I had heard that the king was ever open handed, but also that at this time he had little to give.  Maybe, however, we might help him to riches again.  I had the men to think of, but I will say for myself that I had not thought of asking what reward or pay should be given.

I sheathed my sword, and held out my hand to Odda across the yard that was between us; and he grasped it honestly, while the men on either side cheered.

“Stay here and speak with me,” Odda said.  “Now we must get back to the fleet.”

Then went back to our ship, all but Thord and half a dozen warriors, whom he kept as guard for me, I suppose; and the grappling lines were cast off.  Then we made sail again, and headed to rejoin the rest of the Saxon vessels.  Odda’s crippled ship had repaired her damage at this time, and went with us.  But first it was plain that she thought we had taken her consort, for she prepared to fight us, and Odda had to hail her once or twice before she was sure of what had happened.  Then her crew cheered also.

Now Odda took me aft, and we sat together on his quarter deck.  Thord came also, and leaned on the rail beside us, looking with much disfavour at the crew, who were plainly landsmen at sea for the first time, if they were stout fighting men enough.  Maybe there were ten seamen among the hundred and fifty, but these had handled the ship well under canvas, as we knew.

“You have come in good time, King Ranald,” Odda said.  “You see what state we are in; can you better it for us?”

“Many things I can see that need strengthening,” I answered.  “But you seem to take me into your counsels over soon, seeing that I have just fallen on you sword in hand.”

“Why,” said Odda frankly, “it is just your way of speaking to me sword in hand that makes me sure that I can trust you.  I cannot deny that you had this ship at your mercy, and that the other would have been yours next; and you knew it, and yet spoke me fair.  So it is plain that you mean well by us.”

“Ay,” said I, “but for your bidding me to yield, there would have been no fighting at all, when I knew to whom the ships belonged.”

“You have put a thought in my mind, and I am glad you did board us, seeing there is no harm done,” Odda answered.  “I will tell you what it is.  Send me some of your men to order my people and tell them how to prepare for battle.  Here am I sent to sea for the first time, with good warriors enough who are in like case, and a few seamen who can sail the ship and know nought else.”

“You have some Norsemen yonder, if I mistake not,” I said, looking at the fleet which we were nearing.

“Ay—­wandering vikings who care nought for what I say.  They were going to Rolf, and the king persuaded them to take this cruise first.  If you can make them follow you, there will be another matter for which I shall be more than thankful.”

Thereat Thord growled:  “They will follow Ranald Vemundsson well enough; have no care about that.”