"I have come from the sea to which you sent me." Arnkel's red face went white and ghastly of a sudden, and he sprang back from the table as if he had been smitten.

The guests with him stared at us and at him, speechless, for they were Eric's men and knew nothing of Arnkel's ways.

But the courtmen rose to their feet with a wild medley of voices, for this thing seemed to them beyond belief for the moment.

Round us, amid the lesser folk, was a silence, save for the rustle as they shifted and craned to look at their young mistress.

But there was a whisper growing among them.
Now Arnkel came back to the table and set his hands on it, for they shook, and stared at Gerda without finding a word in answer.