We must needs head south and try to make the Shetlands.

Eastward we might not sail for fear of Heidrek, and westward lay the open ocean, Still, we held on for half an hour, and then, still shrouded in the white folds of the fog, headed south as nearly as we might judge.
In an hour the wind fell.

The fog darkened round us as the sun wore to the westward, and the sea went down until only the long ocean swell was left, lifting the ship easily and slowly without breaking round her.

There was naught to be done; but, at least Heidrek could not find us.
"There may be days to come like this," Bertric said, with a sort of groan.

"What is to be planned for him who lies yonder ?" Now, I told them what Gerda had said to me, and I could see that Bertric was relieved to hear her thought of a sea burial.
"I had thought of the same," he said at once.