Then one of the men came to the opening of the awning.

“A boat, King Hakon, with two men in her, pulling to us from the western bank.”

“Hail her to keep off,” said Hakon.

And Osric added that they should heave a big stone into her if she did not.  “Spies, most like,” he said.

They hailed the boat, and had an answer at once.

“Tell Hakon that hither comes a courtman of Queen Gerda’s.”

Hakon said that it must be some man who had escaped; but Bertric and I knew at once.

“It is Dalfin the Prince,” we said.  “He has had to fly from those brothers of his.”

So it was, and he had come to see more adventure with King Hakon.

“I might find enough if I stayed,” he said; “but of an evil sort.”

“Why, what is amiss then?” I said.

“Only that my brothers do not like favourites, and I happen to be one for the moment.  There would have been fighting if I had stayed, and that would have ended in my good father being pushed off his throne by my elder brother lest I should be named as successor to the crown.  Or else in sudden end to myself.”

Then he laughed, as if somewhat pleasant came to mind.

“There are strange stories afloat concerning me and the torque already,” he went on.  “It is said that the fairy queen has had me in her court for all this time I have been away, and that she gave me back the thing.  So I have even fled suddenly and secretly, and they will hold that she has lured me back again.”

“It is not altogether for your own safety that you have fled,” said Hakon gravely.

“Faith, and so it is not,” he answered.  “I had but to lift my finger, and the wearing of the torque would have set me on the throne.  And a mighty uneasy seat that would have been, too!  I think my father is used to it, and might have missed the seat.  So I left.”

“For your father’s sake,” said Hakon, smiling at him.  “Well, come and help me to not quite so uneasy a realm, and all may be for the best.  There is little freedom for him who holds an Irish throne, as it seems to me.”

Chapter 16:  In Old Norway.

The ships were under way with the tide in the gray of the early morning, and crept along the shore to the island slowly.  There were men watching our going from the cliffs, but there had been no alarm from the Irish in the night.  I dare say they claim to have driven Hakon of Norway from their shores even to this day, but I do not know that it matters if they do.  No one is the worse for the boast, or the better either, for that matter.

Hakon took the ships into the little strait for easier landing than from the open shore.  His men were waiting at the water’s edge for us, but there were no hermits to be seen at first, for it was one of their hours of service in the chapel.  We had heard the faint ringing of its little bell as we drew up to the opening of the strait.  Bright and clear it was in the early morning sunlight, and it was peaceful as ever.  Even Hakon’s men had set aside their mail here, looking as quiet as the place itself.