But justice is justice, and must be done." "Aye, Father," I answered, "and right will prevail." "Maybe we shall see it do so," he answered shortly, not seeming willing to hold much converse with me; "but it is likely that you go to your death on the wide sea.

Many a man have I shriven at the point of death--and Ulfkytel the Earl will not hold me back from your side--an you will." Thereat I was very glad, for I knew that the risks before me were very great, and I said as much.
Then he took the bridle of my horse and began to lead me on one side, and the guards hindered him until Ulfkytel shouted to them to draw aside in such wise as to prevent my riding off, though, bound as I was, it had been of little use to try to do so.

Then they let the priest take me out of earshot, and maybe posted themselves in some way round us, though I heeded them not.
So then in that strange way I, bound and on horseback, confessed; and weeping over me at last, with all his coldness forgotten, the priest of Burgh shrived me and blessed me, bidding me keep a good heart; for, if not in this world, then at the last would all be made right, and I should have honour.
After that he went once more to Beorn, but he was deaf to his pleading, and so he went away to the church, speaking no word to any man, and with his head bent as with the weight of knowledge that must not be told, and maybe with sorrow that the other prisoner, if guilty, would not seek for pardon from the Judge into whose hand he was about to go.
But as for me, this thing was good, and a wondrous comfort to me, and I went back to Egfrid with a cheerful heart, ready to face aught that might come.
Now the earl called to the guards from the water's edge, saying that the time was come, and we rode towards him, and I made Egfrid promise that he would hold his hand, at least till my father came.
Now they drew my boat to the shore, and they took Beorn from his horse first, and often have I wondered that he did not confess, but he said no word, and maybe his senses had left him by reason of his terror.

They haled him to the boat and unbound him, setting him in the bows, where he sank down, seeming helpless, but staring away from shore over the sparkling waters that he feared.
Then came my turn, and of my own will I stepped into the boat, looking her over to see that all was there as when Lodbrok came.
And all was there, though that was little enough.

The one oar, the baler, and a few fathoms of line on the floorboards.
Now as I had nothing to lose by speaking, I cried to the earl concerning the one matter that troubled me.
"Earl Ulfkytel, I pray you forgive my poor folk if they fought for me when you took the boat." "They knew not why it was taken," he answered quietly.