The ship swayed
gently to the dying swell, and the sail flapped idly against the
mast, while ever we looked to see the longships of Heidrek coming
in the offing in search of us.
Once I climbed the mast, and was glad to see no sign of his sails.
Though we must have baffled him for the time, we could not have
sailed far ere the wind failed. Presently, in the shelter of the
boats, we fitted ourselves out afresh from the courtman's chest,
and felt more like ourselves again. We set the mail we needed no
longer for the time in the chest, and that done, longed for the
wind which did not come. It was breathless.
The awning grew stifling, and Gerda left it for our midday meal,
coming to the after deck, and sitting there with us. Presently she
looked at our dress and smiled, jesting a little. Then she set her
hand on the little chest of gold which stood on the deck by her and
opened it.
"I am going to ask you to wear some of these things," she said,
half shyly. "I have a fancy to see you three as you should be, with
the things which belong to your rank on you."
Bertric shook his head at that. "No, lady," he said. "What need?"
"Maybe I would see my friends as they should be," she answered.
"Maybe I would fain for once give the gifts a queen may give, if
never again.
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