Swords From the Sea Read Online Free PDF Page B

kiss of the young storm maidens adorned with seaweed. Some said that devils flew behind his sail, beating air into it with their wings. All agreed that he had the gift of foresight-he could see that which was to be. And a drunken Scot swore that he had seen the Red Elf land and flit over the snow more swiftly than a running horse. A hard man to lay hand on, this Red Elf who haunted the seas.
    "What luck," muttered Valgard, while his squire laced his mail habergeon upon his shoulders, "that this Viking ship should put in while I am guesting here."
    "Luck!" echoed old Thord, drinking from his goblet. The hall was full of the stalwart, well-armed liegemen of the warden. Two score and ten of them. They would be a match for a Viking crew. The warden had looked twice at Astrid, and had lingered here, after the storm that brought him to seek a haven had passed on.
    Valgard said no word about the maid, but he lingered, and Thord bethought him that it might come to a match between them. A good thing it would be, too-if the proud Valgard should ask Astrid for his bride. Thord no longer had gold or silver in big chests. The fishing had been had, and he could not pay the tithes the warden demanded. Aye, by chance and misfortune the wolf of poverty sniffed loud at Thord's door.
    Two fishermen came running in with word from the shore.
    "My lord," said they, "a Viking ship is at anchor by the rocks. Yea, 'twas harried i' the storm and seeketh meat and fresh water. Yonder seafarers will be after peace, and not war."
    Thord looked up. "Will they trade?"
    "Yea, my lord, that they will do. They have rich trove from other lands and they will trade this day for meat and drink, which they lack."
    Valgard lifted his shield, smiling. "If 'tis the Red Elf himself, we must beware. He hath more tricks in him than a fox.
    "Now I will tell you what to do. Send word to the rovers by these churls-" he nodded at the fishermen-"that you will keep the peace and in an hour you will come to the landing with cattle, wine kegs, and grain. You will do this, but I will go with my liegemen into the wood beside the landing. When the Viking chief comes ashore I will sally out and make him captive. Then will we have some of his men and his trove that he brings ashore. And the devils left in the ship can do naught but row away."
    Thord got to his feet uncertainly. He thought that the Vikings might be wolves; still, if they pledged a peace they would hold to it. But before he could speak Astrid was at his side, holding high her small head.
    "Sir Warden," she cried, "this ship has come into my father's land, not yours. What do we know of this Red Elf-surely it may be another!"
    "Hush, child-" began Thord.
    "Why," she demanded, "do you not go, Sir Warden, with your armed liegemen and guard my father openly at his trading, so that no harm may come of this landfall?"
    Valgard smiled, his eyes upon hers. "I will not have it said that I stood by with sword in sheath while the Red Elf fed and got away. We know not for certain it is he, but who else would come out of the sea at this time?"
    The girl looked up at her father. "Will you do this?"
    "Aye," said Thord heavily, and bade the fishermen take back the message of peace to the ship. He could not do without Valgard's help-and his wild girl had angered Valgard. She said no more, but when she would have slipped from the room, the warden laid hand upon her arm. At once she freed herself and sprang away through the door.
    "Forgive her, my lord," muttered Thord uneasily. "I have spoiled the girl, I fear-"
    "Nay, she is a beauty and knows it not." Valgard wondered why the image of this maid should be burned into his brain. She was willful, and untaught-a shabby little brat queening it in this dark, cracked hall. But the flash of her eyes, the soft gleam of her hair haunted his thoughts. What if she should be clad in brocaded silk with pearls twined around that slim throat? What if her hair were shaken loose upon her shoulders, and