I went forward, calling to Egfrid and the thane his father, and looking at them so that they should show no fear or give any sign to the ladies present that all was not well.

“This is Jarl Ingvar himself, and these are his men,” I said.  “And the jarl would fain speak with Eadgyth my sister, of whom he has often heard.”

And Egfrid, being very brave, although he must have seen well enough what this meant, kept his face well, and answered that Jarl Ingvar was welcome, coming in peace.

“Aye—­in peace just now,” answered Ingvar, looking at him.  “Now, I will say this, that Wulfric’s sister has found a brave husband.”

Now Eadgyth heard the jarl’s name, and knew naught of the terror that that name brought to all the land, and least of all that a battle could have been fought, for we had kept it from her.  Nor had I told her of how nearly he had been to slaying me, for I would not make Osritha’s brothers terrible to her.  So she thought of him only as Lodbrok our friend’s son, who had shown me hospitality in his own hall.

So when Egfrid took her hand and brought her forward, looking as I thought most beautiful in her bridal array, she smiled on the great Dane frankly, as in thanks for my sake.

Then Ingvar unhelmed, and spoke to her in courtly wise, even as he was wont to speak to Osritha.

“When I go back to my own land, lady, I shall have many questions asked me by one of whom you have doubtless heard, as to how our friend’s sister was arrayed for her wedding.  And that I shall not be able to say—­but this I know, that I may tell Osritha that Wulfric’s sister was worthy of Wulfric.”

Now Eadgyth noted not the war stains on Ingvar’s mail, but it was strange and terrible to me to see him sitting there and speaking as though the things of a stricken field were not the last, as it were, on which he had looked.  But Eadgyth’s eyes were downcast, though she was pleased.

“Thanks, Jarl Ingvar,” she said; “often have I heard of Osritha.  When you return I would have you thank her for her care of my brother—­and I would thank you also, Jarl, for your care of him.”

Now Ingvar reddened a little, but not with anger, for he saw that I had spoken at least no ill of him to Eadgyth.

“Nay, lady,” he answered; “Halfden and Hubba and Osritha have to be thanked—­if any thanks need be to us for caring for Jarl Lodbrok’s preserver.  Little share may I take of the matter.”

“Yet I will thank all in your place,” she said, and then shrank back to Egfrid’s side.

Never had I seen a more handsome couple.

Then Ingvar laid his hand on a great golden snake that twined round his right arm, and I thought he was going to give it as a bridal gift to my sister, for that is ever a viking’s way, to give lavishly at times when he might have taken, if the mood seizes him.  But as he glanced at the gold he saw blood specks thereon, and I heard him mutter: