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Updated: May 20, 2025
But Rorik saw the trap; and perceiving that his fleet was wedged in a certain narrow creek among the shoal water, took it out from the sands where it was lying, and brought it forth to sea; lest it should strike on the oozy swamps, and be attacked by the foe on different sides.
Now Ingvar stood before the shrine, and called to the gods to be heedful of the blood spilt to purge whatever dishonour or wrong had been done. And he hung up the weapons of the slain man in the shrine, and after that closed its doors and barred them; and we marched from the Ve silently and swiftly, leaving the body of Rorik alone for a feast to the birds of Odin before the dying altar fire.
Feng now suspected that his stepson was certainly full of guile, and desired to make away with him, but durst not do the deed for fear of the displeasure, not only of Amleth's grandsire Rorik, but also of his own wife. So he thought that the King of Britain should be employed to slay him, so that another could do the deed, and he be able to feign innocence.
And to that way I cleave. I have done despite to no man's faith neither to yours nor my own." At that Rorik lost patience, and lifting his axe, ground his teeth and said savagely: "I will even make you honour Thor yonder." Now at that Halfden saw a chance for me, and at once stayed Rorik's hand, saying in a loud voice: "Ho! this is well.
Let Wulfric and Rorik fight out this question and then the life of him who is slain will surely appease the gods." That pleased our crew well, for they had no great love for Rorik, who had taken too much command on him, for a stranger on board. Now, too, Ingvar's brows cleared, for he cared nothing for the life of either of us, so that the gods were satisfied with blood.
Now I was in ill company, and must fit my speech to theirs, answering truly enough: "It seems to me that some of us here were a little downcast when we found that you were no Northmen, for we looked for a fight." Whereon they all laughed, and Rorik said that maybe his men had the same longing, but that we would make a great raid between us.
Surely he can keep his own honour leave it to him." "It is dishonour to Thor not to hail him," said Rorik. Now Ingvar spoke again to me: "Why do you no honour to the gods?" "My fathers honoured them, for the godarship was theirs, and would have been my father's and mine, even as it is yours, Jarl Ingvar. For good reason they left that honour and chose another way and a better.
"Not on me with axe, I pray you," he answered laughing, and twisting his head on one side. "I mind me of Rorik." "Let us be going," I said, for I could not jest. So we trotted after the party, and when we were near, Raud left me and went to Ingvar's side, speaking to him of what I had said. Then the jarl turned round to me, speaking quietly enough, but in a strange voice.
But the youth, who doubted his fortune, said: "Rorik, if I prove successful, let thy generosity award the prize of the conqueror, do thou decide and allot the palm; but if my enterprise go little to my liking, what prize canst thou owe to the beaten, who will be wrapped either in cruel death or in bitter shame?
As godar he must not pass by the dishonour to the gods, yet as the son of the man whom I had saved, how could he harm me? And Rorik, seeing this, cried: "I hold that this man should live no longer." "Why, what dishonour has he done the gods?" said Halfden. "If he had scoffed, or said aught against them that were a different thing. And what does Thor there care if one man pays no heed to him?
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