I am twenty-five, and took to the sea when I was seventeen.

Well, if Heidrek has spoilt this voyage, we can afford it.

Luck has been with me so far.

If I win home again it is but to start fresh with a new ship, or settle down on the old manors in the way of my forebears." Now, the remembrance that I had not one who would so much as think of me took hold of me, for the first time, as these two talked of their people, and it fell sorely heavily on me.

I could say naught, and turned away from these light-hearted wanderers.
They knew, and left me to myself in all kindness, for there was no word they could say which would help me.