hat I am a false prophet in the rest of my
foretelling," Alwin murmured to himself, as he followed the girl
forward. "If I am forced to tell her the truth, I think it likely she
will scratch my eyes out."

She did not look dangerous when he came up to her. She was sitting on a
little stool, with her hands folded quietly in her lap, and on her
beautiful face the dazed look of one who has heard startling news. But
her first question was straight to the mark.

"Leif has told me that Gilli and Bertha of Trondhjem are my father and
mother. He says that you have seen them and know them. Tell me what they
are like."

It was an instant plunge into very deep water. Alwin gasped. "Lady,
there are many things to be said on the subject. It may be that I am not
a good judge."

He was glad to stop and accept the stool Editha offered, and spend a
little time settling himself upon it; but that could not last long.

"Bertha of Trondhjem is a very beautiful woman," he began. "It is easy
to believe that she is your mother. Also she is gentle and
kind-hearted--"

Helga's shoulders moved disdainfully. "She must be a coward. To get rid
of her child because a man ordered it! Have you heard that? Because when
I was born some lying hag pretended to read in the stars that I would
one day become a misfortune to my father, he ordered me to be thrown
out--for wolves to eat or beggars to take. And my mother had me carried
to Eric, who is Gilli's kinsman, and bound him to keep it a secret. She
is a coward."

"It must be remembered that she had been a captive of Gilli," Alwin
reminded the shield-maiden. "Even Norse wives are sometimes--"

"She is a coward. Tell me of Gilli. At least he is not witless. What is
he like?"

Again the deep water. Alwin stirred in his seat and fingered at the
silver lace on his cap. He was dressed splendidly now. Left's wardrobe
had contained nothing black that was also plain, so the bowerman's long
hose were of silk, his tunic was seamed with silver, his belt studded
with steel bosses, his cloak lined with fine gray fur.

"Lady," he stammered, "as I have said, it may be that I am not a fair
judge. Gilli did not behave well to me. Yet I have heard that he is very
kind to his wife. It is likely that he would give you costly things--"

Helga's foot stamped upon the deck. "What do I care for that?"

He knew how little she cared. He gave up any further attempts at
diplomacy.

But her next words granted him a re