"There is no doubt that he hath a kingly hunger," quoth Grim as he
watched him.
"Friend," said Havelok, hearing this, though it was not meant for his
ears, "it is likely, seeing that this is the third day since I have had
food given me. And I thank you, good people, though I would have you
know that it is the custom to serve the king's son kneeling."
"How should we know that you are the king's son indeed?" asked Grim.
"I am Havelok, son of Gunnar," the boy said gravely. "Yon traitor,
Hodulf, has slain my father, and my two sisters, and driven out my
mother, whither I cannot tell, and now he would drown me."
Then the boy could hardly keep a brave front any longer, and he added,
"Yet I do not think that you will do to me as I heard him bid you."
Then came over Grim a great pity and sorrow that it should seem needful
thus to sue to him, and there grew a lump in his throat, so that for a
while he might not answer, and the boy thought him in doubt, so that in
his eyes there was a great fear. But Leva wept outright, and threw
herself on her knees beside him, putting her arms round him as he sat,
speaking words of comfort.
Then Grim knelt also, and said, "Thralls of yours are we, Havelok, son
of Gunnar, and for you shall our lives be given before Hodulf shall harm
you. Nor shall he know that you live until the day comes when you can go
to him sword in hand and helm on head, with half the men of this realm
at your back, and speak to him of what he did and what he planned, and
the vengeance that shall be therefor.
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