, half doubtfully, "if I may give it him in remembrance of a brave deed well done. Will he be too proud to accept it?" "I may give it him, certainly," I said, taking the gift.
"Well," the jarl answered, "maybe four of us are enough. We shall not fright Sigurd with more, and maybe would find it hard to get them to come." So he called Kolgrim, and he said that he would go with us, and went to get the boat alongside without more words. Then the jarl and I and Thord armed ourselves for a warrior should be met by warriors.
At first I was only asking because the king wished it, then because I grew curious, and because I thought it well to know what a Saxon's faith was if I was to bide among Alfred's folk. Kolgrim listened, saying nought. But presently Harek the scald would ask more than I, and his questions were very deep, and I thought that as days went on he grew thoughtful and silent.
"We mean no harm, and have but lost our way." There was a whistle, and in a moment the leaping shadows were on us. Kolgrim went down under a heavy blow on his helm, and lay motionless; and Harek was whirled by a dozen pairs of hands off his feet, and fell heavily with his foes upon him.
Towards evening, too, the wind shifted, and blew more off the shore, and that might bring them out from their haven. Kolgrim, who was weather wise, said that a shift of wind to the southward was coming presently.
I slew one, or thought I slew him, and I stood over Kolgrim and kept them back with long sword sweeps, crying to them to hold, for we were friends King Alfred's guests. Now they were yelling to one another, and one threw a long-noosed line over me from behind. It fell over my arms, and at once they drew it tight, jerking me off my feet.
"Save us from starvation, Ranald," said Ethered, laughing ruefully, "and we will raise a big stone heap here in your honour." "Kolgrim will show you," I said; "let me go to the king." "I am a great ice fisherman," said Harek; "let me go also." Then Heregar laughed in lightness of heart. "Ay, wizard, go also. There will be charms of some sort needed before Ethered sees so much as a scale."
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