There was a little hush as we came out of the shadow of the great
doorway, and everyone turned, of course, to see us. Gerda was
between Bertric and myself, and for the moment behind Gorm the
Steward, who ushered us in with all ceremony. She had her dark
cloak over her mail, and the hood of it hid her bright helm, and we
two were cloaked also. Behind us was Phelim, and then the men
followed. I waited until they were all inside the hall, and then
Gorm stepped aside, and Gerda stood forward.
"Ha!" said Arnkel, smiling broadly, "a lady. Welcome to our hall,
friends. It may be more to your liking than the sea, so late in the
year."
Gerda shook her long cloak from her, and stood before him at the
length of the hall, plain to be known, even as he had last set eyes
on her.
"Am I welcome, Arnkel?" she said in a cold voice, which had no sign
of a quiver in it. "I have come from the sea to which you sent me."
Arnkel's red face went white and ghastly of a sudden, and he sprang
back from the table as if he had been smitten. The guests with him
stared at us and at him, speechless, for they were Eric's men and
knew nothing of Arnkel's ways. But the courtmen rose to their feet
with a wild medley of voices, for this thing seemed to them beyond
belief for the moment.
Pages:
282
283
284
285
286
287
288
289
290
291
292
293
294
295
296
297
298
299
300
301
302
303
304
305
306