"First of all, I ask for safe conduct from this hall as a messenger from
king to king."

"That you have, of course," he answered. "What is your message?"

It did not seem that he thought of Havelok at all, but rather that I
came from some king to whom he had sent. There were two living not so
far off. I thought that there was no good in beating about the bush, for
such an errand as mine had better he told boldly. So I spoke out for all
to hear.

"This is the word of Havelok, son of Gunnar the king, to Hodulf of
Norway, who sits in his place. Home he has come to take his own, and now
he would tell you that the time has come that he is able to rule the
kingdom for himself."

"And what if he has?" said Hodulf, without the least change of face, as
if he had been expecting this, and nothing more or less.

But if he was quiet, the chiefs had heard my words in a very different
way. Some had leaped up, and others bent forward, to hear the answer to
my words the better. I heard one or two laugh; but there were some on
whose faces seemed to be written doubt and anxiety. I think that some
would have spoken, for Hodulf held up his hand for silence, and looked
to me for answer.

"It will be well for you to give up the throne to him, making such terms
as you may," I said.