“Of course.  But Asa Thor, who was only Malcolm the Jarl after all, being a fellow countryman, has had the first place.”

“You seem to have heard all the story,” I said, smiling.

“From the beginning,” she answered, “else had I not spoken to you thus.  Now, I will not sit by and see Gerda, whom I love, made wretched because you are somewhat too thoughtful for her, if I may put it so.  And I will tell you one thing which she fears more than aught.”

There she stayed her words and looked at me somewhat doubtfully.  I suppose that what she saw in my face told her that she might go on, for she did so.

“Presently Hakon must needs find a protector for her, if her own lands are to be won back for her.  She fears who that may be.”

Then she rose up and left me with some new matter for thought, not altogether unpleasant.  And thereafter, for the few days that were left of the voyage, I did my best to be the same in all companionship to our charge as I had been in the days on the island.

Hakon made up his mind to sail north to Thrandheim {2}, where men loved his father, and where the strength of Norway lay.  With the Thrandheimers behind him there would be every hope of winning in the end, if there must needs be some fighting here and there before the land was quiet.  So he steered for the islands which lie outside the great fjord whereon the town lies, and there found a berth for the ships, while he sent men to find out how the minds of the folk were turned toward Eric.  Thoralf went, and two others who were known in the district.

When they had gone, he sent for me to speak with him privately, in the little house on the island where he was lodged with some friend of his father’s.  He sat alone when I came in, and he smiled when he saw me.  I would have it remembered that Hakon was far older than his years, and that we forgot what his age was, for, indeed, he was wiser than most men even then.

“Malcolm,” he said, “I want you to do somewhat for me.  You will have to leave me, and maybe it is not an easy matter which I have in hand for you.  Yet it is likely that you are the only man whom I can set to do it.”

“If that is so, King Hakon, needs must I undertake it,” I answered, lightly enough.

“It is a matter which was forced on you once; but now you shall have your choice whether you will undertake it with your free will or not.”

He spoke gravely, but his eyes had the light of a jest in them, and I had to smile.

“This sounds a terrible matter, King Hakon,” said I.  “Let me know the worst of it.”

“Someone has to take Gerda back to her own place and turn out Arnkel for me.  Thereafter, he will have to hold the land for me quietly, and make ready for a rising for me if need is.  I think there will be little trouble, but I do not know what men of his own this Arnkel may have.  Will you do it?”

“Seeing that the care of a lady is in the matter, I will not, for shame’s sake, say that I will do it with a light heart,” I answered.  “But you could have asked me nothing more after my own mind.  But what of the lady?”