One of the
thanes on the high seat, at the end, was he who had held the prizes at
these sports.
Now it seemed that Alsi had not heard of this before; and when he had
been told all about it, he said that he did not know that he had any man
who was strong enough to make such a cast as they spoke of, though Eglaf
had picked up a big man somewhere lately, whom he had noticed at the
hall end once or twice.
Then he ran his eyes over the tables, for now the women folk had sat
down among the men, and one could see everywhere. But he did not see the
man he meant, and so turned sharply on us two housecarls behind him.
"Here he is," he said, laughing and looking at me. "Were you the mighty
stone putter they make such a talk of?"
"I am not, lord," I said, somewhat out of countenance, because every one
looked at me together. It had never seemed to me that I was so big
before; perhaps because I was used to Havelok, and to Raven, who was
nigh as tall as myself, and maybe a bit broader.
"Why, then, who was he?" said the king. "We must ask Berthun, unless
anyone can see him in the hall."
Then the thane of the prizes said, "He is not here, lord; for little
trouble would there be in seeing him, if he were, seeing that he is a
full head and shoulders over even this housecarl of yours."
Now the princess had turned to look at me, and she saw that I was
abashed, and so she smiled at me pleasantly, as much as to say that she
was a little sorry for me, and turned away.
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