Estein turned away as he spoke, and gazed with folded arms over the grey waters.

Helgi looked at him in silence; then he went up to his side.

“Forgive me, Estein,” he said, “and let Odin judge you.  I love you too well to be aught but a friend whatever you may do.”

“Helgi! but for you I think I should fall upon my sword.”

His friend tried to force a laugh, but it came hard.

“Nay, rather seek a sword for Liot Skulison, for I see we are nearing the holm.”

“I had forgotten Liot,” said Estein.  “We will loose his bonds, and let him choose his weapons.”

He found Liot sitting in the waist bound hand and foot.  His eye was as firm as if he had been in his own hall, and he looked up indifferently as Estein approached.

“Do you remember me, Liot?” asked his captor.

“Ay, Estein.  You, methinks, are one of the bairns I thought I had slain.  Well was it for you that the Orkney tides run strong.  But the luck has changed, I see; and you were a bold man, Estein Hakonson, to change it as you did.  Why did you not burn us out?”

“Because I wanted you alone.”

“Ay, torture is a pleasant game for the torturers.  How do you intend that I shall die?”

“By my sword, if the gods will it.  In an hour, Liot, we fight to the death.  Our battle-ground is yonder holm, the weapons you may choose yourself; and meanwhile I shall loose your bonds, and if you wish to eat or drink you may.”

A look of blank astonishment came over the Viking captain’s face.

“This is a merry jest, Estein,” he said.

“It is no jest.—­Loose his bonds, men.”

Liot gave a shout of joy.

“Estein,” he cried, “you are a brave man, but I think you are fey.”

“That will soon be seen.”

The Viking’s cool indifference gave place to the most exuberant excitement.  Like everybody else he thought that Estein was either mad or the victim of some enchantment; but so long as he was going to strike a good blow for life, he cared not how the chance had come.  He called for ale and meat, and with the eye of an old soldier carefully picked his weapons; while the men around him muttered to each other that Estein was surely fey.

All this time they had been sailing eastwards before a light breeze.  The sun had long been up, but the whole sky was obscured by light clouds, and there was an early morning feel in the air.  Nearly the whole length of the wide and lonely firth that divides Orkney from the Scottish coast lay behind them, and close ahead they saw the little island that Grim had chosen for the meeting-place.  When they had reached the holm they anchored the ship close inshore, and two boat-loads of men were first sent to prepare the field of battle.  Then when all was ready the two combatants, attended by Helgi and Ketill, were rowed ashore.

Liot was gay and cheerful as a man going to a feast; while Estein sat silent in the stern, his thoughts busy with a landing at another island.