Hubba nodded, and he and I rose up and went out to the porch, where
Raud and Rolf waited with the two guards. We passed them and stood
in the courtyard.

"I believe you, Wulfric," said Hubba, "for I know a true man when I
see him."

"I thank you, Jarl," I answered him, taking the hand that he
offered me.

I looked out over the sea, for the frank kindness moved me, and I
would not show it. There was a heavy bank of clouds working up, and
the wind came from the north, with a smell of snow in it. Then I
saw a great hawk flying inland, and wondered to see it come over
sea at this time of year. It flew so that it would pass over the
house, and as it came it wheeled a little and called; and then it
swept down and came straight towards me, so that I held out my hand
and it perched on my wrist.

And lo! it was Lodbrok's gerfalcon; and pleased she was to see me
once more, fluttering her wings and glancing at me while I smoothed
and spoke to her.

But Hubba cried out in wonder, and the men and Ingvar came out to
see what his call meant. Then they, too, were amazed, for they knew
the bird and her ways well.

I had spoken of the falcon once or twice, telling the jarls how she
had taken to me, and I think they had doubted it a little. Now the
bird had got free in some way, and finding neither of her masters,