There was nothing strange in this, for cargo
often came at odd times, and we were wont to work late in stowing it. I
did wonder that we had not stayed to snatch a bit of supper, but it
crossed my mind that the Norseman had told my father of some goods that
had maybe been waiting for the whole day while we were at sea. And then
that did not seem likely, for he had taken us for thralls. So I was
puzzled, but held my peace until it should seem good to my father to
tell me what we were about.
When we reached a place where there was no house very near and no man
about, he said to me at last, "What is on hand I do not rightly know,
but yon man was Hodulf, the new king, as I suppose we must call him. He
would not tell me his name, but I saw him when he and the jarl made
terms the other day. Now he has bidden me meet him on the road a mile
from the town as soon as it is dark, and alone. He has somewhat secret
for me to do."
"It is a risk to go alone and unarmed," I answered; "let me go home and
get your weapons, for the errand does not seem honest."
"That is what I think also," said my father, "and that is why I am going
to meet him. It is a bad sign when a king has a secret to share with a
thrall, and I have a mind to find out what it is. There may be some plot
against our jarl."
He was silent for a few minutes, as if thinking, and then he went on.
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