What is this tale brought up against your lord? I
have heard how Thorwald was set to sea in his ship."
Then old Gorm answered in a voice which shook with wrath: "And with
him, bound in the funeral chamber, with burning peat piled round
it, Arnkel set the Lady Gerda to burn at sea, even as you see her.
But for chance she had never stood in Arnkel's way more. She is
Thorwald's heiress."
In the silence which followed Gerda spoke again. Men were doubting
yet, and Arnkel's men had no mind to begin a fight which would be
fell enough.
"You have said that I am a captive, Arnkel," she said calmly.
"Listen, friends, and say if so I am."
She half turned to me, and took my hand before them all, smiling.
"This is my promised husband," she said proudly, "Jarl Malcolm, who
saved me. If I am captive, it is willingly.
"Now, Arnkel, I will let bygones be bygones. It shall be as it was
before the day when the ship was set adrift. Only you shall go your
way to the king, to be judged by him."
"Fair speech, Arnkel," said Eric's courtier. "Better listen to it.
You have to deal with yon Scots jarl--and I ken the Scotsmen."
He sat down, watching the throng. He would take no hand in the
matter, wherein he was wise. But those words of his came to Arnkel
as a taunt, and his look at me was terrible.
Pages:
285
286
287
288
289
290
291
292
293
294
295
296
297
298
299
300
301
302
303
304
305
306
307
308
309