It is well that Thorwald never knew the sore need there would be for what he could set by for me." Then I tried to tell her that all our wish was to lighten the trouble as much as we might, but she stayed me, laughing as if well content.
"Nay; but you shall mind that pact which we made at the first, neither more nor less." She signed to me to go to the others and set all in readiness for what must be done; but as I bowed and turned to go, she stayed me.
"For us Norse folk," she said, "there is one word needed, perhaps.
I heard my men cry the last farewell to Thorwald as the ship left the shore.

The temple rites were long over.

All that was due to a son of Odin has been done." Now, it is needless for me to say that I could not tell all that had passed.

All I had to say was that Gerda was content with our plan, and all three of us were somewhat more easy in our minds.

It had been by no means so certain that she would be so.
Now we made no more delay, but quietly and reverently Bertric showed us how to make all ready for such a sea burial as he had many a time seen before.