The sounds of feasting went on in the hall, and the red light glared from the high windows.

Forgotten was all but revelling--and the guard who kept the gate was Raud the forester, my friend.

He opened the gates a little, and we three slipped out and stood for a moment together.
The night was very dark, and the wind howled and sang through the stockading, and none seemed to be about the place.
There Halfden took my hand and bade me farewell very sadly.
"This is the best I may do for you, my brother.

Go with Raud to his house, and thence he and Rolf and Thoralf your shield man, who all love you, will take you even to Hedeby, where there are Christian folk who will help you to the sea and find passage to England.

And fare you well, my brother, for the days we longed for in your land will never be--" "Come in the ship to England, that so there may be good times even yet," I said.
"Aye, to England I shall surely come--not to seek you, but at Ingvar's bidding.