Not long
would they wait for that now.
We rode to the door, and one came to meet us with words of welcome,
thinking that we were men who came to the levy that was gathering; but
his words stayed when I asked to be taken to the presence of Hodulf, as
I came with a message from Havelok Gunnarsson the king.
The man, chamberlain or steward, or whatever he was, stared at me, and
said in a low voice, "It is true then?"
"True as I am Radbard Grimsson, who helped Havelok to fly from hence."
"Unwelcome will you be, for Hodulf is in no good mood," the man said. "I
hardly think it safe for you to trust yourself with him."
"Then," said I, "open the door of the hall, and I will go in with my
men, and see what he says."
"Well, that will be bad for me, but I have a mind to see Havelok."
So I told Withelm to come at my side, and bade half the courtmen follow
us closely, and when they were inside to see that the door was not
barred after us on any pretence. The rest would bide with the horses
outside.
Then we loosed the peace strings of our weapons, and in we went, quietly
and in order; and the chiefs turned to look at us, thinking us more of
themselves. Hodulf sat on his place on the dais, and there were
thirty-one others with him, sitting on the benches that were set along
the walls. Withelm counted them.
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