“Not speaking it myself, your Majesty, I am but a poor one to question on that matter.”

The King then called Kenric to his side, and bade the young page Harald address him in his native tongue.  At this the flaxen-haired lad leapt towards Kenric with glistening eyes.

“My good friend,” said he in Norse, “be not alarmed at what I shall say.  The King knows not a word of our tongue.  Tell me, is it to set me free that you come hither?  Do you come from my father?”

“Your father?” said Kenric.  “I know not who your father may be.  Methinks you make some strange mistake!”

“Alas!” said the lad, crestfallen, “then am I the most unhappy youth that ever lived!  But stay; you come from Bute.  I heard the King say so.  You have come in your ship.  I saw when you entered this room that you were an islander.  My friend, I implore you to rescue me from the hands of these Scots.  Take me away from this land, for I am well-nigh dying to breathe once more the free air of my island home, and to rove again upon the wide ocean.  Say, will you help me to escape?”

“What!” exclaimed Kenric, “even in his Majesty’s presence you ask me to do such a thing?  By the rood, but you are passing bold!”

“Enough,” said King Alexander, smiling as he signed to the page to retire.

Then he drew Sir Piers and Kenric nearer to him.

“The death of Hamish of Bute,” said he, “is a sore calamity.  We could ill spare him.  But as concerning the matter of the Western Isles, the time has come for speedy action, and we must look to you, Sir Piers, and to you, Earl Kenric, for the help that we now need.  We are about to despatch an expedition to the outer islands, and it may be that the mission will not be fulfilled without the spilling of blood.  It is, therefore, necessary that you should gather together a goodly number of brave men and as many ships as may be available.  With these you shall repair to Jura, Islay, Colonsay, Mull, and, indeed, all the isles that lie south of Morven; and there gather what knowledge may be gained touching the power held by Hakon of Norway in these districts.  My lord of Ross will in like manner visit the more northern isles.  You shall not want for help, for we will presently send over to Bute some two or three ships from Galloway and Cowall.  As to the rest, we leave it in your hands, Ranza, who so well understand the situation.  Should you, by forcibly invading the islands of the disaffected kings, succeed in conquering them, so much the more to your credit.  All we ask is that you draw not the sword ere you have done all that is possible by the persuasions of the tongue.”

Sir Piers bowed and exchanged glances with Kenric.