Among all that crowd there were only two men who seemed to shine in any magnificence.  One was the old king, who sat waiting us in a great chair, clad in royal robes of scarlet and white and green which no Irish looms could have compassed, with a little golden crown on his white hair, and the torque round his neck.  The other was a bishop in mitre and all state robes, wonderfully worked, and with a crosier in his hand.  Not having seen the like before I wondered most at him, but his looks were kind and pleasant.  Phelim told me who and what he was afterward.

Myrkiartan came from his throne to greet us as we passed through a lane of wild courtiers, who had looks which were not all of the most friendly for us.  But we paid no heed to them, though I thought that Hakon was well advised when he sent us instead of coming himself.  That first greeting was for us alone as the comrades of Dalfin, and it was a good welcome.  Then the king went back to his throne with all ceremony, to receive us as the embassy from Hakon.  There was no little state kept up in this court, and matters were to be kept in their right order.

Now, I need say little of all this ceremony and the words which passed of thanks to Hakon for driving the enemy to his end.  Myrkiartan made no suggestion that Hakon should stay here, and seemed more willing to speed him on his way elsewhere.  Presently, he said, there should be sent to the strand oxen and casks of mead as provender for the voyage, and Hakon was most welcome to take the ship if he would.

Thereon Dalfin asked for the captives, and they were brought in—­a dozen Danes, who stared at their captors haughtily in spite of their bonds.  Then they spied Bertric in the splendid arms which Gerda gave him, for we had come fully armed, and they looked toward him as if they would ask his help, but were too proud to do so.  And then of a sudden one of them spoke my name, and I knew him, though his face was half-hidden in the mud of the field on which some common chance had sent him down.  It was that man of ours who had told me that there was always the chance of escape, and had tried to gnaw my bonds when we were in the ship’s forepeak—­Sidroc, the courtman.  I did not pretend to know him then and there, thinking it might seem proof that Hakon was in league with Heidrek in some way.  Presently, when his low cry was forgotten, I looked at him, and he saw that I knew him, and was content.

“Look at the men, Bertric,” said Dalfin.  “See if there are any you will care to take.  You know them.”

“We cannot leave any of them here,” Bertric said to me.  “Hakon can set them ashore anywhere if he does not like them.  Asbiorn might manage them though, and with Hakon’s men they will learn manners.”

He spoke our own tongue of course, and the king asked what he said.  Dalfin said that Hakon would take them away altogether if the clemency of the king would allow it.  Whereon the king waved his hand, and said that they should be sent down with the oxen.