Then we were alone, and while I set Arngeir’s
weapons in a corner, my father put down the sack,
and stood looking at it. It seemed to sway a
little, and to toss as it settled down. And now
that there was light it was plain that the shape of
what was inside it was strangely like that of a child,
doubled up with knees to chin, as it showed through
the sacking.
“Hodulf or no Hodulf,” said my father,
“I am going to see more of this.”
With that he took a knife from the table and cut the
cord that fastened the mouth, turning back the sack
quickly.
And lo! gagged and bound hand and foot in such wise
that he could not move, in the sack was a wondrously
handsome boy of about the size of Withelm; and for
all his terrible journey across the king’s saddle,
and in spite of our rough handling, his eyes were
bright and fearless as he looked up at us.
“Radbard,” said my father, “what
if Hodulf had met with a thrall who had done his bidding
in truth?”
I would not think thereof, for surely by this time
there had been no light in the eyes that seemed to
me to be grateful to us.
Now my father knelt down by the boy’s side,
and began to take the lashings from him, telling him
at the same time to be silent when the gag was gone.
And hard work enough the poor child had to keep himself
from screaming when his limbs were loosed, so cramped
was he, for he had been bound almost into a ball.
And even as we rubbed and chafed the cold hands and
feet he swooned with the pain of the blood running
freely once more.
“This is a business for mother,” said
my father, on that; “get your supper, and take
it to bed with you, and say naught to the boys in the
morning. This is a thing that may not be talked
of.”
Now I should have liked to stay, but my father meant
what he said, and I could be of no more use; so I
took my food, and went up to the loft where we three
slept, and knew no more of what trouble that night
might have for others.
Now after I had gone, Grim, my father, tried to bring
the child round, but he could not do so; and therefore,
leaving him near the fire, he went softly to call
Leva, my mother, to help him; and all the while he
was wondering who the child might be, though indeed
a fear that he knew only too well was growing in his
heart, for there would surely he only one whom Hodulf
could wish out of his way.
As he opened the door that led to the sleeping room
beyond the high seat, the light shone on Leva, and
showed her sitting up in bed with wide eyes that seemed
to gaze on somewhat that was terrible, and at first
he thought her awake. But she yet slept, and so
he called her gently, and she started and woke.
“Husband, is that you?” she said.
“I had a strange dream even now which surely
portends somewhat.”
Now, as all men know, our folk in the north are most
careful in the matter of attending to dreams, specially
those that come in troubled times, holding that often
warning or good counsel comes from them. I cannot
say that I have ever had any profit in that way myself,
being no dreamer at all; but it is certain that others
have, as may be seen hereafter. Wherefore my
father asked Leva what this dream might be.
