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It is as if his own father had minded what Harald had sworn in the old days." "Wherefore Harald brought all Norway under him, that every man should mind what he said," the Saxon answered. Then came three or four more thanes along the shore, and he rose up and waved his hand to them. "Here are more butts for Kolgrim," he said, laughing. "Now, King Ranald, I must go to my friends.
"Yet I would have you remember what I said yesterday about my kingship." "Ay, cousin, I mind it," he answered, laughing. "Also I mind that a king's son is a king's son, whatever else he may be called." Then he shook hands with Harek, and after that turned to Kolgrim, holding out his hand also to him. "Concerning sails," he said gravely, "I have many questions to ask you.
That seemed strange to me, and I sat still, looking back with the horse's head turned towards the main road. "Stay not, master," Kolgrim said. "'Tis some outpost, and the men have slept over the farmhouse ale. Maybe the stables behind are full of horses. Have a care, master; the door opens!"
Then that horse was riderless, and I heard Kolgrim laugh as his man went down with a clatter and howl. My horse plunged on for a few steps, and then I turned. Kolgrim had one horse by the bridle, and was catching that which had fallen. I caught the other, and so we looked at each other. "This is your luck, master," said Kolgrim.
I found her presently, while the men made litters whereon to bear our wounded to safety, having cleansed the stains of war from my armour. King Harald's mail had kept me from wound worth notice though, indeed, I hardly know how it was that I was unhurt thus. Kolgrim would not use his arm for many days, and Harek was gashed in arm and thigh also.
There were no people about, but we could hear shouts from the town now and then. "Let us go ashore and speak with some one," I said; "it is of no use our biding here on the water." Kolgrim and I were fully armed, and had boat cloaks with us which covered us well, and we thought none would question who we were if we mixed among the men in some inn or other gathering place.
He had not had time to learn how his cowardly folk had fled and left their mistress, fearing perhaps the sickness of the old dame as much as the Saxon levies. Now no more was said till we came to the riverside, where the flood tide was roaring through the broken timbers of the bridge. The fisher slept soundly despite the noise of wind and water, and Kolgrim had some trouble in waking him.
After that she ceased weeping, and was, as I thought, very brave in this trouble, which was indeed great to her. And when she was clad in outdoor gear, she bent once more over the bed as in farewell, while I turned away to Kolgrim and made ready the horses. Then she came, and mounted behind me on a skin that I had taken from a chair before the hearth. Then we were away, and I was very glad.
So one day in the third week in March I rode away with Kolgrim from Athelney, to see how all things were going on there, meaning also to go to Heregar's place for a time, having messages to give him from the king. Harek was coming with me; but Alfred asked me to spare him for this time. "I have to learn somewhat from the scald," he said. "Wizardry, my king?"
He was beginning to breathe heavily now, and I thought he would come round presently. Whether he had been hurt by the whirling of the dance or by the fall when they cast him aside, I could not tell, and we could do no more for him. "Sleep, master," said Kolgrim, when we had supped well; "I will watch for a time."
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