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And he said: "So shall it be. Take axes and make short work of it. If Wulfric can slay Rorik, we know that he is innocent of aught to dishonour the gods. But if he is slain then on his head is the blame." Then he looked round and added: "Let Guthrum and Hubba see fair play."
There was no more then to be said. All the while Ulfkytel had watched my face and Beorn's, and now he said: "The arrow condemns Wulfric, but any man might pick up a good arrow that he had lost. And the sword condemns Beorn, but there are many ways in which it might be bloodstained in that affair.
'To carry news of succour? Nay! 'All right then, said Robert, struck by a sudden idea; 'then let me go somewhere else. His mind sought eagerly among his memories of the historical romance. 'Sir Wulfric de Talbot, he said slowly, 'should think foul scorn to to keep a chap I mean one who has done him no hurt when he wants to cut off quietly I mean to depart without violence.
"Brother, are you here yet?" "Aye, sister, both of us come and persuade this foolish Wulfric." Then I spoke quickly, for it seemed to me that if Osritha spoke and urged me, I should surely give way. "Nay, but you must not persuade me would you have had us Christians bid your father choose between death and gain for the sake of winning him to our faith?" Then said Halfden, "That would I not."
What say you, son Wulfric?" And at that I was very glad, for I had longed for that word of his. For never, since I could remember, was a time when I knew not all that a boy might learn, for his years, of sea and the seaman's craft; and the sea drew me, calling me as it were with its many voices, even as it drew my father.
And the first had tried my courage, and the next my endurance, as I thought; but this would try both, and my faith as well. "That is naught," said Halfden, lightly. "It is but the signing of Thor's hammer, and I have seen Wulfric do that many a time, only not quite in our way, thus;" and he signed our holy sign all unknowing, or caring not.
Then his grave smile came, and he said: "Truly, Wulfric, I had forgotten all things but my own home, and when I woke from my dream at your touch, half thought I that you were Halfden that youngest son of mine of whom I told you."
"Aye, surely," answered they both at once. Then once more the music played, and the little train went on and up the hill, and Ingvar and I stood together for a while looking after them. "I thank you, King," I said. "Aye, Wulfric; and maybe you and yours are the only ones who will say that word to me in all this land.
Sir Wulfric, I salute thee. He saluted after the modern military manner, and set off running to the sand-pit, Jakin's long boots keeping up easily. He found the Fairy. He dug it up, he woke it up, he implored it to give him one more wish. 'I've done two to-day already, it grumbled, 'and one was as stiff a bit of work as ever I did.
Then I asked him to leave the land in peace, and his face darkened. "I speak of yourself alone," he said, "as for land and king and people that is a different matter." "You have had your revenge," I said. "What?" he asked fiercely. "Is the life of Lodbrok, my father, worth but the death of a hound like Beorn? Stand aside, Wulfric, and let me have my revenge in full."
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