He looked us up and down with a sharp glance and smiled, and Gerda
told her tale in a few words.

"True enough," he said; "for you wear the arms of the house, and
wear them well. I never thought to see one in the war gear of the
young master again and not to resent it--but Gerda will have made
no mistake. Now, what will you do? Arnkel sits in the hall, and
with him men who have come from Eric Bloodaxe the King."

"Hakon, Athelstane's foster son, is king," said Bertric. "There is
news for you. He is at Thrandheim, and the north has risen for him.
We are his men."

Gorm's eyes shone, and he whistled softly. "News indeed! This is a
day of wonders. What next?"

"How many of the men in the hall will stand by Arnkel when Gerda is
known?" I asked. "She would have no fighting if it can be avoided."

Maybe a dozen--men who never knew her. That is of no account, for
there are two score of our folk supping there."

"Well, then," I said, "we will surround the hall and walk in
quietly and call on Arnkel to surrender. If he does not, we must
make him do so; but first Gerda's tale shall be told of him."

Then Gerda said: "Let me go into the hall first and speak with
Arnkel face to face. I have no fear of him, and I think that my
folk will stand by me."

Just for a moment we doubted if that was safe for her, but Gorm the
Steward had the last word.

"Let it be so," he said. "Gerda shall call to her men, and they
will not hang back. Then Arnkel must needs give in. Now, the sooner
the better for all concerned."

Chapter 18: A Sea Queen's Welcome.

The folk ashore had made fast the ship by this time, and were idly
waiting while Gorm spoke to us. As yet they had paid no heed to the
lady with whom he talked, but wondered more at the quiet of the men
than aught else. I felt that they were growing uneasy, though that
Gorm found us friendly kept them from showing it. I dare say they
thought we were more messengers from Eric.

Now, Gorm bade us choose our men quickly and follow him, lest some
word should go to Arnkel of the armed ship which had come instead
of the peaceful trader which the pilots should have brought. So I
went down the starboard side and named a dozen men, while Asbiorn
did the same from the other bank of rowers, and as we named them,
they leapt up and fell in behind us. Then Asbiorn said:

"Better that I am not seen unless wanted. I will go to the back of
the hall and see that none get away thence. What